US 12,228,186 B2
Wheel end assembly
Deval H. Shah, Novi, MI (US); Stephen A. Federighe, Washington, MI (US); and Jeffrey C. Audet, Chesterfield, MI (US)
Assigned to ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed by ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/991,861.
Prior Publication US 2022/0049751 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. F16D 65/22 (2006.01); B60T 1/06 (2006.01); F16D 51/00 (2006.01); F16D 125/30 (2012.01)
CPC F16D 65/22 (2013.01) [B60T 1/067 (2013.01); F16D 2051/003 (2013.01); F16D 2125/30 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wheel end assembly comprising:
a knuckle that includes:
a spindle mounting surface; and
a first mounting boss that extends from the spindle mounting surface, wherein the first mounting boss includes a first boss portion and a second boss portion that is spaced apart from the first boss portion;
a brake spider having a mounting flange that is directly mounted to the first boss portion and the second boss portion; and
a drum brake assembly mounted to the brake spider, wherein the drum brake assembly includes a brake pad assembly that extends partially around the first mounting boss;
wherein the first boss portion has an inner surface that faces toward an axis and is radially disposed with respect to the axis, an outer surface that is disposed opposite the inner surface and that faces away from the axis, a first end surface that engages the brake spider, and a first connecting surface that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface, the second boss portion has an inner surface that faces toward the axis and is radially disposed with respect to the axis, an outer surface that is disposed opposite the inner surface and that faces away from the axis, a second end surface that engages the brake spider, and a second connecting surface that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface, wherein an opening extends between the first boss portion and the second boss portion from the first connecting surface to the second connecting surface and separates the first boss portion from the second boss portion, wherein the opening is at least partially defined by the first boss portion, the second boss portion, and an opening bottom surface that extends from the first boss portion to the second boss portion, wherein the opening bottom surface is offset from the spindle mounting surface.