Coil spring preload for parallel-axis differential
AssigneeZexel Torsen Inc.
InventorNoel R. Barnes, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coil spring preload system is applied to a parallel-axis differential having a thrust block interposed between ends of axles splined to side gears within the differential. A pair of spring plates are interposed between the thrust block and the side gears, and the spring plates retain preload coil springs arranged in sectors between the thrust block and planetary gears of the differential. The spring plates are retained against rotation relative to the differential housing, preferably by piloting against the planetary gears. U-shaped access openings in the spring plates to allow application of C-clips retaining axle ends within the differential are preferably closed by filler plates having the same thickness as the spring plates.
Claims45
A coil spring preload system for a parallel-axis differential, the system comprising:
- a. a plurality of coil springs compressed between a pair of plates for biasing the plates apart;
- b. the plates being arranged on opposite sides of a thrust block engaging ends of axles splined in side gears of the differential;
- c. the plates being arranged between the thrust block and the side gears and having openings allowing the axles to engage the thrust block;
- d. the plates engaging side gears of the differential for biasing the side gears apart;
- and
- e. the coil springs being arranged in a pair of sectors beyond peripheries of the thrust block and between the thrust block and planetary gears of the differential.
A preloaded parallel-axis differential having side gears spaced apart on opposite sides of a thrust block engaging ends of axles splined to the side gears, the differential comprising:
- a. a spring plate arranged between each side gear and the thrust block to extend at least part way around each respective axle;
- b. the spring plates having scalloped edges that bear against planetary gears of the differential to keep the spring plates from rotating relative to the planetary gears;
- c. a plurality of coil springs arranged between the spring plates for biasing the spring plates apart and thereby biasing the side gears apart;
- and
- d. the coil springs being arranged in a pair of sectors lying within the planetary gears and outside the thrust block.
A method of preloading a parallel-axis differential having side gears splined to axles engaging opposite surfaces of a thrust block interposed between the axles and the side gears, the method comprising:
- a. interposing spring plates between the side gears and the thrust block to extend at least part way around the axles and to extend toward planetary gears of the differential beyond a periphery of the thrust block;
- b. compressing coil springs between the spring plates in regions between the thrust block and the planetary gears;
- and
- c. piloting the spring plates on the planetary gears to prevent the spring plates from rotating relative to the planetary gears.
In a parallel-axis differential having side gears spaced apart on opposite sides of a thrust block engaging ends of axles splined to the side gears, an improvement comprising:
- a. a plurality of coil springs compressed between the side gears for biasing the side gears outward to apply a preload;
- b. the springs being compressed between spring plates interposed between the side gears and the thrust block in a region around the axles;
- and
- c. multi-surface friction clutches arranged between a housing for the differential and outside surfaces of the side gears opposite the spring plates.
A coil spring preload system applied to a parallel-axis differential having side gears spaced apart on opposite sides of a thrust block engaging axles splined to the side gears, the preload system comprising:
- a. a plurality of coil springs compressed between a pair of spring plates that are interposed between the thrust block and the side gears in a region around the axles to engage confronting surfaces of the side gears;
- b. the spring plates being fixed against rotation relative to a housing of the differential;
- and
- c. the coil springs being arranged in a pair of symmetrical arrays located in radial sectors between the thrust block and planetary gears for the differential.
A preloaded parallel-axis differential having side gears spaced apart on opposite sides of a thrust block engaging ends of axles splined to the side gears, the differential comprising:
- a. a plurality of coil springs compressed between a pair of spring plates;
- b. each of the spring plates being interposed between the thrust block and one of the side gears in a region around the axles so that the spring plates engage confronting surfaces of the side gears;
- c. the spring plates extending around the axles in generally U-shaped configurations allowing access to ends of the axles;
- d. a pair of filler plates fitting between the thrust block and the side gears and dimensioned for closing regions of the U-shaped configurations clear of the axles;
- and
- e. the filler plates having the same thickness as the spring plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.