GB2374126A - Vehicle wheel hub cap - Google Patents

Vehicle wheel hub cap Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2374126A
GB2374126A GB0105670A GB0105670A GB2374126A GB 2374126 A GB2374126 A GB 2374126A GB 0105670 A GB0105670 A GB 0105670A GB 0105670 A GB0105670 A GB 0105670A GB 2374126 A GB2374126 A GB 2374126A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
assembly
vehicle
hub
diaphragm
vehicle wheel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0105670A
Other versions
GB0105670D0 (en
Inventor
Martin Raymond Gregory
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0105670A priority Critical patent/GB2374126A/en
Publication of GB0105670D0 publication Critical patent/GB0105670D0/en
Publication of GB2374126A publication Critical patent/GB2374126A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B7/00—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins
    • B60B7/0013—Hub caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B7/00—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins
    • B60B7/02—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins made essentially in one part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B7/00—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins
    • B60B7/06—Fastening arrangements therefor
    • B60B7/061—Fastening arrangements therefor characterised by the part of the wheels to which the discs, rings or the like are mounted
    • B60B7/066—Fastening arrangements therefor characterised by the part of the wheels to which the discs, rings or the like are mounted to the hub
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B7/00—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins
    • B60B7/06—Fastening arrangements therefor
    • B60B7/08—Fastening arrangements therefor having gripping elements consisting of formations integral with the cover
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B7/00—Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall, e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins
    • B60B7/06—Fastening arrangements therefor
    • B60B7/14—Fastening arrangements therefor comprising screw-threaded means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/72—Sealings
    • F16C33/723—Shaft end sealing means, e.g. cup-shaped caps or covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
    • F16C2326/01—Parts of vehicles in general
    • F16C2326/02—Wheel hubs or castors

Abstract

A waterproof protective assembly for a vehicle wheel hub, comprising a perforated inner member 103 a deformable impervious diaphragm 105 the periphery of which is adapted to co-operate with the inner member 101 of the assembly to provide a waterproof seal, a perforated outer member 103 enclosing the said diaphragm and means 107 for sealably attaching the assembly to the outer end of a vehicle wheel hub. The means 107 can be a push fit, elastic fit, snap-fit or bolted connection (Figs 2 - 5).

Description

VEHICLE WHEEL BEARING PROTECTION ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to a device for reducing the risk of water gaining access to the wheel bearings of a vehicle as a consequence of the immersion of a vehicle wheel hub in water, and more specifically to such a device for use with so-called'off-road'vehicles, that is to say, vehicles which although intended primarily for use on roads, have a capability for crosscountry use.
A major cause of wheel-bearing failure in off-road vehicles when driven across country is the ingress of water into the vehicle's wheel bearings when it is driven through water which comes up to the level of the vehicle's wheel hubs.
The problem arises because during normal land use, the wheel hubs and bearings reach a temperature well above ambient. This means that the air within the bearing expands and eventually vents off. Should the vehicle be driven through water at or below ambient temperature, then the hubs of the vehicle are subjected to rapid cooling. This causes a partial vacuum within the vehicle wheel hubs. Often water is sucked into the vehicle's hubs via the bearing oil seals which are designed to prevent fluid flow from the bearing, not vice versa. Once in the bearing, water is trapped by the oil seals and combines with the oil or grease in the bearing to form an emulsion, which has relatively poor lubricating properties. As a result, bearing failure occurs rapidly.
The replacement of vehicle wheel bearings can be a time-consuming and not inexpensive process, causing inconvenience to the owner of the vehicle
It is an object of the present invention to provide protection for a vehicle's wheel bearings against the ingress of water should the vehicle wheel hub in which the bearings are situated be immersed in water.
According to the present invention, there is provided a waterproof protective assembly for a vehicle wheel hub, comprising a perforated inner member, a deformable impervious diaphragm, the periphery of which is adapted to cooperate with the inner member of the assembly to provide a waterproof seal, a perforated outer member enclosing the said diaphragm and means for sealably attaching the assembly to the outer end of a vehicle wheel hub.
Preferably, the inner member, diaphragm and outer member all are cupshaped and the assembly is adapted to be attached to the vehicle wheel hub with the assembly projecting outwardly.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention in use as a component of a front hub of a motor vehicle, and Figure 5 is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention in use as a component of a rear hub of a motor vehicle.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a vehicle wheel hub waterproofing assembly 100 consists of a domed inner member 101 in which there are a number of perforations 102. Alternatively, the inner member 101 may be made of a mesh material. Surrounding the inner member 101 is a similar domed outer member 103 in which there is a number of longitudinal slots 104. Interposed between the inner and outer members 101,103, respectively, there is a diaphragm 105 made of an impervious flexible material such as an artificial rubber which is not effected by oil or grease.
The diaphragm 105 has at its open end a collar 106 which is a tight fit between the inner and outer members 101,103, respectively, so that not only is a waterproof seal created between the inner and outer members 101, 103, respectively, but the diaphragm 105 is retained in position by elastic forces generated as a result of compression of the collar 106 of the diaphragm 105.
The outer member 103 extends beyond the inner member 101 and terminates in a tapered portion 107 which co-operates with a matching taper 108, or an extension 109 which forms part of a vehicle wheel hub, the remainder of which is not shown in the drawing. The matching tapers 107 and 108 both retain the assembly 100 in position and provide a waterproof seal preventing the ingress of water into the bearings within the vehicle wheel hub.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the taper 107 is replaced by a collar 201 and 0-ring 202. In this case, the diameter of the outer member 101 of the assembly is made to be a good push fit in the hub with which it is to be used, so as to retain the assembly 100 in position with the 0-ring 202 compressed to provide a seal between the outer member 101 of the assembly 100 and the hub.
Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention in which the inner member 101, outer member 103 and diaphragm 105 of the assembly 100 are provided with matching flanges 301,302 and 303, respectively, and fixing bolt holes 304 by means of which the assembly can be attached to a corresponding flange 305 formed as part of a vehicle hub 306. A waterproof seal between the mating surfaces of the flanges 303 and 305 is provided by a gasket 307.
Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the outer member 101 of the assembly in which the outer member 101 of the assembly 100 has a circumferential depression 401 which snaps into a corresponding groove 402 which is formed on an extension 403 which forms part of a driving member 404 of a front-wheel drive hub 405 only a part of which is shown. An 0-ring 406 is inserted into the groove 402 to provide a waterproof seal when the device is in place. The driving member 404 of the hub 405 is provided with a series of holes 407 which communicate between the space within the diaphragm 103 of the assembly 100 and the bearing space 408 within the hub 405 of which the driving member 404 forms part.
The holes 407 enable the pressure within the bearing space 408 and the diaphragm 102 to equalise.
Figure 5 shows the third embodiment of the invention in position on the hub of a live axle. Referring to Figure 5, a live axle for a motor vehicle includes a half-shaft 501 which terminates in a driving flange 502 which is bolted to a hub assembly 503, of which only a part of which is shown. The driving flange 502 of the half-shaft 501 is provided with air bleed holes 504 which, again enable the air pressure within the bearing space 505 of the hub assembly and the diaphragm 102 to equalise. A sealing gasket 506 is interposed between the driving flange 502 of the half shaft 101 and the flange 302.
In another arrangement, which is not illustrated, the domed diaphragm 102 is replaced by a corrugated planar diaphragm.

Claims (6)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A waterproof protective assembly for a vehicle wheel hub, comprising a perforated inner member, a deformable impervious diaphragm the periphery of which is adapted to co-operate with the inner member of the assembly to provide a waterproof seal, a perforated outer member enclosing the said diaphragm and means for sealably attaching the assembly to the outer end of a vehicle wheel hub.
  2. 2. A protective assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the inner and outer members of the assembly and the diaphragm are cup-shaped and the assembly is adapted to be attached to the vehicle wheel hub with the protective assembly projecting outwardly.
  3. 3. A protective assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is corrugated and planar in its rest condition.
  4. 4. A protective assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the outer member is adapted to retain the protective assembly in position on a hub of a vehicle by means of elastic forces generated between the outer member of protective assembly and a co-operating portion of the vehicle hub.
  5. 5. A protective assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the protective assembly is adapted to be retained in position on a hub of a vehicle by being bolted to a flange on a driving member forming part of the vehicle hub.
  6. 6. A waterproof protective assembly for a vehicle wheel hub substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0105670A 2001-03-08 2001-03-08 Vehicle wheel hub cap Withdrawn GB2374126A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0105670A GB2374126A (en) 2001-03-08 2001-03-08 Vehicle wheel hub cap

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0105670A GB2374126A (en) 2001-03-08 2001-03-08 Vehicle wheel hub cap

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0105670D0 GB0105670D0 (en) 2001-04-25
GB2374126A true GB2374126A (en) 2002-10-09

Family

ID=9910197

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0105670A Withdrawn GB2374126A (en) 2001-03-08 2001-03-08 Vehicle wheel hub cap

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2374126A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657104A (en) * 1951-05-10 1953-10-27 Maurice L Kurland Water sealing device for automotive wheels
GB2000557A (en) * 1977-06-28 1979-01-10 Ato Inc Hub cap
US5785390A (en) * 1995-01-31 1998-07-28 Stemco Inc. Vented hubcap

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657104A (en) * 1951-05-10 1953-10-27 Maurice L Kurland Water sealing device for automotive wheels
GB2000557A (en) * 1977-06-28 1979-01-10 Ato Inc Hub cap
US5785390A (en) * 1995-01-31 1998-07-28 Stemco Inc. Vented hubcap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0105670D0 (en) 2001-04-25

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)