Differential with pinion bearings supported on input yoke
View Patent ↗A differential having pinion bearings supported on the input yoke is provided. The differential includes a housing having an opening through which a pinion shaft extends. The input yoke is disposed about a portion of the pinion shaft and one or both pinion bearing sets are then disposed about the input yoke. This configuration reduces pinion standout and allows for installation of a pre-assembled bearing pack (i.e., without spacers or shims), but does not reduce the length of the splines on the input yoke or bearing capacity.
1. A differential for a vehicle, comprising:
a differential housing defining a first opening;
a pinion shaft disposed within said first opening and configured for rotation about an axis extending through said first opening;
a pinion gear mounted on said pinion shaft;
an input yoke disposed about a portion of said pinion shaft;
a first bearing set disposed about said input yoke and having a bearing cone in engagement with said input yoke; and,
a second bearing set axially spaced from said first bearing set and having a bearing cone in engagement with said pinion shaft.
2. The differential of claim 1 , further comprising a spacer disposed between said input yoke and said bearing cone of said second bearing set.
3. The differential of claim 2 wherein said bearing cone of said first bearing set is disposed between opposed shoulders formed in said input yoke and said spacer.
4. The differential of claim 2 wherein said bearing cone of said second bearing set is retained between said spacer and said pinion gear.
5. The differential of claim 4 wherein said bearing cone of said second bearing set engages said spacer and said pinion gear.
6. The differential of claim 1 wherein said input yoke includes a plurality of splines configured for engagement with a corresponding plurality of splines on said pinion shaft, said plurality of splines on said input yoke disposed radially inwardly of said first bearing set.
7. The differential of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier disposed within said opening, radially outwardly of said input yoke.
8. The differential of claim 7 wherein said first bearing set is disposed between said carrier and said input yoke.