Wheel Hub Inner Ring Front Toothing for Precise Tooth Meshing
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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 precise geometry of the teeth, leading to issues like flattened tooth tips, incorrect tooth meshing, and potential loss of traction in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two steps of plastic deformation using a set of knives with specific circumferential profiles, where the first step forms rounded radial reliefs and imprints, and the second step further shapes the teeth by impressing second knives inside the imprints, ensuring precise formation of the front toothing without damaging the inner ring or other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-step plastic deformation method is used to form front toothing, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the dimensional precision and uniformity of tooth geometry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the toothing formation process into two distinct steps: first forming radial reliefs with rounded tips, then forming the complete toothing profile by impressing second knives inside the imprints. This segmentation allows each step to optimize for its specific function, achieving high dimensional precision while maintaining process simplicity through systematic division of operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The first step performs preliminary action by forming radial reliefs with rounded tips that serve as preparatory features for the second step. This preliminary formation of imprints ensures that the subsequent toothing formation occurs on a pre-conditioned surface, improving final tooth geometry precision without requiring complex single-step equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastic deformation methods are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the uniformity of tooth dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using first knives with specific rounded circumferential profiles to create reliefs with rounded tips, then using second knives with different profiles to form the precise toothing geometry inside those reliefs. Each knife type is optimized for its specific local function, ensuring uniform tooth dimensions across the entire toothing while maintaining cost-effectiveness through targeted tool design.
3Device complexity
If single-knife or simple tooling is used for toothing formation, then the device complexity is low, but the tooth profile uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling is segmented into two distinct sets: first knives for forming radial reliefs with rounded tips, and second knives for forming the precise toothing profile inside the reliefs. This segmentation of tooling functions achieves high tooth profile uniformity while keeping each individual knife design relatively simple, balancing device complexity with manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The first knives perform preliminary action by creating radial reliefs with rounded tips that serve as molds for the second knives. This preliminary tool action ensures uniform tooth profiles by establishing consistent geometric constraints before the final toothing formation, reducing the complexity requirements for the second set of knives while achieving high precision.
4Ease of manufacture
If improper toothing formation is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the reliability of torque transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The two-step process segments the toothing formation to first create properly rounded tooth tips, then form the complete engagement profile. This ensures reliable torque transmission by guaranteeing correct tooth meshing geometry without requiring complex equipment, as each step focuses on a specific geometric requirement essential for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The preliminary formation of radial reliefs with rounded tips ensures that the subsequent toothing formation occurs on a pre-conditioned surface that guarantees proper tooth geometry. This preliminary action prevents defects that would compromise torque transmission reliability, such as flattened tips or incorrect meshing, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through systematic process design.
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 achieves greater dimensional precision and high uniformity in the dimensions and geometry of the front toothing, preventing flattening of tooth tips and ensuring correct meshing, thereby enhancing torque transmission and reducing noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
at least one operation for plastic deformation of an annular collar (5) in which a plurality of knives (9, 10) arranged in a ring
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.