Tecumseh Products Company

Gordon C Dowen

Norman E Jolliff

Richard T Ruebusch

Gary G Twaddle

A method of manufacturing a plurality of left hand control hydrostatic transaxles and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles. The method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of substantially identical axle modules; providing a plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules adapted to connect to respective axle modules to form left hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles, and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules adapted to connect to respective axle modules to form right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles; attaching the plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules to a first quantity of the plurality of substantially identical axle modules to form a plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles; and attaching the plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules to a second quantity of the plurality of substantially identical axle modules to form a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles. In one form of the invention, the transmission module is aligned with the axle module by piloting the output means of the motor of a hydrostatic transmission module to the input drive of a reduction gear train of the transmission module.

Method for manufacturing transaxles

A modular hydrostatic transaxle includes an axle module removably connected to a hydrostatic transmission module. The axle module includes a differential connected to a reduction gear train and disposed in an axle casing. A pair of axles are connected to the differential and supported within the axle casing. The hydrostatic transmission module comprises a transmission casing separate from the axle casing. The hydraulic motor output connection includes a shaft piloted to an input drive of the reduction gear train, which constitutes the alignment mechanism of the transmission and axle modules. A portion of the pump and motor block forms an inclined surface which supports a face of a thrust bearing. At least one homogeneous low friction bearing strip is confined between the swash plate and the interior portion of the casing. A disconnect mechanism includes a spring that urges a sleeve to engage the output and input shafts.

Hydrostatic transaxle having axial piston motor and method for manufacturing transaxles

A modular hydrostatic transaxle includes an axle module removably connected to a hydrostatic transmission module. The axle module includes a differential connected to a reduction gear train and disposed in an axle casing. A pair of axles are connected to the differential and supported within the axle casing. The hydrostatic transmission module comprises a transmission casing separate from the axle casing and hydraulically connected pump and motor disposed in the transmission casing. The motor output connection includes a shaft piloted to an input drive of the reduction gear train, which constitutes the alignment mechanism of the transmission and axle modules. The pump and motor cylinder barrels are hydraulically connected through the pump and motor block at 90&deg; orientation, and a portion of the pump and motor block forms an inclined surface which supports a face of a thrust bearing. At least one homogeneous low friction bearing strip is confined between the swash plate and the interior portion of the casing. A disconnect mechanism includes a spring that urges a sleeve to engage the output and input shafts. The brake disc is disposed on a distal end of the output shaft and a brake cover is fastened to the outer portion of the axle casing and substantially encloses the brake disc.

A transaxle including a self-adjusting brake mechanism. The transaxle includes a housing and a speed reduction mechanism including a plurality of interconnected shafts rotatably disposed in the housing. A brake assembly is mounted on the housing for applying braking force to one of the shafts, the braking mechanism including a threaded mounting member and a brake lever having an opening rotatably disposed around the threaded member. An adjustment nut is threadedly disposed on the mounting member and has a portion thereof disposed within the brake lever opening, the adjustment nut operable when rotated in a given direction to adjust the brake to compensate for wear. The brake lever opening has a pawl that cooperates with a plurality of ratchet teeth on the adjustment nut to adjust the brake mechanism for wear.

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Salem, IN, United States of America

Gordon C Dowen