Hub Bearing Assembly Using Roller Support to Prevent Tapered Roller Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of third-generation hub bearings is complicated and costly due to the use of general-purpose cages, as tapered rollers tend to fall off during assembly, necessitating additional components like retaining rings and complex assembly devices.
Innovation Solution
An assembling method and device that uses general-purpose cages, supported by two tools that prevent tapered rollers from falling off during assembly by vertically moving a second support tool relative to a first support tool, eliminating the need for retaining rings and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a general-purpose cage is used to hold tapered rollers, then cost reduction is achieved, but tapered rollers fall off during assembly requiring additional retaining rings and complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The support tool is designed to dynamically adjust its position vertically during the assembly process. It moves upward to support the roller cassette when the hub wheel is separated, and moves downward to clear the path when the hub wheel is reinserted, enabling automated assembly without retaining rings
Solution Approach 2:
A support tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the roller cassette and the hub wheel. This tool temporarily supports the tapered rollers from below during assembly operations, preventing them from falling off the general-purpose cage while enabling the use of simpler, cheaper components
2Reliability
If the seal member is attached before inserting the hub wheel, then proper sealing is achieved, but tapered rollers fall off requiring complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is attached to the outer ring in advance before the hub wheel is inserted. The support tool enables this preliminary sealing action by maintaining support for the roller cassette throughout the process, preventing roller displacement that would otherwise complicate the assembly procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The support tool acts as a mediator that enables the seal member to be attached before hub wheel insertion. By supporting the roller cassette from below, it prevents tapered rollers from falling off during this sequence, allowing proper sealing without complex procedures
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated cage structure is used to prevent roller fall-off, then assembly simplicity is improved, but component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the cage structure, a support tool is introduced as an intermediary device. This tool provides the necessary roller support function during assembly, allowing the use of simpler, cheaper general-purpose cages while maintaining assembly simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The support tool provides self-service by automatically moving into position to support the roller cassette and then moving out of the way after assembly. This automated behavior eliminates the need for complex manual assembly procedures while using simple components
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
In a second step P2 for obtaining a second assembly A2 in which a first assembly A1 and a first seal member 7A are combined, first, an outer ring 2 and first roller cassette 9A of the first assembly A1 are supported from below by a first support tool 23 and a hub wheel 4 of the first assembly A1 is supported from below by a second support tool 24, and then the second support tool 24 is moved upward in accordance with the separation of the hub wheel 4 from the first assembly A1, so that a roller support surface Sd provided on the second support tool 24 is introduced to the inside of the first roller cassette 9A in the radial direction. Then, after the first seal member 7A is attached to the outer ring 2, the second support tool 24 is moved downward in accordance with the re-insertion of a cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 into the inner periphery of the outer ring 2, so that a first inner raceway surface 4c is introduced to the inside of the first roller cassette 9A in the radial direction while the roller support surface Sd is ejected to the lower side of the first roller cassette 9A.