Wheel Hub Shipping Retainer Using Nested Locking Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle wheel hubs are prone to damage and misalignment during shipping due to their size, shape, and weight, leading to potential vibration, premature wear, and failure of wheel and brake components, and are susceptible to contamination that can cause bearing failure.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system comprising inboard and outboard elements with radial flanges and a locking mechanism that aligns and secures the wheel hub's bearings and spacer within a shipping retainer, preventing contamination and ensuring proper alignment during shipping and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wheel hubs are shipped without protective packaging, then shipping cost and complexity are reduced, but the wheel hubs are prone to damage, misalignment, and contamination during handling and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system uses nested structures where the radial flanges fit within the axial bore of the wheel hub, and the locking mechanism secures the packaging elements together within the same space. This nesting approach provides comprehensive protection without requiring external bulky packaging, thus maintaining shipping simplicity while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system is divided into separate functional elements: radial flanges for positioning, locking mechanisms for securing, and protective barriers for contamination prevention. These segmented components work together to address multiple protection needs simultaneously without complicating the overall shipping process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the wheel hub is packaged with complex alignment mechanisms, then bearing and spacer alignment is ensured, but the packaging complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radial flanges are pre-positioned within the axial bore at specific locations corresponding to the inboard and outboard ends. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the packaging elements are locked together, the bearings and spacer are automatically aligned without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system uses the wheel hub's own structural features (the axial bore) as part of the alignment mechanism. The radial flanges utilize the bore's geometry to self-align the bearings and spacer, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the wheel hub pilot surfaces are exposed during shipping, then handling is easier, but the pilot surfaces are susceptible to dents, scrapes, and other damage
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system employs thin protective elements (radial flanges and locking components) that fit within the axial bore and extend to protect the pilot surfaces. These thin protective elements provide coverage without adding significant bulk, maintaining ease of handling while preventing dents and scrapes on the pilot surfaces.
4Productivity
If the axial bore is left open for easy axle installation, then installation speed is improved, but dirt and debris can contaminate the bearing lubricant
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system implements preliminary protective action by sealing the axial bore with radial flanges and locking mechanisms before shipping. This preliminary sealing prevents contamination of the bearing lubricant while maintaining the ability to quickly open for installation, thus addressing both productivity and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging elements act as intermediary barriers between the external environment (dirt and debris) and the internal bearing lubricant. These intermediaries can be easily removed or opened during installation to maintain speed, while providing protection during storage and transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging system for protecting a wheel hub containing inboard and outboard bearings separated by a spacer. The packaging system comprises a shipping retainer having inboard and outboard elements that are reversibly locked together within the axial bore of the wheel hub to seal the ends of the axial bore and maintain the alignment of the bearings and spacer. The packaging system further includes a stackable shipping tray having first and second sides, the first side adapted to receive the inboard end of a wheel hub with the shipping retainer installed and the second side adapted to receive the outboard end of a wheel hub. The shipping tray cooperates with the shipping retainer to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the shipping retainer.