Tapered Spline Wheel Support Reducing Press Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel support devices require complex assembly processes and high-dimensional precision for spline formation, leading to increased man-hours and potential torque limitations when splines are formed only in part of the annular side face.

Innovation Solution

A wheel support device with tapered outer and inner peripheries on the hub unit and joint, respectively, where splines are formed in the radially outer regions of the annular end faces, allowing for torque transmission while reducing the required press load and improving accuracy in spline formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If splines are formed in substantially the entirety of the annular side face, then torque transmission capability is improved, but pressing load requirement increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidpressing load
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming splines only in the radially outer region of the annular side face rather than across the entire surface. This localized approach concentrates the torque transmission function in a specific region where it is most needed, reducing the pressing load required for spline formation while maintaining adequate torque transmission capability through optimized spline geometry in the critical outer region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If splines are formed in substantially the entirety of the annular side face, then torque transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidspline formation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By limiting spline formation to the radially outer region, the patent reduces the total area requiring high-precision spline formation. This localized approach decreases the cumulative tolerance requirements and reduces the complexity of ensuring uniform spline quality across the entire annular surface, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adequate torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If splines are formed only in part of the annular side face, then pressing load and manufacturing complexity are reduced, but torque transmission capability may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidtorque transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the spline geometry in the radially outer region, including adjusting spline depth, width, and angular orientation to maximize torque transmission efficiency within the limited formation area. This compensates for the reduced spline coverage area and ensures adequate torque transmission capability is achieved through enhanced local spline design parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If strict dimensional control is applied to splines extending in the axial direction, then torque transmission reliability is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating spline formation in the radially outer region, which naturally provides more favorable conditions for dimensional control due to the geometry of the forming process. This localized approach improves torque transmission reliability in the critical load-bearing region while reducing the overall complexity of dimensional control across the entire component, thereby reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables efficient assembly and torque transmission equivalent to conventional spline structures while reducing the application load for spline formation, allowing for accurate and efficient transmission of rotary torque without unnecessarily increasing spline size.

Implementation Method 1

The shaft portion 87 has a tubular body portion 88 and a shaft portion 87. The shaft portion 87 extends from the body portion 88 in the axial direction. External splines 86 that mesh with the internal splines 84 are formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 87 so that torque transmission between the hub unit 80 and the joint 90 is allowed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2634013B1Wheel support device
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 JTEKT CORP
  • EP2634013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2634013B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2634013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary ring of a hub unit has an annular end face on one side in the axial direction, and a tapered outer periphery in a radially outer region of the end face. The diameter of the tapered outer periphery increases toward the other side in the axial direction. An outer ring of a joint has an annular end face on the other side in the axial direction, and had a tapered inner periphery in a radially outer region of the end face. The diameter of the tapered inner periphery increases toward the other side in the axial direction, and the tapered inner periphery faces the tapered outer periphery. Splines are formed in the tapered outer periphery and splines are formed in the tapered inner periphery, and the splines of the tapered outer periphery and the splines of the tapered inner periphery mesh with each other.