Axle differential with stamped carrier cover pan

Abstract

In combination, a cover and a seal, the combination includes a cover including a mounting face having a plurality of raised connection points. The cover is adapted to enclose an opening in a housing. A seal includes a plurality of section encircling a plurality of raised connection points. The plurality of encircling sections has a thickness greater than a distance the connection points are raised above the mounting face. The seal sections are adapted to compress to a thickness equal to the distance when the cover is mounted to the housing.

1 . In combination, a cover and a seal, the combination comprising: 
 a cover including a mounting face having a plurality of raised connection points, the cover being adapted to enclose an opening in a housing; and    a seal having a plurality of sections encircling the plurality of raised connection points, the plurality of encircling sections having a thickness greater than a distance the connection points are raised above the mounting face, the seal sections being adapted to compress to a thickness equal to the distance when the cover is mounted to the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the raised connection points are adapted to make direct contact with the housing and limit an amount by which the seal may be compressed between the mounting face and the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein the seal ring includes first and second concentric ring members that are positioned between each of the raised connection points, wherein the ring members are adapted to sealingly engage the mounting face.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , further comprising a web member connected to the first ring member and the second ring member.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of fastener apertures extending through the plurality of connection points.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second ring members is coupled at opposite ends to a pair of the encircling portions.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein the seal is formed from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is configured to remain clear of the connection points to allow the connection points to directly engage the housing.  
     
     
         9 . In combination, a cover and a seal, the combination comprising: 
 a cover including a flange having a mounting face and a plurality of pads circumferentially spaced apart from one another, each pad having a substantially planar contact surface adapted to engage a housing, each contact surface being offset from and substantially parallel to the mounting face; and    a seal having a plurality of sections encircling the pads, the plurality of encircling sections having a thickness greater than a distance the contact surfaces are offset from the mounting face.    
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein a fastener aperture extends through one of the pads.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the encircling sections are adapted to compress to a thickness equal to the distance when the cover is mounted to the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein each of the contact surfaces are aligned in a single plane.  
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the encircling portions are interconnected to one another by a first set of ring portions.  
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , further including a second set of ring portions interconnecting the encircling portions, the second set of ring portions being arranged concentrically with the first set of ring portions.  
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a cover and a seal to a housing, the housing having a cavity with a window providing access to the cavity and a housing face surrounding the window, the cover being adapted to enclose the window and including a mounting face having a plurality of connection points protruding from the mounting face, the connection points being adapted to engage the housing face, the seal having a plurality of sections sized to encircle the plurality of connection points, the method comprising: 
 positioning the seal between the housing face of the housing and the mounting face of the cover;    aligning the encircling portions of the seal with the connection points;    inserting a plurality of fasteners through apertures extending through the connection points;    placing the connection points in direct contact with the mounting face of the housing; and    engaging the fasteners with the housing to secure the cover to the housing and compress the seal a predetermined amount equal to a distance the seal protruded beyond the connection points prior to securing the cover to the housing.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including threadingly engaging the fasteners with the housing.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including aligning each of the connecting points along a single plane.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including rotatably supporting a differential assembly within the cavity.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including attaching the seal to the to placing the connection points in direct contact with the mounting face.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further including positioning the seal clear of the connection points.