Patent ID: 7866759
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B21C,B21K,B60B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tubular axle housing formed from an integral tubular blank, the tubular axle housing defining a longitudinal axis along its length, the tubular axle housing comprising: a carrier end for supporting a brake assembly, a flange end opposite the carrier end for attaching the axle housing to a vehicle, and a main body extending between the carrier and flange ends; the main body including a first load bearing region longitudinally spaced from the carrier end, a second load bearing region between the first load bearing region and the flange end, and a central portion between the first and second load bearing regions having a central wall thickness, a central inner diameter and a central outer diameter; the first load bearing region being locally outwardly thickened and having a first wall thickness, a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first wall thickness being defined by the difference between the first outer diameter and the first inner diameter; and the second load bearing region being locally inwardly thickened and having a second wall thickness, a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, the second wall thickness being defined by the difference between the second outer diameter and the second inner diameter, wherein the central outer diameter is smaller than the first outer diameter, the central inner diameter is larger than the second inner diameter and the central wall thickness is smaller than the first and second wall thicknesses.