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US 2012/0133198 A1Published application
Shortened Driveshaft Stem
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorDavid S. Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims47
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.
4 more elements
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.
4 more elements
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.
4 more elements
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.
6 more elements
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.
9 more elements
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.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.