EP1488138A2 - Ensemble essieu moteur modulaire pour vehicules a moteur - Google Patents

Ensemble essieu moteur modulaire pour vehicules a moteur

Info

Publication number
EP1488138A2
EP1488138A2 EP03719405A EP03719405A EP1488138A2 EP 1488138 A2 EP1488138 A2 EP 1488138A2 EP 03719405 A EP03719405 A EP 03719405A EP 03719405 A EP03719405 A EP 03719405A EP 1488138 A2 EP1488138 A2 EP 1488138A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
axle assembly
support beam
beam member
central section
differential
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03719405A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Timothy B. Allmandinger
Sean K. Hoefer
Gregory J. Maser
Parvinder S. Nanua
Edward E. Stuart
Earl J. Irwin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dana Inc
Original Assignee
Dana Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/101,188 external-priority patent/US6729207B2/en
Application filed by Dana Inc filed Critical Dana Inc
Publication of EP1488138A2 publication Critical patent/EP1488138A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
    • F16H57/02—Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
    • F16H57/037—Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00—Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/12—Torque-transmitting axles
    • B60B35/16—Axle housings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B60K17/04—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of gearing
    • B60K17/16—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of gearing of differential gearing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/20—Shaping
    • B60B2310/202—Shaping by casting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/20—Shaping
    • B60B2310/206—Shaping by stamping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/20—Shaping
    • B60B2310/208—Shaping by forging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/20—Shaping
    • B60B2310/213—Shaping by punching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/30—Manufacturing methods joining
    • B60B2310/302—Manufacturing methods joining by welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2310/00—Manufacturing methods
    • B60B2310/30—Manufacturing methods joining
    • B60B2310/305—Manufacturing methods joining by screwing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2360/00—Materials; Physical forms thereof
    • B60B2360/10—Metallic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2360/00—Materials; Physical forms thereof
    • B60B2360/10—Metallic materials
    • B60B2360/102—Steel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2360/00—Materials; Physical forms thereof
    • B60B2360/10—Metallic materials
    • B60B2360/104—Aluminum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2360/00—Materials; Physical forms thereof
    • B60B2360/14—Physical forms of metallic parts
    • B60B2360/141—Sheet-metals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2380/00—Bearings
    • B60B2380/10—Type
    • B60B2380/14—Roller bearings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2900/00—Purpose of invention
    • B60B2900/10—Reduction of
    • B60B2900/113—Production or maintenance time

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to drive axle assemblies for motor vehicles in general
  • Rigid drive axle assemblies are well known structures that are in common use in most
  • axle assemblies include a number of components that are adapted to
  • the rigid drive axle assembly includes a hollow axle housing, a differential, which is rotatably
  • axle shafts are contained in respective non-rotating tubes
  • the axle housings are generally classified into two basic types.
  • the Salisbury type axle assembly 301 includes
  • a carrier 312 (which houses the rotatable differential mechanism 340) is directly connected to
  • a cover 326 is provided at the rear of the carrier to permit assembly of the differential therein.
  • the cover 326 is connected by bolts 328 to a rear face 330
  • a drive pinion 332 rotatably supported by a
  • a driveshaft driveably connected to the output shaft of a
  • the differential mechanism 340 is coupled to the shaft of the drive pinion 332.
  • the differential mechanism 340 is coupled to the shaft of the drive pinion 332.
  • a ring gear 342 located within the differential case 348, includes a ring gear 342, in continuous meshing
  • axle carrier 312 also includes laterally directed tubular
  • a differential case 348 Located within the carrier 312 is a differential case 348, on which bevel pinion
  • the axle shaft 320 is connected to the conesponding side bevel gear 356.
  • housing constructions of this type are economical to manufacture and are readily adaptable for
  • the second axle housing type is a separable carrier construction, and is commonly
  • axle housing 402 having axle tubes 406a and 406b connected together by a
  • the axle tubes 406a and 406b are adapted to receive and rotatably
  • axle housing 402 is formed separate and apart
  • This central member 404 is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape,
  • differential 420 is first assembled within the carrier 422, then the carrier 422 is secured to the
  • axle housings are advantageous because the canier 422 and differential 420 can be removed
  • motor vehicles are adapted to transmit rotational power from an engine of the motor
  • the independent drive axles typical have differential gear
  • independent drive axle of the motor vehicle includes a differential carrier 500 housing a final
  • the differential carrier 500 is mounted to a vehicle frame
  • the suspension of the differential carrier 500 takes place elastically on both cross
  • a lever is provided for the bearing anangement of the differential
  • the lever is constructed there as a U-
  • the lever 510 is attached to the forward cross member 503 through elastic
  • a rear end of the differential carrier 500 is attached to the rearward cross
  • differential carrier is attached directly to the vehicle frame or the vehicle underbody, it should
  • the present invention provides a novel modular drive axle assembly for motor
  • a support member having a substantially flat central section, a differential carrier
  • the modular drive axle assembly is a rigid drive
  • the rigid drive axle assembly in accordance with the first invention comprises
  • the support member in the form of a support beam member having a substantially flat
  • the rigid drive axle assembly further comprises the differential carrier unit
  • axle shaft members Distal ends of the axle shaft members are provided with flange members adapted for
  • the differential carrier unit includes a carrier frame member fastened to the central
  • the differential case houses a conventional differential gear mechanism
  • the drive pinion has a pinion gear in continuous
  • the front cover has a font opening for rotatably supporting and receiving therethrough
  • the rear cover incorporates two opposite
  • Each of the through holes is provided with a self-centering seal.
  • the carrier frame member is, preferably, a single-piece metal part manufactured by
  • the differential carrier frame member has a generally Y-shaped
  • the bearing hub preferably a roller bearing.
  • portions are provided with respective openings therethrough adapted for receiving appropriate
  • portions are provided with mounting flange portions.
  • support beam member has the substantially flat, enlarged central section and the two opposite,
  • substantially rectangular arm sections axially outwardly extending from the central section.
  • the support beam member is formed of a single-piece C-channel body
  • a metal deforming such as stamping, having a substantially flat, enlarged
  • central section and two opposite arm sections axially outwardly extending from the central
  • the flat enlarged central section is further provided with a central opening
  • the support beam member further includes two structural plates attached to the
  • support beam member has the substantially flat, enlarged central section and the two opposite, substantially tubular arm sections axially outwardly extending from the central section.
  • the support beam member is formed of a single-piece C-channel body
  • a metal deforming such as stamping, having a substantially flat, enlarged
  • central section and two opposite arm sections axially outwardly extending from the central
  • the flat enlarged central section is further provided with a central opening
  • carrier frame member and holes for mounting the rear cover and the front cover.
  • beam member has a substantially flat, enlarged central section and two opposite substantially
  • the support beam member is formed of a substantially flat integral profiled body.
  • the body is a substantially flat, I-shaped metal profile.
  • the body has an enlarged central section and two opposite arm sections axially
  • the enlarged central section of the body defines
  • the enlarged central section is further
  • Each of the shaft supporting brackets has a hole
  • axle shaft members therethrough adapted to receive and rotatably support the axle shaft members in a spaced
  • axle assembly in accordance with the first invention represents a novel
  • the modular drive axle assembly is an
  • independent drive axle assembly that may be used for both front and rear axle applications.
  • second invention comprises a support plate member having a substantially flat central section
  • the vehicular independent drive axle assembly of the second invention is adapted to
  • a sprung mass of the motor vehicle such as a frame or a vehicle
  • the independent drive axle assembly is provided with at least
  • one, preferably two mounting members formed integrally with the central section of the
  • the differential carrier unit for further securing the independent drive axle assembly to the
  • the differential carrier unit includes a canier frame member fastened to the central
  • the differential case houses a conventional differential gear mechanism
  • the drive pinion has a pinion gear in continuous
  • the front cover has a front opening for rotatably supporting and receiving
  • the rear cover incorporates
  • Each of the through holes is provided with a self-centering seal.
  • the differential carrier frame member is, preferably, a unitary, single-piece metal part
  • the differential canier frame member has a generally Y-
  • portion has an opening therethrough adapted for receiving and rotatably supporting the drive
  • hub portions are provided with respective openings therethrough adapted for receiving
  • bearing hub portions are provided with mounting flange portions.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a typical Salisbury type drive axle assembly
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a typical Banjo type drive axle assembly of
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a typical independent drive axle assembly of the prior art
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the rear of an axle assembly in accordance with the
  • Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view from the rear of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view from the front of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a support beam member of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 8 is perspective view of a differential carrier frame member in accordance with
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a support beam member of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a first step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the axle
  • Fig. 11 illustrates a second step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 12 illustrates a third step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 13 illustrates a fourth step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 14 illustrates a fifth step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 15 illustrates a sixth step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 16 illustrates a seventh step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 17 illustrates a eighth step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 18 illustrates a ninth step of manufacturing of the support beam member of the
  • Fig. 19 is a partial exploded perspective view from the rear of an axle assembly in
  • Fig. 20 is a perspective view from the rear of the axle assembly in accordance with the
  • Fig. 21 is a perspective rear view of an independent drive axle assembly in accordance
  • Fig. 22 is a perspective front view of an independent drive axle assembly in
  • FIG. 23 is a perspective front view of an independent drive axle assembly in
  • Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the axle assembly in accordance with the
  • Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the axle assembly in accordance with the
  • Fig. 26 is a partial exploded perspective view from the front of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a support plate member of the axle assembly in
  • Fig. 28 is perspective view of a differential carrier unit in accordance with the second
  • Fig. 29 is perspective view of a differential carrier frame member in accordance with
  • Figs. 4-20 illustrate a modular drive axle assembly in accordance with the first invention.
  • the modular drive axle assembly of the first invention is a rigid drive axle
  • Figs. 4-8 depict a vehicle drive axle assembly 1 in accordance with the first exemplary
  • the drive axle assembly 1 comprises a support beam
  • the flat central section 4 of the support beam member 2 defines a support plane that
  • the drive axle assembly 1 further comprises a differential carrier unit 20 fastened to
  • axle shaft members 14a and 14b Distal ends of the axle shaft members 14a and 14b
  • flange members 15a and 15b are provided with flange members 15a and 15b, respectively, adapted for mounting
  • the differential carrier unit 20 includes a carrier frame member 22 fastened to the
  • the differential case 34 houses a conventional differential gear
  • the drive pinion 38 has a pinion gear 38a
  • the ring gear 36 is
  • the differential carrier unit 20 of the present invention is a self-contained
  • differential carrier unit and a final drive, such as the differential case 34 housing the
  • differential gear mechanism differential bearings 35a and 35b, threaded differential adjusters
  • differential adjuster locks oil seals, the drive pinion 38, drive pinion bearings,
  • the carrier frame member 22 fastened to the central section
  • frame member 22 of the present invention improves the modularity of design of the
  • differential carrier unit substantially simplifies the assembly and servicing of the differential
  • the differential carrier unit 20 is enclosed into a housing formed by a
  • the front cover 46 is welded to a front surface of the central section 4 of the beam
  • the front cover 46 has a front opening 48 (shown in Fig. 5) for rotatably supporting and receiving therethrough a distal end of the pinion
  • the rear cover 40 incorporates two opposite through holes
  • Each of the through holes 42 is provided with a self-centering seal 44.
  • the opposite arm sections 6a and 6b of the support beam member 2 may be provided
  • Fig. 7 depicts in detail the support beam member 2 in accordance with the first
  • the support beam As was explained above, the support beam
  • member 2 has the substantially flat, enlarged central section 4 and the two opposite,
  • the support beam member 2 is formed of a single-
  • piece C-channel body 8 manufactured by a metal deforming, such as stamping, having a
  • the substantially flat, enlarged central section 8c of the body 8 defines the central
  • central section 8c adjacent to the central opening 10 and adapted to receive the bolts 21 for
  • the support beam member 2 further includes two structural plates 12a and 12b attached to the arm sections 8a and 8b, respectively, in any appropriate manner, such as
  • sections 6a and 6b of the support beam member 2 have substantially rectangular cross-section.
  • each of the structural plates 12a and 12b is provided with a notch 16 receiving
  • axle shaft member 14a or 14b therethrough in a spaced relationship with respect to the
  • the carrier frame member 22, illustrated in detail in Fig. 8, is, preferably, a single-
  • invention such as aluminum casting, steel stamping, forging, etc.
  • the carrier frame member 22 has a generally Y-shaped configuration and includes a
  • the neck portion 24 is attached to the neck portion 24 through respective leg portions 28a and 28b.
  • the neck portion is attached to the neck portion 24 through respective leg portions 28a and 28b.
  • bearing hub portions 26a and 26b are provided with respective openings 27a and
  • the differential case 34 rotatably supporting the differential case 34.
  • the anti-friction bearings 35a and 35b are rotatably supporting the differential case 34.
  • bearing hub portions 26a and 26b are tapered roller bearings. Moreover, the bearing hub portions 26a and 26b are provided with
  • each of the mounting flange portions 30a and 30b respectively, for fastening the carrier frame member 22 to the flat central section 4 of the support beam member 2.
  • each of the mounting flange portions 30a and 30b respectively, for fastening the carrier frame member 22 to the flat central section 4 of the support beam member 2.
  • flange portions 30a and 30b has two mounting holes 31a and 31b, respectively, adapted to
  • Fig. 9 of the drawings depicts a second exemplary embodiment of a drive axle
  • Fig. 9 depicts in detail a support beam member 102 in accordance with the second
  • the support beam member 102 has a substantially flat
  • the support beam member 102 is formed of a single-piece C-channel body 108 manufactured by a metal
  • deforming such as stamping, having a substantially flat, enlarged central section 108c and
  • the substantially flat, enlarged central section 108c of the body 108 defines the central
  • the flat enlarged central section 108c is further
  • a plurality of bolt holes 109 are formed in the central section 108c
  • the arm sections 108a and 108b of the C-channel body 108 are plastically deformed to
  • axle shaft members 14a and 14b houses the axle shaft members 14a and 14b (not shown in Fig. 8) in a spaced relationship with
  • arm sections 106a and 106b may have
  • support beam member 102 is formed of a single-piece C-channel body 108.
  • the first step is the operation of forming a blank 2 cut out of a sheet of metal 150.
  • a number of substantially identical blanks 152 is cut out of the metal
  • this operation occurs in a separate cutting die (not shown) from a forming die (not shown).
  • a first press apparatus such as a 1000T press (not shown).
  • the tool cuts a basic
  • the elliptical holes 156 are pre-pierced for the triangular-shaped holes
  • the flat blanks 152 are stacked in lots for transfer to the
  • the second step is the operation of drawing of the blank 152, illustrated in Fig. 11.
  • the intention of the draw operation at this step is to start to form the metal towards a desired
  • the third step is the operation of trimming ends and piercing, illustrated in Fig. 12.
  • end portions 158 of the blank 152 are trimmed to eliminate any deformation
  • the fourth step is the operation of re-striking and pre-curling, illustrated in Fig. 13.
  • the blank 152 is deformed to start shaping the central section of the support
  • the longitudinal edges of the blank 152 are formed so as to reflect the required
  • the fifth step is the operation of curling the tubular arm sections, illustrated in Fig. 14.
  • the blank 152 is deformed to form the central section 104 and the tubular
  • tubular arm sections are formed.
  • the sixth step is the operation of finishing the tubular arm sections, illustrated in Fig.
  • the seventh step is the operation of cam re-striking, illustrated in Fig. 16. In this
  • re-strike is used to reinforce the integrity of the support beam member and final form of flange edges.
  • the cam will trim the formed edges of the material for uniformity.
  • the eighth step is the operation of piercing, illustrated in Fig. 17. In this operation,
  • central opening 110 adapted to receive the carrier frame member 22 is cut away. This requires
  • the ninth step is the operation of piercing and extruding, illustrated in Fig. 18. In this
  • lightening holes 112 are extruded to create part rigidity.
  • Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings depict a third exemplary embodiment of a drive axle
  • Fig. 19 depicts in detail a support beam member 202 in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As was explained above, the support beam
  • member 202 has a substantially flat, enlarged central section 204 and two opposite
  • the support beam member 202 is formed of a
  • the body 208 is a substantially flat, I-
  • shaped metal profile that could be a single-piece part, or, alternatively, made of two C-channel
  • the body 208 has an enlarged central section 208c and two opposite arm sections 208a
  • section 208c of the body 208 defines the central section 204 of the support beam member 202.
  • the enlarged central section 208c is further provided with a central opening 210 therethrough
  • a plurality of bolt holes 209 are formed
  • conesponding shaft supporting brackets 212a and 212b are conesponding shaft supporting brackets 212a and 212b.
  • Each of the shaft supporting brackets 212a and 212b has a hole (214a and 214b, respectively)
  • axle shaft members 14a and 14b therethrough adapted to receive and rotatably support the axle shaft members 14a and 14b
  • the axle assembly in accordance with the first invention represents a novel anangement of the rigid drive axle assembly including the support beam member having the
  • differential canier unit and rotatably supported by the arm sections in a spaced relationship
  • Figs. 21-28 depict a vehicular independent drive axle assembly 601 in accordance with
  • the independent drive axle may be used for both front and rear axle applications.
  • the independent drive axle may be used for both front and rear axle applications.
  • the independent drive axle may be used for both front and rear axle applications.
  • assembly 601 comprises a substantially rigid support plate member 602, a differential carrier
  • the vehicular independent drive axle assembly 601 is adapted to be mounted to a sprung mass (not shown)
  • the motor vehicle such as a frame or a vehicle underbody.
  • the support plate member 602 illustrated in detail in Figs. 26 and 27, has a
  • the support plate member 602 to the sprung mass of the motor vehicle.
  • the support plate member 602 to the sprung mass of the motor vehicle.
  • plate member 602 has two opposite, substantially U-shaped mounting members 606a and
  • the mounting members 606a and 606b outwardly extending from the central section 604.
  • the mounting members 606a and 606b outwardly extending from the central section 604.
  • 606b are provided for elastically mounting the support plate member 602 to the sprung mass
  • section 604 of the support plate member 602 defines a support plane extending substantially
  • the support plate member 602 is a single-
  • the differential carrier unit 620 of the second invention is substantially identical to the
  • differential carrier unit 20 of the first invention The differential carrier unit 620 is fastened to the central section 604 of the support plate member 602, and the two opposite stub shaft
  • stub shaft members 614a and 614b are spaced from the central section 604 of the support plate
  • 614a and 614b are provided with flange members 615a and 615b, respectively, adapted for
  • the differential carrier unit 620 includes a
  • carrier frame member 622 fastened to the central section 604 of the support plate member 602,
  • differential case 634 houses a conventional differential gear mechanism, well known to those
  • the drive pinion 638 has a pinion gear 638 a in continuous meshing
  • the ring gear 636 is conventionally secured to the
  • differential case 634 in any appropriate manner well known in the art.
  • the carrier frame member 622 illustrated in detail in Fig. 29, is, preferably, a single-
  • the carrier frame member such as aluminum casting, steel stamping, forging, etc.
  • 622 has a generally Y-shaped configuration and includes a neck portion 624 and two opposite, axially spaced, coaxial bearing hub portions 626a and 626b attached to the neck portion 624
  • the neck portion 624 has an opening 625
  • bearing preferably a roller bearing.
  • portions 26a and 26b are provided with respective openings 627a and 627b therethrough
  • the differential case 634 Preferably, the anti-friction bearings 635a and 635b are tapered
  • bearing hub portions 626a and 626b are provided with
  • each of the mounting flange portions 630a and 630b has two
  • mounting holes 631a and 631b respectively, adapted to receive bolts 621 (shown in Figs. 24
  • the substantially flat, central section 604 of the support plate member 602 is further
  • the differential carrier unit 620 of the present invention is a self-contained
  • the carrier frame member 622 supports all the significant elements of the differential carrier unit and a final drive, such as the differential case 634 housing the
  • differential gear mechanism differential bearings 635 a and 635b, threaded differential
  • adjusters 632a and 632b differential adjuster locks, oil seals, the drive pinion 638, drive
  • the carrier frame member 622 fastened to
  • the carrier frame member 622 of the present invention improves the modularity of
  • the differential carrier unit reduces the number of required machining operations.
  • the differential carrier unit 620 is enclosed into a housing formed by a
  • cover 646 are manufactured by metal stamping of aluminum-killed draw quality (AKDQ)
  • metal material such as steel or aluminum, or non-metal material may be utilized.
  • non-metal material such as steel or aluminum, or non-metal material may be utilized.
  • the front cover 646 is welded to a front surface of the central section 604 of the support plate
  • the front cover 646 has a front opening 648 (shown in Fig. 26) for rotatably
  • the rear cover 640 incorporates two opposite through holes 642 (only one is shown in
  • the through holes 642 is provided with a self-centering seal 644.
  • differential carrier unit 620 is provided with a front suspension
  • an elastic member such as an elastic bushing 656.
  • member 650 includes a suspension arm 652 extending from a mounting flange 654 attached to
  • the elastic bushing 656 is secured at a distal end of the suspension arm
  • a through opening 657 in the elastic bushing 656 (shown in Fig. 22) defines a front axle
  • invention represents a novel anangement of the drive axle assembly including the support
  • plate member having the substantially flat central section and two opposite mounting arm
  • differential carrier unit in a spaced relationship with respect to the central section of the
  • the present invention provides a number of advantages over the cunently employed independent drive axle assemblies:

Abstract

L'invention concerne un ensemble essieu moteur pour véhicules à moteur, qui comprend un corps d'essieu à partie centrale élargie sensiblement plate, avec deux bras opposés d'extension axiale externe par rapport à la partie centrale. Un support de différentiel est fixé à la partie centrale du corps d'essieu, avec deux arbres d'essieu opposés d'extension externe par rapport à ce support, soutenus rotatifs par les bras, espacés de la partie centrale du corps d'essieu. Ledit support de différentiel comprend un cadre fixé à la partie centrale du corps d'essieu, qui soutient rotatifs le carter du différentiel et le pignon menant. Le support de différentiel est entouré d'un boîtier à couvercles avant et arrière fixés aux surfaces opposées de la partie centrale du corps d'essieu. Le couvercle arrière présente deux trous à joints autocentreurs.
EP03719405A 2002-03-20 2003-03-19 Ensemble essieu moteur modulaire pour vehicules a moteur Withdrawn EP1488138A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36561802P 2002-03-20 2002-03-20
US10/101,188 US6729207B2 (en) 2002-03-20 2002-03-20 Rigid drive axle assembly for motor vehicles
US101188 2002-03-20
US365618P 2002-03-20
PCT/US2003/008267 WO2003080366A2 (fr) 2002-03-20 2003-03-19 Ensemble essieu moteur modulaire pour vehicules a moteur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1488138A2 true EP1488138A2 (fr) 2004-12-22

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03719405A Withdrawn EP1488138A2 (fr) 2002-03-20 2003-03-19 Ensemble essieu moteur modulaire pour vehicules a moteur

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1488138A2 (fr)
CN (1) CN1643273A (fr)
AU (1) AU2003223292A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR0308521A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003080366A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7137183B2 (en) 2002-03-20 2006-11-21 Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. Drive axle for motor vehicles and method for assembling the same
US7585032B2 (en) * 2003-10-17 2009-09-08 American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. Modular axle assembly
US7155827B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2007-01-02 Torque-Traction Technologies, Llc. Method for verifying predetermined bearing preload of differential assembly module
US7121972B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2006-10-17 Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. Adjustable flange device for cover member in drive axle assembly
US7465246B2 (en) * 2005-03-04 2008-12-16 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Axle assembly
US7955211B2 (en) 2006-03-03 2011-06-07 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Axle assembly
EP2875980B1 (fr) * 2013-11-21 2017-11-08 Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA Ensemble d'unité de commande
GB201511068D0 (en) * 2015-06-23 2015-08-05 Ricardo Uk Ltd A mechanism

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4310200A (en) * 1979-12-18 1982-01-12 Olender James P Drive axle truss assembly
US4841802A (en) * 1986-03-27 1989-06-27 Rockwell International Corporation Modified fast fade drive axle housing
US5271294A (en) * 1992-05-08 1993-12-21 Dana Corporation Banjo type axle housing having differential carrier support structure

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03080366A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR0308521A (pt) 2005-02-01
WO2003080366A3 (fr) 2004-07-22
AU2003223292A1 (en) 2003-10-08
CN1643273A (zh) 2005-07-20
WO2003080366A2 (fr) 2003-10-02

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