The automotive wheel hub unit is a crucial component in vehicles, integrating bearings, seals, sensors, and other components. It has the following core characteristics:
1. Integrated structure and diversified functions
Integrated design
The wheel hub unit integrates external bearings, internal bearings, wheel hubs, sealing rings, and other components into a whole, replacing the complex structure of traditional split type bearings. This design reduces the number of parts, simplifies the installation process, and improves the reliability and durability of the system.
Multi sensor integration
Modern wheel hub units often integrate wheel speed sensors, bearing temperature sensors, etc., to monitor wheel speed, bearing temperature and other parameters in real time, providing key data for vehicle control systems such as ABS (Anti lock Braking System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), enhancing driving safety.
.2. High performance materials and processes to ensure strength and lightweight
Material selection
Wheel hub units are usually made of cast iron or forged steel, and some high-end models use aluminum alloy wheel hub units to reduce weight and improve heat dissipation performance.
. The bearing part is made of high carbon Cr bearing steel or medium carbon steel to ensure high hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance. Advanced manufacturing technology: Low pressure precision casting: precision forming at 0.1Mpa low pressure, with clear contours, uniform density, and a yield rate of over 90%. It is the mainstream manufacturing method for high-quality aluminum alloy wheels.Forging process: Aluminum ingots are directly extruded into shape using a thousand ton press, with material strength more than 30% higher than casting methods, but at a higher cost, and are mostly used for high-performance vehicle models.
.Rotary forging: During the forging process, high-speed rotation forces metal molecules to form strong chains, further enhancing the strength and lightweight level of the wheel hub.
.III. Sealing and protection design, extending service life
Multi lip labyrinth seal
The hub unit adopts a multi lip labyrinth seal structure inside, effectively preventing dust, moisture, and mud from entering the bearing, keeping the lubricating grease clean, reducing wear, and extending the bearing life.
.Disposable professional lubrication
Professional grease is pre installed before leaving the factory, eliminating the need for later maintenance and reducing usage costs.
. At the same time, the sealing design prevents grease leakage and ensures long-term stable operation of the bearing.Fourth, high load capacity and stability, suitable for complex working conditions
Design of double row angular contact ball bearings
Wheel hub units often use double row angular contact ball bearing structures, which can simultaneously withstand radial loads (vehicle weight) and axial loads (lateral force during steering), ensuring stable rotation of the wheels in high-speed or complex road conditions.
.Impact and fatigue resistance
Wheel hub units need to withstand vibrations and impacts caused by uneven road surfaces, and their design needs to ensure structural safety under various working conditions, preventing fracture or deformation caused by overload or abnormal working conditions.
.Fifth, easy installation and low maintenance cost
Non adjustable clearance design
The first generation wheel hub unit has pre-set the optimal working clearance before leaving the factory, so there is no need to adjust it during installation, simplifying the assembly process and improving production efficiency.
.Modular design
The second and third generation wheel hub units have further optimized their structure. For example, the second generation integrates the outer ring with the mounting flange, while the third generation adopts an inner flange and outer flange design, making installation more convenient and improving the rigidity and reliability of the system.
.VI. Significant impact on vehicle performance
Improvement in braking performance
The larger the wheel hub size, the larger the braking system can usually be accommodated, thereby providing stronger braking performance.
. For example, large-sized wheels can be paired with larger diameter brake discs and calipers to shorten braking distance.Enhanced handling and stability
Wide wheels can be equipped with higher performance widened tires, improving the vehicle's handling and stability.
. Meanwhile, the lightweight design of the wheel hub unit helps to reduce vehicle energy consumption and improve driving performance.Seventh generation evolution, continuous technological upgrading
The first generation wheel hub unit
The outer ring integral double row bearing is set with the best clearance before leaving the factory, and adopts a multi lip labyrinth seal, which is easy to install and compact in structure.
.The second generation wheel hub unit
On the basis of the first generation, the outer ring is integrated with the mounting flange, which has higher rigidity and stronger reliability.
. The third-generation wheel hub unit adopts a double row angular contact bearing design, with flanges on both the inner and outer rings for easier installation, higher rigidity, and easy integration of anti lock braking system sensors. At present, the usage rate of third-generation wheel hub units in passenger cars is close to 100%, and their application in commercial vehicles is also steadily increasing.