Wheel Hub Pilot Feature Relocation for Fatigue Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a disc rotor to a wheel hub often result in radial run out and reduced fatigue life due to incorrect concentric alignment and stress risers caused by pilot features placed between the hub and wheel studs, leading to vibration and increased stress concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming piloting features on the wheel hub and disc rotor at a pitch circle diameter greater than the fasteners or wheel studs, creating a continuous section thickness and eliminating stress risers by positioning these features outside the fasteners and studs, allowing for concentric alignment without additional load on the pilot feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pilot features are placed between the hub and wheel studs to achieve concentric alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but stress concentrations and fatigue life are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the pilot feature from a radial position (between hub and studs) to an axial position (on the outer end surface of the hub). This dimensional relocation allows the pilot feature to provide alignment functionality without creating stress concentrations in the critical radial flange region, thereby resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and fatigue life.
2Ease of operation
If pilot features are formed on the hub flange to enable disc rotor centering, then alignment capability is improved, but stress risers and vibration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot feature is relocated from the radial flange area to the axial outer end surface of the hub. This positional change enables the pilot feature to perform centering functions during assembly while avoiding the creation of stress risers in the flange region, thus eliminating vibration without compromising centering capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous or individual mounting bosses are formed on the hub flange to support pilot features, then alignment function is improved, but section thickness continuity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pilot feature from the radial flange region to the axial outer end surface of the hub. This dimensional relocation preserves the continuity of the hub flange section thickness while maintaining the alignment function, as the pilot feature no longer interrupts the radial material flow or creates discontinuities in the critical flange area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to outside diameter piloting apparatus for concentrically aligning a disc rotor (12) to a wheel hub (10). The pitch circle diameter of the annular piloting features (49) is greater than the pitch circle diameter of the rotor mounting fasteners and the wheel studs of the hub. The outside diameter piloting feature (49) allows a hub section profile which is smooth and continuous between the inboard side of the wheel hub up to the mounting fastener apertures. This smooth and continuous profile reduces stresses and increases the fatigue life of the wheel hub.