Axle Patents (Class 301/124.1)
  • Patent number: 11952055
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric independent steering apparatus comprising: a first knuckle having one end coupled to the lower end of a strut part, and including an upper support part extending and protruding outwardly from the one end and a lower support part extending and protruding from the other end so as to face the upper support part; a second knuckle which is rotatably disposed on the lower support part inside the first knuckle, has a motor installed therein, and has a driving wheel coupled to the outside thereof; and a harmonic gear which is disposed so as to be rotatable from the upper support part and relatively rotates from the first knuckle together with the second knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Seohan Innobility Co., Ltd., Korea Movenex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Ki Oh, Jae Geun Bang
  • Patent number: 11865606
    Abstract: This manufacturing method for a link part is a method of manufacturing a link part having one end portion having a connecting hole and provided on one side in one direction from an intermediate part which is long in the one direction and has a first side wall and a second side wall each having a pilot hole at least at one end portion and disposed to face each other and a connecting wall connecting one side edge of the first side wall and one side edge of the second side wall, and the other end portion provided on the other side therefrom in the one direction. The method includes a reinforcing process of inserting a metal core into the pilot hole, and an O-bending process of O-bending the first side wall and the second side wall so that the other side edge of the first side wall and the other side edge of the second side wall are brought into contact with each other after the reinforcing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Masaaki Mizumura
  • Patent number: 11821466
    Abstract: A grooved nut for axially securing an inner ring of a bearing that is mounted on an axle or shaft includes a body portion surrounding a threaded inner bore. The body portion has a circumferential outer surface and an axial thickness, the outer surface includes at least one recess, and an axial depth of the recess is smaller than the axial thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Padelis Katsaros
  • Patent number: 11772442
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an assembly for providing suspension and steering for a wheel. The assembly includes an inner knuckle and a steering knuckle. The inner knuckle is coupled to an upper control arm at an upper joint and a lower control arm at a lower joint, forming a double wishbone suspension. The upper joint and the lower joint define a first axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to the inner knuckle at a steering joint that forms or otherwise defines a kingpin axis. The steering joint includes a revolute joint, a ball joint, or both. The steering knuckle is configured to be engaged with a tie-rod coupled to a steering mechanism. The kingpin axis is nearer a center of the wheel than the first axis, thus preventing or otherwise limiting torque steer. The upper and lower joints are constrained from significant steering rotation by suitable bushings, anti-steer arms, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Mason Verbridge, Max Koff
  • Patent number: 11680599
    Abstract: In one aspect, a lock nut is provided that includes a washer, a threaded body, and an actuator that are distinct from one another. The washer is configured to form a non-rotatable connection with a vehicle spindle. The threaded body has threads to engage threads of the vehicle spindle. The actuator has a rotary drive structure and is configured to be turned in a tightening direction to cause turning of the threaded body in the tightening direction relative to the washer. The lock nut includes a lock operably coupled to the actuator and configured to inhibit turning of the threaded body in a loosening direction relative to the washer. The actuator is configured to be turned relative to the threaded body in the loosening direction to disengage the lock and permit turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Consolidated Metco, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Coyne, Logan M. Howell, Joseph M. Shaw, Mary K. Marshall, Michael Barden, Jonathan Liao
  • Patent number: 11655891
    Abstract: A method of machining a carrier housing for an axle assembly comprises obtaining a carrier housing including circumferentially spaced apart tabs and positioning a datum setting tool in engagement with the carrier housing. The carrier housing is clamped to a fixture to position the carrier housing at a first orientation relative to a coordinate system within a work cell. The datum setting tool is disengaged from the carrier housing. Portions of the carrier housing along a first side are machined to define features including a carrier mounting flange and a cylindrical bearing bore extending perpendicular to the carrier mounting flange while the carrier housing remains clamped at the first orientation. Different portions of the carrier housing, on a second opposite side of the carrier housing, are machined to define additional geometrical feature while the initial clamped orientation continues to be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Mahindra N.A. Tech Center
    Inventor: David E. Peck
  • Patent number: 11630376
    Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Thomas, Jordan Zook Todd, Jesse Patterson, Nicholas Vitale, Joseph Tucker, Ian Griggs
  • Patent number: 11530867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator, a duct assembly and a duct fixture. The duct fixture includes a fixing seat having a through hole, a fixing disk, a limiting block disposed on a side of the fixing disk adjacent to a target mounting surface, and a positioning protrusion disposed on the fixing disk, an outer shape of the limiting block matches a mounting hole on the target mounting surface, a limiting groove for receiving the target mounting surface is formed between the limiting block and the fixing disk, and the positioning protrusion is disposed angularly with the limiting block around the central axis of the through hole. When the limiting block rotates to a staggered position relative to the mounting hole, the positioning protrusion enters the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Yang, Hao Zhang, Enpin Xia
  • Patent number: 11479060
    Abstract: This axle beam is provided with a pair of horizontal plate sections separated vertically from and facing each other; and a vertical plate section extending vertically so as to connect intermediate sections, in a front-rear direction, of the pair of horizontal plate sections. The horizontal plate section on the upper side has a forwardly extending upper front plate section and a rearwardly extending upper rear plate section, and the horizontal plate section on the lower side has a forwardly extending lower front plate section and a rearwardly extending lower rear plate section. One of the upper front plate section, the upper rear plate section, the lower front plate section, and the lower rear plate section is set to have a smaller length in the front-rear direction than the other three plate sections, and among the other three plate sections, the two plate sections which are separated vertically from and facing each other are set to have substantially the same length in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenta Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11413903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a castor wheel structure, comprising a wheel part (18) and a castor wheel house (28), on which a transition element can be mounted, such as a spindle structure (1) or a flange structure (2), which again can be mounted on equipment that is to be made mobile, which wheel part (18) is unilaterally suspended and arranged about a substantially horizontal shaft on the castor wheel house (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Tomas Hecht Olsen
  • Patent number: 11390116
    Abstract: The production method disclosed is a method for producing a front axle beam. The production method includes a die forging step and a bending step. The die forging step is a step of forging a steel material with dies to produce a forged product including a rough web part, which is to be formed into a web part, and four plate-shaped rough flange parts protruding frontward and rearward from an upper side and a lower side of the rough web part, respectively. The bending step is a step of pressing at least one specified rough flange part, which is at least one of the four rough flange parts, with a first die to form a bent portion in the specified rough flange part such that the bent portion is bent inward in an up-down direction of the forged product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Tamura, Kenji Imanishi, Sam Soo Hwang, Kunihiro Yabuno, Kunihiro Yoshida, Koichiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11383291
    Abstract: Provided are a hollow drive shaft using an upsetting method and a method of manufacturing the same, in which hot forging and upsetting processes are applied to both ends of a workpiece so that an outer diameter at both ends of the workpiece is greater than an outer diameter of a middle part of the workpiece, thereby reducing a weight of the drive shaft and enabling the drive shaft to transmit higher driving power. According to the present invention, the upsetting process is applied during the hot forging process to manufacture the hollow drive shaft, portions to be substantially processed are limited to portions at both ends of the workpiece, and the number of upsetting processes is limited to a minimum number (2 or the like), such that initial investment costs and manufacturing costs are low because the number of processes is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ILJIN STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Ha Kim, Eui Hyouk Hwang, Young June Park
  • Patent number: 11205337
    Abstract: An agricultural work machine, an agricultural work machine control system, and method for an agricultural work machine having RFID tags to determine a fault condition of machine components, devices, parts or systems. The RFID tags are located on, at, or near machine components or systems to sense a temperature of those components or systems. A receiver/transmitter interrogates the RFID tags and receives the sensed temperatures, and component identifiers. A controller receives the temperatures from the receiver/transmitter and compares the received temperatures to a threshold to determine whether a fault condition exists. If so, the controller transmits an alert signal to a user interface to indicate that a fault condition exists with an identified component, part, device, or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel E. Derscheid, Cole L. Murray
  • Patent number: 11110747
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an axle beam, in particular an axle bridge, for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle. The axle beam has a first axle beam shell and a second axle beam shell which is connected, in particular welded, to the first axle beam shell in order to configure a tubular body. The tubular body has an inner circumferential face with a plurality of flat sections which form a non-round cross section of the tubular body. The axle beam has a reinforcing component which has a non-round cross section, is arranged within the tubular body, and bears at least partially against the flat sections of the inner circumferential face of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Roland Gratzl
  • Patent number: 10975909
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting wheel-end tapered roller bearing preload force on an axle spindle with a diameter, a longitudinal groove or flat, and a thread pattern to receive an adjustment nut, having an inner washer, an inner adjustment nut, an outer washer with first detent features and an outer adjustment nut with second detent features. The first and second detent features interact so as to define at least one detent position between the outer washer and the outer adjustment nut for adjusting the preload force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: George A. Hagelthorn
  • Patent number: 10246896
    Abstract: A device configured to support an object above the ground. The device includes a first end and an opposite second end, an axis being defined between the first end and the second end. A body surrounds the axis and extends from the first end to the second end. A mount section of the body is closer to the first end than to the second end. The mount section has a first cross-section and is configured to be coupled to the object. The first cross-section has a circular shape. A main section of the body is located between the mount section and the second end, which has a main cross-section having a hexagonal shape. An indentation in the body is closer to the second end than to the first end. The device is configured to be installed in the ground such that the indentation is below the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: WECONNECT LLC
    Inventors: Brad Libby, Gary Rumpf
  • Patent number: 10232666
    Abstract: The device for mounting a bicycle wheel comprises a pin having a longitudinal axial through hole. A first free end portion of the pin has a threading. A second free end has a pin head. A lever for rotating the pin is housed in the axial through hole and is axially moveable between two operative positions. The lever has a first lever element housed in the axial through hole in the two operative positions, and a second lever element, pivoted to the first lever element about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, that is housed in the axial through hole when the lever is a first operative position, and that is positioned outside the axial through hole when the lever is in a second operative position for allowing a torque transfer between lever and pin following the rotation of the second lever element about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Fusari, Andrea Greco
  • Patent number: 10232466
    Abstract: A transmission shaft of a countershaft-type manual transmission is constructed from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are butt press welded to one another, at least two of which hollow shaft portions are provided in each instance with at least one helical toothing of a fixed wheel of a spur gear stage. The hollow shaft portions provided with a helical toothing are connected to the respective adjacent hollow shaft portion in each instance so as to be rotated by a correction angle (??) around their center axis in proportion to a deviation (?x) from their axial target position, wherein the ratio between the correction angle (??) and the axial deviation (?x) corresponds to the pitch (s) of the helical toothing (??/?x=s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernard Hunold
  • Patent number: 9919572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a twist-axle that includes a cross-beam member and two trailing arms, each trailing arm rigidly secured to the cross-beam member in one of two connection regions of the cross-beam member or formed integrally with and extending from one of the two connection regions. The cross-beam member is formed from a tubular blank and has a torsionally elastic central portion and two torsionally stiff connection regions. The cross-beam member has a wall thickness that varies longitudinally along the length of the cross-beam member from the torsionally elastic central portion to each of the torsionally stiff connection regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL TUBULAR PRODUCTS CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Stefano Lepre
  • Patent number: 9849971
    Abstract: An aircraft brake system may include an axle and a brake axle sleeve. The brake axle sleeve may have a plurality of recesses asymmetrically disposed about an inner circumference of the brake axle sleeve. The plurality of recesses may attenuate vibrations in the aircraft brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd Rook
  • Patent number: 9845130
    Abstract: An axle adapter assembly, configured for enabling conversion of an axle installed on a vehicle to fit different center bore sizes of wheel hubs, including: an axle configured for coupling dropouts of fork legs of a lower fork; adapters configured for being inserted within the dropouts; the adapters configured for engaging an outer surface of the axle and retaining the axle upon engagement; and axle pinch shims configured for being inserted into slits of the dropouts and the adapters, wherein upon the insertion, the adapters are aligned with the dropouts, such that shoulders of the adapters retain edges of a wheel hub of the wheel hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 9809073
    Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a pair of suspension assemblies which each are mounted on a hanger outboardly offset from the outboard surface of the vehicle main member from which it depends. Each suspension assembly includes a beam pivotally attached to the hanger outboardly offset from the outboard surface of the main member. The beam has a tapered profile including an upward outboard taper on at least the inboard side of the beam, which provides clearance between each beam and its respective vehicle main member during upward jounce travel or lifting of the axle/suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Sean T. Lindsay, Shane A. Tipton, Matthew J. Van Meter, Gary E. Gerstenslager, Michael P. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9777573
    Abstract: A radial piston motor comprises cylinder-piston units arranged in a star shape, a housing, an output shaft, an inner axial housing collar, an outer axial shaft collar, an output flange, an output shaft, and a brake positioned at least in certain sections between the inner axial housing collar and the outer axial shaft collar. The output flange is attached to the output shaft. The output flange is attached to the shaft collar radially outside the shaft collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Just, Khaled Tibari
  • Patent number: 9724965
    Abstract: A vehicle axle body is provided for incorporation into a vehicle axle. The vehicle axle body may be comprised of first and second axle body pieces. The first axle body piece may define at least a portion of a lower surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The second axle body piece is secured to the first axle body piece and may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of the other one of the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The thickness of the first and second axle body pieces may be different. Suspension component supports may be integrally formed with the upper and/or bottom surfaces of the axle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 9713854
    Abstract: A system and method of friction welding a workpiece. A curl forming die may be disposed proximate a first part and a second part. The curl forming die may form a curl that is generated when the first part is friction welded to the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Zhai, John Kelly
  • Patent number: 9676232
    Abstract: A wheel hub (1) having a radially extending wheel flange (17) which has fastening holes (3), having a cylindrical projection which extends from the wheel flange (17) axially on the vehicle side and which serves for at least partially receiving a rolling bearing, and having a centering device which is mounted axially on the wheel side. A high rigidity of the wheel hub (1) and/or of the wheel bearing unit is realized with little material usage. One possibility arises by the centering device of a wheel hub being regarded as the product of the compromise between rigidity and possible material removal. In this regard, a particular arrangement of the webs that form the centering device is provided which leads to a particularly advantageous solution, specifically by virtue of the webs (7) being oriented in the same radial direction (A, B) as the fastening holes (3) of the wheel flange (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Niebling, Peter Partheymuller, Pavel Tseluyko, Roland Langer, Markus Reuter
  • Patent number: 9604276
    Abstract: A process for producing a coupler and an improved coupler are provided. The process produces a coupler by constructing a mold that is a replica of the coupler and is constructed from a plurality of mold components that are selected and assembled to form a mold having the shape of the coupler. The mold components may include a front mold component section that forms the head of the coupler, a rear mold component section that forms the shank of the coupler, and, optionally one or more shelf components forming a shelf of the coupler. The front, rear and shank mold components may themselves be made from a plurality of mold components that are assembled together. The mold is formed from a consumable material, coating with a heat resistant material so that the assembled mold components are within a mold volume, and molten metal is added to the mold volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PENNSY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron Stern, Perry Levitt, Manuel Tavares, Zachary Ryan Brook, Wayne H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9522588
    Abstract: A twist beam (22) for a suspension assembly (20) comprises a base portion (44) and side walls (46) presenting an open U-shaped cross-section and a bulged middle section (24). The twist beam (22) includes end sections (56, 58), the middle section (24), and transition sections (60, 62) each extending from one of the end sections (56, 58) to the middle section (24). The width (w) and the height (h) of the twist beam (22) increase along the transition sections (60, 62) to the middle section (24). The width (w) and the height (h) of the middle section (24) are greater than the width (w) and the height (h) of the end sections (56, 58). The cross-sectional area of the bulged middle section (24) is typically 10% to 30% greater than the cross-sectional area of the end sections (56, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Raghunath Kale, Punith Jagadish Kumar, Dhiren Behera, Prasad Rao, Gundappa Vallishan
  • Patent number: 9517657
    Abstract: An axle link junction unit includes a base section and an attachment section, the base section comprising a hollow body at least in transitions into the attachment section along an attachment axis, the attachment section non-detachably fixing a support element to the axle link junction unit, wherein a second attachment section is arranged coaxially with respect to the first attachment section and is situated opposite the first attachment section, and wherein a third attachment section extends substantially along a second attachment axis and a fourth attachment section extends substantially along a third attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Drewes, Frederik Biewer
  • Patent number: 9493035
    Abstract: A hub-bearing unit includes a bearing unit having a stationary radially outer ring, a rotatable radially inner ring, and a double row of rolling bodies. The first row of rolling bodies, are axially outwards, interposed between the radially outer ring and a rotor-hub. The rolling bodies centers are located along a radius of a first circle, respective to a hub-bearing unit symmetry axis. The second row of rolling bodies, axially inwards, being interposed between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring. The radially inner ring is assembled on top of the rotatable rotor-hub. A flange portion is axially external and steadily fixed to a tubular portion of the rotor-hub. The flange includes a plurality of fixing holes, whose axes are located along a radius of a second circle, respective to the hub-bearing unit symmetry axis. The first circle radius is greater than the second circle radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Domenico Bosco
  • Patent number: 9440490
    Abstract: A spare stub assembly has a circular flange attached to a spindle that has been inserted within a hole centrally located in the central flange. A set of holes are disposed symmetrically about the large flat surface of the flange. The back end of the spindle is placed within a tubular member that has a corresponding second flange attached at an end thereof. This second flange likewise has a central hole and a set of holes disposed symmetrically about the large flat surface of the second flange. The back end of the spindle is inserted within the hole in the second flange associated with the tubular member and onwards therein; this is followed by the bolts and locking nuts application between the two sets of flanged holes thereby locking the two flanges together and permitting easy replacement of a worn spindle. Another spare stub assembly attached similarly to a third flange that is itself attached to the other end of the tubular member opposite the first flange is an option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Earland M. Crockett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9428010
    Abstract: A forged hollow axle, particularly a steerable axle, is designed for a commercial vehicle. The axle has a main longitudinal extension in a y-direction, a width in an x-direction and a height in a z-direction and is composed of at least two half shells fixedly joined at an interface which extends along its longitudinal extension. A material thickness in one or both of the half shells is distributed in the main longitudinal extension and in one or both of width and height to provide a predetermined relation of a torsional stiffness and a bending stiffness in one or more spatial directions in one or more axle sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Leon Fuks, Stefan Preijert, Ingela Stjärnvy
  • Patent number: 9290051
    Abstract: A universal vehicle axle assembly may include, but is not limited to: at least one axle including at least one insert recess; and at least one axle insert configured for insertion into the at least one insert recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Tom Kobza
  • Publication number: 20150130262
    Abstract: A forged hollow axle, particularly a steerable axle, is designed for a commercial vehicle. The axle has a main longitudinal extension in a y-direction, a width in an x-direction and a height in a z-direction and is composed of at least two half shells fixedly joined at an interface which extends along its longitudinal extension. A material thickness in one or both of the half shells is distributed in the main longitudinal extension and in one or both of width and height to provide a predetermined relation of a torsional stiffness and a bending stiffness in one or more spatial directions in one or more axle sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Leon Fuks, Stefan Preijert, Ingela Stjärnvy
  • Patent number: 8998239
    Abstract: A low profile trailer and method of use with mountable equipment includes an axle system allowing reduced trailer deck height, open trailer sides, and peripheral trailer stabilizer legs, said axle system comprising aligned axle structures at each of two sides of the trailer, each said axle structure including a sleeve fixedly attached to the trailer body and including an axle assembly slidably received in the sleeve such that the sleeve and axle assembly is structured to allow removal and insertion of an axle assembly on one trailer side without the necessity of replacing the axle assembly on the other trailer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: John A. Vlahakis
  • Patent number: 8991847
    Abstract: A quick release structure for a bicycle includes a locking rod fixed securely, wherein the locking rod has a polygonal groove formed therein. The driving post of the locking rod includes a polygonal head. As desiring to lock the locking rod on the bicycle frame or to unlock the locking rod from the bicycle frame, the polygonal head of the driving post retains with the polygonal groove of the locking rod so as to rotate the locking rod. When the locking rod is rotated tightly, the polygonal head of the driving post removes from the polygonal groove so that the locking rod cannot be rotated, and the driving post of the locking rod does not drive the locking rod to rotate loosely after vibration, thereby obtaining positioning safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 8974008
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a fixed axle spindle, a rotating drive shaft extending inside the axle spindle, a bearing, a hub, a brake disc, and a wheel rim. An inner ring of the bearing is mounted on the spindle, the hub is mounted on an outer ring of the bearing and the drive shaft, the brake disc and the rim are fast in rotation with the hub. The drive shaft is mounted on the hub, the brake disc is mounted on the drive shaft and the rim is mounted on the brake disc, in that order, from an interior side to an exterior side of the wheel assembly with respect to a vehicle provided with said wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Gilles Dejean
  • Publication number: 20150061355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chassis components for commercial vehicles, comprising the following steps: providing a first element and a second element, wherein the first element has a first contact region, in which it is designed essentially rotationally symmetrically about a rotational axis, and wherein the second element has a second contact region, which is curved and arranged opposite the first contact region; causing one of the elements to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the respective other element; pressing the elements against one another such as to generate friction between the second contact region and the first contact region and partial melting in the first and second contact regions; delaying the rotation of the elements relative to one another, wherein the partially melted regions transition into the solid state and a bonded connection is established between the first element and the second element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Matthias Hoppe
  • Patent number: 8918974
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the alignment of an axle so that adjustments to toe, camber, and/or thrust can be more readily achieved. In one embodiment, a pair of non-parallel shims is located between flange elements. Positioning elements are located along the flange elements at a position outside the peripheral edge of the shims. Upon application of a torque to the positioning elements, the flange elements can be pushed apart or pulled together so as to provide for access to the shims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Zachary A. Merrill
  • Patent number: 8882208
    Abstract: A cylindrical rotatable hub has interior and exterior cylindrical surfaces, an exterior end, a central extent, and an interior end. A fixedly positioned generally cylindrical spindle has an outer end and an enlarged annular inner end with a central extent axially between the outer and inner ends. Tapered inner and outer wheel bearings operatively couple the hub exteriorly and the spindle interiorly adjacent to the interior and exterior ends of the hub. The inner and outer wheel bearings are adapted to allow rotation of the hub with respect to the spindle. Lubricant input and output passageways extend through the inner end of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Michael J. Lomsak
  • Patent number: 8826542
    Abstract: In summary, the invention relates to a method for forming an end-side toothing arrangement of a roiling bearing, in particular a wheel bearing. The aim is to improve the uniformity of the end-side toothing arrangement and to allow a greater tooth depth. This is achieved by two method steps in that, in a first step before the reshaping of an end piece of a hub, a die is axially arranged on the rolling bearing in a preassembled state and, in a second step during the reshaping of the end piece and the shaping of the end-side toothing arrangement, the die radially delimits a radial recess of the rolling rivet collar as it forms. In addition, the die reduces or prevents radial widening of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Langer, Peter Niebling, Sebastian Lorenz
  • Patent number: 8827015
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes an attachment member with a spindle attachment interface and a brake attachment interface. A spindle is attached to the spindle attachment interface and a brake component is attached to the brake attachment interface. The spindle attachment interface is configured to be a detachable connection that allows the spindle to be selectively attached and detached from the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Power, Gregory D. Pavuk, Sunil Shastri
  • Patent number: 8820760
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension comprises an axle body, a flexible trailing arm extending crosswise to the axle body, an axle pad arranged between the axle body and the trailing arm, and a clamping assembly for tightening the axle body, the axle pad and the trailing arm together. The axle body is provided with an elongated indent in the region where it is clamped, which indent extends in a longitudinal direction of the axle body. The axle pad has an elongate protrusion that fits in the indent in the axle body. The axle pad furthermore has a rigid rear portion, which comprises a rear engagement zone engaging on the rear half of the axle body, and a front portion which comprises a front engagement zone engaging on the front half of the axle body. The axle pad comprises a flexible intermediate portion interconnecting the front and the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: VDL Weweler B.V.
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Rutger William Tijhuis, Paulus Kruijer
  • Patent number: 8764123
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle assembly for a commercial vehicle, having an axle produced from a first metal material and at least one trailing link produced from a second metal material which has a connecting portion with a seat which the axle sits with a hollow coupling portion such that the axle and the trailing link are in torque-proof engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Schmitz Cargobull AG
    Inventors: Peter Schmitz, Jorg Ebert
  • Publication number: 20140139012
    Abstract: Axle shaft assemblies for use with a vehicle include a tubular shaft formed from a material having a first modulus of elasticity. A first insert is positioned within the longitudinal cavity of the shaft at a first end, the first insert having a thickness adapted to provide the first end tubular shaft with a greater modulus of elasticity for providing a suspension characteristic to the vehicle. A second insert having the selected thickness is positioned at a second end of the shaft. Interchangeability of the inserts enables a single lightweight shaft of generally thin, continuous wall thickness to be adapted with a variety of suspension characteristics, without replacing the shaft itself, while the low modulus of elasticity of the shaft facilitates the flexibility of the axle assembly and the ability of the axle to withstand impacts without deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Mitchell Z. Dziekonski
  • Publication number: 20140062175
    Abstract: An assembly for the primary fastening of a bicycle or other wheeled vehicle wheel to wheel mount(s), as is commonly done by a cam operated quick release, incorporating a uniquely formed drawbar and a rotation handle wherein primary fastening is accomplished by simple rotation of the rotation handle about the drawbar axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CLIX Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David MONTAGUE, Harry MONTAGUE
  • Patent number: 8616566
    Abstract: A vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate having a rounded back edge and/or a pocket is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John S. Bubulka, Sammy C. Lumetta, Ashley T. Dudding, Jerry M. Lovett, Robert P. Sellberg
  • Publication number: 20130323525
    Abstract: An automotive product having a plurality of components coated with a refractory interface coating and method for making the same are provided. The automotive product may include at least a first component and a second component configured to interconnect and engage one another. The first component may be composed of a first high-density material. The second component may be formed of a second lower-density material. A refractory interface coating may be applied at the interconnection between the first and second components to provide an enhanced surface finish to limit friction, prevent metallurgical bonding between the first material and second material, provide a barrier against galvanic corrosion, and provide a thermal barrier between the first component and second component to guard against thermal deformation or change in dimension of the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Silviu A. Popescu, Richard M. Kleber, James A. Webster, Mark T. Riefe, Tomasz Warzecha, David Begleiter
  • Publication number: 20130300188
    Abstract: A flexible axle including at least one first arm to connect a vehicle body to a wheel support, and a crossbeam including at least one first end that can be adhered to the first arm, wherein an arm that can be assembled by adhesion includes plural portions which, when joined together in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the crossbeam, define a recess having a shape essentially complementary to that of the first end of the crossbeam that the recess receives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s
    Inventors: Sebastien Dhont, Emmanuel Dube, Alain Patigniez
  • Patent number: 8544961
    Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions. King pin bolt holes are machined at each axle head section into the cover flaps, head plates and each end of the bottom plate to permit a king pin to be installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John Stephen Bubulka, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Jerome Lim Cortez, Brian Scott Wiltjer