Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to wheel hub and brake disc assembly in vehicles. More particularly, the embodiments herein relate to a wheel hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle having a small wheel rim and a method of assembling a wheel hub and a brake disc assembly in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Conventionally, in vehicles with smaller wheel rim size (wherein the wheel rim diameter is less than 10 inches), such as a commercial three-wheeled vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, a wheel hub and brake disc assembly (30) includes a wheel hub (12), a brake disc (14) integrated with the wheel hub (12) forming a unitary structure (10), a brake caliper (16) mounted with a mounting bracket (18) on a lead link (not shown), and a plurality of assembling members (20, 22, 24) including a collar nut (24), a square nut (20), a spacer (22), a bearing (28), and an axle (26). The brake caliper (16) includes brake pads (not shown) which are pressed against the brake disc (14) to stop the motion of the wheel mounted on the wheel hub (12), when a brake is applied.
[003] The wheel hub is integrated with the brake disc due to packaging constraints arising out of the small wheel rim size. Due to the small rim size, there are limitation on the brake disc size. Since the brake caliper has to be mounted on the limited contact surface available on the brake disc, there is marginal space available on the brake disc for mounting of the wheel hub. To forego the space required by the mounting arrangement for mounting the wheel hub on the brake disc, the brake disc is integrated with the wheel hub.
[004] Although, the integration of the brake disc with the wheel hub helps in overcoming the packaging constraints, there are other problems associated with this type of integrated unitary structure. Over a period of usage, the brake pads provided on the brake caliper are prone to wear and tear. The wear and tear of the brake pads, results in metal-to-metal contact between the brake caliper and the brake disc, which causes wearing of the brake disc, therefore damaging the brake disc. Since the brake disc is integrated with the wheel hub, to replace the brake disc, the entire unitary structure of the wheel hub and the brake disc has to be replaced, therefore increasing the maintenance cost.
[005] Further, the assembling and disassembling of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly becomes cumbersome due to the integrated unitary structure of the wheel hub and brake disc. Maintenance and repair of the wheel hub and brake disc cannot be carried out separately, which makes the maintenance process of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly cumbersome, time consuming and costly.
[006] Therefore, there is a need for a wheel hub and brake disc assembly for vehicles with small wheel rim size which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[007] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a wheel hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle with small wheel rim size, wherein the assembly facilitates easy mounting and dismounting of the brake disc from the wheel hub.
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the wheel hub and brake disc assembly which includes a stopper which is configured to secure the brake disc with the wheel hub and prevent a relative motion of the brake disc with respect to the wheel hub.
[009] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for assembling a wheel hub and brake disc assembly in a vehicle.
[010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the 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
[011] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[012] Fig. 1A is a front view of a conventional wheel hub and brake disc assembly;
[013] Fig. 1B is an exploded view of the conventional wheel hub and brake disc assembly;
[014] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[015] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[016] Fig. 4a is a front view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[017] Fig. 4b is another front view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[018] Fig. 4c is yet another front view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[019] Fig. 4d is another front view of the wheel hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[020] Fig. 5 is a front view of a brake assembly of a vehicle with the wheel hub and brake disc assembly connected in the brake assembly of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[021] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the brake assembly of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[022] Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the brake assembly of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[023] Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a front wheel steering assembly with the wheel hub and brake disc assembly assembled on the front wheel steering assembly of a three-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[024] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for assembling a wheel hub and brake disc assembly in vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[025] 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.
[026] 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 the brake disc from the wheel hub. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the wheel hub and brake disc assembly which includes a stopper which is configured to secure the brake disc with the wheel hub and prevent a relative motion of the brake disc with respect to the wheel hub. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve method for assembling a wheel hub and brake disc assembly in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 9, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[027] Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, according to an embodiment, the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) includes a wheel hub (102), a brake disc (104) adapted to be mounted on the wheel hub (102), and a stopper (106) configured to secure the brake disc (104) with the wheel hub (102). The wheel hub (102) includes an inboard portion (102A) adapted to receive a wheel (W) of the vehicle (as shown in Fig. 8), and an outboard portion (102B) extending transversely from the inboard portion (102A) and adapted to receive the brake disc (104). The wheel hub (102) includes a plurality of splines (102S) defined on the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102) on a radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) near a rim (102R) of the outboard portion (102B). The plurality of splines (102S) are spaced apart around the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). Each of the plurality of the splines (102S) extends between a first end (not shown) disposed outwards near the rim (102R) of the outboard portion (102B) and a second end (not shown) disposed inwards facing towards the inboard portion (102A) on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B). For the purposes of this description and ease of understanding, each of the plurality of splines (102S) is considered to have an L-shaped profile, wherein a lateral part (102SA) of the spline (102S) is placed outwards near the rim (102R) of the outboard portion (102B) and a longitudinal part (102SB) of the spline (102S) is placed inwards extending towards the inboard portion (102A) of the wheel hub (102). However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the plurality of splines (102S) having any other shape, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the plurality of splines (102S) as can be deduced from this description.
[028] Further, the brake disc (104) is configured to be axially mounted onto the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). The brake disc (104) includes a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104), corresponding to the plurality of splines (102S) defined on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). Each of the plurality of slots (104S) has a profile which is wider than the second end of the plurality of splines (102S).
[029] Referring to Figs. 4a to 4d, the brake disc (104) is configured to be mounted in a first position on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102), wherein in the first position, each of the plurality of slots (104S) is adapted to receive the corresponding spline (102S) of the plurality of splines (102S) (as shown in Fig. 4a). Further, the brake disc (104) is configured to be rotated to a second position from the first position (as shown in Fig. 4b), wherein in the second position a recess (R) is formed between each of the slot (104S) and the corresponding spline of the plurality of splines (102S). In an embodiment, when the brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position, the plurality of slots (104S) are adapted to be positioned towards the second end of the plurality of splines (102S), allowing the rim (102R) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102) to protrude from the radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104).
[030] In an embodiment, the profile of each of the slot (104S) is adapted to receive the lateral part (102SA) of the L-shaped spline (102S) when the brake disc (104) is mounted in the first position. When the brake disc (104) is mounted in the first position, as shown in Fig. 4a, the profile of the slot (104S) is aligned with the lateral part (102SA) of the corresponding L-shaped spline (102S). When the brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position, as shown in Fig. 4b, the slot (104S) is displaced to receive the longitudinal part (102SB) of the spline (102S), forming the recess (R) between the slot (104S) and the corresponding spline (102S). The plurality of slots (104S) are defined to rest near the second end of the splines (102S), allowing the lateral part (102SA) of the splines (102S) to protrude through the radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104).
[031] As shown in Fig. 3, the stopper (106) includes a plurality of projections (106P) protruding from an annular surface (106A) of the stopper (106). Each of the projection (106P) of the plurality of projections (106P) is configured to be inserted within a corresponding recess (R) formed between the plurality of slots (104S) of the brake disc (104) and the plurality of splines (102S) of the wheel hub (102). The stopper (106) is configured to secure the brake disc (104) with the wheel hub (102) and arrest a relative motion of the brake disc (104) with respect to the wheel hub (102). The annular surface (106A) of the stopper (106) rests on the rim (102R) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). In an embodiment, the stopper (106) is fastened on the brake disc (104) and the wheel hub (102). As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a plurality of first holes (102H) are defined on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102), a plurality of second holes (104H) are defined on the radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104), and a plurality of third holes (106H) are defined on the annular surface (106A) of the stopper (106) to facilitate fastening of the stopper (106) with the brake disc (104) and the wheel hub (102). Each of the plurality of first holes (102H), the plurality of second holes (104H), and the plurality of third holes (106H) align when the brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position. In an embodiment, a plurality of fasteners (108) including screws (108) (as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig.3) are used to fasten the stopper (106) with the brake disc (104) and the wheel hub (102). However, it is within the scope of this invention to use any other fasteners, such as but not limited to, nut and bolt, without deterring from the intended purpose of the fasteners, as can be deduced from this description.
[032] Fig.5 is a front view showing the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) connected in a brake assembly (200) of the vehicle. For the purposes of this description and the ease of understanding, the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) is considered to be connected in a brake assembly (200) of a three-wheeled vehicle. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) which is configured to be connected in the brake assembly (200) of any other vehicle. As shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 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 (214), at least two square nuts (206), and at least two cross nuts (208). The bearing (214) is inserted in the inner diameter (not shown) of the wheel hub (102) and the axle (212) is inserted through the bearing (214) in the wheel hub (102). Further, as shown in Fig. 8 which depicts the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) connected in the front wheel steering assembly with the braking assembly (200) in the three-wheeled vehicle (300), the brake caliper (202) is mounted on a lead link (206) through the brake caliper mounting bracket (204). The plurality of assembly mounting members facilitate the assembling of the wheel hub (102) and the brake disc (104) onto the axle (212) of the vehicle.
[033] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method (400) of assembling the wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) in the vehicle. The method (400) includes mounting the wheel hub (102) on the axle (212) of the vehicle, at step (402). Further, at step (404) the method (400) includes mounting the brake disc (104) on the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102) in the first position, wherein the plurality of slots (104S) defined in the radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104) receive the plurality of splines (102S) defined on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). Furthermore, the method (400) includes rotating the brake disc (104) to the second position, at step (406), wherein a recess (R) is formed between each of the slot (104S) of the plurality of slots (104S) defined on the radially inner diameter (104) of the brake disc (104) and the corresponding spline (102S) of the plurality of splines (102S) defined on the radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102). Moreover, at step (408), the method (400) includes mounting the stopper (106) on the outboard portion (102B) of the wheel hub (102) and the radially inner diameter (104D) of the brake disc (104), wherein the plurality of projections (106P) of the stopper (106) are inserted in the corresponding recess (R). Additionally, the method (400) includes fastening the stopper (106) with the brake disc (104) and the wheel hub (102). 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.
[034] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein include easy assembling and disassembling of the brake disc from the wheel hub, ease of maintenance of the brake assembly, reduced number of parts, and reduction in cost of maintenance and repair.
[035] 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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) for a vehicle, said assembly (100) comprising:
a wheel hub (102) having an inboard portion (102A) adapted to receive a wheel (W) of the vehicle, and an outboard portion (102B) extending transversely from the inboard portion (102A), said outboard portion (102B) having a plurality of splines (102S) defined on a radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B), said plurality of splines (102S) spaced apart around said radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102);
a brake disc (104) adapted to be mounted on said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102), said brake disc (104) having a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (104), wherein each of said plurality of slots (104S) is adapted to receive a respective spline (102S) of said plurality of splines (102S) and define a recess corresponding to said respective spline when said brake disc (104) is mounted in a predetermined position; and
a stopper (106) configured to secure said brake disc (104) with said wheel hub (102), said stopper (106) having an annular surface (106A) and a plurality of projections (106P) extending from said annular surface (106A), wherein each of said plurality of projections (106P) is adapted to be inserted in a corresponding recess (R) formed between each of said slot of plurality of slots (104S) and said respective spline of said plurality of splines (102S).
2. The wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brake disc (104) is configured to be:
mounted in a first position, wherein in the first position each of said plurality of slots (104S) is aligned with said respective spline (102S); and
rotated to a second position, wherein in the second position each of said plurality of slots (104S) is displaced relative to said respective spline (102S), forming said corresponding recess (R).

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of the splines (102S) extends between a first end disposed outwards near a rim (102R) of said outboard portion (102B) and a second end disposed inwards facing towards the inboard portion (102A) on said radially outer diameter (102D) of the outboard portion (102B).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of slots (104S) has a profile which is wider than the second end of said plurality of splines (102S).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plurality of slots (104S) are adapted to be displaced towards the second end of said plurality of splines (102S), allowing the first end of each of said plurality of splines (102S) to protrude from said radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (104), when said brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position.

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said annular surface (106A) of said stopper (106) is adapted to rest on the rim (102R) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of splines (102S) has an L-shaped profile having a lateral part (102SA) and a longitudinal part (102SB) extending transversely from the lateral part (102SA), the lateral part (102SA) is positioned outwards near the rim (102R) of said outboard portion (102B) on said radially outer diameter (102D), and the longitudinal part (102SB) is positioned inwards extending towards the inboard portion (102A) of said wheel hub (102) on said radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102).

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of slots (104S) has a profile adapted to:
receive the lateral part (102SA) of said corresponding spline (102S) when said brake disc (104) is mounted in the first position on said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102); and
allow the lateral part (102SA) to protrude from said slot (104S), forming said recess (R) between the longitudinal part (102SB) of said corresponding spline (102S) and said slot (104S) when said brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position.

9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) comprises a plurality of holes (102H, 104H, 106H), said plurality of holes (102H, 104H, 106H) comprising:
a plurality of first holes (102H) defined on said radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102);
a plurality of second holes (104H) defined on said radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (104);
a plurality of third holes (106H) defined on said annular surface (106A) of said stopper (106),
wherein,
each of said plurality of first holes (102H), said plurality of second holes (104H), and said plurality of third holes (106H) align, when said brake disc (104) is rotated to the second position; and
said stopper (106) is fastened with said wheel hub (102) and said brake disc (104) by inserting a plurality of fasteners (108) through said plurality of holes (102H, 104H, 106H), securing said brake disc (104) with said wheel hub (102) in the second position.

10. A method (400) of assembling a wheel hub and brake disc assembly (100) in a vehicle, said method (400) comprising:
mounting a wheel hub (100) on an axle (212) of the vehicle;
mounting a brake disc (104) on an outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102) in a first position, wherein in said first position, a plurality of slots (104S) defined on a radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (102) receive a plurality of splines (102S) defined on a radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102);
rotating said brake disc (104) to a second position, wherein in said second position a recess (R) is formed between each of said slot (104S) of said plurality of slots (104S) defined on said radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (104) and a corresponding spline (102S) of said plurality of splines (102S) defined on said radially outer diameter (102D) of said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102); and
mounting a stopper (106) on said outboard portion (102B) of said wheel hub (102) and said radially inner diameter (104D) of said brake disc (104), wherein a plurality of projections (106P) of said stopper (106) are inserted in a corresponding recess (R).
11. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said method (400) comprises fastening said stopper (106) with said brake disc (104) and said wheel hub (102), wherein a plurality of holes (102H, 104H, 106H) are defined on each of said wheel hub (102), said brake disc (104), and said stopper (106) for receiving a plurality of fasteners (108).