The subject invention relates to the art of vehicles and, more particularly, to a vehicle differential.
Vehicles may include a differential that converts a rotational input from a transmission or gear box to a rotational output driving one or more wheels. Typically, the differential includes a differential housing having an outer surface that supports a ring gear. The differential housing also supports a planetary gear set that is operatively coupled to the one or more wheels. A pinion gear engages with the ring gear. The pinion gear may be driven by a drive shaft. The ring gear is bonded to the outer surface of the differential housing. In some cases, the bond may take the form of one or more mechanical fasteners. In other cases, the bond may take the form of a weld. In still other cases, the bond may take the form of an interference fit.
Occasionally, a ring gear mounted and bonded through a weld or an interference fit may suffer from a misalignment during assembly. A misalignment of the ring gear relative to the differential housing may lead to undesirable wear on the pinion gear and/or create unwanted noise. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mechanism that promotes proper alignment of the ring gear and the differential housing.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a differential housing includes a body including an outer surface. The body has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A ring gear support member extends outwardly of the body at the second end. A ring gear support surface forms a first section of the intermediate portion. The ring gear support surface defines a first outer diameter of the intermediate portion. A ring gear is mounted to the outer surface of the body. The ring gear includes an inner annular surface having a first region defining a first inner diameter and a second region defining a second inner diameter. The first region includes a sawtooth profile to establish a desired alignment of the ring gear and the body and the second region facilitating an interference fit with the ring gear support surface.
In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a differential includes a housing portion having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a gear receiving zone. A first axle tube extends outwardly of the housing portion in a first direction. A second axle tube extends outwardly of the housing portion in a second direction opposite of the first direction. A differential housing is arranged in the housing portion. The differential housing includes a body including an outer surface. The body has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A ring gear support member extends outwardly of the body at the second end. A ring gear support surface forms a first section of the intermediate portion. The ring gear support surface defines a first outer diameter of the intermediate portion. A ring gear is mounted to the outer surface of the body. The ring gear includes an inner annular surface having a first region defining a first inner diameter and a second region defining a second inner diameter. The first region includes a sawtooth profile to establish a desired alignment of the ring gear and the body and the second region facilitating an interference fit with the ring gear support surface.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
A vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 10 in
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, rear differential 28 includes a housing portion 54 having an outer surface 58 and an inner surface 60 that defines a gear receiving zone 62 as shown in
Reference will now follow to
In accordance with an exemplary aspect illustrated in
Referring to
In accordance with an exemplary aspect, the second angle is between about 5° and about 15°. In accordance with another exemplary aspect, the second angle is about 10°. Sawtooth profile 121 promotes a selected alignment of ring gear 82 and differential housing 80. As shown schematically in
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5330284 | Persson | Jul 1994 | A |
5598631 | Umezawa | Feb 1997 | A |
6152604 | Ostling | Nov 2000 | A |
8747275 | Shioiri | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8893575 | Taniguchi | Nov 2014 | B2 |
9017213 | Taniguchi | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9068640 | Taniguchi | Jun 2015 | B2 |
9297449 | Taniguchi | Mar 2016 | B2 |
9458871 | Ishizaki | Oct 2016 | B2 |
10012302 | Kiten | Jul 2018 | B2 |
20110319220 | Shioiri | Dec 2011 | A1 |
20120311845 | Taniguchi | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20120329599 | Taniguchi | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130035196 | Taniguchi | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20130074648 | Taniguchi | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130074649 | Taniguchi | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20150275946 | Ishizaki | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20170074389 | Bodary | Mar 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180149254 A1 | May 2018 | US |