Patent ID: 6071032
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: B60G,B62D,F16C,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A kingpin assembly, comprising:an axle having an upper side and a lower side, and an end portion with a generally vertically extending bore;a steering spindle having integral upper and lower yokes positioned at said axle end portion and adjacent respective said upper and lower sides of the axle, the upper and lower yokes of the steering spindle having internal surfaces defining respective upper and lower steering spindle bores in registration with said axle bore;a substantially cylindrical kingpin having a central portion disposed within the axle bore, and a pair of opposite, cylindrical end portions received within said respective upper and lower steering spindle bores, the end portions having peripheral surfaces in spaced relation from the internal surfaces of the respective upper and lower steering spindle bores to define an annular gap between the peripheries of the kingpin end portions and the internal surfaces of the respective upper and lower steering spindle bores;a pair of keepers engaged with the axle and the central portion of the kingpin to secure the central portion of the kingpin in substantially stationary position within the axle bore;a tapered thrust washer disposed between the lower side of the axle end portion and the lower yoke;first and second annular sleeves each having an interior wall defining a cylindrical hollow internal sleeve bore and being secured within the respective steering spindle bore, with each of said first and second sleeves being secured within a respective one of said upper and lower steering spindle bores and received in said annular gaps between the peripheries of the kingpin end portions and the internal surfaces defining the respective steering spindle bores;a pair of metal roller bearings mounted in the sleeve bores of each of the first and second sleeves in spaced relation with respect to one another, with the metal roller bearings having internal metal rolling elements;a grease reservoir in each of said first and second sleeves in the region between said pair of metal roller bearings for receiving grease and retaining grease for lubrication of the rolling elements;precisely machined and highly polished, cylindrical surfaces on the peripheries of the kingpin ends machined to predetermined tolerances to have a close fit with the respective said internal metal rolling elements to reduce road pounding motion therebetween and being highly polished to provide smooth rolling engagement with the internal metal rolling elements;precisely machined and highly polished, inner cylindrical surfaces on said first and second sleeves with the internal metal rolling elements rolling with respect to the highly polished, cylindrical surfaces on the kingpin ends and sleeve inner surfaces for low friction oscillatory movement of the steering spindle with respect to the end portion of the axle; anddouble seals at the ends of the respective annular sleeves engaging the cylindrical surfaces on the kingpin ends for keeping out foreign materials and for retaining grease within the respective sleeve.