GB2154186A

GB2154186A - An axle casing for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2154186A
Application number: GB08501653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rudolf Wonneberger
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1984-01-24
Filing date: 1985-01-23
Publication date: 1985-09-04
Also published as: DE3402272A1; IT8547579A0; IT1182138B; GB2154186B; GB8501653D0; IT8547579A1; DE3402272C2

Abstract

An axle casing for motor vehicles has a cast central bearing element (10) and two axle shaft sections (12, 14) which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another. The axle shaft sections extend to tubular end pieces (25, 26) cast integrally with the shaft sections for receiving wheel bearings. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An axle casing for motor vehicles The invention relates to an axle casing for motor vehicles, particularly but not exclusively for drivable axles of commercial vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and which extend to tubular end pieces.

Axle casings of this kind have been known for a long time in the construction of vehicles.

In this connection the tubular shaped end pieces are either formed by axle tubes which, with one end piece, are pressed into the free ends of axle shaft sections, which form hollow shafts and are cast in one piece together with the central bearing element, or they are formed by axle stubs, each of which is flange-mounted onto a corresponding flange on the free end of the respective axle shaft sections.

Thus, the tubular end pieces are manufactured separately from the casting, which consists of the bearing element and axle shafts, and assembled with the casing, which is an involved and correspondingly costly process in production engineering terms.

The problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide an axle casing which can be substantially easier, quicker and cheaper to manufacture than the known casings.

According to the invention there is provided an axle casing for motor vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and which extend to tubular end pieces for receiving wheel bearings the tubular end pieces being also cast integrally with the axle shaft sections.

In the axle casing according to the invention the parts which are designated as axle tubes or axle stubs in the known types of axle bridges are thus formed integrally with the axle shaft sections.

Accordingly, the axle case according to the invention is a uniform casting which, by virtue of its homogeneous structure is characterised by high mechanical strength and light weight.

In this connection the axle casing is made advantageously of spheroidal graphitic cast iron, malleable cast iron or cast steel.

To show clearly the advantage which can be achieved by the invention, the conventional axle casing designs and an embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show known designs of axle casings, partially in longitudinal section, and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the axle casing according to the invention, partially in longitudinal section.

Both the known axle casings shown in Figures 1 and 2 are, for example, the type used on driven rear axles of commercial vehicles.

Each casing has a central bearing element 10, which is in the form of a housing for receiving a differential, and with two coaxial axle shaft sections 12 and 14 which are formed on the said bearing element at opposite ends to one another.

These axle shaft sections combine with the bearing element 10 to form a shaped part made, for example, of cast steel.

A mounting block 11 is formed on the bearing element 10 for the purpose of connecting the axle casing to other parts of the vehicle and mounting the brake system. In addition, the axle shafts 12 and 14 are each equipped also with a mounting block 13 for a brake shaft, a counterplate 15 for spring mounting or with a mounting block for axle casing mounting and with a mounting block 17 (spring pivot seat) for receiving springs, the counterplate 15 and block 17 also being formed integrally in this case.

The two axle shaft sections 12 and 14 are each connected to respective tubular end pieces which have a stepped external diameter and which are each used to accommodate wheel bearings.

In the case of the axle casing according to Figure 1 there tubular end pieces are each formed by an axle tube 16 which is pressed when hot, for example with a cylindrical end piece 18, into the associated axle shaft section 12 or 14.

In the design according to Figure 2 the tubular end pieces of the axle shaft sections 12 and 14 are formed by axle tube ends 20 joined to the free ends of the axle shaft sections, for which purpose these axle tube ends are bolted by an outer flange 22 formed integrally with the tube end to a counterflange 24 of the associated axle shaft section.

Thus, in both the casing shown in Figure 1 and 2 the tubular end pieces of the axle shafts are to be manufactured separately and assembled.

In contrast, the tubular end pieces 25 and 26 in the embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention as shown in Figure 3 are cast integrally with the axle shafts 12 and 14 so that the entire axle casing consists only of a homogeneous casting which can be manufactured in a single operation. The casing is formed preferably, of spheriodal graphitic cast iron, malleable cast iron or cast steel, although other casting materials may be used.

An outer flange 28 for securing a brake component is also advantageously formed integrally in each intermediate area between the axle shaft sections 12 and 14 and the end pieces 25 and 26, respectively.

The illustrated embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention is otherwise similar, apart from the tubular end pieces 25, 26, in design to the two previously described known axle casings.

It is obvious that this embodiment may also be modified to enable the axle casing to be used, for example, for a non-driven vehicle axle.

1. An axle casing for motor vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An axle casing for motor vehicles The invention relates to an axle casing for motor vehicles, particularly but not exclusively for drivable axles of commercial vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and which extend to tubular end pieces. Axle casings of this kind have been known for a long time in the construction of vehicles. In this connection the tubular shaped end pieces are either formed by axle tubes which, with one end piece, are pressed into the free ends of axle shaft sections, which form hollow shafts and are cast in one piece together with the central bearing element, or they are formed by axle stubs, each of which is flange-mounted onto a corresponding flange on the free end of the respective axle shaft sections. Thus, the tubular end pieces are manufactured separately from the casting, which consists of the bearing element and axle shafts, and assembled with the casing, which is an involved and correspondingly costly process in production engineering terms. The problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide an axle casing which can be substantially easier, quicker and cheaper to manufacture than the known casings. According to the invention there is provided an axle casing for motor vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and which extend to tubular end pieces for receiving wheel bearings the tubular end pieces being also cast integrally with the axle shaft sections. In the axle casing according to the invention the parts which are designated as axle tubes or axle stubs in the known types of axle bridges are thus formed integrally with the axle shaft sections. Accordingly, the axle case according to the invention is a uniform casting which, by virtue of its homogeneous structure is characterised by high mechanical strength and light weight. In this connection the axle casing is made advantageously of spheroidal graphitic cast iron, malleable cast iron or cast steel. To show clearly the advantage which can be achieved by the invention, the conventional axle casing designs and an embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show known designs of axle casings, partially in longitudinal section, and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the axle casing according to the invention, partially in longitudinal section. Both the known axle casings shown in Figures 1 and 2 are, for example, the type used on driven rear axles of commercial vehicles. Each casing has a central bearing element 10, which is in the form of a housing for receiving a differential, and with two coaxial axle shaft sections 12 and 14 which are formed on the said bearing element at opposite ends to one another. These axle shaft sections combine with the bearing element 10 to form a shaped part made, for example, of cast steel. A mounting block 11 is formed on the bearing element 10 for the purpose of connecting the axle casing to other parts of the vehicle and mounting the brake system. In addition, the axle shafts 12 and 14 are each equipped also with a mounting block 13 for a brake shaft, a counterplate 15 for spring mounting or with a mounting block for axle casing mounting and with a mounting block 17 (spring pivot seat) for receiving springs, the counterplate 15 and block 17 also being formed integrally in this case. The two axle shaft sections 12 and 14 are each connected to respective tubular end pieces which have a stepped external diameter and which are each used to accommodate wheel bearings. In the case of the axle casing according to Figure 1 there tubular end pieces are each formed by an axle tube 16 which is pressed when hot, for example with a cylindrical end piece 18, into the associated axle shaft section 12 or 14. In the design according to Figure 2 the tubular end pieces of the axle shaft sections 12 and 14 are formed by axle tube ends 20 joined to the free ends of the axle shaft sections, for which purpose these axle tube ends are bolted by an outer flange 22 formed integrally with the tube end to a counterflange 24 of the associated axle shaft section. Thus, in both the casing shown in Figure 1 and 2 the tubular end pieces of the axle shafts are to be manufactured separately and assembled. In contrast, the tubular end pieces 25 and 26 in the embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention as shown in Figure 3 are cast integrally with the axle shafts 12 and 14 so that the entire axle casing consists only of a homogeneous casting which can be manufactured in a single operation. The casing is formed preferably, of spheriodal graphitic cast iron, malleable cast iron or cast steel, although other casting materials may be used. An outer flange 28 for securing a brake component is also advantageously formed integrally in each intermediate area between the axle shaft sections 12 and 14 and the end pieces 25 and 26, respectively. The illustrated embodiment of an axle casing according to the invention is otherwise similar, apart from the tubular end pieces 25, 26, in design to the two previously described known axle casings. It is obvious that this embodiment may also be modified to enable the axle casing to be used, for example, for a non-driven vehicle axle. CLAIMS

1. An axle casing for motor vehicles, having a cast central bearing element and two axle shaft sections which are cast integrally with the bearing element so as to be coaxial with one another and which extend to tubular end pieces for receiving wheel bearings the tubular end pieces being also cast integrally with the axle shaft sections.

2. An axle casing according to claim 1, wherein an outer flange for securing a brake component is cast integrally with each intermediate area between the axle shaft sections and tubular end pieces.

3. An axle casing according to claim 1 or 2, made of spheroidal graphitic cast iron.

4. An axle casing according to claim 1 or 2, made of malleable cast iron.

5. An axle casing according to claim 1 or 2, made of cast steel.

6. An axle casing for drivable axles of commercial vehicles substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.