WO2008014366A2 - Cartouche de lubrifiant pour ensembles de roues - Google Patents

Cartouche de lubrifiant pour ensembles de roues Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008014366A2
WO2008014366A2 PCT/US2007/074395 US2007074395W WO2008014366A2 WO 2008014366 A2 WO2008014366 A2 WO 2008014366A2 US 2007074395 W US2007074395 W US 2007074395W WO 2008014366 A2 WO2008014366 A2 WO 2008014366A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
end assembly
wheel
lubricant
cartridge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/074395
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2008014366A3 (fr
Inventor
Jay White
Donald Hester
Original Assignee
Hendrickson International Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hendrickson International Corporation filed Critical Hendrickson International Corporation
Publication of WO2008014366A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008014366A2/fr
Publication of WO2008014366A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008014366A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/0005—Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16N—LUBRICATING
    • F16N11/00—Arrangements for supplying grease from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated; Grease cups
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16N—LUBRICATING
    • F16N11/00—Arrangements for supplying grease from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated; Grease cups
    • F16N11/02—Hand-actuated grease cups, e.g. Stauffer cups
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16N—LUBRICATING
    • F16N11/00—Arrangements for supplying grease from a stationary reservoir or the equivalent in or on the machine or member to be lubricated; Grease cups
    • F16N11/04—Spring-loaded devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the lubrication of vehicle wheel end assemblies, and in particular to the lubrication of wheel end assemblies of heavy-duty vehicles, such as tractor-trailers. More particularly, the invention is directed to a cartridge containing a predetermined amount of semifluid grease for lubricating a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle, in which the cartridge includes a nozzle adapted for securely connecting to a lubricant port formed in a wheel hub of the wheel end assembly.
  • Each wheel end assembly typically includes a hub rotatably mounted on a bearing assembly, which includes an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing, which are in turn immovably mounted on the outboard end of the axle, commonly known as an axle spindle.
  • a bearing assembly which includes an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing, which are in turn immovably mounted on the outboard end of the axle, commonly known as an axle spindle.
  • the bearing assembly and surrounding components must be lubricated with oil or grease. Therefore, the wheel end assembly must be sealed to prevent leakage of the lubricant, and also to prevent contaminants from entering the assembly, both of which could be detrimental to its performance.
  • a hubcap is mounted on an outboard end of the wheel hub, and a main seal is rotatably mounted on an inboard end of the hub and the bearing assembly in abutment with the axle spindle, resulting in a closed or sealed wheel end assembly.
  • the grease must be pumped or dispensed into the area of the bearing assembly, which has led to the development of various methods in the prior art for filling the wheel end assembly with the proper amount of semi-fluid grease.
  • metering of the grease to inject the proper amount is an important consideration, since the addition of too much lubricant may create excessive pressure within the wheel end assembly and cause the main seal to leak, while the addition of too little lubricant may lead to inadequate lubrication of the bearing assembly and thus reduce its life.
  • One known prior art method for filling a wheel end assembly with semi-fluid grease involves mounting only the inboard bearing of the bearing assembly on the axle spindle prior to adding the grease to the wheel hub.
  • the inboard bearing is mounted on the axle spindle
  • the wheel hub is mounted on the inboard bearing without the outboard bearing and without a retaining nut, the latter of which typically is used to secure the position of the bearings and the hub on the axle spindle.
  • a nozzle typically is inserted in the gap between the axle spindle and the hub, and a pre-measured amount of semi-fluid grease is dispensed through the nozzle into the gap against the inboard bearing. Once the grease has been added, the outboard bearing is mounted on the axle spindle and the retaining nut is installed and tightened onto the axle spindle.
  • This prior art method includes a distinct disadvantage, since the lack of the installation of the outboard bearing during grease introduction requires that an operator maintain a relatively horizontal position of the wheel hub to prevent damaging the main seal of the wheel end assembly. That is, without the outboard bearing in place, there is a tendency for the outboard end of the wheel hub to drop down onto the axle spindle, which in turn can kink or damage the main seal at the inboard end of the wheel hub.
  • this prior art method may be employed somewhat efficiently during initial assembly of the wheel end assembly with factory- trained assemblers, it is much less practical for use in the field, such as during servicing of the wheel end assembly in a repair/maintenance facility, since the wheel end assembly would have to be at least partially disassembled just to add lubricant. As is well-known in the art, it is desirable for lubrication of a wheel end assembly in the field to be performed with minimal disassembly.
  • Another method which may be used during initial assembly and in the field, involves using a wheel hub that includes a fill port that is formed in the wheel hub.
  • the fill port communicates with a cavity between the inboard and outboard bearings, and a pre-measured amount of semi-fluid grease is dispensed into the wheel end assembly through the port.
  • radially-oriented ports were drilled and tapped through the wall of the wheel hub between the inboard and outboard bearings, but such radially-oriented ports included certain disadvantages, such as increased manufacturing costs and an inability to be used on thin-walled wheel hubs.
  • a need has existed in the art to develop a delivery system for semi-fluid grease having a predetermined amount of grease for use in the field, and which may also find application during initial assembly.
  • One such system has been developed in the prior art, consisting of a flexible plastic bag filled with a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease and a flexible tube, which is inserted into the fill port formed in the wheel hub.
  • the flexible bag exhibits certain disadvantages. More particularly, since the bag is flexible, it may easily slip from a user's hands during the filling operation, the chances of which are increased in the field, since the user's hands may be dirty and thus slippery from working with components that have gathered dirt and grime from over-the-road travel.
  • the bag since the bag is flexible, the bag itself must be squeezed to introduce the semi-fluid grease into the wheel end assembly, and the user may not be able to squeeze substantially all of the premeasured semi-fluid grease out of the bag.
  • the flexible tube that is inserted into the wheel hub fill port does not provide a secure connection to the wheel hub and/or may slip out of the fill port during the filling operation, in either case possibly resulting in spillage or loss of grease intended for introduction into the wheel end assembly.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a lubricant cartridge for delivering semi-fluid grease to a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle that contains a predetermined amount of grease.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lubricant cartridge for delivering semi-fluid grease to a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle that is easy to handle and efficiently dispenses the grease.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a lubricant cartridge for delivering semi-fluid grease to a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle that is capable of securely connecting to a fill port formed in a wheel hub of the wheel end assembly, so that spillage or loss of lubricant during the fill operation is minimized or eliminated.
  • the lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of the present invention includes a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings.
  • the bearings, wheel hub and axle spindle define a cavity in the wheel end assembly.
  • the wheel hub is formed with a port that is in communication with the cavity and atmosphere.
  • the lubricant cartridge includes a generally rigid body that defines a chamber for containing a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease, and a generally rigid nozzle connected to the body.
  • the nozzle includes a first end that is in fluid communication with the chamber and a second end that defines an opening, and the nozzle is formed with features proximate the second end for removably securing the nozzle to the port.
  • Semi-fluid grease contained in the body chamber is selectively urged from the body chamber, through the nozzle, through the port, and into the cavity to lubricate the wheel end assembly.
  • the method includes providing a wheel end assembly.
  • the wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings.
  • the bearings, wheel hub and axle spindle define a cavity in the wheel end assembly.
  • the wheel hub is formed with a port that is in communication with the cavity and atmosphere.
  • a lubricant cartridge is provided, and the lubricant cartridge includes a generally rigid body defining a chamber for holding a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease, and a generally rigid nozzle connected to the body.
  • the nozzle includes a first end which is in fluid communication with the chamber and a second end that defines an opening.
  • the second end of the lubricant cartridge nozzle is removably connected to the wheel hub port, and semi-fluid grease is urged from the body chamber through the nozzle, through the port, and into the cavity.
  • the lubricant cartridge nozzle is removed from the wheel hub port when the semi-fluid grease has been communicated from the cartridge to the cavity.
  • FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a flexible bag of the prior art for containing semi-fluid grease
  • FIG. 2 is a top rear perspective view of the lubricant cartridge of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a top outboard perspective view of an exemplary wheel hub of the type with which the lubricant cartridge of the present invention finds use;
  • FIG. 4. is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the wheel hub shown in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4, shown incorporated into a wheel end assembly which is mounted on an axle spindle, and showing the lubricant cartridge of FIG. 2 securely connected to an axially- oriented fill port of the wheel hub; and
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of another wheel hub, shown incorporated into a wheel end assembly which is mounted on an axle spindle, and showing the lubricant cartridge of FIG. 2 securely connected to a radially-oriented fill port of the wheel hub. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
  • Flexible bag 90 includes a body 92 in which semi-fluid grease is contained.
  • a flexible tube 94 extends from body 92 and includes a distal end 96.
  • Bag 90 is formed of a flexible plastic material. In operation, distal end 96 of tube 94 is trimmed so that an opening (not shown) is formed in the distal end, thus enabling semi-fluid grease in bag 90 to flow from the bag when the bag is squeezed.
  • a user holds body 92, inserts flexible tube 94 in a fill port of a wheel hub, such as fill port 49 formed in wheel hub 42 (FIG. 5), and squeezes the body to force grease out of the opening of distal end 96 of bag 90 and into a cavity 36 (FIG. 5) formed in the wheel hub.
  • a fill port of a wheel hub such as fill port 49 formed in wheel hub 42 (FIG. 5)
  • squeezes the body to force grease out of the opening of distal end 96 of bag 90 and into a cavity 36 (FIG. 5) formed in the wheel hub.
  • flexible bag 90 includes a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease
  • it has certain disadvantages, such as the potential to easily slip from a user's hands due to its flexible nature, especially if the user's hands are dirty and/or slippery; the need to be squeezed about body 92 to force the semi-fluid grease out of the bag; and a lack of a secure connection with fill port 49, which may allow the semi-fluid grease to spill and thereby defeat the goal of using a container with a predetermined amount of lubricant.
  • Lubricant cartridge 210 preferably includes a generally rigid cylindrical body 212, having a first end 214 and a second end 216, and forming an internal chamber 228 (FIG. 4) for containing semi-fluid grease.
  • Preferred body 212 is formed of a cardboard or other paper-based material that is configured in a cylindrical shape, and has an internal lining to resist leaching of the semifluid grease through the cardboard.
  • cylindrical body 212 may be formed of a generally rigid plastic material, in which case an internal lining may not be necessary, since the plastic may resist leaching of the grease.
  • Cylindrical body 212 is sized to be received by and held in a standard caulking gun (not shown).
  • a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease is contained in chamber 228, and is dispensed from the chamber when the caulking gun is operated and thus causes an end cap 218 disposed in body 212 proximate first end 214 to move toward second end 216, as will be described below.
  • a nozzle 220 extends from second end 216 of body 212, and is in fluid communication with chamber 228 to enable semi-fluid grease to be dispensed from the chamber through the nozzle.
  • Nozzle 220 preferably is formed of a plastic or other generally rigid material, and includes a distal end 222 that is capable of being opened by a user and thus is in selective communication with atmosphere.
  • distal end 222 of nozzle 220 may be formed with an opening 232 (FIG. 4) that receives a removable plug 226 (FIG.2), and which is inserted in the nozzle opening when cartridge 210 is not in use, thereby preventing inadvertent escape of semi-fluid grease from the cartridge.
  • distal end 222 may be formed with a closed tip, which is then cut or trimmed by a user to form opening 232 when it is desired to use lubricant cartridge 210.
  • nozzle 220 includes a tapered portion 230.
  • threads 224 preferably are formed on the outer surface of nozzle 220, as will be described in greater detail below.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 is connected to a fill port 121 formed in a wheel hub 118 of a wheel end assembly 102. More particularly, in order to understand the environment in which lubricant cartridge 210 is used, wheel end assembly 102, which is assembled on an axle spindle 100, now will be described.
  • Axle 10 depends from and extends transversely across the trailer of a heavy-duty tractor-trailer (not shown).
  • a typical heavy-duty tractor- trailer includes one or more non-drive axles 10 suspended from the trailer, with each of the axles having a wheel end assembly 102 mounted on each end of the axle.
  • Axle 10 includes a central tube 14, and axle spindle 100 is integrally connected by any suitable means, such as welding, to each end of the central tube.
  • Axle central tube 14 generally is tubular- shaped and is formed with an internal cavity 18.
  • Axle spindle 100 is formed with an internal cavity 101.
  • Wheel end assembly 102 includes a bearing assembly having an inboard bearing 104 and an outboard bearing 106 that are immovably mounted on the outboard end of axle spindle 100. More particularly, inboard bearing 104 is mounted on the outer diameter of axle spindle 100 and its inboard surface is in abutment with a shoulder 108 formed on the axle spindle. Outboard bearing 106 is mounted on the outer diameter of axle spindle 100 near the outboard end of the axle spindle.
  • Wheel hub 1 18 is rotatably mounted on inboard and outboard bearings 104, 106 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
  • a cavity 116 is defined in wheel hub 118 between inboard and outboard bearings 104, 106, and axle spindle 100.
  • a bearing spacer optionally is disposed between bearings 104, 106 in cavity 116 to conveniently maintain proper spacing between the bearings.
  • a nut assembly (not shown) threadably engages the outboard end of axle spindle 100 and secures bearings 104, 106 and any bearing spacer in place.
  • a hubcap (not shown) is mounted on the outboard end of hub 118 by a plurality of bolts that each pass through a respective one of a plurality of openings formed in the hubcap, and threadably engage a respective one of a plurality of aligned openings 124 formed in bosses 119 of the hub.
  • Each opening 124 is formed with threads 123 to facilitate the threadable engagement of the hubcap bolts.
  • the hubcap closes the outboard end of wheel end assembly 102.
  • a main continuous seal 126 is rotatably mounted on the inboard end of wheel end assembly 102 and closes the inboard end of the assembly.
  • seal 126 is mounted on wheel end assembly 102 in a suitable manner and radially bridges hub 118 and axle spindle 100 to seal cavity 116.
  • a plurality of interference-fit studs 128 are used to mount a brake drum, tire rim and tire (not shown) on wheel end assembly 102.
  • a suitable amount of semi-fluid grease lubricant is introduced into cavity 116 through fill port 121 formed in hub 118 using lubricant cartridge 210. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and more fully described in a separate application being filed concurrently herewith by the assignee of the present invention, Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., a selected one of hubcap bolt openings 124, that is, selected opening 124', is drilled deeper inboardly than the other hubcap bolt openings and into cavity 116, to form axially-oriented fill port 121. Fill port 121 is tapped from its outboard end with threads 123'.
  • a visual indicator 129 is placed on the outer surface of hub 118 proximate selected opening 124' in order to enable a user to determine which of hubcap openings 124 is the selected opening and thereby includes fill port 121.
  • nozzle 220 of lubricant cartridge 210 is secured to axially-oriented fill port 121 formed in hub 118. More particularly, threads 224 formed on nozzle 220 mate with threads 123' formed in fill port 121, enabling the nozzle to be threaded into the fill port once plug 226 (FIG. 2) is removed from the nozzle, or once nozzle distal end 222 is trimmed if the plug is not used.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 is securely inserted into and positively mechanically engages the outboard end of fill port 121, for a secure connection therewith.
  • This threadable engagement of nozzle 220 with fill port 121 generally prevents leakage of grease from cartridge 210 or the wheel hub fill port during the fill operation.
  • body 212 of lubricant cartridge 210 is received by and held in a caulking gun.
  • the user squeezes the handle of the caulking gun in a manner well-known in the art, which causes the caulking gun to move end cap 218 (FIG. 2) from first end 214 of body 212 toward second end 216.
  • End cap 218 (FIG. 2)
  • Semi-fluid grease contained in body chamber 228 thus is forced from body 212, through nozzle 220, into fill port 121 and into hub cavity 1 16.
  • the user continues to squeeze the handle of the caulking gun until end cap 218 is proximate second end 216 of body 212, that is, until cartridge chamber 228 is generally empty.
  • the hubcap is not installed during the lubricant fill operation, which allows air within cavity 116 to escape as the semi-fluid grease is injected into the hub, thereby enabling the semi-fluid grease to flow relatively smoothly, providing an easy fill operation.
  • nozzle 220 is removed from threads 123' and a plug (not shown) is threadably engaged with the fill port threads until it bottoms out on the inboardmost threads of fill port 121 to seal cavity 116.
  • hubcap is installed and the hubcap bolts are tightened in hubcap bolt openings 124 and selected opening 124' formed in bosses 119 of hub 118, with the hubcap bolts threadably engaging threads 123, 123' formed in the respective bolt openings.
  • the hubcap may be installed by inserting bolts in bolt openings 124 before filling wheel end assembly 102 with lubricant. More particularly, the bolts may be threaded into each respective non-selected opening 124, while selected opening 124' remains open. Then, nozzle 220 of lubricant cartridge 210 is secured in selected opening 124' and thus to fill port 121 via threadable engagement of nozzle threads 224 with fill port threads 123', as described above. Semi-fluid grease is then introduced into fill port 121 and thus hub cavity 116 from lubricant cartridge 210 as described above. After the lubricant is injected, the plug is threadably engaged with threads 123' formed in fill port 121 to seal the port and cavity 116. Once the plug is in place, the remaining hubcap bolt corresponding to selected opening 124' is inserted and tightened in the selected opening.
  • the internal plug in fill port 121 seals the lubricant within cavity 116 and isolates it from the hubcap bolt, providing a redundant closure of the fill port to reduce the possibility of accidental loss of wheel end lubricant in the event of inadvertent loss of the hubcap bolt, due to an improper installation of the bolt or other event that could cause unintended removal of the bolt from opening 124'.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 is removed from the caulking gun and discarded or recycled.
  • different lubricant cartridges 210 may be designed to contain different premeasured amounts of semi-fluid grease.
  • the amount of grease contained within chamber 228 of each respective cartridge 210 preferably dictates the position of end cap 218, with the end cap being nearer to first end 214 of body 212 for larger amounts of grease, and farther away from the first end for smaller amounts. That is, end cap 218 can be infinitely adjusted to any position between first end 214 and second end 216 to selectively contain a desired amount of semi-fluid grease.
  • second wheel end assembly 12 includes a bearing assembly having an inboard bearing 22 and an outboard bearing 24 immovably mounted on the outboard end of an axle spindle 16. That is, inboard bearing 22 is mounted on the outer diameter of axle spindle 16 with its inboard surface in abutment with a shoulder 26 formed in the axle spindle. Outboard bearing 24 is mounted on axle spindle 16 near the outboard end of the axle spindle, and thereby includes a smaller inner diameter than inboard bearing 22 due to the taper of the axle spindle.
  • a cavity 36 is defined in wheel hub 42 between inboard and outboard bearings 22, 24, and axle spindle 16, and a correspondingly-tapered bearing spacer 28 optionally is disposed between the bearings in the cavity to conveniently maintain proper spacing between the bearings.
  • a nut assembly which includes an inboard nut 30, a lock washer 32, an outboard nut 34, and a set screw 35, threadably engages the outboard end of axle spindle 16 and secures bearings 22, 24 and bearing spacer 28 in place.
  • a wheel hub 42 is rotatably mounted on inboard and outboard bearings 22, 24 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
  • a hubcap (not shown) is mounted on the outboard end of hub 42 by a plurality of bolts that each pass through a respective one of a plurality of openings formed in the hubcap, and threadably engage a respective one of a plurality of aligned threaded openings 44 formed in the hub. In this manner, the hubcap closes the outboard end of wheel end assembly 12.
  • a main continuous seal 46 is rotatably mounted on the inboard end of wheel end assembly 12 and closes the inboard end of the assembly. More particularly, seal 46 is mounted on wheel end assembly 12 in a suitable manner and radially bridges hub 42 and axle spindle 16 to seal cavity 36.
  • a plurality of interference-fit studs 48 (only one shown) are used to mount a brake drum, tire rim and tire (not shown) on wheel end assembly 12. In order to maintain proper lubrication and operation of inboard and outboard bearings
  • a suitable amount of semi-fluid grease is introduced into cavity 36.
  • a radially-oriented fill port 49 is formed in hub 42 between inboard and outboard bearings 22, 24.
  • nozzle 220 of lubricant cartridge 210 is inserted into fill port 49.
  • port 49 may not contain threads that mate with threads 224 formed on nozzle 220.
  • second end 222 of nozzle 220 and threads 224 are of a diameter that is less than the diameter of fill port 49, but the maximum diameter of nozzle tapered portion 230 is greater than that of the fill port.
  • nozzle 220 is capable of being pressed by the user into port 49 until tapered portion 230 seats securely against the portion of the wall of hub 42 that forms the port, for a secure connection therewith.
  • This mechanical engagement or force fit of nozzle 220 with fill port 49 generally prevents leakage of grease from cartridge 210 or the wheel hub fill port during the fill operation, when the nozzle is fully engaged with the fill port and the wall of hub 42.
  • body 212 of lubricant cartridge 210 is received by and held in a caulking gun.
  • the user squeezes the handle of the caulking gun in a manner well-known in the art, which causes the caulking gun to move end cap 218 (FIG. 2) from first end 214 of body 212 toward second end 216.
  • End cap 218 (FIG. 2)
  • Semi-fluid grease contained in body chamber 228 thus is forced from body 212, through nozzle 220, into fill port 49 and into hub cavity 36.
  • the user continues to squeeze the handle of the caulking gun until end cap 218 is proximate second end 216 of body 212, that is, until cartridge chamber 228 is generally empty.
  • a plug (not shown) is inserted into port 49 and is secured in the port as known in the art.
  • the plug may include a pipe-style interfering thread, or may include a standard thread that compresses an O-ring, which seals port 49.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 is removed from the caulking gun and discarded or recycled.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 of the present invention provides an efficient, easy-to-use apparatus for filling wheel end assemblies 12, 102 with a predetermined proper amount of semi-fluid grease. More particularly, lubricant cartridge 210 is capable of providing a secure connection with wheel end assemblies 12, 102 having fill ports 49, 121, regardless of whether or not the fill ports are threaded to mate with cartridge nozzle 220, thereby generally preventing undesirable spillage of a pre-measured amount of grease.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 is received by a standard caulking gun, it is easy for a user to hold and operate, thereby reducing or eliminating the prior art problems of a flexible bag 90 that can easily slip from a user's hands, awkwardly requires the user to squeeze the semi-fluid grease out of the bag, and may allow spillage or loss of grease from the bag or wheel hub fill port.
  • lubricant cartridge 210 may be designed to accommodate different amounts of semi-fluid grease for easy and convenient use with different types of wheel end assemblies.
  • the present invention also includes a method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant using a lubricant cartridge containing a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease, in which the cartridge includes a cylinder containing the grease and a nozzle that is capable of providing a secure connection to a lubricant port formed in a wheel hub of the wheel end assembly.
  • the method includes steps in accordance with the description that is presented above and shown in FIGS. 2-5. It is understood that the present invention finds application in the lubrication of all types of heavy-duty wheel end assemblies known to those skilled in the art, including other types of wheel end assemblies than those shown and described herein, and known to those skilled in the art, without affecting the concept or operation of the invention.
  • the present invention has been described above with reference to wheel end assembles that are associated with non-drive axles, it is contemplated that the present invention may be used with wheel end assemblies that are associated with drive axles without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention.
  • the present invention may be used with all types of fill ports known in the art, including fill ports other than those shown and described above, regardless of location, orientation, and/or whether they include threads.
  • types of mechanical engagement between the lubricant cartridge and wheel hub fill port other than threadable engagement or a force fit may be employed without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention.
  • a quick-connect assembly may be used to connect the lubricant cartridge to the wheel hub fill port.
  • other types of containers for semi-fluid grease that are known in the art may be used in the present invention, such as rel ⁇ llable long-term use cartridges that provide for efficient dispensing of grease, and tubes or containers having a generally rigid body that is also substantially resilient, and having a relatively rigid nozzle.
  • An example of a container having a generally rigid body that is also substantially resilient is a tube that is handled by a user without a caulking gun, and which maintains its shape until it is squeezed and thus deformed by a user, in contrast to prior art flexible bag 90, which generally lacks any rigid properties and typically does not maintain its shape without being supported.
  • the improved lubricant cartridge for wheel end assemblies of heavy-duty vehicles is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient structure which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art lubrication devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Details Of Gearings (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble de roues d'un véhicule utilitaire lourd comprend une paire de paliers montée sur un fuseau d'essieu, et un moyeu de roue monté rotatif sur les paliers, de telle façon que les paliers, le fuseau d'essieu et le moyeu de roue définissent, de façon générale, une cavité dans ledit ensemble de roues. Le moyeu de roue présente un orifice qui communique avec la cavité et avec l'atmosphère. Une cartouche de lubrifiant comprend un corps, généralement rigide, définissant une chambre destinée à contenir une quantité prédéterminée de graisse semi-fluide. La cartouche comprend également une buse, généralement rigide, qui est connectée au corps et est en communication de fluide avec la chambre. La buse définit une ouverture et est formée d'éléments de structure connectant la cartouche à l'orifice du moyeu de la roue. De la graisse semi-fluide est contrainte de se déplacer de la chambre de la cartouche, à travers la buse, à travers l'orifice, puis dans la cavité, de manière à lubrifier l'ensemble de roues.
PCT/US2007/074395 2006-07-27 2007-07-26 Cartouche de lubrifiant pour ensembles de roues WO2008014366A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83368506P 2006-07-27 2006-07-27
US60/833,685 2006-07-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008014366A2 true WO2008014366A2 (fr) 2008-01-31
WO2008014366A3 WO2008014366A3 (fr) 2009-03-05

Family

ID=38982322

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/074395 WO2008014366A2 (fr) 2006-07-27 2007-07-26 Cartouche de lubrifiant pour ensembles de roues

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20080023270A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008014366A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10059156B2 (en) 2012-04-09 2018-08-28 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Hub assembly for a tire inflation system

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7585031B2 (en) * 2006-07-27 2009-09-08 Hendrickson Usa, L.L.C. Wheel hub with lubricant fill port
DE112016004963T5 (de) 2015-10-29 2018-07-12 Hendrickson Usa, L.L.C. Einfüllöffnung für Radnabenschmiermittel für schwere Nutzfahrzeuge

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2493891A (en) * 1944-07-31 1950-01-10 Arch W Mccarty Grease gun cartridge
US3231317A (en) * 1963-03-28 1966-01-25 Walter H Dudar Emergency lubrication systems for bearings, journal boxes, and the like
US3780830A (en) * 1972-04-24 1973-12-25 K P Manuf Inc Cartridge-type grease guns
US4483375A (en) * 1982-05-20 1984-11-20 Martin Jose L Grease gun filler
US5658053A (en) * 1995-03-24 1997-08-19 Vencill; R. Lee Shaft re-greasing hub
CA2284568C (fr) * 1997-03-22 2004-05-18 Mato Maschinen- Und Metallwarenfabrik Curt Matthaei Gmbh & Co. Kg Presse destinee a comprimer des lubrifiants et cartouche utilisee a cet effet

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10059156B2 (en) 2012-04-09 2018-08-28 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc Hub assembly for a tire inflation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008014366A3 (fr) 2009-03-05
US20080023270A1 (en) 2008-01-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7585031B2 (en) Wheel hub with lubricant fill port
CN108136821B (zh) 重型车辆轮毂润滑剂填充端口
US5658053A (en) Shaft re-greasing hub
US6719028B2 (en) Wheel end assembly with spindle sleeve
US7690412B1 (en) Drive axle with air passage for tire inflation system
US10976006B2 (en) Grease tool for repacking dual angular contact bearing with grease, and method of using same
US7357225B2 (en) Two part oil or fluid drain plug with magnet
US5908145A (en) Pneumatic tire sealant dispenser
US20090283190A1 (en) Integrated rotary union and hub cap
AU2006287899B2 (en) Hubcap for heavy-duty vehicles
US20080023270A1 (en) Lubricant cartridge for wheel end assemblies
US6203114B1 (en) Temperature indicator for a semi-fluid synthetic grease filled axle
US20080061623A1 (en) Hubcap for heavy-duty vehicles
US20200148014A1 (en) Steer axle tire inflation system
US20050194079A1 (en) Easy maintenance automatic tire inflation system
US7125084B2 (en) Environment protector-pressurized wheel hub
US4027743A (en) Axle end oil fill and leakage detector method of charging lubricant
CN210941723U (zh) 一种可增加润滑剂的踏板结构
US20120235463A1 (en) Driven wheel assembly and automotive vehicle equipped with such an assembly
AU1359400A (en) Temperature indicator for a semi-fluid synthetic grease filled axle
US20060231336A1 (en) Pressure compensated lube oil system
US2937060A (en) Wheel hub construction
US1818464A (en) Lubricating system
US4103762A (en) Method and device for repairing damaged bleeder valve apertures
US639085A (en) Vehicle-axle oiler.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: RU

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 07799827

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2