Fluid distribution apparatus and the axle assembly made therewith

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11242899-B2
Application number	US-201916430836-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2019
Priority date	Jun 6, 2018
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A fluid distribution apparatus for an axle assembly, the fluid distribution apparatus including a cylindrical portion rotatably disposed about a bearing race. A conical portion is coupled with the cylindrical portion, and a retaining portion is coupled with the conical portion. A plurality of circumferentially spaced tubes are coupled with the retaining portion, wherein the tubes are at least partially disposed through a rotating component of a clutch.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An axle assembly, comprising:
a clutch drum including a center portion, a wall portion coupled to the center portion, and a cylindrical portion coupled to the wall portion, wherein a plurality of first apertures is formed in the clutch drum;
a first clutch hub at least partially disposed within the clutch drum about a first shaft;
a second clutch hub at least partially disposed within the clutch drum about a second shaft;
a first bearing disposed adjacent the first clutch hub about the first shaft;
a second bearing disposed adjacent the second clutch hub about the second shaft;
a bearing retainer plate disposed adjacent at least one of the first bearing and the first clutch hub, wherein a plurality of second apertures is formed in the bearing retainer plate;
a first clutch pack at least partially disposed between the first clutch hub and the clutch drum;
a second clutch pack at least partially disposed between the second clutch hub and the clutch drum; and
a rotatable first fluid distribution apparatus disposed between one of the bearings and one of the clutch packs, wherein the first fluid distribution apparatus is configured to permit fluid communication between the one of the bearings and the one of the clutch packs.

2. The axle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid distribution apparatus disposed between another one of the bearings and another one of the clutch packs, wherein the second fluid distribution apparatus is configured to permit fluid communication between the another one of the bearings and the another one of the clutch packs.

3. The axe assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second fluid distribution apparatus is rotatable.

4. The axle assembly of claim 2 , wherein a portion of at least one of the first fluid distribution apparatus and the second fluid distribution apparatus extends through the apertures formed in the at least one of the clutch drum and the bearing retainer plate.

5. The axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid distribution apparatus includes:
a main body;
a conical neck portion coupled with the main body; and
a retaining portion coupled with the conical neck portion, wherein the retaining portion includes at least one tube coupled thereto, the at least one tube configured to receive a fluid therethrough.

6. The axle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the main body of the first fluid distribution apparatus circumferentially surrounds a bearing.

7. The axle assembly of claim 5 , wherein a portion of an inner surface of the at least one tube is continuous with an inner surface of the retaining portion.

8. The axle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the retaining portion includes a plurality of the tubes disposed circumferentially equidistant around the retaining portion.

9. The axle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one tube is at least partially disposed through a rotating component of a clutch.

10. The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one tube includes a locking element disposed thereon.

11. The axle assembly of claim 10 , wherein the locking element abuts a first surface of the rotating component of the clutch.

12. The axle assembly of claim 11 , wherein a surface of the retaining portion abuts a second surface of the rotating component of the clutch opposite the first surface thereof.

Assignees

• Dana Automotive Systems Group

Inventors

• Billmaier Nicholas C
• Nahrwold Thomas L

Classifications

• F16C33/6659

  Details of supply of the liquid to the bearing, e.g. passages or nozzles · CPC title

• B60K23/08

  for changing number of driven wheels {, for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles (B60K17/3515 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60K2023/0833

  for adding torque to the rear wheels · CPC title

• B60K23/0808

  for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch · CPC title

• F16D13/52

  Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)} · CPC title