US6884196B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inter-axle differential with improved differential gear mounting arrangement
Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC
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Filing: 2003-07-09
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Granted: 2005-04-26
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Expires: 2023-07-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved inter-axle differential is provided that eliminates the need for a differential case to retain the differential gears. A thrust washer and a retaining ring are disposed on each arm of a differential spider to retain a corresponding differential gear. The combination of the thrust washer and the retaining ring reduces the complexity and the weight of conventional inter-axle differential assemblies and enables improved splash lubrication of the differential.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Ziech
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K17/16; B60K17/36; F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about one arm of said plurality of arms; a thrust washer disposed about said one arm, radially outwardly of said one gear; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about one arm of said plurality of arms; a thrust washer disposed about said one arm, radially outwardly of said one gear; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 1 , wherein said thrust washer includes a radially inner concave spherical surface and a radially outer surface having a recess formed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 1 , wherein a radially outer surface of said thrust washer defines a recess configured to receive said retaining ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 3 , wherein said thrust washer includes a tab extending into said recess and into a gap formed in said retaining ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 1 , wherein said thrust washer defines a tab that extends into a gap in said retaining ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 1 wherein none of said plurality of differential gears and said first and second side gears are disposed within a differential case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms and at least one of said arms having: a radially inner portion; and, a radially outer portion; said inner and outer portions substantially circular in shape and said outer portion defining flats; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about said inner portion of said one arm; a thrust washer disposed about said outer portion of said one arm, said thrust washer having a central bore shaped complementary to said outer portion of said arm; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and, first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms and at least one of said arms having: a radially inner portion; and, a radially outer portion; said inner and outer portions substantially circular in shape and said outer portion defining flats; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about said inner portion of said one arm; a thrust washer disposed about said outer portion of said one arm, said thrust washer having a central bore shaped complementary to said outer portion of said arm; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and, first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 7 , wherein said thrust washer includes a radially inner concave spherical surface and a radially outer surface having a recess formed therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 7 , wherein a radially outer surface of said thrust washer defines a recess configured to receive said retaining ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 9 , wherein said thrust washer includes a tab extending into said recess and into a gap formed in said retaining ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 7 , wherein said thrust washer defines a tab that extends into a gap in said retaining ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 7 wherein a gap in said retaining ring is aligned with one of said flats in said radially outer portion of said at least one arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
170 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms and at least one of said arms having: a radially inner portion; and, a radially outer portion; said inner and outer portions substantially circular in shape and said outer portion defining a flat; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about said inner portion of said one arm; a thrust washer disposed about said outer portion of said one arm, said thrust washer having a central bore shaped complementary to said outer portion of said arm; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and, first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
170 words
An inter-axle differential, comprising: an input shaft disposed about a first axis; an output shaft coaxial with said input shaft; a spider coupled to said input shaft, said spider having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms and at least one of said arms having: a radially inner portion; and, a radially outer portion; said inner and outer portions substantially circular in shape and said outer portion defining a flat; a plurality of differential gears mounted on said spider, one of said plurality of differential gears disposed about said inner portion of said one arm; a thrust washer disposed about said outer portion of said one arm, said thrust washer having a central bore shaped complementary to said outer portion of said arm; a retaining ring disposed in a groove in said one arm radially outwardly of said thrust washer; and, first and second side gears in mesh with said differential gears, said first and second side gears configured to transmit power to first and second axles of a vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 13 wherein said thrust washer includes a radially inner concave spherical surface and a radially outer surface having a recess formed therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 13 , wherein a radially outer surface of said thrust washer defines a recess configured to receive said retaining ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 13 , wherein said thrust washer includes a tab extending into said recess and into a gap formed in said retaining ring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 13 , wherein said thrust washer defines a tab that extends into a gap in said retaining ring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inter-axle differential of claim 13 wherein a gap in said retaining ring is aligned with said flat in said radially outer portion of said at least one arm.
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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) | 2008-04-25 | 2008-10-25 | 2009-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-04-25 | 2012-10-25 | 2013-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-04-25 | 2016-10-25 | 2017-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |