US 12,403,762 B2
Axle assembly having a shift mechanism
Christopher Keeney, Troy, MI (US); Jeremy L. Cradit, Troy, MI (US); and David M Zueski, Troy, MI (US)
Assigned to ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed by ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/297,782.
Prior Publication US 2024/0336120 A1, Oct. 10, 2024
Int. Cl. B60K 17/16 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/348 (2006.01); F16D 11/00 (2006.01); F16D 28/00 (2006.01); F16H 61/12 (2010.01); F16H 63/30 (2006.01); F16H 63/38 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 17/165 (2013.01) [B60K 2001/001 (2013.01); B60K 17/348 (2013.01); F16D 2011/004 (2013.01); F16D 2011/006 (2013.01); F16D 28/00 (2013.01); F16H 2061/1288 (2013.01); F16H 63/3013 (2013.01); F16H 63/304 (2013.01); F16H 2063/3089 (2013.01); F16H 2063/3093 (2013.01); F16H 63/38 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An axle assembly comprising:
a drive pinion that is rotatable about an axis;
a transmission that includes a set of drive pinion gears that is spaced apart from the drive pinion and is rotatable about the axis; and
a shift mechanism that includes:
a shift collar that is rotatable about the axis with the drive pinion and moveable along the axis with respect to the drive pinion;
an actuator that is configured to move the shift collar along the axis to selectively connect a member of the set of drive pinion gears to the drive pinion;
a linkage that is operatively connected to the actuator and the shift collar and is rotatable about an actuator axis, the linkage having a linkage gear; and
a drive member that is rotatable about a drive member axis, wherein the drive member has a drive member gear that has teeth that mesh with teeth of the linkage gear, wherein the shift collar is moveable along the axis when the actuator rotates the linkage and when the drive member is manually actuated to rotate the linkage.