Hub Patents (Class 301/105.1)
  • Patent number: 8833863
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is configured for suspending the wheel of a motor vehicle on one side and includes a brake disc, which is part of a disc brake and which is fixed, when viewed in the radial direction, to a wheel disc on the outer circumference of the wheel assembly in close vicinity to a wheel rim. The brake caliper of the disc brake surrounds the brake disc over the inner circumference of the brake disc and is fixed to a wheel carrier that supports a stationary ring of a wheel bearing, which has a rotating ring that supports a wheel hub that in turn is connected to the wheel disc. The invention brake disc is fastened to the wheel disc in a floating manner and/or in an elastically flexible manner in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Josef Boehm, Johann Dudkowiak
  • Publication number: 20140252846
    Abstract: A polygonal hub for fully floating rear drive axle of a vehicle used in the break drum and wheel assembly comprising a hub (4) which rotates on the supporting member (10) of axle drive shaft assembled with inner bearing (5) and outer bearing (7) in the housing therein to enable to rotate freely about an axis and are fixed in position with the member (10); the complete wheel end assembly is then packed with lock nut (12). The hub having a flange (15) carries wheel bolt (2) which provides seating for brake drum (1) and wheel rim and tightened with the use of wheel nut (3). The hub (4) is formed by casting. An embodiment provides a hexagonal shape to the central portion instead of circular shape of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Arvind Hanamant Sawant
  • Patent number: 8814278
    Abstract: When an inner ring of a driving-wheel supporting hub unit is fixed to a hub, a pressing die is displaced downward and an annular working surface at a lower end surface of the pressing die is pressed against a front end of a cylindrical portion over its whole periphery. Further, in this state, the pressing die is pressed downward toward the hub without rocking the pressing die relative to the hub. Thus, the cylindrical portion is plastically deformed radially outward along the working surface simultaneously over its whole periphery. By adopting this method, the operation of plastically deforming the cylindrical portion at the inner end of the hub to form a caulking portion, can be easily and performed accurately. Accordingly, the structure of the caulking portion forming apparatus can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Enomoto, Nobuyuki Hagiwara, Masahiro Yasumura
  • Publication number: 20140197676
    Abstract: A wheel hub includes a hub barrel and a hub mounting portion positioned concentrically around the hub barrel. The hub mounting portion includes a number of flange holes adapted to receive a number of corresponding wheel studs. A number of drum pilots are positioned one each between the hub barrel and the hub mounting portion and are concentric with the hub barrel. The drum pilots are radially aligned with the flange holes so that each of the flange holes has a corresponding drum pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Webb Wheel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Wiechmann, Charlie Long
  • Publication number: 20140197675
    Abstract: A self-lubricating and cooling metal face seal includes a rotating seal half and a stationary seal half. The seal halves include complimentary textures configured to move and retain lubricant. The rotating seal half has a texture comprising an alternating series of plows and troughs circumferentially spaced around an inner diameter of the rotating seal half. The stationary seal half has a texture comprising collection and distribution grooves circumferentially spaced around an inner diameter of the stationary seal half. A drive axle includes a spindle and a wheel hub rotatably connected to the spindle. A metal face seal is located at an interface between the spindle and the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Morman, Stephen Tressel, Matthew Douville
  • Patent number: 8777492
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus of a semi-floating type has a pilot portion 21 on an outer member 20. The pilot portion includes a cylindrical portion 21a and a tapered portion 21b. The tapered portion 21b gradually decreases in diameter from the cylindrical portion 21a to an end surface of the inboard side. A fitting portion 16 of an axle housing 14 corresponds to the shape of the pilot portion 21. An annular groove 22 is formed at the tapered portion 21b of the pilot portion 21. A seal ring 23 is mounted in the annular groove 22. An outer diameter d3 of the seal ring 23, after mounting, is set smaller than an inner diameter d4 of the cylindrical portion 16a of the axle housing 14. The seal ring elastically contacts the axle housing 14. A slight gap of a fitting portion between the outer member 20 and the axle housing 14 is blocked off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Yamamoto, Kazuhisa Shigeoka
  • Patent number: 8777329
    Abstract: A wheel carrier for a motor vehicle in which the wheel carrier is typically manufactured from aluminum. The wheel carrier comprises a recess (1) for receiving an outer ring (2) of a wheel bearing (3). An inner ring (4) of the wheel bearing (3) is fixed in a hub (15) of a wheel flange (12) of a vehicle axle. An axial end of the outer ring (2) of the wheel bearing (3) abuts against a shoulder of the wheel carrier (6), and a rim section (5) of the wheel carrier (6) is at least partially deformed to abut an opposite axial end of the outer ring (2) of the wheel bearing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Werries, Metin Ersoy
  • Patent number: 8770672
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel end assembly includes a hub bearing assembly with an inner member having a first side defining a throughbore and a second side defining an inner raceway, a shaft extending through the throughbore of the inner member and configured to receive a torque and to transfer the torque to the inner member such that the inner member rotates with the shaft; and a seal positioned within the throughbore between the shaft and the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Avissai Alcantara Burguete, Ricardo Guerrero Melendez
  • Patent number: 8714661
    Abstract: A wheel frame for a vehicle including a unitary cylindrical body having a radially inward facing surface and a radially outward facing surface surrounding a wheel axis and extending from an integrally formed mounting flange to an open hub end. The radially inward facing surface of the body including a portion adjacent the hub end of the body that is enlarged for receiving at least a portion of an electric motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Carlos A. Vallejo
  • Patent number: 8714828
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements are different than the osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Luca Ciulla
  • Patent number: 8708426
    Abstract: The invention relates to wheel bearing that is intended for a utility vehicle and includes a sleeve-shaped carrier shaft, in which an axle of the utility vehicle can be received in a concentric manner; a wheel hub; and a first roller bearing and a second roller bearing for rolling the wheel hub relative to the carrier shaft. In this case the second roller bearing is clamped axially against the first roller bearing on the sleeve-shaped carrier shaft by means of a press ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carlos Ruedi, Alexandre Camilo, Osmar de Matos, Marco Aurelio Graciano
  • Patent number: 8678518
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ernesto Camilo Rivera, Augusto Jurado
  • Publication number: 20140077586
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and an occlusion. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle. The pin sleeve has a first end and a second end. The pin sleeve includes a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the axle bore. The retaining member and the biasing element are in the conduit. The retaining member is configured to engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The occlusion is proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve. The occlusion is configured to inhibit the retaining member from exiting the conduit at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GEO PLASTICS
    Inventor: Michael Abraham Morris
  • Publication number: 20140062173
    Abstract: A retainer plate for preventing or at least mitigating loosening of an axle nut of a vehicle. The retainer plate comprises a generally flat section of rigid material that couples to an axle nut in a non-rotatable fashion and to a portion of the wheel to maintain the axle nut in tight threaded engagement with the axle. The retainer plate can have a central bore that non-rotatably engages the axle nut and a radially outward feature that engages the wheel to prevent the axle nut from loosening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eck, Reid Anderson
  • Patent number: 8646561
    Abstract: An assembling structure for wheel and hub of an electric bicycle is disclosed, the structure capable of firmly assembling a hub and a wheel by separately manufacturing the hub embedded with a motor and a transmission gear box from the wheel, the structure including a hub accommodating a motor therein, a wheel coupled to one side of the wheel by way of a sliding fit, a groove unit circumferentially arranged at a periphery of the hub, and a lug unit formed at an area coupled to the hub of the wheel and meshed with the groove unit to allow the wheel to rotate with the hub, whereby coupling of the wheel and the hub is simplified to reinforce the coupling force therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongshik Yun, Jaehyun Park
  • Publication number: 20140021774
    Abstract: A wheel hub structure of a bicycle includes a wheel hub having a first hub body, a second hub body, a shrink ring, and a ratchet base. The shrink ring could be assembled between the first hub body and the second hub body or between the second hub body and ratchet base. Therefore, the length of the wheel hub or the ratchet base could be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Bin Chang
  • Patent number: 8631581
    Abstract: A method for forming a wheel bearing apparatus where the end portion of the cylindrical portion is pre-formed as a cylinder prior to its plastic deformation to form the caulking portion. A caulking tool with a punch and a swing shaft abuts against the end portion of the cylinder at a predetermined inclined angle relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. Teeth on the punch form the face-spline by plastically deforming the end face of the caulking portion. The swing shaft central axis is inclined at an angle relative to a central axis of the wheel hub. The face-spline is formed simultaneously with the formation of the caulking portion by advancing the caulking tool toward the wheel hub. A main shaft is rotated to cause a swing motion of the caulking tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Sera, Jun Numamoto
  • Patent number: 8616254
    Abstract: A wheel hub extends from an outboard end to an inboard end and has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of the outer peripheral surface. A first air passage extends from the outboard end toward the inboard end. A second air passage extends from the inner peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage. The second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends circumferentially beyond a cross-section of the first air passage at the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Kelley, Scott A. Jenkinson
  • Publication number: 20130334782
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel, an axle, and an axle-engaging wheel hub for mounting the wheel to the axle. A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel, an axle, and a wheel hub which is adapted for use with a fastener for mounting the wheel to the axle. A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel that is adapted to receive either an axle-engaging wheel hub or a wheel hub which is adapted for use with a fastener for mounting the wheel to the axle depending upon the preference of the assembler. Wheeled containers and methods of assembly thereof are also provided for use with such wheel assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOTER, LLC
    Inventor: TOTER, LLC
  • Patent number: 8608253
    Abstract: A locking hub that is useful for wheels on small vehicles. Such wheels may use a press fit or integrally cast version of the invention. The locking hub fits over a shaft. The hub has a bore for receiving the end of the shaft. An outer member is connected to and spaced from the hub. A finger is adjacent to the bore and has a protrusion that extends into the bore. The finger is resilient and movable between a first and second position. The first position has the protrusion protruding into the bore and the second position has the protrusion outside of the bore with the finger being bent radially outward. The shaft has a notch or hole that receives the finger. A locking device may selectively be placed between the outer member and the hub to prevent the finger from moving into its second position, thereby locking the hub onto the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Custom Engineered Wheels, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Sheefel
  • Patent number: 8591118
    Abstract: A driving-wheel bearing device includes an outer race having double-row outer raceway surfaces formed on an inner periphery thereof, a hub wheel and an inner race having a wheel attachment flange at one end thereof and double-row inner raceway surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and double-row rolling elements interposed between the outer raceway surfaces of the outer race and the inner raceway surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner race, the hub wheel having a shaft hole into which a stem section extending from an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint is spline-fitted by being press-fitted, in which a plate having a molybdenum coating layer or a fluorine-resin coating layer formed thereon and having a plate thickness ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm is interposed between opposite surfaces of a shoulder portion of the outer joint member and an crimped portion of the hub wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Ishijima, Hiroshi Teduka, Manabu Hoshino, Kazuhiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8584815
    Abstract: A disc brake assembly having a rotor defining a rotational axis and including a barrel portion and a disc portion extending generally radially outward from said barrel portion, the barrel portion including a tone ring receiving portion with a generally cylindrical inner surface having a tone ring receiving surface and a groove with an axially outer wall, an axially inner wall and a radially outer bottom surface; a generally annular tone ring positioned concentrically within said cylindrical inner surface of said tone ring receiving portion and having a generally radially facing outer surface; a resilient biasing element received in the groove and having a generally annular shape including a plurality of substantially linear segments and corners, the resilient biasing element may be shaped such that it is flexed when seated within the groove so that the corners are urged against the radially facing outer surface, and the substantially linear segments are urged against the axially outer wall and the radially fa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Walther Engineering And Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry B. Hester
  • Publication number: 20130300187
    Abstract: A hub-bearing assembly for a vehicle wheel, the assembly being provided with at least one annular metal element having an axial tubular appendage adapted for being fitted into a central bore of a wheel or a bore of a suspension upright of the vehicle, wherein the tubular appendage has a cylindrical outer surface with an annular groove; the assembly also being provided with a sleeve of plastic material, which is mounted on the tubular appendage so as to cover the outer cylindrical surface and has an inner cylindrical surface with a radially inwardly protruding relief which snap-engages in the annular groove so as to axially lock the sleeve on the tubular appendage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Uwe Konrad
  • Patent number: 8579381
    Abstract: An annular centering ring centers a wheel on a hub. The hub has a circular outer surface and an outer end face. The wheel has a central opening defined by a circular wall. The annular centering ring has an annular mounting flange structure that seats upon the circular outer surface and the outer end face of the hub, and a centering skirt structure that is engaged by the circular wall of the wheel when the wheel is installed onto the hub so that the centering skirt structure is flexed and occupies the annular space between the circular outer surface of the hub and the central opening of the wheel to thereby center the wheel upon the hub in readiness for installation of a plurality of lug nuts. The centering skirt structure is captured in a press-fit relationship between the wheel and hub, or can be extruded away during the installation of the wheel onto the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Straitiff
  • Patent number: 8567873
    Abstract: A hub for a wheel having a low mass and low moment of inertia includes a tubular body with a bore having, and three radially-extending arms that terminate with a tab. The hub is adapted for mounting on the radial flange of a wheel rim. The arms are space 120 degrees apart and extend from the body tapering from a relatively thick and wide portion to a relatively narrow and thin portion. A bore in the tab receives a fastener for securing the tab to the flange. Mounting hardware including spacers, bearings, O-rings, and an oil seal are secured within the body bore for mounting the hub onto the spindle of a vehicle steering mechanism. A hub nut and cotter pin secures the hub to the spindle. A center cap covers the open end of the body. The hub may optionally include three flanges for mounting a brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Weld Racing, LLC
    Inventor: Scott W. Rider
  • Publication number: 20130278046
    Abstract: A sensor-carrier cap for a bearing of a wheel hub, the cap being made of plastic material and having a bottom wall arranged transversely to a central axis and providing a seat for accommodating a sensor, a cylindrical mounting wall extending axially from one side of the bottom wall around the axis; snap locking means projecting in a radially outer direction from the cylindrical wall, for locking the sensor-carrier cap on a tubular appendage of a wheel hub-bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Luca Ciulla, William Finetti, Philippe Weber
  • Publication number: 20130270893
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel hub assembly comprising an axle element that is rotationally stationary about an axial axis, and a hub shell element rotatable about the axle element, including a first end portion and a second end portion axially spaced from said first end portion. The axle element includes a control shaft that is axially displaceable relative to the hub shell element between an axially extended position and an axially retracted position. The control shaft includes an engagement end and a control end. In the extended position, the engagement end is axially distal from the second end portion and, in the retracted position, the engagement end is axially proximal to the second end portion relative to said extended orientation. Including a releasable axial retaining means to control the axial movement of the control shaft relative to the hub shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: RAPHAEL SCHLANGER
  • Patent number: 8534770
    Abstract: An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, Jeffrey S. Morris, Donald R. Hester
  • Patent number: 8534924
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel bearing unit (1) for a vehicle wheel, comprising a hub element (2, 3) which has a axially (a) extending cylindrical section (4) to be supported by a bearing arrangement (5) and which has a radially (r) extending flange section (6) for fixing the vehicle wheel and/or a brake disk at a face side (7) of the flange section (6). To ensure a simple design with high stability the invention is characterized in that the hub element (2, 3) consists of a first part (2) comprising the cylindrical section (4) and the flange section (6) and of a second part (3), wherein the second part (3) has means (8) for centering a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel and/or the brake disk and wherein the first part (2) and the second part (3) are connected by connection means (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jacobus Zwarts, Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers, Laurens Verhulst, Jan Hendrikus Kapaan
  • Patent number: 8480306
    Abstract: A bearing unit for driving wheels, and a manufacturing method thereof, includes a hub, a bearing, and a constant velocity universal joint, such that a process for assembling the bearing unit to a knuckle member is simplified. In order to achieve this, a hub (10) and an outer joint member (31) of an out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) are plastically joined together. An outer peripheral surface (26a) of an outer member (26) is press-fitted into an inner peripheral surface of the knuckle member, and a maximum diameter dimension (D1) of the out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) is set smaller than a minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6). Also, a maximum diameter dimension (D2) of an in-board side constant velocity universal joint (40) is set smaller than the minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8469461
    Abstract: A hybrid wheel hub for trucks is configured to accept interchangeably a threaded screw-on hubcap or a bolt-on hubcap. The hybrid wheel hub comprises a barrel with an axial bore for receiving an axle along a longitudinal axis of the axial bore and a radial flange for attaching a wheel, the barrel having an inboard end and an outboard end including an outboard bearing cup for retaining an outboard bearing assembly within an inner surface of the axial bore. An annular perimeter of the outboard end includes a plurality of bolt holes positioned to receive cap bolts to retain a bolt-on hub cap over the outboard end. A threaded track protrudes radially inward towards the longitudinal axis of the axial bore and is internally threaded circumferentially around the longitudinal axis in position longitudinally to receive a screw-on hub cap having external threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: KIC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar J. Fakhoury, Joseph A. Brotherton, John Schneider
  • Patent number: 8469460
    Abstract: A spindle nut assembly includes inner and outer nuts having corresponding beveled surfaces. The inner nut is tightly threaded onto an end of a spindle and is positioned to achieve a desired endplay setting. The outer nut contacts the inner nut at an oblique angle via the beveled surfaces, which squeezes the inner nut more tightly onto the spindle while still maintaining the desired endplay setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Darren L. Booker, Brian D. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8449197
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which reduces the weight, size and number of parts and also prevents ingress of rain water or dusts and leakage of differential gear oil has an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle. A hollow drive shaft is inserted into the axle housing. A wheel bearing is arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing and is structured as a unit including a wheel hub and a double row rolling bearing. The wheel bearing includes an inner member with a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange on one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with at least one of the inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. An outer member is arranged around the inner member and formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface opposite to the inner raceway surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazuhisa Shigeoka, Akira Fujimura, Koji Nishino, Hisashi Ohtuski
  • Patent number: 8418367
    Abstract: To realize a manufacturing method for a wheel-supporting rolling bearing unit that can establish sufficient parallelism between a rotating side installation surface 14 for fastening to and supporting a disk of a disk brake and a stationary side installation surface 15 for fastening a caliper or support, in the present invention, while rotating a hub 2 comprising the rotating side installation surface 14 with respect to an outer race comprising the stationary side installation surface, a finishing process such as turning is performed on the rotating side installation surface 14 or both side surfaces in the axial direction of the disk which is fastened and supported to and by the rotating side installation surface 14, with the stationary side installation surface 15 as a reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishikawa, Yasunori Suzuki, Narihito Otake, Tetsu Takehara, Kiyotaka Hirata, Shouji Horike, Tetsuo Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130076110
    Abstract: A wheel hub extends from an outboard end to an inboard end and has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of the outer peripheral surface. A first air passage extends from the outboard end toward the inboard end. A second air passage extends from the inner peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage. The second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends circumferentially beyond a cross-section of the first air passage at the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: David C. Kelley, Scott A. Jenkinson
  • Publication number: 20130062928
    Abstract: A brake assembly adapted to be mounted to the flange of an axle housing. The brake assembly includes a stationary plate having a plurality of threaded holes therein. The brake assembly also includes a mounting sleeve positioned adjacent to the axle housing flange opposite the stationary plate. A plurality of holes are provided through the mounting sleeve and are aligned with the threaded holes in the stationary plate. A bolt is received through each of the holes in the mounting sleeve and the aligned holes in the axle housing flange and the threaded holes in the stationary plate to secure the brake to the axle housing. The mounting sleeve may be provided in two or more separate pieces in order to facilitate installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Norman D. CRAWFORD, Brian P. DENNIS
  • Patent number: 8382213
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly is fitted to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the axle. The assembly includes a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle and fastening members to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing. The hub can be removed without removing the wheel bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA
    Inventor: Oswaldo De Freitas
  • Publication number: 20130043715
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and an occlusion. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle. The pin sleeve has a first end and a second end. The pin sleeve includes a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the axle bore. The retaining member and the biasing element are in the conduit. The retaining member is configured to engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The occlusion is proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve. The occlusion is configured to inhibit the retaining member from exiting the conduit at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GEO PLASTICS
    Inventor: GEO Plastics
  • Publication number: 20130002007
    Abstract: A wheel hub, for use on off-highway vehicles, includes a first flange defining a wheel axis and a second flange spaced apart from the first flange along the wheel axis. The first flange includes a generally annular attachment face generally orthogonal to the wheel axis, while the second flange includes an axially inward side confronting the attachment face. The wheel hub also includes a plurality of rungs extending from the first flange to the second flange. Torque is transferred between the first flange and the second flange via the plurality of rungs. Additionally, the wheel hub includes a lubricant retention structure associated with at least one of the first flange and the second flange at a radially inward surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Carlos A. Vallejo, Balamurugan Ramasamy
  • Publication number: 20120319460
    Abstract: An annular centering ring centers a wheel on a hub. The hub has a circular outer surface and an outer end face. The wheel has a central opening defined by a circular wall. The annular centering ring has an annular mounting flange structure that seats upon the circular outer surface and the outer end face of the hub, and a centering skirt structure that is engaged by the circular wall of the wheel when the wheel is installed onto the hub so that the centering skirt structure is flexed and occupies the annular space between the circular outer surface of the hub and the central opening of the wheel to thereby center the wheel upon the hub in readiness for installation of a plurality of lug nuts. The centering skirt structure is captured in a press-fit relationship between the wheel and hub, or can be extruded away during the installation of the wheel onto the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: DONALD G. STRAITIFF
  • Patent number: 8302309
    Abstract: A method is directed to a production of a bearing device for a wheel including an inner member and an outer member rotatable relative to each other through a plurality of rolling elements, in which a component part forming one of the inner member and the outer member is a hot forged product. In the practice of this method, during or at the end of a hot forging step for hot forging the component part, a portion of the component part is cooled by spraying a coolant or by controlling an atmospheric temperature, to thereby render a matrix of the component part to represent a standard structure and render a surface portion of the component part to represent a non-standard structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Kohei Yoshino, Takayasu Takubo, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Kazukuni Hase, Hideto Kimura, Kiyoshi Uwai, Takaaki Toyooka
  • Publication number: 20120267944
    Abstract: In a machining tool, multiple tooth forming portions for plastically forming spline teeth on an axial end face of a vehicle hub unit, the axial end face facing inward in the vehicle lateral direction, are formed in a circular pattern about the central axis of the machining tool. In the machining tool, a rounded-portion forming portion is formed to form a rounded portion between a tooth flank and a top land of each spline tooth, and the radius of the rounded-portion forming portion gradually changes in the radial direction about the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya TODA, Takaaki ONIZUKA, Katsuyuki HARADA
  • Patent number: 8292373
    Abstract: A novel spindle nut assembly is presented comprising the following three components: a washer, a locking snap ring, and a nut. Each of these three components function together, and in conjunction with the spindle of a vehicle axle, to affix a wheel hub assembly onto the spindle of an axle. The three components comprising the spindle nut assembly incorporate design features allowing the components to interlock and resist loss of preload compression on the hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Consolidted Metco, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Rieger, Terry Lofthus, Mark R. Brasch
  • Patent number: 8287052
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar J. Fakhoury, Joseph A. Brotherton
  • Publication number: 20120256474
    Abstract: An adaptor for a wheel assembly is disclosed. The adaptor has a reversible design for convenient reconfiguration of the wheel assembly without additional hardware. In one general non-limiting embodiment, the adaptor may include an inner ring and an outer ring fixedly connected to the inner ring. The inner and outer rings may be concentric around an axis. The inner and outer rings may be offset from each other. Methods of using the adaptor to change wheel configurations to accommodate different tire sizes are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gopal K. Gorle, Keith Kabrick
  • Publication number: 20120228922
    Abstract: A hub with a hub body, the hub body having two end units and a tubular center part, and the center part being disposed between, and received at, the end units. At least one end unit includes a tubular inserting portion onto which the center part having a tubular slip-on portion is pushed. The inserting portion and the slip-on portion overlap in an overlapping region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Thomas Gasser
  • Publication number: 20120231915
    Abstract: A wheel assembly, for use on an off-highway vehicle, includes a generally cylindrical wheel hub extending axially from a first end to a second end around an inner volume. A hub adapter is secured to the second end of the wheel hub, the hub adapter including a peripheral shoulder, which has a first shoulder surface axially facing in a direction extending from the second end towards the first end. A first wheel rim is mounted to the peripheral shoulder of the hub adapter at the first shoulder surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos A. Vallejo
  • Patent number: 8256968
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wheel hub bearing unit for a vehicle, said hub bearing unit comprising a rotating bearing ring member (1) and a non-rotating bearing ring member (2), where the rotating bearing ring (1) has at least a radially extending wheel mounting flange (4) with a reference flange surface (5), wherein a gasket (9) with at least a sacrificial metal gasket surface is provided on the flange surface (5). Hereby, corrosion protection of the surface of the wheel mounting flange of a hub bearing unit is realized in a cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Hendrikus Jan Kapaan, Xiao Bo Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120217792
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk includes a hat portion having a crest portion extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the disk, an inner curved portion curved inwardly in an axial direction of the disk radially inside the crest portion and extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the disk, and an outer curved portion curved inwardly in the axial direction of the disk radially outside the crest portion and extending in the circumferential direction of the disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KAZUHISA NAKAYAMA, MASAFUMI BOJO, TAKESHI OGURA
  • Publication number: 20120217788
    Abstract: A wheel frame for a vehicle including a unitary cylindrical body having a radially inward facing surface and a radially outward facing surface surrounding a wheel axis and extending from an integrally formed mounting flange to an open hub end. The radially inward facing surface of the body including a portion adjacent the hub end of the body that is enlarged for receiving at least a portion of an electric motor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos A. Vallejo