US 11,891,141 B2
Knuckle for a self-steering axle/suspension system
Jay D. White, North Canton, OH (US); David L. Schaeffer, Louisville, OH (US); and Dhawal P. Dharaiya, Twinsburg, OH (US)
Assigned to Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
Filed by Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/529,363.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/126,193, filed on Dec. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0185369 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 7/18 (2006.01); B60C 23/00 (2006.01); F16D 65/00 (2006.01); B60T 1/06 (2006.01); F16D 51/00 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 7/18 (2013.01) [B60C 23/00318 (2020.05); F16D 65/0062 (2013.01); B60G 2200/31 (2013.01); B60G 2200/445 (2013.01); B60G 2204/43 (2013.01); B60G 2206/50 (2013.01); B60T 1/067 (2013.01); F16D 2051/003 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A knuckle for a self-steering axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a drum brake system, said knuckle comprising:
a body, said body being adapted for receiving a king pin of said self-steering axle/suspension system for pivotal connection of said knuckle to an axle of said self-steering axle/suspension system;
a spindle extending from an outboard surface of said body;
a first arm extending from an inboard surface of said body, said first arm having an opening for receiving a first end portion of said king pin;
a second arm extending from said inboard surface of said body, said second arm having an opening coaxially aligned with said opening of said first arm for receiving an opposite second end portion of said king pin; and
drum brake system component mounting structure, said drum brake system component mounting structure including:
at least one brake shoe mounting opening; and
a cam tube opening, said drum brake system component mounting structure mounting one or more components of said drum brake system, wherein said body, said first arm, said second arm, and said drum brake system component mounting structure are integrally formed, a distance between an outboard end of a bearing shoulder of said spindle and a vertical axis extending through said first arm opening and said second arm opening is within about 7.5 inches to about 10.5 inches, and a distance between a vertical centerline of said at least one brake shoe mounting opening and said vertical axis is within about 4.0 inches to about 7.0 inches.