Importance

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Abstract

A vehicle dead axle is formed of a hollow tube that extends substantially the width of the vehicle and has wheel supporting spindle portions welded upon the opposite ends of the tube. The exterior surface of the tube is generally circular in cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the opening in the tube is asymmetrically curved relative to the central axis of the tube to form the tube into integral, longitudinally extending, circumferential wall segments of varying wall thicknesses. The axle is oriented so that its thicker wall segments receive the greater of anticipated forces imposed upon the axle during use. The axle is formed by placing a tubular blank within an open die having a die throat and pushing the blank through the die throat by means of a moving ram that engages and pushes against the end of the blank. The ram has an extension that is fitted within the blank as the ram pushes the blank through the space between the extension and the die throat. The extension is asymmetrically shaped in cross section relative to the axis of the throat so as to form the varying thickness circumferential wall segments.

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First Claim