Investigation on clinching assembly process of automobile wheel hub bearings

In this study, a precise and high-efficient clinching assembly strategy was proposed to improve the automobile wheel hub bearing's reliability of service quality consistency. The structure of the wheel hub bearing was first improved to enable the requirement of axial working clearance. During assembly, the accuracy of each bearing was monitored online via micro-laser sensor to achieve precise and consistent axial working clearance. The effect of processing parameters were analyzed via simulation analysis. According to simulation results, it only cost 2.35 s to complete assembly process and the optimal clamping force of 38.8 kN was generated. The prototype bearings were manufactured and exhibited a reliable service life of more than 250,000 km, which verified the reasonability of the proposed clinching assembly strategy. Additionally, the assembly mechanism was further analyzed. The ferrite in the clinched hub shaft end was gradually lengthened and the cementite aggregation was improved.