Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to wheel hub and disc brake assembly in vehicles and more particularly, to a wheel hub and disc brake assembly with a stopper arrangement for a vehicle having a small wheel rim size and an assembly method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, vehicles, such as commercial three-wheeled vehicles with smaller wheel rim size, where the wheel rim diameter is 10 inches or less, have a disc brake integrated with the wheel hub. The integration of the wheel hub and disc brake form a singular component. As a result, it becomes unfeasible to mount and dismount the disc brake from the wheel hub separately. By integrating the disc brake with the wheel hub, the space occupied by mounting means, such as bolts and nuts used for attaching the disc brake to the wheel hub, is eliminated, thereby allowing a brake calliper to be mounted on the limited contact surface available on the disc brake.
[003] Although providing the wheel hub and disc brake as a single component effectively addresses the challenge of limited packaging space in vehicles with small wheel rim sizes, however integration of the wheel hub with the disc brake has certain drawbacks. Over time, the brake pads of the brake calliper are susceptible to wear and tear. The wear and tear of the brake pads results in metal-to-metal contact between the brake calliper and the disc brake, leading to wear of the disc brake and eventual damage. Since the disc brake is integrated with the wheel hub, the disc brake cannot be replaced separately. This necessitates the replacement of both the wheel hub and the disc brake, raising the vehicle's maintenance costs. Additionally, the integration complicates the assembly and disassembly of the wheel hub and disc brake, thereby extending the time and complicating the maintenance and repair.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a wheel hub and disc brake assembly for vehicles with small wheel rim size which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a wheel hub and disc brake assembly for a vehicle with small wheel rim size which facilitates easy mounting and dismounting of a disc brake from a wheel hub.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a wheel hub and disc brake assembly which has a stopper arrangement that is configured to arrest a relative motion of the disc brake with the wheel hub and secure the disc brake onto the wheel hub.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of the invention is to provide a method of assembling a wheel hub and disc brake assembly in a vehicle.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a wheel hub and a disc brake assembly, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a brake assembly of a vehicle, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a wheel hub and disc brake assembly of a vehicle, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly, according to the second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a brake assembly of a vehicle, according to the second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 7 is a front view of the brake assembly, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a front wheel steering assembly of a three-wheeled vehicle, according to embodiments disclosed herein; and
[0018] Fig. 9 is a method for assembling a wheel hub and disc brake assembly in a vehicle, according to embodiments disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve a wheel hub and disc brake assembly for a vehicle with small wheel rim size, wherein the assembly facilitates easy mounting and dismounting of disc brake from a wheel hub. Further, embodiments herein achieve a wheel hub and disc brake assembly which has a stopper arrangement configured to arrest a relative motion of the disc brake with respect to the wheel hub and secure the disc brake with the wheel hub. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method for assembling a wheel hub and disc brake in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100), according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein. Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100), according to a second embodiment. The wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) includes a wheel hub (102), a disc brake (104) adapted to be mounted on the wheel hub (102), and a stopper arrangement (106) configured to secure the disc brake (104) with the wheel hub (102) and arrest relative motion of the disc brake (104) with respect to the wheel hub (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) is explained herein with below reference to a three-wheeled vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the components of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) for any other vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100), according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100), according to the second embodiment, as disclosed herein. The wheel hub (102) includes a first portion (102A) extending transversely from a second portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). The first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102) is adapted to receive the disc brake (104). The second portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102) is adapted to receive a wheel (304) of the vehicle (as shown in Fig. 8). The wheel hub (102) includes a plurality of splines (102S) defined on a radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). The plurality of splines (102S) are spaced apart around the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). Each of the plurality of splines (102S) extends between a first end (not shown) disposed near an outer end of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), and a second end (not shown) disposed inwards facing towards the second portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). Further, the disc brake (104) is configured to be axially mounted on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). The disc brake (104) includes a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of the disc brake (104), wherein the plurality of slots (104S) are adapted to receive the corresponding plurality of splines (102S) of the wheel hub (102). The plurality of slots (104S) defined on the radially inner diameter (104D) of the disc brake (104) are adapted to allow the first end of each of the plurality of splines (102S) to extend out of the corresponding slot (104S), allowing the outer end of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102) to extend out of the radially inner diameter (104D) of the disc brake (104).
[0022] The stopper arrangement (106) is configured to secure the disc brake (104) with the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102) and arrest relative motion of the disc brake (104) with respect to the wheel hub (102). The stopper arrangement (106) includes at least one securing member (108) which is adapted to be mounted on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), near the outer end of the first portion (102A). The securing member (108) is configured to secure the disc brake (104) with the wheel hub (102), preventing the disc brake (104) from dismounting from the wheel hub (102). Further, the securing member (108) has a plurality of internal threads (not shown), wherein a plurality of external threads (not shown) are defined on the plurality of splines (102S) to facilitate mounting of the securing member (108) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding the at least one securing member (108) is considered to be a chuck nut. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the at least one securing member (108) as any other component such as but not limited to a lock nut, a castle nut, a nylon insert nut, a shear nut, and a hex nut, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the securing member (108) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0023] Further, the stopper arrangement (106) includes at least one locking member (110P, 110R) which is adapted to lock the at least one securing member (108) with the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). In the first embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the at least one locking member (110P) is a plate adapted to be fastened with the at least one securing member (108) and the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). The plate is adapted to rest on a rim (not shown) of the first portion (102A) in abutting contact with the at least one securing member (108). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the plate is considered to be fastened with the at least one securing member (108) and the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the plate secured with the at least one securing member (108) and the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102) by any other means without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the locking member (110P) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, a plurality of holes (102H, 110H) are defined on each of the at least one locking member (110P), the at least one securing member (108), and the plurality of splines (104S) of the wheel hub (102), to facilitate fastening of the locking member (110P) with a plurality of fasteners (112).
[0024] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the at least one locking member (110R) is an annular element adapted to be mounted near the outer end on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). A plurality of receiving slots (102R) are defined on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), wherein each of the plurality of receiving slots (102R) is defined on a corresponding spline (102S) near the outer end of the first portion (102A). The plurality of receiving slots (102R) are adapted to receive the at least one locking member (110R) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). The annular element is adapted to be mounted in abutting contact with the securing member (108) such that the securing member (108) is locked with the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), preventing the securing member (108) from loosening and dismounting from the wheel hub (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the locking member (110R) is considered to be an annular element such as a retainer ring. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the locking member (110R) as any other element such as but not limited to a washer, and a retainer pin, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the locking member (110R) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0025] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a brake assembly (200) of a vehicle including the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100), according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the brake assembly (200) of the vehicle including the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100), according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) connected in the brake assembly (200) of the vehicle. For the purposes of this description and the ease of understanding, the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) is considered to be connected in the brake assembly (200) of a three-wheeled vehicle. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) which is configured to be connected in the brake assembly (200) of any other vehicle. As shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7, the brake assembly (200) includes a brake caliper (202), a brake caliper mounting bracket (204), an axle (212), and a plurality of assembly mounting members including a spacer (210), a bearing (214B), a washer (214A), at least two square nuts (206), and at least two cross nuts (208). The bearing (214B) with the washer (214A) is inserted in an inner diameter (not shown) of the wheel hub (102), and the axle (212) is inserted through the bearing (214B) in the wheel hub (102). Further, as shown in Fig. 8 which depicts the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) connected in the front wheel steering assembly (302) with the brake assembly (200) in the three-wheeled vehicle (300), the brake caliper (202) is mounted on a lead link (216) through the brake caliper mounting bracket (204). The plurality of assembly mounting members facilitate the assembling of the wheel hub (102) and the disc brake (104) onto the axle (212) of the vehicle.
[0026] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method (400) for assembling a wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) in a vehicle. The method (400) includes mounting the disc brake (104) on the wheel hub (102), wherein the plurality of slots (104S) of the disc brake (104) receive the plurality of splines (102S) of the wheel hub (102), such that the outer end of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102) extends out from the radially inner diameter (104D) of the disc brake (104), at step (402). Further, at step (404), the method (400) includes mounting the at least one securing member (108) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), near the outer end of the first portion (102A). Furthermore, the method (400) includes mounting the at least one locking member (110P, 110R) on the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), wherein the locking member (110P, 110R) locks the at least one securing member (108) with the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), at step (406). In a first embodiment, the method (400) includes fastening the locking member (110P) with the at least one securing member (108) and the first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102), wherein the locking member (110P) is a plate. In a second embodiment, the method (400) includes mounting the locking member (110R), wherein the locking member (110R) is the annular element which is adapted to be received by a plurality of receiving slots (102R) defined on each of the plurality of splines (102S), thereby facilitating mounting of the locking member (110R). The various steps in the method (400) may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some steps listed in Fig. 9 may be omitted.
[0027] The technical advantages of the wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) for a vehicle are as follows. Easy assembling and disassembling of the disc brake from the wheel hub, ease of maintenance of the brake assembly, reduced number of parts, and reduction in cost of maintenance and repair.
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) for a vehicle, said assembly (100) comprising:
a wheel hub (102) having a plurality of splines (102S) defined on a radially outer diameter (102D) of a first portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102);
a disc brake (104) adapted to be mounted on said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102), said disc brake (104) having a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of said disc brake (104), wherein said plurality of slots (104S) are adapted to receive corresponding said plurality of splines (102S) of said wheel hub (102), allowing an outer end of said first portion (102A) to extend out of the radially inner diameter (104D) of said disc brake (104); and
a stopper arrangement (106) comprising at least one securing member (108) adapted to be mounted on the radially outer diameter (102D) of said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102) near the outer end of said first portion (102A), said stopper arrangement (106) configured to secure said disc brake (104) with said wheel hub (102) and arrest a relative motion of said disc brake (104) with respect to said wheel hub (102).

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper arrangement (106) comprises at least one locking member (110P, 110R) adapted to lock said at least one securing member (108) with said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102).

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of external threads are defined on said plurality of splines (102S) corresponding to a plurality of internal threads defined on said at least one securing member (108), facilitating mounting of said at least one securing member (108) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one securing member (108) is a chuck nut.

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking member (110P) comprises a plate adapted to be fastened with said at least one securing member (108) and said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of holes (110H, 102H) are defined on each of said locking member (110P), said at least one securing member (108), and said plurality of splines (104S), to facilitate fastening of said locking member (110P) with a plurality of fasteners (112).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one locking member (110R) comprises an annular element adapted to be mounted near the outer end on the radially outer diameter (102D) of said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102), wherein a receiving slot (102R) is defined in each of said plurality of splines (102S) near the outer end of said first portion to receive said locking member (110R).

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said locking member (110R) is a retainer ring.

9. A method (400) of assembling a wheel hub and disc brake assembly (100) in a vehicle, said method (400) comprising:
mounting a disc brake (104) on a wheel hub (102), wherein a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of said disc brake (104) receive a plurality of splines (102S) defined on a radially outer diameter (102D) of a first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102), allowing an outer end of said first portion (102A) to extend out of the radially inner diameter (104D) of said disc brake (104); and
mounting at least one securing member (108) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102) near the outer end of said first portion (102A), said at least one securing member (108) configured to secure said disc brake (104) with said wheel hub (102) and arrest a relative motion of said disc brake (104) with respect to said wheel hub (102).

10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (400) comprises mounting a locking member (110P, 110R) on said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102) near the outer end of said first portion (102A), said locking member (110P, 110R) adapted to lock said at least one securing member (108) with said first portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102).

11. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said locking member (110P, 110R) is any one of a plate (110P) and an annular element (110R) comprising a retainer ring, wherein said annular element (110R) is adapted to be received by a receiving slot (102R) defined on each of said plurality of splines (102S), facilitating mounting of said annular element (110R).