Hydrostatic transaxle and brake arrangement therefor
US5087227A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20468
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hydrostatic transaxle is disclosed of the type having a central manifold (13) and right and left motor axle assemblies (15, 17). Each motor axle assembly includes a fluid motor (35) and a speed reduction gear set (51). The manifold defines a pair of aligned openings (81R, 81L) and disposed therein is a pair of elongated brake actuation members (83R, 83L), each member being axially moveable in its opening away from a central reference plane (RP). A cam means (95) defines right and left cam surfaces (107R, 107L) engaging the brake actuation members. Movement of the cam means forces the actuation members axially outward, until each engages friction pad (109), providing braking of a reaction plate (115) between the friction pad and a back up plate (119). The disclosed braking arrangement is simple and inexpensive, and achieves braking upstream of the reduction gear set, thus requiring less braking torque than would be required in the case of a conventional wheel brake. Also disclosed is an embodiment (FIG. 7) in which the brake arrangements in the right and left motor axle assemblies may be actuated independently of each other.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.