Vehicle differential

A differential apparatus for transmitting a driving force from an input to an output without the use of fasteners comprising:

• a single piece differential casing having a central bore and defining a longitudinal axis, said differential casing including a plurality of longitudinal slots extending along an inner surface of said differential casing;
• a ring gear for receiving rotational input, said ring gear being fixed to said differential casing for rotation therewith about said longitudinal axis;
• a spider assembly including a spider member having a plurality of legs and a spider gear supported on each of said legs, said legs being received in and contacting said slots;
• and
• at least one cover for retaining said spider assembly within said central bore.

A differential apparatus comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first and second axle shafts;
• a single piece differential casing having a central bore and defining a longitudinal axis of rotation, said differential casing having a ring gear portion unitarily formed on an exterior surface, said ring gear portion receiving input from a pinion gear mounted to said input shaft;
• a first side gear supported on said first axle shaft for rotation therewith and a second side gear supported on said second axle shaft for rotation therewith, said first and second side gears receiving rotational input as said differential casing and said ring gear rotate about said longitudinal axis;
• and
• a spider assembly including a spider member having a plurality of legs and a spider gear supported on each of said legs, said spider gears rotating when said first and second axle shafts rotate at different speeds.

A differential apparatus comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first and second axle shafts;
• a single piece differential casing having a central bore and defining a longitudinal axis, said differential casing including a plurality of longitudinal slots extending along an inner surface of said differential casing;
• a ring gear supported by said differential casing and rotatable about said longitudinal axis by a pinion gear connected to said input shaft;
• an actuator member having extensions received in said longitudinal slots, said actuator for receiving rotational input from said ring gear and differential housing;
• and
• a spider assembly including a spider member and a plurality of spider gears, said spider member having a central body portion with a plurality of legs extending radially outwardly therefrom wherein each of said legs supports one of said spider gears, said legs being received in and contacting said longitudinal slots such that said differential casing, said ring gear, and said spider assembly rotate about said longitudinal axis as the driving force is transmitted from said input shaft to said output shafts.

A differential apparatus for transmitting a driving force from an input shaft to a pair of output shafts comprising:

• a drive gear for receiving rotational input from said input shaft;
• a driven gear defining an axis of rotation and driven by said drive gear, said driven gear having a centrally located bore with a plurality of slots radially spaced about said axis of rotation along the length of said bore;
• a spider having a central body portion with a plurality of legs extending radially outwardly therefrom, said legs each having an end portion that is partially received in one of said slots;
• and
• at least one cover mounted to said driven gear for retaining said legs in said slots.