초록 ▼

A multi-piece steering knuckle having at least one boss which is adjustable in position along an axis of a king pin. More particularly, a steering knuckle including at least one boss which can be assembled, employing unique methodology, to minimize space tolerances between the steering knuckle boss

A multi-piece steering knuckle having at least one boss which is adjustable in position along an axis of a king pin. More particularly, a steering knuckle including at least one boss which can be assembled, employing unique methodology, to minimize space tolerances between the steering knuckle boss and an axle. In preferred embodiments, a steering knuckle boss which can be installed by press-fit methods to be selectively positioned in a desired position along an axis of a king pin in a non-finite number of incremental positions. In another embodiment, a steering knuckle boss having, optionally, an inner wall composed of, at least in part, a nickel-aluminum bronze alloy.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A method of assembling a steering knuckle to a steerable axle, said steerable axle having an axle beam and a kingpin mounted in an end thereof, said method comprising: assembling a lower yoke arm of a steering knuckle to a first end of said kingpin so that a lower kingpin housing connec

I claim: 1. A method of assembling a steering knuckle to a steerable axle, said steerable axle having an axle beam and a kingpin mounted in an end thereof, said method comprising: assembling a lower yoke arm of a steering knuckle to a first end of said kingpin so that a lower kingpin housing connected to said lower yoke arm is in receipt of at least a portion of said first end of said kingpin; assembling an upper yoke arm of said steering knuckle to a second end of said kingpin so that an upper kingpin housing associated with said upper yoke arm is in receipt of at least a portion of said second end of said kingpin; and press fitting said upper kingpin housing into an aperture of said upper yoke arm so that said upper kingpin housing is immovably connected to said upper yoke arm and so that non-functional gaps between said upper kingpin housing and an area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin are substantially eliminated. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said upper kingpin housing is press fit into a position in said upper yoke arm so that during vehicle operation, substantial oscillation of said kingpin in and out of said upper and lower kingpin housings is prevented. 3. A method according to claim 2 further including the method step of press fitting said lower kingpin housing into an aperture of said lower yoke arm so that said lower kingpin housing is immovably connected to said lower yoke arm. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said upper yoke arm and said lower yoke arm are integrally formed with a knuckle body having a spindle. 5. A method according to claim 4 further including a method step of press fitting said spindle into said knuckle body. 6. A method according to claim 2 wherein said lower yoke arm is integrally formed with a knuckle body having an aperture for a spindle; and wherein said upper yoke arm is attachable and detachable from said knuckle body via mechanical connection. 7. A method according to claim 6 further including a method step of press fitting a spindle into said aperture of said knuckle body. 8. A method according to claim 6 further including a method step of determining an optimum press fit depth of said upper kingpin housing in an aperture of said upper yoke arm, said optimum press fit depth corresponding to a location of said upper kingpin housing within said aperture of said upper yoke arm at which non-functional gaps between said upper kingpin housing and an area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin are substantially eliminated thereby reducing wear to the steering knuckle and steerable axle. 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said method step of assembling said upper yoke arm of said steering knuckle to said second end of said kingpin further comprises: after assembling said lower kingpin housing to said first end of said kingpin, orienting said upper kingpin housing such that an aperture of said upper kingpin housing is in substantial alignment with said second end of said kingpin; mechanically, rigidly connecting said upper yoke arm to said knuckle body; and press fitting said upper kingpin housing into said upper yoke arm so that said aperture of said upper kingpin housing is in receipt of at least a portion of said second end of said kingpin and such that said upper kingpin housing is immovably connected to said upper yoke arm via interference fit. 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein prior to press fitting said upper kingpin housing into said upper yoke arm, said upper kingpin housing is movably installed in an aperture of said upper yoke arm. 11. A method according to claim 9 wherein in said step of mechanically, rigidly connecting said upper yoke arm to said knuckle body, said upper yoke arm is bolted to said knuckle body. 12. A method according to claim 9 wherein when said steering knuckle is installed on said steerable axle and said steerable axle is installed on a vehicle, during vehicle operation, an upper functional space transitionally exists between said upper kingpin housing and said area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin and a lower functional space transitionally exists between said lower kingpin housing and said area of said axle beam surrounding said first end of said kingpin; and wherein the sum value of said upper functional space and said lower functional space is selected from with a range of between approximately 0-1.5 millimeters. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said sum value of said functional spaces is equal to or less than approximately 1.5 millimeters. 14. A method according to claim 9 further including the method step of press fitting said lower kingpin housing into said lower yoke arm so that said lower kingpin housing is immovably connected to said lower yoke arm. 15. Apparatus comprising: a steerable axle having an axle beam, said axle beam having a top surface and a bottom surface, a kingpin mounted in an end of said axle beam such that a first end of said kingpin extends generally upwardly from said top surface of said axle and such that a second end of said kingpin extends generally downwardly from said bottom surface of said axle; and a steering knuckle steerably connected to said steerable axle, said steering knuckle comprising: a first yoke arm having a first boss associated therewith, said first boss having an aperture in receipt of said first end of said kingpin; a second yoke arm having a second boss associated therewith, said second boss having an aperture in receipt of said second end of said kingpin; a knuckle body to which said first and said second yoke arms are connected, said knuckle body having a spindle extending outwardly therefrom for carrying a vehicle wheel; and wherein at least one of said first boss and said second boss is press fit to a respective yoke arm such that non-functional gaps between said first boss and said top surface of said axle and between said second boss and said bottom surface of said axle are substantially eliminated. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in combination with a wheeled vehicle; wherein during vehicle operation a first functional space transitionally exists between said first boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said first end of said kingpin and a second functional space transitionally exists between said second boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin; and wherein the sum value of said first functional space and said second functional space is selected from with a range of between approximately 0-1.5 millimeters. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said first yoke arm is integrally formed with said knuckle body; and wherein said second yoke arm is attachable and detachable from said knuckle body via mechanical connection. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said mechanical connection comprises male and female threaded members being threadably engageable one to the other. 19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first and said second bosses include fill ports for receiving lubricant therein. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said first and said second bosses have bearing surfaces comprising at least in part a nickel-aluminum bronze alloy. 21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said first and said second bosses each include port caps for sealing said fill ports, said port caps comprising threaded cap members having o-rings to seal said fill ports. 22. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said first and said second yoke arms are integrally formed with said knuckle body. 23. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 22 wherein said spindle is press fit into said knuckle body. 24. A steerable axle, steering knuckle, and wheel combination for mounting on a heavy duty truck, the improvement comprising the steering knuckle according to claim 16. 25. A method of assembling a steering knuckle to a steerable axle, said steerable axle having an axle beam and a kingpin mounted in an end thereof, said method comprising: assembling a first boss of a first yoke arm to a first end of said kingpin; assembling a second boss of a second yoke arm to a second end of said kingpin at an initial location; axially adjusting the position of said second boss along a longitudinal axis of said kingpin from said initial location to a fixed location, said fixed location being selected so that substantial gaps between said first boss and an area of said axle beam surrounding said first end of said kingpin and between said second boss and an area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin are substantially eliminated; said adjustment of the position of said second boss being performed in a method step wherein said second boss is press fit into an aperture of said second yoke arm so that said second boss is immovably installed in said aperture of said second yoke arm via interference fit. 26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said substantial elimination of substantial gaps is defined as a substantial elimination of non-functional gaps between said first boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said first end of said kingpin and between said second boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin. 27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said method step of assembling said upper yoke arm of said steering knuckle to said second end of said kingpin further comprises: after assembling said first boss to said first end of said kingpin, mechanically, rigidly connecting said second yoke arm to said knuckle body and orienting said second boss such that an aperture of said second boss is in substantial axial alignment with said second end of said kingpin; and press fitting said second boss into said second yoke arm so that said aperture of said second is in receipt of at least a portion of said second end of said kingpin and such that said second boss is immovably connected to said second yoke arm via interference fit. 28. A method according to claim 27 wherein prior to press fitting said second boss into said second yoke arm, said second boss is movably installed in an aperture of said second yoke arm. 29. A method according to claim 27 further including a method step of determining an optimum press fit depth of said second boss in an aperture of said second yoke arm, said optimum press fit depth corresponding to a location of said second boss within said aperture of said second yoke arm at which non-functional gaps between said second boss and an area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin are substantially eliminated thereby reducing wear to the steering knuckle and steerable axle. 30. A method according to claim 25 wherein when said steering knuckle is installed on said steerable axle and said steerable axle is installed on a vehicle, during vehicle operation, a first functional space transitionally exists between said first boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said first end of said kingpin and a second functional space transitionally exists between said second boss and said area of said axle beam surrounding said second end of said kingpin; and wherein the sum value of said first functional space and said second functional space is selected from with a range of between approximately 0-1.5 millimeters. 31. A method of assembling a steering knuckle to a steerable axle having a kingpin, said steering knuckle comprising: a knuckle body having a spindle extending therefrom for assembly of a wheel thereto; an upper yoke arm having a first boss associated therewith, said first boss including a first aperture for receiving a first end of said kingpin; a lower yoke arm having a second boss associated therewith, said second boss including a second aperture for receiving a second end of said kingpin; at least one of said upper and lower yoke arms and its respective boss associated therewith including matable friction fit connection surfaces for connecting said at least one yoke arm to its associated boss via interference fit, and further wherein said boss is immovably connectable to its said associated yoke arm in a plurality of axial positions selectable to tailor fit said boss to said kingpin of said steerable axle to prevent substantial movement of said kingpin axially within said first and said second apertures while simultaneously permitting rotational movement of said kingpin within said first and said second apertures; wherein said method comprises: assembling said upper yoke arm and said first boss on said kingpin of said steerable axle such that said first aperture of said first boss is in receipt of at least a portion of said first end of said kingpin; assembling said lower yoke arm and said second boss on said kingpin of said steerable axle such that said second aperture of said second boss is in receipt of at least a portion of said second end of said kingpin; press fitting at least one of said first boss or said second boss into a yoke aperture of said upper or said lower yoke arm so that any substantial non-functional gaps between said first boss and an area of said steerable axle surrounding said first end of said kingpin and between said second boss and an area of said steerable axle surrounding said second end of said kingpin are eliminated. 32. A method according to claim 31 further including installing said steerable axle on a vehicle. 33. A method according to claim 31 wherein said upper yoke arm is selectively connectable and disconnectable to said knuckle body, and wherein said method further includes a method step of connecting said upper yoke arm rigidly to said knuckle body. 34. A method according to claim 33 further including installing a wheel assembly on said spindle. 35. A method a according to claim 31 wherein when said steering knuckle is installed on said steerable axle and said steerable axle is installed on a vehicle, during vehicle operation, an first functional space transitionally exists between said first boss and said area of said steerable axle surrounding said first end of said kingpin and a second functional space transitionally exists between said second boss and said area of said steerable axle surrounding said second end of said kingpin; and wherein the sum value of said first functional space and said second functional space is selected from with a range of between approximately 0-1.5 millimeters.