US 12,434,559 B1
Systems and methods for disconnecting vehicle axles
Anthony Pescara, Oregon, OH (US); and Peter A. Beesley, Fort Wayne, IN (US)
Assigned to DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed by Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC, Maumee, OH (US)
Filed on Jul. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/775,621.
Int. Cl. F16D 11/14 (2006.01); B60K 23/08 (2006.01); F16D 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60K 23/08 (2013.01) [F16D 11/14 (2013.01); F16D 2011/002 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A system for a wheel-end disconnect in an electric vehicle, comprising:
an adapter gear having inner splines configured to mate with splines on an axle shaft of the vehicle and outer splines configured to mate with splines in a wheel hub of the vehicle;
a tow adapter configured to retain an end of the axle shaft, wherein the tow adapter is configured to not engage with the splines on the wheel hub and the axle shaft, wherein the tow adapter comprises a tapered cylindrical body, wherein a diameter of a first end of the tapered cylindrical body is less than a diameter of a second end of the tapered cylindrical body, and wherein the tapered cylindrical body forms an orifice extending all the way through the tow adapter in a direction from the first end to the second end; and
a fastener on the end of a spindle of the axle shaft, wherein the fastener is configured to retain the adapter gear and the tow adapter in the wheel hub.