2012

[For lighter, higher performance hub bearings and CVJs. Can be produced on current assembly lines]

NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) has developed the “Press Cut Spline Hub Joint” that allows for a lighter weight and eliminates any backlash that often occurs in fittings through the use of a proprietary “press-cut spline method^*1” designed specifically for hub joints and constant velocity joints (hereafter, CVJ^*2).

Lower fuel consumption has become a high priority issue in the global automotive industry, and one way to achieve this is using lighter weight components for the various systems used throughout a vehicle. Another issue that required addressing was methods used to eliminate backlash between the mating surfaces of hub bearings and CVJ, and to limit stick-slip noise^*3 that is often generated with conventional assembly methods.

The newly developed “Press Cut Spline Hub Joint” reduces weight drastically and delivers higher performance based on a new joint method developed based on NTN's high technical capabilities as a manufacturer of both hub bearings and CVJs. Utilizing a proprietary press-cut spline joint for the pre-spline (the smaller spline) inside bore surface of hub bearing reduces the load required for the fitting, and features a bolt to fasten the hub joint and CVJ together. This allows the newly developed product to be used on automobile manufacturer assembly lines without having to change the current 3^rd generation hub bearing and CVJ assembly process in use today.

NTN will be exhibiting the newly developed product at the “Automotive Engineering Exposition 2012” to be held at Pacifico Yokohama between May 23 and 25, and plans to market the product globally.

*1 Press-cut spline method:
The spline teeth (pre-spline) that are smaller than the spline teeth formed on the outer circumference of outer ring stem of the CVJ have now been formed inside bore surface of the hub bearing and fastened with a bolt. This new fitting technology allows the CVJ spline teeth to be press fitted on to the hub bearing inside bore surface spline teeth while it is being assembled.

*2 CVJ: Abbreviation of Constant Velocity Joint

*3 Stick-slip noise:
Phenomenon where noise is generated from the contact surfaces of hub bearings and CVJ when torque is transferred from the CVJ to the hub bearing.

** The name of this product was changed to the name of “Press Connect Spline Hub Joint” from April 2014.

Features

(1) Lightweight	12% lighter than the current 3rd generation hub bearing + CVJ
(2) High-rigidity	uses the new press-cut fitting method eliminates backlash between the hub bearing and CVJ limits stick-slip noise
(3) Ease of assembly	same assembly as current 3rd generation hub bearing + CVJ

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Applicable Parts