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:
Dec. 24, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 22, 2000
Earl James Irwin, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Spicer Technology, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Abstract
A method for controlling an axle shaft endplay in a differential assembly is disclosed. The desired axle shaft endplay is determined by a differential manufacturer based on the specific operating conditions of the differential assembly. In accordance with the endplay controlling method of the present invention, first the differential is partially assembled by mounting side gears and a differential pinion shaft carrying pinions in a differential case. Then, the manufacturer determines a thickness of an axle shaft-retaining ring that would provide the desired endplay. The manufacturer is provided with an endplay controlling kit of a plurality of the retaining rings of assorted thickness. The appropriate retaining ring is selected from the kit having the thickness as determined in the previous step. Next, axle shafts are inserted into the differential case through the side gears, and the selected retaining ring is mounted to the axle shafts. After this step, the assembly of the differential is completed.