Vehicle Wheel Bearing Apparatus

• US 20080159673A1
• Filed: 01/27/2005
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Muranaka, Masahiro, Nullmeier, Daniel, Sokolowsky, Detlef
• Application Number:
  US11/795,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20080159673A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/448
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/001 with roller-bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/386 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/7813 for tapered roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/7886 mounted outside the gap between the inner and outer races, e.g. sealing rings mounted to an end face or outer surface of a race
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/326 with means for detecting or measuring relative rotation of the two elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/487 delivered by rotating magnets

Abstract

A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus that protects the encoder, improves the sensing ability of the detecting sensor, prevents penetration of rain water or dust, and prevents leakage of differential gear oil has an inboard side seal (13) with an annular supporting plate (17a) fit onto the outer circumferential surface of one of the inner rings (10). A purser ring (17), having an encoder (17b), is bonded on the outer circumferential surface of the supporting plate (17a). A sealing plate (16), including an annular core member (18 and 22), is fit onto one end of the outer member (4) and covers the cylindrical portion of the encoder (17b). A lip (19a) is bonded on the core member (18 and 22) and is in sliding contact with the inner ring (10). A detecting sensor (20) is suspended from an axle housing “H” and opposes the encoder (17b) via a predetermined radial gap. Sealing lips (18b and 19c) on the sealing plate 16 are arranged between the core member (18 and 22) and the axle housing “H” to seal the detecting sensor (20).

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus comprising:

an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle;

a drive shaft inserted into the axle housing; and

a wheel bearing arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing;

said wheel bearing for a wheel comprising;

an outer member formed with outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface;

an inner member including a wheel hub and a pair of inner rings, the inner rings being formed on their outer circumferential surface with inner raceway surfaces opposite to the outer raceway surfaces;

a sealing mechanism for sealing an annular space between the inner member and the outer member;

the sealing mechanism of an inboard side of said sealing mechanism comprises an annular supporting plate fit onto the outer circumferential surface of one of the inner rings, a pulser ring having a encoder arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the supporting plate, and a sealing plate including a sealing member fit onto one end of the outer member and covering the cylindrical portion of the encoder and in sliding contact with the inner ring; and

said bearing apparatus further comprises a detecting sensor suspended from the axle housing and opposing the encoder via a predetermined gap, and sealing lips arranged between the sealing plate and the axle housing to seal the detecting sensor.