Planetary wheelend

• US 6,872,163 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2003
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AxleTech International IP Holdings, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: AxleTech International IP Holdings, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Chung, I-Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US10/624,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20050020400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 301/109, 301124- 1, 301/126, 301/131, 301/105.1, 475/331
• US Class Current: 475/331
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 11/06 Wheels with more than one rim mounted on a single wheel body
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/046 with planetary gearing having orbital motion

Abstract

A wheelend end assembly for a vehicle includes a support structure such as an axle housing. A spindle is secured to the support structure preferably by fasteners. The spindle has a generally centrally located bore receiving an output shaft that is rotatable relative to the spindle about an axis. A planetary gear set is coupled to the output shaft. A wheel hub is arranged about the outside of the spindle and is supported thereon by first and second bearings. A retainer, which may include a nut and lock washer, is secured to a threaded end of the spindle adjacent to the outer bearing for axially positioning the bearings relative to the spindle to retain the wheel hub on the spindle. Wheels are secured to a mounting flange on the wheel hub. The wheels define a track centerline that is preferably located between the bearings.

Claims

1. A wheelend end assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a support structure;

a spindle secured to said support structure with said spindle having a bore;

an output shaft received within said bore and rotatable relative to said spindle about an axis;

a planetary gear set coupled to said output shaft to multiply torque to said output shaft;

a wheel hub disposed about said spindle and supported thereon by first and second bearings; and

a bearing retainer secured to an end of said spindle adjacent to one of said first and second bearings for axially positioning said bearings relative to said spindle.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second bearings include inner races in engagement with said spindle and outer races in engagement with said wheel hub.

3. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said wheel hub includes a flange with at least one wheel secured to said flange.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein said wheels define a track centerline with said track centerline arranged between said first and second bearings.

5. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said bearing retainer includes a nut threadingly secured to an end of said spindle with a lock washer arranged between said nut and one of said inner races.

6. The assembly according to claim 1 further including a hub driver secured between said output shaft and said wheel hub to transmit rotational drive from said output shaft to said wheel hub.

7. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said output shaft is unsupported in said bore of said spindle with said output shaft secured to a planetary spider of said planetary gear set.

8. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said planetary gear set is arranged internal to said spindle proximate to said support structure.

9. The assembly according to claim 1 further including a brake assembly located between said planetary gear set and said support structure.