CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT-WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY WITH A HOLLOW CONNECTION

• US 20070117639A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: CERMAK, HERBERT
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 464/178
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/00 Hubs non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/2232 Elements arranged in the hollow space between the end of the inner shaft and the outer joint member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/22326 Attachments to the outer joint member, i.e. attachments to the exterior of the outer joint member or to the shaft of the outer joint member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/2237 where the grooves are composed of radii and adjoining straight lines, i.e. undercut free [UF] type joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/84 Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/906 Torque transmitted via radially spaced balls

Abstract

A constant velocity joint-wheel hub assembly wherein the wheel hub includes a sleeve portion for receiving a wheel bearing and a flange for threading on a wheel and wherein the constant velocity joint has an annular outer joint part with apertures at both ends. Axial tensioning means pass through the sleeve portion and, through one aperture, engage the outer joint part. The sleeve portion and the outer joint part contact one another in an axially mutually supporting way. The axial tensioning means include a hollow member which is supported on the wheel hub and on the outer joint part. Between the sleeve portion and the outer joint part, there are provided form-fitting engagement means for the purpose of transmitting torque between the wheel hub and the constant velocity joint.

Claims

1. A constant velocity joint-wheel hub assembly comprising:

a wheel hub comprising a sleeve portion for receiving a wheel bearing and a flange for threading on a wheel;

a constant velocity joint comprising an annular outer joint part with apertures at both ends;

an axial tensioning device comprising a hollow member which is supported on the wheel hub and on the outer joint part, the axial tensioning device passing through the sleeve portion and, through one aperture, engaging the outer joint part, and wherein the sleeve portion and the outer joint part contact one another in an axially mutually supporting way; and

a form-fitting engagement mechanism between the sleeve portion and the outer joint part for the purpose of transmitting torque between the wheel hub and the constant velocity joint.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is positioned with a clearance fit in a cylindrical through-aperture in the sleeve portion.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is supported on at least one of the wheel hub or the outer joint part by a formed-on flange ring.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or the outer joint part by an outer thread formed axially opposite a flange ring and which is threaded into an inner thread in the wheel hub or the outer joint part.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the hollow member comprises a hexagon socket or a splined socket for the purpose of introducing torque during a threading-in operation.

6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or the outer joint part by a securing ring which engages an outer groove in the hollow member and an inner groove or an inner step in the wheel hub or in the outer joint part.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the hollow member comprises an inner thread, for the purpose of introducing axial forces during insertion of the securing ring.

8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or on the outer joint part by a tensioning screw which is screwed in axially opposite a flange ring and which is screwed by an outer thread into an inner thread in the hollow member and is axially supported by a radially projecting collar on the wheel hub or in the outer joint part.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein, the tensioning screw comprises a hexagon socket or a splined socket for the purpose of introducing torque during a threading-in operation.

10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the form-fitting engagement mechanism comprises inter-engaging teeth at the sleeve portion of the wheel hub and at the outer joint part.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 comprising a wheel bearing slipped on to the sleeve portion, and an inner bearing race held by a beaded collar of the sleeve portion, wherein said inter-engaging end teeth of the sleeve portion are on an end face of the beaded collar.

12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the form-fitting engagement mechanism comprises inter-engaging splines at the sleeve portion of the wheel hub and at the outer joint part.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 comprising inner splines at the sleeve portion and outer splines at the outer joint part.

14. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member comprises two portions with a stepped diameter, the portion having a smaller diameter carrying an outer thread which is threaded into an inner thread of the outer joint part.

15. An assembly according to claim 1 comprising a cover sealingly inserted into the hollow member near an end of same facing the joint.

16. An assembly comprising:

a wheel hub comprising a sleeve potion for receiving a wheel bearing and a flange for receiving a wheel;

a constant velocity joint comprising an annular outer joint part with apertures at both ends,

means for axially tensioning the sleeve portion with respect to the outer joint part; and

form-fitting engagement means between the sleeve portion and the outer joint part for transmitting torque between the wheel hub and the constant velocity joint.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the axial tensioning means comprises a hollow member passing through the sleeve portion and, through one aperture, engaging the outer joint part.

18. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or the outer joint part by an outer thread formed axially opposite a flange ring and which is threaded into an inner thread in the wheel hub or the outer joint part.

19. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or the outer joint part by a securing ring which engages an outer groove in the hollow member and an inner groove or an inner step in the wheel hub or in the outer joint part.

20. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the hollow member is supported on one of the wheel hub or on the outer joint part by a tensioning screw which is screwed in axially opposite a flange ring and which is screwed by an outer thread into an inner thread in the hollow member and is axially supported by a radially projecting collar on the wheel hub or in the outer joint part.

21. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the form-fitting engagement means comprise inter-engaging end teeth at the sleeve portion and the outer joint part.

22. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the form-fitting engagement means comprise inter-engaging splines at the sleeve portion and the outer joint part.