Wheel rotation detecting device

• US 20050140357A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Endo, Shigeru, Takizawa, Takeshi, Mutoh, Yasushi, Sakatani, Ikunori, Momono, Tatsunobu
• Granted Patent: US 7,116,095 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/174
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/171 Detecting parameters used in the regulation; Measuring values used in the regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/329 Systems characterised by their speed sensor arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/186 with three raceways provided integrally on parts other than race rings, e.g. third generation hubs
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/525 related to temperature and heat, e.g. insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/527 related to vibration and noise
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/045 Acoustic or vibration analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/446 mounted between two axially spaced rows of rolling elements

Abstract

A sensor unit is supported on a stationary ring which does not rotate even when it is in use, and the rotation of the rotary ring can be detected by a rotation detecting sensor held within the sensor unit. Within the sensor unit, besides the rotation detecting sensor, there are disposed other sensors such as a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor, thereby being able to detect the rotation speed and the rotation number of the wheel supported on the rotary ring, and the other car driving conditions.

Claims

1. A wheel rotation detecting device, comprising:

a rolling bearing unit including;

a stationary ring supported on a suspension and being unrotatable in use;

a rotary ring supporting a wheel thereon and being rotatable with said wheel; and

a plurality of rolling elements respectively rollably interposed between a stationary side raceway formed in a peripheral surface of said stationary ring and a rotary side raceway formed in a peripheral surface of said rotary ring;

an encoder supported on said rotary ring or on a part mounted on said rotary ring and being rotatable with said rotary ring;

a first sensor supported on said stationary ring or a part mounted on said stationary ring in such a manner as to be opposed to said encoder, for detecting the rotation of said rotary ring; and

at least one second sensor for detecting the vibration of said rolling bearing unit;

further wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations in a longitudinal direction of a moving body in two directions.

2. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said second sensor is an acceleration sensor.

3. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations at least in two directions.

4. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations in three directions.

5. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said encoder is magnetized along a circumferential direction thereof and said encoder includes S and N poles disposed on a peripheral surface thereof such that said S and N poles are alternately situated at regular intervals along the circumferential direction thereof.

6. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said encoder is magnetized along a circumferential direction thereof and said encoder includes S and N poles and a non-magnetized area disposed on a peripheral surface thereof so as to repeat one another at regular intervals along the circumferential direction thereof.

7. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 5, wherein said first sensor includes a magnetic direction element and a waveform shaping circuit and does not include a permanent magnet.

8. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 2, wherein said wheel rotation detecting device further includes a variable filter passing a signal detected by said acceleration sensor, wherein the variable filter varies a removing frequency or a damping frequency in accordance with the rotation speed.

9. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second sensor is disposed within a holder holding said first sensor.

10. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 9, wherein said second sensor is disposed in series with said first sensor in an axial direction of said holder, and nearer to a base end side of said holder than said first sensor in the axial direction of said holder.

11. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 9, wherein said holder holding said first and second sensors is made of synthetic resin.

12. A wheel rotation detecting device, comprising:

a rolling bearing unit including;

a stationary ring supported on a suspension and being unrotatable in use;

a rotary ring supporting a wheel thereon and being rotatable with said wheel; and

a plurality of rolling elements respectively rollably interposed between a stationary side raceway formed in a peripheral surface of said stationary ring and a rotary side raceway formed in a peripheral surface of said rotary ring;

an encoder supported on said rotary ring or on a part mounted on said rotary ring and being rotatable with said rotary ring;

a first sensor supported on said stationary ring or a part mounted on said stationary ring in such a manner as to be opposed to said encoder, for detecting the rotation of said rotary ring; and

a second sensor for detecting the vibration of said rolling bearing unit,

further wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations in a transverse direction of a moving body in two directions.

13. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein

said second sensor is an acceleration sensor.

14. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations in said two directions.

15. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein said vibration sensor is one that detects vibrations in three directions.

16. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein said encoder is magnetized along a circumferential direction thereof and said encoder includes S and N poles disposed on a peripheral surface thereof such that said S and N poles are alternately situated at regular intervals along the circumference thereof.

17. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein said encoder is magnetized along a circumferential direction thereof and said encoder includes S and N poles and non-magnetized areas disposed on a peripheral surface thereof so as to repeat one another at regular intervals along the circumferential direction thereof.

18. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 16, wherein said first sensor includes a magnetic detection element and a waveform shaping circuit and does not include a permanent magnet.

19. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 13, wherein said wheel rotation detecting device further includes a variable filter passing a signal detected by said acceleration sensor wherein the variable filter varies a removing frequency or a damping frequency in accordance with the rotation speed.

20. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 12, wherein said second sensor is disposed within a holder holding said first sensor.

21. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 20, wherein said second sensor is disposed in series with said first sensor in an axial direction of said holder, and nearer to a base end side holder than said first sensor in the axial direction of said holder.

22. The wheel rotation detecting device according to claim 20, wherein said holder holding said first and second sensors is made of synthetic resin.