Wheel end structure with low maintenance cost

Abstract

The utility model relates to a low-maintenance-cost wheel end structure which comprises a wheel end assembly and a wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly comprises a wheel hub, an inner hole of the wheel hub is provided with a wheel hub inner spigot and a wheel hub outer spigot which are matched with a wheel hub bearing, and an annular weight reduction groove is formed between the wheel hub inner spigot and the wheel hub outer spigot; and the oil separation sleeve is sealed at a notch of the annular weight reduction groove, the oil separation sleeve comprises a spacer bush, one end of the spacer bush is slidably connected with a first sealing cover, and the other end of the spacer bush is fixedly connected with a second sealing cover. According to the oil separation sleeve, after the notch of the annular weight reduction groove is closed, the path of lubricating grease entering the annular weight reduction groove is blocked, the using amount of the lubricating grease is reduced, and the using cost of the lubricating grease is reduced. Meanwhile, one end of the spacer bush of the oil separation sleeve is connected with the first sealing cover in a sliding mode, the other end of the spacer bush is fixedly connected with the second sealing cover, the distance between the first sealing cover and the second sealing cover on the spacer bush is adjustable, then the oil separation sleeve can be matched with annular weight reduction grooves with different widths, and the universality of the oil separation sleeve is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automobile wheel hubs, and in particular to a wheel end structure with low maintenance costs. Background Art

[0002] The car wheel is installed on the axle through the wheel hub and the wheel hub bearing, so the wheel hub performance plays an important role in driving safety. The wheel hub bearing is one of the key components of the wheel hub. During driving, the wheel hub bearing works in a high-speed, high-load, and high-temperature environment, so good lubrication plays an important role in the life of the wheel hub bearing.

[0003] In the related technology, most commercial vehicles are currently equipped with axle assemblies with maintainable wheel ends. In order to reduce weight and achieve lightweight design, designers will set an annular weight reduction groove between the inner and outer bearing seats of the wheel hub. The inner and outer bearings of the wheel hub need grease, and when the grease is added, the grease will be distributed around the bearing.

[0004] However, in order to ensure that the inner and outer bearings have sufficient grease to lubricate them during operation, the grease will fill the entire wheel hub cavity. Most of the added grease is filled in the annular weight-reducing groove that has no lubricating effect on the wheel hub bearing, which results in a large weight of the added grease. More grease needs to be added each time maintenance is performed, which is costly and heavy. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost to solve the problem in the related art that an annular weight reduction groove is set between the inner and outer bearing seats of the wheel hub, and more grease needs to be added during each maintenance, resulting in high cost and heavy weight.

[0006] The embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, including:

[0007] A wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly comprising a wheel hub, the inner hole of the wheel hub is provided with an inner hub stop and an outer hub stop adapted to the wheel hub bearing, and an annular weight reduction groove is provided between the inner hub stop and the outer hub stop;

[0008] The oil-isolating sleeve is enclosed in the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove. The oil-isolating sleeve comprises a spacer sleeve, one end of the spacer sleeve is slidably connected to a first sealing cover, and the other end of the spacer sleeve is fixedly connected to a second sealing cover.

[0009] In some embodiments: the first sealing cover includes a first support ring, the inner ring of the first support ring is sleeved on the spacer, the outer ring of the first support ring is provided with a first annular flange which is sealed with the outer stop of the hub, and the first annular flange is connected to the outer stop of the hub by interference fit or welding.

[0010] In some embodiments: an annular sealing ring is connected between the inner ring of the first support ring and the spacer sleeve, and the outer circle of the annular sealing ring is provided with a groove that is at least partially embedded in the inner ring of the first support ring. The annular sealing ring slides on the spacer sleeve following the first support ring.

[0011] In some embodiments: the second sealing cover includes a second support ring integrally formed with the spacer sleeve, the outer ring of the second support ring is provided with a second annular flange which is sealingly connected to the inner stop of the hub, and the second annular flange is connected to the inner stop of the hub by interference fit or welding.

[0012] In some embodiments: the inner diameter of the inner stop of the wheel hub is larger than the inner diameter of the outer stop of the wheel hub, the outer diameter of the first sealing cover is the same as the inner diameter of the outer stop of the wheel hub, and the outer diameter of the second sealing cover is the same as the inner diameter of the inner stop of the wheel hub.

[0013] In some embodiments: the wheel end assembly further comprises a steering knuckle, the shaft head of the steering knuckle is rotatably connected to the wheel hub via a wheel hub bearing, the oil separator sleeve is hollowly sleeved on the shaft head and an annular gap is formed between the shaft head and the oil separator sleeve.

[0014] In some embodiments: the shaft head is a truncated cone-shaped structure with a gradually increasing cross-sectional size, the spacer is a conical structure with a gradually increasing inner diameter, and along the axial direction of the shaft head, the radial spacing between the spacer and the shaft head is the same.

[0015] In some embodiments: the wheel hub bearing includes an outer wheel hub bearing adapted to the outer stopper of the wheel hub, and an inner wheel hub bearing adapted to the inner stopper of the wheel hub, and the oil separator sleeve is supported and positioned between the outer wheel hub bearing and the inner wheel hub bearing.

[0016] In some embodiments: a cavity filled with grease is formed between the shaft head of the steering knuckle and the wheel hub, a grease injection channel for injecting grease into the cavity is opened on the steering knuckle, and the grease injection channel is connected to the cavity.

[0017] In some embodiments: an end cover for closing the cavity is provided at one end of the wheel hub, a grease discharge hole is provided on the end cover, and an oil plug is detachably connected to the grease discharge hole.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include:

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost. Since the wheel end structure with low maintenance cost of the present application is provided with a wheel end assembly, the wheel end assembly includes a hub, an inner hub stop and an outer hub stop adapted to the hub bearing are provided in the inner hole of the hub, an annular weight-reducing groove is provided between the inner hub stop and the outer hub stop; an oil-isolating sleeve, which is enclosed in the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove, and the oil-isolating sleeve includes a spacer, one end of the spacer is slidably connected to a first sealing cover, and the other end of the spacer is fixedly connected to a second sealing cover.

[0020] Therefore, the low-maintenance wheel end structure of the present application is provided with an oil-isolating sleeve for closing the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove between the inner stop and the outer stop of the wheel hub. The oil-isolating sleeve blocks the path of the grease entering the annular weight-reducing groove after the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove is closed, so that the annular weight-reducing groove is no longer filled with a large amount of grease, which saves the amount of grease and reduces the cost of grease use. At the same time, one end of the spacer sleeve of the oil-isolating sleeve is slidably connected to the first sealing cover, and the other end is fixedly connected to the second sealing cover. The distance between the first sealing cover and the second sealing cover on the spacer sleeve is adjustable, so that it can adapt to annular weight-reducing grooves of different widths, thereby improving the versatility of the oil-isolating sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 A structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the wheel hub and the oil separator sleeve according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the oil separator sleeve according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a structural cross-sectional view of the oil separator sleeve according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 110. Wheel end assembly; 120. Oil separator sleeve; 121. Spacer; 122. First sealing cover; 123. Second sealing cover; 124. First support ring; 125. First annular flange; 126. Second support ring; 127. Second annular flange; 130. Wheel hub; 131. Inner wheel hub bearing; 132. Outer wheel hub bearing; 133. Oil seal; 134. End cover; 135. Inner stopper of wheel hub; 136. Outer stopper of wheel hub; 137. Annular weight reduction groove; 140. Steering knuckle; 141. Shaft head; 142. Grease injection channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] The embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, which can solve the problem in the related technology that an annular weight reduction groove is set between the inner and outer bearing seats of the wheel hub, and more grease needs to be added during each maintenance, resulting in high cost and heavy weight.

[0031] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, including:

[0032] The wheel end assembly 110 includes a wheel hub 130, an inner hub stop 135 and an outer hub stop 136 adapted to the wheel hub bearing are provided in the inner hole of the wheel hub 130, and an annular weight-reducing groove 137 is provided between the inner hub stop 135 and the outer hub stop 136. The oil-isolating sleeve 120 is enclosed in the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137, and the oil-isolating sleeve 120 includes a spacer 121, a first sealing cover 122 is slidably connected to one end of the spacer 121, and a second sealing cover 123 is fixedly connected to the other end of the spacer 121.

[0033] The low-maintenance wheel end structure of the embodiment of the present application is provided with an oil-isolating sleeve 120 for closing the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137 between the inner stop 135 and the outer stop 136 of the wheel hub 130. The oil-isolating sleeve 120 closes the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137 to block the path of grease entering the annular weight-reducing groove 137. Under the blocking effect of the oil-isolating sleeve 120, the grease will not enter the annular weight-reducing groove 137, and thus a large amount of grease cannot be filled in the annular weight-reducing groove 137, thereby saving the amount of grease used and reducing the cost of grease use.

[0034] At the same time, the spacer 121 of the oil-isolating sleeve 120 is slidably connected to the first sealing cover 122 at one end, and fixedly connected to the second sealing cover 123 at the other end. The distance between the first sealing cover 122 and the second sealing cover 123 on the spacer 121 is adjustable, so that it can adapt to the annular weight-reducing grooves 137 of different widths, thereby improving the versatility of the oil-isolating sleeve 120. After measuring the width of the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137, the distance between the first sealing cover 122 and the second sealing cover 123 is adjusted to be equal to the width of the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137, and then the excess length of the spacer 121 is cut off to assemble the oil-isolating sleeve 120 in the wheel hub 130.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, wherein the first sealing cover 122 of the wheel end structure includes a first support ring 124, and the inner ring of the first support ring 124 is sleeved on the spacer 121. The outer ring of the first support ring 124 is provided with a first annular flange 125 which is sealed with the outer stop 136 of the wheel hub, and the first annular flange 125 is connected to the outer stop 136 of the wheel hub by interference connection or welding to prevent grease from entering the annular weight reduction groove 137 through the gap between the first annular flange 125 and the outer stop 136 of the wheel hub.

[0036] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, in which an annular sealing ring (not shown) is connected between the inner ring of the first support ring 124 and the spacer 121. The outer circle of the annular sealing ring is provided with a groove that is at least partially embedded in the inner ring of the first support ring 124, and the annular sealing ring slides on the spacer 121 following the first support ring 124. The inner ring of the first support ring 124 and the spacer 121 are sealed and connected by the annular sealing ring to prevent grease from entering the annular weight reduction groove 137 through the gap between the inner ring of the first support ring 124 and the spacer 121.

[0037] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, wherein the second sealing cover 123 of the wheel end structure includes a second support ring 126 integrally formed with the spacer 121, and the outer ring of the second support ring 126 is provided with a second annular flange 127 which is sealedly connected to the inner stopper 135 of the wheel hub, and the second annular flange 127 is connected to the inner stopper 135 of the wheel hub by interference connection or welding, so as to prevent the grease from entering the annular weight reduction groove 137 through the gap between the second annular flange 127 and the inner stopper 135 of the wheel hub.

[0038] The inner diameter of the wheel hub inner stop 135 is larger than the inner diameter of the wheel hub outer stop 136, so that the wheel hub inner stop 135 and the wheel hub outer stop 136 are respectively adapted to wheel hub bearings with different outer diameters. The outer diameter of the first sealing cover 122 is the same as the inner diameter of the wheel hub outer stop 136, so that the first sealing cover 122 and the wheel hub outer stop 136 are sealed and connected to each other, and the outer diameter of the second sealing cover 123 is the same as the inner diameter of the wheel hub inner stop 135, so that the second sealing cover 123 and the wheel hub inner stop 135 are sealed and connected to each other.

[0039] In some alternative embodiments: See Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, the wheel end assembly of the wheel end structure also includes a steering knuckle 140, the shaft head 141 of the steering knuckle 140 is rotatably connected to the wheel hub 130 through a wheel hub bearing, and the oil separator sleeve 120 is sleeved on the shaft head 141 and forms an annular gap with the shaft head 141. The shaft head 141 is a truncated cone structure with a gradually increasing cross-sectional size, and the spacer sleeve 121 is a conical structure with a gradually increasing inner diameter. Along the axial direction of the shaft head 141, the radial spacing between the spacer sleeve 121 and the shaft head 141 is the same.

[0040] In some alternative embodiments: See Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, wherein the wheel hub bearing of the wheel end structure includes an outer wheel hub bearing 132 adapted to the outer stopper 136 of the wheel hub, and an inner wheel hub bearing 131 adapted to the inner stopper 135 of the wheel hub, and an oil seal 133 is connected between the inner wheel hub bearing 131 and the wheel hub 130. The oil separator sleeve 120 is supported and positioned between the outer wheel hub bearing 132 and the inner wheel hub bearing 131.

[0041] A cavity filled with grease is formed between the shaft head 141 of the steering knuckle 140 and the wheel hub 130. A grease injection channel 142 for injecting grease into the cavity is provided on the steering knuckle 140, and the grease injection channel 142 is connected to the cavity. An end cover 134 for closing the cavity is provided at one end of the wheel hub 130, and a grease discharge hole is provided on the end cover 134, and an oil plug is detachably connected to the grease discharge hole.

[0042] When the grease in the wheel end assembly 110 needs maintenance and replacement, new grease is manually or automatically injected into the cavity from the grease injection channel 142 opened on the steering knuckle 140 using a grease pressure injection device, and flows toward the end cover 134 to replace and discharge the old grease in the cavity.

[0043] After the new grease enters the cavity, it first flows through the outer ring and the inner ring of the inner hub bearing 131 to lubricate the outer ring and several bearing rollers in the inner ring of the inner hub bearing 131, then enters the gap between the inner hub bearing 131 and the outer hub bearing 132, and then flows into the outer ring and the inner ring of the outer hub bearing 132 to lubricate the outer ring and several bearing rollers in the inner ring of the outer hub bearing 132, and finally flows to the position of the end cover 134 to complete the filling of new grease.

[0044] When the embodiment of the present application replaces the grease for maintenance of the wheel end assembly 110, it is not necessary to remove a large number of parts of the wheel end assembly 110, which can greatly save maintenance costs, reduce the difficulty of maintenance of the wheel end assembly 110, save the work link of manually applying grease, and the grease replacement time is short and efficient. Pollutants such as iron filings, dust, and impurities are prevented from entering the wheel end, which improves the reliability of the wheel end. The grease replacement process is environmentally friendly and hygienic, and reduces environmental pollution.

[0045] How it works

[0046] An embodiment of the present application provides a wheel end structure with low maintenance cost. Since the wheel end structure with low maintenance cost of the present application is provided with a wheel end assembly 110, the wheel end assembly 110 includes a hub 130, and the inner hole of the hub 130 is provided with an inner hub stop 135 and an outer hub stop 136 that are adapted to the hub bearing, and an annular weight-reducing groove 137 is opened between the inner hub stop 135 and the outer hub stop 136; an oil separator sleeve 120, the oil separator sleeve 120 is enclosed in the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137, the oil separator sleeve 120 includes a spacer sleeve 121, one end of the spacer sleeve 121 is slidably connected to a first sealing cover 122, and the other end of the spacer sleeve 121 is fixedly connected to a second sealing cover 123.

[0047] Therefore, the low-maintenance wheel end structure of the present application is provided with an oil-separating sleeve 120 for sealing the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137 between the inner stop 135 and the outer stop 136 of the wheel hub 130. The oil-separating sleeve 120 seals the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove 137 to block the path of the grease entering the annular weight-reducing groove 137, and then the annular weight-reducing groove 137 is no longer filled with a large amount of grease, which saves the amount of grease and reduces the cost of using grease. At the same time, the spacer 121 of the oil-separating sleeve 120 is slidably connected to the first sealing cover 122 at one end and fixedly connected to the second sealing cover 123 at the other end. The distance between the first sealing cover 122 and the second sealing cover 123 on the spacer 121 is adjustable, so that it can adapt to the annular weight-reducing grooves 137 of different widths, thereby improving the versatility of the oil-separating sleeve 120.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection between the two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0050] The above description is only a specific implementation of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest range consistent with the principles and novel features applied for herein.

Claims

1. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost, characterized in that: include: A wheel end assembly (110), the wheel end assembly (110) comprising a wheel hub (130), the inner hole of the wheel hub (130) being provided with a wheel hub inner stop (135) and a wheel hub outer stop (136) adapted for a wheel hub bearing, an annular weight reduction groove (137) being provided between the wheel hub inner stop (135) and the wheel hub outer stop (136); An oil-isolating sleeve (120), the oil-isolating sleeve (120) is enclosed in the notch of the annular weight-reducing groove (137), the oil-isolating sleeve (120) comprises a spacer sleeve (121), one end of the spacer sleeve (121) is slidably connected to a first sealing cover (122), and the other end of the spacer sleeve (121) is fixedly connected to a second sealing cover (123).

2. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first sealing cover (122) comprises a first supporting ring (124), the inner ring of the first supporting ring (124) is sleeved on the spacer (121), the outer ring of the first supporting ring (124) is provided with a first annular flange (125) which is sealed with the outer stop (136) of the wheel hub, and the first annular flange (125) is connected to the outer stop (136) of the wheel hub by interference fit or welding.

3. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: An annular sealing ring is connected between the inner ring of the first support ring (124) and the spacer (121); the outer circle of the annular sealing ring is provided with a groove which is at least partially embedded in the inner ring of the first support ring (124); the annular sealing ring slides on the spacer (121) following the first support ring (124).

4. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The second sealing cover (123) comprises a second support ring (126) integrally formed with the spacer (121); the outer ring of the second support ring (126) is provided with a second annular flange (127) sealedly connected to the inner stopper (135) of the wheel hub; the second annular flange (127) is connected to the inner stopper (135) of the wheel hub by interference fit or welding.

5. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the wheel hub inner stop (135) is greater than the inner diameter of the wheel hub outer stop (136), the outer diameter of the first sealing cover (122) is the same as the inner diameter of the wheel hub outer stop (136), and the outer diameter of the second sealing cover (123) is the same as the inner diameter of the wheel hub inner stop (135).

6. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel end assembly (110) further comprises a steering knuckle (140), a shaft head (141) of the steering knuckle (140) being rotatably connected to the wheel hub (130) via a wheel hub bearing, and the oil separator sleeve (120) being loosely sleeved on the shaft head (141) and forming an annular gap between the shaft head (141) and the oil separator sleeve (120).

7. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The shaft head (141) is a truncated cone-shaped structure with a gradually increasing cross-sectional size, and the spacer (121) is a conical structure with a gradually increasing inner diameter. Along the axial direction of the shaft head (141), the radial spacing between the spacer (121) and the shaft head (141) is the same.

8. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The wheel hub bearing comprises an outer wheel hub bearing (132) adapted to the outer stopper (136) of the wheel hub, and an inner wheel hub bearing (131) adapted to the inner stopper (135) of the wheel hub, and the oil separator sleeve (120) is supported and positioned between the outer wheel hub bearing (132) and the inner wheel hub bearing (131).

9. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: A cavity filled with grease is formed between the shaft head (141) of the steering knuckle (140) and the wheel hub (130), and a grease injection channel (142) for injecting grease into the cavity is provided on the steering knuckle (140), and the grease injection channel (142) is communicated with the cavity.

10. A wheel end structure with low maintenance cost as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: An end cover (134) for closing the cavity is provided at one end of the wheel hub (130), and a lubricating grease discharge hole is provided on the end cover (134), and an oil plug is detachably connected to the lubricating grease discharge hole.

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