Differential with equal depth pinion cavities

Claim 1

A differential mechanism of the torque-proportioning helical pinion type having inherent friction torque bias, comprising: (a) a two-part sectional housing adapted to be rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis, said housing consisting of: (1) a body section (102a) containing at one end: (a) a longitudinal central bore (106) defining a central chamber; and (b) a plurality of pinion cavities extending longitudinally from said body section one end and being arranged in circumferentially spaced relation about said central bore, the cavities being of equal depth and each having pinon cavity portions (108, 110) in communication with each other and with said central bore; and (2) a single end cover section (102b) connected with said one end of said body section for closing the ends of said central bore and said pinion cavities; (3) said body and end sections containing outlet shaft openings coaxially arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of said housing and in communication with said central chamber, respectively; (b) a pair of longitudinally spaced helical side gears (112,114) journalled at opposite ends of said central chamber coaxially with the longitudinal axis of said housing, said side gears being adapted to be splined to the adjacent ends of a pair of aligned axially spaced output shafts extending through said housing openings, respectively, said side gears having at their remote ends end thrust surfaces adapted for cooperation with corresponding thrust surfaces on said body and cover members, respectively; (c) generally annular side gear spacer means (120) arranged coaxially between said side gears, said spacer means and said side gears having at their adjacent ends cooperating end thrust surfaces; (d) pairs of helical pinions (124, 126) journalled with an outside diameter running fit in longitudinally offset relation in said pinion cavity portions, respectively, the pinions of each pair being in meshing engagement with each other at their adjacent ends, the remote ends of said pinion pair being in meshing engagement with the associated side gears, respectively; and (e) hub extension means (124a, 126a) on each of said pinions extending longitudinally in opposite directions of said pinion bores for supporting the pinions of each pair adjacent the remote ends of the pinion cavity portions of that pair, respectively, the remote ends of said pinions having thrust surfaces adapted for cooperation with corresponding thrust surfaces on said body and cover sections, respectively.