Wheel hub with air passage for tire inflation system
AssigneeArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
InventorsDavid C. Kelley, Scott A. Jenkinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel hub extends from an outboard end to an inboard end and has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of the outer peripheral surface. A first air passage extends from the outboard end toward the inboard end. A second air passage extends from the inner peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage. The second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends circumferentially beyond a cross-section of the first air passage at the intersection.
Claims24
A wheel hub comprising:
- a hub body rotatable about an axis and extending from an inboard end to an outboard end, said hub body having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of said outer peripheral surface;
- a first air passage extending generally from said outboard end toward said inboard end;
- and
- a second air passage extending from said inner peripheral surface to intersect said first air passage at an intersection located axially between an inboard bearing and said inboard end of said hub body, said second air passage comprising a removed portion that extends in a circumferential direction about said axis at said intersection.
A wheel end assembly comprising:
- a non-rotating spindle;
- at least one bearing mounted on the non-rotating spindle;
- a wheel hub rotatable supported on said at least one bearing for rotation relative to said non-rotating spindle about an axis, said wheel hub comprising a hub body extending from an inboard end to an outboard end and having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of said outer peripheral surface;
- a first air passage extending generally from said outboard end toward said inboard end;
- and
- a second air passage extending from said inner peripheral surface to intersect said first air passage at an intersection located axially between said at least one bearing and said inboard end of said hub body such that said second air passage does not extend to said outer peripheral surface, and wherein said second air passage provides an air inlet configured to receive air from an air supply and aid first air passage provides an air outlet configured to transfer air to a rotating tire.
A method of manufacturing a wheel hub comprising:
- (a) forming a first air passage to extend from an outboard end of a hub body toward an inboard end;
- and
- (b) forming a second air passage to extend from an inner peripheral surface of the hub body toward an outer peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage at an intersection located axially between an inboard bearing and said inboard end of said hub body and such that the second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends in a circumferential direction about said axis at the intersection.
A method of manufacturing a wheel hub rotatable about an axis comprising:
- (a) forming a first air passage to extend from an outboard end of a hub body toward an inboard end by rifle drilling the first air passage in a generally axial direction;
- and
- (b) forming a second air passage to extend from an inner peripheral surface of the hub body toward an outer peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage at an intersection such that the second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends in a circumferential at the intersection, and step (b) includes cutting the second air passage such that the second air passage extends in a generally radial direction from the inner peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.