Lubricant cartridge for wheel end assemblies

Abstract

A wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings so that the bearings, the axle spindle, and the wheel hub generally define a cavity in the wheel end assembly. The wheel hub is formed with a port that communicates with the cavity and atmosphere. A lubricant cartridge includes a generally rigid body defining a chamber for containing a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease. The cartridge also includes a generally rigid nozzle that is connected to the body and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The nozzle defines an opening and is formed with features for removably connecting the cartridge to the wheel hub port. Semi-fluid grease is urged from the cartridge chamber through the nozzle, through the port, and into the cavity to lubricate the wheel end assembly.

1 . A lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle, said wheel end assembly including a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on said bearings, with the bearings, said wheel hub and said axle spindle defining a cavity in the wheel end assembly, the wheel hub being formed with a port, said port being in communication with said cavity and atmosphere, said cartridge comprising:
 a generally rigid body, said body defining a chamber for containing a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease; and   a generally rigid nozzle connected to said body, said nozzle including a first end in fluid communication with said chamber and a second end defining an opening, the nozzle being formed with features proximate said second end for removably securing said nozzle to said port, whereby semi-fluid grease contained in said body chamber is selectively urged from the body chamber, through the nozzle, through the port, and into said cavity to lubricate said wheel end assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said features formed on said nozzle generally prevent leakage of semi-fluid grease during said urging of the semi-fluid grease into said wheel end assembly cavity when the features mechanically engage said port. 
   
   
       3 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein said port is tapped; and wherein said features include threads, whereby said nozzle threads engage said tapped port. 
   
   
       4 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein said features include a taper. 
   
   
       5 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said lubricant cartridge is received by a caulking gun for urging said semi-fluid grease out of the cartridge. 
   
   
       6 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein said body is cylindrical. 
   
   
       7 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein said nozzle is disposed at a first end of said cylindrical body; wherein said body includes a cap generally disposed adjacent a second end of said body opposite said nozzle; and whereby said cap is urged toward said nozzle by said caulking gun to cause said semi-fluid grease to flow out of said cartridge body chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein said cylindrical body is formed of cardboard. 
   
   
       9 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein said cylindrical body is formed of plastic. 
   
   
       10 . The lubricant cartridge for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said nozzle opening receives a removable plug to seal said lubricant cartridge. 
   
   
       11 . A method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant using a lubricant cartridge, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a wheel end assembly, said wheel end assembly including a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on said bearings, the bearings, said wheel hub and said axle spindle defining a cavity in said wheel end assembly, the wheel hub being formed with a port, said port being in communication with said cavity and atmosphere;   providing a lubricant cartridge, said lubricant cartridge including a generally rigid body defining a chamber for holding a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease, and a generally rigid nozzle connected to said body, said rigid nozzle including a first end in fluid communication with said chamber and a second end defining an opening;   removably connecting said second end of said lubricant cartridge nozzle to said wheel hub port;   urging said semi-fluid grease from said body chamber through said nozzle, through said port, and into said cavity; and   removing said lubricant cartridge nozzle from said wheel hub port when said semi-fluid grease has been communicated from said cartridge to said cavity.   
   
   
       12 . The method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing a caulking gun for urging said semi-fluid grease from said body chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant of  claim 12 , wherein said step of urging said semi-fluid grease from said body chamber through said nozzle includes using said caulking gun to cause a cap disposed adjacent an end of said body of said cartridge toward said nozzle. 
   
   
       14 . The method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant of  claim 11 , wherein said port is tapped, and said method further comprises the steps of:
 forming threads on said nozzle proximate said nozzle second end; and   said step of removably connecting said lubricant cartridge nozzle to said wheel hub port includes threadably engaging said nozzle second end with said port.   
   
   
       15 . The method for filling a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle with lubricant of  claim 11 , wherein said step of removably connecting said lubricant cartridge nozzle to said wheel hub port includes mechanically engaging a tapered portion of said nozzle with said port.