US 7,536,858 B2
Axle driving apparatus
Robert Abend, Morristown, Tenn. (US); Norihiro Ishii, Amagasaki (Japan); and Ryota Ohashi, Amagasaki (Japan)
Assigned to Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd., (Japan)
Filed on Feb. 20, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/676,529.
Application 11/676529 is a continuation of application No. 11/612842, filed on Dec. 19, 2006.
Application 11/612842 is a continuation of application No. 11/463696, filed on Aug. 10, 2006.
Application 11/463696 is a continuation of application No. 10/770012, filed on Feb. 03, 2004, granted, now 7,121,093, filed on Oct. 17, 2006.
Application 10/770012 is a continuation of application No. 10/406267, filed on Apr. 04, 2003, granted, now 6,705,080, filed on Aug. 09, 2006.
Application 10/406267 is a continuation of application No. 10/128457, filed on Apr. 24, 2002, granted, now 6,571,555, filed on Jun. 03, 2003.
Application 10/128457 is a continuation of application No. 09/737567, filed on Dec. 18, 2000, granted, now 6,550,242, filed on Apr. 22, 2003.
Application 09/737567 is a continuation of application No. 09/531174, filed on Mar. 20, 2000, granted, now 6,385,971, filed on May 14, 2002.
Application 09/531174 is a continuation of application No. 09/051032, granted, now 6,125,630, filed on Oct. 03, 2002, previously published as PCT/US95/13854, filed on Oct. 27, 1995.
Prior Publication US 2007/0137194 A1, Jun. 21, 2007
Int. Cl. F16D 31/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 60—487 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integrated hydrostatic transaxle for independently driving a right or left wheel of a vehicle, comprising:
a housing for supporting a single axle; and
a hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a center section separately mounted within the housing;
wherein the pump includes a pump shaft and a rotatable cylinder block mounted on a pump mounting surface of the center section;
wherein the motor includes a motor shaft and a rotatable cylinder block mounted on a motor mounting surface of the center section;
wherein the pump mounting surface and the motor mounting surface are perpendicular to each other;
wherein a plane located along the motor mounting surface intersects the pump mounting surface; and
wherein the plane intersects the pump shaft.