Vehicle hub having reduced lubricant cavity
First Claim
1. A vehicle hub comprising:
- a hub body having a centrally located through opening which defines an axis of rotation, said hub body including an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat, and an intermediate lubricant cavity;
a flange extending radially from said hub body; and
at least one axially extending rib attached to said hub body at a first location, said at least one axially extending rib extending to said flange and spaced from said hub body between said said first location and said flange.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle hub includes a generally cylindrical axially extending body forming an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat and lubricant cavity therebetween. The hub is preferably cast as an integral component from a ductile iron. A plurality of integral open ribs connects the body to a radially extending flange. The ribs form an open area between the body and the ribs. The open structure of ribs providing increased cooling for the bearings and lubricant while decreasing weight without sacrificing hub strength and rigidity. The lubricant cavity is of a reduced diameter which reduces the volume of lubricating medium required to fill the cavity and minimizes the centrifuge effect acting upon the medium. The beneficial effects of the improved hub providing increased bearing cooling, lighter weight, a smaller lubricant cavity and increased strength.
30 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A vehicle hub comprising:
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a hub body having a centrally located through opening which defines an axis of rotation, said hub body including an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat, and an intermediate lubricant cavity;
a flange extending radially from said hub body; and
at least one axially extending rib attached to said hub body at a first location, said at least one axially extending rib extending to said flange and spaced from said hub body between said said first location and said flange. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle hub comprising:
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a hub body having a centrally located through opening which defines an axis of rotation, said hub body including an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat, and an intermediate lubricant cavity, said lubricant cavity defining a diameter less than said inboard bearing seat and said outboard bearing seat diameter;
a flange extending radially from said hub body; and
an axially extending rib attached to said hub body, at least a portion of said axially extending rib being spaced away from said hub body. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A one-piece vehicle hub comprising:
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a hub body having a centrally located through opening which defines an axis of rotation, said hub body including an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat, and an intermediate lubricant cavity, said lubricant cavity defining a diameter less than said inboard bearing seat and said outboard bearing seat diameter;
a flange extending radially from said hub body; and
an axially extending open rib integrally attached to said hub body and said flange said axially extending open rib defining an open area between said hub body and said open rib. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeMeritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
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Original AssigneeMeritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
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InventorsHall, John C., Brookey, Michael W.
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Primary Examiner(s)Stormer, Russell D.
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Application NumberUS09/401,752Time in Patent Office656 DaysField of Search301/105.1, 301/111, 301/124.1, 301/126, 301/131, 180/258, 180/259US Class Current301/105.1CPC Class CodesB60B 27/02 adapted to be rotatably arr...
