The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1997
Masao Teraoka, Tochigi, JP;
Satoshi Aiba, Tochigi, JP;
Kenji Hiraishi, Tochigi, JP;
Kazumitsu Ugajin, Tochigi, JP;
Shuhei Ono, Tochigi, JP;
Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tochigi-Ken, JP;
Abstract
A differential apparatus (7) comprises: a differential casting (21) rotated by an engine power; a plurality of pinion gears (65, 66) slidably housed in accommodation holes (63, 64) formed in the differential casing; a pair of side gears (35, 37) geared with each other via the pinion gears, two opposing end surfaces thereof being slid relative to each other, either directly or via a thrust washer (61); and a block member (47, 91, 97) interposed between two inner circumferential surfaces of the two side gears so as to center the side gears, respectively. In particular, at least one oil sump (77,) is formed between the block member and the side gears, to supply lubricant to sliding portions between the bolck member (47, 91, 97) and the side gears (35, 37) and between two opposing end surfaces of the two side gears, by a centrifugal force generated by the rotating differential casing. Further, it is preferable to further form at least one central oil passage (301, 303, 305) at the centering portion (365) so as to extend from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the boss portions (357, 359) of the two side gears (353, 355). Further, it is also preferable to form at least two radial oil passages (881, 885, 977, 978) between inner wall surfaces of the differential casing (821, 921) and the side gears (835, 837, 939, 941) respectively in such a way that a radially inward end thereof communicates with the heat oil passage (877, 879, 979L, 979R) and a radially outward end thereof communicates with sliding portion between the side gear and the differential casing, respectively.