An apparatus for joining structural members of a wheel suspension system with an axle housing

摘要

An axle connection device (100) designed to be welded to an axle housing (102) to permit a vehicle suspension system (106) to be connected to the axle housing (102) is disclosed. The device (100) includes a generally flat baseplate (132) having curvilinear ends (134) separated by a relatively long and narrow waist (136). Each end includes a curvilinear side rim (138) and two rounded corners (140, 142) from which longitudinally extending edges positioned on opposite sides of the device (100) smoothly taper towards the waist (136). The device (100) also includes a generally horizontally projecting plane (144) having a waist (146) aligned with the waist (136) of the baseplate (132) to divide the plane (144) into two distinct portions. The plane (144) also has two supporting sidewalls (148). Both sidewalls (148) extend from just inside the rounded corners (140, 142) of a respective end of the baseplate (132) and taper towards associated corners of the horizontally projecting plane (144). Each portion of the plane (144) includes a generally rounded boss (150) extending from the plane (144). A slot (152) extending from the intersection of the baseplate (132) and the plane (144) is incorporated in each boss (150) to allow a connection bolt (128) to pass through the device (100). The construction of the device (100) permits it to accommodate varying pinion angles and axle housing (102) mismatch. The preferred method of welding the axle connection device (100) to the axle housing (102) is also disclosed.