Axle wheel end axial thrust assembly

Abstract

An axle assembly of a vehicle including a differential assembly, a first axle tube including a proximal end adjacent the differential assembly, an opposite distal end, and an axle bore extending therebetween, a first axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube, the first axle shaft including a proximal end disposed in the differential assembly, and an opposite distal end extending outwardly from the distal end of the first axle shaft, and a radial bearing assembly including an inner cup, an outer cup and a plurality of roller elements rotatably received therebetween, the outer cup being axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube and the inner cup being axially fixed to the first axle shaft.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
 a differential assembly;   a first axle tube extending outwardly from a first side of the differential assembly, the first axle tube including a proximal end adjacent the differential assembly, an opposite distal end, and an axle bore extending therebetween;   a first axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube, the first axle shaft including a proximal end disposed in the differential assembly, and an opposite distal end extending outwardly from the distal end of the first axle shaft; and   a radial bearing assembly including an inner cup, an outer cup and a plurality of roller elements rotatably received therebetween, the outer cup being axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube and the inner cup being axially fixed to the first axle shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The axle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of roller elements further comprises a plurality of needle rollers. 
     
     
         3 . The axle assembly of  claim 2 , the inner cup further comprising an inner race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially outwardly from opposing ends of the inner race. 
     
     
         4 . The axle assembly of  claim 3 , the outer cup further comprising an outer race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially inwardly from opposing ends of the outer race. 
     
     
         5 . The axle assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an annular groove defined in the axle bore of the first axle tube between the radial bearing assembly and the distal end of the axle tube; and   a snap ring received in the annular groove,   wherein the snap ring is adjacent the outer cup of the radial bearing assembly.   
     
     
         6 . An axle assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
 a differential assembly;   a first axle tube extending outwardly from a first side of the differential assembly, the first axle tube including a proximal end adjacent the differential assembly, an opposite distal end, and an axle bore extending therebetween;   a first axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube, the first axle shaft including a proximal end disposed in the differential assembly, and an opposite distal end extending outwardly from the distal end of the first axle shaft;   an annular groove defined in the axle bore of the first axle tube;   a snap ring received in the annular groove; and   a radial bearing assembly including an inner cup, an outer cup and a plurality of roller elements rotatably received therebetween, the inner cup being axially fixed to the first axle shaft,   wherein the snap ring is adjacent the outer cup of the radial bearing assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The axle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of roller elements further comprises a plurality of needle rollers. 
     
     
         8 . The axle assembly of  claim 7 , the inner cup further comprising an inner race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially outwardly from opposing ends of the inner race. 
     
     
         9 . The axle assembly of  claim 8 , the outer cup further comprising an outer race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially inwardly from opposing ends of the outer race. 
     
     
         10 . The axle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the snap ring is adjacent one of the first annular flange and the second annular flange of the outer cup. 
     
     
         11 . The axle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer cup of the bearing assembly is axially fixed within the bore of the first axle tube. 
     
     
         12 . An axial thrust assembly for use with an axle assembly of a vehicle having an axle tube and an axle shaft rotatably received therein, comprising:
 a radial bearing assembly comprising:
 an inner cup having an inner race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially outwardly from opposing ends of the inner race; 
 an outer cup further comprising an outer race, a first annular flange, and a second annular flange, the first annular flange and the second annular flange extending radially inwardly from opposing ends of the outer race; and 
 a plurality of roller elements disposed between the inner cup and the outer cup, 
 wherein the outer cup is axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube and the inner cup is axially fixed to the first axle shaft. 
   
     
     
         13 . The axle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of roller elements further comprises a plurality of needle rollers.