Wheel End Assembly Sealing Without Spider Shaft Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel end assemblies face challenges in maintaining leak resistance and reducing manufacturing costs, particularly due to the need for precise machining of spider shaft holes that can lead to leaks and increased production complexity.
Innovation Solution
The wheel end assembly design incorporates a hub, hub cap, first spider retainer, and second spider retainer that encircle the axis, with the spider shaft sandwiched between them, creating an internal cavity that encloses the spider and its shaft, eliminating the need for spider shaft holes and reducing potential leak paths, and utilizing a seal between the hub and hub cap to enhance leak resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spider shaft holes are machined in the hub or hub cap, then the spider shaft can be installed, but precise machining is required which increases manufacturing complexity and risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spider shaft from the hub or hub cap structure by eliminating the need for spider shaft holes. Instead, the spider shaft is supported by bearing assemblies that are press-fit into the hub, separating the spider shaft installation from the hub machining requirements and thereby reducing manufacturing precision demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces bearing assemblies as intermediary components between the hub and the spider shaft. These bearing assemblies serve as mediators that simplify the connection interface, allowing the spider shaft to be supported without requiring precise machining of holes in the hub or hub cap.
2Ease of operation
If spider shaft holes are used for assembly, then the spider can be installed, but potential leak paths are created that compromise seal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the harmful feature of spider shaft holes that create leak paths. By extracting this unnecessary opening and replacing it with bearing assemblies that press-fit into the hub, the design eliminates potential leak paths while maintaining assembly ease through standardized bearing installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of requiring hole machining into a benefit by using press-fit bearing assemblies. This approach not only eliminates leak paths but also simplifies the assembly process through standardized bearing installation methods, turning a previously problematic feature into an advantageous design element.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wheel end assembly that includes a hub, a hub cap, first and second spider retainers, and a spider having a spider shaft. The hub and the hub cap cooperate to define an internal cavity. The first and second spider retainers are disposed in the internal cavity and cooperate to define a spider shaft hole. The spider shaft is received in the spider shaft hole.