Vehicle steer axle assembly
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorJames F. Ziech
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, a vehicle steer axle has a horizontal axle member that has a steering axis male feature integrally formed on an end, wherein a vehicle steering knuckle, which forms a vehicle steering axis female feature, is directly rotatably coupled to the vehicle steer axle. In another aspect, a vehicle steering knuckle has a horizontal steering knuckle member that has a steering axis male feature integrally formed on an end, wherein the vehicle steering knuckle is directly rotatably coupled to a vehicle steer axle, which forms a vehicle steering axis female feature. Neither of these aspects utilize a separable kingpin.
Claims22
A vehicle steer axle assembly, comprising:
- a vehicle steer axle comprising a one piece substantially horizontal steer axle member having a vehicle steering axis male feature integrally formed on an end portion thereof;
- a vehicle steering knuckle forming a vehicle steering axis female feature, said vehicle steering knuckle having at least one steering arm and a spindle attached thereto, said spindle having a top spindle shoulder and a bottom spindle shoulder;
- a first tapered bearing having a lower extremity positioned above said top spindle shoulder;
- and
- a second tapered bearing having an upper extremity positioned below said bottom spindle shoulder;
- wherein, said vehicle steering knuckle is directly rotatably coupled, via said first and second tapered bearings, to said vehicle steer axle.
A vehicle steering knuckle assembly, comprising:
- a vehicle steering knuckle comprising a horizontal steering knuckle member having a vehicle steering axis male feature integrally formed on an end portion thereof and having at least one steering arm attached thereto;
- a vehicle steer axle forming a vehicle steering axis female feature;
- and
- a first tapered bearing and a second tapered bearing;
- wherein, said vehicle steering knuckle is directly rotatably coupled, via said first tapered bearing and said second tapered bearing, to said vehicle steer axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.