Dual Wheel Centering Sleeves Prevent Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel centering systems for dual wheel assemblies on vehicle hubs, such as stud piloted and hub piloted systems, face challenges in precise centering and assembly, leading to material and labor inefficiencies, nut wear, and jamming issues due to the relative movement of inner and outer wheels.
Innovation Solution
A centering system comprising inner and outer sleeves with specifically sized aperture portions and grease grooves, which are used in sets to precisely center dual wheel assemblies on vehicle hubs, allowing for separate mounting and centering of inner and outer wheels without protrusion into each other's bolt apertures, thereby preventing jamming and simplifying assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stud piloted system with inner and outer cap nuts is used to center dual wheel assemblies, then precise centering is achieved, but the number of nuts required increases significantly (180 nuts for an 18 wheeler)
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is segmented between the hub pilots (which provide the primary centering reference) and the new centering sleeves (which provide precise positioning). This segmentation allows the elimination of multiple cap nuts while maintaining centering precision through the sleeve mechanisms that fit over the hub pilots.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces centering sleeves as intermediary components between the hub pilots and the wheel assemblies. These sleeves act as mediators that transfer the centering function from the hub pilots to the wheels, eliminating the need for numerous cap nuts while maintaining precise alignment.
2Ease of manufacture
If a hub piloted system with flange nuts is used to reduce the number of nuts, then material and labor costs are reduced, but precise wheel centering is compromised due to clearance between hub pilots and wheel aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The centering sleeves serve as intermediary components that bridge the gap between the hub pilots and the wheel aperture. They fit over the hub pilots and provide a precise mating surface for the wheel, eliminating the clearance issue while maintaining the cost advantages of the hub piloted system.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering sleeves are pre-installed on the hub pilots before wheel assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the precise centering geometry is established in advance, allowing the wheel to be accurately positioned without requiring multiple adjustment operations or additional fastening components.
3Measurement precision
If the wheel aperture extends through both inner and outer wheels to provide centering, then centering is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases due to relative movement and potential jamming of the nut assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is segmented into separate components: the centering sleeves on the hub pilots and the wheel aperture portions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing interference and jamming between the inner and outer wheel assemblies during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the centering function from the wheel aperture itself and relocates it to separate centering sleeves mounted on the hub pilots. This extraction eliminates the problematic interaction between the aperture and the wheels, preventing jamming while maintaining centering precision.
4Reliability
If multiple cap nuts are used to secure inner and outer wheels, then secure mounting is achieved, but nut wear and replacement frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering sleeves act as intermediaries that distribute and stabilize the loading forces between the hub pilots and the wheel assemblies. This mediation reduces the stress and wear on the fastening nuts, extending their service life while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the centering system by introducing precision-machined sleeves with controlled clearances and interference fits. This parameter change creates more stable loading conditions for the nuts, reducing wear and extending their operational life.
Data Source
AI summary
A centering system for centering the inner and outer wheels of a dual wheel assembly on a hub includes at least three centering sets. Each centering set has an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve. Each inner sleeve fits between a wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the inner wheel to center the inner wheel. Each outer sleeve fits between the wheel stud and a bolt hole in the outer wheel to center the outer wheel. The inner sleeves can also include a section that fits between the wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the brake drum to center the brake drum.