Axle assembly
AssigneeOshkosh Corporation
InventorsMatthew A. Schreiner, Steven R. Roehl, David J. Pelko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle assembly of a vehicle includes a side plate, a wheel end assembly, and a lower control arm. The side plate is part of a support structure of the vehicle, and the lower control arm extends between the side plate and the wheel end assembly. A spring member and a damper are each connected between the lower control arm and the side plate. The axle assembly further includes a shield fixed to the lower control arm, where the shield is designed to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle.
Claims13
An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
- a side plate of a vehicle support structure;
- a wheel end assembly;
- a lower control arm extending between the side plate and the wheel end assembly;
- a spring member connected to the lower control arm and the side plate;
- a damper connected to the control arm and the side plate;
- and
- a shield fixed to the lower control arm and configured to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle, wherein the shield comprises:
- a first surface area configured to receive at least a portion of the blast such that energy of the blast is directed to the lower control arm, absorbed by the spring, and dissipated by the damper;
- a second surface area configured to direct at least a portion of the blast away from the vehicle in a direction transverse to the vehicle;
- wherein the first surface area and the second surface area are substantially planar and separated by a fold in the shield.
A suspension system for an axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
- a lower control arm;
- a spring member coupled to the control arm;
- a damper coupled to the control arm;
- and
- a shield coupled to the lower control arm, the shield comprising:
- a first surface area configured to receive at least a portion of an explosive blast originating below the vehicle such that energy of the blast is directed to the lower control arm, absorbed by the spring, and dissipated by the damper,
- a second surface area configured to direct at least a portion of the blast away from the vehicle in a direction transverse to the vehicle, wherein the second surface area of the shield is angled downward and away from the lower control arm;
- and
- a buttress extending between the lower control arm and the shield, the buttress supporting the second surface area of the shield.
An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
- a side plate of a vehicle support structure;
- a wheel end assembly;
- a lower control arm extending between the side plate and the wheel end assembly;
- a spring member connected to the lower control arm and the side plate;
- a damper connected to the control arm and the side plate;
- and
- a shield fixed to the lower control arm and configured to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle, wherein the shield comprises:
- a first surface area configured to receive at least a portion of the blast such that energy of the blast is directed to the lower control arm, absorbed by the spring, and dissipated by the damper;
- a second surface area configured to direct at least a portion of the blast away from the vehicle in a direction transverse to the vehicle, wherein the first surface area and the second surface area are substantially planar and separated by a fold in the shield;
- and
- a buttress extending between the lower control arm and the shield, the buttress supporting the second surface area of the shield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.