Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Hub
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-23
2001-07-10
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Hub
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257678
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle hub, and more particularly to a vehicle hub having improved life and bearing cooling.
Typical vehicle hubs include mounting seats for inboard and outboard bearings. The bearings are fitted into the hub and allow the hub to rotate on the end of a relatively stationary axle assembly. To allow the hubs to rotate freely and to reduce heat caused by friction, the bearings must be lubricated. A lubricant chamber is therefore located in the hub intermediate the bearing seats to retain a lubricating medium such as grease. The hubs commonly provide rather large capacity lubricating chambers to retain a large volume of lubricating medium to provide long lasting performance.
As the lubricant chamber is increased, however, a larger quantity of lubricant is required to completely fill the lubricating cavity. Further, as the lubricant cavity is increased in diameter, the lubricating medium undergoes greater centrifugal force as the hub rotates about the axle. The lubricating medium is thrown away from the bearings, thus making proper lubrication more difficult. The reduced lubrication increases the effects of friction and heat possibly leading to a bearing failure. This centrifuge effect is a particular problem with viscous lubricating mediums such as synthetic grease.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved vehicle hub having improved bearing cooling and improved compatibility with synthetic grease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved vehicle hub according to the present invention includes a generally cylindrical axially extending body having a centrally located opening formed therethrough. The body forms an inboard bearing seat, an outboard bearing seat and lubricant cavity therebetween. The hub further provides a plurality of integral open ribs which connect the body to a radially extending flange.
The ribs are formed such that an open area is formed between the body and the ribs. The open structure of the ribs provides increased cooling to the body. The bearing seats and therefore the bearings receive additional cooling through the open rib structure. Further, the open ribs provide the added benefit of decreasing the overall hub weight without sacrificing hub strength and rigidity.
The hub lubricant cavity is preferably of a reduced diameter that is less than the inboard and outboard bearing seat diameter. By decreasing the size of the lubricant cavity, the volume of lubricating medium required to fill the cavity is proportional decreased. Less lubricating medium is necessary to provide long lasting performance. Further, the reduced diameter of the lubricant cavity minimizes the centrifuge effect acting upon the medium. The bearings receive a more constant supply of lubricating medium which further increases the performance and longevity of the bearings.
The hub is preferably cast as an integral component from a ductile iron. Ductile iron facilitates a lightweight hub design while increasing heat transfer properties from similar iron hubs. Thus, additional heat is carried away from the bearings and lubricant. The beneficial effects of the improved hub according to the present invention include increased bearing cooling, lighter weight, a smaller lubricant cavity and increased strength.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2781231 (1957-02-01), Black
patent: 4699433 (1987-10-01), Kopp
patent: 5303800 (1994-04-01), Persson
patent: 5328275 (1994-07-01), Winn et al.
patent: 5560687 (1996-10-01), Hagelthorn
patent: 3409837 (1984-11-01), None
patent: 24559 (1981-03-01), None
Brookey Michael W.
Hall John C.
Carlson Gaskey & Olds P.C.
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
Vehicle hub having reduced lubricant cavity does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle hub having reduced lubricant cavity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle hub having reduced lubricant cavity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2476911