Integrated Hub Drive Axle to Eliminate Backlash and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive axles with separate manufacturing of the constant velocity joint's external race and the wheel hub result in increased weight, cost, and quality issues such as backlash and noise due to spline coupling and hub nut loosening.
Innovation Solution
A hub built-in type drive axle integrates the wheel hub and constant velocity joint, with the hub housing acting as both the external race and the wheel hub, reducing the number of parts and enhancing rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub are separately manufactured and assembled by spline and hub nut, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the weight increases and quality issues such as backlash and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub into a single integrated component called a hub housing. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these two parts, thereby reducing the total number of parts, reducing weight, and eliminating backlash and noise issues associated with spline coupling and hub nut loosening.
2Ease of manufacture
If the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub are separately manufactured and assembled by spline and hub nut, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the number of parts increases leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub into a single integrated component called a hub housing. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these two parts, thereby reducing the total number of parts, reducing weight, and eliminating backlash and noise issues associated with spline coupling and hub nut loosening.
3Ease of manufacture
If the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub are separately manufactured and assembled by spline and hub nut, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but quality issues such as backlash and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external race of the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub into a single integrated component called a hub housing. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these two parts, thereby reducing the total number of parts, reducing weight, and eliminating backlash and noise issues associated with spline coupling and hub nut loosening.
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 integration leads to weight reduction, cost savings, improved durability, minimized noise, and enhanced rigidity by eliminating backlash and noise issues associated with conventional spline and hub nut coupling.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft bearing coupled to the driveshaft, the external ring of the shaft bearing being coupled to the bearing housing, the internal ring and the external ring of the shaft bearing being connected by bearing balls
Implementation Method 2
A shaft seal positioned on the side of the shaft bearing to fill the gap between the driveshaft and the bearing housing and maintain airtightness is further included
Implementation Method 3
the bearing housing, the boot, and the boot assembly ring are coupled in a non-rotating structure whether or not the driveshaft rotates
Data Source
AI summary
A hub built-in type drive axle includes one hub housing assuming a role of an external race of a constant velocity joint and a role of a wheel hub simultaneously, wherein the outboard constant velocity joint center is positioned within the full length of the hub housing, and a structure in which a bear housing and a boot assembly ring, including a boot, do not rotate whether the driveshaft 1 rotates is maintained so that performance may be improved, durability may be enhanced, and noise may be minimized.