Patent Application
20150367680
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a hollow axle shaft for transmitting rotational motion from a prime mover to a wheel of a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the hollow axle shaft.
2. Description of Related Art
Vehicles typically include a prime mover, such as an engine or an electric motor, for driving at least one wheel. The vehicle typically includes an axle shaft which couples the engine with the at least one wheel for transmitting rotational motion from the engine to the at least one wheel. One example of the axle shaft has a tube and a flange with the wheel mounted to the flange. The tube extends between a pair of ends with the flange positioned at one of the pair of ends. The tube and the flange are independently produced with the flange joined with one of the pair of ends by welding.
Joining the flange with one of the ends by welding adds additional time and cost to the process of manufacturing the axle shaft. Furthermore, joining the flange with one of the ends by welding reduces the strength of a region of the flange and/or the tube adjacent to the abutment of the flange and the tube that is joined by welding. Therefore, there remains an opportunity to develop an improved axle shaft with a flange.
A hollow axle shaft transmits rotational motion from a prime mover to a wheel of a vehicle. The hollow axle shaft comprises an elongated member extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The hollow axle shaft further comprises a flange at the first end and extending radially away from the axis for receiving the wheel. The flange is integral with the elongated member. A method of manufacturing the hollow axle shaft is also discussed.
Accordingly, the integral relationship of the elongated member and the flange reduces the number of steps required to manufacture the hollow axle shaft. Specifically, the formation of the flange from the first end of the elongated member eliminates a step of joining the elongated member with the flange, typically by welding. Eliminating the step of welding reduces energy and/or material required to complete the joining process, which reduces the cost to manufacture the hollow axle shaft. Furthermore, reducing the number of steps required to manufacture the hollow axle shaft reduces the amount of time needed to manufacture the hollow axle shaft, which increases the rate at which the hollow axle shaft may be manufactured.
Advantages of the subject invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a hollow axle shaft 20 for transmitting rotational motion from a prime mover to a wheel of a vehicle, is generally shown in
The prime mover is typically an internal combustion engine or electric motor. However, it is to be appreciated that the prime mover may be any device for imparting rotational motion of the wheel. It is also to be appreciated that the prime mover may be any number of prime movers. The vehicle may include a plurality of wheels. Rotational motion from the prime mover is transmitted to at least one of the plurality of wheels; however, rotational motion from the prime mover may be transmitted to more than one of the plurality of wheels. As such, the vehicle may include a plurality of hollow axle shafts 20 with each hollow axle shaft 20 transmitting rotational motion from the prime mover independently to each of the more than one of the plurality of wheels. It is to be appreciated that more than one of the plurality of hollow axle shafts 20 may transmit rotational motion from the prime mover to one of the plurality of wheels. The plurality of wheels are generally discussed below for illustrative purposes below. Hereinafter, the term “wheel” is used for descriptive purposes only and it is to be understood the term “wheel” is applicable to a single wheel and any number of wheels including the plurality of wheels. Likewise, the plurality of hollow axle shafts 20 are generally discussed below for illustrative purposes. Hereinafter, the term “hollow axle shaft 20” is used for descriptive purposes only and it is to be understood the term “hollow axle shaft 20” is applicable to a single hollow axle shaft 20 and any number of hollow axle shafts 20 including the plurality of hollow axle shafts 20.
The hollow axle shaft 20 is typically disposed between the prime mover and the wheel and is a component of what is commonly referred to as a driveline. The driveline is typically a plurality of components which may include (but is not limited to) any combination and any quantity of the following: a transmission, a differential, a power take-off unit, and a transfer case. Typically, the hollow axle shaft 20 is located between and couples the differential with the wheel. However, it is to be appreciated that the hollow axle shaft 20 may be located anywhere within the driveline and may be in communication with any of the aforementioned components of the driveline, including components not explicitly stated herein. When located between and coupling the differential with the wheel, the hollow axle shaft 20 is typically a component of a semi-float axle. However, it is to be appreciated that the hollow axles may be a component in a full-float axle, an independent suspension axle configuration, or any other suitable axle configuration.
As shown in
As shown in
The elongated member 22 typically comprises a material. The material is typically metallic, such as a steel alloy; however, it is to be appreciated that the material may be any metal or metal alloy, including, but not limited to, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the material may comprise any material suitable for transmitting rotational motion, including, but not limited to, plastics, composites, and ceramics.
The elongated member 22 has an inner radius and an outer radius. The inner radius is measured between the axis A and the interior 32 and may be measured anywhere along the interior 32. Said differently, the bore 30 has a diameter which is equal to twice the inner radius. The outer radius is measured between the axis A and the exterior 44 and may be measured anywhere along the exterior 44. Furthermore, the material of the elongated member 22 has a cross-sectional thickness. The cross-sectional thickness of the material of the elongated member 22 is defined between the inner and outer radii. Generally, the inner radius and the outer radius are uniform along the axis A such that the cross-sectional thickness of the material is generally uniform along the axis A. However, the inner and outer radii may vary along the axis A which may alter the cross-sectional thickness of the material as described below.
As shown in
When the elongated member 22 defines the bore 30 from the second end 26 and along the middle portion 34 as shown in
As shown in
The elongated member 22 may also define a transition surface 42 along the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 between the middle portion 34 and the first end 24. The transition surface 42 is tapered such that the elongated member 22 thickens from the middle portion 34 to the first end 24. Said differently, the transition surface 42 is tapered away from the axis A relative to the interior 32 whiles the interior 32 remains substantially constant such that the cross-sectional thickness of the elongated member 22 increases along the axis A from the middle portion 34 to the first end 24. The outer radius of the elongated member 22 increases along the transition surface 42. More specifically, the outer radius of the elongated member 22 is greater at the transition surface 42 than at the middle portion 34. As such, the cross-sectional thickness of the elongated member 22 may be further defined as a third cross-sectional thickness T3 at the transition surface 42. The third cross-sectional thickness T3 is greater than the middle cross-sectional thickness M.
As shown in
The flange 28 may have a pilot ring 46 centered about the axis A and extending away from the elongated member 22. The pilot ring 46 engages and centers the wheel about the axis A. Furthermore, the pilot ring 46 supports the wheel transverse to the axis A such that loads acting on the wheel transverse to the axis A are transferred to the pilot ring 46 preventing movement of the wheel transverse to the axis A relative to the hollow axle shaft 20.
As shown in
The hollow axle shaft 20 may further comprise a plurality of splines 52 at the second end 26. The plurality of splines 52 extend radially away from the axis A for coupling the hollow axle shaft 20 to the prime mover. Each of the plurality of splines 52 is spaced from one another about the axis A and extend longitudinally relative to the axis A, with each of the plurality of splines 52 substantially parallel to one another and the axis A. The plurality of splines 52 may engage a side gear within the differential to couple the differential with the hollow axle shaft 20.
The elongated member 22 and the flange 28 may comprise a single, continuous material. Furthermore, the plurality of splines 52 may comprise the single, continuous material. The single, continuous material is the same as the material of the elongated member 22 described above. Because the elongated member 22, the flange 28, and the plurality of splines 52 may comprise the single, continuous material, the flange 28 and/or the plurality of splines 52 are not joined to the elongated member 22, such as by welding.
As described above and as shown in
The subject invention sets forth a method of manufacturing the hollow axle shaft 20. As described above, the hollow axle shaft 20 includes the elongated member 22 extending along the axis A between the first end 24 and the second end 26 and defines the bore 30 extending along the axis A between the first and second ends 24, 26. Furthermore, the hollow axle shaft 20 includes the flange 28 at the first end 24 extending radially away from the axis A for receiving the wheel. The method comprises the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30 and the step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24.
At the step of providing the elongated member 22, the elongated member 22 typically has a tubular configuration, as shown in
As an alternative to the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30, the method may comprise the steps of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and forming the bore 30 extending partially through the elongated member 22 by removing a portion of the material along the axis A from the second end 26 toward the first end 24, as shown in
Typically, the step of forming the bore 30 occurs prior to the step of forming the flange 28. However, it is to be appreciated that the step of forming the bore 30 may occur after to the step of forming the flange 28.
The method may further include the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 about and along the axis A to remove a portion of the material from the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22. The step of rotary-cutting is typically referred to as turning which is typically performed on a lathe. Rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 cylindrically configures the exterior 44 such that the outer radius is equal about the axis A. It is to be appreciated that rotary-cutting may be performed by any suitable material removal process.
Typically, the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 occurs prior to the step of forming the flange 28. It is to be appreciated that the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 may occur after the step of forming the flange 28.
The step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24 typically involves deforming the material at the first end 24 of the elongated member 22, and is shown in
The step of forging the flange 28 may be performed by horizontally forging the first end 24. Horizontal forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves horizontally to apply the localized compressive force. Horizontal forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) a horizontal hydraulic press, a horizontal mechanical press, a horizontal screw press, and a horizontal hammer press.
The step of forging the flange 28 may be performed by vertically forging the first end 24. Vertical forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves vertically to apply the localized compressive force. Vertical forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) a vertical hydraulic press, a vertical mechanical press, a vertical screw press, and a vertical hammer press.
It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the flange 28 may comprise multiple steps. As a non-limiting example, when the step of forming the flange 28 is performed by forging, the localized compressive force may be applied to the first end 24 more than once. As another non-limiting example, the step of forming the flange 28 may involve both forging as well as another forming process. As yet another non-limiting example, the step of forging may involve both vertical forging and horizontal forging.
When the method comprises the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30, it may be advantageous to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 at the first end 24 to facilitate the forming of the flange 28. As such, the method may further comprise the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 to increase the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the first end 24 prior to the step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 about the axis A at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
Returning to
The step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as electrically upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be performed by radial forging, as shown in
Typically, the step of radial forging the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A. As such, the bore 30 is not filled at the first end 24. The inner radius of the elongated member 22 is smaller at the first end 24 than the middle portion 34. It is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging the first end 24 may move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24. Said differently, the step of radial forging the first end 24 moves the material of the elongated member 22, radially configured about the axis A, inward toward the axis A such that the material about the axis A converges to abut at the axis A.
The step of radial forging the first end 24 may be performed at a temperature substantially equal to a temperature of the ambient air. When the radial forging is performed at the temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the ambient air, the step of radial forging is typically referred to as cold swaging.
The method may further comprise the step of heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the first end 24. When the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 is heated from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the first end 24, the step of radial forging is typically referred to as hot rotary forging. Preferably, the step of heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to about 2,300° F. may be further defined as heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,800 to about 2,300° F.
The step of upsetting the first end 24 described above may be the sole method of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24. Similarly, the step of radial forging the first end 24 may be the sole method of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24. Alternatively, the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be performed by radial forging, as shown in
When the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of radial forging is equivalent to the step of radial forging the first end 24 as the sole method of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24, as described above. Furthermore, when the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that the step of upsetting the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A, as shown in
Returning to
When the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as electrically upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A, as shown in
As described above, the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging, which precedes the step of upsetting the first end 24. It is to be appreciated that the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be performed by upsetting the first end 24, which precedes the step of radial forging the first end 24.
The step of gathering the material of the elongated member 22 at the first end 24 increases the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the first end 24. By thickening the material at the first end 24, the first and transition surfaces 36, 42 are formed with the first and third cross-sectional thicknesses T1, T3 of the material greater than the middle cross-sectional thickness M of the material.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may further include a cap 56 disposed in the bore 30 at the first end 24. The method may further comprise the step of inserting the cap 56 into the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 about the axis A at the first end 24, as described above, may occur prior to the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 at the first end 24. Typically, the cap 56 is inserted when the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 does not fill the bore 30 at the first end 24. Furthermore, the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 may occur after the step of forming the flange 28. It is to be appreciated that the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 may occur prior to the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 and the step of forming the flange 28.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may include a spline region 58 at the second end 26. The spline region 58 is a portion of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26 from which the plurality of splines 52 may be formed. The method may further comprise the step of forming the spline region 58 with the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26, as shown in
The step of forming the spline region 58 may be performed by forging the second end 26. Said differently, the spline region 58 is formed from the material at the second end 26 by applying a localized compressive force to the second end 26. It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the spline region 58 may be performed by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, rolling, spinning, upsetting, and rotary swaging. Typically, the application of the localized compressive force is along the axis A which moves the material at the second end 26 radially toward and/or away from the axis A. As such, the length L of the elongated member 22 prior to the step of forging the second end 26 is typically longer than the length L of the elongated member 22 following the step of forging the second end 26 because the material of the second end 26 has been radially displaced toward and/or away from the axis A.
The step of forging the spline region 58 may be performed by horizontally forging the second end 26. As described above regarding the step of forging the flange 28, horizontal forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves horizontally to apply the localized compressive force. Horizontal forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) a horizontal hydraulic press, a horizontal mechanical press, a horizontal screw press, and a horizontal hammer press.
The step of forging the spline region 58 may be performed by vertically forging the second end 26. As described above regarding the step of forging the flange 28, vertical forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves vertically to apply the localized compressive force. Vertical forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) a vertical hydraulic press, a vertical mechanical press, a vertical screw press, and a vertical hammer press.
It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the spline region 58 may comprise multiple steps. As a non-limiting example, when the step of forming the spline region 58 is performed by forging, the localized compressive force may be applied to the second end 26 more than once. As another non-limiting example, the step of forming the spline region 58 may involve both forging as well as another forming process. As yet another non-limiting example, the step of forging may involve both vertical forging and horizontal forging.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may include the plurality of splines 52 at the second end 26 with the splines 52 extending radially away from the axis A for coupling the hollow axle shaft 20 to the prime mover, as shown in
As described above, the hollow axle shaft 20 may include the plurality of splines 52. To facilitate the forming of the plurality of splines 52, it may be advantageous to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26. As such, the method may further comprise the step of gathering the material at the second end 26 to increase the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the second end 26, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the second end 26 may be performed by radial forging. Similar to the step of radial forging the first end 24 described above, the step of radial forging is typically performed by inserting a mandrel into the bore 30 at the second end 26 of the elongated member 22; however, it is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging may be performed without the use of the mandrel. The step of radial forging may be further performed by a plurality of dies encircling the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 with the plurality of dies striking the exterior 44 to deform the material at the second end 26 toward the axis A as the elongated member 22 rotates about the axis A. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of dies may rotate about the axis A and strike the exterior 44 to deform the material at the first end 24 toward the axis A while the elongated member 22 stays stationary. The step of radial forging may be further performed by a wall abutting the second end 26 of the elongated member 22. The elongated member 22 may move along the axis A toward the wall to apply a load to the second end 26 along the axis A to radially displace and further thicken the material away from the axis A at the second end 26. Alternatively, the wall may move along the axis A toward the elongated member 22 to apply the load to the second end 26. As such the length L of the elongated member 22 prior to the step of radial forging the second end 26 may be longer than the length L of the elongated member 22 following the step of radial forging the second end 26 because the material of the second end 26 has been radially displaced away from the axis A.
Typically, the step of radial forging the second end 26 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A. As such, the bore 30 is not filled at the second end 26. The inner radius of the elongated member 22 is smaller at the second end 26 than the middle portion 34. It is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging the second end 26 may move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the second end 26. Said differently, the step of radial forging the second end 26 moves the material of the elongated member 22, radially configured about the axis A, inward toward the axis A such that the material about the axis A converges to abut at the axis A.
The step of radial forging the second end 26 may be performed at a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the ambient air. The method may further comprise the step of heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the second end 26. Preferably, the step of heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to about 2,300° F. may be further defined as heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,800 to about 2,300° F.
The steps of gathering the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26 increases the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the second end 26. By thickening the material at the second end 26, the second surface 40 is formed with the second cross-sectional thickness T2 of the material greater than the middle cross-sectional thickness of the material M.
The steps set forth in the above method may be performed in any desired order. Furthermore, each and every step described above is not necessary for the method. Said differently, desired steps from those described above may be selected and applied when forming the hollow axle shaft 20. As a non-limiting example, the method may comprise the steps of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30 (as shown in
As another non-limiting example, the method may comprise the steps of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30 (as shown in
The subject invention sets forth that the hollow axle shaft 20 is formed by a process. It is to be appreciated the process for forming the hollow axle shaft 20 may include any of the structure set forth above with reference to the hollow axle shaft 20 and any of the steps set forth in the description of the method above. For example, the process comprises the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30 and the step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24.
At the step of providing the elongated member 22, the elongated member 22 typically has the tubular configuration, as shown in
As an alternative to the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30, the process may comprise the steps of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and forming the bore 30 extending partially through the elongated member 22 by removing the portion of the material along the axis A from the second end 26 toward the first end 24, as shown in
Typically, the step of forming the bore 30 occurs prior to the step of forming the flange 28. However, it is to be appreciated that the step of forming the bore 30 may occur after to the step of forming the flange 28.
The process may further include the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 about and along the axis A to remove the portion of the material from the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22. The step of rotary-cutting is typically referred to as turning which is typically performed on the lathe. Rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 cylindrically configures the exterior 44 such that the outer radius is equal about the axis A. It is to be appreciated that rotary-cutting may be performed by any suitable material removal process.
Typically, the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 occurs prior to the step of forming the flange 28. It is to be appreciated that the step of rotary-cutting the exterior 44 of the elongated member 22 may occur after the step of forming the flange 28.
The step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24 typically involves deforming the material at the first end 24 of the elongated member 22, and is shown in
The step of forging the flange 28 may be performed by horizontally forging the first end 24. Horizontal forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves horizontally to apply the localized compressive force. Horizontal forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) the horizontal hydraulic press, the horizontal mechanical press, the horizontal screw press, and the horizontal hammer press.
The step of forging the flange 28 may be performed by vertically forging the first end 24. Vertical forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves vertically to apply the localized compressive force. Vertical forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) the vertical hydraulic press, the vertical mechanical press, the vertical screw press, and the vertical hammer press.
It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the flange 28 may comprise multiple steps. As a non-limiting example, when the step of forming the flange 28 is performed by forging, the localized compressive force may be applied to the first end 24 more than once. As another non-limiting example, the step of forming the flange 28 may involve both forging as well as another forming process. As yet another non-limiting example, the step of forging may involve both vertical forging and horizontal forging.
When the process comprises the step of providing the elongated member 22 comprising the material and defining the bore 30, it may be advantageous to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 at the first end 24 to facilitate the forming of the flange 28. As such, the process may further comprise the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 to increase the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the first end 24 prior to the step of forming the flange 28 with the material at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 about the axis A at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
Returning to
The step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as electrically upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 maybe performed by radial forging, as shown in
Typically, the step of radial forging the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A. As such, the bore 30 is not filled at the first end 24. The inner radius of the elongated member 22 is smaller at the first end 24 than the middle portion 34. It is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging the first end 24 may move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24. Said differently, the step of radial forging the first end 24 moves the material of the elongated member 22, radially configured about the axis A, inward toward the axis A such that the material about the axis A converges to abut at the axis A.
The step of radial forging the first end 24 may be performed at the temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the ambient air. When the radial forging is performed at the temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the ambient air, the step of radial forging is typically referred to as cold swaging.
The process may further comprise the step of heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the first end 24. When the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 is heated from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the first end 24, the step of radial forging is typically referred to as hot rotary forging. Preferably, the step of heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to about 2,300° F. may be further defined as heating the first end 24 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,800 to about 2,300° F.
The step of upsetting the first end 24 described above may be the sole process of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24. Similarly, the step of radial forging the first end 24 may be the sole process of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24. Alternatively, the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be performed by radial forging, as shown in
When the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of radial forging is equivalent to the step of radial forging the first end 24 as the sole process of performing the step of gathering the material at the first end 24, as described above. Furthermore, when the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that the step of upsetting the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A, as shown in
Returning to
When the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging and then upsetting the first end 24, the step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may be further defined as electrically upsetting the first end 24 to move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of electrically upsetting the first end 24 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A, as shown in
As described above, the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 is performed by radial forging, which precedes the step of upsetting the first end 24. It is to be appreciated that the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 may be performed by upsetting the first end 24, which precedes the step of radial forging the first end 24.
The step of gathering the material of the elongated member 22 at the first end 24 increases the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the first end 24. By thickening the material at the first end 24, the first and transition surfaces 36, 42 are formed with the first and third cross-sectional thicknesses T1, T3 of the material greater than the middle cross-sectional thickness M of the material.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may further include the cap 56 disposed in the bore 30 at the first end 24. The process may further comprise the step of inserting the cap 56 into the bore 30 at the first end 24, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the first end 24 to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 about the axis A at the first end 24, as described above, may occur prior to the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 at the first end 24. Typically, the cap 56 is inserted when the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 does not fill the bore 30 at the first end 24. Furthermore, the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 may occur after the step of forming the flange 28. It is to be appreciated that the step of inserting the cap 56 in the bore 30 may occur prior to the step of gathering the material at the first end 24 and the step of forming the flange 28.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may include the spline region 58 at the second end 26. The spline region 58 is the portion of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26 from which the plurality of splines 52 may be formed. The process may further comprise the step of forming the spline region 58 with the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26, as shown in
The step of forming the spline region 58 may be performed by forging the second end 26. Said differently, the spline region 58 is formed from the material at the second end 26 by applying the localized compressive force to the second end 26. It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the spline region 58 may be performed by any suitable process, including, but not limited to, rolling, spinning, upsetting, and rotary swaging. Typically, the application of the localized compressive force is along the axis A which moves the material at the second end 26 radially toward and/or away from the axis A. As such, the length L of the elongated member 22 prior to the step of forging the second end 26 is typically longer than the length L of the elongated member 22 following the step of forging the second end 26 because the material of the second end 26 has been radially displaced toward and/or away from the axis A.
The step of forging the spline region 58 maybe performed by horizontally forging the second end 26. As described above regarding the step of forging the flange 28, horizontal forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves horizontally to apply the localized compressive force. Horizontal forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) the horizontal hydraulic press, the horizontal mechanical press, the horizontal screw press, and the horizontal hammer press.
The step of forging the spline region 58 may be performed by vertically forging the second end 26. As described above regarding the step of forging the flange 28, vertical forging is typically performed by at least one die which moves vertically to apply the localized compressive force. Vertical forging may be performed by (but is not limited to performance by) the vertical hydraulic press, the vertical mechanical press, the vertical screw press, and the vertical hammer press.
It is to be appreciated that the step of forming the spline region 58 may comprise multiple steps. As a non-limiting example, when the step of forming the spline region 58 is performed by forging, the localized compressive force may be applied to the second end 26 more than once. As another non-limiting example, the step of forming the spline region 58 may involve both forging as well as another forming process. As yet another non-limiting example, the step of forging may involve both vertical forging and horizontal forging.
The hollow axle shaft 20 may include the plurality of splines 52 at the second end 26 with the splines 52 extending radially away from the axis A for coupling the hollow axle shaft 20 to the prime mover, as shown in
As described above, the hollow axle shaft 20 may include the plurality of splines 52. To facilitate the forming of the plurality of splines 52, it may be advantageous to thicken the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26. As such, the process may further comprise the step of gathering the material at the second end 26 to increase the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the second end 26, as shown in
The step of gathering the material at the second end 26 may be performed by radial forging. Similar to the step of radial forging the first end 24 described above, the step of radial forging is typically performed by inserting the mandrel into the bore 30 at the second end 26 of the elongated member 22; however, it is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging may be performed without the use of the mandrel. The step of radial forging may be further performed by the plurality of dies encircling the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 with the plurality of dies striking the exterior 44 to deform the material at the second end 26 toward the axis A as the elongated member 22 rotates about the axis A. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of dies may rotate about the axis A and strike the exterior 44 to deform the material at the first end 24 toward the axis A while the elongated member 22 stays stationary. The step of radial forging may be further performed by the wall abutting the second end 26 of the elongated member 22. The elongated member 22 may move along the axis A toward the wall to apply the load to the second end 26 along the axis A to radially displace and further thicken the material away from the axis A at the second end 26. Alternatively, the wall may move along the axis A toward the elongated member 22 to apply the load to the second end 26. As such the length L of the elongated member 22 prior to the step of radial forging the second end 26 may be longer than the length L of the elongated member 22 following the step of radial forging the second end 26 because the material of the second end 26 has been radially displaced away from the axis A.
Typically, the step of radial forging the second end 26 may move the material toward, but not entirely to, the axis A. As such, the bore 30 is not filled at the second end 26. The inner radius of the elongated member 22 is smaller at the second end 26 than the middle portion 34. It is to be appreciated that the step of radial forging the second end 26 may move the material toward the axis A and fill the bore 30 at the second end 26. Said differently, the step of radial forging the second end 26 moves the material of the elongated member 22, radially configured about the axis A, inward toward the axis A such that the material about the axis A converges to abut at the axis A.
The step of radial forging the second end 26 may be performed at the temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the ambient air. The process may further comprise the step of heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to 2,300° F. prior to the step of radial forging the second end 26. Preferably, the step of heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,200 to about 2,300° F. may be further defined as heating the second end 26 of the elongated member 22 from about 1,800 to about 2,300° F.
The steps of gathering the material of the elongated member 22 at the second end 26 increases the cross-sectional thickness of the material at the second end 26. By thickening the material at the second end 26, the second surface 40 is formed with the second cross-sectional thickness T2 of the material greater than the middle cross-sectional thickness of the material M.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of the subject invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
