DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“WHEEL FLANGE ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVESHAFT OF A VEHICLE”

Endurance Technologies Limited
E-92, M.I.D.C. Industrial Area, Waluj,
Aurangabad – 431136, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to wheel flange assembly provided in motor vehicle. It more particularly relates to a wheel flange adaptor that can receive and link different wheel hub shafts with the wheel flange assembly.

Background of the Invention

[002] Conventional wheel flange assemblies are built to accommodate articulation joint and the accompanying lubricant in an isolated environment. The lubricant so filled within the wheel flange assemblies during its manufacturing has to be retained in the vicinity of the articulation joint as it enhances its life by preventing direct surface contact between its articulation joint and the housing. As filling lubricant and correctly attaching components of said wheel flange assembly at the vehicle assembly line itself is difficult. If errors are made during joining of the sub-components, it can lead to emergence of lubricant leakages, thereby reducing the life of the wheel flange assemblies.

[003] Ordinarily, this problem is resolved by forming connection between the wheel flange assembly and the wheel hub assembly by providing splined male shaft portion on the housing of the wheel flange assembly and giving a corresponding splined female receiver portion on the wheel hub assembly. The splined male shaft portion received within the spline receiver portion is fastened within the wheel hub assembly to establish a firm physical connection. Using this construction for establishing connection between the wheel flange assembly and the wheel hub assembly lengthens the designing, prototyping and testing process, as each time the shafts are to be altered, each and every part associated with them has to be changed and tested as well. Therefore, given this factual background, there is need for a wheel flange assembly that can be easily and conveniently connected with wheel hub assembly without creating any lubricant leakage and vibration issues. This wheel flange assembly must also be easy to modify to allow it to be used with different shafts (i.e. the shafts of different makes of vehicles and/or the shafts with different number of meshing splines thereon), with minimum expenditure of time, money and efforts for prototyping and testing the altered components if and when the shaft is changed.

Objectives of the Present Invention

[004] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a wheel flange assembly that facilitates in establishment of a reliable connection between the driveshaft and the wheel hub assembly.

[005] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a wheel flange assembly that facilitates establishment of a leak proof and properly aligned joint between the wheel hub assembly and the wheel flange assembly.

[006] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a wheel flange assembly that can be easily modified for use with different shafts provided between the wheel hub assembly and the wheel flange assembly.

[007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a wheel flange assembly that can be easily customized to suit with the shafts of different makes of the vehicles eliminating the efforts of redesigning.

[008] Still the objective of the present invention is to provide a wheel flange assembly that is modular in nature and easy to manufacture and handling.

Brief Description of Drawings

[009] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein

[0010] Figure 1 discloses perspective view of the driveshaft assembly with wheel flange in accordance with the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 shows the exploded view of driveshaft assembly with wheel flange as per the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3a and 3b presents the exploded view and sectional view, respectively of the wheel flange assembly of a driveshaft as per the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the cut sectional view of the driveshaft with wheel flange assembly of the invention.

[0014] Figure 5a and 5b shows the cut view and sectional view, respectively of the wheel flange assembly of the invention coupled with wheel hub assembly of a vehicle.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

[0015] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which must not be viewed as restricting the scope and ambit of the invention. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle comprises of a wheel flange adaptor (5), a wheel flange mouth (10), a spring cup (15), fastening means (20), a spring (25), a retainer ring (30), a bellow hub (35), a joint (40), a bellow (43), and a clamp (45).

[0016] Referring to Figs. 3a and 3b, the wheel flange adaptor (5) is configured to have a hollow cylindrical shape with a stepped internal and external profile. The stepped profile being formed due to provision of at least three sections (5A, 5B and 5C) on the wheel flange adaptor (5) with each of the section having internal and external diameters different from the other sections. The sectioning of the wheel flange adaptor (5) as mentioned above gives it an ideal profile that makes the wheel flange adaptor (5) strong enough to comfortably handle the applied stresses during vehicle operation. Further, this sectional profile allows the wheel flange adaptor (5) to easily accommodate the interfaces, particularly the shaft (70) of the wheel hub assembly. The first section (5A) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) has a lesser external diameter than the second section (5B) and is provided with an inside curved surface that is portioned into an un-splined inner curved surface (5AUS) provided along an open end (5AO) of the first section (5A) and a splined curved surface (5AS) that continues into the inside curved surface of the second section (5B). The splined shaft (70) coming from a wheel hub assembly (70W) is received within the open end (5AO) of the first section (5A). The shaft (70) so received is rotationally locked with the wheel flange adaptor (5) through the splines given on the splined curved surface (5AS).
[0017] The second section (5B) transitions into the third section (5C) that has a larger external diameter than the second section (5B). The inner diameter of the third section (5C) increases continuously from a transition plane (X-X) where second section (5B) merges with the third section (5C) up till a transition plane (Y-Y) where the wheel flange adaptor (5) is in contact with an outer surface at one end of the wheel flange mouth (10). A rim (5R) is provided along the open end of the third section (5C) and said rim (5R) is connected with a rim (10R) provided on an outer curved surface of the wheel flange mouth (10) by fastening means (20). The rims (5R and 10R) are provided with overlapping openings (5RH and 10RH). The fastening means (20) joining the wheel flange adaptor (5) with the wheel flange mouth (10) through the respective rim is preferably a bolt. However, said fastening means can be pins, rivets or any other similar removable fastening means. Providing fastening means (20), preferably bolts, allow the wheel flange adaptor (5) to get connected with the wheel flange mouth (10) on the vehicle assembly line after proper fastening of the shaft (70) received in the first section (5A) has already taken place. The shaft (70) received in the first section (5A) passes through the splined curved surface (5AS) of the first and second section (5A & 5B) and is received and fastened/secured in the third section (5C) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) by using fastening means (70N) such as a circlip, nut and the like, most preferably the nut (70N).

[0018] The wheel flange mouth (10) has a hollow cylindrical shape with a closed end (10CE) and an open end (10HE). The closed end (10CE) has a central opening (10CH) in which the spring cup (15) is located and fixed there. A profiled circular projection (10CHP) from the central opening (10CH) proceeds into the third section (5C) and supports and aligns the curved inside surface of the third section (5C) with the central opening (10CH). This profiled circular projection (10CHP) therefore facilitates proper coaxial alignment between the wheel flange adaptor (5) and the wheel flange mouth (10) during vehicle level assembly. The wheel flange adaptor (5) at its rim (5R) provided along the open end of the third section (5C) is connected with the wheel flange mouth (10) at its rim (10R) by the fastening means (20). The said fastening means (20) is bolt. The central opening (10CH) at the closed end (10CE) of the wheel flange mouth (10) houses and firmly hold the spring cup (15) in its position.

[0019] The spring (25) has its one end resting within the spring cup (15) and other end resting upon a shaft (80) connected within the joint (40). The joint (40) being received and rotationally locked with the inside curved surface of the wheel flange mouth (10). The joint (40) between the wheel flange mouth (10) and the torque input shaft (80), are selected from bipod joint, tripod joint, CV joint (constant velocity joint) or any other known joint capable of permitting articulation so that shock absorbers/suspension units provided on the vehicle can work without any unwanted restriction to their degree of freedom. The wheel flange assembly (100) is therefore versatile and can be used with any of the known joints capable of articulation.

[0020] The retainer ring (30) (refer Fig. 2) is positioned at the open end (10HE) of the wheel flange mouth (10) and the bellow hub (35) located upon the retainer ring (30). A sub-section of said bellow hub (35) is received and locked into its location within an annular recess (10AR) given on the outer surface of the wheel flange mouth (10) along the open end (10HE). The bellow (43) has a cylindrical portion (43C) that is positioned on the outer curved surface of the bellow hub (35) and locked in its postion by means of the clamp (45) that sandwiches a sub-section of the cylindrical portion (43C) of the bellow (43) between the clamp (45) itself and the bellow hub (35). The spring cup (15) considered along with the above described components forms a closed chamber within the wheel flange mouth (10) in which the lubricant can be filled and properly isolated after assembly of the wheel flange assembly (100) is completed.

[0021] The wheel flange assembly so described allows a torque input shaft (80) connected to the wheel flange assembly (100) via joint (40) to transmit torque through the wheel flange mouth (10) and the fastening means (20) to the wheel flange adaptor (5). Form the wheel flange adaptor (5) the torque input is transmitted to the shaft (70) of the wheel hub assembly (70W) that is received within the opening (5AO). The openings (5RH and 10RH) provided on the rims (5R and 10R) of wheel flange adaptor (5) and wheel flange mouth (10), respectively are concentric and overlapping with each other. The angular distance between the consecutive openings (5RH and 10RH) provided on the rims (5R and 10R) is not more than 120 degree.

[0022] The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed embodiment provides the following technical advantages contributing to technical advancement.
- It facilitates establishment of a reliable connection between the driveshaft and the wheel hub assembly.
- It establishes a leak proof joint between the wheel hub assembly (70W) and the wheel flange assembly (100) and maintains the shaft (70) in a coaxial setup between the wheel hub assembly and the wheel flange assembly.
- It provides a wheel flange assembly that can be easily modified for use with different shafts between the wheel hub assembly and the wheel flange assembly.
- It provides a wheel flange assembly that is easy to assemble on the vehicle at the assembly line.
- It provides a wheel flange adaptor that can be easily repaired/replaced during the maintenance, breakdown or when the attachment section of the shaft received within the wheel flange adaptor is altered.
- The profiled circular projection of the wheel flange mouth of the wheel flange assembly facilitates effortless coaxial alignment between a wheel flange adaptor and a wheel flange mouth during vehicle level assembly.

[0023] The disclosed invention hence overcomes the limitation of the wheel flange assemblies forming the current state of the art. The joint provided inside the wheel flange mouth can be changed to other conventional joints as long as it allows the received input shaft to articulate by a required angle. Similarly, fastening means utilized in the wheel flange assembly can also be replaced with other known fastening means capable of resisting torsional loads. For this reason, replacement of these components with other known joints/fastening means/components must not be viewed as placing a given device outside the scope of this invention.

[0024] 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 embodiment herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiment, 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 flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle comprising of a wheel flange adaptor (5), a wheel flange mouth (10), a spring cup (15), fastening means (20, 70N), a spring (25), a retainer ring (30), a bellow hub (35), a joint (40), a bellow (43) and a clamp (45); wherein,
- the wheel flange adaptor (5) has a hollow cylindrical shape with a plurality of stepped profiles (5A, 5B and 5C); the open end of the stepped profiled structure (5C) is provided with a rim (5R); and said rim (5R) is provided with a plurality of openings (5RH);
- the wheel flange mouth (10) has a hollow cylindrical shape with a closed end (10CE) and an open end (10HE); said closed end (10CE) has a central opening (10CH) and a rim (10R) on an outer curved surface of the wheel flange mouth (10); and the rim (10R) is provided with a plurality of openings (10RH);
- the wheel flange adaptor (5) at its rim (5R) provided along the open end of the third section (5C) is connected with the wheel flange mouth (10) at its rim (10R) by the fastening means (20);
- the central opening (10CH) at the closed end (10CE) of the wheel flange mouth (10) houses and firmly hold the spring cup (15) in its position;
- the spring (25) has its one end resting within the spring cup (15) and other end resting upon a shaft (80) connected within the joint (40); and
- said joint (40) being received and rotationally locked with the inside curved surface of the wheel flange mouth (10).

2. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each of the stepped profiled sections (5A, 5B and 5C) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) has internal and external diameters different from the other sections;
- the first section (5A) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) has a lesser external diameter than the second section (5B) and is provided with an inside curved surface that is portioned into an un-splined inner curved surface (5AUS) and a splined curved surface (5AS);
- the second section (5B) transitions into the third section (5C); and
- the third section (5C) has a larger external diameter than the second section (5B) and an inner diameter that increases continuously from a transition plane (X-X) where second section (5B) merges with the third section (5C) up till a transition plane (Y-Y) where the wheel flange adaptor (5) connects with an outer surface of the wheel flange mouth (10).

3. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- the un-splined inner curved surface (5AUS) is provided along an open end (5AO) of the first section (5A) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) and the splined curved surface (5AS) continues into the inside curved surface of the second section (5B);
- a profiled circular projection (10CHP) from the central opening (10CH) of the wheel flange mouth (10) proceeds into the third section (5C) and supports and aligns the curved inside surface of the third section (5C) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) with the central opening (10CH); and
- the outer surface of the wheel flange mouth (10) along its open end (10HE) has an annular recess (10AR).

4. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- the retainer ring (30) is positioned at the open end (10HE) of the wheel flange mouth (10);
- the bellow hub (35) is located upon the retainer ring (30) and a sub-section of the bellow hub (35) is received and locked into its location within an annular recess (10AR) of the wheel flange mouth (10); and
- the bellow (43) has a cylindrical portion (43C) that is positioned on the outer curved surface of the bellow hub (35) and locked in its postion by means of the clamp (45) in such way that a sub-section of the cylindrical portion (43C) of the bellow (43) is sandwiched between the clamp (45) and the bellow hub (35).

5. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein
- the openings (5RH and 10RH) provided on the rims (5R and 10R) of wheel flange adaptor (5) and wheel flange mouth (10), respectively are concentric and overlapping with each other; and
- the angular distance between the consecutive openings (5RH and 10RH) provided on the rims (5R and 10R) is not more than 120 degree.

6. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shaft (70) is received in the first section (5A), passes through the splined curved surface (5AS) of the first and second section (5A & 5B) and is received and secured in the third section (5C) of the wheel flange adaptor (5) a fastening means (70N), preferably a nut (70N).

7. The wheel flange assembly (100) for driveshaft of a vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein
- the fastening means (20) to connect the wheel flange adaptor (5) and wheel flange mouth (10) at their respective rims (5R and 10R) are bolts; and
- the joint (40) being received and rotationally locked inside curved surface of the wheel flange mouth (10) and connecting it with the torque input shaft (80) is selected from the set of bipod joint, tripod joint and CV joint.

Dated this 10th day of May 2022

Sahastrarashmi Pund
Head – IPR
Endurance Technologies Ltd.

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai.