# US 7,610,996 B2 · Modular brake assembly for a drive axle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,996 B2 - Document ID: US7610996B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/716,755 - Filed: 2007-03-12 - Published: 2007-09-20 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-16 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Inventors: Tilo Huber; Stefan Reicheneder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610996B2 ## CPC - B60T 1/062: {acting on transmission parts} - B60K 17/20: {in which the differential movement is limited} - B60K 23/04: for differential gearing - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract A modular brake assembly for a drive axle is proposed, comprising a multi-disk brake with a service brake element and a parking brake element, which is disposed in a brake housing (1) with inside diameter between an axle bracket and axle center component. A guide fixed to the housing is provided on the inside diameter of the brake housing (1) for the actuating device (6) for a mechanical differential lock. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular brake assembly for a drive axle comprising: a multi-disk brake having a service brake element (2) and a parking brake element (3), the modular brake assembly being located in a brake housing (1) axially between an axle bracket and an axle center component, a guide being supported within the brake housing (1) on an inside diameter of the brake housing (1), and the guide comprising a device (6) for actuating and locking a mechanical differential lock and a return spring (7) for deactivating and unlocking the mechanical differential lock, an oil supply line (8) for supplying fluid to the device (6) for actuating the mechanical differential lock, and the oil supply line (8) extending through a bridge of the brake housing (1) located between the service brake element (2) and the parking brake element (3). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device (6) for the mechanical differential lock further comprises a coaxially piston (6) and a sliding sleeve of a form-fit clutch (11), the sliding sleeve is actuated by the piston (6), against a force of the return spring (7), and the return spring (7) is supported within the brake housing (1). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 1, wherein a service brake piston (2) acts upon the multi-disk brake by application of pressure and a return mechanism returns the service brake piston (2) to an inoperative position, during a reduction in pressure in a parking brake circuit, a spring device biases the parking brake piston (3) toward the service brake piston (2) via axially displaceable pins disposed on an outer radius of a piston chamber to engage the service brake piston (2), and the service brake piston (2) is released, via a parking brake circuit of the service brake piston (2), when pressure is applied to the parking brake circuit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 2, wherein a displacing force of the piston (6), of the actuating device for the mechanical differential lock, is transmitted to the sliding sleeve via a mount (10) coupling the piston (6) to the return spring (7). ### Claim 5 A modular brake assembly for a drive axle comprising: a multi-disk brake comprising: a service brake element (2), and a parking brake element (3), the modular brake assembly being located in a brake housing (1) axially between an axle bracket and an axle center component; a piston (6) being supported within a bore of the brake housing (1) for actuating and locking a mechanical differential lock, and a return spring (7) being supported within a bore of the brake housing (1) for deactivating and unlocking the mechanical differential lock; and an oil supply line (8), for supplying fluid to the piston (6), extending within the brake housing (1) between the service brake element (2) and the parking brake element (3). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 5, wherein a service brake piston (2) acts upon the multi-disk brake by application of pressure and a return mechanism returns the service brake piston (2) to an inoperative position, during a reduction in pressure in a parking brake circuit, a spring device biases the parking brake piston (3) toward the service brake piston (2) via axially displaceable pins disposed on an outer radius of a piston chamber for engaging the service brake piston (2), and the service brake piston (2) is released, via a parking brake circuit of the service brake piston (2), when pressure is applied to the parking brake circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 5, wherein a displacing force of the piston (6), of the actuating device for the mechanical differential lock, is transmitted to the sliding sleeve via a mount (10) couples the piston (6) to the return spring (7). ### Claim 8 A modular brake assembly for a drive axle comprising: a multi-disk brake comprising: a service brake element (2), a parking brake element (3), and a bridge of a brake housing separating the service brake element (2) from the parking brake element (3); the modular brake assembly being located in the brake housing (1) axially between an axle bracket and an axle center component; a piston (6) being supported within a bore of the brake housing (1) for actuating and locking a mechanical differential lock, and a return spring (7) being supported within a bore of the brake housing (1) for deactivating and unlocking the mechanical differential lock; an oil supply line (8), for supplying fluid to the piston (6), extending within the bridge of the brake housing (1) located between the service brake element (2) and the parking brake element (3); and the return spring (7) being located radially inward of and axially between the service brake element (2) from the parking brake element (3). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 8, wherein a service brake piston (2) acts upon the multi-disk brake by application of pressure and a return mechanism returns the service brake piston (2) to an inoperative position, during a reduction in pressure in a parking brake circuit, a spring device biases the parking brake piston (3) toward the service brake piston (2) via axially displaceable pins disposed on an outer radius of a piston chamber for engaging the service brake piston (2), and the service brake piston (2) is released, via a parking brake circuit of the service brake piston (2), when pressure is applied to the parking brake circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The modular brake assembly for a drive axle according to claim 8, wherein a displacing force of the piston (6), of the actuating device for the mechanical differential lock, is transmitted to the sliding sleeve via a mount (10) couples the piston (6) to the return spring (7).