Self-Retaining Wheel Bearing via Tapered Knuckle

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel assemblies for vehicles are hindered by the mass and drag added by multiple fasteners used to mount wheel bearings to the knuckle, as well as increased assembly and repair times due to the need for individual handling of each fastener.

Innovation Solution

A wheel assembly design featuring a knuckle with a tapered inner surface coupled to a tapered sleeve, which retains a bearing via a threaded fastener, eliminating the need for multiple fasteners and facilitating efficient assembly and repair by using a threaded fastener to couple the bearing to the knuckle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple fasteners are used to mount wheel bearings to the knuckle, then the bearing is securely retained, but the mass and drag of the wheel assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing retentionVSAvoidwheel assembly mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fasteners into a single integrated fastener that secures the bearing to the knuckle. The fastener includes a threaded body that engages with the knuckle and a retaining portion that secures the bearing, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple fasteners are used to mount wheel bearings to the knuckle, then the bearing is securely retained, but the assembly and repair time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing retentionVSAvoidassembly and repair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fasteners into a single integrated fastener that secures the bearing to the knuckle. The fastener includes a threaded body that engages with the knuckle and a retaining portion that secures the bearing, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple fasteners are used to mount wheel bearings to the knuckle, then the bearing is securely retained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing retentionVSAvoidfastener quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fasteners into a single integrated fastener that secures the bearing to the knuckle. The fastener includes a threaded body that engages with the knuckle and a retaining portion that secures the bearing, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8590657B2Vehicle wheel assembly having a self-retaining bearing

Publication Date: 2013.11.26 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly is provided for a vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a knuckle having a tapered inner surface to interface with an outer flange of a bearing. A threaded fastener retains the bearing within the knuckle. A wheel hub couples to an inner flange of the bearing permitting rotation of the wheel hub relative to the knuckle.