Lubrication – Systems – Gearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-07-31
Bonck, Rodney H (Department: 3681)
Lubrication
Systems
Gearing
C074S467000, C074S60600R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267203
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a modification to an axle housing bowl to reduce the temperature of an entrapped lubricant.
Axle housings as typically utilized in modern vehicles incorporate a central bowl housing, and a large ring gear which assists in driving a differential which splits a drive input to both sides of the axle. Typically, the ring gear and differential are housed in a housing bowl, and the drives leading to the two sides of the vehicle extend through axle housing legs. The housing bowl typically extends both above and below the axle housing legs. Lubricant is maintained in the housing bowl. The lubricant flows to the lower areas of the housing bowl. The housing bowl is quite hot due to the rotating gears. The ring gear rotates throughout the lubricant which becomes quite hot.
The axle housing legs leading to the wheels tend to be lower temperature. However, due to the structure of the axle bowl and the axle housings, lubricant typically does not flow to the axle housing legs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, a deflector is placed in a location such that oil thrown by the ring gear hits the deflector. The deflector is positioned to direct the deflected lubricant toward the axle housings. In this way, the oil is moved from the housing bowl outwardly toward at least one of the wheel ends. The lubricant is exposed to greater housing areas, and thermal conduction of the heat away from the housing is improved.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the deflector is angled downwardly in two directions, both toward the ring gear, and also downwardly in a direction towards the axle housing. In this way, the lubricant which hits the deflector flows along the deflector and toward the axle housing.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3847249 (1974-11-01), Oehring
patent: 4244242 (1981-01-01), Uno et al.
patent: 4612818 (1986-09-01), Hori et al.
patent: 5316106 (1994-05-01), Baedke et al.
patent: 5540300 (1996-07-01), Downs et al.
patent: 6132329 (2000-10-01), Tison
patent: 6135241 (2000-10-01), Ganguly et al.
Bell Dale
Brissette Ronald N.
Keeney Christopher S.
Kramer Dennis A.
McKenzie Jack R.
Bonck Rodney H
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
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