Differential case with lubrication passages

A differential assembly comprising:

• a hollow differential case having two opposite substantially radial bores, said differential case provided for rotation about a longitudinal axis;
• a differential drive mechanism including two pinion mate gears disposed within said differential case and rotatably mounted on a pinion shaft supported in said radial bores;
• two pinion seat surfaces formed in said differential case about said radial bores for supporting said pinion mate gears for rotation;
• two thrust washers each disposed between one of said pinion seat surfaces and one of said pinion mate gears;
• and
• two pairs of lubrication passages formed in said differential case for supplying lubricant to spaces between said pinion seat surfaces and said thrust washers, each pair of said lubrication passages is disposed about one of said radial bores;
• each of said lubrication passages having two inlet ports provided on an outer peripheral surface of said differential case and spaced from said radial bores and an outlet port open into said space between one of said pinion seat surfaces and corresponding one of said thrust washers and spaced from one of said radial bores;
• each of said lubrication passages including two inlet portions adjacent to said inlet ports, one of said inlet portions is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

A differential case comprising:

• a hollow body defining a cavity and provided for rotation about a longitudinal axis;
• at least one substantially radial bore formed in said hollow body;
• at least one pinion seat surface formed on an inner peripheral surface of said hollow body adjacent to said at least one radial bore;
• and
• at least one lubrication passage formed within said differential case provided to supply lubricant to said at least one pinion seat surface, said at least one lubrication passage having at least one inlet port provided on an outer peripheral surface of said differential case and spaced from said radial bore, and an outlet port provided on said at least one pinion seat surface.