Wheel Hub Ring Flange Mounting for Off-Highway Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of wheel assemblies for off-highway vehicles, such as dump trucks, limits the size of transmission components due to the need for convenient rim installation and removal, which encroaches on the space available for the transmission components, restricting their maximum torque capability and durability.
Innovation Solution
The wheel assembly configurations include a hub with a cylindrical outer surface, a surrounding ring, and a cylindrical rim with a radially inwardly extending mounting flange, allowing for various fastening methods to maintain the hub's maximum diameter while accommodating a gear set, thereby eliminating the need for a separate transmission housing and enhancing torque and radial load transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rim is mounted directly to the hub with sufficient clearance for convenient installation and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the volume available for transmission components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is segmented into two distinct functional zones: an outer hub body that interfaces with the rim and provides clearance for installation/removal operations, and an inner transmission housing that encloses the transmission components. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the outer hub can be designed for operational convenience while the inner housing maximizes space for transmission components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission housing is nested within the hub structure, with the hub body forming an outer shell that surrounds the transmission components. This nesting arrangement allows the transmission housing to utilize the internal volume of the hub without interfering with the external dimensions needed for rim installation and removal.
2Power
If the transmission components are made larger to increase torque capability, then the power is improved, but the volume required increases and conflicts with the hub dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission housing utilizes the axial dimension of the hub by extending in the axial direction rather than only radially outward. This allows larger transmission components to be accommodated by exploiting the length of the hub in the axial direction, thereby increasing torque capability without increasing the radial dimensions that would interfere with rim installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub structure is designed with different local qualities: the outer hub body maintains a configuration optimized for rim interface and installation operations, while the inner transmission housing is configured to maximize volume for transmission components. This local differentiation allows each region to serve its specific function optimally.
3Volume of stationary object
If a separate transmission housing is added to accommodate larger components, then the volume for transmission components is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission housing is merged with the hub structure, forming an integrated assembly where the hub body serves as both the rim interface and the outer shell for the transmission components. This merging eliminates the need for completely separate transmission housing and hub components, reducing overall device complexity while still providing adequate space for transmission components.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly includes: (a) a hub adapted to be mounted for rotation about an axis and defining a housing for enclosing a gear set, the hub having a generally cylindrical outer surface; (b) a ring surrounding the outer surface of the hub; and (c) a generally cylindrical rim surrounding at least a portion of the hub, the rim adapted to carry a tire and having a radially inwardly extending mounting flange. The mounting flange is fastened to the ring.