WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

• US 20100257737A1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aludyne North America Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diversified Machine Incorporated
• Inventors: Veldman, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,120,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/894.320
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 1/08 with a plurality of vertical working-spindles
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2215/085 Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 2220/08 Milling with the axis of the tool perpendicular to the workpiece axis
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 3/13 Surface milling of plates, sheets or strips
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 1/00 Processes of grinding or polishing; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such processes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 5/36 Single-purpose machines or devices
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 5/44 for grinding rims of vehicle wheels, e.g. for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 9/04 of metal, e.g. skate blades B24B3/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2310/232 by milling
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2310/234 by grinding
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2320/10 Assembling; disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0078 characterised by the fixation of bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49496 Disc type wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49538 Tire making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/304144 Means to trim edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/309072 including cutter limited to rotary motion

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wheel hub to reduce lateral run-out. Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for machining the inner and outer surfaces of the wheel hub after the wheel bolts and bearing have been attached to the wheel hub. A grind wheel is used to finish an inner flange portion and outer flange portion of the wheel hub.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a wheel assembly comprising:

providing a wheel hub having a flange portion with an outer flange surface and an inner flange surface;

securing a plurality of wheel bolts to said flange portion;

connecting a bearing to said wheel hub; and

applying a grind wheel to said flange portion of said wheel assembly to minimize run-out, wherein said grind wheel includes a channel configured to allow clearance of said wheel bolts upon rotation of said grind wheel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said grind wheel includes an outer lip configured to engage said outer flange surface.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said grind wheel includes an inner lip configured to engage said inner flange surface.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting said bearing to a knuckle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said wheel hub is rotatable with respect to said bearing.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein applying said grind wheel to said flange portion includes rotating said grind wheel in a first direction with respect to said wheel assembly.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising rotating said wheel assembly in a second direction opposite said first direction with respect to said grind wheel.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said flange portion includes a recessed channel located between said outer flange surface and said inner flange surface.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said wheel bolts are positioned within said recessed channel.

10. A method of manufacturing a wheel assembly comprising:

providing a wheel hub having a flange portion with an outer flange surface and an inner flange surface;

securing a plurality of wheel bolts to said flange portion of said wheel hub;

connecting a bearing to said wheel hub;

connecting a knuckle to said bearing;

applying a grind wheel to said flange portion, said grind including an outer lip to engage said outer flange and an inner lip to engage said inner flange;

rotating said grind wheel in a first direction with respect to said wheel assembly to minimize run-out.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said grind wheel includes a channel positioned between said inner lip and said outer lip, said channel configured to allow clearance of said wheel bolts upon rotation of said grind wheel.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising rotating wheel assembly in a second direction opposite said first direction with respect to said grind wheel.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said grind wheel is constructed of boron.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said wheel hub includes a relief channel arranged between said inner flange surface and said outer flange surface.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said wheel hub includes a pilot portion extending generally outward from said flange portion.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein rotation of said grind wheel finishes said outer flange and said inner flange to be substantially co-planar.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said bearing is press fit with said knuckle.

18. A method of manufacturing a wheel assembly comprising:

providing a wheel hub having a flange portion with an outer flange surface and an inner flange surface;

securing a plurality of wheel bolts to said flange portion of said wheel hub;

connecting a bearing to said wheel hub;

applying a mill cutter to said flange portion; and

rotating said wheel hub with respect to said bearing to finish said flange portion.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein applying a mill cutter to said flange portion comprises applying a first mill cutter to said inner flange surface and applying a second mill cutter to said outer flange surface.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said bearing is connected to a knuckle prior to rotating said wheel hub with respect to said bearing.