Wheel Hub Assembly Asymmetric Rolling Element Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheel hub assemblies with two rows of rolling elements face challenges in reducing energy consumption and pollutant emissions while maintaining high mechanical characteristics and reliability, particularly due to restrictive anti-pollution regulations.
Innovation Solution
The wheel hub assembly features axially displaced inner and outer raceways with different angles of contact and osculation ratios for each row of rolling elements, optimizing the geometry to reduce friction and energy dissipation by varying the radius of curvature and outside diameters of the raceways and rolling elements, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional wheel hub assemblies with two rows of rolling elements are used, then high mechanical characteristics and reliability are maintained, but energy consumption and pollutant emissions remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetry between the two rows of rolling elements. The first row has a first angle of contact and first osculation ratios, while the second row has a second angle of contact and second osculation ratios. This allows each row to be locally optimized for different load conditions, reducing overall friction and energy consumption while maintaining reliability through differentiated local characteristics rather than uniform design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention directly applies asymmetry by specifying that the dimensions of the angle of contact and osculation ratios of the first row are different from those of the second row. This asymmetric configuration enables the bearing to handle combined loads more efficiently by distributing stresses differently across the two rows, thereby reducing energy dissipation through friction while preserving mechanical reliability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional wheel hub assemblies with two rows of rolling elements are used, then high mechanical characteristics and reliability are maintained, but pollutant emissions remain high
Solution Approach 1:
By differentiating the local characteristics of each rolling element row through different angles of contact and osculation ratios, the patent optimizes friction reduction at each location. This local optimization reduces overall energy consumption and consequently lowers pollutant emissions from vehicle operation, while maintaining reliability through the differentiated design that better handles combined loads
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes critical geometric parameters - specifically the angles of contact and osculation ratios - to optimize performance. By varying these parameters between the two rows rather than using identical values, the bearing achieves reduced friction and energy consumption, leading to lower emissions while maintaining structural reliability through optimized load distribution
3Loss of energy
If the dimensions of angle of contact and osculation ratios are made different for each row, then friction and energy consumption are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different geometric parameters to each row of rolling elements. The first row has optimized angle of contact and osculation ratios tailored to its specific load conditions, while the second row has different parameters optimized for its conditions. This localized optimization reduces energy dissipation through friction without requiring complete redesign of the entire bearing structure, thus limiting the increase in complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention embraces asymmetry as a functional requirement rather than a complexity burden. By deliberately designing the two rows with different angles of contact and osculation ratios, the patent transforms what could be seen as increased complexity into a performance-enhancing feature that reduces energy loss through optimized load distribution and reduced friction
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The angle of contact and the osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements are different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.