Wheel hub.

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel hub (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a flange (2) designed to allow the attachment of a brake disc to the hub (1), the flange (2) having a plurality of distinct sets (5) of holes (6) distributed on the flange (2), each hole (6) being designed to receive a stud suitable for attaching the disc to the flange (2), each set (5) comprising several holes (6) arranged to allow, when each receives a stud, the attachment of a disc distinct from the other sets (5). The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one hub (1) according to the invention. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Wheel hub.

[0001] The technical field relates to wheel hubs enabling the reduction of diversity as well as vehicles having at least one such wheel hub.

[0002] One of the major challenges facing automobile manufacturers is managing the diversity of parts. Indeed, it is common for a single part in a motor vehicle to be produced in several distinct versions to meet production needs and the diversity of vehicles within the same family. Unfortunately, diversifying a part presents numerous complications: First, this diversity means multiple developments, with their associated additional costs. Second, the diversity of a single part sometimes necessitates diversifying production tools to produce the different versions.The diversity of parts also implies a more complex supply and storage chain, due to the need to manage staggered production and supply flows, or because of the mobilization of highly sought-after storage areas near the assembly line.

[0003] Thus, in general, the diversity of references necessarily leads to an increase in development and production costs as well as a complexity in the logistics and assembly of the different versions of the vehicle.

[0004] In this context, wheel hubs, to which the brake discs and wheels of a vehicle are attached, are not immune to diversification problems. For example, depending on the vehicle model, the center distances of the disc mounting studs, that is, the distance between the stud axes and the hub axis, may vary.

[0005] Thus, there is a need to reduce the diversity of references used in a vehicle family.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a unique wheel hub that allows the mounting of a variety of brake discs.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a wheel hub for a motor vehicle comprising a flange designed to allow the attachment of a brake disc to the hub, the flange having a plurality of distinct sets of holes distributed over the flange, each hole being designed to receive a stud suitable for attaching the disc to the flange, each set comprising several holes arranged to allow, when each receives a stud, the attachment of a disc distinct from the other sets.

[0008] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one hub according to the invention.

[0009] Thus, the wheel hub according to the invention allows for the attachment of a plurality of different brake discs depending on the selected set of holes. Indeed, by inserting studs into all the holes of the selected set, it is possible to obtain a wheel hub adapted to the chosen disc. To mount a different disc, it is simply a matter of choosing another set, adapted to this other version of the disc.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, each assembly is designed to allow the attachment of a disc having a distinct center distance.

[0011] According to one possibility, the holes are obtained by circular drilling and are aligned two by two on the same radius of the flange, two aligned holes belonging to two distinct sets.

[0012] Advantageously, the aligned holes have drilling centers separated by a distance less than the sum of the respective drilling radii of the holes.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each hole in one of the assemblies receives a fixing stud for a disc.

[0014] According to one possibility, each stud is embedded in a corresponding hole.

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a hub according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a hub according to the invention on which are fixed with studs in a set of holes.

[0018] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0019] A wheel hub 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is intended to equip a motor vehicle according to the invention, not illustrated. Conventionally, the hub 1 has an axis of symmetry which corresponds to its axis of rotation A.

[0020] The hub 1 includes a flange 2 designed to allow the attachment of a brake disc, not shown, to the hub 1. The flange 2 has the shape of a ring centered around the axis of rotation A of the hub 1. The flange 2 extends from a central part 3 of the hub 1 having an annular lip 4 for receiving the disc and / or a wheel, not shown.

[0021] The flange 2 has a plurality of distinct sets 5 of holes 6 distributed over the flange 2. Each hole 6 is designed to receive a stud 7, illustrated in [Fig. 2], suitable for fixing the brake disc to the flange 2. As illustrated in the figures, each hole 6 is through-hole. Each hole 6 is obtained by a circular drilling. Each set 5 comprises several holes 6 arranged to allow, when each receives a stud 7, the fixing of a disc distinct from the other sets 5.

[0022] Advantageously, each assembly 5 is designed to allow the attachment of a disc having a distinct center distance. By center distance, it is appropriate to understand the distance between the axis of a stud 7 and the axis of rotation A.

[0023] As illustrated in the figures, all the holes 6 are circular. In the illustrated embodiment, the holes 6 of two sets 5 are aligned in pairs on the same radius, shown by a dashed line in [Fig. 1], of the flange 2, two aligned holes 6 belonging to two distinct sets 5. Advantageously, the aligned holes 6 have drilling centers C1, C2 separated by a distance D less than the sum of the respective drilling radii R1, R2 of the holes 6. Advantageously, all the holes 6 have the same drilling radius.

[0024] To secure a disc, each hole 6 in one of the assemblies 5 receives a disc mounting stud 7. Advantageously, each stud 7 is embedded in a corresponding hole 6. By embedding a stud 7 in a hole 6, it should be understood that the stud 7, generally cylindrical with a circular base, has a mean radius slightly larger than the radius of the hole 6 into which it is to be inserted, so that insertion requires force. Once embedded, the stud 7 requires force to be driven out of the hole 6.

[0025] In order to embed the studs 7, it is, for example, possible to use a clamp having two jaws movable relative to each other and designed to exert, when brought together, pressure on the stud 7 to force it into a hole 6. The jaws are brought together, for example, by means of a worm screw.

[0026] Thus, the wheel hub 1 according to the invention allows for the attachment of a plurality of different brake discs depending on the selected assembly 5. Indeed, by fixing the studs 7 in all the holes 6 of the selected assembly 5, a first brake disc can be fixed to the hub 1. To assemble a different version of the disc, it is sufficient to choose another assembly 5, adapted to this other version of the disc.

[0027] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the hub described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Wheel hub (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a flange (2) designed to allow the fixing of a brake disc on the hub (1), the flange (2) having a plurality of separate sets (5) of holes (6) distributed over the flange (2), each hole (6) being designed to receive a stud (7) capable of fixing the disc on the flange (2), each set (5) comprising several holes (6) arranged to allow, when they each receive a stud (7), the fixing of a disc separate from the other sets (5).

2. Hub (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each assembly (5) is designed to allow the fixing of a disc having a distinct center distance.

3. Hub (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holes (6) are obtained by circular drillings and are aligned two by two on the same radius of the flange (2), two aligned holes (6) belonging to two separate sets (5).

4. Means (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the aligned holes (6) have drilling centers (Cl, C2) separated by a distance less than the sum of the respective drilling radii (RI, R2) of the holes (6).

5. Hub (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each hole (6) of one of the assemblies (5) receives a stud (7) for fixing a disc.

6. Hub (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each stud (7) is embedded in a corresponding hole (6).

7. Motor vehicle comprising at least one hub (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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