Pinion carrier for planetary gear train and method of making same
The method of producing a pinion carrier comprised of two cold form cooperating carrier components, each consisting of an aperture relatively flat plate having legs extending transversely from the plate; assembling the components so that the legs of one of the components abutted the legs of the other component, and welding the abutting legs together.
1. A pinion carrier for a planetary gear assembly comprising:
a first cold formed cup-shaped body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a circumferential side wall with a longitudinal central axis and including a plurality of spaced-apart legs terminating in flat surfaces; and
a second cold formed cup-shaped body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a circumferential side wall with a longitudinal central axis and including a plurality of spaced-apart legs terminating in flat surfaces;
wherein at least one of said cup-shaped bodies is provided with a centrally formed aperture and including a torque transfer structure circumscribing the aperture and the flat surfaces of the legs of said first and second bodies are in juxtaposed contacting relation and suitably welded together.
2. A pinion carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said first cup-shaped body and said second cup-shaped body are provided with holes for receiving shafts of associated pinions.
3. A pinion carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein the holes for the pinions are located intermediate said spaced-apart legs.