Driving and locking mechanism for a threaded bearing cup
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorsGary A. Turner, Mark Edward Rodgers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A differential allowing relatively easy alignment and secure positioning of bearings is provided. The differential includes a differential carrier and a differential case disposed within the carrier. A bearing assembly is located between the differential carrier and the differential case and allows the differential case to rotate within the differential carrier. The differential carrier and a cup of the bearing assembly having mating threads allowing relatively easy alignment of the bearing assembly within the differential. A deformable member is attached to the bearing assembly cup and is deformed and inserted into a slot in the differential carrier upon alignment of the bearing assembly to securely position the bearing assembly.
Claims15
A differential (10), comprising:
- a differential carrier (12) disposed about a first axis (56);
- a differential case (20) disposed within said differential carrier (12);
- a bearing assembly (36) disposed about said first axis (56) between said differential carrier (12) and said differential case (20), said bearing assembly (36) allowing said differential case (20) to rotate within said differential carrier (12)
- wherein said differential carrier (12) includes a first plurality of threads (58) disposed on a radially inner surface and said bearing assembly (36) includes a cup (76) having a second plurality of threads (84) disposed on a radially outer surface configured to engage said first plurality of threads (58).
A differential (10), comprising:
- a differential carrier (12) disposed about a first axis (56);
- a differential case (20) disposed within said differential carrier (12);
- a bearing assembly (36) disposed about said first axis (56) and between said differential carrier (12) and said differential case (20), said bearing assembly (36) allowing said differential case (20) to rotate within said differential carrier (12);
- and,
- a deformable member (40) coupled to a cup (76) of said bearing assembly (36)
- wherein at least a portion (98) of said deformable member (40) is deformed and inserted into a slot (100) in said differential carrier (12) upon alignment of said bearing assembly (36) within said differential carrier (12).
A method of assembling a differential (10), comprising the steps of:
- providing (102) a differential carrier (12) and a differential case (20) disposed within said differential carrier (12), said differential carrier (12) and said differential case (20) disposed about a first axis (56) and said differential carrier (12) having a first plurality of threads (58) on a radially inner surface;
- inserting (104) a bearing assembly (36) between said differential carrier (12) and said differential case (20), said bearing assembly (36) including a cup (76) having a second plurality of threads (84) disposed on a radially outer surface and configured to engage said first plurality of threads (58);
- and,
- rotating (106, 106′) said bearing assembly (36) until a predetermined alignment position is reached.
The method of 12, further comprising the steps of:
- affixing (108) a deformable member (40) to said cup (76) of said bearing assembly (36);
- deforming (120) at least a portion (98) of said deformable member (40) after reaching said predetermined alignment position;
- and,
- inserting (122) said at least a portion (98) of said deformable member (40) into a slot (100) in said differential carrier (12).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.