Bearing apparatus for a driving wheel of vehicle

• US 7,255,482 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce; William C.
• Application Number:
  US10/633,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20040022471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,471 Days
• Field of Search: 384/544, 474/178, 474/182, 292/45, 292/56, 29258-261, 292/63, 292/64, 292/66, 464/178, 464/182
• US Class Current: 384/544
• 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 27/0026 of the radial type, e.g. splined key
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0042 characterised by the fixation of the homokinetic joint to the hub
• 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 35/062 Dismounting of ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 35/0635 the bore of the inner ring being of special non-cylindrical shape which co-operates with a complementary shape on the shaft, e.g. teeth, polygonal sections
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53848 having screw operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53883 Screw threaded work-engager

Abstract

A bearing apparatus for a vehicle driving wheel has a pre-loading mechanism formed in the serration fitted portion between the stem portion of the outer joint member and the wheel hub. A fastening member combines the wheel hub and the outer joint member. A releasing member, adapted to be arranged on the wheel hub, enables removal of the fastening mechanism.

Claims

1. A bearing apparatus for a vehicle driving wheel comprising:

a double row rolling bearing;

a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange at one end and having a cylindrical stepped portion of smaller diameter axially extending from the other end of the wheel hub;

an inner ring fitted on the stepped portion of the smaller diameter of the wheel hub, said inner ring being secured on the wheel hub through a caulked portion formed by plastically deforming the end of the stepped portion radially outwardly;

an outer joint member having a shoulder adapted to be abutted to the end surface of the caulked portion and a stem portion axially extending from the shoulder, the outer joint member being inserted in the wheel hub via a serration fitted portion to attain a detachable engagement with the wheel hub;

a pre-loading means formed in the serration fitted portion between the stem portion of the outer joint member and the wheel hub;

a fastening means for combining the wheel hub and the outer joint member, said fastening means including a fastener and a bore in said outer joint member for receiving said fastener; and

a releasing means adapted to be arranged on an inner surface of the wheel hub for removing the outer joint member from the wheel hub, said releasing means utilizing said bore for removing said outer joint member.

2. A bearing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the serration fitted portion is pre-loaded by providing the serration of the stem portion of the outer joint member with a helix angle of a predetermined angle relative to the axis of the stem portion.

3. A bearing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer end surface of the wheel hub is formed with an internal thread, and the wheel hub and the outer joint member are united using a plate having a circular aperture formed at a position corresponding to said internal thread and a central aperture formed with an internal thread, abutting the plate on said outer end surface of the wheel hub, and finally screwing a securing bolt into said internal thread formed in said shaft of the outer joint member through the central aperture of the plate.

4. A bearing apparatus of claim 1 wherein an elastic ring is fitted in an annular space formed between the end surface of the inner ring and the shoulder of the outer joint member, one end of a pulsar ring arranged on the shoulder of the outer joint member engaging the elastic ring.