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US 7,585,032 B2Granted
Modular axle assembly
AssigneeAmerican Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsHarold W. Seeds, David M. Morse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular axle assembly includes a first tube assembly and a second tube assembly interconnected by a center section. A number of different modular axle assemblies are constructed by using different center sections. For example, a non-driving axle includes a sleeve interconnecting first and second tube assemblies. A driving front axle includes a differential housing interconnecting the first and second tube assemblies.
Claims21
A modular axle assembly comprising:
- a first assembly adapted to rotatably support a first wheel;
- a second assembly adapted to rotatably support a second wheel;
- and
- a center section kit including a sleeve and a differential housing, one member of said center section kit interconnecting said first and second assemblies, said sleeve and said differential housing each having two axially aligned apertures for receipt of said first and second assemblies, wherein said first assembly includes a substantially cylindrical tube coupled to a yoke.
1 more element
A modular axle assembly comprising:
- a first assembly adapted to rotatably support a first wheel;
- a second assembly adapted to rotatably support a second wheel;
- a center section interconnecting said first and second assemblies, wherein said center section is selected from a group consisting of a sleeve and a differential housing, said sleeve and said differential housing each having two axially aligned apertures for receipt of said first and second assemblies, wherein said first assembly includes a substantially cylindrical tube coupled to a yoke;
- and
- first and second axle shafts when said center section is a differential housing, said first axle drivingly interconnecting a differential gear set and said first wheel, said second axle shaft drivingly interconnecting said differential gear set and said second wheel, wherein said first axle shaft is rotatably supported by said first assembly.
2 more elements
A modular axle assembly comprising:
- a first assembly adapted to rotatably support a first wheel;
- a second assembly adapted to rotatably support a second wheel;
- and
- a center section kit including a sleeve and a differential housing, said modular axle assembly having a first configuration including said sleeve interconnecting said first and second assemblies, said modular assembly having a second configuration different than the first configuration including said differential housing interconnecting said first and second assemblies, said sleeve and said differential housing each having two axially aligned apertures for receipt of said first and second assemblies.
1 more element
A modular axle assembly kit, comprising:
- a first assembly adapted to rotatably support a first wheel;
- a second assembly adapted to rotatably support a second wheel;
- and
- a center section kit including a sleeve and a differential housing, only one of said sleeve and said differential housing comprising a portion of a modular axle assembly, said sleeve and said differential housing each having two axially aligned apertures in receipt of said first and second assemblies when interconnecting the first and second assemblies.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.