# US 12,601,398 B2 · Vent box baffle insert > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,601,398 B2 - Document ID: US12601398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/460,970 - Filed: 2023-09-05 - Published: 2025-03-06 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-05 - Assignees: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Applicants: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Inventors: Steven Thomas Byrne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12601398B2 ## CPC - F16H 57/027: characterised by means for venting gearboxes, e.g. air breathers - F16H 57/0483: {Axle or inter-axle differentials} - B60B 35/16: Axle housings - F16H 57/0423: {Lubricant guiding means mounted or supported on the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes or pipes} - F16H: GEARING - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION ## Abstract Systems are provided for an axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a baffle that includes a first section parallel to a first plane, a second section parallel to a second plane and angle to the first section, and a third section parallel to a third plane and angled to the first section and the second section, where the baffle is a spring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle comprising an axle assembly, the axle assembly, comprising: a vent box; and a baffle comprising a first section parallel to a first plane, a second section parallel to a second plane and angled to the first section, and a third section parallel to a third plane and angled to the first section and the second section, each of the first section, second section, and third section comprises an opening; wherein the baffle is a spring positioned within the vent box. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the baffle applies a force to a surface of the vent box. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The axle assembly of claim 2, wherein the baffle is retained in the vent box via only the force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first section, the second section, and the third section comprises at least one opening and a tab. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein a first bend is between the first section and the second section and a second bend is between the second section and the third section, wherein the first bend and the second bend are flexible and the first section, the second section, and the third section are rigid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first section, the second section, and the third section is square. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the baffle comprises a z-shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the baffle is free of a mounting hole and is not retained in the axle assembly via a physical coupling element. ### Claim 9 An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising: a vent box comprising a plate adjacent to a port; and a baffle configured to expand within a cavity shaped by the plate, wherein the baffle is retained within the cavity via only a force applied by the baffle to the plate, wherein the baffle comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section arranged along three different planes and each comprising a tab and an opening, wherein the tab is angled to a corresponding section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The axle assembly of claim 9, wherein the baffle is flexible between the first section and the second section and between the second section and the third section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The axle assembly of claim 9, wherein the baffle is compressible. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The axle assembly of claim 9, wherein air flows through multiple planes as it flows through the baffle to the port. ### Claim 13 A baffle of an axle assembly, comprising: a first section arranged along a first plane and comprising a first tab and a first opening; a second section arranged along a second plane and comprising a second tab and a second opening; a third section arranged along a third plane and comprising a third tab and a third opening; a first bend arranged between the first section and the second section; and a second bend arranged between the second section and the third section; wherein the first bend and the second bend are flexible. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The baffle of claim 13, wherein the first opening forces air to flow in a first direction, the second opening forces air to flow in a second direction angled to the first direction, and the third opening forces air to flow in a third direction angled to the second direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The baffle of claim 14, wherein the third direction is parallel to the first direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The baffle of claim 13, wherein the first tab is arranged along a fourth plane, the second tab is arranged along a fifth plane angled to the fourth plane, and the third tab is arranged along a sixth plane angled to each of the fourth plane and the fifth plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The baffle of claim 16, wherein the fourth plane is parallel to the second plane.