Full-floating rear axle hub assembly and method of assembly

Abstract

The application relates to the field of automobile wheel hubs, in particular to a full-floating rear axle wheel hub assembly and an assembling method thereof, which comprises a wheel hub bearing assembly, an axle housing assembly and a nut assembly; the nut assembly comprises a nut body connected to the axle housing; an outer oil seal is arranged on the nut body; the outer oil seal is connected to the axle housing assembly through the nut body; the outer oil seal is in interference fit with the wheel hub bearing assembly; the wheel hub bearing assembly, the axle housing assembly and the nut assembly are used in cooperation, the modular design of the wheel hub assembly can be realized, the modular installation and disassembly can be realized subsequently, the disassembly and assembly of the wheel hub assembly are greatly facilitated; in addition, the outer oil seal is directly integrated on the nut body, when brake discs and other parts are replaced subsequently, only the nut assembly can be disassembled to realize the disassembly and assembly of the wheel hub assembly, the integral disassembly and assembly of the wheel hub assembly are facilitated, and the problem that the traditional outer oil seal is prone to errors after being disassembled and reassembled can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive wheels, specifically to a fully floating rear axle wheel assembly and its assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the rear wheel hub assembly of fully floating rear axles generally adopts a similar CN215513085U fully floating rear axle wheel hub structure and the publicly disclosed wheel hub structure of automobiles.

[0003] If it is necessary to replace the bearing, rear brake disc, rear mudguard, inner oil seal, nut, or rear axle housing welded assembly, the outer oil seal must be removed. Whether it is fault confirmation or parts replacement, the outer oil seal needs to be removed every time these components installed on the rear wheel hub assembly are repaired or the rear axle housing assembly is replaced, which increases the consumer's additional repair costs and repair time.

[0004] Improper maintenance can easily damage other components, increase potential risks, and lead to customer complaints or even legal action.

[0005] For example, the disassembly sequence for replacing the brake disc is: half shaft -- outer oil seal -- nut -- remove wheel hub bearing assembly -- brake disc; during assembly, the wheel hub bearing housing and the outer oil seal need to be press-fitted, and the press-fitting of the outer oil seal requires special tooling. The quality of press-fitting is related to the ability and sense of responsibility of the maintenance personnel, as well as the ease of operation of the tooling; in actual implementation, the more components involved, the greater the potential risk, and the easier it is to cause maintenance failures, such as oil leaks.

[0006] Therefore, in order to improve or solve at least one of the above technical problems, it is necessary to optimize the design of the existing wheel assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wheel assembly that facilitates the installation and removal of the outer oil seal while ensuring quality.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A fully floating rear axle wheel hub assembly includes a wheel hub bearing assembly, an axle housing assembly, and a nut assembly;

[0010] The axle housing assembly is inserted into the wheel hub bearing assembly; a nut assembly is connected to the end of the axle housing assembly;

[0011] The nut assembly includes a nut body connected to the axle housing; the nut body is provided with an external oil seal; the external oil seal is connected to the axle housing assembly through the nut body; the external oil seal is interference-fitted with the wheel hub bearing assembly.

[0012] The hub bearing assembly includes a hub seat; the hub seat has an assembly cavity; and a hub bearing is arranged in the assembly cavity.

[0013] The axle housing assembly includes an axle housing that is inserted into the assembly cavity of the hub seat;

[0014] The nut assembly is connected to the axle housing; the outer oil seal presses against the inner wall of the assembly cavity;

[0015] The hub bearing is fitted onto the axle housing.

[0016] The assembly cavity includes a first inner cavity, a second inner cavity, and a third inner cavity; the first inner cavity, the second inner cavity, and the third inner cavity are connected in sequence; the inner diameters of the first inner cavity, the second inner cavity, and the third inner cavity are different; the assembly cavity is a stepped hole.

[0017] The third inner cavity is located close to the nut assembly; the first inner cavity is smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner cavity; the inner diameter of the second inner cavity is not greater than the inner diameter of the third inner cavity; the hub bearing is arranged in the second inner cavity.

[0018] The second inner cavity is provided with an embedded groove, and a limiting snap ring is provided in the embedded groove; the limiting snap ring is located on the side of the wheel hub bearing near the nut assembly.

[0019] The end face of the nut body and the end face of the outer oil seal are on the same plane;

[0020] The nut body is provided with an assembly opening.

[0021] The nut body is provided with an assembly ring groove; the outer oil seal is sleeved on the nut body; the outer oil seal is press-fitted onto the nut body.

[0022] The wheel hub bearing assembly also includes an inner oil seal, which is sleeved on the axle housing; the inner oil seal and the outer oil seal are distributed at both ends of the assembly cavity; the wheel hub seat is provided with a brake disc mounting and positioning surface.

[0023] A method for assembling the wheel hub assembly for the fully floating rear axle, the assembly method comprising the following steps:

[0024] Step 1: Assemble the various sub-assemblies;

[0025] Nut assembly; press-fit the outer oil seal onto the nut body;

[0026] Wheel hub bearing assembly assembly:

[0027] The wheel hub bearing is press-fitted into the wheel hub housing; then the gear ring and inner oil seal are press-fitted onto the wheel hub housing.

[0028] Axle housing assembly: Install the mudguards onto the axle housing;

[0029] Step 2: Install the wheel hub bearing assembly onto the axle housing assembly, and then assemble the wheel hub bearing assembly onto the axle housing assembly using the nut assembly;

[0030] Step 3: After completing Step 2, one wheel assembly is assembled. If a new wheel assembly needs to be assembled, repeat Step 1-2.

[0031] When disassembling the assembled wheel hub assembly: the wheel hub bearing assembly and the axle housing assembly can be disassembled by removing the nut assembly.

[0032] The advantages of this invention are:

[0033] This invention discloses a fully floating rear axle wheel hub assembly and its assembly method.

[0034] This invention enables a modular design of the wheel hub assembly through the combined use of the wheel hub bearing assembly, axle housing assembly, and nut assembly. This allows for modular installation and disassembly, greatly facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the wheel hub assembly.

[0035] In addition, the external oil seal of this invention is directly integrated into the nut body. When replacing parts such as brake discs, the wheel hub assembly can be disassembled and reassembled by simply removing the nut assembly. This makes the wheel hub assembly easy to disassemble and reassemble as a whole, and also avoids the problem of easy errors when reassembling after disassembling and reassembling traditional external oil seals. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The following is a brief explanation of the contents of each of the accompanying drawings and the markings in the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 This is the left view of the present invention.

[0039] The markings in the above figures are all:

[0040] 1. Wheel hub bearing assembly; 2. Axle housing assembly; 3. Nut assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the description of the preferred embodiments.

[0042] A fully floating rear axle wheel hub assembly includes a wheel hub bearing assembly 1, an axle housing assembly 2, and a nut assembly 3. The present invention enables modular design of the wheel hub assembly through the coordinated use of the wheel hub bearing assembly 1, the axle housing assembly 2, and the nut assembly 3, which allows for modular installation and disassembly, greatly facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the wheel hub assembly.

[0043] In this invention, the axle housing assembly 2 is inserted into the wheel hub bearing assembly 1; the end of the axle housing assembly 2 is connected to a nut assembly 3; the nut assembly 3 includes a nut body 31 connected to the axle housing 21; the nut body 31 is provided with an outer oil seal 32; the outer oil seal 32 is connected to the axle housing assembly 2 through the nut body 31; the outer oil seal 32 is interference-fitted with the wheel hub bearing assembly 1; the outer oil seal 32 of this invention is directly integrated into the nut body 31, so when replacing parts such as brake discs, only the nut assembly 3 needs to be disassembled to disassemble and assemble the wheel hub assembly, making the overall disassembly and assembly of the wheel hub assembly convenient, and avoiding the problem of easy errors when reassembling after disassembly and assembly of the traditional outer oil seal 32.

[0044] Wheel hub bearing assembly 1: It is one of the core components of the wheel hub assembly, used to support the rotation of the wheel and bear various loads transmitted by the wheel; it usually includes components such as wheel hub bearing 5 and wheel hub seat 11.

[0045] Axle housing assembly 2: This is the supporting structure of the wheel hub assembly, serving to bear and transmit loads. Axle housing assembly 2 is inserted into wheel hub bearing assembly 1, and fits tightly with wheel hub bearing assembly 1 to ensure normal wheel rotation and stable vehicle operation.

[0046] Nut assembly 3 is used to fix hub bearing assembly 1 to axle housing assembly 2, serving to fasten and connect.

[0047] The nut assembly 3 includes a nut body 31 and an outer oil seal 32.

[0048] The nut body 31 is the main component of the nut assembly 3. It is connected to the axle housing 21 and is connected and fixed between the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 by threaded engagement with the end of the axle housing assembly 2.

[0049] The outer oil seal 32 is mounted on the nut body 31 and connected to the bridge housing assembly 2 via the nut body 31.

[0050] The outer oil seal 32 is interference-fitted with the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 to provide a seal, preventing lubricating oil leakage and external impurities from entering the wheel hub bearing assembly 1, thus ensuring the normal lubrication and operation of the wheel hub bearing 5.

[0051] In addition, the present invention changes the structure of the traditional nut assembly 3. The present invention is equivalent to making the nut body 31 and the outer oil seal 32 into an integrated structure. When disassembling and assembling the wheel hub assembly, it is not necessary to disassemble and assemble the outer oil seal 32 separately. Only the nut body 31 needs to be disassembled and assembled to achieve the disassembly and assembly of the outer oil seal 32. In this way, when reassembling in the future, it is not necessary to consider the separate pressing of the outer oil seal 32, which reduces the labor intensity of operators and avoids quality problems of the wheel hub assembly caused by improper pressing.

[0052] In summary, it can be seen that the present invention, based on the above design, has the following advantages:

[0053] Modular design: The wheel hub assembly is modularized by using the wheel hub bearing assembly 1, axle housing assembly 2 and nut assembly 3 together, which facilitates modular installation and disassembly and greatly improves the efficiency of disassembly and assembly.

[0054] External oil seal 32 integrated design: The external oil seal 32 is directly integrated into the nut body 31 to form an integrated structure.

[0055] This design allows for the removal and installation of the wheel hub assembly simply by removing the nut assembly 3 when replacing parts such as the brake disc, simplifying the disassembly and assembly process and reducing the labor intensity of operators.

[0056] Avoiding assembly errors: Traditional external oil seal 32 is prone to errors when disassembled and reassembled, while the integrated design of the external oil seal 32 of this invention avoids this problem, improves the reliability of assembly, and reduces the risk of failure caused by assembly errors.

[0057] Furthermore, the hub bearing assembly 1 described in this invention includes a hub seat 11; the hub seat 11 is provided with an assembly cavity 8; a hub bearing 5 is arranged in the assembly cavity 8; in this invention, the hub seat 11 is the main external support of the hub bearing assembly 1, and the assembly cavity 8 is provided therein, mainly to facilitate the insertion of the axle housing assembly 2, and also to facilitate the subsequent arrangement and placement of the nut assembly 3.

[0058] In this invention, the axle housing assembly 2 includes an axle housing 21, which is inserted into the mounting cavity 8 of the wheel hub seat 11. The axle housing 21 is the main component of the axle housing assembly 2, serving to bear and transmit loads. The axle housing 21 is inserted into the mounting cavity 8 of the wheel hub seat 11 and fits tightly with the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 to ensure the normal rotation of the wheel and the stable driving of the vehicle.

[0059] In this invention, the nut assembly 3 is connected to the axle housing 21; the outer oil seal 32 presses against the inner wall of the assembly cavity 8; the wheel hub bearing 5 is sleeved on the axle housing 21; the nut body 31 is the main component of the nut assembly 3, and the nut body 31 is connected to the axle housing 21. The nut body 31 is threaded to the end of the axle housing assembly 2 to realize the connection and fixation between the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2.

[0060] The nut assembly 3 connects the axle housing assembly 2 to the hub bearing assembly 1.

[0061] The outer oil seal 32 is mounted on the nut body 31 and connected to the bridge housing assembly 2 via the nut body 31.

[0062] The outer oil seal 32 presses against the inner wall of the assembly cavity 8 to provide a seal and prevent lubricating oil leakage and external impurities from entering the wheel hub bearing assembly 1.

[0063] In addition, in this invention, the axle housing 21 is inserted into the assembly cavity 8 of the wheel hub seat 11 to ensure a tight fit between the two; the wheel hub bearing 5 is sleeved on the axle housing 21, and the smooth rotation of the wheel is achieved through the support and fixation of the axle housing 21; the nut assembly 3 is connected to the axle housing 21, and the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 are fixed through the engagement of the nut body 31 with the end of the axle housing assembly 2.

[0064] The outer oil seal 32 presses against the inner wall of the assembly cavity 8 to form a sealing structure, preventing lubricating oil leakage and impurities from entering; the wheel hub bearing 5 is arranged in the assembly cavity 8 of the wheel hub seat 11, and through its connection with the axle housing 21, it realizes the function of supporting and rotating the wheel.

[0065] Furthermore, in this invention, the assembly cavity 8 includes a first cavity 81, a second cavity 82, and a third cavity 83; the first cavity 81, the second cavity 82, and the third cavity 83 are connected in sequence; the inner diameters of the first cavity 81, the second cavity 82, and the third cavity 83 are different; the assembly cavity 8 is a stepped hole; the assembly cavity 8 is composed of three cavities with different inner diameters, namely the first cavity 81, the second cavity 82, and the third cavity 83.

[0066] These three cavities are connected in sequence to form a stepped hole structure.

[0067] The first inner cavity 81 is mainly located inside the hub assembly. It generally has the smallest inner diameter and is usually used to install the inner oil seal 7 structure.

[0068] The inner diameter of the second inner cavity 82 is larger than that of the first inner cavity 81, mainly to form a shoulder at the connection between the first inner cavity 81 and the second inner cavity 82; to facilitate the installation and positioning of the hub bearing 5.

[0069] In this invention, the second inner cavity 82 is mainly used to install the hub bearing 5.

[0070] The third inner cavity 83 has the largest inner diameter and is generally located on the outside of the wheel hub assembly. It is mainly used for assembling the nut assembly 3 and for installing the outer oil seal 32 and other related components.

[0071] In this invention, the third inner cavity 83 is located close to the nut assembly 3; the first inner cavity 81 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner cavity 82; the inner diameter of the second inner cavity 82 is not greater than the inner diameter of the third inner cavity 83; the hub bearing 5 is arranged in the second inner cavity 82; based on this design, it is possible to facilitate the subsequent disassembly and assembly of the nut assembly 3 while achieving the installation of the axle housing assembly 2.

[0072] Furthermore, in this invention, the second inner cavity 82 is provided with an embedded groove 41, and a limiting snap ring 4 is provided in the embedded groove 41; the limiting snap ring 4 is located on the side of the wheel hub bearing 5 near the nut assembly 3; the setting of the embedded groove 41 facilitates the installation and fixation of the limiting snap ring 4 in the assembly inner cavity 8, and in this invention, the limiting snap ring 4 is arranged on the side near the wheel hub seat 11 near the nut assembly 3. This setting facilitates the subsequent gradual assembly of the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 from the inside to the outside, reducing installation interference between components; in other words, based on this design, the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 can be press-fitted in one direction during assembly, avoiding the trouble of flipping and pressing different components.

[0073] Furthermore, in this invention, the end face of the nut body 31 and the end face of the outer oil seal 32 are on the same plane; this arrangement ensures the flatness of the outer surface of the nut assembly 3 and avoids the formation of a stepped platform or protrusion at the connection between the nut body 31 and the outer oil seal 32.

[0074] Meanwhile, the nut body 31 described in this invention is provided with an assembly opening; the assembly opening in this invention is mainly a hole opened on the outer side of the nut body 31, which facilitates the subsequent use of installation tools to rotate the nut body 31 and facilitates the disassembly and assembly between the nut body 31 and the bridge housing 21.

[0075] Furthermore, in this invention, the nut body 31 is provided with an assembly ring groove; the outer oil seal 32 is sleeved on the nut body 31; the outer oil seal 32 is press-fitted onto the nut body 31; the assembly ring groove is located at the end of the nut body 31, which plays a press-fit limiting role, and can better ensure the stability and accuracy of the press-fit position of the nut body 31 and the outer oil seal 32.

[0076] Furthermore, the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 in this invention also includes an inner oil seal 7, which is sleeved on the axle housing 21; the inner oil seal 7 and the outer oil seal 32 are distributed at both ends of the assembly cavity 8; through the cooperation of the inner oil seal 7 and the outer oil seal 32, the sealing of both ends of the wheel hub seat 11 can be achieved; and the wheel hub seat 11 in this invention is provided with a brake disc mounting positioning surface 12; the brake disc mounting positioning surface 12 can facilitate the calibration and positioning of the brake disc during installation.

[0077] In this invention, the nut body 31 is provided with an assembly ring groove located at the end of the nut body 31.

[0078] The assembly ring groove serves as a pressure fitting limit, ensuring that the outer oil seal 32 can be accurately positioned on the nut body 31 during the pressure fitting process, thus guaranteeing the stability and accuracy of the pressure fitting position.

[0079] The outer oil seal 32 is sleeved on the nut body 31 and fixed to the nut body 31 by a press-fitting process.

[0080] The design of the assembly ring groove allows the outer oil seal 32 to better engage with the nut body 31 during the press-fitting process, forming a tight sealing structure.

[0081] The wheel hub bearing assembly 1 also includes an inner oil seal 7, which is sleeved on the axle housing 21.

[0082] The inner oil seal 7 and the outer oil seal 32 are located at both ends of the assembly cavity 8, forming a double seal. This design effectively prevents lubricating oil leakage and external impurities from entering the wheel hub bearing assembly 1, thus extending the service life of the wheel hub bearing 5.

[0083] The hub seat 11 is provided with a brake disc mounting and positioning surface 12 for mounting the brake disc.

[0084] This design ensures the installation accuracy and stability of the brake discs, improving the vehicle's braking performance.

[0085] Nut assembly 3 and outer oil seal 32: The outer oil seal 32 is sleeved on the nut body 31 and fixed to the nut body 31 by press fitting process.

[0086] The assembly ring groove serves as a pressure-fitting limit, ensuring the installation accuracy of the outer oil seal 32.

[0087] A method for assembling the wheel hub assembly for the fully floating rear axle, the assembly method comprising the following steps:

[0088] Step 1: Assemble the various sub-assemblies;

[0089] Assemble the nut assembly 3; press the outer oil seal 32 onto the nut body 31;

[0090] Wheel hub bearing assembly 1 assembly:

[0091] The wheel hub bearing 5 is press-fitted into the wheel hub seat 11; then the gear ring 6 and the inner oil seal 7 are press-fitted onto the wheel hub seat 11.

[0092] Axle housing assembly 2: Install the mudguard onto axle housing 21;

[0093] Step 2: Install the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 onto the axle housing assembly 2, and then assemble the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 onto the axle housing assembly 2 using the nut assembly 3;

[0094] Step 3: After completing Step 2, one wheel assembly is assembled. If a new wheel assembly needs to be assembled, repeat Step 1-2.

[0095] The present invention can realize the assembly of the wheel hub assembly for the fully floating rear axle through the above assembly process.

[0096] Assembly method steps:

[0097] Assemble the various sub-assemblies:

[0098] Nut assembly 3 assembly: Press the outer oil seal 32 onto the nut body 31.

[0099] During the press-fitting process, the assembly ring groove on the nut body 31 is used for limiting the position, ensuring that the outer oil seal 32 can be accurately installed on the nut body 31 to form a tight sealing structure.

[0100] Wheel hub bearing assembly 1 assembly:

[0101] The wheel hub bearing 5 is press-fitted onto the wheel hub seat 11.

[0102] During press fitting, ensure the fitting accuracy between the wheel hub bearing 5 and the wheel hub seat 11 to guarantee the stable operation of the wheel hub bearing 5.

[0103] Then, the gear ring 6 and the inner oil seal 7 are pressed onto the hub seat 11 in sequence; the inner oil seal 7 is used to prevent lubricating oil leakage and external impurities from entering the hub bearing assembly 1.

[0104] Axle housing assembly 2 assembly: Install the mudguard onto axle housing 21.

[0105] Mudguards are used to prevent mud, water and other impurities from splashing onto the wheel assembly, protecting the wheel assembly from the effects of the external environment.

[0106] Install the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 onto the axle housing assembly 2: Assemble the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2.

[0107] During the assembly process, ensure the fitting accuracy between the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 so that the wheel hub bearing 5 can be smoothly fitted onto the axle housing 21 and fit tightly with the axle housing 21.

[0108] The hub bearing assembly 1 is assembled onto the axle housing assembly 2 via the nut assembly 3: The nut assembly 3 is installed onto the end of the axle housing assembly 2, and the hub bearing assembly 1 is fixed onto the axle housing assembly 2 by the threaded engagement between the nut body 31 and the axle housing assembly 2.

[0109] During installation, ensure that the tightening torque of the nut assembly 3 meets the design requirements to guarantee the stability and reliability of the wheel hub assembly.

[0110] After step 2 is completed, a wheel hub assembly is assembled: After completing the above steps, a complete fully floating rear axle wheel hub assembly is assembled.

[0111] If a new wheel assembly is required, simply repeat steps 1-2.

[0112] Based on the above assembly method, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0113] Modular assembly: Modular design and assembly are achieved by breaking down the wheel hub assembly into individual sub-assemblies and assembling them.

[0114] This modular approach makes the assembly process clearer and more organized, facilitating operation and improving assembly efficiency and quality.

[0115] Modular assembly makes the maintenance and replacement of wheel assemblies more convenient.

[0116] When a component malfunctions or needs to be replaced, simply disassemble the corresponding subassembly, replace the faulty component, and then reassemble it, reducing maintenance costs and time.

[0117] In this invention, when disassembling the assembled wheel hub assembly: the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 can be disassembled by disassembling the nut assembly 3; when disassembling the nut assembly 3, a suitable tool (such as a wrench or torque wrench) is used to rotate the nut body 31 on the nut assembly 3.

[0118] Make sure to loosen the nut gradually in the correct order and with the correct torque to avoid damaging the nut or threads due to excessive force or uneven torque.

[0119] Remove the loosened nut assembly 3 from the end of the axle housing assembly 2.

[0120] At this point, since the outer oil seal 32 is integrated into the nut assembly 3, the outer oil seal 32 will be removed along with the nut assembly 3.

[0121] After removing the nut assembly 3, the connection between the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 is released.

[0122] At this point, the hub bearing assembly 1 can be removed from the axle housing assembly 2.

[0123] After disassembly, the wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and the axle housing assembly 2 are inspected.

[0124] Check the wheel hub bearing 5 for wear, damage or abnormalities; check the axle housing 21 for cracks, deformation or other damage; check the outer oil seal 32 and inner oil seal 7 for signs of aging, damage or leakage.

[0125] Based on the inspection results, a decision will be made as to whether the relevant parts need to be replaced or repaired.

[0126] Since the outer oil seal 32 is integrated into the nut assembly 3, the outer oil seal 32 will be removed along with the nut assembly 3 when it is disassembled, and there is no need to operate the outer oil seal 32 separately.

[0127] This design greatly simplifies the disassembly process, reduces the labor intensity of operators, and improves disassembly efficiency.

[0128] During the traditional disassembly and assembly of the external oil seal 32, improper operation can easily lead to damage to the external oil seal 32 or improper installation, thereby affecting the sealing performance of the wheel hub assembly.

[0129] The design of this invention avoids these problems, improves the safety and reliability of the disassembly process, and reduces the risk of failure due to improper disassembly.

[0130] The disassembled wheel hub bearing assembly 1 and axle housing assembly 2 can be easily inspected and maintained. Operators can visually observe the condition of each component, promptly identify potential problems, and repair or replace them to ensure the normal operation of the wheel hub assembly and extend its service life.

[0131] The simplified disassembly process allows maintenance personnel to complete the disassembly and inspection of the wheel assembly more quickly, shortening maintenance time, improving maintenance efficiency, and reducing vehicle downtime due to maintenance, which is of great significance for the normal operation of the vehicle.

[0132] Example 1:

[0133] This embodiment takes the rear wheel hub assembly of a vehicle as an example.

[0134] This invention optimizes the rear wheel hub assembly structure, reducing the number of parts that need to be disassembled and replaced when repairing or troubleshooting faults in peripheral components of the rear wheel hub assembly (such as brake discs / rear axle housing 21 / bearings / inner oil seal 7 / outer oil seal 32, etc.). The operation is simple and convenient, avoiding the disassembly of unnecessary (irrelevant) parts during the repair and troubleshooting process, reducing the difficulty of repair and the labor cost of repair, and thus reducing the overall cost.

[0135] The wheel hub assembly disclosed in this invention mainly includes a wheel hub seat 11, a wheel hub bearing 5, an axle housing 21, a nut body 31, an outer oil seal 32, an inner oil seal 7, and a gear ring 6.

[0136] Since the wheel hub assembly in this embodiment is the rear wheel hub assembly, the aforementioned wheel hub seat 11 can be called the rear wheel hub seat 11, the wheel hub bearing 5 can be called the rear wheel hub bearing 5, the axle housing 21 can be called the rear axle housing 21, the nut body 31 can be called the rear nut body 31, the outer oil seal 32 can be called the rear outer oil seal 32, the inner oil seal 7 can be called the rear inner oil seal 7, and the gear ring 6.

[0137] Assembly sequence

[0138] Nut assembly 3 presses the outer oil seal 32 onto the nut body 31; the outer oil seal 32 and the nut are interference fit.

[0139] Rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1: The rear wheel hub bearing 5 is press-fitted into the rear wheel hub seat 11 and axially limited by the limiting snap ring 4 and the shoulder (shaft shoulder) in the rear wheel hub seat 11; then the gear ring 6 and the inner oil seal 7 are press-fitted onto the rear wheel hub seat 11, both with interference fit; finally, the rear brake disc is installed onto the position of the brake disc mounting positioning surface 12 by threaded connection.

[0140] Rear axle housing assembly 2: The mudguard is installed onto the mudguard mounting surface 22 on the rear axle housing 21, which can be done by threaded connection.

[0141] The rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1 is mounted onto the rear axle housing assembly 2, and then the rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1 is assembled onto the rear axle housing assembly 2 using the nut assembly 3. At the same time, the outer oil seal 32 has a lip fit with the rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1, and a special tool is required to rotate the nut body 31 to tighten the rear axle housing assembly 2 and the rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1. Meanwhile, the outer oil seal 32 is assembled into place by rotating the nut assembly 3. The wheel hub seat 11 has a mating surface for the outer oil seal 32. The mating surface of the outer oil seal 32 on the wheel hub seat 11 needs to be ground, and the roughness is not higher than 0.63μm.

[0142] The disassembly sequence requires first removing the nut assembly 3, after which the rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1 can be removed from the rear axle housing assembly 2. If it is necessary to replace the rear brake disc (inner oil seal 7 / rear mudguard / rear axle housing assembly 2 / bearing, etc.), simply remove the nut assembly 3 to remove the rear wheel hub bearing assembly 1, and then it can be replaced.

[0143] This invention does not require the replacement of other parts, making maintenance simple, with low parts costs and low maintenance time.

[0144] This invention has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and has low cost.

[0145] When replacing the rear brake disc (inner oil seal 7 / rear mudguard / rear axle housing assembly 2 / bearing, etc.), this invention only requires disassembling the nut assembly 3.

[0146] In traditional designs, during assembly, the rear drive axle and brake discs are separate systems with different suppliers. Rear drive axle manufacturers typically only assemble brake discs and other components. In such cases, if the brake components cannot be delivered, the rear drive axle assembly cannot be assembled, which is very restrictive. This invention can perfectly solve this problem. The rear drive axle assembly can be assembled first, and then the brake system parts can be assembled later. If there is a rush, they can be sent to the vehicle manufacturer separately for assembly, saving time and meeting the vehicle manufacturer's requirements.

[0147] In addition, through structural optimization of the hub bearing position 5 and the design of a brand-new nut assembly 3, the overall structure is simple, maintenance is convenient, and maintenance costs and time are reduced.

[0148] Obviously, the specific implementation of this invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of this invention are within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle, characterized in that, This includes wheel hub bearing assembly, axle housing assembly, and nut assembly; The axle housing assembly is inserted into the wheel hub bearing assembly; a nut assembly is connected to the end of the axle housing assembly; The nut assembly includes a nut body connected to the axle housing; the nut body is provided with an external oil seal; the external oil seal is connected to the axle housing assembly through the nut body; the external oil seal is interference-fitted with the wheel hub bearing assembly; The nut body and the outer oil seal are an integral structure; When disassembling and assembling the wheel hub assembly, the outer oil seal is not disassembled separately; instead, it is disassembled and assembled by removing and assembling the nut body. The wheel hub bearing assembly includes a wheel hub housing; the wheel hub housing is provided with an assembly cavity; The assembly cavity includes a first inner cavity, a second inner cavity, and a third inner cavity; the first inner cavity, the second inner cavity, and the third inner cavity are connected in sequence; the inner diameters of the first inner cavity, the second inner cavity, and the third inner cavity are different; the assembly cavity is a stepped hole; The third inner cavity is located close to the nut assembly; the first inner cavity is smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner cavity; the inner diameter of the second inner cavity is not greater than the inner diameter of the third inner cavity; the hub bearing is arranged in the second inner cavity; The second inner cavity is provided with an embedded groove, and a limiting snap ring is provided in the embedded groove; the limiting snap ring is located on the side of the wheel hub bearing near the nut assembly; The wheel hub bearing assembly is press-fitted in one direction during assembly.

2. The wheel hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A hub bearing is arranged in the assembly cavity; The axle housing assembly includes an axle housing that is inserted into the assembly cavity of the hub seat; The nut assembly is connected to the axle housing; the outer oil seal presses against the inner wall of the assembly cavity; The hub bearing is fitted onto the axle housing.

3. The wheel hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second inner cavity is provided with an embedded groove, and a limiting snap ring is provided in the embedded groove; the limiting snap ring is located on the side of the wheel hub bearing near the nut assembly.

4. The wheel hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end face of the nut body and the end face of the outer oil seal are on the same plane; The nut body is provided with an assembly opening.

5. The wheel hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nut body is provided with an assembly ring groove; the outer oil seal is sleeved on the nut body; the outer oil seal is press-fitted onto the nut body.

6. The wheel hub assembly for a fully floating rear axle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wheel hub bearing assembly also includes an inner oil seal, which is sleeved on the axle housing; the inner oil seal and the outer oil seal are distributed at both ends of the assembly cavity; the wheel hub seat is provided with a brake disc mounting and positioning surface.

7. A method for assembling a fully floating rear axle hub assembly as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The assembly method includes the following steps: Step 1: Assemble the various sub-assemblies; Nut assembly assembly: Press the outer oil seal onto the nut body; Wheel hub bearing assembly assembly: The wheel hub bearing is press-fitted into the wheel hub housing; then the gear ring and inner oil seal are press-fitted onto the wheel hub housing. Axle housing assembly: Install the mudguards onto the axle housing; Step 2: Install the wheel hub bearing assembly onto the axle housing assembly, and then assemble the wheel hub bearing assembly onto the axle housing assembly using the nut assembly; Step 3: After completing Step 2, one wheel assembly is assembled. If a new wheel assembly needs to be assembled, repeat Step 1-2.

8. The assembly method of the fully floating rear axle hub assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, When disassembling the assembled wheel hub assembly: the wheel hub bearing assembly and the axle housing assembly can be disassembled by removing the nut assembly.

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