Wheel Hub Cover Assembly Threaded Connector Elastic Seal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cover assemblies for wheel rim hubs are prone to detachment, allowing dust and moisture to enter and are inconvenient to assemble and disassemble due to reliance on screws and fragile engaging feet.

Innovation Solution

A cover assembly featuring a ring-shaped outer cover, a connector with a threaded connection and elastic rings that securely covers the hub, preventing dust and moisture entry while allowing easy assembly and disassembly through a threaded connection and ergonomic grip features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If engaging feet are used to connect side cover body to main cover body, then assembly is simple, but connection reliability is poor and parts are easily broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into a connector body and a connector ear, where the connector body threads onto the hub and the connector ear engages with the main cover body. This segmentation allows the threaded connection to provide reliable fixation while the engaging feet maintain simple assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If multiple screws are used to fasten main cover body to hub, then connection strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector combines the functions of multiple screws into a single threaded component. The connector body with external threads engages with the hub's internal threads, providing strong fixation while eliminating the need for multiple separate fastening operations, thus reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If engaging feet are used for connection, then device complexity is reduced, but protection against dust and moisture is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddust and moisture entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first elastic ring acts as a flexible sealing element that fills the gap between the connector body and the hub inner peripheral wall. This elastic seal prevents dust and moisture from entering through the threaded connection interface while maintaining the simple structure of the engaging feet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If simple engaging feet are used, then assembly is easy, but durability is poor due to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The first elastic ring provides beforehand cushioning by sealing the connection interface between the connector body and hub, preventing dust and moisture from degrading the engaging feet over time. This protective sealing extends the service life of the engaging feet while maintaining easy assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively prevents dust and moisture from entering the hub while enabling quick and tool-free assembly and disassembly of the cover assembly, enhancing durability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The first elastic ring is sleeved on the connector inner annular wall and is configured to be disposed between and abut against the connector inner annular wall and the hub inner peripheral wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The connector inner annular wall extends through the cover central hole for connection with the hub inner peripheral wall, and has an outer wall surface provided with a first external thread for threadedly connecting with the first internal thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded connection: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3939805B1Cover assembly for wheel hub
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 TW RACING PARTS INC
  • EP3939805B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939805B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3939805B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cover assembly for removably covering a hub (60) of a wheel rim (6) includes a ring-shaped outer cover (1) defining a cover central hole (101), and a connector (2) having a connector outer annular wall (21), a connector inner annular wall (23) extending through the cover central hole (101) for connection with a hub inner peripheral wall (62) of the hub (60) and provided with a first external thread (24) for threadedly connecting with a first internal thread (63) of the hub (60), and an annular flange (25) extending from a junction of the connector inner and outer annular walls (23, 21). A first elastic ring (3) is sleeved on the connector inner annular wall (23) and is configured to be disposed between and abut against the connector inner annular wall (23) and the hub inner peripheral wall (62).