Integral input adjuster for tandem drive axles

• US 20050113204A1
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodgers, Mark, Jevnikar, Larry, Green, Michael, Wenstrup, Leo, Turner, Gary, Cornell, Brad
• Application Number:
  US10/724,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/230
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/36 for driving tandem wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/547 with two angular contact rolling bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/60 with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections in general F16B23/00 - F16B43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/61 Toothed gear systems, e.g. support of pinion shafts in general F16H57/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/021 Shaft support structures, e.g. partition walls, bearing eyes, casing walls or covers with bearings

Abstract

An input bearing adjuster system includes a differential carrier assembly having a set of threads on an interior surface and an input bearing adjuster having a complementary set of threads on an exterior surface. The system also includes an input bearing system of a differential which includes an outer race in contact with the input bearing adjuster and an inner race in contact with an input shaft and an input bearing. Additionally, a locking mechanism is used to selectively secure the input bearing adjuster to the differential carrier. The threads of the bearing adjuster are engaged with the threads of the differential carrier to adjust both the preload and/or the endplay of the input bearing.

Claims

1. An input bearing adjuster system comprising:

a differential carrier assembly having a set of threads on an interior surface;

an input bearing adjuster having a complementary set of threads on an exterior surface;

an input bearing system of a differential comprising an outer race in contact with said input bearing adjuster and an inner race in contact with an input shaft and an input bearing; and

a locking mechanism to selectively secure said input bearing adjuster to said differential carrier;

wherein said threads of said bearing adjuster are engaged with said threads of said differential carrier assembly to adjust both the preload and/or the endplay of said input bearing.

2. The input bearing adjuster system according to claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a screw.

3. The input bearing adjuster system according to claim 1, wherein no endcap is necessary for the differential carrier.

4. The input bearing adjuster system according to claim 1, wherein no shims are necessary to adjust the position of the input bearing adjuster relative to the differential carrier.