In-depth analysis of automobile hub bearings

introduction

As a key part of the automobile transmission system, the automobile hub bearing undertakes the important task of supporting the tire speed and ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the automobile. With the continuous progress of automotive technology and the improvement of consumer requirements for automobile quality, the design, manufacturing and application of wheel bearings are also constantly developing and optimizing. This paper will comprehensively analyze the structure, working principle, type, installation and maintenance of automotive hub bearings and market trends, aiming to provide valuable reference information for relevant practitioners and car enthusiasts.

First, the structure and working principle of automobile wheel bearings

The main role of hub bearing is to load and provide accurate guidance for the rotation of the hub, it bears both axial load and radial load, is an important part of the automotive transmission system. The traditional automobile wheel bearings are composed of two sets of tapered roller bearings or ball bearings. The installation, oiling, sealing and clearance adjustment of bearings are all completed in the automobile production line. However, this structure has some disadvantages such as difficult assembly, high cost and poor reliability.

In order to overcome these shortcomings, hub bearing units came into being. Hub bearing unit is developed on the basis of standard angular contact ball bearing and tapered roller bearing, it takes two sets of bearings as one, has the advantages of good assembly performance, can omit clearance adjustment, light weight, compact structure, large load capacity and so on. In addition, the hub bearing unit is a sealed bearing, which can be pre-loaded with grease, thus omitting the external hub seal and achieving the convenience of being free from maintenance.

The working principle of hub bearings is to use the steel ball to roll in the inner ring, outer ring or flange raceway, bearing and relative rotation, so that the car can run. In the process of driving, hub bearings need to withstand the axial and radial load from the tire, while ensuring the accurate rotation of the hub to ensure the stability and safety of the car.

Second, the type and development of automotive hub bearings

With the continuous development of automotive technology, the types of hub bearings are also constantly updated. At present, hub bearings have developed to the fourth generation, each generation has its own unique characteristics and advantages.

First generation hub bearing

The first generation of hub bearings consists of double row angular contact bearings, which are relatively simple in structure, but have been able to meet the basic load bearing and rotation guidance needs. However, in terms of assembly and maintenance, there are still some shortcomings in the first generation of hub bearings, such as difficult assembly and high maintenance costs.

Second generation hub bearing

The second generation of hub bearings adds a flange for fixing the bearing on the outer raceway, so that the bearing can simply be placed on the wheel shaft and fixed with a nut. This improvement greatly simplifies the maintenance process of the vehicle and improves the maintenance efficiency. At the same time, the structure and material of the second generation hub bearings are also optimized, which improves the bearing capacity and service life of the bearings.

Third generation hub bearing

The third generation of wheel hub bearing adopts the design of bearing unit and anti-lock brake system ABS. The hub unit is designed with an inner flange and an outer flange, the inner flange is bolted to the drive shaft, and the outer flange installs the entire bearing together. This design not only improves the integration and reliability of the bearing, but also allows the ABS sensor to be more easily installed on the bearing, enabling more precise braking control. In addition, the third generation of hub bearings also adopts the self-locking half inner ring of rolling rolling technology, which further improves the tightness and stability of bearings.

Fourth generation hub bearing

The fourth generation hub bearing makes the constant speed universal joint and bearing into a whole, which solves the defect that the size of the hub increases due to the integrated structure of the hub and the constant speed universal joint in the prior art. This improvement makes the hub bearing more compact and lightweight, while improving transmission efficiency and driving stability. At present, the development of the fourth-generation hub bearing has been successful, and it is believed that it will be able to be applied to all kinds of automobiles on a large scale in the near future.

Third, the installation and maintenance of automotive hub bearings

The installation and maintenance of automobile hub bearings is very important to ensure the normal operation and prolong the service life of bearings. The following are some precautions for hub bearing installation and maintenance:

1. Installation precautions

(1) When installing the bearing, it should be carried out in a clean and tidy environment to avoid fine particles entering the bearing interior, thereby shortening the service life of the bearing.

(2) It is not allowed to knock the bearing with a hammer, so as not to damage the bearing components or affect the bearing mating accuracy.

(3) The condition of the shaft and bearing seat should be checked before installation, even small wear will lead to poor fit, resulting in early failure of the bearing.

(4) For bearings requiring greater pressure, special tools should be used for installation to ensure the accuracy and safety of installation.

2. Maintenance precautions

(1) Often check the wear of the bearing, including early warning signals such as friction noise during rotation or abnormal deceleration of the suspension combination wheel when turning.

(2) When replacing the brake system, the bearing should be checked and the oil seal replaced to ensure the tightness and lubricity of the bearing.

(3) If you hear the noise from the bearing part, you should find the location of the noise in time and replace the damaged bearing.

(4) For front hub bearings, because the working conditions of both sides of the bearing failure are similar, so even if only one bearing is broken, it is recommended to replace it in pairs to ensure the smoothness and safety of driving.

Fourth, the market trend and development prospects of automotive hub bearings

With the rapid development of the global automotive industry and the continuous improvement of consumers' requirements for automobile quality, the automotive hub bearing market shows the following trends:

1. The market size continues to grow

According to the latest report of the research team, the global automotive hub bearing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9% in the next few years, and will reach $9.86 billion by 2029. This increase was mainly due to the continued growth in vehicle sales and the continuous advancement of automotive technology.

2. Promotion of new energy vehicle market

With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle market, the demand for high-performance hub bearings is also increasing. The demand for bearings for new energy vehicles has increased significantly, and the performance and quality requirements for bearings are also more stringent. This has promoted wheel bearing manufacturers to continuously develop new technologies and new materials to meet the needs of the new energy vehicle market.

3. The development trend of intelligence and network

With the continuous development of intelligent connected vehicles, automotive bearings are developing in the direction of higher performance and more intelligent. Connected cars require more sensors and actuators, which require more sophisticated and reliable bearings to support them. Therefore, wheel bearing manufacturers need to constantly innovate and upgrade to meet the higher demand for bearings for intelligent networked vehicles.

4. Requirements for environmental protection and sustainable development

In response to the environmental protection and sustainable development requirements of wheel bearings, the development of new materials and manufacturing processes has been promoted. For example, the development of ceramic bearings and special material bearings can meet the needs of special working conditions such as high temperature and high speed, while reducing the impact on the environment. In addition, manufacturers are constantly exploring more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and recycling technologies to achieve sustainable development of wheel bearings.

V. Conclusion

As a key part of the automobile transmission system, the performance and quality of the automobile hub bearing are directly related to the overall performance and service life of the automobile. With the continuous progress of automotive technology and the improvement of consumer requirements for automobile quality, the design, manufacturing and application of wheel bearings are also constantly developing and optimizing. In the future, the automotive hub bearing market will continue to maintain a growth trend, and show a development trend of intelligence, networking, and environmental protection. Therefore, wheel bearing manufacturers need to constantly innovate and upgrade to meet the requirements of market demand and technological development.

At the same time, for car users, it is also very important to understand the basic knowledge and maintenance methods of automotive hub bearings. Only the correct installation and maintenance of hub bearings can ensure the stability and safety of the car and extend the service life of the car.

Conclusion

As the core component of the automobile transmission system, the importance of automobile hub bearing is self-evident. With the continuous progress of automotive technology and the continuous development of the market, hub bearings will develop in the direction of higher performance, more intelligent and more environmentally friendly. We believe that in the near future, automotive hub bearings will make greater contributions to the development of the automotive industry. At the same time, we also look forward to more innovations and technological breakthroughs to promote the sustainable development of the wheel bearing industry and provide safer, more efficient and more comfortable automotive products for people's travel.

This paper comprehensively analyzes the structure, working principle, type, installation and maintenance of automotive hub bearings and market trends, aiming to provide readers with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding. It is hoped that this paper can provide valuable reference information for relevant practitioners and automobile enthusiasts, and promote the continuous progress and development of automobile hub bearing technology.