Power transmitting component with a differential bearing system

• US 9,103,430 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American AXLE & Manufacturing Incorporated (American AXLE & Manufacturing Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American AXLE & Manufacturing Incorporated (American AXLE & Manufacturing Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zalanca, George, Hilker, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luong, Vinh
• Application Number:
  US13/826,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20140260789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 746/06.R, 180/375, 604/87, 384/583, 384/569, 475/246
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/364 with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/547 with two angular contact rolling bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/61 Toothed gear systems, e.g. support of pinion shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/02043 for vehicle transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/021 Shaft support structures, e.g. partition walls, bearing eyes, casing walls or covers with bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/037 Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A power transmitting component that includes a housing, a case, a bearing, a bearing adjuster and a clip. The housing defines a bearing bulkhead and a threaded aperture that are disposed about an axis. The bearing is coupled to the case to support the case for rotation about the axis relative to the housing. The bearing adjuster is threadably engaged to the threaded aperture and abuts the bearing. The bearing adjuster has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart securing features. The clip has a mount and a set of mating securing features. The clip is received on the bearing bulkhead such that the mount is secured to the bearing bulkhead in a snap-fit manner and the set of mating securing features are engaged to a corresponding set of the securing features.

Claims

1. A power transmitting component comprising:

a housing defining a bearing bulkhead and a threaded aperture that are disposed about an axis;

a case;

a bearing coupled to the case to support the case for rotation about the axis relative to the housing;

a bearing adjuster threadably engaged to the threaded aperture and abutting the bearing, the bearing adjuster having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart securing features; and

a clip having a mount and a set of mating securing features, the clip being received on the bearing bulkhead such that the mount is secured to the bearing bulkhead in a snap-fit manner and the set of mating securing features are engaged to a corresponding set of the securing features;

wherein the bearing bulkhead has a flange member and a first rail, the first rail being coupled to the flange member and extending perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the mount has a seat and a first clip member that is fixed to a first end of the seat, the seat abutting an end of the flange member, the first clip member being engaged to the first rail such that it wraps around the first rail and abuts the flange member on a side opposite the seat.

2. The power transmitting component of claim 1, wherein the flange member has a second rail that is coupled to the flange member and extends parallel to the first rail, and wherein the mount has a second clip member that is fixed to a second end of the seat opposite to the first end, the second clip member being engaged to the second rail such that it wraps around the second rail and abuts the flange member on the side opposite the seat, wherein the first and second clip members are disposed on opposite sides of the bearing bulkhead.

3. The power transmitting component of claim 2, wherein the clip is slidably mounted on the first and second rails.

4. The power transmitting component of claim 1, wherein the first clip member is slidably mounted on the first rail.

5. A power transmitting component comprising:

a housing defining a bearing bulkhead and a threaded aperture that are disposed about an axis;

a case;

a bearing coupled to the case to support the case for rotation about the axis relative to the housing;

a bearing adjuster threadably engaged to the threaded aperture and abutting the bearing, the bearing adjuster having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart securing features; and

a clip having a mount and a set of mating securing features, the clip being received on the bearing bulkhead such that the mount is secured to the bearing bulkhead in a snap-fit manner and the set of mating securing features are engaged to a corresponding set of the securing features;

wherein each clip is snap-fit to a generally T-shaped portion of the bearing bulkhead.

6. A power transmitting component comprising:

a housing defining a bearing bulkhead and a threaded aperture that are disposed about an axis;

a case;

a bearing coupled to the case to support the case for rotation about the axis relative to the housing;

a bearing adjuster threadably engaged to the threaded aperture and abutting the bearing, the bearing adjuster having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart securing features;

a clip having a mount and a set of mating securing features, the clip being received on the bearing bulkhead such that the mount is secured to the bearing bulkhead in a snap-fit manner and the set of mating securing features are engaged to a corresponding set of the securing features; and

a fastener received through a fastener aperture in the clip and threadably engaged to the bearing bulkhead;

wherein the clip has a seat, a first spring member and a second spring member, the first and second spring members being coupled to opposite ends of the seat, wherein the seat abuts an end of the bearing bulkheads and wherein the first and second members apply a compressive force to the bearing bulkhead.

7. The power transmitting component of claim 6, wherein the first spring member terminates at a first foot, and wherein the first foot is received into a first groove in the bearing bulkhead, the first groove extending perpendicular to the axis.

8. The power transmitting component of claim 7, wherein the second spring member comprises a second foot, and wherein the second foot is received into a second groove in the bearing bulkhead, the second groove extending perpendicular to the axis.

9. The power transmitting component of claim 6, wherein the fastener aperture is slotted in a direction that is parallel to the axis.