Shortened Driveshaft Stem

• US 20120133198A1
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Liu, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,616,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/110
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2380/12 Ball bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2380/73 Double track
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2380/76 Twin or multiple bearings having different diameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2380/774 Different diameters of bearings at opposite ends of hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0026 of the radial type, e.g. splined key
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0036 comprising homokinetic joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0073 characterised by sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0084 caulking to fix inner race
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/186 with three raceways provided integrally on parts other than race rings, e.g. third generation hubs
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/505 with the diameter of the rolling elements of one row differing from the diameter of those of another row
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2240/80 Pitch circle diameters [PCD]
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 35/063 Fixing them on the shaft with interposition of an element F16C35/07

Abstract

A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The wheel assembly includes a driveshaft member with a shortened stem portion. The wheel assembly also includes a bearing arrangement with an asymmetric configuration.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting the wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being associated with a first diameter and the inboard bearing row being associated with a second diameter; and

wherein the first diameter is substantially smaller than the second diameter.

2. The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central hole is configured to receive a stem portion of a driveshaft member and wherein an axially outboard end of the stem portion is approximately aligned with the outboard bearing row in the axial direction.

3. The wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a bolt, the bolt being used to attach a fastening member to the outboard end and wherein the fastening member is configured to abut an interior wall of the hub member and thereby prevent the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

4. The wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the fastening member has a diameter that is substantially larger than a diameter of the central hole.

5. The wheel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the fastening member has an annular shape.

6. The wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a clip for preventing the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

7. The wheel assembly according to claim 6, wherein the clip is a circlip.

8. The wheel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion includes a groove for receiving the circlip.

9. The wheel assembly according to claim 8, wherein the circlip has a diameter than is substantially larger than a diameter of the central hole.

10. The wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion approximately corresponds to an outboard end of the bearing assembly and wherein an inboard end of the stem portion approximately corresponds to an inboard end of the bearing assembly.

11. The wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the outboard bearing row is disposed between an outer member of the bearing assembly and the hub member.

12. The wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the inboard bearing row is disposed between the outer member and an inner ring.

13. The wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the inner ring is disposed on the hub member.

14. The wheel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a bolt, the bolt being used to attach a fastening member to the outboard end and wherein the fastening member is configured to abut an interior wall of the hub member and thereby prevent the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

15. The wheel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fastening member is approximately aligned with an outboard end of the bearing assembly.

16. The wheel assembly according to claim 10, wherein a circlip is disposed on the outboard end of the stem portion and wherein the circlip is configured to abut an interior wall of an outer cavity, the outer cavity being disposed outboard of the central hole.

17. The wheel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hub member includes a swaged portion.

18. The wheel assembly according to claim 16, wherein an o-ring is disposed between the swaged portion and a shoulder portion of the driveshaft member.

19. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting a wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

a driveshaft including a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to insert into the central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row; and

wherein an outboard end of the stem portion is generally aligned in the axial direction with the outboard bearing row.

20. The wheel assembly according to claim 19, wherein the bearing assembly includes an inner raceway surface and an outer raceway surface and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a first portion associated with the outboard bearing row and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a second portion associated with the inboard bearing row.

21. The wheel assembly according to claim 20, wherein a contact angle formed with the first portion intersects a central axis of the hub member at a position that is between an outboard flange portion of the hub member and the outboard end of the stem portion.

22. The wheel assembly according to claim 20, wherein the outboard bearing row and the inboard bearing row are associated with bearings having substantially similar diameters.

23. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting a wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

a driveshaft including a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to insert into the central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row; and

wherein an outboard end of the stem portion approximately corresponds to an outboard end of the bearing assembly and wherein an inboard end of the stem portion approximately corresponds to an inboard end of the bearing assembly.

24. The wheel assembly according to claim 23, wherein the stem portion and the central hole include interlocking splines.

25. The wheel assembly according to claim 23, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a bolt, the bolt being used to attach a fastening member to the outboard end and wherein the fastening member is configured to abut an interior wall of the hub member and thereby prevent the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

26. The wheel assembly according to claim 25, wherein the fastening member has a diameter that is substantially larger than a diameter of the central hole.

27. The wheel assembly according to claim 26, wherein the fastening member has an annular shape.

28. The wheel assembly according to claim 23, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a clip for preventing the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

29. The wheel assembly according to claim 28, wherein the clip is a circlip.

30. The wheel assembly according to claim 29, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion includes a groove for receiving the circlip.

31. The wheel assembly according to claim 30, wherein the circlip has a diameter than is substantially larger than a diameter of the central hole.

32. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting a wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

the hub member further comprising an outboard flange portion;

a driveshaft including a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to insert into the central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row;

the bearing assembly including an inner raceway surface and an outer raceway surface and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a first portion associated with the outboard bearing row and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a second portion associated with the inboard bearing row; and

wherein a contact angle formed with the first portion intersects a central axis of the hub member at a position that is between the outboard flange portion and an outboard end of the stem portion.

33. The wheel assembly according to claim 32, wherein the position is disposed closer to the outboard flange portion than the stem portion.

34. The wheel assembly according to claim 32, wherein the position is approximately aligned with the outboard flange portion.

35. The wheel assembly according to claim 32, wherein a contact angle formed with the second portion intersects the central axis at a position that disposed adjacent to an inboard end of the stem portion.

36. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting a wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

the hub member further comprising an outboard flange portion;

a driveshaft including a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to insert into the central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row;

the bearing assembly including an inner raceway surface and an outer raceway surface and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a first portion associated with the outboard bearing row and wherein the inner raceway surface includes a second portion associated with the inboard bearing row; and

the first portion being associated with a contact angle;

the stem portion comprising an outboard end; and

wherein the contact angle intersects a central axis of the hub member at the outboard end of the stem portion.

37. The wheel assembly according to claim 36, wherein the outboard bearing row is associated with a first diameter and the inboard bearing row is associated with a second diameter and wherein the first diameter is substantially smaller than the second diameter.

38. The wheel assembly according to claim 36, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a clip for preventing the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

39. The wheel assembly according to claim 36, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is configured to receive a bolt for preventing the stem portion from moving in the axial direction with respect to the hub member.

40. The wheel assembly according to claim 36, wherein the hub member includes a swaged portion.

41. A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an axial direction including an axial outboard direction that is oriented towards an outer side of the motor vehicle along a central axis of a wheel of the wheel assembly and the axial direction further including an axial inboard direction that is oriented towards a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle along the central axis of the wheel;

a hub member for mounting a wheel to the motor vehicle, the hub member comprising a central hole;

the hub member further comprising an outboard flange portion;

a driveshaft including a stem portion, the stem portion being configured to insert into the central hole;

a bearing assembly comprising an outboard bearing row and an inboard bearing row, the inboard bearing row being disposed axially inboard of the outboard bearing row;

the outboard bearing row being disposed radially further from a central axis of the hub member than the inboard bearing row;

a fastening member configured to engage an outboard end of the stem portion; and

wherein the fastening member applies a force to the hub member at a location inboard of the outboard bearing row.

42. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein the fastening member is an annular member that is secured to the outboard end of the stem portion with a bolt.

43. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein the outboard end of the stem portion is disposed inboard of the outboard bearing row.

44. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein the location is inboard of an inboard edge of the outboard bearing row.

45. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein the location is inboard of a central portion of the outboard bearing row.

46. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein the fastening member is a clip that engages a groove in the outboard end of the stem portion.

47. The wheel assembly according to claim 41, wherein a first portion of the hub member adjacent to the inboard bearing row has a first cross sectional thickness and wherein a second portion of the hub member adjacent to the outboard bearing row has a second thickness that is substantially equal to the first thickness.