Wheel Hub Inner Ring Front Toothing With Sequential Knife Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming a front toothing on a wheel hub's inner ring, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,960 and EP2551034B1, face challenges in achieving high uniformity and precision of tooth dimensions and geometry, leading to potential misalignment, noise, and wear, which can result in loss of traction in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method using a set of knives with specific circumferential profiles to form the front toothing, where the first step creates rounded ridges and the second step forms the flanks and roots of the teeth, allowing for precise and uniform tooth formation without damaging the wheel hub components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single knife is used to form the front toothing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of tooth dimensions and geometry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The forming process is segmented into two distinct steps: first forming the rounded ridges and tips of the teeth, then forming the flanks and roots. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, achieving high precision without requiring an overly complex single-step device
Solution Approach 2:
The rounded ridges and tips of the teeth are formed in advance during the first step, creating a preliminary structure that guides and constrains the material flow during the second step. This preliminary action ensures that the final tooth geometry achieves high precision while using relatively simple forming tools
2Manufacturing precision
If high forming forces are applied to create precise toothing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the risk of damaging wheel hub components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total forming force is segmented and applied in two separate steps rather than concentrated in a single operation. The first step applies force to form rounded ridges, and the second step applies force to form flanks and roots, distributing the mechanical stress and reducing peak loads that could cause damage
Solution Approach 2:
The knife edges are designed with rounded profiles rather than sharp edges, and the first step specifically creates rounded ridges and tips. This curvature distributes the forming force over a larger contact area, reducing stress concentration and minimizing the risk of damaging the wheel hub components while still achieving precise tooth geometry
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
This method ensures greater dimensional precision and uniformity of the front toothing, preventing flattening of tooth tips and reducing the risk of damage during the forming process, thereby enhancing torque transmission and reducing noise and wear, ensuring reliable vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one operation for plastic deformation of an annular collar (5) of an inner ring (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A method and equipment for forming a front toothing having a plurality of radial teeth on an annular collar of an inner ring of a wheel hub, wherein a plurality of first knives are axially and sequentially impressed on the annular collar and have a first predetermined circumferential profile (P1) configured to form radial reliefs which are spaced by imprints and have a rounded circumferential profile corresponding to the profile of the ridges of the radial teeth to be obtained; thereafter, a plurality of second knives are axially and sequentially impressed on the annular collar inside the imprints and have a third predetermined circumferential profile (P3) configured to reproduce in reverse at least part of respective opposite flanks of the radial teeth of the front toothing to be obtained.