Wheel Bearing Device with Adjustable Camber and Toe Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel bearing devices for vehicles are complex to assemble and primarily adjust toe angles, neglecting camber angles, which can affect stability during straight-line travel.
Innovation Solution
A wheel bearing device with adjustable camber and toe angles using constant-velocity joints and linear motion actuators, supported by a knuckle, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment of wheel angles to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheel bearing devices are configured to change steering angles together with vehicle wheels, then toe angles can be adjusted, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel bearing device is divided into independent functional modules: a hub ring module containing constant-velocity joints for drive shaft connection, and a knuckle module containing linear motion actuators for angle adjustment. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled together, reducing overall assembly time and complexity while maintaining toe angle adjustment capability through the knuckle module's actuators.
2Ease of operation
If only toe angles are adjusted in rear wheels, then steering control is achieved, but camber angles are neglected affecting stable travel
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel bearing device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both toe angle adjustment (through lateral movement of the hub ring relative to the knuckle) and camber angle adjustment (through vertical movement of the hub ring). The constant-velocity joints and linear motion actuators are configured to enable independent control of both angles, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve steering control and maintain stable travel by adjusting camber angles in addition to toe angles.
3Manufacturing precision
If wheel bearing devices have complex structures for angle adjustment, then adjustment precision is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Constant-velocity joints are pre-assembled into the hub ring structure with precise geometric relationships established during manufacturing. The linear motion actuators are pre-configured with their mounting positions and connection points on the knuckle. This preliminary action ensures that when the hub ring module and knuckle module are assembled together, the angle adjustment precision is maintained while significantly reducing on-site assembly time, as the complex precision components are already in place rather than requiring field assembly.
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
The device enables stable vehicle travel by adjusting camber and toe angles, reducing assembly time and complexity, and allowing for easy replacement of parts.
Implementation Method 1
the constant-velocity joint comprises a fixed constant-velocity joint including: an outer ring having a spherical inner surface having track grooves; an inner ring having a spherical outer surface having track grooves; a cage disposed between the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring; and balls retained by the cage so as to be capable of rolling along the respective ones of the track grooves
Implementation Method 2
a pair of camber angle-adjusting linear motion actuators configured to press upper and lower portions of an inboard side surface of the disk portion, respectively so as to adjust a camber angle of the wheel
Implementation Method 3
a wheel bearing supported by a knuckle of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a wheel bearing device including a wheel bearing (38) supported by a knuckle (2); a hub ring (6) having a boss portion (8); a second constant-velocity joint (22); and a first constant-velocity joint (12). The second constant-velocity joint (22) includes an outer ring (23) rotatably supported by the wheel bearing (38), and an inner ring (25) coupled to the boss portion (8) of the hub ring (6). The first constant-velocity joint (12) includes an outer ring (13) coupled to the outer race (23) of the second constant-velocity joint (22), and an inner ring (15) coupled to a drive shaft (11). The knuckle (2) supports a pair of camber angle-adjusting linear motion actuators (56), and a pair of toe angle-adjusting linear motion actuators (57). The camber angle-adjusting linear motion actuators (56) are configured to press the upper and lower portions of the inboard side surface of the disk portion (7) of the hub ring (6), respectively, thereby adjusting the camber angle of the front wheel(1). The toe angle-adjusting linear motion actuators (57) are configured to press, respectively, the front and rear portions, in the vehicle travel direction, of the disk portion (7), thereby adjusting the toe angle of the front wheel.