DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of arrangements for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
A suspension system of commercial heavy duty vehicles is typically coupled to wheel axle housings of the vehicles. Conventionally, this coupling is achieved using a clamping assembly that includes an axle top clamp and an axle bottom clamp, which are typically fastened around the wheel axle housing of the vehicle. The suspension system is typically a leaf spring suspension system which is supported on the operative top surface of the axle top clamp. However, a disadvantage of the conventional clamping assemblies is that due to the vibrations of the vehicle, the axle clamps, after few hours of operation, get dislocated and slide on the axle surface towards the wheel and hit the brake cover. This also results in the wear and tear of the axle housing as well as the brake cover. Further, in some of the conventional clamp assemblies, the top clamp is welded to the axle housing. However, welding on the axle housing increases the stress thereon. Further, maintenance and replacement of the welded top clamp becomes a cumbersome task.
Hence, in order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is need of an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle which does not slip on the axle housing.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle which is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle which improves life of the axle housing and a brake cover of the vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle. The arrangement comprises a top member and a bottom member. The top member is configured to securely receive the suspension thereon. The bottom member is fastenable to the top member. The top member and the bottom member are configured to encompass the axle housing in an assembled configuration to clamp the suspension to the axle housing.
The arrangement comprises an arrester and a complementary slot. The arrester is provided on the axle housing. The complementary slot is configured on the top member to receive the arrester for arresting axial displacement of the top member and the bottom member along the axle housing.
In an embodiment, the arrester has an inverted T-shaped profile.
In another embodiment, the arrester is welded to the axle housing. In yet another embodiment, the arrester is made integral with the axle housing.
In another embodiment, the complementary slot is configured on an operative side surface of the top member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of an arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a top member of the arrangement of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the arrangement of Figure 1, in an assembled configuration thereof.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Arrangement
102 – Top member
104 – Bottom member
106 – Axle housing
108 – Plurality of fasteners
110 – Protrusion
112 – First wear pad
114 – Second wear pad
116 – Locating bolts
118 – Locating dowel
120 – Complementary slot
122 – Arrester
126 – Mounting bolt
128 – Spring stopper
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle.
The arrangement of the present disclosure is now described with reference to figure 1 through figure 3. Figure 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of an arrangement 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a top member 102 of the arrangement 100. Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the arrangement 100, in an assembled configuration thereof.
The arrangement 100 comprises the top member 102 and a bottom member 104. The top member 102 is configured to securely receive a suspension (not shown in figures) of a vehicle (not shown in figures) thereon. In an embodiment, the suspension includes a plurality of leaf springs (not shown in figures) connected to a main body frame (not shown in figures) of the vehicle.
The bottom member 104 is fastenable to the top member 102. In an embodiment, the bottom member 104 is fastened to the top member 102 via a plurality of fasteners 108. The top member 102 and the bottom member 104 have complementary holes (not exclusively labelled in figures) configured to receive the plurality of fasteners 108.
Further, the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 are configured to encompass an axle housing 106 of the vehicle (not shown in figures) in an assembled configuration to clamp the suspension to the axle housing 106.
In an embodiment, the axle housing 106 is a rear wheel axle housing of the vehicle.
An aperture is configured on the top member 102 that facilitates alignment of the top member 102 with the axle housing 106. A locating dowel 118 is configured on the axle housing 106. The aperture is aligned with the locating dowel 118 to facilitate the alignment of the arrangement 100 with respect to the axle housing 106.
The arrangement 100 further comprises a first wear pad 112 and a second wear pad 114. The first wear pad 112 is configured on an operative top surface of the top member 102. The second wear pad 114 is configured on a protrusion 110 extending vertically from the operative top surface of the top member 102. The first wear pad 112 and the second wear pad 114 are configured to reduce wear of the top member 102 caused due to vibrations of the suspension. More specifically, the first wear pad 112 and the second wear pad 114 reduce the friction between the suspension and the top member 102. In absence of any wear pad, the suspension is rubbed against the top member 102 which damages the top member 102. In case of excessive rubbing, the top surface of the top member 102 is completely worn out and susceptible to failure. In such a case, the suspension may touch the axle housing 106 causing excessive wear and tear of the axle housing 106.
Locating bolts 116 are provided on the first wear pad 112 to ensure proper alignment of the first wear pad 112 and the top member 102 with the axle housing 106.
In an embodiment, the top member 102 includes a spring stopper 128 connected to the protrusion 110 via a mounting bolt 126.
The arrangement 100 further comprises an arrester 122 and a complementary slot 120. The arrester 122 is provided on the axle housing 106. In an embodiment, the arrester 122 is welded to the axle housing 106 using a metal inert gas welding process. In another embodiment, the arrester 122 is made integral with the axle housing 106. In yet another embodiment, the arrester 122 is attached to the axle housing 106 using an adhesive, by soldering operation, and the like. Further, any other suitable method of connecting the arrester 122 with the axle housing 106 is well within the scope and ambit of the present disclosure.
The complementary slot 120 is configured on the top member 102. The complementary slot 120 is configured to receive the arrester 122 when the top member 102 is fastened to the bottom member 104. The engagement of the arrester 122 and the complementary slot 120 arrests the axial displacement of the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 along the axle housing 106. More specifically, the arrester 122 and the complementary slot 120 prevent the sliding motion of the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 on the axle housing 106, thereby preventing slippage of the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 on the axle housing 106. The engagement of the arrester 122 in the complementary slot 120 is shown by reference numeral 124 in figure 3. In an embodiment, the complementary slot 120 is configured on an operative side surface of the top member 102.
In an embodiment, the arrester 122 has an inverted T-shaped profile in an operative configuration. Further, all other suitable shapes of the arrester 122 and the complementary slot 120, which restrict the sliding motion of the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 on the axle housing 106, are well within the scope and ambit of the present disclosure.
The arrester 122 is made of any suitable material. In an embodiment, the arrester 122 is made of SG grade iron. Iron being cheaper than steel, the manufacturing cost of the arrangement 100 is lesser as compared to conventional welded clamp assemblies made of steel. Further the conventional welded clamp assemblies add more weight on the axle housing, whereas the arrester 122 is light in weight, thereby adding minimum weight on the axle housing 106.
In an operative configuration, the top member 102 is aligned with the location dowel 118 and the complementary slot 120 of the top member 102 is aligned with the arrester 122. Further, the bottom member 104 is connected to an operative bottom portion of the axle housing 106 such that the holes on the bottom member for receiving the fasteners 108 are aligned with the similar holes on the top member 102. The top member 102 is fastened with the bottom member 104 resulting in fitment of the arrester 122 in the complementary slot 120.
The top member 102 and the bottom member 104 do not slip on the axle housing due to engagement of the arrester with the complementary slot. As the sliding motion of the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 is prevented, the top member 102 and the bottom member 104 do not hit a brake cover disposed proximal to the end portion of the axle housing, thereby improving the life of the components like the axle housing, axle clamp bolts, and the brake cover.
The arrangement is easy to disassemble for maintenance purpose by removing the fasteners. Further, the arrangement is light in weight. It was observed that the arrangement of the present disclosure is 35% to 55% lighter in weight as compared to conventional clamping assemblies which are welded to an axle housing. Further, the arrangement of the present disclosure is 79% cheaper as compared to the welded conventional arrangements.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an arrangement for coupling a suspension to an axle housing of a vehicle that:
• does not slip on the axle housing;
• is cost effective; and
• improves life of the axle housing and a brake cover of the vehicle.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An arrangement (100) for coupling a suspension to an axle housing (106) of a vehicle, said arrangement (100) comprising:
a top member (102) configured to securely receive said suspension thereon;
a bottom member (104) fastenable to said top member (102), said top member (102) and said bottom member (104) configured to encompass said axle housing (106) in an assembled configuration to clamp said suspension to said axle housing (106);
characterized in that:
an arrester (122) is provided on said axle housing (106); and
a complementary slot (120) is configured on said top member (102) to receive said arrester (122) for arresting axial displacement of said top member (102) and said bottom member (104) along said axle housing (106).
2. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrester (122) has an inverted T-shaped profile.
3. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrester (122) is welded to said axle housing (106).
4. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrester (122) is made integral with said axle housing (106).

5. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said complementary slot (120) is configured on an operative side surface of said top member (102).
6. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top member (102) and said bottom member (104) are fastened to each other via a plurality of fasteners (108).
7. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top member (102) has an aperture to be aligned with a locating dowel (118) configured on said axle housing (106) to facilitate alignment of said top member (102) with respect to said axle housing (106).
8. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, which comprises:
a first wear pad (112) configured on an operative top surface of said top member (102); and
a second wear pad (114) configured on a protrusion (110) extending vertically from said operative top surface of said top member (102);
wherein, said first wear pad (112) and said second wear pad (114) are configured to reduce wear of said top member (102) caused due to vibrations of said suspension.
9. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrester (122) is made of iron.