Axle assembly
AssigneeOshkosh Corporation
InventorsMatthew A. Schreiner, Steven R. Roehl, David J. Pelko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle assembly for an undercarriage of a vehicle includes two side plates, a differential, and a skid plate. The two side plates have surfaces configured to support a vehicle hull. The differential is generally positioned between the two side plates. During operation of the axle assembly, the differential receives torque from a driveshaft and provides the torque to half shafts. The skid plate includes an array of beams extending between the side plates and below the differential. The skid plate is designed to shield the differential and portions of the undercarriage of the vehicle from ground obstacles.
Claims20
An axle assembly for an undercarriage of a vehicle, comprising:
- two side plates having surfaces thereon configured to support a vehicle hull;
- a differential generally positioned between the two side plates, the differential receiving torque from a driveshaft and providing the torque to half shafts during operation of the axle assembly;
- and
- a skid plate comprising an array of beams extending between the side plates and below the differential, the skid plate configured to shield the differential and portions of the undercarriage of the vehicle from ground obstacles.
A skid plate configured to be fastened to an undercarriage of a vehicle, to shield the undercarriage of the vehicle from ground obstacles, comprising:
- a first set of beams extending generally parallel with each other in a first direction;
- a second set of beams coupled to the first set of beams;
- and
- at least two flanges coupled to ends of beams of either the first set or the second set of beams, the flanges configured to support fastening of the skid plate to the undercarriage,
- wherein the first and second sets of beams define open space therebetween, and
- wherein the area defined by the open space exceeds the area covered by the first and second sets of beams when viewed in at least two directions orthogonal the first direction.
A method for shielding the underside of a vehicle from an explosion comprising the steps of:
- attaching an axle assembly to an undercarriage of a vehicle;
- attaching two side plates having surfaces thereon configured to support a hull of the vehicle;
- supporting a differential generally between the two side plates;
- and
- attaching an array of beams between the side plates and below the differential and configuring the beams to direct the energy of an explosion away from the differential and portions of the undercarriage and thereby reduce damage thereto by an explosion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.