Motor vehicles – Transmission mechanism – With temperature control – lubrication or sealing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-04-17
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Transmission mechanism
With temperature control, lubrication or sealing
C180S337000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216812
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a front axle assembly for a tractor or similar motor vehicle.
Though specific reference is made herein to a tractor, it is firmly understood that the following description also applies to any other motor vehicle which may be provided with a front axle assembly of the type dealt with in the present invention.
Axle assemblies are commonly known components in tractor manufacturing. Substantially, they comprise a front axle, and a connecting unit interposed between the front axle and the tractor frame. The connecting unit may be fitted to the frame at one end by means of a spherical joint, and at the other end by means of a suspension device located close to the front axle. One type of suspension device commonly used in the tractor industry is a PANHARD system.
Currently marketed axle assemblies, however, have several drawbacks. Foremost of these is the fact that they are normally supplied to the tractor manufacturing facility fully assembled, i.e. with the front axle unitary fitted to the connecting unit forming an extremely bulky, substantially T-shaped structure. This makes transport of the axle assembly as a whole difficult, especially on account of the length of the connecting unit between the front axle and the frame.
An inventive solution has therefore been devised to disconnect the front axle structurally from the connecting unit, to enable the front axle and the connecting unit to be manufactured separately, even at two remote manufacturing plants, and assembled later.
Moreover, the front axle and the connecting unit have different lubricating systems: whereas the front axle requires oil lubrication considering that it houses a differential and axle shafts, the connecting unit simply needs the normal greasing of the two universal joints of the propeller shaft, of the spherical joint on the suspension arm, and of the suspension device (eventually of the Panhard type). The axle assembly according to the present invention therefore enables separate manufacture, even at two remote manufacturing plants, of a perfectly oil-tight, oil-lubricated front axle, and a connecting unit which is greased after assembly. Moreover, the novel closing device for closing the axle casing to define the front axle not only ensures a perfect sealing of the front axle, but also enables an easy and effective connection to the front axle of one end of the propeller shaft and one end of the suspension arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the prior art drawbacks by providing an axle assembly having considerable advantages in terms of production by enabling the two basic substructures of the axle assembly—the front axle and connecting unit—to be manufactured separately.
According to the present invention, there is provided a front axle assembly for a tractor or similar motor vehicle, comprising a front axle and a connecting unit interposed between the front axle and the frame of the tractor; the front axle assembly being characterized in that the front axle in turn comprises an axle casing closed by oil-tight closing means supporting a gear for receiving motion from a propeller shaft forming part of the connecting unit.
It is an advantage of this invention that the manufacturing of the front axle and connecting unit can be accomplished at two different locations, followed by assembly.
It is another advantage of this invention that the front axle can be manufactured as an oil lubricated part and the connecting unit can be manufactured as a grease-lubricated part.
It is still another advantage of this invention that the assembly and disassembly of connecting unit and front axle can be accomplished through the use of fasteners, such as screws, to provide a trouble-free operation.
It is yet another advantage of this invention that the suspension device can be located between the axle casing and the joint.
These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention in which a front axle assembly for a tractor or similar motor vehicle is provided with a front axle and a connecting unit interposed between the front axle and the frame of the tractor. The front axle assembly has an axle casing closed by oil-tight closing device supporting a gear for receiving motion from a propeller shaft forming part of the connecting unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4086826 (1978-05-01), von Kaler
patent: 4422516 (1983-12-01), Yamaura
patent: 4677871 (1987-07-01), Taniyama et al.
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
Miller Larry W.
Mitchell John B.
New Holland North America Inc.
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