Wheel Hub Assembly With Integral Brake Hub and Single-Nut Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel hub assemblies require multiple bolts for attaching the wheel and brake disk, making installation and removal cumbersome and increasing the risk of failure due to the large number of fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A wheel hub assembly with an integral braking hub that integrates the brake disc portion, allowing the wheel to be attached and detached using a single central nut, reducing the number of fasteners and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple bolts are used to attach the wheel and brake disk to the hub, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to manipulate multiple fasteners during installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wheel hub and brake disk into a single integral braking hub structure. The brake disk is formed as one piece with the hub, eliminating the need for separate fasteners to attach the brake disk to the hub. This merging reduces the total number of fasteners from multiple bolts (for wheel attachment) plus additional bolts (for brake disk attachment) to only the wheel fasteners, simplifying installation and removal operations.
2Reliability
If multiple bolts are used to connect the wheel and brake disk, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the quantity of parts increases leading to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The integral braking hub merges the hub and brake disk into a single monolithic component. This eliminates the brake disk fasteners from the system, reducing the total number of fasteners. Fewer fasteners mean fewer potential failure points while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated structure that inherently ensures proper alignment and secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral braking hub serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the wheel mounting hub, the brake disk, and the structural connection element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate brake disk attachment hardware, reducing part quantity while maintaining system reliability through a unified design.
3Strength
If multiple bolts are used for wheel and brake disk attachment, then the structural integrity is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to the visible multiple fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The integral braking hub combines the hub and brake disk into a single seamless structure. This merging eliminates the visual disruption of multiple brake disk fasteners, presenting a cleaner, more aesthetic appearance from the wheel face while maintaining structural integrity through the unified construction that ensures proper load distribution and connection strength.
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
Simplifies wheel installation and removal by using a single nut, reduces the risk of fastener failure, and enhances the aesthetic appearance while maintaining both driving and braking torque transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a splined portion (226) including a plurality of external splines; an integral braking hub (300) disposed on and connected to the shaft, the integral braking hub (300) including a central hub portion (310) including a plurality of internal splines (320) engaging the plurality of external splines of the splined portion (226) of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a threaded end portion (228); a nut (250) fastened to the threaded end portion (228) of the shaft (220), the wheel (16) being disposed between the nut (250) and the brake disc portion (330) in an axial direction (201) of the shaft (220)
Implementation Method 3
a brake disc portion (330) extending radially from the central hub portion (310), the brake disc portion (330) being integral with the central hub portion (310)
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel hub assembly for a vehicle includes a shaft adapted for operatively connecting to a motor of the vehicle. The shaft including a threaded end portion, and a splined portion including a plurality of external splines; an integral braking hub disposed on and connected to the shaft; a wheel fastened to the integral braking hub by a plurality of fasteners; and a nut fastened to the threaded end portion of the shaft, the wheel being disposed between the nut and the brake disc portion in an axial direction of the shaft. The integral braking hub includes a central hub portion including a plurality of internal splines and a brake disc portion extending radially from the central hub portion, the brake disc portion being integral with the central hub portion and the central hub portion or the brake disc portion defining a plurality of through-holes.