IP Library Granted Patent US 8,297,631
Granted Patent B2
US 8,297,631 · App. 12/350,834 · Granted Oct 30, 2012

Wheel hub joint unit for a vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,297,631
App. No.
12/350,834
Granted
Oct 30, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wheel hub joint unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a constant velocity rotary joint and a wheel bearing. The constant velocity rotary joint has a joint outer part. The wheel bearing supports a wheel hub with a double-row bearing, and the double-row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part.

Claims (15)

1. A wheel hub joint unit for a vehicle, comprising:

a constant velocity rotary joint having a joint outer part and a pivot point;

a wheel hub;

a wheel bearing adapted to support said wheel hub with a double row bearing;

a steering knuckle joint connected to said wheel bearing and having a steering knuckle joint axis of rotation which extends through said pivot point;

wherein said wheel hub comprises a one piece, integral hub manufactured from one of: i) a metal block; and ii) a metal casting;

wherein the double row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part of the constant velocity rotary joint;

wherein the constant velocity rotary joint is disposed inside said wheel hub and said double-row bearing is disposed on an outside on the one piece wheel hub;

wherein the wheel hub joint unit comprises a drive shaft having the constant velocity rotary joint at a wheel side end;

wherein the one-piece wheel hub is sealed toward said drive shaft by a sealing sleeve, the wheel hub joint unit further comprising a mounting disk for fixing at least one of a brake disk or a wheel rim; and

wherein said wheel hub has a first inner bearing race press fit onto said constant velocity joint outer surface and said wheel bearing has a first roller bearing row configured to rollably engage said first inner bearing race.

2. The wheel hub joint unit according to claim 1 , wherein said double-row wheel bearing has a common outer bearing surface engaging said first roller bearing row and a second roller bearing row.

3. The wheel hub joint unit according to claim 2 , further comprising a track rod connecting lever attached to said double-row wheel bearing.

4. The wheel hub joint unit according to claim 2 , wherein said steering knuckle joint cooperates with said common outer bearing surface.

5. The wheel hub joint unit according to claim 4 , wherein said steering knuckle joint is configured to turn said wheel hub to thereby steer said vehicle.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2009
From: SIEBENEICK, JUERGEN; STARCK, RICHARD
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022492/0372 →