Flow-formed differential case assembly
AssigneeMetal Forming & Coining Corporation
InventorsTimothy J. Cripsey, Robert J. Herston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A differential case assembly includes a differential case and a pinless gear assembly. The differential case has an open end and a side wall with an interior surface. The pinless gear assembly includes a retainer insert and a side gear with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The retainer insert is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall. The retainer insert defines at least a portion of an aperture that receives an end of the shaft to align the gear assembly within the differential case.
Claims18
A differential case assembly, comprising:
- a differential case having an open end and a side wall with an interior surface;
- a pinless gear assembly including a retainer insert and a side gear with an integral cylindrical shaft extending outwardly therefrom, the retainer insert disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall, the retainer insert defining at least a portion of an aperture, and an end of the cylindrical shaft received in the aperture to align the gear assembly within the differential case;
- and
- a receptacle formed on the interior surface of the side wall, the receptacle including a recess for receiving the retainer insert.
A differential case assembly, comprising:
- a differential case having an open end and a side wall with an interior surface;
- a pinless gear assembly including a retainer insert and a side gear with an integral cylindrical shaft extending outwardly therefrom, the retainer insert disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall, the retainer insert defining at least a portion of an aperture, and an end of the cylindrical shaft received in the aperture to align the gear assembly within the differential case;
- and
- an end cap disposed in the open end of the differential case, the retainer insert integral with the end cap.
A differential case assembly, comprising:
- a differential case having an open end and a side wall with an interior surface;
- a pinless gear assembly including a retainer insert and a side gear with an integral cylindrical shaft extending outwardly therefrom, the retainer insert disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall, the retainer insert defining at least a portion of an aperture, and an end of the cylindrical shaft received in the aperture to align the gear assembly within the differential case;
- an end cap disposed in the open end of the differential case, the retainer insert integral with the end cap;
- and
- a ring gear having a lip that axially retains the end cap in the differential case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.