公开(公告)号：US06755093B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-29

申请号：US10059448

申请日：2002-01-29

申请人： John L. Bennett ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Mark C. Smith

发明人： John L. Bennett ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Mark C. Smith

IPC分类号： F16H5517

CPC分类号： B60B35/002 ,  B60K17/046 ,  B60Y2200/1432 ,  F16H1/227 ,  Y10T74/1954 ,  Y10T74/19628 ,  Y10T74/19647 ,  Y10T74/19888

摘要： A drive axle assembly for a low floor vehicle utilizes a single input gear assembly to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. The input gear assembly is positioned next to one of the wheel ends so that the vehicle floor can be lowered to facilitate passenger access to the vehicle. Each wheel end includes a gear reduction assembly with a ring gear rotatably mounted within a gear housing. A drive gear is operatively coupled to the input gear assembly and is in meshing engagement with the ring gear. The gear reduction assembly also includes an output or driven gear, which is larger than the drive gear, to provide the desired gear reduction. The driven gear is also in meshing engagement with the ring gear. A pair of idler gears is rotatably mounted within the gear housing and are in meshing engagement with both the drive and driven gear. The idler gears and drive gear do not have a common centerline. The assembly thus provides toothed contact via three gear sets combinations, which equalizes loading and eliminates the need for support bearings for the drive and driven gears.

摘要翻译： 用于低地板车辆的驱动桥组件使用单个输入齿轮组件来驱动一对横向间隔开的轮端。 输入齿轮组件位于车轮端部之一旁边，使得可以降低车辆地板以便于乘客进入车辆。 每个车轮端部包括齿轮减速组件，其具有可旋转地安装在齿轮壳体内的齿圈。 驱动齿轮可操作地联接到输入齿轮组件并且与齿圈啮合。 齿轮减速组件还包括大于驱动齿轮的输出或从动齿轮，以提供所需的齿轮减速。 从动齿轮也与齿圈啮合。 一对空转齿轮可旋转地安装在齿轮箱内并与驱动齿轮和从动齿轮啮合。 空转齿轮和传动齿轮没有共同的中心线。 因此，该组件通过三个齿轮组合组合提供齿形接触，其均衡负载并且消除了用于驱动和从动齿轮的支撑轴承的需要。

公开(公告)号：US06659217B2

公开(公告)日：2003-12-09

申请号：US10077362

申请日：2002-02-15

申请人： Mark C. Smith ,  John L. Bennett ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： Mark C. Smith ,  John L. Bennett ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： B60K1716

CPC分类号： B60B35/002 ,  B60B35/127 ,  B60G2200/10 ,  B60G2200/422 ,  B60G2204/19 ,  B60G2300/14 ,  B60G2300/38 ,  B60K17/043 ,  B60K17/165 ,  B60K17/22 ,  B60Y2200/1432

摘要： A drive unit assembly utilizes a single input to drive a pair of laterally spaced wheel ends. Each wheel end is suspended independently from the other. The input is operatively coupled to only one of the wheel ends and an exposed axle shaft assembly interconnects the input to the opposite wheel end. The axle shaft assembly includes multiple shaft members to interconnect the laterally spaced wheel ends. One of the axle shaft members is mounted to a vehicle floor structure with a bearing mount and includes connection joints at either end to accommodate the independent motion of each wheel end. The floor and the shaft member move together during suspension travel, allowing the floor to have a lower profile than is traditionally available.

摘要翻译： 驱动单元组件利用单个输入来驱动一对横向间隔的轮端。 每个车轮端与另一个独立悬挂。 该输入仅可操作地联接到轮端中的一个，并且暴露的轴轴组件将输入互连到相对的车轮端。 车轴组件包括多个轴构件以互连横向间隔开的车轮端部。 车轴部件中的一个安装到具有轴承座的车辆地板结构上，并且包括两端的连接接头以适应每个车轮端部的独立运动。 在悬挂行驶期间，地板和轴构件一起移动，允许地板具有比传统可用的更低的轮廓。

公开(公告)号：US07204339B2

公开(公告)日：2007-04-17

申请号：US10153121

申请日：2002-05-22

申请人： Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  John L. Bennett ,  Mark C. Smith

发明人： Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward J. Eshelman ,  Dean M. House ,  John L. Bennett ,  Mark C. Smith

IPC分类号： B60K17/04

CPC分类号： B60K17/043

摘要： A wheel end assembly includes an output shaft that is directly mountable to a wheel adapter to drive a vehicle wheel. A gear assembly is coupled to the output shaft to transfer driving force from an input to the output shaft. The gear assembly includes an output gear that is directly coupled to the output shaft. Thus, the wheel adapter and output gear are both supported directly on the output shaft. The gear assembly and output shaft are substantially enclosed within a housing that is mounted to a non-rotating vehicle component. The output shaft is solely supported by a pair of bearings for rotation relative to the housing. The bearings are installed for direct engagement with the output shaft and housing.

摘要翻译： 轮端组件包括可直接安装到车轮适配器以驱动车轮的输出轴。 齿轮组件联接到输出轴以将驱动力从输入传递到输出轴。 齿轮组件包括直接联接到输出轴的输出齿轮。 因此，车轮适配器和输出齿轮都直接支撑在输出轴上。 齿轮组件和输出轴基本上封闭在安装到非旋转车辆部件的壳体内。 输出轴仅由一对相对于壳体旋转的轴承支撑。 轴承安装成与输出轴和外壳直接接合。

公开(公告)号：US06793035B2

公开(公告)日：2004-09-21

申请号：US10098954

申请日：2002-03-15

申请人： John L. Bennett ,  Mark C. Smith ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward Jay Eshelman ,  Dean Mark House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： John L. Bennett ,  Mark C. Smith ,  Chihping Kuan ,  John K. Ma ,  William C. Sullivan ,  Edward Jay Eshelman ,  Dean Mark House ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： B60K1700

CPC分类号： B60K17/043 ,  B60G9/02 ,  B60G21/051 ,  B60K17/16 ,  B60Y2200/1432

摘要： A suspension system includes a swing arm which pivots about a pivot axis. A hub assembly, hub gear box and input gear box are mounted to an independently pivoting swing arm. The pivot axis is located closer to the ground than a rotational axis defined by the hub assemblies and the input gear box. A coupling extends from the input gear box to receive an input driveline from a drive source such as vehicle engine. The coupling is located proximate the pivot axis to minimize relative movement during articulation of the swing arm. An axle housing extends between the input gear box and an opposite hub gear box to support a drive shaft and serves as a torsion bar.

摘要翻译： 悬挂系统包括围绕枢转轴线枢转的摆臂。 轮毂组件，轮毂齿轮箱和输入齿轮箱安装到独立转动的摆臂上。 枢转轴线比由轮毂组件和输入齿轮箱限定的旋转轴线更靠近地面。 联轴器从输入齿轮箱延伸以从诸如车辆发动机的驱动源接收输入传动系。 联接器位于枢转轴线附近以最小化摆臂铰接过程中的相对运动。 轴壳体在输入齿轮箱和相对的轮毂齿轮箱之间延伸，以支撑驱动轴并用作扭杆。

公开(公告)号：US06695738B2

公开(公告)日：2004-02-24

申请号：US10150027

申请日：2002-05-17

申请人： William C. Sullivan ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： William C. Sullivan ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： F16H4806

CPC分类号： B60K17/16 ,  B60K17/046 ,  F16H1/14 ,  F16H37/041

摘要： An offset axle assembly includes a two-piece gear case. A first section of the gear case includes a drive gear assembly and the second section includes a driven gear attached to a shaft supported within the second section of the gear case. Attached to the end of the shaft is a hub. The hub is attached to the shaft by way of a plurality of mating splines. The hub is secured to the end of the shaft by a single nut. The hub may be removed from the shaft by removal of the single nut. One of the drive gear or driven gear assemblies is a planetary gear system. The planetary gear system includes a ring gear driven by a helical gear such that distance between axles is determined by the diameters of the helical and ring gear.

摘要翻译： 偏移轴组件包括两件式齿轮箱。 齿轮箱的第一部分包括驱动齿轮组件，并且第二部分包括附接到支撑在齿轮箱的第二部分内的轴的从动齿轮。 连接到轴的末端是一个轮毂。 轮毂通过多个配合花键连接到轴上。 轮毂通过单个螺母固定在轴的端部。 可以通过移除单个螺母将轴毂从轴上移除。 驱动齿轮或从动齿轮组件中的一个是行星齿轮系统。 行星齿轮系统包括由斜齿轮驱动的齿圈，使得轴之间的距离由螺旋齿轮和齿圈的直径决定。

公开(公告)号：US06843746B2

公开(公告)日：2005-01-18

申请号：US10429317

申请日：2003-05-05

申请人： Brian David Hayes ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  William C. Sullivan

发明人： Brian David Hayes ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  William C. Sullivan

IPC分类号： B60B35/00 ,  B60K17/16 ,  F16H57/04

CPC分类号： B60K17/16 ,  B60B35/002 ,  B60B35/163 ,  B60B2900/111 ,  B60B2900/212 ,  B60Y2200/1432 ,  F16H57/0427 ,  F16H57/0445 ,  F16H57/0447 ,  F16H57/0457 ,  F16H57/0483 ,  F16H2057/02052 ,  Y02T10/86 ,  Y10T74/2188

摘要： An axle system includes an axle lubrication level within an axle housing which is lower than a wheel end lubrication level within the wheel end assemblies. An opening through the wheel end assembly housing provides a fluid communication path between the wheel end assembly and the axle housing. A differential assembly rotates adjacent an opening such that lubrication at the wheel end lubrication level is rotated into the opening. The lubricant within the wheel end assemblies is maintained at the wheel end lubrication level. The shaft enters the wheel end assembly housing through a shaft opening which provides a communication path for the lubricant from the wheel end assembly back into the axle housing.

摘要翻译： 车轴系统包括轴壳内的车轴润滑水平，其低于车轮端组件内的车轮端润滑水平。 通过车轮端部组件壳体的开口提供在车轮端部组件和车轴壳体之间的流体连通路径。 差速器组件相对于开口旋转，使得在轮端润滑水平处的润滑旋转到开口中。 车轮端组件内的润滑剂保持在车轮端润滑水平。 轴通过轴开口进入车轮端组件壳体，该轴开口提供用于润滑剂从轮端组件返回到轴壳体中的连通路径。

公开(公告)号：US20080128968A1

公开(公告)日：2008-06-05

申请号：US11606796

申请日：2006-11-30

申请人： David K. Platner ,  Arnett R. Weber ,  Rajesh J. Somnay ,  Holly Ann Giangrande ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Brian J. Knouff ,  Benjamin R. Reineck ,  Norman D. Austin ,  John E. Mutzner

发明人： David K. Platner ,  Arnett R. Weber ,  Rajesh J. Somnay ,  Holly Ann Giangrande ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela ,  Brian J. Knouff ,  Benjamin R. Reineck ,  Norman D. Austin ,  John E. Mutzner

IPC分类号： F16F1/18 ,  B60G11/10

CPC分类号： F16F1/26 ,  B60G11/04 ,  B60G11/10 ,  B60G11/12 ,  B60G2202/112 ,  B60G2204/41 ,  B60G2206/017 ,  B60G2206/428 ,  B60G2206/7101

摘要： A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes at least one spring end with a curved recess. A bushing assembly is attached to the curved recess. The bushing assembly includes a mounting component and a bushing that is attached to the mounting component such that the leaf spring can be pivotally attached to a vehicle frame. The mounting component is formed around an outer periphery of the curved recess to secure the mounting component to the leaf spring such that the bushing is received within the curved recess.

摘要翻译： 用于车辆悬架的板簧由复合材料形成，并且包括具有弯曲凹槽的至少一个弹簧端。 衬套组件附接到弯曲凹槽。 衬套组件包括安装部件和连接到安装部件的衬套，使得片簧可以枢转地附接到车辆框架。 安装部件围绕弯曲凹槽的外周形成，以将安装部件固定到板簧上，使得衬套被容纳在弯曲的凹部内。

公开(公告)号：US06871723B2

公开(公告)日：2005-03-29

申请号：US09841343

申请日：2001-04-24

申请人： Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： B60K17/04

CPC分类号： B60K17/043 ,  B60G2200/144 ,  B60G2200/422 ,  B60G2204/19 ,  B60G2204/4191 ,  B60G2300/14 ,  B60G2300/38 ,  B60Y2200/143 ,  B60Y2200/1432

摘要： A first and second hub assembly supported by an independent suspension system allows the independent articulation of each hub assembly. An input gear box includes a reduction gear set that drives a reduction gear set at each hub assembly. The input gear box is mounted offset from the first axis and the vehicle longitudinal axis to simultaneously drive both hub assemblies to allow a lowered vehicle floor profile.

摘要翻译： 由独立悬挂系统支撑的第一和第二轮毂​​组件允许每个轮毂组件的独立铰接。 输入齿轮箱包括在每个轮毂组件处驱动减速齿轮组的减速齿轮组。 输入齿轮箱从第一轴线和车辆纵向轴线偏置安装，以同时驱动两个轮毂组件以允许降低的车辆底板轮廓。

公开(公告)号：US06868748B2

公开(公告)日：2005-03-22

申请号：US10428539

申请日：2003-05-02

申请人： Lawrence D. Brill ,  Brian D. Hayes ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： Lawrence D. Brill ,  Brian D. Hayes ,  Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： F16D3/04 ,  F16H55/17 ,  F16H57/00

CPC分类号： F16H55/17 ,  F16D3/04 ,  Y10T74/19242 ,  Y10T74/19628 ,  Y10T74/19633

摘要： A compound gear assembly includes two gears, each gear respectively including interlocking features, which may be complimentary arcuate sections, for transferring torque between the gears. A clearance between the respective arcuate sections permits the gears to move radially relative to one another, which ensures that the gears mesh in a desired manner with the gears to which they are coupled. A retainer is inserted into an annular groove located circumferentially about the respective arcuate sections, which secures one gear to another.

摘要翻译： 复合齿轮组件包括两个齿轮，每个齿轮分别包括互锁特征，其可以是互补的弧形部分，用于在齿轮之间传递扭矩。 相应弓形部分之间的间隙允许齿轮相对于彼此径向移动，这确保了齿轮以期望的方式与它们所联接的齿轮啮合。 保持器被插入围绕相应弓形部分周向定位的环形槽中，其将一个齿轮固定到另一个。

公开(公告)号：US06752410B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-22

申请号：US10034600

申请日：2001-12-28

申请人： Tomaz Dopico Varela

发明人： Tomaz Dopico Varela

IPC分类号： B60G700

CPC分类号： B60G11/27 ,  B60G3/20 ,  B60G2200/18 ,  B60G2202/1524 ,  B60G2204/421 ,  B60G2300/14 ,  B60G2300/38

摘要： An independent suspension module includes a plurality of control members that are positioned to allow the suspension module to be used on low profile vehicles such as low floor buses. The suspension module includes a plurality of control members that couple a support member to the vehicle structure so that the suspension module is appropriately supported relative to the vehicle. The control members include a first end supported near a vertical portion of the lower surface of the vehicle. A second end of at least some of the control members are supported on the support member of the suspension module such that the second ends are positioned between the inboard and outboard sides of the wheels.

摘要翻译： 独立悬架模块包括多个控制构件，其被定位成允许悬架模块用于诸如低地板总线的低轮廓车辆上。 悬架模块包括多个控制构件，其将支撑构件联接到车辆结构，使得悬架模块相对于车辆适当地支撑。 控制构件包括支撑在车辆下表面的垂直部分附近的第一端。 至少一些控制构件的第二端支撑在悬架模块的支撑构件上，使得第二端部位于车轮的内侧和外侧之间。