John D Oswald

US Patent:

53039858, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Sep 23, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/763901

Inventors:

Mark C. Barnholt - Fort Wayne IN
John Oswald - Fort Wayne IN
Ronald I. Rhoads - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

B60B 3508

US Classification:

3011241

Abstract:

A structure for a housing for an axle assembly and method for manufacturing same is disclosed. The housing includes a tube which is formed by casting. The tube is cast having a brake flange, a spring seat, a shock absorber pad, and an outer end for mounting wheel bearings, all of which are integrally formed therewith. The tube is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape, but is formed having an outer circumferential surface which is generally circular in shape and an inner circumferential surface which is generally oval in shape. Thus, the wall thickness of the tube is not uniform about the circumference thereof. Rather, the wall thicknesses of the upper and lower portions of the tube are somewhat greater than the wall thicknesses of the side portions thereof. The wall thicknesses of the upper and lower portions of the tube are sized to accommodate vertically oriented loads induced therein which are generally larger than horizontally oriented loads which are normally encountered in use. The tube is cast from an iron alloy and is subjected to an austempering heat treatment process.