Sensor holder with a wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus including an annular fitting member in the sensor holder and a seal positioned between the annular fitting member and an outer circumference of an inner ring

• US 8,054,064 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2009
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Fukada, Kikuo, Suzuki, Syougo, Kawamura, Hiroshi, Norimatsu, Takayuki, Ono, Yujiro
• Primary Examiner(s): PATIDAR, JAY M
• Application Number:
  US12/486,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 324/174, 384/448
• US Class Current: 324/174
• 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 33/7886 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: G01P 1/026 for speed measuring devices, e.g. pulse generator
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C

Abstract

A sensor holder has an encoder and a wheel speed sensor arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined air gap. An annular fitting member is formed by pressing an anti-corrosive steel plate. A holding portion is formed of injection moldable synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the annular fitting member. The annular fitting member includes a cylindrical portion axially extending from an incline portion. A seal is arranged inboard of the sensor and fit between the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member and the outer circumference of the inner ring. The wheel speed sensor is embedded in the holding portion. At least a surface of the annular fitting member contacting the holding portion is roughened by shot blasting to have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 or more.

Claims

1. A wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus comprising:

an outer member integrally formed on its outer circumference, with a body mounting flange, said body mounting flange to be mounted on a suspension apparatus of a vehicle, said outer member inner circumference including double row outer raceway surfaces;

an inner member includes a wheel hub and at least one inner ring, said wheel hub integrally formed at one end with a wheel mounting flange, a cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange, the inner ring is press fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub, the wheel hub and the inner ring are formed, on their outer circumferences, with double row inner raceway surfaces opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces;

double row rolling elements are contained between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members; and

a wheel speed detecting apparatus for detecting a wheel rotation speed of a vehicle including an encoder fit onto the outer circumference of the inner ring, an annular fitting member of a sensor holder is press fit onto the end of the outer member, the annular fitting member includes a first cylindrical fitting portion press fit onto the outer circumference of the outer member, a flange portion extending radially inward from the fitting portion, an inclined portion angularly extending radially inward from the flange portion, a second cylindrical portion axially extending from the inclined portion, and that a seal is arranged at the inboard side of the sensor fit between the inner circumference of the second cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member and the outer circumference of the inner ring; and

at least a surface of the annular fitting member contacting the holding portion is roughened by shot blasting to have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 or more.

2. The wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said seal comprises an annular sealing plate and a slinger, each formed with an L-shaped cross-section and are arranged in an annular opening formed between the cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member and the inner ring so that they oppose each other, and said sealing plate comprises a metal core fit into the cylindrical portion of the annular fitting member, and a sealing member integrally bonded to the metal core, via vulcanized adhesion, and having a side lip slidably contacting the slinger.

3. The wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein a step is formed between the outer circumference of the holding portion and the outer circumference of the annular fitting member.

4. The wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein said step has an annular configuration with a constant width along the circumference of the holding portion.