Brakes – Position adjusters – Supports
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-24
2001-08-28
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Position adjusters
Supports
C301S124100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279695
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an axle spindle provided with an integrated brake spider, and more specifically to the axle spindle for trucks and trailer axle configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The brake spider serves as a foundation for a brake assembly, designed to support the various elements of the brake assembly. In conventional axle assemblies, the brake spiders of the foregoing type have been produced from weldable steel alloys and formed by forging, stamping, casting or the like. Then, the spider is welded to the stationary axle spindle of a vehicle.
The example of the prior art axle end assembly that is typical for the type of brake found in heavy duty trucks and trailers, is illustrated on FIG.
1
. The assembly includes an axle tube
1
and a brake spider
2
typically forged from weldable steel alloys. The brake spider
2
is secured to the axle tube
1
usually by welding. The welding joint between the axle tube
1
and the brake spider
2
is indicated generally by reference numeral
4
. A spindle
3
is attached to the axle tube
1
also usually by welding. The welding joint between the axle tube
1
and the spindle is indicated generally by reference numeral
5
.
Welding, however, is relatively expensive and labor intensive operation, Furthermore, the slightest deviation in the welding operation could cause misalignment between the brake spider and spindle bearing journals. Thus, the brake positioning accuracy could suffer, that degrades brake performance and wear characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention replaces an axle spindle and brake spider assembly manufactured from two separate forged parts, namely the axle spindle and the brake spider, fixed by welding, with a single piece assembly incorporating the axle spindle and brake spider that are forged together.
The advantage of the present invention is that the one-piece assembly eliminates the welding operation and reduces the cost of manufacturing of the axle spindle and brake spider assembly, and simplifies assembly into the vehicle.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the overall weight of the component.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the one-piece forging provides substantially greater structural integrity and improved stiffness comparatively to the prior art assemblies using multiple components welded together.
Further advantage of the present invention is that the integration of the axle spindle and the brake spider drastically improves positioning accuracy of the brake components providing greater accuracy of location of the brake spider holes and spindle bearing journals that results in improved brake performance and wear characteristics.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2084814 (1937-06-01), Lejeune
patent: 3037818 (1962-06-01), Scheel
patent: 3749415 (1973-07-01), Sampatacos
patent: 4445597 (1984-05-01), Baltare
patent: 4455732 (1984-06-01), Shiets
patent: 4552254 (1985-11-01), Baltare
patent: 4768839 (1988-09-01), Spindler
patent: 4792080 (1988-12-01), Ferrari
patent: 4858730 (1989-08-01), Baroni
patent: 4967584 (1990-11-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5219176 (1993-06-01), Mitchell
patent: 5301774 (1994-04-01), Cho et al.
patent: 5303985 (1994-04-01), Barnholt et al.
patent: 5435793 (1995-07-01), Varela et al.
Dana Corp.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Schwartz Christopher P.
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