Wheel hub assembly fixture

{
  "publication_number": "US6634266B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Wheel hub assembly fixture",
  "abstract": "A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion having a bore formed therethrough. The fixture assembly includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism and a lower end opposite the upper end. The puller member has an encasing disposed therearound. The encasing has a lower portion for engaging a bearing of the wheel hub assembly and an upper portion in communication with the top portion. The fixture assembly also includes a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly generally upward such that a surface of the bearing engages the lower end of the puller member. The lift mechanism is engageable with the lower end of the puller member such that the drive mechanism will rotate the puller member and the lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing of a flange face of the wheel hub, comprising: a top portion having a bore formed therethrough; a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism and a lower end opposite said upper end; an encasing which is disposed around said puller member, said encasing having a lower portion for engaging a bearing of the wheel hub assembly and an upper portion in communication with said top portion, wherein said lower portion of said encasing is moveable with respect to said puller member in order to bring a bottom surface of said lower portion into engagement with said bearing to apply a preload thereto; and a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly generally upward such that a surface of said bearing engages said lower end of said encasing, said lift mechanism being engageable with said lower end of said puller member such that said drive mechanism will rotate said puller member and said lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.",
    "2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said lift mechanism comprises a bayonet which is inserted into a bore formed in the assembly.",
    "3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said bayonet includes a head portion having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of said bore in order to effectuate lifting of the assembly.",
    "4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said bayonet includes a stem portion that is matingly receivable within a recess formed in said lower end of said puller member to assist in applying a preload to said bearing during the final finishing process.",
    "5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said movement of said lower portion of said encasing is hydraulically controlled.",
    "6. A fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing of a flange face of the wheel hub, comprising: a puller member having an outer housing, said outer housing intended to engage a bearing of the wheel hub assembly to apply a force thereto, said outer housing being moveable with respect to said puller member in order to bring a bottom surface of said outer housing into engagement with said bearing to apply a preload thereto; a drive mechanism for causing a wheel hub of the wheel hub assembly to rotate with respect to said bearing; and a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly upward such that a surface of said bearing contacts said outer housing, said lift mechanism being engageable with said puller member such that said drive mechanism will rotate said puller member and said lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.",
    "7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said lift mechanism includes a bayonet which is inserted into a bore formed in the assembly.",
    "8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said bayonet has a head portion with a diameter that is larger than a diameter of said bore in order to effectuate lifting of the assembly.",
    "9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said bayonet has a neck portion that extends from said head portion and through said assembly bore.",
    "10. A fixture assembly for receiving a wheel hub assembly having a wheel hub flange face, a wheel hub neck portion, and a bearing, the assembly comprising: a rotating member that is intended to be received within said wheel hub neck portion, said rotating member being inserted into said neck portion from a rear side adjacent said bearing; a housing portion disposed about and moveable with respect to said rotating member in order to bring a bottom surface of said housing portion into engagement with said bearing to secure it while allowing rotation of said wheel hub; a drive mechanism that is in communication with said rotating member causing it to rotate with respect to said housing portion; and a hub assembly movement mechanism being engageable with said bearing to allow the wheel hub assembly to be moved such that said bearing engages said housing portion, said hub assembly movement mechanism being releasably engageable with said rotating member such that said drive mechanism will cause said rotating member and said hub assembly movement mechanism to rotate together thereby turning said wheel hub to allow final finishing of said wheel hub flange face.",
    "11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said hub assembly movement mechanism lifts the hub assembly.",
    "12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said hub assembly movement mechanism consists of a bayonet.",
    "13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said bayonet includes a head portion that is larger than the diameter of said neck portion in order to effectuate the lifting of the assembly.",
    "14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the fixture assembly is incorporated into a lathe machine."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to motor vehicle wheel end components. More particularly, the present invention relates to a knuckle/hub assembly having a unique assembly and manufacturing process for reducing lateral run-out and a unique apparatus for machining the rotor-mounting flange surface of the wheel hub.\n\nMost motor vehicles today include disc brake systems for the front axle wheel assemblies and many further include disc brakes at the rear axle position. The disc brake rotor is a circular metal disc having opposed braking surfaces that are clamped by brake pads carried by a brake caliper to exert a braking effect. The wheel hub typically incorporates an anti-friction wheel bearing assembly in which one race of the bearing is coupled to the vehicle suspension and the other rotationally mounts the wheel hub, the brake rotor and wheel. Ordinarily, the rotating components of the rotor and hub assembly are manufactured separately and assembled together. This enables the brake rotor to be serviced and replaced if necessary during use. Moreover, the desired material characteristics for a brake rotor and the hub components are different. Although efforts to integrate these components have been proposed, such an approach has not found widespread acceptance.\n\nIn order to enhance performance of the braking system, it is desired to carefully and accurately control the dimensional characteristics of the rotor braking surfaces as the rotor rotates. The thickness variation of the disc and the lateral run-out or lateral deflection of the surfaces as they rotate need to be held to minimum tolerances.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16D 65/12",
    "B23B 2235/04",
    "B23B 2235/21",
    "B23B 5/04",
    "B60B 27/00",
    "B62D 7/18",
    "F16D 2065/1384",
    "Y10T 279/33",
    "Y10T 29/49533",
    "Y10T 29/49535",
    "Y10T 29/49696",
    "Y10T 29/497",
    "Y10T 29/49904",
    "Y10T 29/53104",
    "Y10T 82/26",
    "Y10T 82/266"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23B 5/04",
    "B62D 7/18",
    "F16D 65/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Simpson Industries Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Daniel Brinker",
    "Brian Elzerman",
    "Ben Merrill",
    "Robert Veldman"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2001-12-14",
  "publication_date": "2003-10-21",
  "grant_date": "2003-10-21",
  "priority_date": "1999-05-28",
  "application_number": "US-1658901-A",
  "family_id": "26834390",
  "cited_by_count": 11,
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}