Spindle-Less Running Gear Hub Assembly for Easier Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hub and spindle assemblies in vehicles require meticulous assembly and maintenance, involving disassembly, inspection, and precise torque adjustments, which are prone to failure if not performed correctly.
Innovation Solution
A spindle-less running gear assembly featuring an inner flange with outwardly extending pins, a unit hub with a housing and shaft, and an outer flange with wheel studs, which integrates a brake member assembly and eliminates the need for spindles, reducing maintenance complexity and failure risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional hub and spindle assemblies are used, then the running gear assembly can be assembled with standard components, but the assembly and maintenance process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hub, spindle, and bearing assembly into a single integrated unit hub assembly. The unit hub assembly includes an integrated hub portion with bearing races and seals pre-installed, eliminating the need for separate spindle and bearing components. This merging of components directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The running gear assembly is segmented into modular components: a removable wheel assembly, a stationary brake assembly, and an integrated unit hub assembly. This segmentation allows each module to be independently manufactured, assembled, and maintained, reducing overall assembly complexity while enabling standardized manufacturing processes for each segment.
2Ease of repair
If traditional hub and spindle assemblies with multiple components are used, then the running gear assembly can accommodate standard brake systems, but the maintenance process becomes meticulous and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The hub, spindle, and bearing assembly are merged into a single sealed unit hub assembly with pre-installed seals and lubrication. This integration eliminates multiple maintenance steps such as separate bearing repacking and spindle inspection, reducing maintenance complexity and minimizing human error that could lead to failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The unit hub assembly incorporates sealed bearings with permanent lubrication and protective seals that prevent contamination. This self-service design allows the assembly to maintain itself without frequent intervention, reducing maintenance frequency and eliminating common maintenance errors associated with manual grease packing and seal replacement.
3Reliability
If spindles are included in the hub assembly, then the running gear assembly can provide rotational support, but the risk of part failures increases due to multiple components requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle function is merged into the integrated hub portion of the unit hub assembly. The hub portion includes a central bore that receives the wheel assembly and provides rotational support without requiring a separate spindle component. This merging eliminates spindle-related failures while maintaining the necessary rotational support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional separate spindle component is extracted and eliminated from the assembly. Instead, the rotational support function is provided by the integrated hub portion with its central bore and bearing races. This extraction removes a entire class of potential failure points while reducing the total number of components that require maintenance.
4Productivity
If meticulous assembly procedures with torque specifications are required, then the traditional hub assembly can be properly assembled, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and requires skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components requiring torque specifications are merged into a single pre-assembled unit hub assembly. The bearing races, seals, and lubrication are pre-installed during manufacturing with controlled torque applications, eliminating the need for field technicians to perform meticulous torque sequencing on multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex assembly operations requiring precise torque control are performed preliminarily during manufacturing of the unit hub assembly. The bearing races are pre-pressed into place, seals are pre-installed, and lubrication is pre-applied under controlled factory conditions. This preliminary action transfers the complexity from the assembly phase to the manufacturing phase, where it can be more efficiently managed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A running gear assembly (10) for a vehicle includes an inner flange (100), an optional brake member assembly (200), and a unit hub (300). The inner flange may be connected to either an axle or an independent suspension member. The brake member assembly - when present - may be any type of brake member assembly commonly used for vehicles, including - but not limited to - electrically, hydraulically, or mechanically actuated drum brakes and hydraulically actuated disc brakes. The unit hub allows the wheel and tire assembly to connect to the vehicle without the need for a spindle.