Wheel bearing with a bearing element having at least one recess

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel bearing (8) for a vehicle (1), wherein the wheel bearing (8) has a space (10) which is bounded by a first bearing element (12), wherein the first bearing element (12) has a base body (13) with at least one recess (28), wherein the at least one recess (28) is closed by at least one closing element (30). The invention further relates to a bearing element (12), a method and a vehicle (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a wheel bearing with a bearing element having at least one recess. The invention further relates to a bearing element, a method, and a vehicle. State of the art Nowadays, wheel bearings for vehicles, such as road vehicles, are known in which the bearing space is defined by bearing elements in the radial and axial directions. Rolling elements of the wheel bearing are arranged within this space. The bearing elements are made of metal, for example, steel. In particular, the axial space is defined by a bearing element designed as a bearing cap. Due to the use of metal, such wheel bearings are heavy. In order to reduce weight and enable more energy-efficient operation of such a vehicle, there is therefore a need to provide such wheel bearings with the lowest possible weight or with optimal weight distribution. Furthermore, an encoder can be arranged within the space, rotating with the wheel speed and generating a wireless signal in the form of an alternating magnetic field, which is detected by a sensor located outside the space. In this way, for example, the wheel speed can be measured. The bearing elements located between the encoder and the sensor must allow the wireless signal generated by the encoder to pass through while simultaneously sealing the wheel bearing space, thus preventing, for example, the ingress of dirt. Today, with magnetically generated wireless signals, this is achieved, for example, by using special steels that allow the signal to pass through to the sensor without shielding it. One such steel is 1.4301 DIN EN 10088-2 / AISI 304, a non-ferromagnetic austenitic steel. A bearing element, such as a bearing cap, made from such a material is expensive. Therefore, there is a need to provide a more cost-effective alternative for a wheel bearing that still allows for such wireless signal transmission. Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to fulfill at least one of the aforementioned needs. Disclosure of the invention These and other problems, which will be mentioned in the following description or which can be recognized by a person skilled in the art, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. According to a first aspect of the invention, a wheel bearing for a vehicle is provided, wherein the wheel bearing has a space which is bounded by a first bearing element, wherein the first bearing element has a base body with at least one recess, wherein the at least one recess is closed with at least one closing element. The wheel bearing has, in particular, an axial direction and a radial direction. The axial direction corresponds to the direction of the axis of rotation around which a wheel coupled to the wheel bearing can rotate. Furthermore, the axis of rotation defines a circumferential direction. This can be understood as a circular direction extending around the axis of rotation. The radius of this circular direction is arbitrary. The following text refers to the axis of rotation, the axial direction, the radial direction, and the circumferential direction unless another axis or direction is explicitly described. The wheel bearing can be designed as a rolling bearing, in which the rolling elements of the wheel bearing are contained and, in particular, guided within the space. The rolling elements of the wheel bearing can be designed, in particular, as balls, tapered rollers, cylindrical rollers, or barrel rollers, or as other suitable rolling elements. The rolling elements can be arranged in one, two, or more rows within the space, whereby increasing the number of rows reduces the load on individual rolling elements, e.g., from the weight of the vehicle. The space can be limited in the axial and / or radial direction by the first bearing element and / or by further bearing elements. Individual bearing elements can be fixedly coupled to the wheel. This can be, for example, a bearing element designed as a bearing flange or bearing shaft, or a bearing ring on which individual rolling elements of the bearing are guided. Other bearing elements can be stationary, i.e., non-rotatable, by being coupled, for example, to the vehicle body. The first bearing element can be designed as a stationary bearing element, i.e., a bearing element that does not undergo any rotational movement as a result of the wheel's rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the first bearing element can be a non-load-bearing bearing element of the wheel bearing. This means that no weight forces of the vehicle, nor any forces from the vehicle's operation, are transmitted to the first bearing element. In these cases, the at least one recess in the base body does not lead to a weakening of the structure or a reduction in the load-bearing capacity of the wheel bearing, since the first bearing element is not located within a corresponding force flow of the wheel bearing. The at least one locking element can be made of a significantly lighter material than the base body. For example, the at least one locking element can be made of plastic, a light metal such as aluminum, or an elastomer, while the base body is made of a correspondingly heavier material such as steel. In this way, the first bearing element can be made correspondingly light by eliminating the need for heavier material in the base body through the at least one recess, while the at least one locking element, and in particular its material, can be chosen to be correspondingly light, so that the combination of the base body and the at least one locking element results in a correspondingly light first bearing element. The material of at least one locking element can be chosen to be more cost-effective than the material of the base body. This allows for savings in relatively expensive material for the base body, while still limiting the overall space provided by the first bearing element. The at least one closure element can be designed as a filler of the at least one recess. This means that the at least one closure element can be located essentially within the at least one recess or in an area that is at least partially enclosed by the at least one recess. In this way, material usage in the formation of the at least one closure element is achieved as precisely as possible. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one closure element can be located in front of or behind the area that is at least partially enclosed by the at least one recess. In particular, the at least one closure element can be applied as a coating to the base body, thereby creating the tightest and most secure connection possible between the at least one closure element and the base body. The at least one recess can comprise a single recess. This single recess can then be closed by the at least one closure element, which can then comprise a single closure element. The at least one recess can also comprise multiple recesses, which can be closed by a single closure element or multiple closure elements of the at least one closure element. In particular, the at least one recess can comprise multiple recesses, each closed by a separate closure element of the at least one closure element. Material of the base body can be saved by adjusting the number and / or size of the recesses of the at least one recess. The number, size, and / or arrangement of the recesses of the at least one recess can be selected to ensure the intended use of the first bearing element.In this way it is possible to provide a bearing element with reduced base body material, while at the same time the at least one closure element ensures a limitation of the space by the first bearing element. According to one embodiment, the first bearing element is designed as a bearing cover. This allows for a limitation of the space in the axial direction, particularly on the side of the space facing the vehicle. Previously known bearing covers do not have a corresponding recess. The recess allows the bearing cover to be designed according to the advantages described above. For example, the bearing cover forms a stationary bearing element. In this way, the at least one recess cannot create an undesirable imbalance in the wheel bearing if the at least one recess is not regularly spaced or aligned with the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing. Furthermore, the bearing cover does not constitute a load-bearing component. Thus, there is no risk of weakening the structure of the wheel bearing due to the at least one recess. The at least one recess can therefore be positioned relatively freely or arbitrarily on the bearing cover. According to one embodiment, a sealing element is arranged between the first bearing element and at least one further bearing element. The sealing element can, in particular, be connected to the first bearing element. The sealing element seals the connection between the first bearing element and the at least one further bearing element. In this way, the space can be appropriately sealed and enclosed. The sealing element itself can be made of or consist of an elastomer. This allows sufficient adaptation of the sealing element to the geometry of the first bearing element or the at least one further bearing element to be achieved, thus ensuring a sealing effect. The sealing element can, in particular, extend completely around the first bearing element, thereby forming a closed structure to minimize the number of seams that could reduce the sealing effect. In particular, the sealing element can be connected to the at least one closure element or formed integrally. This leads to a simplified manufacturing process for the first bearing element, as the material forming the sealing element is applied to the base body in such a way that it extends to or into the at least one recess to close it. During the manufacture of the first bearing element, an elastomer can thus flow around and / or coat the base body in a mold. Subsequently, the elastomer can be fixed, for example, by vulcanizing it, to bond the base body and the sealing element together. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the sealing element and the at least one closure element are made of different materials. Particularly when the first bearing element is designed as a bearing cap, a sealed closure of the space in the axial direction can be achieved by connecting it to at least one further bearing element, which could be a stationary bearing element such as a stationary bearing ring. In this way, the sealing element can be implemented as a static seal without relative movement in the sealing contact due to wheel rotation, resulting in a gentle design for the sealing element. According to one embodiment, the at least one sealing element is designed to be permeable to a wireless signal. In this way, a wireless signal can be transmitted through the first bearing element. The at least one recess forms a passage for the wireless signal. This makes it possible to transmit the wireless signal across the boundary of the space. The boundary of the space is formed by the first bearing element, which is designed, for example, as the bearing cover described above. The at least one sealing element ensures that the space remains sealed, so that, in particular, no contaminants can enter the space that could damage the wheel bearing, especially the raceways or rolling elements. In this way, the first bearing element ensures the sealing of the space while simultaneously enabling wireless signal transmission. The wireless signal can be generated, in particular, by an alternating magnetic field, especially in the near field. Existing bearing caps designed to be permeable to such a signal are made of a material that is completely transparent to the signal. In other words, such bearing caps do not have any cutouts through which the signal can pass. Instead, such bearing caps are made, for example, entirely of the aforementioned non-ferromagnetic austenitic steel according to 1.4301 DIN EN 10088-2 / AISI 304 to allow the signal to pass through. With the wheel bearing proposed here, thanks to the at least one cutout (if provided for signal transmission), a more cost-effective material such as steel, which is not permeable to the wireless signal and is therefore ferromagnetic, can now be used for the main body. This allows for a more cost-effective first bearing element overall, e.g.,as a bearing cap, which nevertheless allows the functionality of signal transmission. As an example of such a steel, 1.0330 / 1.0347 / 1.0338 (DC01 / DC03 / DC04 DINEN10130) can be mentioned. According to one embodiment, an encoder is arranged in the space. The encoder is configured to generate a wireless signal as described above. The encoder can be coupled to a rotatable bearing element of the wheel bearing that rotates with the wheel speed. For example, the encoder can be coupled to a bearing element designed as a bearing flange or bearing ring. In this way, the encoder can be rotated with the wheel, particularly around the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing. The signal emitted or generated by the encoder thus contains information about the wheel speed. The encoder can, in particular, include a sensor element designed to generate the signal. The sensor element can further be arranged on a support element of the encoder, which is designed to be rotationally fixed to the rotatable bearing element. The sensor element and support element can be arranged in a ring shape and coaxially with the axis of rotation. This ensures that the encoder introduces as little or no imbalance as possible around the wheel bearing. The encoder element can be designed in various ways, particularly for generating the alternating magnetic field required for signal generation. For example, the encoder can be a multipole encoder. In this case, the magnetizable material of the encoder is alternately encoded with magnetic north and south poles in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the encoder element can also be implemented as a passive pole ring. Here, a ferromagnetic encoder carrier sheet is stamped or formed into a mechanical alternating pattern (a "tooth pattern" with teeth and gaps). According to one embodiment, a sensor is arranged outside the space and is in contactless communication with the encoder. The sensor is thus designed to receive the signal generated by the encoder. The sensor can be stationary in the case of a rotatable encoder. The sensor can be designed in different ways. If the encoder or the encoder's transmitting element, as described above, has magnetized material, as in a multipole encoder, the sensor can be designed to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the circumferentially arranged north and south poles as a result of the wheel's rotation. If, instead, a passive pole ring is provided as described above, the sensor itself can be designed to generate a magnetic field. For this purpose, the sensor can, for example, incorporate a permanent magnet.In this case, the sensor's magnetic field is focused or scattered to varying degrees by the alternating sequence of teeth and gaps in the encoder. This also creates an alternating magnetic field that can be detected and processed by the sensor. The at least one recess ensures that wireless interaction between the encoder and sensor can take place, for example to capture a wheel speed signal from the wireless signal and provide it via the sensor. In particular, it is generally irrelevant whether the magnetic material for generating the wireless signal is located inside or outside the space. What is crucial for realizing the signal transmission between the encoder and the sensor is the permeability of the alternating magnetic field through the at least one recess or the at least one sealing element. By placing the sensor outside the room, it is easily accessible and can be removed for maintenance purposes, for example, without having to open the wheel bearing, especially the room. The sensor and the encoder can be aligned with each other, particularly in an axial or radial direction. Thus, embodiments are conceivable in which the encoder and sensor positions are axially spaced apart. In particular, the encoder's support element can be designed to position the encoder's sensor element relative to the sensor. Further embodiments are conceivable in which the encoder and sensor positions are radially spaced apart. The encoder position can be radially inward and the sensor position radially outward, or vice versa. In particular, the encoder's support element can be designed to position the encoder's sensor element relative to the sensor. The arrangement of the sensor and encoder can be selected according to the application and / or the available installation space. To optimize the interaction between the encoder and the sensor, the arrangement and / or extent of the at least one recess can be tailored to at least one characteristic dimension of the encoder and / or the sensor. The extent of the at least one recess can be selected accordingly in the circumferential, radial, and / or axial direction. This depends in particular on the orientation of the sensor and encoder relative to each other. If the sensor and encoder are axially spaced apart and the at least one recess is located at an axial position between the sensor and encoder, the extent of the at least one recess can be selected in the radial and / or circumferential direction.If the sensor and encoder are radially spaced apart and the at least one recess is located at a radial position between the sensor and encoder, the extent of the at least one recess can be selected in the axial and / or circumferential direction. By choosing the appropriate extent direction, the area of ​​the at least one recess, and thus the area through which the wireless signal can be transmitted, is determined. Depending on its orientation, the encoder element can extend radially or axially. This can be referred to as the encoder's track extension. The sensor's detection range can also have a detection range extension in either the radial or axial direction. Both dimensions—the encoder element's track extension and the detection range extension—can be considered the at least one characteristic dimension that relates to the radial or axial extension of the at least one recess. Tolerances and scattering characteristics of the wireless signal, which may result in signal expansion in the radial or axial direction, can be taken into account when defining this at least one characteristic dimension. If the sensor and encoder are axially spaced apart and the at least one recess is located at an axial position between the sensor and encoder, the mean radius of the encoder's sensor element or the mean radius of the sensor's reading area can be used as a characteristic dimension for the arrangement of the at least one recess on the base body. If the sensor and encoder are radially spaced apart and the at least one recess is located at a radial position between the sensor and encoder, the common axial position of the sensor and encoder, in particular the axial positions of the track and the detection area, can be used as a characteristic dimension for the arrangement of the at least one recess in order to position the at least one recess as centrally as possible to the sensor element and the reading area. According to one embodiment, the at least one sealing element is made of a non-ferromagnetic material. This ensures signal transmission for magnetically generated wireless signals, as described above. The material of the at least one sealing element can be, in particular, a suitable metal, plastic, or elastomer. An elastomer can itself be designed, by virtue of its adaptability to the contour of the at least one recess or the base body, to create a sealing effect, so that the elastomer closes the at least one recess accordingly. Certain plastics can also create such a sealing effect if they possess sufficient flexibility.Other materials that are not sufficiently deformable, such as harder plastics and metals like aluminum, can be closed with an additional sealing element to achieve the sealing effect by sealing at least one recess. According to one embodiment, the base body of the first bearing element can be designed as a sheet metal part. The base body can be manufactured, in particular, by deep drawing from a starting sheet, wherein the at least one recess can be created on the base body, for example, by machining, punching, laser cutting, or another suitable manufacturing technique. In this way, already known and easily controllable production techniques are used, which in particular enables mass production of the first bearing element. According to one embodiment, the at least one closure element can be applied to the base body by casting, vulcanization, or another suitable manufacturing technique such that the at least one recess is closed. This utilizes already known and easily controllable production techniques, which in particular enables mass production of the first bearing element. According to one embodiment, the at least one recess can be open or closed towards the edge of the first base body. With an open design of the at least one recess, the at least one closure element can merge into the sealing element described above, which can facilitate the manufacture or application of the at least one closure element and the sealing element. With a closed design of the at least one recess, the base body can be made significantly more rigid. According to one embodiment, the at least one locking element can be applied to the entire surface of the first bearing element. It can be in the form of a coating on this surface that closes the at least one recess. For example, the base body can be coated with the material from which the at least one locking element is formed. Alternatively, a partial coating of the surface of the base body is also possible to close the at least one recess. Embodiments of the invention can, for example, have the following materials as materials for the base body: - unalloyed quality steel DC01 DIN EN 10130 (1.0330) - ASTM A1008 CS Type C, SAE / AISI 1008 - JIS SPCC - Q / BQB 403 DC01 - DC04 1.0338 DIN EN 10130 - DD11 DIN EN 10130 (1.0332), hot-rolled strip steel - S235JR 1.0038 general structural steel The wall thickness of the base body, especially if the first bearing element is designed as a bearing cover, can be at least 0.3 mm, and in particular at least 0.6 mm. Embodiments of the invention can, for example, comprise the following materials for the at least one closure element: - Polymer Examples: - Elastomer: NBR, FKM, ACM... (preferred, as it can be vulcanized directly) - Thermoplastic: PA, PE, PVC, PEEK, PP, PS - Thermoplastic elastomer: TPU, SBS - Thermoset: Epoxy resin, phenolic paste - Non-metallic / Inorganic: - Glass - Quartz - Ceramic - Fiber composites: - GFRP (glass fiber) - CFRP (carbon fiber) - Kevlar, Twaron (high-performance fiber) To ensure that the at least one recess is positioned to enable wireless signal transmission between the sensor and encoder, the wheel bearing assembly may require directional mounting of the first bearing element. This can be achieved, for example, by using alignment elements on the wheel bearing and the first bearing element, which must be aligned and, if necessary, engaged during assembly. These alignment elements can include, in particular, optical and / or tactile reference markings on the first bearing element and the wheel bearing, or protrusions, pins, recesses, holes, etc. The alignment elements can be, for example, applied to, molded into, stamped into, or embossed onto the base body. Alternatively or additionally, the alignment elements can also be formed by the at least one locking element. To improve the adhesion of the at least one closure element to the base body, a bonding agent can be incorporated between the base body and the at least one closure element. This agent can be applied to the base body before the closure element is applied to the base body. This can, in particular, improve the adhesion and / or vulcanization of a closure element to the polymer. The bonding agent can be applied in one or more layers, depending on requirements. The at least one sealing element can be applied to the entire surface of the base body on the side facing away from the room. In this way, the base body can be protected against external influences, especially corrosion. Alternatively or additionally, the base body can be partially or completely coated with a corrosion protection layer, particularly on the side facing away from the surrounding space. This can be achieved, for example, by galvanizing, chromating, phosphating, painting, or powder coating. The corrosion protection layer can be applied directly to the base body, i.e., before the first bearing element is installed in the wheel bearing. Alternatively, the corrosion protection layer can be applied after the first bearing element has been installed in the wheel bearing, particularly to the entire wheel bearing. Up to this point, the wheel bearing has been described according to a first aspect of the invention. Further items according to further aspects of the invention are described below. Features and embodiments of these further items, which have already been explained in the preceding description of the wheel bearing, are to be understood as at least further developments of these further items. Features and embodiments of the wheel bearing that are explained below in the description of the further items are to be understood as at least further developments of the wheel bearing. According to a further aspect, a bearing element for a wheel bearing as described above is provided, wherein the bearing element has a base body with at least one recess, the at least one recess being closed with at least one closing element. The bearing element can be the first bearing element described above. In particular, the bearing element can be designed as a bearing cover. The at least one recess allows for a weight-optimized bearing element. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one recess can enable wireless signal transmission. According to another aspect, a method for manufacturing a wheel bearing or a bearing element as described above is provided, wherein the method includes a step in which a bearing element is provided. The method may further include a step in which at least one recess is formed in a base body of the bearing element. The method may further include a step in which the at least one recess is closed by at least one closing element. The process can be used to manufacture bearing elements, such as bearing caps, as the first bearing element as described above. However, it can also be used to modify an existing bearing element by adding at least one recess, which is then closed by at least one sealing element. In this way, already installed bearing elements, such as bearing caps that serve as the base body, can be retrofitted, for example, to save weight and / or to allow for appropriate signal transmission if the base body material does not permit it. According to another aspect, a vehicle is provided which has at least one wheel that is rotatably mounted by a wheel bearing as described above. Detailed description based on drawing Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a section of a vehicle, Figure 2 a perspective view of a wheel bearing, Figure 3 a sectional view of the wheel bearing from Figure 2, Figure 4 a sectional view of the wheel bearing from Figure 2, Figure 5 a perspective view of a first bearing element, and Figure 6 a sectional view of a further wheel bearing. The figures are purely schematic and serve only to illustrate the invention. The same elements are identified by the same reference symbols. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5 are described together below. Fig. 1 shows an example of a section of a vehicle in a schematic top view. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a wheel bearing. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the wheel bearing from Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the wheel bearing from Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a first bearing element. The section of a vehicle 1 shown in top view in Fig. 1 has a wheel 2 which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 3 via a wheel bearing 8. An axial direction 4 and a radial direction 5 are shown aligned with the axis of rotation 3. Both directions 4 and 5, as well as the axis of rotation 3, are also shown in the subsequent figures. The wheel bearing 8 has a chamber 10 that extends circumferentially around the axis of rotation 3. In the wheel bearing 8 shown here, rolling elements 20 are arranged in two rows within the chamber 10. The chamber 10 is bounded radially on the outside by a bearing element 14, which is designed as an outer bearing ring, and radially on the inside by a bearing element 16 and a bearing element 18. The bearing element 16 is designed as an inner bearing ring, which is fixedly mounted on the bearing element 18, which is designed as a bearing flange. The rolling elements 20 are guided radially on the outside by the bearing element 14. Radially on the inside, along the axial direction 4, the first row of rolling elements 20 is guided by the bearing element 18, while the second row of rolling elements 20 is guided by the bearing element 16. Wheel 2 is non-rotatably connected to bearing element 18. Bearing element 14 is stationary relative to the rotation of bearing element 18 and is, for example, connected to the body of vehicle 1. In this way, wheel 2 can rotate together with bearing elements 16 and 18, while this rotation and the associated forces and moments are guided and supported by the rolling elements 20 and bearing element 14, which is coupled to vehicle 1. The chamber 10 is closed in the axial direction 4. The side of the chamber 10 facing opposite to the axial direction 4 is closed, for example, with a sealing element (not shown) that is in radial contact with the bearing element 18 on the inside and with the bearing element 14 on the outside. The side of the chamber 10 facing in the axial direction 4 is closed with a first bearing element 12 designed as a bearing cover. The first bearing element 12 has a base body 13 that is essentially rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation 3. A recess 28 is provided on the base body 13, which is closed by a sealing element 30. The sealing element 30 is made of an elastomer, so that the recess 28 is sealed. Thus, no contamination can penetrate into the chamber 10 through the recess 28. The base body 13 is made of ferromagnetic steel, e.g. 1.0330 / 1.0347 / 1.0338 (DC01 / DC03 / DC04 DINEN10130). Behind the recess 28, an encoder 22 is arranged in space 10. The encoder 22 has a sensor element 24 and a support element 26. The sensor element 24 is designed as a ring, which is arranged coaxially or concentrically to the axis of rotation 3. The sensor element 24 is rotationally fixed to the bearing element 16 by the support element 26. The support element 26 is also ring-shaped and arranged coaxially or concentrically to the axis of rotation 3. This arrangement allows the entire encoder 22, in particular the sensor element 24, to rotate about the axis of rotation 3 with the bearing element 16 and the bearing element 18, and thus with the wheel rotation speed of the wheel 2. Outside space 10, a sensor 32 is arranged in the axial direction 4. The sensor 32 is fixed relative to the encoder 22. The encoder 22, in particular the transmitter element 24, and the sensor 32 can, for example, be constructed or function as explained above in the general part of the description. Sensor 32 and encoder 22 interact wirelessly, as explained above in the general section of the description. As a result of the encoder 22's rotation around the axis 3, a wireless signal in the form of an alternating magnetic field is generated between sensor 32 and encoder 22. This signal is converted into a rotational speed signal for wheel 2 by sensor 32 and provided by sensor 32. Since the base body 13 is made of the ferromagnetic steel described above, such a wireless signal cannot be transmitted in the axial direction 4 through the material of the base body 13. Therefore, the recess 28 is arranged so that signal transmission is possible between the encoder 22 and the sensor 32. In other words, the recess 28 removes material from the base body 13 between the encoder 22 and the sensor 32. The closing element 30, intended to close the recess 28, does not block the wireless signal, however, as it is made of a non-ferromagnetic material, namely an elastomer. The extent and arrangement of the recess 28 are matched to at least one characteristic dimension of the encoder 22 and / or the sensor 32. As shown in Fig. 4, the recess 28 has a recess height 40, which extends substantially in the radial direction 5. The recess height 40 is selected such that the encoder element 24, the recess 28, and the relevant reading section of the sensor 32 are aligned with each other. The encoder element height 42, which extends substantially in the radial direction 5, and / or the radial extent of the reading section of the sensor 32 can be used as the relevant characteristic dimension. Furthermore, a tolerance range 38 can also be included in determining the recess height 40, which describes the extent of signal dispersion in the radial direction 5. The recess height 40 can then be selected to be correspondingly larger, as shown.The arrangement of the recess 28 in radial direction 5 can be determined, in particular, by the position of the encoder element 24 in radial direction 5 and / or by the position of the reading area of ​​the sensor 32 in radial direction 5. The mean diameter 36 of the encoder element 24 and the reading area of ​​the sensor 32 is shown here as an example. Thus, the recess 28 can be centered on this characteristic dimension, thereby determining its position in radial direction 5. The mean diameter 36 can be 77 mm. The tolerance range 38 can be 2 mm. The recess height 40 can be at least 1 mm to ensure sufficiently good signal transmission properties. The extent of the recess 28 in the circumferential direction can be chosen to correspond to the reading range of the sensor 32. Furthermore, a sealing element 34 is arranged on the outer circumference of the first bearing element 12 between the first bearing element 12 and the bearing element 14. The sealing element 34 can be designed as a circumferentially extending sealing element 34, which can, for example, consist of an elastomer. The first bearing element 12, acting as a bearing cover, seals the space 10 in the axial direction 4 through the sealing element 34, so that no contamination can penetrate into the space 10 through the connection between the first bearing element 12 and the bearing element 14. The sealing element 34 can be connected to the first bearing element 12, more precisely, to the base body 13, so that the sealing element 34 is designed as a component of the first bearing element 12. The sealing element 34 can be connected to the first bearing element 12, in particular to the base body 13, by means of force-fit and / or form-fit and / or material-fit, in order to ensure a secure fit of the sealing element 34.Since the bearing element 14 and the first bearing element 12 are designed as stationary bearing elements that do not rotate, there is no relative movement due to a rotational movement of the sealing element 34. The sealing element 34 can therefore be designed as a static sealing element, which significantly simplifies its design. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 to 5, encoder 22, recess 28 and sensor 32 are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction 4. That is, they are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction 4, but are aligned with each other in such a way that wireless interaction between encoder 22 and sensor 32 is possible. Fig. 6 shows an alternative. The wheel bearing 8 shown here differs from the embodiment of Figs. 2, 3, 4 to 5 in that the encoder 22, recess 28, and sensor (not shown here) have a different orientation. The remaining elements of the wheel bearing 8 are essentially identical in arrangement and function to those of Figs. 2, 3, 4 to 5. Therefore, only the differences will be discussed below, and reference is made to the above for further information. The first bearing element 12 has a recess 28 on the base body 13, which is oriented essentially in the radial direction 5. In space 10, the encoder 22 is configured such that the support element 26 couples the sensor element 24 to the bearing element 16 in a rotationally fixed manner, such that the sensor element 24 also points in the radial direction 5. The sensor element 24 and the recess 28 are spaced apart from each other in the radial direction 5 and are aligned accordingly. Outside space 10 and aligned with the recess 28 in the radial direction 5, the sensor (not shown) is arranged. Thus, in the radial direction 5, the encoder 22 (or sensor element 24), the recess 28, and the sensor are arranged from the inside out. The sensor, recess 28 and encoder 22 or transmitter element 24 are arranged in such a way that the wireless signal transmission or interaction between encoder 22 and sensor described above can occur. The arrangement described here allows the sensor to be moved closer to the rest of the wheel bearing 8 in the opposite direction to the axial direction 4, so that a wheel bearing 8 with sensor can be realized which can be built more compactly in the axial direction 4 than the wheel bearing 8 from Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 . The wheel bearings 8 shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 to 6 each have a recess 28 in the first bearing element 12 or in its base body 13. Further embodiments of wheel bearings and first bearing elements are conceivable, in which several recesses are provided on the base body 13. These can, for example, be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, in particular regularly spaced, and preferably regularly extended. In this way, a considerable weight reduction of the base body 13 and thus of the first bearing element 12 can be achieved. Several recesses 28 can each be closed by separate closure elements 30. However, it is also conceivable that several recesses 28 are closed by the same closure element 30, which can be achieved in particular by coating one side of the base body 13 with material that forms the closure element 30. The sealing element 34 and the closure element 30 can also be formed integrally. The sealing element 34 and the closure element 30 can then be applied to the base element 13 in a single manufacturing step, for example by casting and / or vulcanization. In particular, the recess 28 at the edge of the base body 13 can be opened radially outwards to facilitate the connection between the sealing element 34 and the closure element 30. The base body 13 can be manufactured by deep drawing, while the recess 28 can be manufactured by punching, laser cutting, or machining. Thus, essential manufacturing steps for the first bearing element 12 can be carried out using known and easily implemented methods suitable for industrial mass production. Reference symbol list 1 Vehicle 2 Wheel 3 Axis of rotation 4 Axial direction 5 Radial direction 8 Wheel bearing 10 Space 12 Bearing element 13 Base body 14 Bearing element 16 Bearing element 18 Bearing element 20 Rolling element 22 Encoder 24 Sensor element 26 Carrier element 28 Recess 30 Sealing element 32 Sensor 34 Sealing element 36 Mean diameter 38 Tolerance range 40 Recess height 42 Sensor element height

Claims

Wheel bearing (8) for a vehicle (1), wherein the wheel bearing (8) has a space (10) which is bounded by a first bearing element (12), wherein the first bearing element (12) has a base body (13) with at least one recess (28), wherein the at least one recess (28) is closed by at least one closing element (30). Wheel bearing (8) according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing element (12) is designed as a bearing cover. Wheel bearing (8) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing element (34) is arranged between the first bearing element (12) and at least one further bearing element (14), wherein the sealing element (34) is in particular connected to the first bearing element (12). Wheel bearing (8) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking element (30) is designed to be permeable to a wireless signal. Wheel bearing (8) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an encoder (22) is arranged in the space (10). Wheel bearing (8) according to claim 5, wherein a sensor (32) is arranged outside the space (10) which is in non-contact operative communication with the encoder (22). Wheel bearing (8) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking element (30) consists of a non-ferromagnetic material. Bearing element (12) for a wheel bearing (8) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing element (12) has a base body (13) with at least one recess (28), wherein the at least one recess (28) is closed with at least one closing element (30). Method for manufacturing a wheel bearing (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a bearing element (12) according to claim 8, wherein the method comprises a step in which a bearing element (12) is provided. Vehicle (1) comprising at least one wheel (2) rotatably mounted by a wheel bearing (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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