FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
An axle housing unit
APPLICANT(S)
Deere & Company,
a US corporation,
of One John Deere Place, Moline, Illinois, 61265 - 8098, US A
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of arrangement for supporting chassis of a vehicle on an axle housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most vehicles have axle housing positioned in an eccentric configuration on a cover which is required to be fitted on transmission housing of a vehicle. Further, a pair of axle housing is associated with each of the axle of the vehicle. An axle housing is configured on either sides of the transmission housing of the vehicle. However, due to eccentric positioning of the axle housing on the cover, the assembly of the axle housing and the cover are required to be manufactured separately for the being fitted to the right hand side and left hand side of the transmission housing. Alternatively, the axle housings are required to be machined in order to be used on both right hand side and left hand side of the transmission housing. Thus, the cost of manufacturing the presently available assembly of the axle housing and the cover is substantially high. Further, in the presently available axle housing assemblies, an axle housing used on the left hand side of the transmission housing when used on the right hand side of the transmission housing is required to be machined or provided with additional castings, such as, mounting pads, so that the mounting face of the axle housing wherein chassis of the vehicle is required to be mounted is adjusted to eliminate stress. However, machining operation is time consuming and requires precision while providing for additional casting feature or mounting pads induces instability in vehicle. This also induces additional stresses on the axle housing. Further, additional casting and machining feature increases the direct cost and the indirect cost of axle housing.
Thus, there is a need for an assembly of the axle housing and the cover which enables overcoming the drawbacks of the presently available assemblies of the axle housing and the cover.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention enables achieving the following objects, thereby overcoming the drawbacks of prior art:
An object of the present invention is to provide a unit which is commonized for being used on the left hand side and the right hand side of the transmission housing.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost involved in machining and casting of the unit mounted on the transmission housing.
Still another object of the present invention is to reduce stress induced in the vehicle due to mounting of the chassis of the vehicle.
An added object of the present invention is to increase the service life of the axle assembly of a vehicle.
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent when the description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings provided herein are merely illustrative and does not intend to limit the scope and ambit of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards an axle housing unit to cooperate with transmission housing of a vehicle. The axle housing unit of the present invention is envisaged to enable commonization of the axle housing unit to be provided on the left hand side and the right hand side of the transmission housing, such that, the axle housing unit is capable of stably supporting the chassis of the vehicle while enabling reduction in stress induced into the vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an axle housing unit of a vehicle traversing on a ground. The axle housing unit is configured to cooperate with transmission housing of the vehicle. The axle housing unit comprises a cover and an axle support.

The cover cooperates with the transmission housing along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the transmission housing. The axle support is eccentrically positioned on the cover. The cover is provided with a plurality of provisions to cooperate with the transmission housing via fasteners. The axle support includes a plurality of mounting holes having an axis parallel to the axle axis.
The axle support extends along the axle axis perpendicular to the axis of transmission housing. The axle support has an outer wall configured to support chassis of the vehicle. The outer wall is defined by a plurality of pairs of associated sides on a plane perpendicular to the axle axis, such that, each of the pair of associated sides define opposing parallel sides of a parallelogram skewed by a predetermined angle. Each of the adjacent parallelograms is radially displaced to define a predefined radial angle therebetween. At least one of the pair of associated sides is substantially parallel to the ground while at least one of the pair of associated sides are substantially perpendicular to the ground. Typically, each of the associated sides of the outer wall is adapted to define a polygonal profile of the axle support. Preferably, each of the associated sides of the outer wall defines an octagon. A chamfer is provided between each of the associated sides positioned adjacent to each other.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the cover and the axle support are integrally formed. Alternatively, the cover and the axle support are discreetly formed. The axle support is adapted to support Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) and the chassis of the vehicle.
Various features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described with respect to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a tractor with transmission housing and wheels mounted on axle;

Figure 2 illustrates perspective view of an axle housing unit;
Figure 3 illustrates the axle housing unit of Figure 1 mounted on the transmission housing of a vehicle;
Figure 4 schematically illustrates the skewed parallelogram formed between opposing sides of the axle support of the axle housing unit of Figure 1; and
Figure 5 illustrates a chassis bracket and roll over protection structure mounted on the axle housing unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Conventionally available axle mounting assembly having eccentrically positioned axle support requires additional cost of machining or additional casting in order to be commonized to be used on the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing of a vehicle.
The present invention stems from the observation that the cost involved in machining and providing for additional casting in order to be fitted to the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing is substantially high. Further, the same structure which can be fitted to the left hand side and the right hand side of the transmission housing is not available. Hence, the present invention is envisaged to provide for an axle housing unit to enable commonization of the axle housing unit to be provided on the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing.
Figure 1 illustrates a tractor 1, traversing on a ground X-X, having a transmission housing 2 cooperating with axle 3 of the tractor 1 via an axle housing unit. The axle 3 supports wheels 4 of the tractor 1. Although, the present invention will henceforth be described with respect to the tractor 1, however a person ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention can be used in any vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates the axle housing unit in accordance with the present invention and is generally reference by the numeral 10. The axle housing unit 10 comprises a cover 12 and an

axle support 14. The cover 12 and the axle support 14 are either integrally formed or discreetly formed. In the embodiment wherein the cover 12 and the axle support 14 are discreetly formed, the cover 12 and the axle support 14 are coupled to each other by coupling means. As illustrated in Figure 3, the longitudinal axis Y-Y of the transmission housing 2 and the axle axis Z of the axle 3 is perpendicular to each other. The axle housing unit 10 is provided with a plurality of provisions defined on the cover 12 for coupling the transmission housing 2 and the cover 12 with the help of fasteners. The axle support 14 extends from the cover 12 in a direction away from the transmission housing 2. The axle housing unit 10 will henceforth be described with respect to the rear axle of the tractor, however the axle housing unit 10 can be utilized with respect to other axles as per requirement. The rear axle 3 of a tractor 1, illustrated in Figure 1, cooperates with the wheels 4 supported on either ends of the axle 3 via wheel bearings.
The axle support 14 has an outer wall 18 and an inner wall 20, indicated in Figure 3, defining a hollow, conforming to the outer diameter of the axle 3, indicated in Figure 1. The axle 3 is supported within the axle support 14. The axle support 14 is eccentrically positioned on the cover 12. One of the axle housing unit 10 is positioned on either ends of the axle 3 to provide support thereto. The eccentrically positioned axle support 14 of the axle housing unit 10 is capable of being utilized to support both ends of the axle 3 without the requirement of any modification in the axle housing unit 10, such as, machining or addition of structures by casting. Thus, the axle housing unit 10 is capable of supporting the portion of the axle extending from the left hand side and the right hand side of the transmission housing 2. The axle housing unit 10 is commonized to cooperate at the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing 2.
The commonization of the axle housing unit 10 mountable on the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing 2 is achieved by providing for the outer wall 18 having a plurality of sides. Typically, the outer wall 18 is octagonal shaped having eight sides, illustrated in Figure 4, namely, A-side, B-side, C-side, D-side, E-side, F-side, G-side and H-side defined in a plane 16, perpendicular to the axle axis Z, indicated in Figure 3. The eight sides are paired to form four pairs of associated sides. Each pair of associated sides is parallel and opposing to each other. The four pairs of associated sides are defined by A-side parallel to E-side, B-side parallel to F-side, C-side parallel to G-side and D-side parallel to H-side. Each of the

associated sides forms part of a parallelogram skewed by a predetermined angle. The pair of associated sides forms the small sides of the parallelogram while the long sides of the parallelogram are indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4. Each of the adjacent parallelograms is radially displaced with respect to each other by a predefined radial angle, defined therebetween. Thus, each of the adjacent associated sides, that is, A-side, B-side, C-side, D-side, E-side, F-side, G-side and H-side, define an angle therebetween. A chamfer is provided between each of the associated sides positioned adjacent to each other.
The octagonal outer wall 18 of the axle support 14 is configured such that a pair of the associated sides is substantially horizontal to the ground on which the tractor 1 traverses. As illustrated in Figure 4, A-side and E-side are substantially horizontal to the ground X-X, indicated in Figure 1, on which the tractor 1 traverses. Again, a pair of the associated sides is substantially vertical to the ground on which the tractor ltraverses. As illustrated in Figure 4, C-side and G-side are substantially vertical to the ground X-X, indicated in Figure 1. Further, the axle support 14 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes having an axis parallel to the axle axis Z, indicated in Figure 3.
Figure 5 illustrates a chassis bracket 22 for mounting chassis of the tractor 1, such that, the chassis bracket 22 is supported on A-side and E-side as well as C-side and G-side. The axle housing unit 10 provides stability to supporting the chassis of the tractor and also supporting Roll Over Protection Structure 24 since the chassis bracket 22 are stably supported on the A-side and the E-side, substantially horizontal to the ground X-X, and the C-side and the G-side, substantially vertical to the ground X-X,
The axle housing unit 10 of the present invention enables in supporting chassis of the tractor land mounting of ROPS 24. This enables in eliminating the stresses induced on the axle housing unit 10 causing instability of the tractor 1. Further the axle housing unit 10 of the present invention enables eliminating the necessity of machining and providing additional casting for commonizing the axle housing unit 10 for use on the left hand side and the right hand side of the transmission housing 2. This enables reduction in the overall cost of the tractor 1 and also results in increasing stability of the tractor 1.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT

The present invention has several technical advancements, including but not limited to the realization of:
• commonization of an axle housing unit to be mounted on the left hand side as well as the right hand side of a transmission housing;
• reducing the cost involved in machining and casting of the axle housing unit mountable on the left hand side as well as the right hand side of the transmission housing;
• reducing stress induced in the vehicle due to mounting of chassis on the axle housing unit; and
• increasing service life of the axle housing unit of a vehicle.
While the foregoing specification has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure which comes within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

We claim:
1. An axle housing unit (10) of a vehicle traversing on a ground (X-X), said axle housing unit (10) configured to cooperate with transmission housing (2), having a longitudinal axis (Y-Y), of the vehicle (1) to support at least one axle (3) for supporting wheels (4) of the vehicle (1) along an axle axis (Z),
said axle housing unit (10) comprising:
a cover (12) adapted to cooperate with the transmission housing (2) along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y-Y); and
an axle support (14) extending from said cover (12) along the axle axis (Z), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y-Y) of transmission housing (2), said axle support (14) having an outer wall (18) configured to support a chassis of the vehicle (1),
said outer wall (18) defined by a plurality of pairs of associated sides (A-side to H-side) defined in a plane perpendicular to the axle axis (Z), such that, each of said pair of associated sides (A-side to H-side) being adapted to define opposing parallel sides of a parallelogram skewed by a predetermined angle, each of said adjacent parallelograms being adapted to be radially displaced by a predefined radial angle therebetween,
wherein at least one of said pair of associated sides (A-side and E-side, B-side and F-side, C-side and G-side, D-side and H-side) being substantially parallel to the ground, and
wherein at least one of said pair of associated sides (A-side and E-side, B-side and F-side, C-side and G-side, D-side and H-side) being substantially perpendicular to the ground.
2. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said associated sides (A-side to H-side) of said outer wall (18) is adapted to define a polygonal profile of said axle support.
3. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said associated sides (A-side to H-side) of said outer wall (18) is adapted to define an octagon.

4. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (12) and said axle support (14) are integrally formed.
5. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (12) and said axle support (14) are discreetly formed.
6. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axle support (14) is eccentrically positioned on said cover (12).
7. The axle housing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (12) is provided with a plurality of provisions to cooperate with the transmission housing (2) via fasteners.
8. The unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chamfer is provided between each of said associated sides (A-side to H-side) positioned adjacent to each other.
9. The unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axle support (14) includes a plurality of mounting holes having an axis parallel to the axle (3).
10. The unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axle support (14) is adapted to support Roll Over Protection Structure (24).