Rolling bearing unit for road wheel

• US 6,217,220 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Ouchi, Hideo, Ohkuma, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US09/429,041
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 384/477, 384/480, 384/484-486, 384/488, 384/489, 384/448, 384/544, 384/589, 301/105.1, 301/108.1, 301/108.3
• US Class Current: 384/489
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/00 Hubs non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0005 with ball bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0068 the element being a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0073 characterised by sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0084 caulking to fix inner race
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0094 one or more of the bearing races are formed by the hub
• 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 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/723 Shaft end sealing means, e.g. cup-shaped caps or covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles

Abstract

A hub (4) for supporting a non-driven road wheel has a hole section formed to have an opening in the central portion at either end of the hub. A tone wheel (19) is fitted onto the shoulder portion of an inner ring (5) fixed to the axially inner end of the hub 4, and has a function to work as a seal member, such that the opening at the axially inner end of the hole (8, 63a) is covered. In addition, a cap (27) is fitted into the axially outer end of the hub (4) to cover the opening at the axially outer end of the hole (8, 63b).

Claims

1. A rolling bearing unit for a road wheel comprising;

a stationary outer ring with first and second ends having an outer peripheral surface formed with a first installation flange and an inner peripheral surface formed with an outer ring raceway,

a rotatable hub with first and second ends having an outer peripheral surface formed with a second installation flange at the second end thereof for supporting the road wheel and an inner ring raceway at an axial middle portion thereof,

a plurality of rolling members rotatably provided between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway,

a first seal member for providing a shield for the opening at the first end of the outer ring, and

a second seal member in a ring shape for providing a shield between the opening portion at the second end of the outer ring and the outer peripheral surface of the axial middle portion of the hub,

the hub having a hole section formed to have an opening in the central portion at either end of the hub, thereof

a third seal member provided within a space isolated by the first seal member from outside to provide a shield between the opening of the hole section at the first end of the hub and the portion where the rolling members are located between the outer peripheral surface of the hub and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and

a fourth seal member for covering the opening of the hole section at the second end of the hub.

2. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of claim 1, wherein the third seal member forms a labyrinth seal between the opening of the hole section at the first end of the hub and the portion where the rolling members are located between the outer peripheral surface of the hub and the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.

3. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of claim 1, wherein the first and third members are made from the same member.

4. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner ring raceway is formed directly on the hub.

5. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub has an inner ring fitted thereon with the inner ring raceway formed on the inner ring.

6. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of claim 2, wherein the first and third members are made from the same member.

7. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of claim 6, wherein the inner ring raceway is formed directly on the hub.

8. The rolling bearing unit for road wheel of claim 6, wherein the hub has an inner ring fitted thereon with the inner ring raceway formed on the inner ring.