Importance

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Abstract

An axle assembly comprising a differential carrier including an upper portion coupled with a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a planar surface defining a first hollow protrusion and a second hollow protrusion. The first hollow protrusion and the second hollow protrusion each define an arcuate cavity. An input shaft is coupled with a pinion gear drivingly engaged with a ring gear at least partially disposed within the first hollow protrusion. A differential case having a first portion and a second portion is at least partially disposed in the second hollow protrusion. The ring gear is welded to an exterior surface of said differential case first portion. A plurality of axially extending slots are defined by an interior surface of the differential case first portion. An annular canister having radially extending lugs disposed on an outer surface thereof, is disposed within said differential case. The lugs are in driving engagement with the plurality of differential case slots. A plurality of apertures are radially disposed through the canister, and a plurality of pinion shafts are disposed through and drivingly engaged with the canister apertures. A pinion gear is disposed on each of the pinion shafts. A pair of side gears is in driving engagement with the pinion gears. A first output shaft is in driving engagement with one of the pair of side gears, and a second output shaft is in driving engagement with the other of the pair of side gears.

First Claim