Patent ID: 8251861
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: B60K,F16D,F16H

Abstract:
1. A planetary wheel end assembly comprising: an axle shaft defining an axis of rotation, said axle shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end, wherein the inboard end is configured to be coupled to a differential gear assembly that receives driving input; a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear driven by said axle shaft, a plurality of planet gears in meshing engagement with said sun gear, a non-rotating ring gear in meshing engagement with said plurality of planet gears, and a planetary spider supporting said planet gears, said planetary spider providing a driving output to rotate a wheel component; an output shaft driven by said planetary spider, said output shaft including a bore that receives an outboard end of said planetary spider; first and second wheel bearings that support said output shaft for rotation relative to a housing, said outboard end of said planetary spider being positioned axially between said first and second bearings; and a rotational support element positioned radially between said outboard end of said axle shaft and said planetary spider to allow relative rotation between said planetary spider and said outboard end of said axle shaft.