Wheel bearing device

• US 6,969,201 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Tajima, Eiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US10/457,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 384/544, 384/589, 384/537, 384/912, 384/913, 298/980.61, 298/980.62, 298/980.64, 298/980.7
• US Class Current: 384/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/00 Hubs non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/185 with two raceways provided integrally on a part other than a race ring, e.g. a shaft or housing
• 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 19/187 with all four raceways integrated on parts other than race rings, e.g. fourth generation hubs
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/62 Selection of substances
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/22326 Attachments to the outer joint member, i.e. attachments to the exterior of the outer joint member or to the shaft of the outer joint member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/223 the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 384/913 Metallic compounds

Abstract

A wheel bearing device at low cost with higher durability is provided. An outer joint member of a constant velocity joint is fitted to an inner periphery of a wheel hub, and the outer joint member and the wheel hub are united by plastic deformation in radially outward direction of a stem part of the outer joint member. The outer joint member is made of a steel material chiefly comprising iron, 0.5 to 0.7 weight % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.5 weight % of silicon, 0.6 to 1.0 weight % of manganese, and inevitable impurities.

Claims

1. A wheel bearing device comprising:

an outer member formed with double-row outer races on an inner periphery thereof;

an inner member having a wheel hub having a flange for attachment of a wheel and a fitting member fitted to either one of an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the wheel hub, the inner member being formed with double-row inner races on an outer surface thereof, one of the wheel hub and the fitting member that is located inside being expanded radially outward by plastic deformation, thereby uniting the wheel hub and the fitting member; and

double-row rollers interposed between the outer races and inner races, wherein at least one of the wheel hub and the fitting member is made of a steel material comprising iron, 0.5 to 0.7 weight % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.5 weight % of silicon, 0.6 to 1.0 weight % of manganese, and inevitable impurities, wherein said steel material has an austenite grain size number of 3 or more.

2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein said steel material contains silicon in an amount of 0.6 to 1.2% by weight.

3. The wheel bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the fitting member is an outer joint member of a constant velocity joint, and the double-row inner races are formed on outer peripheries of the wheel hub and the outer joint member.

4. The wheel bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the fitting member is an inner ring fitted to the outer periphery of the wheel hub.

5. The wheel bearing device according to claim 4, wherein the double-row inner races are formed on outer peripheries of the wheel hub and the inner ring.

6. The wheel bearing device according to claim 4, wherein the double-row inner races are formed on outer peripheries of two inner rings fitted to the outer periphery of the wheel hub.