US5624343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pinion mate thrustwasher
Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group LLC
•
Filing: 1994-12-28
•
Granted: 1997-04-29
•
Expires: 2014-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A differential gear assembly comprising a rotatable case, a spider having at least one shaft mounted on the case for rotation therewith, a pinion gear rotatably mounted on the shaft and a thrustwasher non-rotatably mounted on the shaft and disposed between the pinion gear and the case. The thrustwasher includes an outer, arcuate side disposed in opposition with the casing and an inner, substantially flat side disposed in opposition with an outward side of the pinion gear. The thrustwasher includes a central opening for accepting the shaft and substantially flat surfaces forming a portion of the opening and cooperating with longitudinally extending flats formed on the shaft for preventing rotation of the thrustwasher relative to the shaft. The thrustwasher is preferably made of powdered metal and includes lubrication channels which cooperate with lubrication passages formed in the shaft so as to permit the flow of lubricant from the shaft across the outward side of the pinion gear.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Krisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/22; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H48/38; F16H2048/382; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S384/00; Y10S384/90; Y10S384/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A differential gear assembly comprising: a rotatable case; a spider comprising at least one shaft mounted on said case for rotation therewith; a pinion gear rotatably mounted on said at least one shaft; a thrustwasher mounted on said at least one shaft and disposed between said pinion gear and said case; said thrustwasher having an outer, arcuate side disposed in opposition with said case and an inner, substantially flat side disposed in opposition with an outward side of said pinion gear; wherein said thrustwasher further includes a central opening comprising a pair of inner, substantially flat surfaces extending between said outer and inner sides and forming a portion of said central opening, said pair of flat surfaces cooperating with a pair of longitudinally extending flats formed on said at least one shaft for preventing rotation of said thrustwasher relative to said shaft; and, wherein said thrustwasher has a peripheral edge which is at least partially circular and includes opposing flat surfaces which correspond to the mating portions of outer peripheral edges of said pinion gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A differential gear assembly comprising: a rotatable case; a spider comprising at least one shaft mounted on said case for rotation therewith; a pinion gear rotatably mounted on said at least one shaft; a thrustwasher mounted on said at least one shaft and disposed between said pinion gear and said case; said thrustwasher having an outer, arcuate side disposed in opposition with said case and an inner, substantially flat side disposed in opposition with an outward side of said pinion gear; wherein said thrustwasher further includes a central opening comprising a pair of inner, substantially flat surfaces extending between said outer and inner sides and forming a portion of said central opening, said pair of flat surfaces cooperating with a pair of longitudinally extending flats formed on said at least one shaft for preventing rotation of said thrustwasher relative to said shaft; and, wherein said thrustwasher has a peripheral edge which is at least partially circular and includes opposing flat surfaces which correspond to the mating portions of outer peripheral edges of said pinion gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein. said thrustwasher includes at least one lubrication channel formed in said inner side and extending between a peripheral edge of said thrustwasher and one of said inner flat surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein, said at least one shaft of said spider includes at least one lubrication passage formed therein, such that said lubrication channel of said thrustwasher cooperates with said at least one lubrication passage formed in said shaft so as to permit the flow of lubricant from said shaft across said outward side of said pinion gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, said thrustwasher is a made of a powdered metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, said spider includes four stub shafts and said assembly further includes a said pinion gear rotatably mounted on each of said stub shafts and a said thrustwasher disposed between an outward side of each of said pinion gears and said case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein, said case includes first and second portions fastened to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of side gears rotatably mounted in said case and wherein said pinion gear meshingly engages each of said side gears.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, said case comprises a one-piece construction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The differential gear assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein, said spider comprises a single shaft and said gear assembly further comprises a second pinion gear rotatably mounted on said shaft and a second thrustwasher disposed between an outward side of said second pinion gear and said case, said second thrustwasher having an outer, arcuate side disposed in opposition with said case and an inner, substantially flat side disposed in opposition with said outward side of said second pinion gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The differential assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, said case includes an inner, generally cylindrical surface and said outer, arcuate side of said thrustwasher has a shape which is complementary to said cylindrical surface of said case.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-28 | 2000-10-28 | 2001-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | 2005-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-28 | 2008-10-28 | 2009-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |