Dampener mount for axle housing
A dampener mount for an axle to absorb/dampen/inhibit power-hop induced oscillations in a rear axle assembly. A housing for the axle assembly incorporates a mount for attaching a shock absorber/dampener which is in turn connected to the unsparing mass of a vehicle. Preferably the shock absorber/dampener is secured to a bracket connected or otherwise formed with the housing cover.
1 . A drive axle assembly connected to a sprung mass of a vehicle, said drive axle assembly comprising:
a hollow axle housing having an opening therethrough;
a removable cover member provided to cover said opening in said axle housing, said cover having at least one bracket facilitating a connection to a shock absorber, wherein said shock absorber is connected between said cover and said sprung mass of said vehicle to directly dampen relative movement there between.
2 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said shock absorber extends substantially horizontally and substantially in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle.
3 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cover includes a bracket integrally formed thereto facilitating said connection to said sprung mass of said vehicle.
4 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said bracket is homogenously formed with said cover as a unitary body.
5 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 4 , wherein said bracket includes two juxtaposed parallel upright members each having an aligned bore for receiving a bolt to connect with said shock absorber.
6 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said bracket includes two juxtaposed parallel upright members each having an aligned bore for receiving a bolt to connect with said shock absorber.
7 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said bracket is formed of a substantially U-shaped member bolted to a top substantially planar surface of said cover.
8 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said shock absorber is connected directly to said bracket of said cover and directly to said sprung mass of said vehicle.
9 . The drive axle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said shock absorber extends substantially horizontally and substantially in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle proximate a longitudinal centerline of said vehicle.
10 . An axle assembly in combination with a vehicle having a suspension assembly connecting said axle assembly to an sprung mass of said vehicle; said axle assembly comprising:
a housing,
a differential gear set disposed within said housing for permitting differential rotation between a pair of output shafts drivingly connected to a pair of wheels; and
a shock absorber connected between said differential housing and said sprung mass of said vehicle.
11 . The combination according to claim 10 , wherein said housing includes a removable cover, said cover having a bracket integrally formed thereto and connected to said shock absorber facilitating said connection to said sprung mass of said vehicle.
12 . The combination according to claim 11 , wherein said bracket is homogenously formed with said cover as a unitary body.
13 . The combination according to claim 12 , wherein said bracket includes two juxtaposed parallel upright members each having an aligned bore for receiving a bolt to connect with said shock absorber.
14 . The combination according to claim 11 , wherein said bracket includes two juxtaposed parallel upright members each having an aligned bore for receiving a bolt to connect with said shock absorber.
15 . The combination according to claim 14 , wherein said bracket is formed of a substantially U-shaped member bolted to a top substantially planar surface of said cover.