Axle assembly
AssigneeDana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
InventorsSajeev C. Krishnan, Brian S. Longardner, Nicholas C. Billmaier, Thomas L. Nahrwold, Astha Barve, Robin Dominiak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An axle assembly including a disconnect assembly and an integrated fluid flow system. The disconnect assembly including an axially movable clutch member in selective engagement with at least one shaft to permit a rotation thereof. The fluid flow system includes a fluid flow member and a plurality of fluid passageways to permit a flow of a fluid (e.g. a lubricant) from a fluid source (e.g. a fluid sump of the axle assembly) to various components disposed within a carrier housing of the axle assembly and a return of the fluid back to the fluid source.
Claims20
An axle assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a fluid sump provided with a fluid disposed therein;
- and
- a first fluid passageway arranged in a link shaft and configured to permit fluid flow between the fluid sump and a fluid flow member;
- wherein the fluid flow member is rotatably disposed in the housing axially between a ring gear rotationally coupled to the link shaft and a disconnect assembly and is configured to at least partially direct a flow of the fluid to at least one desired component disposed within the housing
- the fluid flow member includes a main body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, at least one retention feature extending from the first surface and at least one catch extending from the second surface, the at least one catch axially aligned with the first fluid passageway.
An axle assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft connected by a differential and a link shaft, wherein a bearing is interposed between the second axle shaft and the link shaft;
- a disconnect assembly including a clutch member configured to selectively couple the second axle shaft and the link shaft;
- and
- a fluid flow system including:
- a fluid sump;
- a first fluid passageway arranged in the link shaft and configured to permit fluid flow between the fluid sump and a fluid flow member, wherein the fluid flow member is rotationally disposed in the housing axially between a ring gear rotationally coupled to the link shaft and the disconnect assembly;
- and
- the fluid flow member includes a main body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, at least one retention feature extending from the first surface and at least one catch extending from the second surface, the at least one catch axially aligned with the first fluid passageway.
A method of lubrication for an axle assembly, comprising:
- providing a housing having a fluid sump and a fluid flow member rotatably disposed in the housing;
- and
- causing a rotational movement of the fluid flow member to:
- collect a portion of the fluid from the fluid sump through a fluid passageway arranged in a link shaft;
- and
- at least partially direct a flow of the fluid to a disconnect assembly disposed within the housing from the fluid flow member that is axially arranged between a ring gear rotationally coupled to the link shaft and the disconnect assembly
- the fluid flow member includes a main body having a first surface and an opposing second surface, at least one retention feature extending from the first surface and at least one catch extending from the second surface, the at least one catch axially aligned with the first fluid passageway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.