US 20110192672Al

(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0192672 A1
Patki et al.
(54) VEHICLE CHASSIS FRAME PROVIDING DRIVE LINE OPTIMIZATION

(43) Pub. Date:

(51) Int CL

Aug. 11, 2011

Publication Classi?cation

B60K 17/24 B21D 53/88

(2006.01) (2006.01)

(75) Inventorsl

gnarl" AziPlltk Pune1E/IIN);I Juan '

(hzxrgigo e a arza, on errey

(52) us. Cl. ...................................... .. 180/379; 29/8972

(57) ABSTRACT
A Vehicle chassis frame includes a left chassis frame rail; a right chassis frame rail; a plurality of cross members, and a mini cross member. The cross members connect the left chas

(73)

Assignee;

International Truck Intellectual

property Company, LLC

Warrenville IL (Us)

sis frame rail to the left chassis frame rail. The ?rst propeller
shaft is operatively con?gured to connect a transmission to a

joint. The ?rst propeller shaft is supported by a center bearing

bracket and support. The joint is operatively con?gured to

connect a second propeller shaft to the ?rst propeller shaft.

(21)

Appl' N05

12/704,197

(22) Filed:

Feb. 11, 2010

The second propeller shaft drives the rear axle of the Vehicle. A mini-cross member may be coupled the left and right chas sis frame rails proximate the joint and supports the center hearing bracket and support for the ?rst propeller shaft.

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160

180

FIG. 1 A(PRITO)R

170

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mEaHin2:

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L
80

FIG. 3

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.QE N

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26

30

FIG. 8

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13

52 50 50

FIG. 9

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50

14

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PROVIDING A LEFT CHASSIS FRAME RAIL

fQO
PROVIDING A RIGHT CHASSIS FRAME RAIL

f92
AFFIXING A PLURALITY OF CROSS MEMBERS CONNECTING THE LEFT CHASSIS FRAME RAIL TO THE RIGHT CHASSIS FRAME RAIL

PROVIDING A FIRST PROPELLER SHAFT OPERATIVELY CONFIGURED TO CONNECT THE TRANSMISSION TO A JOINT

fgs
COUPLING A MINI CROSS MEMBER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT CHASSIS FRAME RAILS PROXIMATE THE JOINT

FIG. 11

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VEHICLE CHASSIS FRAME PROVIDING DRIVE LINE OPTIMIZATION BACKGROUND

Given the constraints of the cross-members 118, it may also be challenging to adjust the Wheel base for a vehicle due to the available driveline combination.
SUMMARY

[0001]

The present disclosure relates generally to a chassis

frame for a vehicle Which supports one or more propeller

shafts. [0002] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in vehicles 150 such as, but not limited to semi-trucks, a front mounted engine (not

[0006] A vehicle chassis frame is provided according to the embodiment(s) disclosed herein. The vehicle chassis frame
includes a left chassis frame rail; a right chassis frame rail; a plurality of cross members, and a mini cross member. The cross members connect the left chassis frame rail to the left

shoWn) is generally coupled through a drive shaft 114, a differential gear (not shoWn) and rear axles (not shoWn) to
drive the rear Wheels 160 of the vehicle 150. Multiple drive shafts 114', 114", 114'", as shoWn in FIG. 1, are commonly
used to send poWer from a central differential, transmission or

chassis frame rail. The ?rst propeller shaft is operatively

con?gured to connect a transmission to a joint. The ?rst

propeller shaft is supported by a center bearing bracket and

support. The joint is operatively con?gured to connect a sec ond propeller shaft to the ?rst propeller shaft. The second
propeller shaft drives the rear axle of the vehicle. A mini-cross

transaxle to the Wheels 160. In front-engine, rear-drive vehicles 150, a longer drive shaft or multiple drive shafts may also be required to send poWer along the length of a vehicle. A Hotchkiss drive may be used Where the Hotchkiss drive has tWo or more joints. A drive shaft connecting the gearbox to a
rear differential is called a propeller shaft or prop-shaft 114.A

member may be coupled the left and right chassis frame rails proximate the joint and supports the center bearing bracket and support for the ?rst propeller shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

prop-shaft assembly 114 consists of a propeller shaft 114, and

joint(s) 116, 117. [0003] Depending upon several factors including the dis
tance betWeen the transmission and the differential gear and

[0007] Features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure Will become apparent by reference to the

the angular to the differential gear and the angular misalign

ment betWeen the output of the transmission and the input to the differential gear, the drive shaft is generally in the form of

folloWing detailed description and draWings, in Which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps not identical, components. For the sake of brevity, reference
numerals or features having a previously described function may or may not be described in connection With other draW

a split shaft having approximately three shaft sections 114',

114", 114" With adjacent sections coupled together through a

joints 116, 117 as shoWn in FIG. 1. For example, the output from the vehicle transmission may be coupled through a universal joint to a coupling shaft Which is in turn coupled
through a second universal joint to a drive shaft Which is

ings in Which they appear. [0008] FIG. 1 side, schematic vieW of prior art propeller
shafts that are supported by a traditional chassis frame in a truck. [0009] FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective vieW of a prior art
chassis frame for a truck.

coupled through a third universal joint to the differential gear.

One or more of the joints are provided in the drive shaft With,

typically, one joint betWeen the coupling shaft and the drive shaft. The joints permit variations in the spacing betWeen the transmission and the differential gear due to manufacturing tolerances and also permit limited changes in the spacing
When the differential gear moves With the rear suspension

[0010]

FIG. 3 is a side, schematic vieW of propeller shafts

Wherein a mini-cross member of the present disclosure is

supporting the propeller shaft.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective vieW of a chassis frame for the truck of FIG. 3. [0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, isometric vieW of an embodi ment of a mini-cross member of the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 6 is a top vieW of an embodiment ofthe mini cross member of the present disclosure. [0014] FIG. 7 is a front vieW of an embodiment of the mini-cross member of the present disclosure. [0015] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional vieW ofan embodiment of the mini-cross member of FIG. 5 along A-A. [0016] FIG. 9 is a partial, perspective vieW of a propeller

system for the vehicle. In order to provide stability for the system, it is necessary to support the coupling shaft adjacent the second joint. The rotating shaft is engaged With a bearing
Which is embedded in a resilient rubber busing Which is in turn attached through a bracket to the vehicle chassis frame.

[0004] The propeller shaft length 114, and the number of propeller shafts 114 required and the angle of the propeller
shafts are traditionally determined by cross member 118 loca

tions to provide the required support to the drive line, and the

availability of propeller shafts for the particular application. Accordingly, the propeller shaft design (consisting of the
number of propeller shafts) is dependent on the locations of
the cross members 118. Due to this dependency, an inef?cient

shaft supported by the mini-cross member of the present

disclosure. [0017] FIG. 10 is front vieW of a center bearing bracket and

support With a propeller shaft disposed Within the support.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a How chart illustrating a method of

propeller shaft design 114 may result.

[0005] As indicated and as shoWn in FIG. 2, the cross

members 118 are traditionally used to support propeller

shafts 114', 114", 114" in a vehicle. The vehicle cross-mem

manufacturing the vehicle chassis frame of the present dis closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

ber 118 locations along the frame rails 120, 122 (as shoWn in FIG. 2) is a major constraint in determining the number of propeller shafts 114', 114", 114'" required on a vehicle 150.
Normally, Where cross-members 118 are used to support the

[0019]

The present disclosure provides a vehicle chassis

frame 10 Which supports one or more propeller shaft(s) 14',

propeller shafts 114', 114", 114'", such a design requires more propeller shafts 114', 114", 114'" With smaller lengths in
addition to more center bearing brackets 150. See FIG. 1.

14" Which provides improved design ?exibility While reduc ing cost and Weight.
[0020] In contrast to the prior art, the present disclosure provides a vehicle chassis frame 10 Which provides for drive

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line optimization such that the propeller shaft 14 design is not

dependent on the location of the cross members 18. Rather,

member as the mini cross member 12 is af?xed to the left

the propeller shaft design 14 may be optimized independent

of the location of the cross members 18 given that a mini cross

member 18 is implemented to support the propeller shaft. In

contrast to the traditional cross members 18 of a vehicle

chassis frame 10, the mini cross member 12 may be placed at any area along the length of the left chassis frame rail 20 and

chassis frame rail 20 and right chassis frame rail 22. As shoWn in FIG. 5, the ?rst and second legs 24, 26 may also each de?ne leg apertures 28, 30 Which further receive a mechanical fas tener (not shoWn) for af?xing the mini cross member 12 to the left and right chassis frame rails 20, 22. It is also to be understood that the mini-cross member may be a?ixed to the left and right chassis frame rails 20, 22 using a mechanical
fasteners as shoWn, a Welding process or the like.

the right chassis frame rail 22.

[0021] Referring noW to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the
vehicle chassis 10 having a mini cross member 12 is shoWn on

[0026]

As shoWn in FIGS. 3-9, the mini-cross member 12 is

a vehicle 80. The present disclosure alloWs for propeller shaft

14 (driveline) optimiZation Wherein the required number of propeller shafts 14', 14" is reduced. This optimiZation may be

smaller than any one of the plurality of cross members 18. Accordingly, rather than using a cross member 18 to support the ?rst propeller shaft 14', a mini cross member 12 Which is

lighter in Weight and loWer in cost is implemented to support

the ?rst propeller shaft 14' Furthermore, the mini cross mem ber 14' may be placed at any area along the left and right

performed Without having to change the existing chassis

frame 10 structure Which includes the left and right frame
rails 20, 22 and the cross members 18. A mini cross member 12, as shoWn in FIG. 5, may be implemented on the chassis frame 10 as shoWn in FIGS. 3 and 4 to support the propeller

chassis frame rails 20, 22, thereby alloWing design ?exibility.

The vehicle chassis frame 10 de?ned in claim 1 Wherein the mini-cross member 12 is coupled to the left and right chassis frame rails 20, 22 via mechanical fasteners, or a Welding
process or the like.

shaft(s) 14', 14" Where necessary. [0022] The vehicle chassis frame 10 of the present disclo
sure includes a left chassis frame rail 20, a right chassis frame

rail 20, a plurality of cross members 18 connecting the left chassis frame rail 20 to the right chassis frame rail 22, and a ?rst propeller shaft 14'. The ?rst propeller shaft 14' may connect the transmission (schematically shoWn as 70) to a

[0027] As shoWn in FIG. 3, the mini-cross member 12 is provided betWeen the transmission 70 and the joint 16 in
order to properly support the ?rst propeller shaft 14' so as to alloW the ?rst propeller shaft 14' to extend as far back as

possible thereby minimiZing the number of propeller shafts

14 used. [0028] Referring noW to FIG. 11, a How chart is shoWn Which illustrates a method for manufacturing a vehicle chas sis frame 10 of the present disclosure. The method includes

joint 16. The ?rst propeller shaft 14' may supported by a center bearing bracket 50 and support 52 (as shoWn in FIGS. 9 and 10). The joint 16, shoWn in FIG. 3 is operatively con
?gured to connect a second propeller shaft 14" to the ?rst

propeller shaft 14'. The second propeller shaft 14" is opera

tively con?gured to drive a rear axle 72 of the vehicle 80.

the steps of: providing a left chassis frame rail (step 88); providing a right chassis frame rail (step 90); af?xing a plu
rality of cross members connecting the left chassis frame rail to the left chassis frame rail (step 92); providing a ?rst pro peller shaft operatively con?gured to connect the transmis sion to a joint (step 94), and coupling a mini-cross member to

[0023] The mini-cross member 12 may be coupled to the left and right chassis frame rails 20, 22 at any area along the left and right chassis frame rails. It is to be understood that it is preferable to mount the mini cross member 12 proximate to the joint 16 as shoWn in FIGS. 3 and 4 given that the mini cross member may support the ?rst propeller shaft 14'. The mini-cross member 12 may support the ?rst propeller shaft 14' through the center bearing bracket 50 and support 52 as shoWn in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10. As shoWn in FIG. 9, a vertical bracket 13 may be disposed betWeen the center bearing
bracket 50 and the mini cross member 12 Wherein the vertical bracket 13 is mechanically fastened to the mini cross member

the left and right chassis frame rails proximate the joint (step 96). Again, it is understood that the mini-cross member 12
supports the center bearing bracket 50 and support 52 for the ?rst propeller shaft 14'. [0029] It is also understood that the ?rst propeller shaft 14' is supported by a center bearing bracket 50 and support 52. Again, the joint 16 connects the second propeller shaft 14" to the ?rst propeller shaft 14' and the second propeller shaft 14"
operatively con?gured to drive the rear axle 72 of the vehicle.

12 using the side apertures 32, 34 shoWn in FIG. 5. In yet other another option, the center bearing bracket 50 may be mounted directly to the mini cross member 12 using mechanical fas

[0030]

While multiple embodiments have been described

teners (not shoWn) through top apertures 36, 38 of the mini

cross member 12 as shoWn in FIG. 5.

in detail, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modi?ed. Therefore, the fore

going description is to be considered exemplary rather than

[0024] Referring noW to FIG. 5-8, the mini cross member 12 is shoWn in greater detail. The mini cross member 12

limiting.
What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle chassis frame comprising: a left chassis frame rail; a right chassis frame rail; a plurality of cross members connecting the left chassis frame rail to the left chassis frame rail; a ?rst propeller shaft connecting a transmission to a joint,

includes a top face 40 having top apertures 36, 38. The top apertures 36, 38 may receive mechanical fasteners for joining
the mini cross member 12 to another vehicle structure mem

ber, such as a center bearing bracket 50 shoWn in FIGS. 9 and 10. The mini cross member 12 may further have a side face 42

de?ning side apertures 32, 34. Side apertures 32, 34 may receive mechanical fasteners (not shoWn) for joining the mini
cross member 12 to any other vehicle structure member.

[0025] Mini cross member 12 may also include a ?rst leg 24 and a second leg 26. The ?rst and second legs 24, 26 may integral to and/or disposed to the lateral sides of the top face
40 and side face 42 of the mini cross member. The ?rst and

the ?rst propeller shaft supported by a center bearing bracket and support, the joint operatively con?gured to
connect a second propeller shaft to the ?rst propeller

shaft, the second propeller shaft operatively con?gured

to drive a rear axle of the vehicle; and

second legs 24, 26 may provide support for the mini cross

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a mini-cross member coupled the left and right chassis frame rails proximate the joint, the mini-cross member supporting the center bearing bracket and support for the

the joint connecting a second propeller shaft to the ?rst

propeller shaft, the second propeller shaft operatively

con?gured to drive the rear axle of the vehicle; and coupling a mini-cross member to the left and right chassis frame rails in an area along the left and right chassis

?rst propeller shaft.

2. The vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 1 Wherein, the

mini-cross member is operatively con?gured to be coupled at any area along the length of the left and right chassis frame
rails. 3. The vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 1 Wherein the mini-cross member is smaller than any one of the plurality of
cross members.

frame rails to optimiZe the length of the ?rst propeller shaft and to optimiZe the drive line angle of the ?rst propeller shaft and the second propeller shaft, the mini
cross member operatively con?gured to support the cen

ter bearing bracket and support for the ?rst propeller

shaft. 7. The method for manufacturing a vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 6 Wherein, the mini-cross member is opera

4. The vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 1 Wherein the

mini-cross member is coupled to the left and right chassis frame rails via a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
5. The vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 1 Wherein the mini-cross member is provided betWeen the engine and rear axle differential. 6. A method for manufacturing a vehicle chassis frame

tively con?gured to be coupled at any area along the length of the left and right chassis frame rails.
8. The method for manufacturing a vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 6 Wherein the mini-cross member is smaller than any one of the plurality of cross members. 9. The method for manufacturing a vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 6 Wherein the mini-cross member is coupled to the left and right chassis frame rails via a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 10. The method for manufacturing a vehicle chassis frame de?ned in claim 1 Wherein the mini-cross member is provided betWeen the engine and the rear axle differential.
* * * * *

comprising the steps of:

providing a left chassis frame rail; providing a right chassis frame rail; a?ixing a plurality of cross members connecting the left chassis frame rail to the left chassis frame rail;

providing a ?rst propeller shaft operatively con?gured to connecting transmission to a joint, the ?rst propeller shaft supported by a center bearing bracket and support,