GB503835A - Improvements in or relating to vehicle axle structures - Google Patents

Abstract

503,835. Driving steering-wheels. JACKSON, L. MELLERSH-. (Marmon-Herrington Co., Inc.) Oct. 6, 1937, No. 27076. [Class 79 (ii)] In an axle structure with driven steering - wheels, the universal j joints transmitting the drive from the axle shafts to the respective wheels have splined connections both to the axle shafts and the wheels so as to be axially movable to maintain automatically centralization of the universal joints on the trunnion axes of the steerable wheels. The main axle casing 10, 11 is provided at each end with a part-spherical casing 21 to which is trunnioned a hollow extension 40 with bearings 43. 44 within which the wheel hub H is mounted. The outer member 30 of a constant velocity universal joint is splined to the end of each axle shaft 16, the inner member 31 being secured to a shaft section 32 splined to the wheel hub H, a spring 60 normally pressing the joint assemblage against a stop-ring 36 on the shaft 16. The inner ends of the shafts 16 are secured to sun pinions 15 located against end movement between the planet carrier 14 and the driver gear 12 of the differential which is mounted in bearings 13 in the casing 10. The inner member 31 of the universal joint is splined on the shaft section 32 and secured by disc 33 which is provided with an inwardly projecting finger passed along one of the splines and turned slightly into an annular groove in the shaft 32 before the disc is fastened to the member 31. The wheel hub H embodies a cupped portion 50 with a flange 51 to which a brake-drum carrying-rmg 52 is bolted, the wheel-rim carrying-ring 54 being bolted to the brake drum ring 52. Lubricant may be supplied to the joint through an axial bore 62 in the shaft 32 and bores normally closed by plugs 66 in the hub provide access to enable the inner race of the bearing 43 to be forced from its seating. On the inner side of the trunnion pins 23, a two part retaining ring 70, with an annular packing 71 engaging the casing 21, is attached to the wheel-carrying extension 40, the track and steering rods being pivoted to an extension of the ring 70. Specifications 298,166, [Class 79 (ii)], , 382,677 and 454,692 are referred to.