WO2024107156A1

WO2024107156A1 - An axon protective cap

Info

Publication number: WO2024107156A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/051344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramazan Aydin
Original assignee: Turkiye'nin Otomobili Girisim Grubu Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-11-18
Filing date: 2023-11-17
Publication date: 2024-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective cap (1) for preserving the hub bearing located inside the axon (A) part -which is one of the most important supporting structural parts of the suspension that bears at least parts such as brake disc, hub, ABS sensor, wishbone, shock absorber and axle shaft- from external factors.

Description

AN AXON PROTECTIVE CAP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a protective cap for preserving the hub bearing located inside the axon part -which is one of the most important supporting structural parts of the suspension that bears at least parts such as brake disc, hub, ABS sensor, wishbone, shock absorber and axle shaft- from external factors.

Background of the Invention

Axon parts are used in the wheel assembly of the front suspension system which is a subsystem of the chassis system in vehicles. Axle part is one of the most important supporting structural parts of the suspension that bears brake disc, hub, ABS sensor, wishbone, shock absorber and axle shaft. Axle part is manufactured by means of steel forging method so as to be durable in heavy commercial vehicles, whereas it is obtained by means of iron casting or aluminum casting method in light commercial and passenger vehicle groups. Hub bearing, which allows the wheels to rotate and also bears the tire and rim aseembly, is connected to the axon part.

Since no axle shaft is included in front-wheel vehicles, foreign substances enter the hub bearing and they negatively affect the hub seal. In the state of the art, there is no application which will prevent the hub bearing from being negatively affected by the external environment in front suspension systems. Upon a vehicle is sold to a customer and a certain amount of use, the seal of the hub bearings cannot perform its duty due to environmental factors such as dust, dirt, mud and ice from the external environment. These environmental factors contaminate the bearing greases by entering the hub. Thereby, since the contaminated grease cannot entirely perform its duty of reducing friction and decreasing temperature, the bearing balls are locked and then they cause the hub to disintegrate. Experiencing this situation within the warranty period of the vehicle increases the warranty costs. Therefore, today there is a need for solutions which will prevent environmental factors from reaching the hub bearing from the outside environment.

The United States patent document no. US5172984A, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a leak-proof cap structure which is mounted on a wheel bearing and bulges out or contracts in by means of its flexible structure, depending on pressure changes. Venting ports open up owing to the fact that the cap structure is made of a flexible material. The cap structure mentioned in the United States patent document no. US5172984A is manufactured by means of an injection method and it has a cylindrical shape.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realize an axon protective cap for disconnecting the hub bearing, which is included in the front suspension system of vehicles, from the external environment in order to provide protection for the hub bearing seal.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon protective cap for preventing the grease, which is included in the hub bearing, from being negatively affected by the external effects and the bearing from losing its function.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon protective cap which is easily detachable on the axon by means of having a lug structure.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an axon protective cap for avoiding extra load formation by means of being made of a plastic material. Detailed Description of the Invention

“An Axon Protective Cap” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the inventive axon protective cap.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inventive axon protective cap wherein it is applied on an axon.

Figure 3 is a side view of the inventive axon protective cap wherein it is applied on an axon.

The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Cap

2. Body

3. Lug

4. Stage

A: Axon

The inventive axon protective cap (1) for disconnecting the hub bearing, which is included in the front suspension system of vehicles, from the external environment comprises an almost circular body (2) which is located on the axon (A) in order to provide protection for the hub bearing seal and enables to prevent at least one hub bearing, which is located on the axon (A), from being negatively affected by the external effects by closing the aperture included inside the bearing; a plurality of lugs (3) which are located on the end parts of the body (2) and fixed to the axon (A) so as to fit into the aperture where the hub bearing is located; and at least one stage (4) which is located on the end parts of the lugs (3) and strengthens the fixture to the axon (A) so that the body (2) does not run idle over the axon (A).

In the inventive axon protective cap (1), the body (2) has a circular shape and a plurality of lugs (3) are located on its end parts such that there is an equal distance between thereof. Four lugs (3) are located on the body (2) and they are positioned on the end parts of the body (2) such that there is an angle of 90° between thereof. The body (2) and the lugs (3) are positioned perpendicular to each other. Thereby, the lugs (3) enter into the aperture while the axon (A) aperture is closed.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one stage (4) is located on the other ends of the lugs (3) that are not connected onto the body (2). The stage (4) tries to hold on by contacting the inner surface of the axon (A) upon the lug (3) enters the axon (A) aperture and the body (2) is prevented from being detached from the axon (A). Thereby, the cap (1) is prevented from being falling upon being detached from the axon (A) due to vibrations occurring in the front suspension systems of vehicles.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2), the lug (3) and the stage (4) are made of a plastic material in one piece.

The inventive axon protective cap (1) is inserted into the axon (A) in order to prevent the grease, which is included in the bearing enabling the vehicle to move upon the wheels rotate, from being affected by the external effects and it disconnects the contact of the hub bearing with the external environment. Thereby, a safe driving is ensured by avoiding a bearing deterioration. On the other hand, the fact that the protective cap (1) is manufactured from a plastic material provides a weight advantage and the lug structure enables an easy assembly.

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “An Axon Protective Cap (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

1. A axon protective cap (1) for disconnecting the hub bearing, which is included in the front suspension system of vehicles, from the external environment; characterized by an almost circular body (2) which is located on the axon (A) in order to provide protection for the hub bearing seal and enables to prevent at least one hub bearing, which is located on the axon (A), from being negatively affected by the external effects by closing the aperture included inside the bearing; a plurality of lugs (3) which are located on the end parts of the body (2) and fixed to the axon (A) so as to fit into the aperture where the hub bearing is located; and at least one stage (4) which is located on the end parts of the lugs (3) and strengthens the fixture to the axon (A) so that the body (2) does not run idle over the axon (A).

2. An axon protective cap (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the body (2) which has a circular shape and where a plurality of lugs (3) are located on its end parts such that there is an equal distance between thereof.

3. An axon protective cap (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the body (2) whereon four lugs (3) are located and they are positioned on the end parts of it such that there is an angle of 90° between thereof.

4. An axon protective cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the body (2) which is positioned together with the lugs (3) perpendicular to each other.

5. An axon protective cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by one stage (4) which is located on the other ends of the lugs (3) that are not connected onto the body (2).

6. An axon protective cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the stage (4) which tries to hold on by contacting the inner surface of the axon (A) upon the lug (3) enters the axon (A) aperture, and which prevents the body (2) from being detached from the axon (A).

7. An axon protective cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the body (2), the lug (3) and the stage (4) which are made of a plastic material in one piece.