Axle assembly

Abstract

The present invention introduces an axle assembly comprising a disc assembled coaxially in a state of contact with a wheel bearing hub; wherein the contact surface between the wheel bearing hub and the disc is in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis in which the wheel bearing hub and the disc are assembled.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an axle assembly that improves the disk runout of the axle assembly while reducing costs through the elimination of parts. Background Technology

[0003] The wheel bearing hub is an important component that connects the vehicle's suspension system to the wheel and enables the wheel to rotate smoothly; the disc and wheel are assembled onto the wheel bearing hub.

[0004] That is, with the disc (2) fitted onto the hub bolt (1a) provided in the wheel bearing hub (1), the disc (2) is fastened to the wheel bearing hub (1) by two or three countersunk bolts (2a), and the wheel nut (3a) is fastened to the hub bolt (1a) so that the wheel (3) is assembled to the wheel bearing hub (1).

[0005] However, when the wheel is assembled using wheel nuts, the fastening force of the wheel nuts is significantly greater than that of the countersunk bolts, so the countersunk bolts lose their function of securing the disc.

[0006] However, if countersunk bolts are not assembled, there is a risk of the disc becoming detached during the logistics process prior to wheel assembly, and there is also the issue that disc runout cannot be measured during the full inspection process at the axle assembly level.

[0008] Meanwhile, even when countersunk bolts are fastened to the disc, problems may occur in measuring disc runout.

[0009] In other words, since the countersunk bolt is fastened to only a part of the disc, the fixed area where the countersunk bolt is fixed has stable runout, while the non-fixed area where the countersunk bolt is not fixed has unstable runout, which can lead to a problem where runout deviation caused by shaking occurs between the fixed and non-fixed areas.

[0011] The matters described above as background technology are intended only to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention and do not constitute prior art already known to those skilled in the art. The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention is proposed to solve these problems and aims to provide an axle assembly that improves the disk runout of the axle assembly while reducing costs through the elimination of parts.

[0014] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0016] An axle assembly according to the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises a disc assembled coaxially in a state of contact with a wheel bearing hub; and the contact surface between the wheel bearing hub and the disc may be characterized in that the contact surface between the wheel bearing hub and the disc is tapered with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis in which the wheel bearing hub and the disc are assembled.

[0017] The above contact surface may be in contact in a tapered shape toward the vehicle direction around the axis.

[0018] The above contact surface may be in contact in a tapered shape toward the wheel direction around the axis.

[0019] The above contact surface may be in contact in a tapered shape, repeatedly directed toward the vehicle direction and the wheel direction around the axis.

[0020] It may further include a hub ring that supports the above disk in the axial direction and is assembled to the wheel bearing hub.

[0021] The above hub ring can support the disk at a position that avoids the contact surface.

[0022] An insertion portion is formed protruding from the end of the wheel bearing hub, and the insertion portion is inserted through the disc; and a hub ring is assembled on the outer surface of the insertion portion so that the hub ring can support the surface of the disc bordering the insertion portion.

[0023] The above insert and hub ring can be joined by a combined structure of a groove and a protrusion.

[0024] A coupling projection is formed on the outer surface of the insertion part; and a coupling groove corresponding to the coupling projection is formed on the inner surface of the hub ring so that the coupling projection can be fitted and coupled.

[0025] The above coupling structure may be a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0026] The inner surface portion forming the minimum inner diameter of the above hub ring can be coupled to the wheel bearing hub.

[0027] The above hub ring can be configured to support the disc with a pressure greater than a certain amount while coupled to the wheel bearing hub.

[0028] The diameter of the rim cross-section of the above hub ring supported by the disc may be thicker than the diameter of the rim cross-section coupled to the wheel bearing hub.

[0029] A slit is formed along the edge of the above hub ring so that the diameter of the hub ring can be deformed.

[0030] A coupling groove for coupling to a wheel bearing hub is formed on the inner edge of the hub ring; and a slit may be formed between the outer edge of the hub ring and the coupling groove. Effects of the invention

[0032] According to the present invention, the contact surface between the wheel bearing hub and the disc is in contact in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis to which the wheel bearing hub and the disc are joined, thereby restricting the movement of the wheel bearing hub or the disc in the direction perpendicular to the axis and preventing disc runout from occurring, and thereby improving brake judder and enhancing vehicle driving performance.

[0033] Furthermore, by eliminating the countersunk bolts used for assembling the disc, the fastening holes for securing the bolts are removed. Consequently, the contact area of ​​the disc in contact with the flange is increased by the amount of space occupied by the fastening holes, which has the advantage of strengthening the fastening force between the wheel bearing hub and the disc. Additionally, there is an effect of reducing the cost of the axle assembly by decreasing the number of parts.

[0034] The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0036] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a typical axle assembly separated. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a first embodiment of the contact surface between a wheel bearing hub and a disc according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a second embodiment of the contact surface between a wheel bearing hub and a disc according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the hub ring of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the shape of a hub ring according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the surface of a disk with a hub ring assembled according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0037] In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Furthermore, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of this disclosure. The disclosure below is not intended to limit this disclosure to the described form or specific field, and it is considered that various alternative modes and modifications to this disclosure are possible, whether explicitly stated or implied in this specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the form and details of this disclosure may change.

[0038] The present disclosure is described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, the various embodiments disclosed herein may be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following description should be considered illustrative and is intended to teach those skilled in the art to the manner in which various embodiments are made and used. It will be understood that the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, or materials, processes, or steps may be substituted for those representatively exemplified and described in the present disclosure. Expressions used in describing the present disclosure, such as "including," "comprising," "incorporating," "consisting of," "have," "is," etc., should be interpreted as allowing items, components, or elements not explicitly described to be indicated in a non-exclusive manner, i.e., to be indicated. In addition, references to the singular should be interpreted as including those related to the plural.

[0039] Furthermore, the various embodiments disclosed herein should be accepted as illustrative and descriptive and should not be interpreted as limiting the content of the disclosure. All references to joining (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, etc.) are used solely to aid in understanding the disclosure and are not intended to limit the location, orientation, or use of the configuration or the methods disclosed herein. Accordingly, where joining references exist, they should be interpreted broadly. Moreover, in such joining references, it is not assumed that two or more elements are directly connected to each other. Additionally, all numeric terms, e.g., "first," "second," "third," "primary," "secondary," "major," or any other general or numeric terms, are to be taken solely as identifiers to aid in understanding the various components, forms, variations, or modifications of the present disclosure and are not to imply any limitation to any component, form, variation, or modification, or to any order or preference thereof. That is, while such expressions may be used to describe various components, the components are not limited by such expressions. Such expressions are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0040] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification, and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles.

[0041] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0042] Furthermore, the terms "Unit" or "Control Unit" included in the name are merely terms widely used to name controllers that control specific vehicle functions, and do not refer to generic function units.

[0043] A controller may include a communication device that communicates with other controllers or sensors to control the function it is responsible for, a memory that stores an operating system, logic instructions, and input / output information, and one or more processors that perform judgments, calculations, decisions, etc., necessary for controlling the function it is responsible for.

[0044] Any number of components or various components in any configuration described herein may be included within the disclosure described herein. Components may include any combination of features described herein and may be arranged in any configuration among the various configurations described herein. Concepts regarding the structure and arrangement of the components of the disclosure, as well as their use and operation, may be applied to any number of embodiments in any combination, as well as to specific embodiments discussed herein. Embodiments including those having various features of various arrangements are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0046] Hereinafter, various embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components are given the same reference number regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0048] The axle assembly according to the present invention includes a disk (200) assembled coaxially in a state of contact with a wheel bearing hub (100); and the contact surface (F) of the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) is formed in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis in which the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) are assembled.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the axle assembly according to the present invention is configured such that a disc (200) and a wheel (300) are assembled to a wheel bearing hub (100).

[0051] For example, a vehicle suspension system may be connected to one end of the wheel bearing hub (100) on the vehicle side, and a flange portion (100a) to which a disc (200) is coupled may be formed at the other end of the wheel bearing hub (100) on the wheel side.

[0052] And, a bearing is mounted in a shape that surrounds the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0053] The above bearing may be configured to include an inner ring, an outer ring, and balls. A portion of the outer surface of the wheel bearing hub (100) may be formed with a step to form the inner ring, the outer ring is mounted on the vehicle body, and balls are inserted between the inner ring and the outer ring to allow rotational operation of the inner ring.

[0055] In addition, the present invention has a disc (200) coupled coaxially on the wheel side of the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0056] For example, as the wheel bearing hub (100) is inserted into the disk (200), the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) can be combined in a state where the inner surface of the disk (200) is in contact with the outer surface of the flange portion (100a) formed on the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0057] In particular, in the case of the contact surface (F) where the flange portion (100a) and the disk (200) come into contact, the contact is made in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis where the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) are joined, thereby aligning the axis of the wheel bearing hub (100) with the axis of the disk (200) and greatly improving the coaxiality of both axes.

[0058] Accordingly, by restricting the movement of the wheel bearing hub (100) or the disc (200) in a direction perpendicular to the axis, the disc (200) runout is prevented, thereby improving brake judder and enhancing vehicle driving performance.

[0060] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the contact surface (F) can be in contact in a tapered shape toward the vehicle direction around the axis.

[0061] That is, the outer surface of the flange portion (100a) and the inner surface of the disc (200) are formed in a tapered shape toward the vehicle side, respectively, around the axis.

[0062] Accordingly, the contact surface (F) between the flange portion (100a) and the disk (200) is formed in a shape that is inclined toward the vehicle side.

[0063] At this time, the inclination angle of the contact surface (F) is approximately ± 3° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0065] As another example of the above contact surface (F), as shown in FIG. 3, the contact surface (F) may be in contact in a tapered shape toward the wheel (300) around the axis.

[0066] That is, the outer surface of the flange portion (100a) and the inner surface of the disk (200) are formed in a tapered shape toward the wheel side, respectively, with respect to the axis.

[0067] Accordingly, the contact surface (F) between the flange portion (100a) and the disk (200) is formed in a shape that is inclined toward the wheel side.

[0068] At this time, the inclination angle of the contact surface (F) is also tilted by approximately ± 3° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0070] As another example of the above contact surface (F), although not illustrated in the drawing, the above contact surface (F) may be in contact in a tapered shape repeatedly toward the vehicle direction and the wheel (300) direction around the axis.

[0071] That is, the outer surface of the flange portion (100a) may be formed by repeatedly tapering towards the vehicle side and the wheel side around the axis, and the inner surface of the disc (200) may be formed by repeatedly tapering towards the wheel side and the vehicle side around the axis so as to correspond to the tapered shape of the flange portion (100a).

[0072] Accordingly, the contact surface (F) between the flange portion (100a) and the disk (200) can be formed in the shape of peaks and valleys.

[0074] Meanwhile, the present invention further comprises a hub ring (400) that supports the disk (200) in the axial direction and is assembled to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4, the hub ring (400) is formed in a ring shape and is inserted into the wheel bearing hub (100) toward the disk (200).

[0076] Accordingly, the hub ring (400) is coupled to the wheel bearing hub (100) and supports the outer surface of the disk (200), thereby assembling the disk (200) to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0077] As such, unlike conventional methods, the present invention does not utilize countersunk bolts for assembling the disk (200), so the fastening hole for fastening the countersunk bolt to the disk (200) is eliminated.

[0078] Accordingly, by securing an additional contact area of ​​the disc (200) in contact with the flange portion (100a) equal to the area where the fastening hole is filled, the fastening force between the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disc (200) is strengthened.

[0079] In addition, multiple countersunk bolt parts used for fastening the disk (200) become unnecessary, thereby reducing the cost of the axle assembly due to the reduction in the number of parts.

[0081] In addition, the hub ring (400) is configured to support the disk (200) at a position that avoids the contact surface (F).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 6, an insertion portion (110) is formed protrudingly at the end of the wheel bearing hub (100) and the insertion portion (110) is inserted through the disk (200); and a hub ring (400) is assembled on the outer surface of the insertion portion (110) so that the hub ring (400) supports the surface of the disk (200) bordering the insertion portion (110).

[0083] That is, an insertion part (110) is formed protruding from the center of one side of the flange part (100a), and a hole is formed in the center of the disk (200), so that the insertion part (110) is inserted through the hole formed in the disk (200).

[0084] Then, a hub ring (400) is inserted into an insertion part (110) that protrudes through the disk (200), and the hub ring (400) is coupled to the insertion part (110).

[0085] At this time, the hub ring (400) is supported on the flange portion (100a) that borders the hole of the disk (200) bordering the insert portion (110).

[0086] Accordingly, the hub ring (400) supports the disk (200) by avoiding the contact surface (F) where the flange portion (100a) and the disk (200) come into contact.

[0087] Therefore, the hub ring (400) supports the disk (200) without being biased toward a part of the contact surface (F), thereby stabilizing the runout of the disk (200) and preventing runout deviation from occurring.

[0089] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the insert part (110) and the hub ring (400) can be combined with a groove and a protrusion combination structure.

[0090] That is, a hole and a protrusion are formed respectively on the mutually supported surfaces of the insertion part (110) and the hub ring (400) so that the hub ring (400) can be coupled to the insertion part (110).

[0092] Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment in which the insertion part (110) and the hub ring (400) are combined is shown, in which a coupling projection (120) is formed on the outer surface of the insertion part (110); and a coupling groove (420) corresponding to the coupling projection (120) is formed on the inner surface of the hub ring (400) so that the coupling projection (120) can be fitted and coupled.

[0093] At this time, the above-mentioned coupling structure may be formed as a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0094] That is, the coupling projection (120) is formed protruding in the shape of a ratchet tooth on the outer surface of the insertion part (110), and the coupling groove (420) is formed recessed in the shape of a ratchet tooth corresponding to the coupling projection (120) on the inner surface of the hub ring (400).

[0095] Accordingly, when the hub ring (400) is inserted into the insertion part (110), the inner surface of the hub ring (400) is inserted along the inclined surface of the coupling projection (120), and the coupling projection (120) is fitted into the coupling groove (420) to form a snap-fit ​​connection. In the snap-fit ​​connection state, the coupling projection (120) does not detach from the coupling groove (420) due to the coupling structure between the coupling projection (120) and the coupling groove (420), thereby stably connecting the hub ring (400) and the insertion part (110).

[0097] In addition, the present invention allows the inner surface portion forming the minimum inner diameter of the hub ring (400) to be coupled to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0098] That is, a coupling groove (420) is formed in the inner surface portion forming the minimum inner diameter of the hub ring (400) and is fitted into the coupling projection (120) formed in the insertion part (110), thereby fitting the hub ring (400) into the insertion part (110) in a compressed state and strengthening the coupling structure between the hub ring (400) and the insertion part (110).

[0100] In addition, the hub ring (400) can be configured to support the disk (200) with a pressure greater than a certain amount while the hub ring (400) is coupled to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0101] To this end, the outer surface of the hub ring (400) supported by the disk (200) is formed to face directly the disk (200), and the hub ring (400) may begin to be supported by the disk (200) in the middle of being inserted into the insertion part (110). Of course, it may also be configured so that the hub ring (400) is supported by the disk (200) at the same time as the hub ring (400) is inserted into the insertion part (110).

[0102] Accordingly, by supporting the disk (200) with a force greater than a certain amount while the hub ring (400) is fastened to the insertion part (110), the bonding force between the disk (200) and the wheel bearing hub (100) can be further strengthened.

[0104] The above hub ring (400) is an axle assembly characterized in that the diameter of the rim cross-section supported by the disk (200) is thicker than the diameter of the rim cross-section coupled to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0106] In addition, in the present invention, the hub ring (400) may be formed such that the diameter of the rim cross-section supported by the disk (200) is thicker than the diameter of the rim cross-section coupled to the wheel bearing hub (100).

[0107] For example, the diameter of the rim cross-section can be formed to gradually increase from the inner rim of the hub ring (400) coupled to the insertion part (110) toward the outer rim of the hub ring (400) supported by the disk (200).

[0108] Accordingly, by increasing the contact area of ​​the hub ring (400) supported on the disk (200), the disk (200) is stably supported, thereby making the coupling structure between the disk (200) and the wheel bearing hub (100) more robust.

[0110] Meanwhile, the present invention can be configured such that a slit (410) is formed along the edge of the hub ring (400) so that the diameter of the hub ring (400) can be deformed.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of slits (410) are formed radially on the outer edge of the hub ring (400), and the portion of the hub ring (400) where the slits (410) are formed is supported on the disk (200).

[0112] The above hub ring (400) is preferably formed from a plastic material, but can also be molded from a material with the same or similar physical properties as plastic.

[0113] Also, the slit (410) may be formed at equal angles along the circumferential direction of the hub ring (400), but may also be formed at non-equal angles.

[0114] Accordingly, when the hub ring (400) excessively presses the disk (200) due to assembly tolerances between the hub ring (400) and the wheel bearing hub (100), the diameter of the hub ring (400) changes due to the slit (410), thereby reducing the force with which the hub ring (400) presses the disk (200) and allowing the disk (200) to be stably supported, thereby improving the assembly of the hub ring (400).

[0116] Furthermore, a coupling groove (420) that is coupled to a wheel bearing hub (100) is formed on the inner edge of the hub ring (400); and the slit (410) may be formed between the outer edge of the hub ring (400) and the coupling groove (420).

[0117] For example, the slit (410) may be formed from the outer edge of the hub ring (400) up to the coupling groove (420).

[0118] That is, in the case of the part of the hub ring (400) where the coupling groove (420) is formed, the thickness is reduced, and thus the relative rigidity of that part is lowered.

[0119] Accordingly, by not forming a slit (410) in the coupling groove (420) portion, shearing and breakage of the hub ring (400) are prevented even when the diameter of the hub ring (400) changes.

[0121] In this way, the contact surface (F) of the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) is in contact in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis to which the wheel bearing hub (100) and the disk (200) are joined, thereby greatly improving the coaxiality between the axis of the wheel bearing hub (100) and the axis of the disk (200).

[0122] Accordingly, by restricting the movement of the wheel bearing hub (100) or the disc (200) in a direction perpendicular to the axis, runout of the disc (200) is prevented, thereby improving brake judder and enhancing vehicle driving performance.

[0124] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as provided by the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0126] 100 : Wheel bearing hub 100a : Flange section 110 : Insert part 120 : Connecting protrusion 200 : Disk 300 : Wheel 400 : Hub ring 410 : Slit 420 : Connecting groove F: Contact surface

Claims

Claim 1 An axle assembly comprising a disc assembled coaxially in a state of contact with a wheel bearing hub; wherein the contact surface between the wheel bearing hub and the disc is in a tapered shape with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis in which the wheel bearing hub and the disc are assembled. Claim 2 An axle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact surface contacts in a tapered shape toward the vehicle direction around the axis. Claim 3 An axle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact surface contacts in a tapered shape toward the wheel direction with respect to the axis. Claim 4 An axle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact surface contacts in a tapered shape repeatedly in the direction of the vehicle and the direction of the wheel around the axis. Claim 5 An axle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a hub ring assembled to the wheel bearing hub while axially supporting the disk. Claim 6 The axle assembly according to claim 5, wherein the hub ring supports the disk at a position avoiding the contact surface. Claim 7 An axle assembly according to claim 5, wherein an insertion portion is formed protrudingly at the end of the wheel bearing hub and the insertion portion is inserted through a disk; and a hub ring is assembled on the outer surface of the insertion portion and the hub ring supports the surface of the disk bordering the insertion portion. Claim 8 An axle assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the insert portion and the hub ring are joined by a combined structure of a groove and a protrusion. Claim 9 An axle assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that a coupling projection is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part; and a coupling groove corresponding to the coupling projection is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hub ring so that the coupling projection is fitted and coupled. Claim 10 An axle assembly according to claim 8, wherein the coupling structure is a snap-fit ​​structure. Claim 11 An axle assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner circumferential portion forming the minimum inner diameter of the hub ring is coupled to the wheel bearing hub. Claim 12 An axle assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the hub ring is configured to support a disc with a pressure greater than a certain amount while coupled to a wheel bearing hub. Claim 13 The axle assembly according to claim 5, wherein the hub ring is characterized in that the diameter of the rim cross-section supported by the disc is thicker than the diameter of the rim cross-section coupled to the wheel bearing hub. Claim 14 An axle assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that a slit is formed along the edge of the hub ring so that the diameter of the hub ring is deformable. Claim 15 An axle assembly according to claim 14, wherein a coupling groove formed on the inner edge of the hub ring for coupling to a wheel bearing hub; and a slit formed between the outer edge of the hub ring and the coupling groove.

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