Wheel hub with passage

Abstract

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a wheel hub is provided that includes a wheel hub body having an inboard end and an outboard end. The wheel hub body has a wheel mounting portion, such as a flange, intermediate the inboard end and the outboard end. The wheel hub body has a central opening, an inner surface extending around the central opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The wheel hub includes a passageway having an inner port at an inner surface of the wheel hub body and an outer port at an outer surface of the wheel hub body. The inner port is located outboard of an inboard end of the wheel hub body. The outer port is intermediate between the wheel mounting portion and an outboard end of the wheel hub body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 399,374, filed on August 19, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wheel hubs for commercial vehicles, and more particularly to wheel hubs that facilitate the use of wheel end devices such as tire inflation systems. Background Art

[0003] Commercial vehicles typically have a drive wheel hub mounted to the vehicle spindle. The vehicle has a half shaft extending within the wheel hub and the spindle. The half shaft has a drive flange that is secured to the wheel hub by axle bolts of the wheel hub and nuts screwed onto the axle bolts. The wheel hub has a flange with studs for securing the wheel to the wheel hub. Rotation of the half shaft causes rotation of the wheel hub and the wheel mounted to the wheel hub.

[0004] Drivers and / or technicians frequently check the tire pressure of the wheels of commercial vehicles to ensure that the tire pressure is at or above a predetermined level to maximize the life of the tire. Various automatic tire inflation systems exist on the market that allow compressed air to be delivered to the tires of the vehicle from a compressed air source in the vehicle (e.g., an air compressor and a tank).

[0005] One existing automatic tire pressure system utilizes a first compressed air conduit extending through the interior of a spindle. The system has a small rotating air seal near the end of the spindle that allows pressurized air to flow from the first conduit inside the spindle to a second pressurized air conduit carried on a wheel associated with the spindle, and ultimately to the tire of the wheel. The automatic tire inflation system continuously inflates the tire at a specific set pressure to keep the tire pressure above a minimum tire pressure. The automatic tire inflation system is not suitable for use with drive wheels of commercial vehicles because the half shafts extend within the spindle and the drive flanges of the half shafts are fixed to the outboard ends of the drive wheel hubs.

[0006] One existing method of providing compressed air to a tire associated with a drive wheel hub utilizes a first hole drilled in the radially inner surface of the drive wheel hub. The method also includes drilling a second hole in the outer end surface of an axle bolt boss of the drive wheel so that the second hole overlaps the first hole. The method also includes assembling a hollow axle stud in the second hole of the axle stud boss. Compressed air can flow from the radially inner surface of the wheel hub, through the first hole, through the second hole, and through the interior of the hollow axle bolt, and then be directed to the tire.

[0007] The use of two overlapping drill holes involves a drilling operation that can be difficult. For example, the angle of the first hole is limited by the ability of the drill bit to advance into the interior of the wheel hub. Another difficulty is accurately drilling the first hole on the curved radial inner surface of the wheel hub. In addition, drilling two overlapping holes in different parts of the wheel hub and ensuring that the drill holes overlap neatly can be difficult, especially when mass-producing wheel hubs. Summary of the invention

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a wheel hub is provided, comprising a wheel hub body having an inner end and an outer end. The wheel hub body has a wheel mounting portion, such as a flange, located between the inner end and the outer end. The wheel hub body has a central opening, an inner surface extending around the central opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The wheel hub includes a passage having an internal port located at the inner surface of the wheel hub body and an external port located at the outer surface of the wheel hub body. The internal port is located outside the inner end of the wheel hub body. The external port is located between the wheel mounting portion and the outer end of the wheel hub body. In this way, wheel-end fluids and / or components (such as compressed air or metal wires) can pass through the wheel hub from the inner side of the wheel, bypass the wheel mounting portion, and reach the outer side of the wheel.

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a wheel hub, which includes a single, integral wheel hub body, and a passage that allows pressurized air to travel through the wheel hub body. The passage includes a through hole in the wheel hub body and a conduit within the through hole. The conduit has an open end portion and an interior that allows pressurized air to travel through the conduit. The wheel hub body can be formed by casting, wherein the conduit establishes at least a portion of the passage during the casting process to facilitate manufacturing of the wheel hub.

[0010] In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a wheel hub is provided. The method includes casting a wheel hub casting having a central opening and a sidewall extending around the central opening. The casting operation includes forming a partial passageway in the sidewall of the wheel hub casting. The method also includes forming an opening in the sidewall to complete the passageway. Because the casting operation includes forming a partial passageway in the sidewall, it is not necessary to use overlapping drill holes to form the entire passageway as in some previous methods. For example, the partial passageway may lead to a curved inner surface of the wheel hub casting. The partial passageway formed during the casting process avoids having to drill an opening in the curved inner surface, which may be difficult to drill due to the curved surface and inner diameter of the wheel hub casting.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a wheel hub. The method includes positioning a shell core in a cavity of a mold, the shell core having a body and a conduit extending from the body. The method also includes advancing a casting material into the cavity of the mold and allowing the casting material to harden to form a wheel hub casting around the shell core in the cavity of the mold. The wheel hub casting includes at least a portion of the conduit located in the side wall of the wheel hub casting. The wheel hub casting is cast around the conduit, allowing the conduit to establish at least a portion of a conduit in the wheel hub casting for compressed air, metal wire, etc.

[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a wheel hub is provided, comprising a wheel hub body and a wheel mounting portion for receiving a wheel. The wheel hub includes a passageway including an external port of the wheel hub body and an internal port of the wheel hub body. The wheel hub body also includes a protector configured to prevent the wheel from contacting the external port. For example, the wheel hub body may have a barrel portion located outside the wheel mounting portion. To mount the wheel to the wheel hub, the wheel moves inboard along the barrel portion and connects to the wheel mounting portion. Conversely, the wheel is disconnected from the wheel mounting portion and moves in an outboard direction along the barrel portion. The process of mounting or removing the wheel may involve resting a center flange of the wheel on the wheel hub, squeezing into the wheel hub, and / or sliding along the wheel hub as the user moves the wheel relative to the wheel hub. The protector may absorb contact from the center flange of the wheel, rather than allowing the center flange to damage the external port or components connected thereto, such as fittings and / or pipes. In one embodiment, the wheel hub body has a single, integral structure, and the protector includes one or more protrusions, such as axle bolt bosses of the wheel hub body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel end assembly including a wheel hub mounted to a spindle and a brake rotor secured to the wheel hub;

[0014] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 , showing a wheel hub body and a pressurized air rotary joint of the wheel hub, the wheel hub body having a passage to receive pressurized air from the pressurized air rotary joint;

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of another wheel hub body showing an external port of a passageway of the wheel hub;

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 3an end elevation view of a portion of a wheel hub body showing an axle stud boss of the wheel hub body having a radially outer surface portion extending radially outwardly further than the location of the external port to protect the external port from a center flange of the wheel when the wheel is being installed on or removed from the wheel hub body;

[0017] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 5 showing passageways extending through the sidewalls of the wheel hub body on opposite sides of the central opening of the wheel hub body;

[0018] Figure 6 It is used to form casting Figure 5 A plan view of the half-mold of the core box of the shell core of the wheel hub body, Figure 6 There is shown a cavity for forming one half of the body of a shell core and a recess for receiving a conduit forming a passage in a wheel hub casting;

[0019] Figure 7 is with Figure 6 a similar plan view showing the pipe positioned in the groove of the half-mold;

[0020] Figure 8 Is to use include Figure 6 and Figure 7 A perspective view of a shell core formed by a core box of a middle half mold, the shell core having a main body and a conduit extending outwardly from the main body;

[0021] Fig. 9 is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 1, showing an upper end portion of the conduit embedded in the shell core wall and a lower end portion of the conduit spaced radially outwardly from opposite sides of the shell core;

[0022] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Cross-sectional view of a shell core positioned for casting Fig. 9 In a mold of a wheel hub body;

[0023] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 an enlarged view of the dashed area showing a portion of the conduit extending outwardly from the shell core and into the mold cavity that forms the sidewall of the wheel hub body;

[0024] Fig.12 is used Fig.10 Cross-sectional view of a wheel hub casting formed by the mold and shell core, Fig.12shows the wheel hub casting after it has been removed from the mold, and a portion of the conduit extending radially into the central opening of the wheel hub casting;

[0025] Fig.13 is a perspective view of another wheel hub having a passage extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the wheel hub;

[0026] Fig.14 is along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figure 1, showing an inner portion of each passage formed during the casting process and an outer portion of the passage formed using a drilling operation;

[0027] Fig.15 It is used to form during the casting process Fig.14 A front view of the shell core of the wheel hub body, Fig.15 Axially aligned protrusions and recesses on one side of the shell core are shown;

[0028] Fig.16 is along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 in Figure 1, showing projections on opposite sides of the shell core which form the inner portion of the passageway of the wheel hub during the casting process;

[0029] Fig.17 Is has Fig.15 and Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of a wheel hub body mold assembly with a shell core in the mold assembly, the shell core positioned in a cavity of the mold assembly;

[0030] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 an enlarged view of the dashed portion of , which shows that the protrusion extends radially outward into a portion of the cavity forming the side wall of the wheel hub body; and

[0031] Fig.19 is used Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of a wheel hub casting formed by a wheel hub body mold assembly, Fig.19 The interior portion of the passageway formed by the shell core is shown after the shell core has been removed from the wheel hub casting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , a wheel end assembly 10 for a commercial vehicle is provided. The wheel end assembly 10 includes a wheel hub 12 mounted to a spindle 14 and rotatable about a central axis 16. The wheel hub 12 includes an axle bolt 18 for receiving a half shaft 21 (see Figure 2) of the drive flange 19. The wheel hub 12 includes a wheel hub body 20 having axle bolt bosses 22 (e.g., bosses 24, 26), and an external port 28 of a passage 30 positioned between the axle bolt bosses. Figure 2 The passageway 30 has an inlet port, such as an inner port 34, located at the radially inner surface of the wheel hub body 20. The passageway 30 provides a conduit for directing, for example, compressed air or wire from the inner port 34 to the outer port 28.

[0033] about Figure 2 , the wheel hub body 20 has a central opening 23 that receives the spindle 14 and the internal components of the wheel hub 12, and an annular wall 25 that extends around the central opening 23. The wheel hub body 20 has an outboard end portion 50 from which the axle bolt 18 protrudes for connection to the drive flange 19. The outboard end portion 50 has an outboard end 50A against which the drive flange 19 abuts. The wheel hub body 20 has an inboard end portion 52 to which a circular brake element (such as a brake rotor 64) is mounted. The inboard end portion 52 has an inboard end 52A against which the brake rotor 64 abuts. Since the internal port 34 is located outside the inboard end 52A and the external port 28 is located inside the outboard end 50A, the passage 30 provides a conduit for compressed air, wires, etc. without being interfered with by the drive flange 19 and the brake rotor 64.

[0034] The wheel end assembly 10 includes a cylindrical body, such as a rotary joint 32, for delivering pressurized air to the passage 30 when the vehicle is stopped or moving. The rotary joint 32 includes a pressurized air receiver 102 mounted to the main shaft 14 and a pressurized air distributor 104 mounted to the wheel hub body 20. As the wheel hub body 20 rotates, the pressurized air distributor 104 rotates about the pressurized air receiver 102. The rotary joint 32 facilitates air flow between the non-rotatable pressurized air receiver 102 and the rotatable pressurized air distributor 104. More specifically, the pressurized air receiver 102 has a compressed air inlet 100 that receives pressurized air from a pressurized air source (e.g., a compressor storage tank) of the vehicle. Applying pressurized air at the pressurized air inlet 100 causes the seal 101 of the rotary joint 32 to form an engagement and airtight seal between the pressurized air receiver 102 and the pressurized air distributor 104. Pressurized air may thereby travel from the pressurized air inlet 100, through the engaged seal 101, out the outlet 106, and into the passageway 30. The pressurized air may flow from the passageway 30 to a tire associated with the wheel hub body 20. For example, a one-way valve may be threadedly engaged with the external port 28 and configured to direct the compressed air into a conduit leading to the tire.

[0035] Back to Figure 1 , the wheel hub body 20 includes a mounting portion, such as a mounting flange 40, for receiving a wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel hub 12 includes a stud 42 of the mounting flange 40 that is positioned to receive the opening of the center flange of the wheel. The wheel hub body 20 has a barrel 44 of the wheel hub body 20 and a guide 45 that centers the opening of the center flange of the wheel when the wheel is installed to the wheel hub 12 in an inboard direction 51 or removed from the wheel hub 12 in an outboard direction 53.

[0036] The wheel hub body 20 has a protector 56 formed at least in part by the bosses 24, 26 that prevents the center flange of the wheel from contacting the external port 28 or wheel end components (such as valves, fittings, or pipes) mounted to the external port 28. Because the center flange of the wheel is away from the external port 28, components mounted to the external port 28 are less likely to be damaged during installation and removal of the wheel from the wheel hub 12. For example, during installation of the wheel to the wheel hub 12, as the wheel center flange travels along the barrel 44 in the inboard direction 51, the radially inner edge of the wheel center flange may be supported on the bosses 24, 26 radially outward from the external port 28. In addition, the wheel bolt 42 has an end 43 located outside the external port 28. When the wheel center flange is close to the external port 28, the wheel bolt end 43 extends into the hole of the wheel center flange and helps to center the wheel center flange on the wheel hub body 20.

[0037] refer to Figure 2 , the wheel hub 12 includes a spindle lock nut 70 for engaging the spindle 14 and securing the wheel hub 12 to the spindle 14. The wheel hub 12 also includes an outboard bearing 72 and an inboard bearing 74, each bearing including a cone 76, a cup 78, and a bearing element (e.g., a tapered roller 80) that rolls along the raceways of the cone 76 and the cup 78 to facilitate rotation of the wheel hub body 20 about the axis 16. The wheel hub 12 has a spacer 84 that maintains a fixed axial distance between the cones 76 of the outboard bearing assembly 72 and the inboard bearing assembly 74.

[0038] To assemble the wheel hub 12 onto the spindle 14, the wheel hub body 20 including the outboard bearing assembly 72 and the inboard bearing assembly 74, the spacer 84 and the swivel joint 32 mounted therein is advanced onto the spindle 14 in the inboard direction 51. The cone 76 of the inboard bearing assembly 74 abuts against the shoulder surface 92 of the spindle 14, and the spindle lock nut 70 is connected to the outboard end portion 94 of the spindle 14, such as by a threaded connection. The spindle lock nut 70 may include a retainer to prevent the spindle lock nut 70 from accidentally loosening from the spindle 14. Since the passage 30 is formed in the annular wall 25 and the swivel joint 32 is mounted to the wheel hub body 20, the wheel hub 12 provides an easily installed conduit for delivering pressurized air from a non-rotatable pressurized air source on the vehicle to a tire mounted to the wheel hub 20.

[0039] about Figure 3 A wheel hub body 20A is provided which is similar in many respects to the wheel hub body 20 and which may be used in place of the wheel hub body 20 in the wheel hub 12. Thus, similar structures of the wheel hub bodies 20, 20A will be indicated by similar reference numerals, with the letter "A" added to the reference numerals to indicate structures in the wheel hub body 20A. It should be understood that the following description of various structures of the wheel hub body 20A will apply to corresponding structures of the wheel hub body 20.

[0040] The wheel hub body 20A has an external port 28A and axle bolt bosses 24A, 26A located on opposite sides thereof. The wheel hub body 20A includes an interior 120 having a radial inner surface 122 having various surface portions to accommodate internal components of the wheel hub 12, such as the outboard bearing 72 and the inboard bearing 74. The wheel hub body 20 includes an exterior 124 that is exposed to the environment surrounding the wheel end. The wheel hub body 20A has a sidewall 25A and a lubricant filling opening 132 formed therein that leads to a grease pocket (see Figure 2 The lubricant filling opening can be closed by a filling plug threadedly engaged with the opening 132.

[0041] about Figure 4, the wheel hub body 20A has a recess 140 formed in the outer portion 124 that radially recesses the outer port 28A from the radially outer surface portions 144, 146 of the axle stud bosses 24A, 26A. The outer port 28A includes an opening 161 and a flat surface 142 extending around the opening 161. The outer surface portions 144, 146 of the axle stud bosses 24A, 26A each have a maximum outer radius 148, 150 perpendicular to the central axis 16. The outer surface portions 144, 146 of the axle stud bosses 24A, 26A are the peaks of the outer surfaces 154, 156 of the axle stud bosses 24, 26. The outer surface portions 144, 146 are oriented along an arc 160 extending between the axle stud bosses 24A, 26A. The opening 161 has a maximum distance 152 perpendicular to the center axis 16 that is less than the radii 148, 150, such that the opening 161 is radially closer to the center axis 16 than the outer surface portions 144, 146 of the axle bolt bosses 24A, 26A. In this manner, the radially inner edge of the center flange of a wheel mounted to or removed from the wheel hub body 20A will contact the outer surface portions 144, 146 and be supported thereon without damaging components (e.g., accessories) mounted at the outer port 28.

[0042] refer to Figure 5 , the wheel hub body 20A has a through-hole surface 170 that defines a through-hole 171 in the material of the wheel hub body 20A, the through-hole 171 extending from the interior 120 to the exterior 124 of the wheel hub body 20A. The passageway 30A includes a conduit 172 within the through-hole 171. The conduit 172 has an interior 180 that provides a passage for pressurized air to flow between the interior 120 and the exterior 124. As discussed in more detail below, during manufacturing of the wheel hub body 20A, the conduit 172 is cast into the sidewall of the wheel hub body 20A. The conduit 172 has an end portion 177 that is initially closed during the casting process to inhibit molten material from flowing into the interior 180 of the conduit 172.

[0043] In one embodiment, the internal port 34A of the passage 30A includes an inlet opening 182 of an inlet end portion 184 of the conduit 172. As described below with respect to Fig.12 As discussed, the inlet opening 182 of the conduit 170 is formed during machining of the geometry of the interior 120 of the wheel hub body 20A. The machining of the interior 120 includes machining portions of components that support the wheel hub 12, such as the outboard bearing seat 190 and the inboard bearing seat 192, the seal housing 196 for receiving the lubricant seal 197 associated with the inboard bearing assembly 74 (see Figure 2 ) and a seat 199 for the pressurized air distributor 104.

[0044] refer to Figures 6 to 12 , a method for manufacturing a wheel hub body 20A is provided. Figure 6 and Figure 8 , first a core box is used to form a shell core 210 made of resin coated sand. The shell core 210 is positioned in a mold 212 for casting a wheel hub body 20A (see Fig.10 ). The core box includes at least two parts, such as two halves, which are put together and injected with resin coated sand, and the core box is heated so that the resin coated sand contacting the core box is cured to form the shell core 210. In one embodiment, the core box includes a mold half 214 having a cavity 216 to form one half of the body 218 of the shell core 210 (see Figure 8 ).exist Figure 6 The mold half 214 is shown empty in order to show the grooves 218, 220, which are used to receive inserts (such as pipes 222, 224) cast with the wheel hub body. The pipes 222, 224 are positioned in the mold half 214, such as Figure 7 A mold half identical to mold half 214 is placed together with mold half 214 so that the aligned cavities 216 of the two mold halves form a complete core box cavity. Resin coated sand is then injected into the core box cavity, and the core box containing the resin coated sand is heated to cure the sand.

[0045] Figure 6 2 shows a mold half 214 having two recesses 218, 220 for receiving two pipes 222, 224. Figure 7 , two conduits 222, 224 are shown positioned in grooves 218, 220. The two conduits 222, 224 each form a portion of one of the two passages of the wheel hub. Each passage can be used to provide compressed air to one of the two tires of a dual-tire wheel mounted to the wheel hub. In another embodiment, the wheel hub has a single passage so that the mold half 214 used to form the shell core 210 of the wheel hub has a single groove to receive a single conduit. The single passage can be used to provide compressed air to one tire of a single-tire wheel mounted to the wheel hub. It should be understood that any number of grooves can be formed in the mold half 214 to support a corresponding number of conduits for the final sand core.

[0046] refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9, shows the shell core 210 after it has been removed from the core box chamber. The shell core 210 is hollow and includes a hollow interior 230 and a sidewall 232 extending therearound. The conduits 222, 224 have end portions 240, 242 that are embedded in retaining portions 244, 246 of the sidewall 232. The conduit end portions 240, 242 may be open or closed. The conduits 222, 224 have opposing end portions 250, 252 that are radially spaced outward from a radially outer surface 254 of the body 218. The end portions 250, 252 are closed (e.g., by crimping) to inhibit molten material from flowing into the interiors 260, 262 of the conduits 222, 224 during the casting operation. The ducts 222, 224 have one or more bends 270, 272 and allow the manufacturer to provide a non-linear passage between the interior 120 and the exterior 124 of the wheel hub body 20A. As some examples, the ducts 222, 224 have sidewalls 274 that may be made of steel or aluminum.

[0047] about Fig.10 The mold 212 includes one or more mold sections 213, such as an upper box (cope) 282 and a lower box 284, which define a wheel hub casting 290 (see Fig.12 ) of at least a portion of the cavity 286. The mold 212 has a mold parting line 285. The mold portions 213 are clamped together to prevent molten material from seeping out of the cavity 286. The mold 212 has an opening 310 for guiding the molten material into the cavity 286.

[0048] about Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the shell core 210 is positioned in the cavity 286, and the socket portion 291 of the shell core 210 engages with the boss 292 of the seat portion 294 of the mold 212. The conduits 222, 224 protrude radially outward from the outer surface 287 of the side wall 232 of the shell core 210 into the mold cavity 286. The end portions 250, 252 of the conduits 222, 224 are positioned in a portion of the cavity 286 located between the radial inner surface 300 of the mold portion 213 and the radial outer surface 254 of the shell core 210, which is configured to form the side wall 306 of the casting 290 (see Fig.12 ).

[0049] To form the casting 290, molten material is directed into the mold cavity 286 around the shell core 210. The molten material may be, for example, aluminum. The molten material is cooled and hardened in the cavity 286 to form the casting 290 around the shell core 210 with the conduits 222, 224 therein.

[0050] Once the casting 290 has hardened, the upper box 282 is disconnected from the lower box 284. The casting is then removed from the lower box 284.

[0051] Next, the method of forming the wheel hub body 20A includes removing the shell core body 218 from the wheel hub casting 290. This may be accomplished, for example, by vibration and / or air jets to remove the resin coated sand forming the body 218 of the shell core 210 from the central opening 320 of the casting 290.

[0052] about Fig.12 Once the main body 218 of the shell core 210 is removed from the casting 290, the tubes 222, 224 have portions 322, 324 that protrude radially inwardly from a radial inner surface 326 that extends around the central opening 320. In addition, the end portions 250, 252 are embedded in the side wall 306 of the casting 290. The casting 290 has an exterior 307 with a recess 140 formed by corresponding features of the lower box 284. The casting 290 has a wall portion 330 that separates the flat surface 332 of the recess 140 from the end portions 250, 252 of the tubes 222, 224.

[0053] The method of forming the wheel hub 20A includes forming an opening 161 in the flat surface 332 of the recess 140 (see Figure 5 ). The formation of the opening 161 opens the end portions 250, 252 of the pipes 222, 224 and communicates the interior 260, 262 of the pipes 222, 224 with the opening 161. For example, the opening 161 can be formed by drilling a hole in the flat surface 332 and advancing a drill until the drill bit removes the curled material of the pipe end portions 250, 252. The flat surface 332 makes it easier to position the drill bit in the recess 140 and orient the drill bit along a trajectory that intersects the pipe end portions 250, 252.

[0054] The method then includes machining the interior 305 of the wheel hub casting 290 to form the internal geometry of the wheel hub body 20A, such as the inner and outer bearing seats 190, 192, the grooves 194 and the seats 196 (see Figure 5 The machining operation also removes the portions 322 , 324 of the tubes 222 , 224 that protrude from the central opening 320 . Figure 5 The resulting wheel hub body 20A is shown after drilling the hole 161 and machining the interior 305 of the wheel hub casting 290 .

[0055] refer to Fig.13, a wheel hub body 400 is provided that is similar in many respects to the wheel hub body 20 discussed above. The wheel hub body 400 includes a sidewall 402 extending around a central opening 404 of the wheel hub body 400. In some examples, the wheel hub 400 has two passages 420 that act as conduits through the sidewall 402 for compressed air or wire. The wheel hub body 400 has a barrel 406 and a guide 407 for guiding the movement of the center flange of the wheel when the wheel is installed on or removed from the wheel hub body 400. The wheel hub body 400 includes Fig.13 Axle bolt bosses 408, 410 are provided on both sides of the external port 412 of the passage 420 to protect the external port 412 and components connected thereto from damage by the wheel when the wheel is installed to or removed from the wheel hub body 400.

[0056] refer to Fig.14 , the two passages 420 each have an outer port 412 and an inner port 422. Each outer port 412 includes an opening 434 and a flat surface 428 extending therearound. The opening 434 can be formed by, for example, drilling a hole in the sidewall 402 along the axis 437. Each inner port 422 is formed at the inner surface 423 of the wheel hub body 420. The inner port 422 has a recess 424 formed by the protrusions 460, 462 of the shell core 450 as described below (see Fig.16 The recess 424 has an opening 432 leading to the inner surface 423 .

[0057] Each passage 420 has a junction 430 between an opening 434 of the external port 412 and a recess 424 of the internal port 422. The junction 430 between the opening 434 and the recess 424 allows, for example, compressed air to flow from the recess 424, through the opening 434, and out of the external port 412.

[0058] refer to Figures 15 to 19 , provides an example method for manufacturing a wheel hub body 400. First, a shell core 450 is formed using a core box. The shell core 450 is molded with a mold 500 (see Fig.17 ) are used together to form casting 484 (see Fig.19 ). The casting 484 is processed to form the wheel hub 400.

[0059] Shell core 450 includes a body 452 made of cured resin coated sand having a hollow interior 454 and a sidewall 456 extending therearound. Shell core 450 has projections 460, 462 extending radially outward from flat surfaces 464, 466. Shell core 450 also includes recesses 470, 472 for receiving casting material to form a radially thicker portion 480 of a sidewall 482 of a casting 484 (see Fig.19 The additional material of the radially thicker portion 480 allows for the thicker portion 480 of the side wall 482 of the casting 484 (see Fig.19 ) and increases the strength of the wheel hub 400. In one embodiment, the thicker portion 480 includes two diametrically opposed ridges, each ridge being axially aligned with one of the passages 420. In another embodiment, the shell core 450 does not include the recesses 470, 472, but rather has an outer diameter sized to form a continuous annular thicker portion 480 extending around the central opening 486 of the casting 484.

[0060] refer to Fig.17 and Fig.18 The structure and operation of the mold 500 are similar to the mold 312 discussed above. The mold 500 includes a mold portion 502 that forms a cavity 504 in which the shell core 450 is positioned. The mold portion 502 includes an upper box 506 and a lower box 508. The protrusions 460, 462 of the shell core 450 extend radially outward into a portion 510 of the cavity 504, which is configured to form the sidewall 482 of the casting 484 between a radially inner surface 514 of the mold portion 502 and a radially outer surface 516 of the shell core 450.

[0061] The method includes directing molten wheel hub material (e.g., aluminum) into a chamber 504 surrounding a shell core 450. The molten material is allowed to cool and form a wheel hub casting 484. Fig.19 , a wheel hub casting 484 is shown which has been removed from a mold 500 and a shell core 450 has been removed from a central opening 486 of the wheel hub casting 484 using, for example, vibration and / or air jets. The casting 484 includes pockets 532, 534 formed in a radially inner surface 536 of the casting 484 by the protrusions 460, 462 of the shell core 450. In one approach, the casting formed using the mold 500 may be longer than the desired length of the wheel hub casting 484 such that the inboard end and / or outboard end of the casting is machined to provide the desired length of the wheel hub casting 484.

[0062] The method also includes machining the radial inner surface 536 of the wheel hub casting 484 to precisely define the internal structure of the wheel hub 400, such as bearing seats, grooves, etc. The machining of the radial inner surface 536 involves machining the radial inner portion of the recesses 532, 534 to provide the following: Fig.14 The method also includes drilling or otherwise forming an opening 434 of the passage 420 (see Fig.14 The overlap between the opening 434 and the recess 424 completes the passage 420 .

[0063] The use of singular terms, such as "a", "an", is intended to cover the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising", "having", "including", and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. The phrase "at least one" as used herein is to be interpreted in a disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to cover A, B, or both A and B.

[0064] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and the present invention is intended to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wheel hub, comprising: a wheel hub body having an inboard end and an outboard end; a wheel mounting portion of the wheel hub body, which is located between the inner end and the outer end; a central opening of the wheel hub body; an inner surface of the wheel hub body extending around the central opening; an outer surface of the wheel hub body, which is opposite to the inner surface; a passageway having an interior port at an interior surface of the wheel hub body, the interior port being outboard of an inboard end of the wheel hub body; and An external end of the passage is located at an outer surface of the wheel hub body, the external end being located intermediate the wheel mounting portion and the outer side end of the wheel hub body.

2. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body includes an inner bearing seat and an outer bearing seat; and Wherein, the internal port is located on the inner side of the inner bearing seat.

3. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body includes axle bolt bosses and a recessed portion located between the axle bolt bosses, the recessed portion having at least a portion of an outer surface thereon; and Wherein, the external port is located in one of the recesses.

4. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The interior port is located inboard of the wheel mounting portion.

5. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body is rotatable about a central axis; and wherein the external port includes an opening and a flat surface portion of an outer surface extending around the opening; and Wherein, the flat surface portion of the external port extends obliquely relative to the central axis.

6. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body has a unitary, one-piece structure; and Wherein, the passage comprises a through hole in the wheel hub body.

7. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The passageway includes a through hole in a wheel hub body and a conduit in the through hole.

8. The wheel hub according to claim 7, wherein: At least one of the interior port and the exterior port includes a portion of the conduit.

9. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The external port includes a planar surface portion of the exterior surface and an opening to the planar surface.

10. The wheel hub according to claim 9, wherein: The opening comprises a through hole in the wheel hub body; wherein the passageway comprises a conduit in a through hole of the wheel hub body; and wherein the conduit includes an end portion spaced apart from an inner side of the flat surface portion of the external port.

11. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body includes a protector adjacent the external port, the protector being configured to prevent the wheel from contacting the external port as the wheel moves along the wheel hub body.

12. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The internal port includes a recess having an opening to an inner surface; wherein the passage comprises a through hole intersecting the recess; and Wherein, the external port includes at least a portion of the through hole.

13. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting portion includes a flange.

14. The wheel hub of claim 1 further comprising an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing engaged with the inner surface of the wheel hub body.

15. The wheel hub according to claim 1, wherein: The passage includes a first passage and a second passage.

16. The wheel hub of claim 1, wherein: The wheel hub body is rotatable about a central axis; and The passage includes a straight portion extending obliquely relative to the central axis.

17. A wheel hub, comprising: a single, one-piece wheel hub body; a passageway that allows pressurized air to travel through the wheel hub body; The passageway includes a through hole in the wheel hub body and a conduit located within the through hole; and The duct has an open end portion that allows pressurized air to travel through the duct and an interior.

18. The wheel hub according to claim 17, wherein: The passageway has a flow path length along which pressurized air travels through the wheel hub; and Wherein, the length of the pipeline is smaller than the length of the flow path.

19. The wheel hub according to claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub body includes a central opening to receive a vehicle spindle; wherein the wheel hub body has an inner surface defining at least a portion of the central opening; and Wherein the passage includes an internal port located at the inner surface.

20. The wheel hub of claim 19, wherein: The conduit has opposite ends; and Wherein at least one of the internal port and the external port comprises one of the ends of the conduit.

21. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub includes an inner end and an outer end; and Wherein, the pipe is located between the inner end and the outer end of the wheel hub.

22. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub includes a central opening for receiving a vehicle spindle, an inner surface extending around the central opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; and Wherein, the pipe is located between the inner surface and the outer surface of the wheel hub body.

23. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub body is rotatable about a central axis; At least a portion of the duct extends obliquely relative to the central axis and is configured to guide the pressurized air in a direction oblique to the central axis.

24. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub body includes axle bolt bosses and recessed portions located between the axle bolt bosses; and Wherein the passage includes an external port located at one of the recesses between the shaft stud bosses.

25. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The conduit includes an end portion and a bend located intermediate the end portion.

26. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The wheel hub body is made of a first material and the tube is made of a second material different from the first material.

27. The wheel hub of claim 17, wherein: The passage includes a plurality of passages.

28. A method for manufacturing a wheel hub, the method comprising: casting a wheel hub casting having a central opening and a sidewall extending around the central opening, wherein casting includes forming a partial passageway in the sidewall of the wheel hub casting; as well as An opening is formed in the side wall to complete the passageway.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: The sidewall includes an inner surface defining at least a portion of the central opening; and Wherein, forming the opening in the side wall includes forming an opening in an outer surface of the side wall.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein: The portion of the passage extends outwardly from the central opening in a first direction; and Wherein, forming the opening in the side wall includes forming an elongated opening extending along a second direction transverse to the first direction.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein: The cast wheel hub casting comprises: positioning the shell core in the cavity of the mold; and The casting material is advanced into the cavity of the mold surrounding the shell core.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein: The shell core has a pipeline; Wherein the passage comprises at least a portion of the conduit.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein: Forming an opening in the sidewall includes removing a portion of the conduit.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising machining an interior of the wheel hub casting including removing a portion of the conduit.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein: Casting the wheel hub casting includes: positioning a shell core in a cavity of a mold, the shell core having a protrusion to form a portion of a passageway of the wheel hub casting; and Casting material is advanced into the cavity surrounding the shell core.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein: The wheel hub casting has a passage protector; and Wherein forming the opening in the wheel hub casting includes forming an opening in the wheel hub adjacent the passage protector.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein: Forming an opening in the sidewall includes forming an opening between axle stud bosses of the wheel hub casting.

38. The method of claim 28, further comprising machining an interior of the wheel hub casting, the machining comprising reforming an opening of the portion of the passageway.

39. A method for manufacturing a wheel hub, the method comprising: positioning a shell core in a cavity of a mold, the shell core having a body and a conduit extending from the body; advancing a casting material into a cavity of the mold; and The casting material is hardened to form a wheel hub casting around the shell core in the cavity of the mold, the wheel hub casting including at least a portion of the conduit in a sidewall of the wheel hub casting.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein: The pipe has a closed end portion, and the method further comprises: An opening is formed in the wheel hub casting including a closed end portion opening the conduit.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising: removing the shell core from a central opening of the wheel hub casting; as well as The interior of the shell core extending around the central opening is machined, the machining including removing a portion of the conduit.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising: machining an inboard bearing seat and an outboard bearing seat into the interior of the wheel hub casting; and An inner port of the wheel hub casting is machined, the inner port being located inside the inner bearing seat and having an opening communicating with the interior of the conduit.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein: The conduits include a plurality of conduits extending from a body of the shell core; and Wherein the wheel hub casting comprises at least a portion of each conduit in a side wall of the wheel hub casting.

44. The method of claim 39, further comprising forming a shell core, wherein: The formation includes: positioning the conduit to extend within the chamber of the core box; pushing a shell core material into the core box to form a main body of the shell core connected to the pipe; as well as The shell core and tubing are removed from the core box.

45. The method of claim 39, further comprising drilling a hole in the wheel hub casting, the hole leading to an interior of the conduit.

46. ​​The method of claim 39, further comprising removing the wheel hub casting from the cavity of the mold; and The shell core is removed from the wheel hub casting.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein: The wheel hub body is made of a first material and the tube is made of a second material different from the first material.

48. A wheel hub, comprising: Wheel hub body; a wheel mounting portion of the wheel hub body for receiving a wheel; a passageway including an external port of the wheel hub body and an internal port of the wheel hub body; and A protector of the wheel hub body is configured to prevent the wheel from contacting the external port.

49. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The protector includes a protrusion of the wheel hub body adjacent the external port such that when the wheel moves along the wheel hub body, the wheel contacts the protrusion instead of the external port.

50. The wheel hub of claim 49, wherein: The protrusion includes a pair of protrusions having the external port therebetween.

51. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The wheel hub body has a rotational center axis; wherein the external port has a first maximum radial distance from the central axis of rotation; and The protector includes a protector surface portion adjacent to the external port, and a second maximum radial distance between the protector surface portion and the rotation center axis is greater than the first maximum radial distance, so that the protector surface portion is located radially outside the external port.

52. The wheel hub of claim 51, wherein: The protector surface portion includes a pair of protector surface portions; wherein the wheel hub body includes a recess between the protector surface portions; and Wherein, the external port is located in the recess.

53. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The protector includes an axle bolt boss.

54. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The external port includes an opening and an annular surface extending around the opening.

55. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The wheel hub body includes an outboard end portion; and Wherein, the external port is located on the inner side of the outer end portion of the wheel hub body.

56. The wheel hub of claim 55, wherein: The wheel hub body includes an inner end portion opposite the outer end portion; and Wherein, the internal port is located outside the inner end of the wheel hub body.

57. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The wheel hub body includes a central opening for receiving a vehicle spindle, an inner surface extending around the central opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; Wherein, the external port comprises a recessed portion of the outer surface.

58. The wheel hub of claim 57, wherein: The internal port includes a recessed portion of the interior surface.

59. The wheel hub of claim 48, wherein: The passageway comprises a through hole in the wheel hub body.

60. The wheel hub of claim 59, wherein: The passageway comprises a conduit in a through-hole in the wheel hub body.

Images