Hollow Axle Shaft Solid Hub Spindle Torque Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheel end assemblies require substantial diameter and weight for the axle shaft and hub spindle to transfer torque, leading to increased size and weight, as well as the need for large antifriction bearings and additional axle seals, which complicates assembly and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A wheel end assembly with a substantially solid hub spindle and hollow axle shaft, utilizing a bearing assembly with an inner and outer race for frictionless rotation, and a coupling collar with different diameters for spline engagement, allowing for reduced diameter and weight while maintaining torque transfer efficiency, and eliminating the need for an axle seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid axle shaft with substantial diameter is used to transfer torque, then torque transfer capability is improved, but weight and size of the assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axle shaft is segmented into a solid portion and a hollow portion, allowing the assembly to achieve both strength for torque transfer and weight reduction. The solid portion provides structural integrity while the hollow portion reduces material usage and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The axle shaft utilizes a composite structure combining solid and hollow sections, optimizing both mechanical strength and weight characteristics. This composite approach allows different sections to serve different functions - the solid section for strength and the hollow section for weight reduction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hollow spindle with internal splines is used to receive the axle shaft, then coupling capability is improved, but diameter and weight of the hub increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing splines inside the hollow spindle as conventionally done, the splines are inverted to be located on the outer surface of the solid axle shaft portion. This inversion eliminates the need for a hollow spindle with internal splines, allowing the use of a smaller, lighter solid spindle that reduces hub volume and weight while maintaining coupling capability.
3Strength
If large diameter antifriction bearings are used to support the hub spindle, then bearing capacity is improved, but overall assembly size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the spindle from hollow to solid, which allows for a reduction in spindle outer diameter. This parameter change enables the use of smaller diameter bearings and housing while maintaining the necessary bearing capacity through optimized solid spindle geometry and material properties.
4Strength
If a hollow spindle structure is used, then torque transfer is improved, but manufacturing complexity and additional sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the unnecessary hollow portion from the spindle design, eliminating the complexity associated with manufacturing hollow structures with internal splines and the sealing requirements that such structures necessitate. The solid spindle structure simplifies manufacturing while maintaining torque transfer efficiency through direct splined engagement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the size and weight of the wheel end assembly, simplifies assembly, and eliminates the need for an axle seal, resulting in lighter, more efficient, and cost-effective vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
The hub includes a hollow spindle that is mounted within the housing by antifriction bearings for providing near frictionless rotation of the hub within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel end assembly for a vehicle includes an axle tube and a housing secured to the end of the axle tube. A hub includes a drive flange located axially outward from the housing and a spindle projecting from the drive flange into the housing. The hub spindle has a substantially solid body with drive splines about an external surface of the spindle. Rolling elements are located between the hub spindle and the housing for enabling the hub to rotate about an axis. The hub includes an inner race defining an inner raceway located around and carried by the hub spindle for engagement with the rolling elements. An axle shaft is positioned within the axle tube and includes splines that are coupled to the external drive splines of the hub. The axle shaft includes a substantially hollow end positioned within the housing having the shaft splines positioned within an inner surface of the hollow end of the axle shaft. The hollow end is configured for receiving a portion of the hub for coupling the shaft splines with the drive splines of the hub for transferring torque from the axle shaft to the hub.