Abrégé

A lightweight drive axle includes an elongate, tubular body having a first longitudinal end configured for coupling to a side gear in a differential and a second longitudinal end configured to support a vehicle wheel. The shaft further includes a screw disposed at the first longitudinal end of the body. The screw comprises a shank configured to be received within a bore in the body and a head having first and second portions. The first portion is disposed at one longitudinal end of the screw, has a first diameter and is spaced from the first longitudinal end of the body. The second portion is disposed between the first portion and the shank and has a second diameter less than the first diameter such that the first longitudinal end of the body and the first and second portions of the head define a groove configured to receive a shaft retainer.

Classes IPC  ?

• B60K 17/22 - Agencement ou montage des transmissions sur les véhicules caractérisées par la disposition, l'emplacement ou le type d'arbre principal d'entraînement, p. ex. arbre à cardan

Abrégé

A method for forming a lightweight axle shaft is provided. A first tubular blank is inserted in a die defining an extrusion throat at one end. A tool is inserted into the die having a mandrel with portions of increasing diameter. The tool is moved towards the outlet end of the die to partially extrude the blank through the extrusion throat and form a hollow axle shaft having a variable inner diameter based on the varying diameter of the mandrel. The tool is then removed and a second tubular blank is inserted and placed in engagement with the first blank. The tool, or a different tool, is inserted into the die and again moved towards the outlet end of the die to complete extrusion of the first blank and produce a shaft having diameters at each end that are less than the diameter of an intermediate portion of the shaft.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 3/00 - Outils à profiler pour étirage du métalCombinaisons de filières et de mandrins pour l'étirage des métaux

Abrégé

A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. A tubular blank is inserted in a first die including an orifice. The tubular blank is extruded through the orifice to form an elongate tubular body with a longitudinal axis. A first longitudinal end of the tubular body is heated. The tubular body is inserted into a bore in a support apparatus. The support apparatus defines a second die at one end surrounding the bore, and the first longitudinal end of the tubular body projects outwardly from the bore. A third die comprises a mandrel configured to be received within the tubular body. A wheel flange is formed by moving at least one of the support apparatus and the third die toward the other of the support apparatus and the third die to deform the first longitudinal end of the tubular body between the second and third dies.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 3/00 - Outils à profiler pour étirage du métalCombinaisons de filières et de mandrins pour l'étirage des métaux

Abrégé

An extruded, tubular vehicle axle for front and rear wheel applications, is formed with integral, radially outwardly extending ribs, at the radial top and bottom dead centers of the axle, and continuously extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the axle parallel to the axis of the axle. The opposite end portions of the axle are snugly inserted within corresponding sockets formed, for example, in a vehicle axle yoke or carrier or housing, which sockets are provided with internal grooves for snugly receiving the ribs at the respective end portions. The exterior wall surface of the axle is substantially uniform in cross-section. The interior wall surface of the axle tube may vary, at pre-selected locations, to increase or decrease the wall thicknesses at such locations. The axle resists rotation relative to the sockets, under extreme torsional loads, and resists longitudinal bending or flexing, while being of relatively light weight.

Classes IPC  ?

• B60B 35/12 - Essieux transmettant le couple
• B21C 23/10 - Fabrication de tubes à ailettes
• F16C 3/02 - ArbresManivelles

Abrégé

A method for manufacturing a one piece axle tube housing with an integral spindle includes providing a tube blank, providing the blank with a region of increased thickness, inserting a mandrel having a reduced diameter profile, passing a reducing die over the tube to conform the tube to the shape of the mandrel; and extraction of the mandrel from the tube to cause outward deformation of the tube at specific locations. A further swaging step may be used to form the final spindle structure.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21D 53/90 - Fabrication d'autres objets particuliers d'autres parties de véhicules, p. ex. capots, garde-boue de boîtiers d'essieux
• B21C 37/16 - Fabrication de tubes à diamètres variables dans le sens de la longueur
• B21D 41/04 - RétrécissementFermeture
• B21D 51/02 - Fabrication d'objets creux caractérisés par la structure des objets
• B60B 35/08 - Essieux fixes, c.-à-d. ne transmettant pas le couple de section creuse fermée aux extrémités
• F16C 3/02 - ArbresManivelles

Abrégé

A method for forming a variable wall thickness axle or tube with internally thickened wall sections comprises extruding a tubular metal blank within an elongated die. An elongated punch pushes the blank through the die. The punch has an end abutting and pushing the blank into and through the die and an elongated portion which is spaced from the interior wall surface of the die. Movement of the punch in pushing the blank causes the blank to partially extrude forwardly through the die until stopped and then to extrude rearwardly around the punch elongated portion through the space for forming a tube. A tubular ring is then inserted within the extruded tube at a pre-determined location and is fixed in place to provide a thick, combined tube wall and ring wall, section which extends radially inwardly of the tube. A number of spaced-apart rings may be used to provide spaced-apart thickened wall sections within the tube. The rings may be pre-formed with variable wall thickness around their circumferences for varying the thicknesses of the combined wall sections around the circumference of the tube.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 23/14 - Fabrication d'autres produits
• B21C 25/06 - Têtes de presses, matrices ou mandrins pour le revêtement des pièces
• B21C 25/08 - Matrices ou mandrins à ouverture variable pendant l'extrusion, p. ex. pour faire des pièces coniquesCommande de l'ouverture
• B21K 1/06 - Fabrication d'éléments de machines d'arbres

Abrégé

A one-piece axle housing assembly is provided with localized sections of increased wall thickness to address different load or strength requirements along the length of the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a tubular member defining a first normal load region having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter and defining a first wall thickness. The member further includes a first load bearing region configured to support a first load bearing component and having a second inner diameter equal to the first inner diameter and a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and defining a second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 37/16 - Fabrication de tubes à diamètres variables dans le sens de la longueur
• B21C 23/08 - Fabrication de fils, de barres, de tubes
• B21C 25/08 - Matrices ou mandrins à ouverture variable pendant l'extrusion, p. ex. pour faire des pièces coniquesCommande de l'ouverture
• B21K 1/12 - Fabrication d'éléments de machines d'arbres de section de forme particulière

Abrégé

A one-piece axle housing assembly is provided with localized sections of increased wall thickness to address different load or strength requirements along the length of the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a tubular member defining a first normal load region having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter and defining a first wall thickness. The member further includes a first load bearing region configured to support a first load bearing component and having a second inner diameter equal to the first inner diameter and a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and defining a second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 37/16 - Fabrication de tubes à diamètres variables dans le sens de la longueur
• B21C 23/08 - Fabrication de fils, de barres, de tubes
• B21C 25/08 - Matrices ou mandrins à ouverture variable pendant l'extrusion, p. ex. pour faire des pièces coniquesCommande de l'ouverture
• B21K 1/12 - Fabrication d'éléments de machines d'arbres de section de forme particulière

Abrégé

A one-piece axle housing assembly is provided with localized sections of increased wall thickness to address different load or strength requirements along the length of the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a tubular member defining a first normal load region having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter and defining a first wall thickness. The member further includes a first load bearing region configured to support a first load bearing component and having a second inner diameter equal to the first inner diameter and a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and defining a second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness.

Classes IPC  ?

• B21C 37/16 - Fabrication de tubes à diamètres variables dans le sens de la longueur
• B21C 23/08 - Fabrication de fils, de barres, de tubes
• B21C 25/08 - Matrices ou mandrins à ouverture variable pendant l'extrusion, p. ex. pour faire des pièces coniquesCommande de l'ouverture
• B21K 1/12 - Fabrication d'éléments de machines d'arbres de section de forme particulière

Produits et services

Manufacture of axle housings to the order and/or specification of others