US 7,008,345 B2 · Planetary differential

Abstract

A planetary differential including a differential case rotatable about an axis and a method of manufacturing thereof. The differential case includes a cover, a housing, an annulus gear, and a ring gear. The differential case defines a differential cavity having a clutch cavity and a planet cavity separated by a retainer plate coupled to the housing. The modular nature of this system allows both open and torque biasing constructions in the same packaging space. The method of manufacturing the differential includes the steps of coupling a retainer plate to the housing between the clutch cavity and the axial opening, placing a planetary gear set in the planetary cavity, and fixing the housing to the annulus gear and ring gear.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A planetary differential comprising:

a differential case rotatable about an axis, said differential case including a cover, a housing, an annulus gear, and a ring gear, said differential case defining a differential cavity having a clutch cavity and a planet cavity, and wherein said housing includes a threaded segment;
a planetary carrier including a pedestaled flange and an axial hub, and wherein said clutch cavity is bounded by a retainer plate, said axial hub, and said housing;
said retainer plate coupled to said housing and separating said clutch cavity from said planet cavity and wherein said housing has said threaded segment, wherein the retainer plate has threads engaging said threaded segment to permit adjustment of the axial position of said retainer plate relative to said housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Planetary differential

Life of this patent

Planetary differential

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6