The orbital riveting process has been successively adopted in the assembly of wheel hub bearing, due to its special merits of high efficiency, low cost, and so on. The forming process and deformation behavior of the inner ring have significant influence on the axial clamping force and bearing clearance, however, which haven’t been addressed yet. In this study, a numerical simulation platform for the assembly of the hub bearing is established by the joint use of the static implicit and dynamic explicit algorithms. Based on the platform, the deformation process and deformation behavior of the inner ring are investigated, along with the interference assembly and riveting assembly on the loading process of the inner ring. Finally, relevant experimental verifications are carried out to consolidate the simulation results. The research findings could be used to guide the design and optimization of the axial clamping force and bearing clearance.

Aiming at analyzing the load characteristics and friction torque of triple-row hub bearings for new energy vehicles, this work established a comprehensive theoretical and experimental methodology for predicting the internal load distribution and friction torque. Firstly, considering the preload effect via an initial negative clearance, deformation coordination and force balance equations for the triple-row bearing under axial load were formulated, to analyze the external loads under various driving conditions. Based on contact deformation theory, a quasi-static model was developed to combine radial, axial, and moment loads. The Newton–Raphson iterative algorithm was employed to solve the ball load distribution equations, and the correctness was verified by using the finite element method. Furthermore, accounting for the elastic hysteresis, differential sliding, and spin sliding, the theoretical models for friction torque components were established, to investigate the influence of structural parameters and the total friction torque under different driving conditions. Finally, to confirm the effectiveness and the precision of the model, a finite element simulation and experimental measurements of friction torque were conducted, respectively, which showed good agreement with theoretical calculations. The main innovations include proposing a mechanical modeling method for triple-row hub bearings that accounts for preload effects, and establishing an integrated friction torque analysis model applicable to multiple driving conditions. This work provides theoretical support and a methodological foundation for the design of next-generation hub bearings for new energy vehicles.

This study examines the electrochemical behavior and slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) properties of 67Si2CrNiAlMnMoCu steel featuring a multiphase nanobainitic microstructure consisting of bainitic ferrite (BF), retained austenite (RA), and martensite (M). Electrochemical measurements reveal that both the corrosion tendency and dissolution rate decrease with extended austempering time, with the sample austempered at 220 °C for 21 h showing the lowest corrosion susceptibility. SSRT results indicate that specimens with a nearly fully bainitic microstructure exhibit increased strength sensitivity to stress corrosion. Notably, the specimen austempered at 240 °C for 9 h demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance while retaining favorable overall mechanical properties, exhibiting a tensile strength-based stress corrosion cracking sensitivity coefficient as low as 4.1%.

The face teeth of wheel hub bearing are manufactured using a two-step rotary riveting forming process. Controlling the forming force and improving the tooth profile fullness are critical, as these factors directly affect bearing performance. This study employs DEFORM finite element simulation combined with experimental verification to analyze the influence of structural and process parameters – including blank dimensions, pre-riveting state, feed rate, spindle rotation speed, and riveting inclination angle – on the forming force and tooth profile fullness. Optimal structural and process parameters are thereby determined. The results indicate that among blank structural parameters, wall thickness has the greatest impact on tooth profile fullness, followed by inner corner radius, with outer corner radius having the least effect. Optimized blank dimensions improve profile fullness and reduce forming force. The pre-riveting state significantly influences the tooth forming process, a fully riveted state reduces axial forming force by 24.9 % compared to a non-riveted state and markedly improves profile fullness. A smaller feed rate and higher spindle speed reduce forming force and improve profile fullness, but may cause flash at the tooth outer edge. Conversely, excessive feed rate and low spindle speed reduce profile fullness. Experimental verification shows that optimized process parameters increase tooth profile fullness by 4.6 % to 96.2 % and reduce forming force by 17.8 % compared to pre-optimization conditions, confirming the effectiveness of the parameter optimization.