Wheel hub assembly

Abstract

In one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle wheel hub assembly is provided that includes a hub body having an outboard end and an inboard end, a bearing assembly, and a seal. The seal includes a seal shell and a sleeve. The hub body and the seal shell are rotatable relative to the sleeve. The vehicle wheel hub assembly further includes a stop portion of the bearing assembly configured to resist movement of the sleeve toward the outboard end of the hub body when the hub body, the bearing assembly, and the sleeve are advanced together in an inboard direction along a vehicle spindle. The stop portion allows the bearing assembly to transfer a force exerted on the bearing assembly in an inboard axial direction (e.g., by tightening a spindle nut) to the sleeve and advance the sleeve along the vehicle spindle.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 929,376, filed November 1, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a wheel hub assembly for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a wheel hub assembly having a bearing assembly with seals to protect the wheel hub assembly. Background Technology

[0004] A wheel hub assembly, sometimes referred to as a wheel end, is used to attach a wheel to a vehicle's axle. Using a pre-adjusted wheel hub assembly with an axle may involve mounting the wheel hub assembly to the spindle associated with the axle without backlash. The wheel hub assembly may include one or more seals for protecting one or more bearing assemblies of the wheel hub assembly.

[0005] The seal may comprise two main components: a static sleeve and a rotatable sealing housing. The sealing housing may include the oil-sealed main lip of the seal. The sleeve and sealing housing are integrally or rotatably connected to prevent axial separation. The rotatable connection allows minimal axial movement between the two components but does not restrict the rotation of the hub body and the seal mounted thereon relative to the spindle and sleeve.

[0006] Traditionally, wheel hub assemblies are mounted to the vehicle spindle by first installing a cascade seal, comprising a rotatably connected seal and a sleeve, into a sealing bore in the wheel hub. The seal housing is positioned within the bore either through its surface or using a specially designed tool. At this point, the sleeve is not in its final operating position.

[0007] The sleeve must form a static seal with the spindle, which requires an interference fit between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the mating journal of the spindle. The next step in the installation process involves pushing the hub seal assembly onto the vehicle spindle and tightening the spindle nut of the wheel hub assembly to apply an axial force to the hub seal assembly and move it axially to its operating position along the inside of the spindle seal journal. The axial force applied by the spindle nut overcomes the interference fit between the sleeve and the spindle.

[0008] Due to the interference fit between the sleeve and the journal, when the spindle lock nut is tightened, an axial force acts on the sleeve, pressing it against the seal housing. The seal housing then inevitably rotates relative to the sleeve during vehicle operation. The traditional engineering solution is to axially insert a sacrificial bumper between the sleeve and the seal housing to withstand the axially directed installation force between them. The sacrificial bumper wears down during vehicle operation until a gap forms between the sleeve and the seal housing. This wear or break-in process generates extreme temperatures exceeding 600°F, which can be detrimental to the long-term and short-term performance of the main sealing lip of the seal housing and may lead to premature failure of the main sealing lip. Sealing engineers must be careful not to over-specify the interference fit between the sleeve inner diameter and the spindle journal when using sacrificial bumpers. When the hub seal assembly is mounted on the axle journal, a larger interference fit results in higher axial loads. In the event of sacrificial bumper breakage or excessive wear, higher axial loads on the sacrificial bumper can increase the risk of failure and often lead to higher operating temperatures.

[0009] The break-in process of the sacrificial damper also negatively impacts the vehicle's fuel economy. Specifically, the contact between the sacrificial damper, sleeve, and seal accounts for a significant portion of the overall drag torque of the wheel hub assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a wheel hub assembly is provided, comprising a hub body having an outer end and an inner end, a bearing assembly, and a seal. The seal includes a sealing housing and a sleeve. The hub body and sealing housing are rotatable relative to the sleeve. The wheel hub assembly also includes a stop for the bearing assembly, configured to prevent movement of the sleeve toward the outer end of the hub body as the hub body, bearing assembly, and seal are advanced in an inward direction along the vehicle main shaft. The stop allows the bearing assembly to transmit forces applied to the bearing assembly in the inward axial direction (e.g., by tightening the main shaft nut) to the sleeve, pushing the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft. Therefore, the sleeve can be advanced along the vehicle main shaft through contact with the stop of the bearing assembly, rather than relying on the sealing housing to push the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft. This allows a seal to be provided without the need for a consumable buffer between the sleeve and the sealing housing, which reduces the operating temperature of the seal and decreases drag torque caused by friction within the seal.

[0011] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for a wheel hub assembly, comprising a cassette seal and a bearing assembly. The cassette seal includes a sleeve with a central opening sized to form an interference fit with a vehicle main shaft. The cassette seal also includes a sealing housing rotatable relative to the sleeve about a central axis. The bearing assembly has inner and outer sides and includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of bearings, and a stop. The stop is configured to contact the sleeve and prevent axial movement of the sleeve beyond a predetermined axial position when the bearing assembly and the cassette seal are advanced along the vehicle main shaft in an inner axial direction. In this way, the stop of the bearing assembly can be used to move the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft to an operating position thereon.

[0012] In another aspect of this disclosure, a wheel hub assembly is provided, comprising a hub body, a bearing assembly, a sealing housing mounted to the hub body, and a sleeve allowing the sealing housing to rotate relative to a sleeve. The wheel hub assembly includes a radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve having a central opening to receive a vehicle spindle and configured to form an interference fit with the vehicle spindle. The wheel hub assembly also includes a radially inner surface of the radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve, configured to directly contact the vehicle spindle and transfer heat thereto. Thus, the radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve acts as a conduit to transfer heat to the vehicle spindle, which is typically a large steel component used as a radiator. By transferring heat away from the sealing housing and seal, the operating temperature of the sealing housing and sleeve can be maintained at a low temperature, which can extend the life of the wheel hub assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sealing housing includes a main sealing lip that contacts the radially outer surface of a radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve. As the sealing housing rotates about the sleeve, heat is generated between the main sealing lip of the sealing housing and the radially outer surface of the radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve. The radially inner metallic portion of the sleeve transfers this heat (e.g., via conduction) to the vehicle's main shaft.

[0014] This disclosure also provides a method for mounting a pre-assembled wheel hub assembly onto a vehicle main shaft. The method includes aligning the openings of the bearing assembly and the seal of the pre-assembled wheel hub assembly with the vehicle main shaft. The method includes advancing the pre-assembled wheel hub assembly in an axially inward direction along the vehicle main shaft to engage a sleeve with the vehicle main shaft. The method further includes pushing the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft through contact between the bearing assembly and the sleeve as the bearing assembly continues to advance in the axially inward direction. This method allows for precise positioning of the sleeve of the seal assembly along the vehicle main shaft because a stop in the bearing assembly overcomes the interference fit between the sleeve and the vehicle main shaft, and moves the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft until the sleeve reaches a predetermined position on the seal journal of the vehicle main shaft. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the wheel hub assembly including the inner and outer bearing assemblies and the seals near the inner bearing assembly.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel hub assembly, showing the sleeve, sealing housing, and retainer of the seal;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the main shaft sealing journal of the wheel hub assembly and the vehicle main shaft. The wheel hub assembly includes the hub body, the inner bearing assembly, and the seal.

[0018] Figure 4 Is with Figure 3 A similar sectional view shows the hub body advancing along the main shaft sealing journal, and the contact portion of the sleeve, which is spaced apart from the flange portion of the inner ring of the inner bearing assembly.

[0019] Figure 5 Is with Figure 4 A similar view shows the front end portion of the sleeve that contacts the shoulder of the spindle seal journal;

[0020] Figure 6 Is with Figure 5 A similar view shows the hub body, on which the inner ring of the inner bearing continues to advance along the main shaft seal journal, and the front end of the sleeve engages with the shoulder of the main shaft seal journal, thereby temporarily stopping the movement of the sleeve along the main shaft seal journal.

[0021] Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 A similar sectional view shows the stop surface of the flange portion of the inner ring of the inner bearing abutting the contact portion of the sleeve, which causes the sleeve to advance along the main shaft seal journal as the hub body and the inner ring of the inner bearing mounted therein continue to advance in the direction inward along the main shaft seal journal.

[0022] Figure 8 Is with Figure 7 A similar sectional view shows the hub body and the inner ring of the inner bearing mounted therein continuing inward, with the flange portion of the inner bearing ring close to the sleeve.

[0023] Figure 9 Is with Figure 8 A similar sectional view shows the inner bearing inner ring positioned at an operating position on the spindle seal journal against the shoulder of the spindle seal journal and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a radially inner portion that engages with the radially outer surface of the spindle seal journal.

[0024] Figure 10This is a cross-sectional view of another wheel hub assembly, which includes an inner bearing inner ring having a flange portion that contacts the sleeve of the wheel hub assembly.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another wheel hub assembly, which includes a sealing housing having a metal outer diameter that engages with the inner diameter of the wheel hub of the wheel hub assembly.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of another wheel hub assembly;

[0027] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 The wheel hub assembly shown in the dashed box includes a bearing inner ring having a flange portion that abuts against a contact portion of the sleeve and a groove that receives the contact portion of the sleeve and allows the sleeve to overlap with the bearing inner ring in the radial direction.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another bearing assembly, showing a stop portion of the bearing assembly that includes a washer different from the inner ring of the bearing assembly; and

[0029] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another bearing assembly, showing a stop portion of the bearing assembly that includes an L-shaped outer ring pressing against the inner ring of the bearing assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0030] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 A wheel hub assembly 10 is provided, comprising a wheel hub 12 having a hub body 13, an outer bearing assembly 14, an inner bearing assembly 16, a cartridge seal (such as seal 18), and a spacer 20. The outer bearing assembly 14 and the inner bearing assembly 16 allow the hub body 13 to rotate about a central axis 40. The wheel hub assembly 10 is fitted onto the vehicle main shaft 21 by aligning the inner bore 22 of the wheel hub assembly 10 with the outer end of a main shaft 21 and advancing the wheel hub assembly 10 along the outer surface of the main shaft 21 in direction 26. The main shaft 21 may include a sealed journal 24 (see...). Figure 2 ).about Figure 1The seal 18 has an outer side 17, an inner side 19, and includes a sealing housing 46 and a sleeve 52. The sleeve 52 has a central opening sized to receive and press against a sealing journal 24. The sealing housing 46 and sleeve 52 are configured to allow advancement along the sealing journal 24 while withstanding axial forces generated by the interference fit between the inner diameter of the sleeve 52 and the outer diameter of the sealing journal 24. Furthermore, the sealing housing 46 and sleeve 52 are configured to move axially along the sealing journal 24 into an operating position without requiring a consumable buffer between them.

[0031] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The inner bearing assembly 16 includes an outer ring (e.g., inner bearing outer ring 30), an inner ring (e.g., inner bearing inner ring 32), and a bearing (e.g., roller bearing 34). The inner bearing assembly 16 includes a stop 36 that prevents axial movement of a portion of the seal 18 in the outer direction 42 during the assembly of the wheel hub assembly 10 onto the spindle 21 as the wheel hub assembly 10 is advanced along the spindle 21 in the inner direction 26. In one embodiment, the stop 36 includes a flange portion 38 of the inner bearing inner ring 32. The flange portion 38 extends radially outward and overlaps with a portion of the seal 18 in an axial direction parallel to axis 40. In another embodiment, the stop 36 includes a component of the inner bearing assembly 16 other than the inner bearing inner ring 32, such as a ring sandwiched between the inner bearing inner ring 32 and a shoulder 64 of the spindle 21 (see, for example...). Figure 14 In another embodiment, the stop 36 is provided by an interference fit between the outer diameter of the inner bearing inner ring 32 and the inner diameter of the sleeve 52 of the seal 18. This interference fit is configured to form a press fit engagement between the inner bearing inner ring 32 and the sleeve 52, thereby fixing the sleeve 52 relative to the inner bearing inner ring 32.

[0032] exist Figure 2In this embodiment, the sealing housing 46 engages with the radially inner surface 48 of the hub body 13 of the wheel hub assembly 10. The hub body 13 may have an integral, one-piece structure and may be made of a metallic material, such as steel, iron, or aluminum, as examples. The outer diameter of the sealing housing 46 is configured to form a press-fit engagement with the radially inner surface 48 of the hub body, thereby securing the sealing housing 46 to prevent rotation and axial movement relative to the hub body 13. A sleeve 52 is rotatably connected to the sealing housing 46 and allows the hub body 13 and the sealing housing 46 mounted therein to rotate relative to the sleeve 52. The seal 18 includes a retainer 54 that allows the seal 18 to be manipulated prior to assembly with the hub body 13 without axial separation of the sleeve 52 from the sealing housing 46. The wheel hub assembly 10 may be provided as an assembly unit having the seal 18. The seal 18 may also be provided separately, for example, as a replacement component. In one embodiment, the wheel hub assembly 10 includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS) tone ring 47.

[0033] During the assembly of the wheel hub assembly 10 onto the main shaft 21, the inner ring 32 of the inner bearing is advanced along the main shaft 21 in the direction 26, for example by tightening the main shaft nut 126 (see...). Figure 1 Sleeve 52 has a radially inner surface 60 that engages with the radially outer surface 62 of the sealing journal 24 as the wheel hub assembly 10 advances in direction 26. An interference fit between the inner diameter of sleeve 52 and the outer diameter of the sealing journal 24 prevents movement of sleeve 52 in direction 26. To overcome this frictional resistance, the flange portion 38 of the inner bearing inner ring 32 abuts against the outer side of sleeve 52 and transmits axial force from the spindle nut 126 to sleeve 52. Continued advancement of the inner bearing inner ring 32 in the inner direction 26 overcomes the interference fit between sleeve 52 and the sealing journal 24 and pushes sleeve 52 to the operating position along the sealing journal 24 (see [link]). Figure 2 The advancement of the inner bearing inner ring 32 and the sleeve 52 in direction 26 may include rotation of the inner bearing inner ring 32 and / or the sleeve 52.

[0034] Tightening the spindle nut 126 also pushes the hub body 13 and the sealing housing 46 mounted thereto in direction 26, simultaneously with the movement of the inner bearing inner ring 32 and the sleeve 52 along the spindle 21. In this way, due to the matching axial movement of the hub body 13 and the inner bearing inner ring 32, the sleeve 52, which is close to the inner bearing inner ring flange portion 38, and the sealing housing 46, mounted to the hub body 13, maintain a substantially fixed axial distance between them as the sealing housing 46 and the sleeve 52 move axially inward in direction 26. This substantially fixed distance between the sealing housing 46 and the sleeve 52 allows the required spacing to be maintained during the advancement of the seal 18 in direction 26 until it reaches the operating position along the sealing journal 24. Furthermore, when the seal 18 is in the operating position on the sealing journal 24, the substantially fixed axial spacing between the seal housing 46 and the sleeve 52 prevents contact between them, which reduces frictional resistance to the rotation of the wheel hub body 13 during vehicle operation and lowers the operating temperature of the seal 18 and the wheel hub 10. Additionally, the substantially fixed axial spacing maintains the geometry of the tortuous path 70 formed by the seal housing 46 and the sleeve 52 during the mounting of the wheel hub assembly 10 onto the sealing journal 24. The intention behind the substantially fixed axial spacing is that the axial spacing between the seal housing 46 and the sleeve 52 may vary slightly due to material properties and tolerances (as examples). However, the substantially fixed axial spacing provides constant functional effectiveness for the tortuous path 70 formed by the seal housing 46 and the sleeve 52. For example, if the variation in axial distance during assembly is less than 0.1 inches, then the axial distance can be substantially fixed.

[0035] When the sealing shell 46 and the sleeve 52 have been along Figure 2 When the spindle 21 shown is advanced to the operating position, an interference fit is formed between the inner diameter of the sleeve 52 and the outer diameter of the sealing journal 24, which fixes the sleeve 52 and prevents the sleeve 52 from rotating and moving axially relative to the sealing journal 24.

[0036] See Figure 2The sealing housing 46 includes a body 72 and a sealing member 74. The body 72 may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel), and the sealing member 74 may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber). The sealing member 74 may include a radially outer portion 76 and a radially inner portion 78. The radially outer portion 76 engages with the radially inner surface 48 of the hub 50. The radially inner portion 78 of the sealing member 74 may include one or more walls 80 and a sealing portion 92 that contacts the sleeve 52, the walls 80 forming part of a tortuous path 70. The seal 18 also includes an elastic member, such as a retaining spring 90, which holds the main lip 88 of the sealing portion 92 in contact with the sleeve 52. During vehicle operation, as the sealing housing 46 rotates relative to the sleeve 52, the contact between the main lip 88 and the sleeve 52 generates heat.

[0037] In one embodiment, the sleeve 52 includes a body 100 made of a metallic material (e.g., steel) and a sealing member 102 fixed thereon. The sealing member 102 may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomeric material such as rubber). The body 100 is in direct contact with the sealing journal 24 and transfers heat generated by the contact between the sealing portion 92 and the body 100 to a radiator provided by the spindle 21, which is typically made of steel. The sealing member 102 may also include one or more walls 104 forming part of the tortuous path 70.

[0038] See Figure 1 The hub body 13 of the hub 12 includes a flange 110 for mounting a wheel thereon. For clarity, the flange 110 is... Figure 1 The image is shown truncatedly. The flange 110 may include multiple openings for receiving fasteners, or fasteners may be embedded therein to extend through openings in the wheel. The hub body 13 also includes an outer end portion 112 and an inner end portion 120, the outer end portion 112 being secured to a flange 116 of the vehicle's axle 118 by fasteners (e.g., bolts 114). The wheel hub assembly 10 also includes a retainer assembly to hold the wheel hub assembly 10 onto the main shaft 21. The retainer assembly may include a main shaft nut washer 124, a main shaft nut 126, a double-wrap retainer 128, and a retainer retainer 130. The outer bearing assembly 14 includes an outer bearing outer ring 132, a roller bearing 134, and an outer bearing inner ring 136. The inner bearing inner ring 32 and the outer bearing inner ring 136 form a press-fit engagement with the main shaft 21. A spacer 20 maintains precise axial separation between the inner bearing inner ring 32 and the outer bearing inner ring 136. The spindle nut 126 presses the inner bearing inner ring 32, the outer bearing inner ring 136, and the spacer 20 onto the shoulder 64 of the spindle 21 (see...). Figure 2During vehicle operation, axle 118 rotates to produce rotation of hub body 13 and wheel attached to flange 110. Rotation of hub body 13 produces rotation of inner bearing outer ring 30, outer bearing outer ring 132 and bearings 34, 134, while inner bearing inner ring 32, outer bearing inner ring 136 and spacer 20 normally remain stationary on main shaft 21.

[0039] See Figure 3 A wheel hub assembly 200, similar in many respects to the wheel hub assembly 10 described above, is provided and mounted on a main shaft 202. The wheel hub assembly 200 includes a hub body 204, an inner bearing outer ring 206, a roller bearing 208, and an inner bearing inner ring 210. The wheel hub assembly 200 includes a seal 212 comprising a seal housing 214, a sleeve 216, a retainer 218, and a locking spring 220. The inner bearing inner ring 210 has a stop 222 that engages with a contact portion 224 of the sleeve 216 as the wheel hub assembly 200 is advanced in the inward axial direction 225 during assembly with the main shaft 202. The stop 222 includes a flange portion 226 having a radially outer surface 228 and a stop surface 230. The flange portion 226 extends radially outward beyond the radially outer surface 234 of the shoulder 236 of the main shaft 202 by a distance 232. This distance 232 allows the flange portion 226 to rotate parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel hub 200 (see, for example...). Figure 1 The shafts 40 and 216 are overlapped in the axial direction. The sleeve 216 includes a body 240 and a sealing member 242. The inner bearing inner ring 210 may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel), the body 240 of the sleeve 216 may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel), and the sealing member 242 may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomer, such as rubber). Other examples include plastics and / or resins, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0040] The body 240 provides a structural framework for the sleeve 216 and, during the mounting of the wheel hub assembly 200 onto the spindle 202, rigidly contacts the stop 222 of the inner bearing inner ring 210 as the wheel hub assembly 200 advances along the spindle 202 in the inward direction 225. The sleeve 216 includes a base (e.g., a radially inner section 244) with a contact portion 224 whose surface 246 abuts against the stop surface 230 of the inner bearing inner ring flange portion 226. The radially inner section 244 also includes a front end portion 250 of a sealing member 242 that, as the wheel hub assembly 200 advances in the direction 225, first contacts the spindle shoulder 236 and engages with the outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302.

[0041] See Figure 3The sealing housing 214 includes a body 252, which may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel), rigid plastic, or composite material. The sealing housing 214 also includes a sealing member 254 coupled thereto, which may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber). The body 252 of the sealing housing 214 provides rigidity to form a press fit with the hub body 204, which may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel), rigid plastic, or composite material. The hub body 204 may be made of aluminum, iron, or steel. The sealing member 254 includes a radially outer portion 256 that engages with the inner surface of a bore 258 in the hub body 204, and a sealing portion 260 that contacts the radially outer surface 262 of the sleeve 216. The sealing member 254 may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber).

[0042] See Figure 4-9 The process of mounting the wheel hub assembly 200 onto the main shaft 202 will be described. See also Figure 4 The image shows a seal 212 initially installed in a hub bore 258, with a seal housing 214 engaging the radially inner surface of the hub bore 258. The radially outer segment 252 of the seal housing 214 includes a radially outer surface 280, which engages the inner surface 258 of the hub bore 258, for example, by pressing the radially outer segment 252 into engagement with it. The seal housing 214 also includes an intermediate segment 282 and a radially inner segment 284. A sleeve 216 includes a radially outer portion 286 extending into a groove formed between the radially outer segment 252 and the intermediate segment 282 of the seal housing 214. The sleeve 216 also includes an intermediate segment 288 and a radially inner segment 290. As described below, the radially inner segment 290 forms a press-fit engagement with the sealing journal 302 of the shoulder 236 of the spindle 202.

[0043] See Figure 4 The sealing housing 214 is rigidly fixed to the hub body 204, and the sleeve 216 is axially movable relative to the sealing housing 214 in direction 225 or direction 227. The retainer 218 prevents the sleeve 216 from detaching from the sealing housing 214 along direction 225, for example, during operation of the hub assembly 200. Figure 4In the initial configuration of the seal 212 shown, the radially outer segment 286 of the sleeve 216 is axially spaced from the middle segment 282 of the sealing housing 214 by a distance 292, the middle segment 288 of the sleeve 216 is axially spaced from the radially inner segment 284 of the sealing housing 214 by a distance 294, and the contact portion 224 of the sleeve 216 is axially spaced from the stop surface 230 of the flange portion 226 of the inner bearing inner ring 210 by a gap 296 (which has a distance 298). As the hub assembly 200 is advanced onto the spindle 202 in the direction 225, as the sleeve 216 contacts the spindle shoulder 236 and the sealing housing 214 and sleeve 216 move toward the mounting configuration, the distances 292 and 294 will decrease, and the gap 296 will close. The radially inner section 290 has an axial length 291, which is sized such that when the sleeve 216 abuts against the stop surface 230 of the inner bearing inner ring 210, the sleeve 216 is axially spaced from the seal housing 214, providing a substantially fixed axial distance between the sleeve 216 and the seal housing 214. This substantially fixed axial distance between the sleeve 216 and the seal housing 214 keeps the seal housing 214 and the sleeve 216 in an operating configuration until they reach their final operating position on the spindle 202.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the wheel hub assembly 200, the inner inner ring 210 has a central opening with a radially inner surface 300, the dimensions of which are configured to form a sliding fit with the sealing journal 302 of the main shaft 202. The wheel hub assembly 200 has a main shaft nut that is tightened to push the inner inner ring 210 and its associated hub body 204 along the main shaft 202 in direction 225.

[0045] See Figure 5 The spindle nut is tightened to push the hub body 204 and the inner bearing inner ring 210 along the spindle 202 in direction 225. This causes the front end portion 250 of the sealing member 242 of the sleeve 216 to contact the radially outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302. The sealing journal 302 may include a tapered surface 310 that gradually slopes radially outward and keeps the sleeve 216 centered on the spindle 202 as it advances along the spindle 202. The interference fit between the front end portion 250 of the sleeve 216 and the sealing journal 302 provides a reaction force in direction 227 that prevents further axial movement of the sleeve 216 in direction 225 and temporarily halts the axial movement of the sleeve 216 as the hub body 204 and the inner bearing inner ring 210 continue to advance axially in direction 225.

[0046] See Figure 5 and Figure 6As the front end portion 250 of the sleeve 216 contacts the sealing journal 236, the hub body 204 and the inner bearing inner ring 210 continue to advance in direction 225, which moves the sealing shell 214, installed in the hub body 204, toward the now stationary sleeve 216. This continued advancement of the sealing shell 214 and the hub body 204 toward the sleeve 216 causes the axial clearance between the middle section 282 of the sealing shell 214 and the radially outer section 286 of the sleeve 216 to narrow to a distance 320 less than a distance 292. Similarly, the clearance between the radially inner section 284 of the sealing shell 214 and the middle section 288 of the sleeve 216 narrows to a distance 322 less than a distance 294.

[0047] See Figure 7 The hub body 204 and the inner bearing inner ring 210 have been advanced along direction 225 so that the stop surface 230 of the flange portion 226 abuts against the surface 246 of the contact portion 224 of the contact sleeve 216. As surfaces 230, 246 abut, the inner bearing inner ring 210 is further advanced along direction 225, which rigidly pushes the body 240 of the sleeve 216 in direction 225. The body 240 of the sleeve 216 can thus transmit axial force from the inner ring 210 to the front end portion 250 of the sealing member 242 and overcome the frictional resistance of the front end portion 250 sliding along the radially outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302. In one embodiment, the sealing member 242 has a smooth cylindrical surface 330. In other embodiments, the surface 330 has protrusions, such as one or more ribs, that can slide along the radially outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302.

[0048] The rigid connection between the body 240 of the sleeve 216 and the flange portion 226 of the inner ring 210 (due to the close proximity of surfaces 230, 246), and the connection between the inner bearing inner ring 210 and the hub body 204, provides and maintains a distance 332 between the intermediate portions 282 of the sealing housing 214, and a distance 334 between the radially inner section 284 of the sealing housing 214 and the intermediate section 288 of the sleeve 216. Furthermore, the rigid contact between surfaces 230, 246 allows the seal 212 to advance along the spindle 202, maintaining a substantially fixed distance 336 between the retainer 218 and the sealing portion 260 of the sealing housing 214. In one embodiment, the contact between the inner bearing inner ring 230 and the sleeve 216 results in a distance 332 smaller than distance 320, and a distance 334 smaller than distance 322.

[0049] As the seal 212 advances along the main shaft 202 in direction 225, the engagement of the flange portion 226 and the contact portion 224 of the sleeve 216 maintains distances 332, 334, and 336, and preserves the geometry of the sealing shell 214 and the sleeve 216. By maintaining the geometry of the sealing shell 214 and the sleeve 216, the sealing shell 214 and the sleeve 216 remain axially separated, which reduces frictional resistance and heat generated by the rotation of the sealing shell 214 relative to the sleeve 216 after the vehicle is put into use. Furthermore, maintaining the geometry between the sealing shell 214 and the sleeve 216 preserves the geometry of the tortuous path 340 (see...). Figure 5 This improves the tolerances of seal 212. The zigzag path 340 prevents contaminants such as dirt and grime from entering seal 212 and retains lubricant within seal 212. By maintaining the geometry between seal housing 214 and sleeve 216, the width of zigzag path 340 is not wider than desired, thus preserving the effectiveness of seal 212.

[0050] See Figure 8 The hub body 204 and the inner bearing inner ring 210 continue to advance in direction 225, while the flange portion 226 of the inner bearing 210 contacts the contact portion 224 of the sleeve 216 and pushes the sleeve 216 in direction 225 along the radial outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302. The rigidity of the sleeve 216 and the bodies 240, 252 of the sealing shell 214, as well as the matching axial movement of the inner bearing inner ring 210 and the hub body 204, maintain distances 332, 334, and 336 as the sealing shell 214 and the sleeve 216 advance along the main shaft 202.

[0051] See Figure 9 The hub body 204 has been fully advanced into the mounting position in direction 225, causing the surface 350 of the inner bearing inner ring 210 to abut against the radial surface 352 of the spindle shoulder 236. When the inner ring 210 abuts against the spindle shoulder 236, the flange portion 226 of the inner bearing inner ring 210 extends radially outward beyond the radial outer surface 234 of the spindle shoulder 236. In one embodiment, the stop surface 230 of the flange portion 226 contacts the surface 350 of the inner ring 210. In other embodiments, the stop surface 230 and the surface 350 may be discontinuous surfaces, for example, separated by a gap.

[0052] exist Figure 9 In the diagram, seal 212 is shown in its installed configuration, where the distances 332, 334, and 336 between the seal housing 214, sleeve 216, and retainer 218, and the distance when the inner bearing inner ring flange portion 226 contacts the sleeve contact portion 224 (see...). Figure 7The components are essentially the same. In the installation configuration, the front end portion 250 of the sleeve 216 and a portion 360 of the body 240 contact the radially outer surface 234 of the sealing journal 302. The sealing member 242 may be made of a polymer material (e.g., rubber) and forms a seal with the inner sealing journal 302. The body 240 may be made of a metallic material, which provides rigidity and withstands the tension generated by the interference fit with the sealing journal 302, so that the sleeve 216 remains fixed, preventing axial and rotational movement on the sealing journal 302. The body 240 directly transfers the heat generated by the rotational contact between the body 240 and the sealing portion 260 of the sealing housing 214 to the spindle 202, which may be a larger metal component operating as a heat sink. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the portion 360 of the body 240 that engages with the sealing journal 302 is sized such that it interferes with the shoulder 236. Therefore, portion 360 of the body 240 provides a rigid connection to the shoulder 236 of the spindle 202, and this rigid connection extends along the shoulder 236. Furthermore, the metal of the body portion 360 has radial thermal expansion similar to that of the sealing journal 302, ensuring a tight engagement between the metal and the sealing journal 302.

[0053] See Figure 10 A wheel hub assembly 400 is provided, which is similar in many respects to the wheel hub assemblies 10 and 200 described above; therefore, the differences will be highlighted. The wheel hub assembly 400 includes a hub body 402, an inner bearing outer ring 404, multiple roller bearings 406, an inner bearing inner ring 408, and a seal 410. The wheel hub assembly 400 is shown mounted on a main shaft seal journal 412. The seal 410 includes a seal housing 414, a sleeve 416, a retainer 418, and a clamping spring 420.

[0054] The sealing housing 414 includes a body 422 made of a rigid material (e.g., metal) and a sealing member 424 that may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomeric material such as rubber). The sealing housing 414 includes a radially outer section 426, a middle section 428, and a radially inner section 430. The sealing member 424 extends from the radially outer section 426 to the radially inner section 430. The sealing member 424 includes walls 432, 434, and a sealing portion 436. A clamping spring 420 holds the sealing portion 436 against the radially outer surface 438 of the sleeve 416.

[0055] The sealing member 424 includes a base portion 440 that bottoms out against the radial surface 442 of the hub body 402 when the sealing shell 414 is pressed into the hub bore 446 of the hub 402 in the direction 444. Furthermore, the sealing member 424 extends axially and forms an interface between the sealing shell 414 and the radially inner surface 448 of the hub 402. In one embodiment, the sealing member 424 is made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than the body 422 (e.g., rubber when the body 422 is made of steel), such that the sealing member 424 resists heat transfer to the seal 410. For example, the material of the sealing member 424 can limit heat absorption from the brake associated with the hub body 402. The thermal insulation provided by the sealing member 424 can reduce the operating temperature within the seal 410 and extend the seal life.

[0056] See Figure 10 The sleeve 416 includes a body 450 made of a rigid material (e.g., metal) and a sealing member 452 coupled thereto. The body 450 and the sealing member 452 can be coupled using a process including: pretreating the body 450, coating the pretreated body 450 with (e.g.) rubber, and co-vulcanizing the pretreating material and the rubber during the molding of the sealing member 452 onto the body 450. The sealing shell 414 can be manufactured in a manner similar to that of the sleeve 416.

[0057] The sealing member 452 may be made of a polymer material (e.g., an elastomer such as rubber) and includes a front end portion 454 that contacts the main shaft sealing journal 412 when the wheel hub assembly 400 advances along the main shaft sealing journal 412 in the inward direction 445. Furthermore, the body 450 includes a contact portion 460 having a surface 462 that abuts against a stop surface 464 of a stop portion 466 formed by the flange portion 468 of the inner bearing inner ring 408. When the hub assembly 400 advances along the main shaft sealing journal 412 in the inward axial direction 445, the close contact between the contact portion 460 of the sleeve 416 and the flange portion 468 of the inner bearing inner ring 408 provides rigid support for the sleeve 416.

[0058] See Figure 11A portion of a wheel hub assembly 500 is provided, which is similar in many respects to the aforementioned wheel hub assembly, thus highlighting the differences. The wheel hub assembly 500 includes a wheel hub 502 having a hub body 504 with an opening 506 for receiving a bearing assembly 508 and a seal 510. The bearing assembly 508 and the seal 510 have a central opening sized to receive a vehicle spindle 507. The bearing assembly 508 includes an outer bearing ring 511, an inner bearing ring 512, and a roller bearing 514 therebetween. The seal 510 includes a sealing housing 520, a sleeve 522, and a retaining spring 525. The bearing assembly 508 includes a stop 513 configured to push the sleeve 522 along the spindle 507 as the bearing assembly 508 and the wheel hub 502 advance along the spindle 507. The stop 513 may include, for example, a flange portion 582 of the bearing inner ring 512. In another embodiment, the stop 513 of the bearing assembly 508 includes a ring different from the bearing inner ring 512, which is sandwiched between the bearing inner ring 512 and the sealing journal 574 of the spindle 507.

[0059] The sealing housing 520 has a body 524 that may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel or aluminum) and a sealing member 526 that may be made of an elastomeric material (e.g., rubber). As some examples, the sealing member 526 may be attached to the body 524 by adhesives, chemical bonding, and / or interlocking structures. The body 524 includes a radially outer portion 528 having a radially outer surface 530 that extends an axial distance 531 and forms at least a portion of the outer diameter of the sealing housing 520. The radially outer surface 530 of the sealing housing 524 may have a press-fit engagement with a radially inner surface 532 of the hub body 504, which defines the inner diameter of the hub body opening 506. The radially outer portion 528 of the body 524 includes an end portion 536 that abuts against the radial surface 538 of the hub body 504 once the sealing housing 520 has been pressed in and positioned in the opening 506 of the hub body 504 in the direction 549.

[0060] The sealing member 526 includes a radially outer portion 540 having a radially outer surface that engages with a radially inner surface 532 of the hub body 504. The radially outer portion 540 extends axially by a distance 541 shorter than the axial distance 531 and can form a portion of the outer diameter of the sealing housing 520. Because the radially outer portion 540 of the sealing member 526 extends less than the entire axial range of the outer diameter of the sealing housing 520, the sealing member 526 provides less frictional resistance for removing the sealing housing 520 in the direction 550 (e.g., during maintenance of the wheel hub assembly 500).

[0061] See Figure 11The sleeve 522 includes a body 552, which may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel or aluminum), and a sealing member 553, which may be made of an elastomeric material (e.g., rubber). The sealing member 526 of the sealing housing 520 may include one or more walls 556 and a radially inner portion 558 having a sealing portion 560, which may include a main sealing lip 562. A retaining spring 525 presses the main sealing lip 562 against the radially outer surface of the body 552 of the sleeve 522. The sealing member 553 may have a radially inner portion 570 that engages with the radially outer surface 572 of the sealing journal 574 of the spindle 507. The body 552 of the sleeve 522 includes a contact portion 580 for contacting the flange portion 582 of the stop portion 513 of the bearing inner ring 512.

[0062] See Figure 12 and Figure 13 A wheel hub assembly 600 is provided, which is similar in many respects to the wheel hub assembly described above; therefore, the differences will be highlighted. The wheel hub assembly 600 is used to connect a wheel to a steering spindle 601. The wheel hub assembly 600 includes a wheel hub 602 having a hub body 604 having a flange 606 and a stud 608 connected thereto. The wheel hub assembly 600 includes a retainer assembly 610 having a spindle nut 612, a snap ring retainer 614, and a spindle nut washer 616, which rotatably secures the wheel hub 602 to the spindle 601, allowing the wheel hub 602 to rotate about a central axis 618. The wheel hub assembly 600 also includes an outer bearing assembly 620, a spacer 622, an inner bearing assembly 630, and an inner seal 632.

[0063] See Figure 13 The inner bearing assembly 630 can be installed in the opening 642 of the hub body 604 by pressing the inner bearing assembly 630 into the opening 642 of the hub body 604 in the direction 640. The inner bearing assembly 630 includes an outer bearing ring 644, an inner bearing ring 646, and a roller bearing 648 therebetween. The inner bearing assembly 630 includes a stop portion 650 (e.g., the flange portion 652 of the inner bearing ring 646) and an offset portion 654.

[0064] The seal 632 includes a sealing housing 660 and a sleeve 662. The sleeve 662 includes a body 664, which may be made of a metallic material, and a sealing member 666, which may be made of an elastomeric material. The body 664 has a radially inner portion 668 that press-fits with the radially outer surface 670 of the sealing journal 672 of the main shaft 601.

[0065] See Figure 13The bias portion 654 of the bearing inner ring 646 allows the contact portion 676 of the sleeve body 654 to partially nest within the bearing inner ring 646 and extends axially outward beyond the radial surface 682 of the sealing journal 672 by a distance 680. Thus, the contact portion 676 of the sleeve body 654 and the bearing inner ring 646 overlap in the radial direction. The bias portion 654 provides an axially compact fit between the sleeve 662 and the bearing inner ring 646, which may be advantageous in some applications. In one embodiment, the bias portion 654 includes a notch or groove 674 that forms a stepped radially outer shoulder of the bearing inner ring 646. For example, the groove 674 may have an annular shape and extend axially from the inner radial surface 675 of the bearing inner ring 646. The flange portion 652 of the bearing inner ring 646 includes a stop surface 684 against which the contact portion 676 of the sleeve body 664 abuts.

[0066] The sealing housing 660 includes a body 690 that may be made of a metallic material and a sealing member 692 that may be made of an elastomeric material. The sealing member 692 of the sealing housing 660 includes one or more walls 720 and a sealing portion 722, while the sealing member 666 includes one or more walls 724 to form a tortuous path 726 for the seal 632.

[0067] The sealing housing 662 has an axial protrusion 694 that extends inward beyond the inner surface 700 of the sleeve 662 by an axial distance 698. Because the axial protrusion 694 extends axially inward beyond the inner surface 700 of the sleeve 662, it can support the wheel hub assembly 600 against the surface when the wheel hub assembly 600 is stacked on the surface for transport or storage.

[0068] In one embodiment, the body 690 has a radially outer portion 702, a middle portion 704 that may include a bend 705, and a radially inner portion 706. The body 690 may be made of a metallic material (e.g., steel or aluminum) and is configured to bear the weight of the wheel hub assembly 600 when the wheel hub assemblies 600 are vertically stacked and the inner surface 696 of the axial protrusion 694 rests on a supporting surface. A sealing shell 660, instead of a sleeve 662, supports the weight of the stacked wheel hub assemblies 600, including the wheel hub bodies 604 and other components. This configuration prevents the interface between the sealing shell 660 and the sleeve 662 from jamming or otherwise being damaged.

[0069] The body 690 of the sealing shell 660 includes a radially outer portion 711 that engages with the radially inner surface 712 of the wheel hub body 604, and the sealing member 692 includes a radially outer portion 710 that engages with the radially inner surface 712 of the wheel hub body 604. In one embodiment, the body 690 is steel or aluminum, and the sealing member 692 is rubber. For a given application, the pull-out force required to remove the sealing shell 660 can be reduced by shortening the axial extent of the radially outer portion 710 of the sealing member 692, or increased by lengthening the axial extent of the radially outer portion 710 of the sealing member 692.

[0070] See Figure 14 A portion of another bearing assembly 800 is provided, which is similar in many respects to the bearing assembly described above; therefore, the differences will be highlighted. For clarity, the bearing outer ring is not shown in the bearing assembly 800. The bearing assembly 800 includes a roller bearing 802, an inner bearing ring 804, and a stop 806. The stop 806 includes a washer 808 that is distinct from the inner bearing ring 804. The washer 808 has a radially outer portion 810 that extends radially beyond the flange portion 814 of the inner ring 804 by a distance 812. The washer 808 has a stop surface portion 816 that is configured to contact a sleeve of a sealing assembly on the vehicle main shaft and pushes the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft as the bearing assembly 800 moves inward in direction 819.

[0071] See Figure 14 The roller bearing 802 has a central axis 820, which is inclined at an angle 822 relative to an axis 824, which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer ring of the bearing and the inner ring of the roller bearing 802. The roller bearing 802 has an inner raised portion 830 and an outer lowered portion 832.

[0072] See Figure 15 A portion of another bearing assembly 900 is provided, which is similar in many respects to the bearing assembly described above; therefore, the differences will be highlighted. For clarity, the bearing outer ring is not shown in bearing assembly 900. Bearing assembly 900 includes a roller bearing 902, an inner bearing ring 904, and a stop 906. The stop 906 includes a ring 908 mounted on the inner bearing ring 904, for example, by pressing the ring 908 onto the inner bearing ring 904. The inner bearing ring 904 includes a sleeve portion 909 and a flange portion 910, which are formed as follows: Figure 15 The L-shaped cross-section is shown. The flange portion 910 extends radially beyond the flange portion 916 of the inner ring 904 by a distance 912. The flange portion 910 of the ring 908 has a stop surface portion 918, which is configured to contact the sleeve of the sealing assembly on the vehicle main shaft and push the sleeve along the vehicle main shaft as the bearing assembly 900 moves inward.

[0073] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood that many variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and the invention is intended to cover all such variations and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the various features of the aforementioned wheel hub assembly, including seals and bearing assemblies, can be used in a variety of applications, such as for commercial vehicle wheel ends designed for axles with markings such as TP, FF, FL, TN, and R as described in SAE Standard J2475. Furthermore, the phrase “at least one” as used herein is intended to be interpreted in a deductive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to cover A, B, or A and B.

Claims

1. A wheel hub assembly, characterized in that, include: A hub body, the hub body having an outer end and an inner end; The bearing assembly and the seal mounted on the hub body, the seal being located inside the bearing assembly; The bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted on the hub body, an inner ring having a central opening for receiving the vehicle spindle, and a plurality of roller elements that allow the outer ring to rotate relative to the inner ring. The sealing element includes a sealing shell and a sleeve, and the hub body and the sealing shell are rotatable relative to the sleeve; The sleeve includes a radially inner portion having a central opening for receiving the spindle, and the radially inner portion of the sleeve is configured to form an interference fit with the radially outer surface of the sealing journal of the spindle. The stop portion of the bearing assembly is configured to prevent the sleeve from moving toward the outer end of the wheel hub body when the hub body, the bearing assembly, and the seal are pushed together along the vehicle main shaft in the inward direction. The stop portion includes a flange portion of the inner ring of the bearing assembly, which has a stop surface; The inner ring includes a groove adjacent to the flange portion and an offset portion located inside the flange portion; and The sleeve includes a contact portion that extends axially outward beyond the radial surface of the sealing journal of the main shaft by a distance, extending into the groove of the inner ring, such that the contact portion of the sleeve and the offset portion of the inner ring overlap radially and contact the stop surface of the flange portion of the inner ring.

2. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hub body and sealing shell are rotatable relative to the sleeve about an axis; and The stop surface of the flange portion of the inner ring and the contact portion of the sleeve overlap in the axial direction to prevent the sleeve from moving toward the outer end of the hub body.

3. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hub body and sealing shell are rotatable relative to the sleeve about a central axis; and The sealing shell and the stop portion have a fixed axial distance between them, such that when the wheel hub body, bearing assembly and sealing portion are advanced in the inward direction along the main axis of the vehicle, the sealing shell and the stop portion have a fixed axial distance between them.

4. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, As the hub body, bearing assembly, and seal advance in the inward direction, when the sleeve engages with the vehicle main shaft, the sleeve can move in the outward direction from a first position relative to the sealing housing to a second position relative to the sealing housing; and As the wheel hub body, bearing assembly, and seal advance along the vehicle main shaft in the inward direction, the stop holds the sleeve in a second position relative to the sealing shell and prevents the sleeve from moving toward the outer end of the wheel hub body.

5. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hub body has an integral, one-piece structure, and the hub body includes a flange, a central through opening, and a tubular sidewall extending around the central opening. A stud extending from the flange of the hub body; as well as The bearing assembly and the seal are installed in the central opening on the radially inner side of the tubular sidewall.

6. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sleeve includes a metal body with a radially inner annular portion having a central opening for receiving a vehicle spindle, and the metal body having a radially inner surface configured to contact the vehicle spindle and allow heat transfer to the vehicle spindle.

7. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing shell includes a metal body and a sealing member coupled to the metal body. The sealing member includes a sealing portion that contacts the sleeve when the sealing shell rotates relative to the sleeve.

8. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hub body includes a central through opening, and the sealing shell is located in the central through opening; and The metal body and the sealing member each include a radially outer portion that engages with the radially inner surface of the hub body.

9. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing shell includes a radially outer section that engages with the hub and a radially inner section, the radially inner section including a lip that contacts the radially outer surface of the radially inner section of the sleeve; and The radially inner portion of the sleeve includes a contact portion.

10. The wheel hub assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Second bearing assembly; Each of the bearing assemblies has a central opening to receive the vehicle spindle. Spacers separating the bearing assemblies; as well as A spindle nut, configured to engage with the vehicle spindle and secure the bearing assembly along the vehicle spindle.

11. A device for a wheel hub assembly, characterized in that, The device includes: Box-type seals, including: Sealed shell; A sleeve having a central opening, the size of which is configured to form an interference fit with the sealing diameter of the vehicle's main shaft; and The sealing shell is rotatable relative to the sleeve about a central axis; and A bearing assembly having inner and outer sides, the bearing assembly comprising: The inner ring has a central opening for receiving the vehicle's main shaft; Outer ring; Multiple roller elements configured to allow the outer ring to rotate about the inner ring; and The stop is configured to prevent the outer axial movement of the sleeve from exceeding a predetermined axial position when the bearing assembly and the box seal are advanced along the vehicle main shaft in the inner axial direction. The stop portion includes a flange portion of the inner ring of the bearing assembly, and the flange portion has a stop surface; The inner ring includes a groove adjacent to the flange portion and an offset portion located inside the flange portion; and The sleeve includes a contact portion that extends axially outward beyond the radial surface of the sealing journal of the main shaft by a distance, extending into the groove of the inner ring, such that the contact portion of the sleeve and the offset portion of the inner ring overlap radially and contact the stop surface of the flange portion of the inner ring.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The stop portion of the bearing assembly includes an inner ring portion having an outer diameter, and the central opening of the sleeve has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring portion.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sleeve includes a metal body with a contact portion.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The metal body includes a radially inner surface that extends around the central opening of the sleeve to form an interference fit with the vehicle main shaft.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sealing housing includes a sealing portion configured to contact the radial outer surface of the metal body of the sleeve adjacent to the radial inner surface of the sleeve.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sealing shell includes an annular metal body extending about the central axis of the sealing shell and a polymer sealing member bonded to the metal body, the metal body and the polymer sealing member each including a radially outer portion configured to engage a radially inner surface of a wheel hub.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sealing shell includes: The radially outer portion is used to engage the wheel hub; The radially inner portion includes a sealing lip that contacts the sleeve; and The middle portion extends axially inward beyond the sleeve.

18. A method for mounting a pre-assembled wheel hub assembly onto a vehicle main axle, the pre-assembled wheel hub assembly comprising a wheel hub body, a bearing assembly, and a seal, the bearing assembly comprising an inner ring having a flange portion, a groove, and an offset portion inside the flange portion, the seal comprising a sleeve for mounting on the vehicle main axle and a sealing shell rotatable about the sleeve, characterized in that, The method includes: Align the opening of the bearing assembly and the opening of the sleeve of the pre-assembled wheel hub assembly with the vehicle main shaft; The pre-assembled wheel hub assembly is advanced axially inward along the vehicle main shaft to engage the sleeve with the sealed journal of the vehicle main shaft, and to abut the stop surface of the flange portion of the inner ring of the bearing assembly against the contact portion of the sleeve located in a groove adjacent to the flange portion of the inner ring. The contact portion of the sleeve extends axially inward beyond the radial surface of the sealed journal of the vehicle main shaft by a distance and overlaps with the offset portion of the inner ring in the radial direction, wherein the flange portion of the inner ring abuts the contact portion of the sleeve; and As the wheel hub body and bearing assembly advance along the vehicle main shaft in the axial inward direction, the sleeve is pushed along the vehicle main shaft by the contact between the flange portion of the inner ring of the bearing assembly and the contact portion of the sleeve in the groove of the inner ring; and The pre-assembled wheel hub assembly, which is advanced along the vehicle's main shaft, includes an interference fit between the radially inner portion of the sleeve and the radially outer surface of the sealed journal of the vehicle's main shaft.

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