Universal Axle-Hub Assembly to Eliminate CV Axle Shear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle drivetrain and suspension systems face challenges in mechanical strength and performance while maintaining reduced complexity, particularly due to shear forces affecting constant velocity (CV) axle snouts, leading to potential wheel loss.
Innovation Solution
A universal axle-hub assembly is designed with a wheel hub that receives a CV axle snout, featuring a splined portion for engagement and a smooth portion to eliminate shear forces, supported by a bearing that extends through the axle support, ensuring only driving forces are applied, thus enhancing torque transmission and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional axle hub design is used, then the structure is simpler, but shear forces act on the CV axle snout leading to potential wheel loss
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the axle support is segmented into two distinct portions: a splined portion for torque transmission and a smooth portion for bearing support. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating shear forces on the CV axle snout while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the opening have different geometric properties: the splined portion has engagement surfaces for torque transmission, while the smooth portion provides a bearing surface. This local differentiation of quality ensures that shear forces are eliminated at the smooth portion while torque is effectively transmitted at the splined portion
2Reliability
If the bearing supports the CV axle snout, then shear forces are eliminated, but the axle support must extend through the bearing increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The axle support structure merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides the opening for CV axle reception, extends through the bearing as a support surface, and integrates the splined portion for torque transmission. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components while achieving the desired reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.