Steer axle assembly with inverted steering knuckle

• US 6,808,189 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Davison, Kent, Schlosser, Kraig
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROYAL, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/855,336
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 280/93.512, 180/905, 301/111.01, 301/111.03, 301/137, 301/124.1, 301/131, 301/132, 301/127
• US Class Current: 280/93.512
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/42 Driven wheels or dead axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/30 Constructional features of rigid axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/32 Hollow cross section
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/18 Steering knuckles; King pins

Abstract

A steer axle assembly is provided having an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis and an inverted knuckle yoke. The yoke includes a body portion that is affixed to an external surface of the axle beam by welding. The yoke further includes first and second arms extending from the body portion. Body the body portion and arms are disposed one side of the axis extending through the axle beam. The drop of the axle is varied by varying the length of the body portion of the knuckle yoke.

Claims

1. A steer axle assembly, comprising:

an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis; and

,

an inverted knuckle yoke having a body portion and first and second arms extending from said body portion, said first and second arms configured to received a kingpin;

wherein said body portion is coupled to an external surface of said axle beam at a location inboard of a longitudinal end of said axle beam and said body portion is disposed on only one side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second arms are disposed on the same side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said body portion is welded to said external surface of said axle beam.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said body portion extends from said axle beam in an outboard direction and at an angle to said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said axle beam and said inverted knuckle yoke are formed as a single integrated forging or fabrication.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein all of said body portion is disposed on said one side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said body portion is rigidly coupled to said external surface of said axle beam.

8. A steer axle assembly, comprising:

an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis;

an inverted knuckle yoke having a body portion and first and second arms extending from said body portion, said first and second arms configured to received a kingpin, said body portion coupled to an external surface of said axle beam; and

,

a spindle assembly rotatably mounted on said kingpin

wherein said spindle assembly includes;

a mounting body having a bore configured to receive said kingpin; and

,

a spindle coupled to said mounting body.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said body portion is welded to an external surface of said axle beam.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said body portion is disposed on only one side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said body portion extends from said axle beam in an outboard direction and at an angle to said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

12. The steer axle assembly of claim 8 wherein said spindle assembly further includes a washer disposed between said mounting body and one of said first and second arms.

13. The steer axle assembly of claim 8 wherein said spindle assembly further includes a steering arm coupled to said mounting body.

14. The steer axle assembly of claim 8 wherein said first and second arms are disposed on the same side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

15. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said axle beam and said inverted knuckle yoke are formed as a single integrated forging or fabrication.

16. A steer axle assembly, comprising:

an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis; and

,

an inverted knuckle yoke having a body portion and first and second arms extending from said body portion, said first and second arms configured to received a kingpin, said kingpin having a longitudinal axis intersecting said longitudinal axis of said axle beam;

wherein said body portion is coupled to an external surface of said axle beam and said body portion is disposed on only one side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said first and second arms are disposed on the same side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said body portion is welded to said external surface of said axle beam.

19. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said body portion extends from said axle beam in an outboard direction and at an angle to said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

20. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said axle beam and said inverted knuckle yoke are formed as a single integrated forging or fabrication.

21. The assembly of claim 16 wherein all of said body portion is disposed on said one side of said longitudinal axis of said axle beam.

22. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said body portion is rigidly coupled to said external surface of said axle beam.