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US6719661B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Differential with pinion bearings supported on input yoke

Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC
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Filing: 2001-10-25
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2021-10-25
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Abstract

Abstract A differential having pinion bearings supported on the input yoke is provided. The differential includes a housing having an opening through which a pinion shaft extends. The input yoke is disposed about a portion of the pinion shaft and one or both pinion bearing sets are then disposed about the input yoke. This configuration reduces pinion standout and allows for installation of a pre-assembled bearing pack (i.e., without spacers or shims), but does not reduce the length of the splines on the input yoke or bearing capacity.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gary A. Turner
  • 👤 Leo Wenstrup
  • 👤 David Thompson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 17:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H57/00; F16H57/02; F16H57/037; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16C; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/61; F16H48/38; F16H48/42; F16H2048/423; F16H2048/426; F16H2057/005; F16H2057/02039; F16H2057/02043; F16H2057/02086; F16H57/021; F16H2057/0213; F16H57/023; F16H2057/0235

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 108 words
A differential for a vehicle, comprising: a differential housing defining a first opening; a pinion shaft disposed within said first opening and configured for rotation about an axis extending through said first opening; a pinion gear mounted on said pinion shaft; an input yoke disposed about at least a portion of said pinion shaft; a carrier disposed within said opening, radially outwardly of said input yoke; and, a first bearing set disposed between said input yoke and said carrier wherein said first bearing set includes a bearing cup in engagement with a first shoulder formed in said carrier and a bearing cone in engagement with said pinion gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 108 words
A differential for a vehicle, comprising: a differential housing defining a first opening; a pinion shaft disposed within said first opening and configured for rotation about an axis extending through said first opening; a pinion gear mounted on said pinion shaft; an input yoke disposed about at least a portion of said pinion shaft; a carrier disposed within said opening, radially outwardly of said input yoke; and, a first bearing set disposed between said input yoke and said carrier wherein said first bearing set includes a bearing cup in engagement with a first shoulder formed in said carrier and a bearing cone in engagement with said pinion gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The differential of claim 1 wherein one axial end of said input yoke is disposed proximate said pinion gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
The differential of claim 1 wherein said input yoke includes a plurality of splines configured for engagement with a corresponding plurality of splines on said pinion shaft, said plurality of splines on said input yoke disposed radially inwardly of said first bearing set.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The differential of claim 1 , further comprising a second bearing set disposed between said input yoke and said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The differential of claim 4 wherein said second bearing set includes a bearing cone in engagement with a shoulder formed in said input yoke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The differential of claim 4 wherein said second bearing set includes a bearing cup in engagement with a second shoulder formed in said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The differential of claim 6 wherein said carrier includes a radially inwardly extending flange that defines said first and second shoulders.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The differential of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a radially inwardly extending flange that defines said first shoulder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
The differential of claim 1 , further comprising a cap fastened to said differential housing, said cap holding said carrier in said opening.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2007-04-13 2007-10-13 2008-04-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2011-04-13 2011-10-13 2012-04-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2015-04-13 2015-10-13 2016-04-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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