Vehicle differential assembly
First Claim
1. An axle assembly having a hypoid gear set, the axle assembly comprising:
- a housing cover having a first surface;
a housing having an interior portion sized to receive the hypoid gear set, the housing having an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface, the end having an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion, the housing further having a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of one side of the labyrinth passageway being defined by and enclosed by the housing cover.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An axle assembly having a differential gear set is provided. The axle assembly includes a housing cover having a first surface. A housing is provided having an interior portion sized to receive the differential gear set. The housing includes an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface. The end has an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion. The housing further includes a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of the passageway being defined by the housing cover.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An axle assembly having a hypoid gear set, the axle assembly comprising:
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a housing cover having a first surface; a housing having an interior portion sized to receive the hypoid gear set, the housing having an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface, the end having an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion, the housing further having a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of one side of the labyrinth passageway being defined by and enclosed by the housing cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An axle assembly having a hypoid gear set having a ring gear, the ring gear having teeth formed on one side, the axle assembly comprising:
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a housing cover having a first surface; a housing having an interior portion sized to receive the hypoid gear set, the housing having an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface, the end having an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion, the housing further having a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity cooperates with the first surface to defining a passageway having an entrance that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, the entrance being between a side of the housing and the ring gear teeth; wherein for at least a portion of the cavity one side of the cavity is enclosed by the housing cover. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification