IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,222,006
Granted Patent B2
US 12,222,006 · App. 18/669,781 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Rotational lock in inner ring of outboard bearing to avoid lock washer

Inventors: Ramachandran Sandrasekaran (Bangalore, IN); Marcel Palmgren (Torslanda, SE); Kent Augustsson (Bollebygd, SE)
Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
F16C33/586B60B27/0078B60B27/02B60B37/10F16C19/386F16C33/585F16C35/0635F16C2226/12F16C2226/70F16C2226/76F16C2326/02F16C2326/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,222,006
App. No.
18/669,781
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wheel end assembly for a vehicle, comprising a central wheel support member such as a spindle or a steering knuckle, and an outboard wheel end bearing arranged concentrically around the central wheel support member. The outboard wheel end bearing comprises roller elements accommodated between an inner race-forming part and an outer race-forming part surrounding the inner race-forming part. The inner race-forming part is configured to be supported by the central wheel support member. The central wheel support member comprises a first rotational lock portion. The inner race-forming part comprises a second rotational lock portion configured to engage with the first rotational lock portion to prevent the inner race-forming part from rotating relative to the central wheel support member. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a wheel end assembly.

Claims (16)

1. A wheel end assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a central wheel support member; and

an outboard wheel end bearing arranged concentrically around the central wheel support member, the outboard wheel end bearing comprising roller elements accommodated between an inner race-forming part and an outer race-forming part surrounding the inner race-forming part, wherein the inner race-forming part is configured to be supported by the central wheel support member;

wherein the central wheel support member comprises a first rotational lock portion;

wherein the inner race-forming part comprises a second rotational lock portion configured to engage with the first rotational lock portion to prevent the inner race-forming part from rotating relative to the central wheel support member;

wherein one of the first and second rotational lock portions comprises at least one protrusion, wherein the other one of the first and second rotational lock portions comprises at least one recess for mating with the at least one protrusion; and

wherein the first rotational lock portion comprises at least one flat surface portion, wherein the second rotational lock portion comprises a corresponding mating flat surface portion.

2. The wheel end assembly of claim 1 , comprising a central geometrical axis, wherein the first rotational lock portion comprises a first substantially circular surface area encircling and facing radially away from the central geometrical axis, wherein the second rotational lock portion comprises a second substantially circular surface area encircling and facing radially towards the central geometrical axis, wherein each one of the first and second substantially circular surface areas is provided with one or more irregularities which locally interrupt the circularity of the substantially circular surface area.

3. The wheel end assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion projects radially.

4. The wheel end assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first rotational lock portion comprises the at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion projects radially outwardly, wherein the second rotational lock portion comprises the at least one recess, wherein the at least one recess extends radially outwardly.

5. The wheel end assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second rotational lock portion comprises the at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion projects radially inwardly, wherein the first rotational lock portion comprises the at least one recess, wherein the at least one recess extends radially inwardly.

6. The wheel end assembly of claim 1 , wherein each flat surface portion is located between curved surface portions.

7. The wheel end assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hub nut provided with inner threads engageable with outer threads of the central wheel support member, for threading the hub nut onto the central wheel support member.

8. The wheel end assembly of claim 7 , wherein the hub nut is configured to be tightened so as to come into direct contact with the inner race-forming part.

9. The wheel end assembly of claim 1 , comprising a wheel end hub configured to surround and to be supported by the outer race-forming part.

10. A vehicle comprising the wheel end assembly of claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2024
From: SANDRASEKARAN, RAMACHANDRAN; PALMGREN, MARCEL; AUGUSTSSON, KENT
To: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067476/0503 →
Priority Claims (1)
IN 202041003644 · Jan 27, 2020 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 17792184
Related Publication 20240301916A1 · Sep 12, 2024
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