Wheel Hub Collared Member Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheel hubs with a structure for fixing wheels using hub bolts face issues with wheel fall-off and component damage during replacement, leading to inefficiencies and reliability concerns due to the lack of effective support mechanisms when the spigot fitting is released.

Innovation Solution

A wheel mounting structure featuring a collared member with a collar part that locks the annular protruding part of the wheel, preventing it from falling off by engaging with the spigot joint part, even when all hub bolts are removed, thereby ensuring the wheel remains securely positioned during replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wheel hub structure with hub bolts is used to fix the wheel, then the wheel can be securely fastened to the wheel hub, but when all hub bolts are removed, the wheel falls off the spigot fitting part causing damage and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel fixation reliabilityVSAvoidwheel replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grease cap serves as an intermediary component between the spigot fitting part and the wheel. It provides a transitional support structure that prevents the wheel from falling off when hub bolts are removed, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and easy replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The grease cap is pre-installed on the spigot fitting part before wheel removal. This preliminary action ensures that when hub bolts are removed, the wheel is already supported by the grease cap structure, preventing fall-off and enabling safe replacement operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the spigot fitting part structure is used for positional alignment, then the wheel hub and wheel can be easily aligned, but when corrosion occurs, the wheel hub and wheel adhere to each other making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidwheel removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grease cap is positioned locally at the grease cap installation position on the spigot fitting part, providing localized support and prevention of adhesion between the wheel hub and wheel, thereby facilitating easier wheel removal without compromising overall alignment functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3403848B1Wheel mounting structure
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3403848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3403848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3403848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spigot joint part (23) of a wheel hub (20) has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface (23b). A collared member (70) having a collar part (72) is press-fitted into and fixed to the spigot joint part, which collar part being formed at a position away from an end part of the spigot joint part by a predetermined distance (Wg1) to protrude outward in a radial direction of the collared member. An annular protruding part (54) is formed on an inner peripheral surface of a center hole (52) of a wheel. In a state where the wheel is fixed to the hub by using hub bolts, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface and the annular protruding part are spigot-fitted. In a state where the hub bolts are removed, the annular protruding part is locked by the collar part.