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US 2008/0076618 A1Published application
Axle assembly
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsKenneth Okamuro, Robert Brazeau, Pratish Malushte
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive axle assembly has at least one axle arm portion that is unitary with a shoulder structure. The shoulder structure houses a first bevel gear and second bevel gear. Openings adjacent the bevel gears are selectively closed with covers.
Claims6
A drive axle assembly, comprising:
- at least one axle arm portion extending from a differential housing to a shoulder structure that is unitary with an outboard end of said axle arm portion;
- a substantially horizontal drive shaft located within said at least one axle arm portion connected at an inboard end to a differential in said differential housing and having a first bevel gear on an outboard end;
- and
- a non-horizontal driven shaft mounted for rotation within said shoulder structure, said driven shaft having a second bevel gear meshed in driving engagement with said first bevel gear on said drive shaft;
- wherein said shoulder structure is provided with a first selectively closable opening above both said meshed first and second bevel gears and a second selectively closeable opening axially aligned with said substantially horizontal drive shaft.
2 more elements
A drive axle assembly, comprising:
- at least one axle arm portion extending from a differential housing to a shoulder structure that is unitary with an outboard end of said axle arm portion, said shoulder structure housing a first bevel gear meshed with a second bevel gear;
- a first opening in said shoulder structure above said second bevel gear, said first opening being selectively closeable by a cover;
- and
- a second opening in said shoulder structure located outboard from said first bevel gear, said second opening being selectively closable by a second cover.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.