Wheel hub cover assembly and wheel hub for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Wheel hub cover arrangement for covering an outwardly directed wheel hub opening (18) of a wheel hub (4), which has a cover surface element (12) connected to the wheel hub (4) via a wall element (22) and a connecting element (26), such that the cover surface element (12) and the wall element (22) enclose a cover volume (32), wherein at least one vent opening (28) for venting and pressure equalization of a vehicle axle connected to the wheel hub (4) is provided in an intermediate cover element (24) directed towards the wheel hub (4), wherein at least one drain opening (34) for discharging splash water from the cover volume (32) is provided in the wall element (22), wherein means are provided that ensure a fluidic connection of the drain opening (34) with the environment of the wall element (22), characterized in that the diameter of the cover surface element (12) is larger than the diameter of the wall element (22).wherein a free space (36) is provided in the cover surface element (12) in the area of ​​the drain opening (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel hub cover assembly for covering an outwardly facing wheel hub opening of a wheel hub, comprising a cover surface element connected to the wheel hub via a wall element and a connecting element, such that the cover surface element and the wall element enclose a cover volume, wherein at least one vent opening for venting and pressure equalization of a vehicle axle connected to the wheel hub is provided in an intermediate cover element facing the wheel hub, wherein at least one drain opening for discharging splash water from the cover volume is provided in the wall element, and wherein means are provided that ensure a fluidic connection between the drain opening and the surroundings of the wall element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wheel hub for a motor vehicle with such a wheel hub cover assembly.

[0002] Such a wheel hub cover arrangement is known, for example, from US 5,785,390 A. To vent a vehicle axle connected to the wheel hub and to equalize pressure, a vent hole is provided, which is connected to the atmosphere via further openings in a sealing element. To prevent the ingress of splash water or dirt into the wheel hub, a membrane is provided between the vent hole and the other openings, intended to protect the cover volume from the entry of unwanted contaminants. Such an arrangement is very complex to assemble and therefore also expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, such an exposed sealing element is undesirable for design reasons. A generic wheel hub cover arrangement is known from US 6,783,191 B1.This design incorporates a cap-like wall element with a cover surface element and an intermediate cover element, with venting occurring via several fluidically connected openings. Such a wheel hub cover arrangement is complex in its construction and therefore labor-intensive to assemble. Furthermore, there is a risk that openings may become blocked due to the long venting path, thus preventing venting. Additionally, US Patent 7,314,256 B1 discloses a wheel hub cover arrangement in which a cylindrical cover element is inserted into a wheel hub with an intermediate seal.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to prevent the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0004] This problem is solved by a wheel hub cover arrangement according to the invention in that the wall element, as a connecting element, has a circumferential external thread, wherein the diameter of the cover surface element is larger than the diameter of the wall element, and a free space is provided in the cover surface element in the area of ​​the drain opening. By simply providing drain openings, which naturally also serve for venting and pressure equalization, the use of a membrane can be avoided. During driving, centrifugal force can force any splash water that has entered the cover volume out of it. Furthermore, the cover volume is significantly better protected against the ingress of dirt and splash water by the arrangement of drain openings in the wall element, particularly because the cover surface element has a larger diameter than the cover volume.Another advantage is that the cover surface element can be manufactured without openings and is therefore not subject to any design restrictions. A particularly advantageous embodiment results when at least three drainage openings are provided, arranged at uniform intervals in the circumferential direction of the wall element. This allows splash water to be drained from the cover volume even when the wheel hub is stationary and in any position.

[0005] A particularly simple arrangement of the wheel hub cap assembly can be ensured by using a threaded connection. For additional protection against the ingress of splash water, the wall component can be fitted with a seal.

[0006] The problem is also solved by a wheel hub for a motor vehicle with such a wheel hub cover arrangement by providing a receiving element that is in operative connection with the connecting element. It is advantageous if the connecting element is secured in the receiving element, for example by means of an adhesive.

[0007] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing, which shows: Fig. 1. A side view of the front of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a perspective sectional view of a wheel hub arranged on a drive shaft with a wheel hub cover assembly, and Fig. 3 a sectional view of the wheel hub cover arrangement according to the invention Fig. 2.

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of the front of a motor vehicle 2. A rim 6 with a tire 8 is arranged on a wheel hub 4 in a known manner. The wheel hub 4 is closed by a wheel hub cover assembly 10. A cover surface element 12 (see Figure 1) Fig. 2) possesses a logo or mark 14 of a motor vehicle manufacturer in a known manner.

[0009] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective sectional view of a vehicle shaft 16 designed as a drive shaft, on which the wheel hub 4 is arranged in a known manner. The wheel hub 4 has an outwardly directed wheel hub opening 18, which has an internal thread as a receiving element 20. A wheel hub nut (not shown) is attached to an external thread 40 of the wheel hub opening 18 to fix a wheel to the wheel hub 4. The wheel hub cover assembly 10 is inserted into the wheel hub opening 18. The wheel hub cover assembly 10 comprises the wheel hub cover surface element 12, a wall element 22, and an intermediate cover element 24. The wall element 22 has a circumferential external thread 26 as a connecting element, which is in operative connection with the internal thread 20 of the wheel hub 4. The intermediate cover element 24 has a centrally arranged vent opening 28.Furthermore, a seal 30 is indicated, by means of which the wheel hub cover assembly 10 is sealed in the wheel hub opening 18 of the wheel hub 4. The cover surface element 12 and the wall element 22 enclose a cover volume 32 into which splash water can enter via the venting or pressure equalization function.

[0010] Fig. Figure 3 now shows a sectional view of the wheel hub cover arrangement 10 according to the invention.

[0011] To drain this splash water and thus prevent corrosion of the wheel hub cover assembly 10, three drain openings 34, designed as drain bores, are provided in the present embodiment, of which only two are shown here. These drain bores are distributed at regular intervals, here 120°, around the circumference of the wall element 22. Free spaces 36 are provided in the area of ​​each drain bore, ensuring a fluidic connection between the drain openings 34 and the surroundings of the wall element 22. These free spaces 36 relate only to the immediate vicinity of the drain bores. A mating surface 37 is formed around the remaining circumference of the wall element, which fits with the wheel hub opening 18, allowing the wheel hub 4 to flex under the application of external forces.Furthermore, the diameter of the cover element 12 is larger than the diameter of the wall element 22, so that the drain holes are protected behind the cover element 12. The intermediate cover element 24 is pressed into the wall element 22 with the aid of a second seal 38.

[0012] To prevent the wheel hub cover assembly 10 from unintentionally coming loose, an adhesive may be provided between the external thread 26 and the internal thread 20.

[0013] Furthermore, it should be clear that the connection of the wheel hub cover assembly 10 with the wheel hub opening 18 of the wheel hub 4 can be carried out in a variety of ways, for example also by pin connections.

[0014] Furthermore, the wheel hub cover 12 serves as a locking mechanism for the aforementioned wheel hub nut, securing a wheel to the wheel hub 4. The external thread 40 for the wheel hub nut and the internal thread 20 are designed in opposite directions, thus preventing the wheel hub nut from loosening unintentionally. The wheel hub cover 12 therefore serves both to drain splash water and to secure the wheel hub nut to the wheel hub 4. The mating surface 37 creates a fit between the wheel hub opening and the wheel hub cover 12, providing the wheel hub 4 with greater stability, preventing it from bending even under external forces.

Claims

[1] Wheel hub cover arrangement for covering an outwardly directed wheel hub opening (18) of a wheel hub (4), which has a cover surface element (12) connected to the wheel hub (4) via a wall element (22) and a connecting element (26), such that the cover surface element (12) and the wall element (22) enclose a cover volume (32), wherein at least one vent opening (28) for venting and pressure equalization of a vehicle shaft connected to the wheel hub (4) is provided in an intermediate cover element (24) directed towards the wheel hub (4), wherein at least one drain opening (34) for draining splash water from the cover volume (32) is provided in the wall element (22), wherein means are provided which ensure a fluidic connection of the drain opening (34) with the surroundings of the wall element (22), characterized by, that the diameter of the cover surface element (12) is larger than the diameter of the wall element (22), wherein a free space (36) is provided in the cover surface element (12) in the area of ​​the drain opening (34). [2] Wheel hub cover arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least three drainage openings (34) are provided, which are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the wall element (22). [3] Wheel hub cover arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting element (26) is designed as a thread. [4] Wheel hub cover arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the wall organ (22) has a seal (30). [5] Wheel hub for a motor vehicle with a wheel hub cover arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a receiving organ (20) is provided which is in operative connection with the connecting organ (26). [6] Wheel hub according to claim 5, characterized by that the connecting element (26) is secured, for example by means of an adhesive, in the receiving element (20).

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