Lubrication system for tandem axle assembly

• US 5,161,644 A
• Filed: 04/17/1992
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: A. E. Chrow
• Inventors: Szymanski, Richard K., Swenskowski, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US07/870,072
• Time in Patent Office: 207 Days
• Field of Search: 74/467, 74/606 R, 184/6.12, 184/6.2, 184/11.1, 184/11.2, 184/11.3, 184/11.4, 184/13.1, 180/339, 180/24.09
• US Class Current: 184/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0423 Lubricant guiding means mounted or supported on the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes or pipes means for guiding lubricant into an axial channel of a shaft F16H57/0426; lubrication by injection, injection nozzles or tubes therefore F16H57/0456
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0447 Control of lubricant levels, e.g. lubricant level control dependent on temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0457 Splash lubrication characterised by the problem reducing losses, e.g. splash losses F16H57/0409
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0471 Bearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0483 Axle or inter-axle differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 21/00 Conduits; Junctions in general F16L; Fittings for lubrication apertures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A system is provided for conveying fluid lubricant forwardly to lubricate a forward bearing support member (26) of a vehicular tandem axle assembly (100). The system includes a first open-sided trough (38) in to which the fluid lubricant is deposited by a differential gear assembly (14). Trough (38) is in fluid communication with a second open-sided trough (40) that slopes forwardly and downwardly to the center line of bearing member (26) and is effective to enable the fluid lubricant to flow towards and lubricate bearing member (26) while the vehicle is ascending an incline.

Claims

1. A system for delivering fluid lubricant to a forward bearing member rotationally supporting a rotary input shaft of a vehicular tandem axle assembly,

said axle assembly comprising a housing enclosing;

a first chamber containing a rotary ring gear operably connected to the axle with a lower portion thereof immersed in a first reservoir of the fluid lubricant,

a second chamber forward of the center of the first chamber and separated therefrom by a first partition wall, said second chamber containing a rotary differential assembly,

said differential assembly rotatively driven by the input shaft and having a lower portion thereof immersed in a second reservoir of the fluid lubricant,

a third chamber forward of the second chamber and separated therefrom by a second partition wall, said third chamber containing;

a transfer gear rotatively driven by a gear of the differential assembly extending through an opening through the second partition wall from the second chamber while the third chamber,

said transfer gear secured to a rotary shaft having a pinion gear secured thereto that drivingly rotates the ring gear in response to rotation of the transfer gear,

a fourth chamber forward of the third chamber,

said fourth chamber in fluid communication with the third chamber and having the forward bearing member mounted therewithin; and

said system comprising a first open-sided trough in a wall of said housing having an open-side thereof facing into the second chamber and extending forwardly thereacross in substantial parallel relationship to the input shaft and thence through an opening through the second partition wall in fluid connection with a second open-sided trough in the housing wall having an open side thereof facing into the third chamber and extending forwardly and downwardly thereacross and into the fourth chamber at a predetermined slope and ending in substantial alignment with the center of the forward bearing member, said first trough operative to collect fluid lubricant deposited therein upon conveyance thereto by the differential assembly from the second fluid lubricant reservoir, and said second trough slope effective to enable the fluid lubricant to flow by gravity theredown to lubricate the forward bearing whilst the vehicle is on an incline as well as collect fluid lubricant deposited thereto upon rotation of the transfer gear.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the second trough downward slope is about 15 degrees below horizontal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least the second trough includes a lower lip that extends into the third chamber and is operative to enhance the deposit of fluid lubricant into the second trough.