JP2001219752A - Subframe drive line module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive line assembly module capable of avoiding individual mounting, exchange, and service of individual parts having a plurality of independent mounting points, respectively. SOLUTION: This drive line assembly module 10 is provided with a drive train assembly 14 which is rigid and is substantially box-shaped member, namely, a main support structural body for all the drive parts. An independent suspension system 16 having a related wheel hub 18 is also attached to the drive train assembly 14. Each part is replaced or used due to the exchange of all the modules by mounting drive parts and the independent suspension 16 as a integral module. That is, it is possible to avoid individual mounting, exchange, and service of individual parts having a plurality of independent mounting points, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a module for mounting on a vehicle frame, and more particularly to an integrated module for supporting an independent suspension and driveline system that can be mounted on a main frame of a vehicle. is there.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vehicles, such as tractor-trailer vehicle tractors, for example, generally include a main frame having a pair of longitudinally extending members for supporting a load. These members are suspended from the frame and incorporate the components that provide torque and speed doubling to the wheels and include, for example, wheel speed differentiation, shaft axle speed differentiation (in the case of in-line or in-line drive units), and wheel speed differentiation. Incorporates components that provide other features such as prevention. Separately and distinctly from these longitudinally extending members, other devices are typically mounted on the engine and selectively or automatically speed and torque doubling the drive shaft coupled to the longitudinally extending members. give. Therefore, the individual driveline components must be separately assembled and attached to the main frame via a suspension that attaches the engine, suspension bearing mounts and frame and each longitudinally extending member.

[0003] Unfortunately, mounting individual components to the individual assemblies and main frames is a time consuming and labor intensive process. Moreover, it is difficult to integrate the system. This is because multiple independent mounting points prevent simultaneous mounting of the system. In addition, the complete main frame dimensions of the tractor require excessive space to assemble each independent part.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its object is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a driveline assembly module that is pre-assembled and integrated to be mounted on a main frame of an automobile, thereby reducing the number of assembly steps and contributing to improvements in productivity, quality and usability.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above objects, a driveline assembly module of the present invention is a support structure for a drivetrain component such as, for example, a transmission and differential assembly. It includes a rigid, substantially box-shaped drivetrain assembly. Independent suspension systems, each with an associated wheel hub, provide drivetrain and
Working attached to the assembly. Preferably, the independent suspension system is structurally supported by the drivetrain assembly. By mounting the drivetrain components and associated subsystems together as a module, and then mounting the module as a unit to the vehicle,
Individual components can be mounted and used by replacing all modules. In other words, individual installation, replacement and service of each individual part, each having a plurality of independent mounting points for mounting on a motor vehicle, is avoided.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be more readily and better understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0007] The drive line (power transmission device) of the present invention
The assembly module 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in engagement with a typical motor vehicle. Vehicle 12 is preferably a self-powered vehicle, such as a truck tractor.
However, it should be recognized that many vehicles also benefit from the present invention. As will be described in further detail below, the module 10 is an integral unit that is pre-assembled and integrated into the vehicle 12. Here, the module 10 is mounted on a frame assembly 13 of an automobile 12.
It will be appreciated that although the module 10 may be mounted on other members and other locations.

Referring to FIG. 1, module 10 includes a drive train assembly 14 for a motor vehicle 12. Drivetrain assembly 14 is preferably
Drivetrain components such as transmission and differential assemblies (shown at 15) and independent suspensions 16
And a structural member capable of supporting the above. By providing the drivetrain assembly 14 as a structural member, the module 10 can be assembled independently and subsequently attached to the vehicle 12. That is, individual installation, replacement and servicing of each individual drivetrain component, each having a plurality of independent mounting points for pre-installation on the vehicle, is avoided.

Each independent suspension system 16 has an associated wheel hub 18 having a tire 19 operatively connected to the drivetrain component 15. The independent suspension system 16 can be articulated on the vehicle 12 or can be directly attached to the drivetrain assembly 14. Preferably, each independent suspension 16 is structurally supported by the drivetrain assembly 14 such that the module 10 is an integral unit. The module 10 is pre-assembled to include all driveline components and subsystems, allowing the module 10 to be attached and detached from the vehicle by rotating the module 10 under the vehicle frame 13 and mounting the bracket 26 to the frame 13. Make it available.

The drive train assembly 14 is connected to an engine (shown by reference numeral 21) via a drive shaft 22 and the like. Preferably, integral coupling 24 connects drivetrain assembly 14 to driveshaft 22. Drive train assembly 14 transmits drive power from drive shaft 22 to each wheel hub 18. Coupling 24 provides a disconnect so that module 10 can be easily attached and detached from drive shaft 22. In particular, drivetrain component 15 is attached to drivetrain assembly 14 but not to vehicle engine 21. Therefore, by attaching the drive train component 15 to the module 10, each component can be mounted, exchanged, and used by exchanging all the modules 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the module 10 is preferably mounted on the frame 13 using a mounting portion such as a bracket 26, for example. The bracket 26 is attached to the main frame 1 with a fastener such as a bolt 27.
3, these fasteners fit into corresponding openings 29 of the bracket 26 housed in the frame 13 at the openings 31. Brackets 26 and fasteners allow the module 10 to be removably mounted on the vehicle 12. Bracket 26 is for module 10
Although disclosed for detachably mounting, it will be appreciated that other mounting portions may be used.

Module 10 is further shown in FIG. Drivetrain assembly 1
4 is preferably a rigid, substantially box-shaped member, ie the main support structure for all driveline components. Although the drivetrain assembly 14 is shown as a box-like member, it should be appreciated that this is for illustrative purposes only and that the drivetrain assembly 14 is not limited to this type of configuration.

In the disclosed embodiment, the four independent suspension systems 16 are connected to the drivetrain assembly 1.
4 to support. Each independent suspension system 16 provides an associated wheel hub 18 operatively connected to the drivetrain component 15. The number of wheels shown comprises two wheels for each independent suspension system, which corresponds to a standard 18-wheel tractor configuration, the number of independent suspension systems and the number of wheels per suspension system vary. It will be appreciated that this can be done.

The wheel hub 18 of each independent suspension 16 is driven by an axle (axle) 32 connected to the drive train component 15. The mounting portion 34 rotatably supports each hub 18 and the axle 32. The mounting portion 34 and the hub 18 are independently supported by upper 36A and lower 36B connecting arms. Connecting arm 36A,
36B is preferably pivotally mounted to drivetrain assembly 14 at each pivot 38A, 38B. The articulated joint 40 includes connecting arms 36A, 3
Axle 32 over the range of motion defined by 6B
Can be articulated.

A subsystem of the damper 42, such as a shock absorber or air cell, is mounted between the lower connecting arm 36B and the bracket 26. In addition, other subsystems, such as, for example, a brake system (shown at 44) are provided for each hub 18 and are mounted on the drivetrain assembly 14.
This allows the module 10 to support each individual hub 18 and connect the hub 18 with the required driveline components and subsystems for a self-contained independent suspension.

[0016]

As described above, the present invention comprises a rigid, substantially box-shaped member, ie, a drivetrain assembly which is the primary support structure for all drive components. An independent suspension system with an associated wheel hub is also attached to the drivetrain assembly. Since the drive components and the independent suspension are mounted as an integrated module, each component is replaced or used by exchanging all modules. That is, individual mounting, replacement and service of individual components, each having a plurality of independent attachment points, can be avoided. It should be understood that the invention has been described for purposes of illustration, and that the terms used are for explanation and not for limitation. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that many modifications are possible within the scope of the invention in view of the above teachings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a general automotive tractor rig for use with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a general enlarged view of a mounting portion for mounting the module of the present invention to the automobile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a general perspective view of the module of the present invention detached from the automobile of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Driveline assembly module 12 Automobile 13 Frame 14 Drivetrain assembly 15 Drivetrain parts 16 Independent suspension 18 Related wheel hub 26 Bracket

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on front page (72) Inventor Jay Sandler United States 48306 Michigan Rochester Landview 3380

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A drive train assembly comprising: a drive train assembly; and an independent suspension system for supporting a wheel hub operatively mounted on the drive train assembly, whereby the drive line assembly module is removably mounted to a vehicle frame. A driveline assembly module, comprising: 2. The module of claim 1, wherein said drivetrain assembly has a substantially box-like shape. 3. The module according to claim 1, wherein said independent suspension assembly is attached to said drivetrain assembly. 4. The module of claim 1, wherein said drivetrain assembly includes a transmission. 5. The module according to claim 1, wherein said drivetrain assembly comprises a differential. 6. The drive train assembly according to claim 1,
The module according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling attachable to a drive shaft of the engine. 7. The module according to claim 1, wherein said drivetrain assembly comprises a braking system. 8. The module according to claim 1, wherein said drivetrain assembly supports a plurality of independent suspension systems. 9. A drivetrain assembly for supporting a transmission and a differential, and a stand-alone suspension system articulated to the drivetrain assembly, thereby mounting a plurality of drivetrain assembly modules. Drive line assembly characterized in that it can be detachably attached to an automobile frame at a point.
module. 10. The module of claim 9, wherein said drivetrain assembly comprises a coupling attachable to a drive shaft of an engine. 11. The module according to claim 9, wherein said independent suspension assembly is structurally supported by said drivetrain assembly. 12. A method for removably attaching a driveline assembly to an automobile, wherein (1) the drivetrain assembly is pre-assembled as a module, and (2) the module is attached to the automobile. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein step (1) includes articulating the independent suspension to the drivetrain assembly. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein step (1) comprises supporting said independent suspension on said drivetrain assembly. 15. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (1) is performed by using the drive train.
The method of claim 12, including structurally supporting the differential and transmission with the assembly.