US 9,752,626 B2 · Automotive driveline component with shipping cap

Abstract

An automotive driveline component has a housing and a shipping cap. The automotive driveline component can be a component of a power transfer unit (PTU), a final drive unit (FDU), a rear drive module (RDM), or a drive shaft. The housing has a wall that partly or more defines an opening. The opening is open to an exterior of the housing when the automotive driveline component is in an uninstalled state. The shipping cap can be temporarily secured in the opening. The shipping cap has a liquid collector for precluding residual lubricant in the housing from pooling at the opening. The liquid collector can be in the form of a sump, an absorbent material, or both.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An automotive driveline component, comprising:

a housing with a wall at least partly defining an opening that is open to an exterior of said housing when the automotive driveline component is in an uninstalled state;
and
a shipping cap removably secured in said opening, said shipping cap having a sump, at least a region of said sump situated at a lower level than said opening with reference to an upright position of the automotive driveline component when the automotive driveline component is set for transit;
wherein, when the automotive driveline component is in the upright position for transit, residual lubricant in said housing that flows out of said opening proceeds to said sump of said shipping cap and is retained therein.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automotive driveline component with shipping cap

Life of this patent

Automotive driveline component with shipping cap

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19