Single-Piece Wheel Hub Adaptor Integrating Rim and Brake Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel assemblies require a separate hub cap for protection and sealing, which increases axle width, weight, and assembly time, and complicates servicing of brake components without disturbing the inboard seal.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece hub adaptor with integrated mounting interfaces for the wheel rim, wheel hub, and brake components, along with a cup-shaped lubrication chamber that allows visual monitoring and fluid addition, eliminating the need for a separate hub cap and reducing component count and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate hub cap is used to protect wheel end components and provide sealing, then protection and sealing functions are achieved, but the number of components increases, weight increases, and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hub cap, mounting bolts, and gasket into a single integrated hub adaptor component. The hub adaptor includes an integrally formed flange with mounting apertures and a sealing surface, eliminating the need for separate mounting bolts and gaskets. This merging of components directly reduces part count while maintaining protection and sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub adaptor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects wheel end components, provides sealing through its integrally formed gasket surface, offers mounting interfaces for brake components, and enables visual inspection of lubrication levels through a viewing window. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hub cap and gasket components.
2Reliability
If a separate hub cap with mounting bolts and gasket is used, then sealing is provided, but assembly time increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub adaptor integrates the sealing gasket surface directly into the flange structure through integral forming, eliminating separate gasket installation steps. The flange includes an integrally formed gasket surface that provides sealing when engaged with the wheel hub, reducing assembly operations while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Reliability
If a separate hub cap is mounted to the wheel hub, then wheel end components are protected, but axle width increases beyond customer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hub adaptor is designed with a low-profile configuration where the flange extends only minimally from the wheel hub surface. This dynamic optimization of the profile height ensures that the protective function is maintained while the overall width remains within customer specifications, unlike traditional hub caps that extend further outward.
4Reliability
If conventional hub caps are used, then wheel end components are protected, but weight increases which adversely affects fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The hub adaptor is formed from a single piece of material with optimized structure, combining the protective flange, sealing surface, and mounting features into one lightweight component. This eliminates the weight of multiple separate components (hub cap, gasket, multiple bolts) while maintaining protective functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel assembly includes a hub adaptor that eliminates the need for a separate hub cap and gasket by providing wheel rim, wheel hub, and brake component attachment interfaces, as well as a lubrication chamber that can be visually inspected to monitor lubrication levels. The hub adaptor comprises a single piece body having an outwardly extending mounting flange with a first plurality of apertures that define a wheel rim attachment interface. The hub adaptor also includes an inner recessed area with a second plurality of apertures that define both the wheel hub and brake component attachment interfaces. The hub adaptor also includes an inner circumferential surface that provides a piloting and sealing interface between the hub adaptor and the wheel hub.