Differential housing

Abstract

A differential housing in which the differential is mounted on the side of the crown wheel through a spacer on the outer ring of a large diameter tapered roller bearing, which in turn is connected to a conical component. The conical component optionally configure to accommodate a constant velocity joint or a universal joint. The design allows for the use of a longer half shaft without changing the position of the engine or the central prop shaft.

Claims

1. A differential housing capable of accommodating a longer half shaft for connecting to an adjacent wheel, the differential housing comprising: an enclosure to contain a differential, the enclosure having a conically shaped component having a thread to regulate the tooth mesh of a crown wheel and pinion gears; the conically shaped component mountable to an inner fixed ring of a tapered roller bearing; an outer ring of the tapered roller bearing affixed to a crown wheel spacer; and the differential mountable to a crown wheel by means of the spacer.

2. The differential housing of claim 1, wherein the conically shaped component is configured to connect to a constant velocity joint connection.

3. The differential housing of claim 1, wherein the conically shaped component is configured to connect to a universal joint connection.

4. The differential housing of claim 1 further comprising a half shaft.

5. A differential housing capable of accommodating a longer half shaft for connecting to an adjacent wheel, the differential having a crown wheel side, the apparatus comprising; a housing; a differential mountable to a tapered roller bearing by means of a spacer; the tapered roller bearing having an outer rotating ring and a fixed inner ring; the fixed inner ring mountable to a conically shaped component having a thread to regulate tooth mesh of a crown wheel and pinion gears; the differential further mountable to the crown wheel by means of the spacer; and the outer ring of the tapered roller bearing affixed to the housing by means of the spacer.

6. The differential housing of claim 5, wherein the conically shaped component is configured to connect to a constant velocity joint connection.

7. The differential housing of claim 5, wherein the conically shaped component is configured to connect to a universal joint connection.

8. The differential housing of claim 5 further comprising a half shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] FIG. 1 (prior art) depicts a plan view of a typical arrangement of an eccentrically placed differential showing an engine (100), a propeller shaft (110), an inner constant velocity joint (120), a differential housing extension (130), a half shaft (140), a tapered roller bearing (150), a tapered roller bearing housing (160), and vehicle wheels (170).

[0009] FIG. 2 (prior art) depicts a horizontal view of a typical arrangement of an eccentrically placed differential in relation to the maximum vertical wheel displacement (D1) and the maximum operating angle (A1) of the constant velocity joint in the arrangement.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view depicting one arrangement of the disclosed device.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a horizontal view of the arrangement of FIG. 3, and which depicts an eccentrically placed differential in relation to the maximum vertical wheel displacement (D2) and the maximum operating angle (A2) of the constant velocity joint.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3, the disclosed arrangement showing an engine (200), a prop shaft (210), a pinion gear (220), a main part (230) of a differential housing (1), a conical component (240) of the differential housing, a constant velocity joint (250), a large tapered roller bearing (260) with an outer ring (270) and an inner fixed ring (280), a crown wheel (290), a crown wheel spacer (300), and a group of planet and satellite gears (310), a tapered roller bearing (320), and a tapered roller bearing housing (330).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0013] As disclosed, a main part (230) of differential housing (1) is mounted on the side of crown wheel (290) through a crown wheel spacer (300) on an outer ring (270) of large diameter tapered roller bearing (260). Inner fixed ring (280) of large diameter tapered roller bearing (260) is in turn connected to a conical component (240) of differential housing (1). In the disclosed device, conical component (240) of differential housing (1) can be configured to accommodate a constant velocity joint (250) or a universal joint (not shown).

[0014] Crown wheel (290) is affixed, i.e., bolted on crown wheel spacer (300) and conical component (240) of differential housing (1) has a thread to regulate the tooth mesh of crown wheel (290) and pinion gear (220).

[0015] With differential housing design disclosed herein, it is possible to use a longer half shaft without changing the position of the engine and without changing the position of the central prop shaft. This result can be seen when comparing the typical arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-2 and the disclosed device shown in FIGS. 3-4.

[0016] The ability to use a longer half shaft facilitated by the disclosed device allows for an increased range in wheel travel. Furthermore, the use of a longer half shaft allows the constant velocity joints or the universal joints to operate with reduced angles as compared to what the operating angles would be with a short half shaft and identical wheel movement. The disclosed device reduces power loss, and the operating lifespan and fuel economy is increased. The longer half shaft of the disclosed device also increases torsional ductility which helps to protect the transmission.