# US 2002/0116922 A1 · Axle driving apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2002/0116922 A1 - Document ID: US20020116922A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/128,457 - Filed: 2002-04-24 - Published: 2002-08-29 - Earliest claimed: 1995-10-27 - Assignees: Tuff Torq Corporation; Kanzaki Kokyukoki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Robert Abend; Norihiro Ishii; Ryota Ohashi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20020116922A1 ## CPC - A01D 34/69: with motor driven wheels - A01D 69/03: fluid - F16D 31/02: using pumps with pistons or plungers working in cylinders - F16H 39/14: with cylinders carried in rotary cylinder blocks or cylinder-bearing members - A01D 2101/00: Lawn-mowers - F16D 39/00: Combinations of couplings according to two or more of the groups F16D31/00 - F16D37/00 - F16H 47/02: the fluid gearing being of the volumetric type - F16H 2007/0808: {Extension coil springs} - F16H 2007/0874: {Two or more finally actuated members} - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). All enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L). The first axle driving unit (18L) is used in conjunction with a second axle driving unit (18R) which is adjacently disposed to the first axle driving unit (18L) on the body frame of the vehicle and which is of substantially similar construction. However, the second axle driving unit (18R) features a single axle (20R) which extends outwardly from a second, opposite side of the housing (40) such that the axles (20L, 20R) are oppositely disposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle, said axle driving apparatus comprising: a housing; a single axle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in said housing and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of said housing; an enlarged region defined by said housing, said enlarged region extending substantially parallel and substantially rectangular to said axle, from said housing; and a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within said enlarged region, said speed change assembly including a hydraulic pump having an input shaft projecting from said enlarged region and including a hydraulic motor having an output shaft drivingly connected to said single axle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic pump is mounted within said enlarged region a first preselected distance from said single axle, and said hydraulic motor is mounted within said enlarged region a second preselected distance from said single axle, said first preselected distance being greater than said second preselected distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said speed change assembly includes a center section separately disposed in said enlarged region for establishing fluid communication between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor, said center section having a pump mounting surface for mounting said hydraulic pump and a motor mounting surface for mounting said hydraulic motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The axle driving apparatus of claim 3 wherein said center section defines a first side surface on which said pump mounting surface is formed and defines a second side surface on which said motor mounting surface is formed, said second side surface being disposed substantially perpendicular to said first side surface of said center section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The axle driving apparatus of claim 3 wherein said center section defines a first side surface and wherein said pump mounting surface and said motor mounting surface are formed on said first side surface of said center section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output shaft is substantially perpendicular to said input shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output shaft is substantially parallel to said input shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The axle driving apparatus of claim 7 wherein said input shaft projects from said enlarged region on a first side of said housing, and said output shaft defines a first end portion projecting from said enlarged region on said first side of said housing, and wherein said axle driving apparatus further comprises a braking assembly mounted on said first end portion of said output shaft for selectively braking said output shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing defines a pair of oppositely disposed hollow tube portions substantially coaxially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said single axle for selectively receiving therethrough said single axle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The axle driving apparatus of claim 9 wherein one of said pair of hollow tube portions is open to project said single axle from said housing and the other one of said pair of hollow tube portions is sealed to prohibit fluid communication with the interior of said housing through said other one of said pair of hollow tube portions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axle driving apparatus of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further comprises: a first bearing support means disposed in said one of said pair of hollow tube portions open to project said single axle, for rotatably supporting said axle proximate the point at which said single axle projects from said housing; and a second bearing support means disposed within said housing and aligned substantially coaxially with said first bearing support means for supporting said proximal end portion of said single axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The axle driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing defines at least two housing portions detachably joined along a junction surface substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said single axle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The axle driving apparatus of claim 12 wherein said junction surface of said housing portions is substantially horizontally disposed when said axle driving apparatus is mounted on said body frame of said vehicle such that said housing defines an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, and wherein said single axle is mounted in said upper portion of said housing. ### Claim 14 An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating first and second wheel members, said axle driving apparatus comprising: first and second housings adjacently mounted on said body frame, each said first and second housing having first and second side portions; a single axle rotatably supported by each said first and second housings, said single axle of said first housing defining a first longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion rotatably-mounted in said first housing and a distal end portion extending outwardly from said first side portion of said first housing for supporting said first wheel member, said single axle of said second housing being substantially coaxially aligned with said single axle of said first housing and having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in said second housing and a distal end portion extending outwardly from said second side portion of said second housing for supporting said second wheel member, whereby said single axles are oppositely disposed so as to support said first and second wheel members on opposite sides of said adjacently mounted first and second housings; an enlarged, region defined by each said first and second housing, said enlarged regions extending substantially parallel and substantially rectangular to said first and second axles, from each said first and second housing; and a speed change assembly disposed within each said enlarged region, each said speed change assembly including an input shaft disposed on a second longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis so as to project from an upper side of said enlarged region of said first and second housing operatively associated therewith, and including an output shaft drivingly connected to one said single axle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The axle driving apparatus of claim 14 wherein said each speed change assembly comprises a hydraulic stepless transmission including a hydraulic pump connected to one said input shaft and a hydraulic motor connected to one said output shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The axle driving apparatus of claim 15 wherein each said hydraulic pump is mounted within said enlarged region of said first and second housings a first preselected distance from said single axle, and each said hydraulic motor is mounted within said enlarged region of said first and second housing a second preselected distance from said single axle, said first preselected distance being greater than said second preselected distance. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The axle driving apparatus of claim 14 wherein said apparatus further comprises an input pulley disposed on each said input shaft for being drivingly connected by drive belt to a drive pulley of a prime mover of said vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The axle driving apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second side portion of said first housing is detachably connected to said first side portion of said second housing. ### Claim 19 An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating first and second wheel members, said axle driving apparatus comprising: first and second housings adjacently mounted on said body frame, each said first and second housing having first and second side portions; a single axle rotatably supported by each said first and second housing, said single axle of said first housing defining a first longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in said first housing and a distal end portion extending outwardly from said first side portion of said first housing for supporting said first wheel member, said single axle of said second housing having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in said second housing and a distal end portion extending outwardly from said second side portion of said second housing for supporting said second wheel member, whereby said single axles are oppositely disposed so as to support said first and second wheel members on opposite sides of said adjacently mounted first and second housings; an enlarged region defined by each said first and second housing, said enlarged regions extending substantially horizontally as said first and second housings are mounted on said body frame of said vehicle; and a speed change assembly disposed within each said enlarged region, each said speed change assembly including a substantially vertically disposed input shaft having a distal end projecting from an upper side of said enlarged region operatively associated therewith, said distal end of each said input shaft carrying an input pulley for rotating said input shaft, and including a driving belt for drivingly connecting each said input pulley to a prime mover on said vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The axle driving apparatus of claim 19 wherein said prime mover of said vehicle includes a crank shaft carrying a drive pulley for being drivingly connected to said input pulleys of said axle driving apparatus, and wherein said drive pulley and said input pulleys are disposed in a triangular orientation in plan view when said axle driving apparatus is mounted on said body frame of said vehicle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The axle driving apparatus of claim 20 wherein said drive pulley is aligned in a first plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of said crank shaft, and wherein said input pulleys of said axle driving apparatus are aligned in said first plane and a single said driving belt is received about said input pulleys and said drive pulley. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The axle driving apparatus of claim 21 wherein said apparatus further comprises a pair of tension pulleys for rotatably pushing a portion of said single said driving belt, one said tension pulley being disposed along the path of said driving belt between one said input pulley and said drive pulley, and the other said tension pulley being disposed along the path of said driving belt between the other said input pulley and said drive pulley, whereby said single said driving belt is selectively tensioned. ### Claim 23 An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on a body frame of a vehicle, said axle driving apparatus comprising: first axle for supporting a first wheel member and a second axle for supporting a second wheel member, a first housing for containing said first axle and a second housing for containing said second axle, each said first and second housing defining a length greater than the width of said first and second housing, said length of each said first and second housing extending rectangularly and horizontally with respect to the longitudinal axes of said first and second axles; a speed change assembly disposed within each said first and second housings, each said speed change assembly including a substantial vertical input shaft and output shaft; and a power transmitting means disposed within each said first and second housing, for drivingly connecting said output shafts and said axles; wherein each said input shaft is disposed along the length of said first and second housing at a first end portion of said first and second housing, said power transmitting means is disposed within, and along the length of, said first and second housing proximate the middle of said first and second housing, and said first and second axles are disposed along the length of said first and second housing, respectively, at a second end portion of said first and second housing. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The axle driving apparatus of claim 23, wherein: each said speed change assembly includes a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor so as to define a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly, said hydraulic pump being connected to said input shaft, said output shaft being connected to said hydraulic motor and being disposed between said input shaft and said axle such that the rotational axis of said output shaft is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said axle; wherein each said power transmitting means includes: a counter shaft disposed between said output shaft and said axle with the rotational axis of said counter shaft being substantially parallel to the axis of said axle; a first gear train for connecting said output shaft and said counter shaft; and a second gear train for connecting said counter shaft and said axle; and wherein said hydraulic motor comprises a cylinder block, and said second gear train is oppositely disposed against said cylinder block. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The axle driving apparatus of claim 23, wherein: each said speed change assembly includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor so as to define a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly, said hydraulic pump being connected to said input shaft, said output shaft being connected to said hydraulic motor and being disposed such that the rotational axis of said output shaft is substantially rectangular to the rotational axis of said axle; and wherein each said output transmitting means includes: a counter shaft disposed substantially rectangular to said output shaft and substantially parallel to said axle, with said counter shaft being disposed on the opposite side of said axle relative to said hydraulic motor such that said axle is disposed between said hydraulic motor and said counter shaft; a first gear train of bevel gear type for connecting said output shaft and said counter shaft; and a second gear train for connecting said counter shaft and said axle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The axle driving apparatus of claim 23, wherein: each said speed change assembly includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor so as to define a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly, said hydraulic pump being connected to said input shaft, said output shaft being connected to said hydraulic motor and being disposed such that the rotational axis of said output shaft is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said input shaft, each said speed change assembly also including a center section defining a flat-shaped body for mounting said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor, said center section being dispose within an enlarged region of said first and second housing at substantially middle level along the vertical dimension of said enlarged region, said center portion defining an opening therethrough whereby a lower end portion of said output shaft extends through said center section and protrudes from a lower surface of said center section ; and wherein each said output transmitting means includes: a counter shaft disposed substantially rectangular to said output shaft and substantially parallel to said axle, with said counter shaft being disposed below said center section; a first gear train of bevel gear type for connecting said lower end of said output shaft and said counter shaft; and a second gear train for connecting said counter shaft and said axle. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The axle driving apparatus of claim 26, wherein said center portion defines an upper surface and wherein said housing defines at least an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion joined along a junction surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface of said center section. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The axle driving apparatus of claim 27, wherein said counter shaft is interposed between said upper housing portion and said lower housing portion. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The axle driving apparatus of claim 26 wherein said center section includes a support portion for supporting said counter shaft.