Claims:We claim:
1. A hub and brake disc assembly (100) for a vehicle, comprising:
a hub (210) having a plurality of first protrusions(212) extending radially outwards at predetermined locations from an outer circumference of a shaft (209) of said hub (210);
a disc(109) removably connected to said hub (210), said disc (109) having a plurality of second protrusions (113)extending radially inwards at predetermined locations from an inner circumference of said disc (109);and
a plurality of connecting members (306) connecting said first protrusions(212) of said hub (210) and said second protrusions (113) of said disc (109).

2. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hub (210) defines a first slot (202) of predetermined shape between two consecutives said first protrusions (212), said first slot (202) is at least a U-shaped slot, said first slot (202) includes rounded corners (201).

3. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disc (109) defines a second slot (111) of predetermined shape between two consecutives said second protrusions (113), said slot (111) is at least an inverted U-shaped slot, said each slot (111) includes a rounded corner (101).

4. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first protrusion (212) and said first slot (202) of said hub (210) includes a dimension lesser than a dimension of said second protrusion (113) and said second slot (111) of said disc (109), so that said disc (109) may be shifted from a first side of said hub (210) to a second side of said hub (210) and vice-versa easily.
5. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disc (109) includes a first circular portion (114) having a braking surface (105) and an intermittent circular portion(104) defined towards said inner periphery, said intermittent circular portion (104) is fabricated such that said intermittent circular portion (104) includes a raised surface (104s) with respect to said braking surface (105), said intermittent circular portion (104) is formed in said disc (109) to maintain an offset of a brake caliper.

6. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each first protrusion (212) on said hub (210)includes a front surface, a rear surface, a groove (206) of predetermined shape defined in said front surface, a first opening(208) defined within said groove (206) at a predetermined location, and a rim resting surface (207).

7. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each second protrusion (113) on said disc (109) includes a front surface, a rear surface, a second opening (107) at a predetermined location and a mounting spigot (102) defined on the inner periphery of said disc (109), said mounting spigot (102) provides a disc mounting surface which is adapted to contact an inner spigot (203) of said hub (210).

8. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear surface of said first protrusion (212) is adjoined with said front surface of said second protrusion (113), so that said first opening(208) and said second opening(107) are aligned with a common central axis (601), wherein said connecting member(306) is passed through said first opening (208) and said second opening (107) to connect said hub (210) with said disc (109).

9. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting member (306) is atleast a bolt, said bolt having:
a first end(301) having a first threaded portion;
a second end(302) having a second threaded portion;
a serrated portion (305) defined at a predetermined location of said bolt; and
a bolt head (307) and at least two bolt face (303)of predetermined shape defined towards a mid-portion of said bolt,
wherein,
said first threaded portion is adapted to engage with a rim (403);
said second threaded portion is adapted to engage with said disc (109);
said serrated portion is adapted to be received in said first opening (208) of said hub (210), said serrated portion is press fitted into said first opening (208) of said hub (210); and
said bolt head (307) is adapted to be received inside said groove (206) and said bolt face (303) is configured to align with a wall (206w) of said groove (206) and thereby act as anti-rotation element during torquing of a nut(502).

10. A method (1000) of assembling a disc to a hub for a vehicle, comprising:
coupling said hub (210) having a plurality of first protrusions (212) to a wheel stub axle;
mounting at least one connecting member (306) to each of said first protrusion (212) at a predetermined location;
shifting a disc (109) having a plurality of second protrusions (113) from first side of said hub (210) to second side of said hub (210);
rotating said disc (109) clockwise for a predetermined angle to align said second protrusions (113) parallel to corresponding said first protrusions (212);
pressing said disc (109) towards said hub (210) such that said connecting member (306) connects said hub (210) with said disc (109); and
tightening a fastening element(501) against said connecting member (306) towards a second end (302) of said connecting member (306).

11. A method (2000) of disassembling a disc from a hub in of a vehicle, comprising:
loosening a nut (501) screwed against a connecting member (306) which connects a disc (109) with a hub (210);
pushing said disc (109) away said hub (210) such that said disc (109) is disconnected from said connecting member (306);
rotating said disc (109) clockwise or anti-clockwise for a predetermined angle to move away from a plurality of second protrusions (113); and
shifting said disc (109) from said second side of said hub (210) to said first side of said hub (210) to disassemble said disc (109) from said hub (210).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relates generally to vehicle wheel assembly, and more particularly, to a hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle and a related method. More specifically, to a wheel rim-hub and brake disc assembly(also referred to as assembly hereafter in this description) which aids in serviceability of a disc without removing a hub from the assembly during vehicle service, easy assembly in production line and achieves reduction in overall weight.
BACKGROUND
[002] Drum brake systems and disc brake systems are two widely used types of brake systems for vehicles. Drum brakes work by pressing a brake shoe against an inside circumferential surface of a drum to retard rotation of a wheel and the disc brake system works when a rotation of a brake disc or brake rotor mounted on a vehicle's axle is retarded by a caliper pressing a pair of brake pads against opposite sides of a rotating brake rotor. The drum brake systems are not as effective and are more prone to failure and wear than the disc brake systems. With current disc brake systems, the wheel rim constrains a diameter of the brake rotor to an inefficient size since a large amount of space must be left around the rotor to accommodate the caliper. Also, if the disc is mounted on hub/spindle, an offset of the disc needs to be increased which results in increase in weight of the disc.
[003] Further, in the disc brake system, the brake disc and the "wheel disc", to which the wheel rim is intended to be bolted, is affixed to the wheel hub via a common screw connection. In such a construction, the entire braking moment acts through the screw connection. High demands are thus placed on the assembly work, for example, in case of replacement of brake discs, a correct tightening torque needs to be applied to the common screw connection, in order to eliminate the risk of failure attributable to too great stresses in the connection. Further, the hub needs to be removed for servicing (or removing) the disc from the assembly, whereby causes loss of hub lubricant, and damage of seals, which is undesirable.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle and a related method, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the hub and brake disc assembly which aids in serviceability (or disassembling) of a disc without removing a hub from the assembly while servicing, thereby saving lubricant and hub seal.
[007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in easy assembly of the disc to the hub in the assembly line.
[008] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in achieving weight reduction of hub and disc assembly by providing low offset of disc and unique shape of the hub and disc of the assembly.
[009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in reducing an unsprung mass of the vehicle by reducing the disc and hub/spindle weight hereby reduces overall cost of the assembly and increases the stability of the vehicle.
[0010] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the hub and brake disc assembly which is simple, and easy to assemble.
[0011] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method of assembling a disc to a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle.
[0012] 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
[0013] 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:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a disc, a hub, a plurality of connecting members and a rim assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a disc of a hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a hub of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a connecting member of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a rim, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIGS. 6a and 6b depict perspective views of a disc mounting nut and a rim mounting nut of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of the hub and the connecting member, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 9 depicts an assembled view of the rim-hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method of assembling a disc to a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting a method of disassembling a disc from a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] 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.
[0026] The embodiments herein achieve a hub and brake disc assembly for a vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the hub and brake disc assembly which aids in serviceability(or disassembling) of a disc without removing a hub from the assembly in a service line, thereby saving lubricant, service time / labor cost and hub seal. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in easy assembly of the disc to the hub in the service line. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in achieving weight reduction of hub and disc assembly by providing low offset of disc and unique shape of the hub and disc of the assembly. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the hub and brake disc assembly which facilitates in reducing an unsprung mass of the vehicle by reducing the disc and hub/spindle weight, and thereby reduces overall cost of the assembly. The embodiments herein further achieve the hub and brake disc assembly which is simple, and easy to assemble. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method of assembling a disc to a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle. Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, there are shown embodiments of the hub and brake disc assembly in preferred embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a disc, a hub, a plurality of connecting members and a rim assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the vehicle wheel arrangement includes a brake disc (109), a hub (210) and a rim (403) assembled to the hub (210) and disc (109). The hub and brake disc assembly (100)(as shown in FIG. 8) is assembled to the vehicle wheel. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) mainly includes the disc (109), the hub (210) and a plurality of connecting members (306).
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a disc of a hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) includes the disc (109) which is removably connected to the hub (210). The disc (109) includes a first circular portion(114) (as shown in FIG. 2) having a braking surface (105) and an intermittent circular portion (104) defined towards an inner periphery of the disc (109). The intermittent circular portion (104) is fabricated such that the intermittent circular portion (104) includes a raised surface (104s) with respect to the braking surface (105) of the first circular portion (114). The intermittent circular portion (104) is formed in said disc (109) to maintain an offset of a brake caliper. The disc (109) further includes a plurality of second protrusions (113) extending radially inwards at predetermined locations from the inner circumference of the disc (109). The disc (109) further defines a plurality of second slots (111) of predetermined shape wherein each of the slot (111) is located between two consecutive second protrusions (113). In an embodiment, the slot (111) is at least an inverted U-shaped slot wherein each slot (111) includes a rounded corner (101). Further, each of the second protrusion (113) on the disc (109) includes a front surface, a rear surface, a second opening (107) at a predetermined location and a mounting spigot (102) defined on the inner periphery of the disc (109). The mounting spigot (102) provides a disc mounting surface which is adapted to contact an inner spigot (203) of the hub (210).
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a hub of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The hub and brake disc assembly (100) includes the hub (210) which is connected to a wheel stub axle. The hub (210) includes a plurality of first protrusions (212) extending radially outwards at predetermined locations from an outer circumference of a shaft (209) of the hub (210). Further, the hub (210) defines a first slot (202) of predetermined shape between two consecutive the first protrusions (212). In an embodiment, the first slot (202) is at least a U-shaped slot. The first slot (202) includes rounded corners (201).The each first protrusion (212) on the hub (210) includes a front surface, a rear surface, a groove (206) of predetermined shape defined in the front surface, a first opening (208) defined within the groove (206) at a predetermined location, and a rim resting surface (207). The rear surface of the first protrusion (212) is adjoined with the front surface of the second protrusion (113), so that the first opening (208) and the second opening (107) are aligned with a common central axis (601). The first protrusion (212) and the first slot (202) of the hub (210) includes a dimension slightly lesser than a dimension of the second protrusion (113) and the second slot (111) of the disc (109), so that the disc (109) may be shifted from a first side of the hub (210) to a second side of the hub (210) and vice-versa.
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a connecting member of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The connecting member (306) is passed through said first opening (208) and said second opening (107) to connect said hub (210) with said disc (109).In an embodiment, the connecting means (306) is at least a bolt. The bolt includes a first end (301) having a first threaded portion, a second end (302) having a second threaded portion, a serrated portion (305) defined at a predetermined location of said bolt and a bolt head (307) and at least two bolt face (303) of predetermined shape defined towards a mid-portion of said bolt. The first threaded portion of the bolt is adapted to engage with the rim (403). The second threaded portion of the bolt is adapted to engage with the disc (109). Each of the second end (302) of the bolt is adapted to receive a nut (501). Further, the serrated portion (305) is adapted to be received in the first opening (208) of the hub (210). In an embodiment, the serrated portion (305) is press fitted into the first opening (208) of the hub (210). In an alternate embodiment, the serrated portion (305) is hydro pressed in the first opening (208) of the hub (210).The bolt head (307) is adapted to be received inside the groove (206) and the bolt face (303) is configured to be aligned with a wall (206w) of said groove (206) and thereby act as anti-rotation element during torquing of a nut(502) as shown in FIGS. 6b & 7.
[0031] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of the hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The assembly of the disc (109) to the hub (210) is explained herein. For example, an operator or a service person grabs the disc (109) on the braking surface (105) and slides in an axial direction (i.e. direction-A as shown in FIG. 8) of a hub/spindle bolt assembly (602) such that disc’s second protrusion (113) easily passes through first slot (202) of the hub (210). After shifting the disc (109) from the first side of the hub (210) to the second side, the disc (109) is rotated such that all second openings(107) are aligned with second end bolt thread (302) and then rest the disc’s spigot hole (102) on hub spigot (203).After resting the disc (109) on the hub spigot (203),the mounting nut (501) is torqued in bolt’s thread portion at the second end (302) to secure the disc (109). The hub and disc assembly (100 and 701) is then made ready to be assembled with the rim (403).
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a rim, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The rim (403) of the vehicle wheel assembly includes at least four openings (401) which are used for mounting the rim (403) against the wheel stub axle or suitable connection of drive means.
[0033] FIG. 9 depicts an assembled view of the rim-hub and brake disc assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The rim (403) is assembled to the hub and brake disc assembly (100& 701) by moving the rim (403) in an axial direction of the hub. The rim (403) is configured to rest in an inner surface on a hub’s resting surface (207) by aligning rims mounting hole (401) with the first threaded portion at first end (301) of the bolt (306) and by aligning the hub’s spigot (205) with a rim spigot (402). After alignment of the rim (403) with the bolt (306), the rim (403) is tightened by means of tightening nut (502) to secure rim (403) on the wheel assembly.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method of assembling a disc to a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The method (1000) includes coupling a hub (210) having a plurality of first protrusions (212) to a wheel stub axle (at step 1002). Further, the method (1000) includes mounting a connecting member (306) to each of said first protrusion (212) at a predetermined location (at step 1004). Furthermore, the method (1000) includes shifting a disc (109) having a plurality of second protrusions (113) from a first side of said hub (210) to a second side of said hub (210) (at step 1006). Additionally, the method (1000) includes rotating said disc (109) clockwise or anti-clockwise for a predetermined angle to align said second protrusions (113) parallel to corresponding said first protrusions (212) (at step 1008). Also, the method (1000) includes pressing said disc (109) towards said hub (210) such that said connecting member (306) connects said hub (210) with said disc (109) (at step 1010). Further, the method (1000) includes tightening a nut (501) against said connecting member (306) towards a second end (302) of said connecting member (306) (at step 1012).
[0035] FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting a method of disassembling a disc from a hub in a hub and brake disc assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The method (2000) includes loosening a nut (501) screwed against a connecting member (306) which connects a disc (109) with a hub (210) (at step 2002. Further, the method (2000) includes pushing said disc (109) away said hub (210) such that said disc (109) is disconnected from said connecting member (306) (at step 2004). Furthermore, the method (2000) includes rotating said disc (109) clockwise or anti-clockwise for a predetermined angle to move away from a plurality of second protrusions (113) (at step 2006). Additionally, the method (2000) includes shifting said disc (109) from said second side of said hub (210) to said first side of said hub (210) to disassemble said disc (109) from said hub (210) (at step 2008).
[0036] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others may, 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 may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.