US 12,331,818 B2
Stamped metal differential for a motor vehicle drivetrain
Brian Lee, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/440,958.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/528,515, filed on Jul. 24, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0035197 A1, Jan. 30, 2025
Int. Cl. F16H 48/08 (2006.01); F16H 48/20 (2012.01); F16H 48/40 (2012.01); F16H 57/023 (2012.01); F16H 48/34 (2012.01); F16H 48/38 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 48/08 (2013.01) [F16H 48/20 (2013.01); F16H 48/40 (2013.01); F16H 57/023 (2013.01); F16H 2048/085 (2013.01); F16H 2048/346 (2013.01); F16H 2048/382 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A differential for a motor vehicle drivetrain, the differential configured for driving a first axle and a second axle about a center axis and for allowing the first axle and the second axle to rotate about the center axis at different speeds, the differential comprising:
a ring gear configured for receiving a power input;
a first side gear on a first side of the differential configured for being drivingly connected to the first axle to transmit power to the first axle for driving a first wheel of the motor vehicle drivetrain;
a second side gear on a second side of the differential configured for being drivingly connected to the second axle to transmit power to the first axle for driving a second wheel of the motor vehicle drivetrain;
support pins non-rotatably fixed to the ring gear;
spider gears rotatably mounted on the support pins and positioned between the first side gear and the second side gear, each of the spider gears intermeshing with both the first side gear and the second side gear to transmit power from the support pins to the first side gear and the second side gear; and
a carrier formed by stamped plates non-rotatably fixed to the ring gear and configured for transmitting power from the ring gear to the support pins, wherein the stamped plates include a first plate surrounding the first side gear, a second plate surrounding the second side gear and a third plate sandwiched axially between the first plate and the second plate.