Axle end play adjustment systems and methods

• US 6,478,709 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies Incorporated (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spicer Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Irwin, Earl James, Young, David Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, HA DINH
• Application Number:
  US09/618,052
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 475/230, 475/231, 475/242, 475/246, 411/222, 411/321, 744/00, 744/01, 744/24, 743/96, 743/97, 301/128
• US Class Current: 475/230
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/082 characterised by the arrangement of output shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/387 Shields or washers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2048/423 characterised by bearing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/08 comprising bevel gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/023 Mounting or installation of gears or shafts in the gearboxes, e.g. methods or means for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19585 Fixed axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19693 Motor vehicle drive

Abstract

In a differential/mechanism for transmitting power from a drive shaft to the axle shafts of a motor vehicle, an axle shaft end play adjuster is threadingly disposed at the end of the axle shaft adjacent the differential pinion shaft. The end play adjuster limits the range of axially inward movement of the axle shaft. A axle shaft end play adjuster assembly includes a shaft supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis having a threaded portion located near an axial end of the shaft to support a washer and a threader adjustment member threadingly engaging the end of the axle shaft adjacent the differential pinion shaft. The adjustment members threaded onto the interior axial end of the axle shaft may respectively engage the associated side gear through a splined interface.

Claims

1. An axle shaft motion limiting assembly for limiting axial movement of an axle shaft in a differential mechanism, said assembly comprising:

an axle shaft having a threaded portion and external splines adapted to mate with internal splines of a differential side gear;

an adjustment member threadingly engaging said threaded portion of said axle shaft adjacent a terminal end of said axle shaft to provide a locking engagement between said adjustment member and said axle shaft at said threaded portion;

wherein said adjustment member is selectively positioned along the axial direction of said axle shaft to enable a variable overall effective length of said axle shaft.

2. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 1, further comprising a differential pinion shaft extending adjacent said terminal end of said axle shaft, wherein said adjustment member is disposed axially closer to said differential pinion shaft than said axle shaft.

3. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 1, wherein said axle shaft comprises a peripherally extending groove receiving a washer disposed in said groove.

4. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 1, wherein said adjustment member is formed with internal threads mating with external threads defining said threaded portion of said axle shaft.

5. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 1, wherein said adjustment member is formed with external threads mating with internal threads defining said threaded portion of said axle shaft, said threaded portion disposed along a bore formed in said terminal end of said axle shaft.

6. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 5, further comprising a differential pinion shaft disposed adjacent said terminal end of said axle shaft, said adjustment member being disposed between said terminal end and said differential pinion shaft.

7. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 1, further comprising a differential pinion shaft disposed adjacent said terminal end of said axle shaft, said differential side gear mating with said external splines of said axle shaft.

8. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 7, wherein said adjustment member comprises a radially extending flange disposed between said side gear and said differential pinion shaft.

9. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 8, further comprising shims disposed between said radially extending flange and said side gear to further control axial end play of said axle shaft.

10. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 7, wherein said adjustment member threadingly engages said axle shaft and mates with splines on said side gear to thereby lock said adjustment member in place relative to said axle shaft.

11. The axle shaft motion limiting device of claim 10, wherein said adjustment member is formed with external threads mating with internal threads defining said threaded portion of said axle shaft, said threaded portion disposed along a bore formed in said terminal end of said axle shaft.