Wheel Hub Stress Distribution via Segmented Ribs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel hubs experience stress concentration and cracking due to load paths between the barrel and flange, limiting weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity for commercial freight hauling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates outboard ribs and recesses to redefine load paths, cantileveredly connecting pilot bosses within recesses, and a fillet extending continuously around the barrel, distributing stress and reducing material weight while maintaining strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ribs connect pilot bosses directly to the barrel, then mechanical support is provided, but stress concentrations and cracking occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is segmented into multiple ribs that are spaced apart rather than forming a continuous structure. Each rib independently supports a pilot boss, distributing the load paths and reducing stress concentrations in the barrel and flange while maintaining mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are positioned at specific locations around the circumference of the barrel, providing localized support where needed. The spacing and arrangement of ribs are optimized to distribute stresses evenly across the structure, preventing stress concentration at any single point.
2Weight of moving object
If wheel hub weight is reduced to increase freight capacity, then hauling capacity increases, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection member into discrete ribs rather than using a solid continuous structure, material is removed from non-critical areas while maintaining structural support functions. This reduces overall wheel hub weight while preserving the strength needed to withstand operational loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs provide sufficient support for the pilot bosses and distribute loads effectively without requiring excessive material. The partial structure of spaced ribs achieves the necessary structural integrity with less material than a solid connection member, enabling weight reduction.
3Strength
If ribs extend from connection member to barrel, then pilot bosses are supported, but load paths create stress concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous load path is segmented into discrete ribs spaced around the circumference. This segmentation distributes the stress across multiple locations rather than concentrating it along a continuous rib, reducing peak stress values while still supporting the pilot bosses effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel hub includes a barrel, a flange extending radially away from the barrel and a connection member connecting the flange to the barrel. The barrel includes an outboard bearing bore and an inboard bearing bore. The flange at least partially overlaps the inboard bearing bore along a radial direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The connection member includes an outboard side facing toward the outboard bearing bore and defining outboard ribs and outboard recesses alternately disposed around the circumference of the barrel. Each outboard recess is interposed between the flange and the barrel along the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.