Wheel bearing or constant velocity joint for a vehicle with an improved clamping system

Abstract

Hub bearing / constant velocity joint assembly (1), wherein an annular element (5) on the radial outer side of the joint is engaged with an annular hub (10) having a flange at its first end of the hub bearing unit (2) by a clamping system (7), the clamping system includes a screw element (20) assembled inside the annular joint element and can be operated on the outside through the annular hub (10) to screw the screw element into the second end (18) of the hub until the annular hub applies prestress to the rolling elements (13) of the hub bearing unit, and at the same time can ensure torque transmission through a spline connection (19) between the joint element and the second end (18) of the hub; the screw element is axially locked against an annular shoulder (24) formed on the inner side of the joint element by an elastic ring (26) engaging with at least one annular seat (27) formed on the inner side of the joint element on the opposite side of the annular hub.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel hub bearing / constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle, the assembly having a system for improving the coupling and clamping of the constant velocity joint against the wheel hub bearing, wherein, preferably, the wheel hub bearing is formed by a wheel hub bearing unit comprising a rolling bearing. Background Art

[0002] Reducing the weight of vehicle components is a general requirement associated with reducing emissions and electrification. Since less material is used for manufacturing, this is also a way to achieve cost reduction. One way to achieve this is to redesign the docking with surrounding components.

[0003] In the drive wheels of a vehicle, especially in the drive wheels of a front-wheel drive vehicle, the docking (interface) between the wheel hub bearing unit (abbreviated as HBU) and the associated constant velocity joint (abbreviated as CVJ) must correctly transmit the torque between the two components, which is the main function. In some configurations, coupling elements are also used to apply prestress to the ring of the HBU and the associated rolling elements. However, due to many drawbacks, a very good forced combination of these two components has not been seen on the market. Therefore, most known solutions are divided into two categories: solutions that only transmit torque, and solutions that apply and maintain prestress in the HBU. In the first case, the HBU is usually "self-prestressed", for example, by a cold deformation process. The assembly and retention of these two components are usually performed by a threaded connection, for example, using a CVJ with a splined shaft that is inserted into the central hole of the flanged inner ring (also abbreviated as "FIR") of the wheel hub bearing, and the splined shaft has a threaded end, and a nut is screwed onto the threaded end, and the nut is locked to a flat area on the outside of the FIR. Another known solution includes a CVJ having a shorter shaft or no shaft but having a threaded hole in its axial central portion. Then, a screw is introduced on the outside and used to lock the CVJ to the HBU. In both cases, the torque is transmitted through an axial spline joint at the interface between the shaft and the central hole of the FIR, or in fewer cases, through a front spline coupling between the radially outer component or "bell member" of the CVJ and the FIR of the HBU.

[0004] However, these solutions involve the presence of mechanical components (screws or shafts or a combination of both), which must occupy the entire axial length of the assembly, and in addition, limit the length of the spline coupling on the shaft.

[0005] US2003064817A1 describes the connection between the HBU and the CVJ, where an axial spline joint between a flanged inner ring of a rolling bearing (or a hub bearing unit) and the bell member of the CVJ is used to transmit torque, and the bell member of the CVJ has an associated central hole; these two parts are clamped together by a screw element that engages with a thread formed radially inside the FIR. During the assembly operation of the CVJ itself, the screw element must be positioned inside the hole of the bell member of the CVJ and thus must remain in place until the moment of connection to the HBU, while ensuring the correct insertion of the spline joint, which is performed using a shoulder formed by the end of the shaft of the constant velocity joint. Thus, the prestress on the ring of the HBU is adjusted by the clamping force of the screw element, which has an actuation seat of the hex key type that is positioned facing the HBU side and thus facing the outside of the vehicle.

[0006] This solution involves providing a shaft of the constant velocity joint that is particularly long and has an end facing the screw element that has a special shape similar to the head of the screw element accommodated inside the bell member of the CVJ, which results in additional costs and machining operations as well as a larger axial volume. Moreover, in any case, there is still a relatively high axial clearance between the screw element and the shoulder formed by the end of the shaft of the constant velocity joint, which may lead to imprecise or difficult positioning of the spline joint. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hub bearing / constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle that has a system for improving the connection and clamping of the constant velocity joint and the hub bearing, the assembly does not have the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular, the assembly is compact, reliable, and can be easily connected together in a very precise manner.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a hub bearing / constant velocity joint for a vehicle in a simple and reliable manner.

[0009] Therefore, based on the present invention, a bearing unit or a constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle and a related manufacturing method are described. The bearing unit or the constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle includes a wheel hub bearing unit, and the wheel hub bearing unit includes: a radially outer ring or seat, a radially inner annular flanged hub, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the annular seat and the flanged hub. - A constant velocity joint annular joint element configured to engage with the flanged hub through an axial spline connection portion arranged between the annular joint element and the flanged hub; and - A clamping system including: a screw element configured to engage with a threaded portion formed on the flanged hub, and the screw element is provided with a flange-shaped head configured to cooperate with the annular joint element and axially restrain the flanged hub and the annular joint element; the clamping system further includes an elastic ring and at least one annular seat for the elastic ring, the at least one annular seat is formed radially inside the annular joint element, and / or, the at least one annular seat is formed radially outside the flange-shaped head along the radially outer periphery of the flange-shaped head. The related manufacturing method includes the following steps: - Providing a wheel hub bearing unit including a radially outer annular seat, a radially inner annular hub, and a plurality of rolling elements, the radially inner annular hub is provided with a flange at its first end, the flange extends radially outside the annular seat, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged between the annular seat and the hub to enable the hub to rotate relative to the annular seat about a common axis of symmetry; - Providing a constant velocity joint in a disassembled configuration and including a radially outer annular joint element configured to engage with a second end of the annular hub opposite to the first end through an axial spline connection portion formed radially outside the annular hub; - Providing a screw element including a threaded rod and a flange-shaped head, the flange-shaped head extends radially outward from a first end of the threaded rod; the threaded rod is provided with an actuating seat on the opposite side of the flange-shaped head, and the actuating seat is configured to rotate the screw element; - Forming a threaded portion radially inside the second end of the annular hub, the threaded portion is configured to engage with the threaded rod of the screw element; - Forming an annular shoulder inside the annular joint element, the annular shoulder is configured to cooperate with the flange-shaped head of the screw element on the opposite side of the annular hub during use;The method further comprises the following steps: i) inserting the screw element on the side where the threaded rod is located into the annular joint element until the flange-shaped head abuts against the annular shoulder, such that at least a part of the threaded rod of the screw element protrudes axially in a cantilever manner from the annular joint element, through the axial through-hole of the annular joint element, the axial through-hole being configured to face the annular hub during use; ii) axially locking the screw element against the annular shoulder with minimal axial play by inserting an elastic ring into the annular joint element, the elastic ring snap-fitting into at least one annular seat, the at least one annular seat being pre-formed radially on the inner side of the annular joint element, and / or, the at least one annular seat being pre-formed radially along the radial outer periphery of the flange-shaped head and on the outer side of the flange-shaped head; iii) fully assembling the constant velocity joint; iv) inserting the annular joint element onto the axial spline connection portion of the second end of the annular hub by pushing the annular joint element in the axial direction, so as to start angularly coupling the constant velocity joint with the annular hub; v) rotating the screw element by using a tool on the side where the annular hub is located and passing through the annular hub, so as to gradually screw the threaded rod onto the threaded portion of the second end of the annular hub, thereby gradually completing the angular coupling of the constant velocity joint and the annular hub by fully inserting the spline connection portion of the annular hub into the annular joint element; vi) continuing to apply a rotational torque to the screw element until the flange-shaped head is axially pushed against the annular shoulder, thereby obtaining a predetermined preload of the rolling elements of the hub bearing unit. Description of the Drawings

[0010] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show some non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0011] - Figure 1 A side view taken along a radial plane of a hub bearing / constant velocity joint assembly provided according to the present invention is schematically shown in an orthographic projection; and

[0012] - Figures 2 to 5 A larger-scale sectional view of the same details provided according to different feasible embodiments of the present invention is shown in a schematic form Figure 1 of the same cross-section. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0013] Referring to Figure 1 , in Figure 1 the reference numeral 1 as a whole denotes a hub bearing / constant velocity joint for a vehicle, and the general structure of the hub bearing / constant velocity joint is known.

[0014] Component 1 includes a wheel hub bearing unit 2 and a constant velocity joint 3. The wheel hub bearing unit 2 is known as a whole and is only partially shown for simplicity. The constant velocity joint 3 is known as a whole. For simplicity, only the shaft 4 and the annular joint element 5 of the constant velocity joint 3 are shown. Preferably, the annular joint element 5 is bell-shaped. The annular joint element 5 is known to be integral, and as Figure 1 can be seen, the annular joint element 5 has corresponding raceways 6 for a ball bearing (not shown) of the constant velocity joint 3, and the ball bearing is used to transmit torque between the joint element 5 and the shaft 4 in a known manner.

[0015] As will be seen, the component 1 further includes a clamping system 7 for holding the constant velocity joint 3 and the wheel hub bearing unit 2 coupled together.

[0016] The wheel hub bearing unit includes a radially outer annular seat or housing 8, a radially inner annular flanged hub 10, and a plurality of rolling elements 13. The radially outer annular seat or housing 8 is defined by the outer ring of a rolling bearing 9 in the example shown. The radially inner annular flanged hub 10 is defined by the inner ring of the rolling bearing 9 in the example shown and has a flange 12 (known and only partially shown) provided at its first end 11. The flange extends radially on the outer side of the annular seat 8. The plurality of rolling elements 13 are arranged between the annular seat 8 and the hub 10 to enable the hub 10 to rotate relative to the annular seat 8 about the common axis of symmetry A of the hub 10 and the annular seat 8.

[0017] In the non-limiting example shown, the rolling elements 13 occupy a pair of corresponding raceways 14. The first raceway is formed directly on the annular hub 10 on the side where the flange 12 is located, and the second raceway is formed on a ring 15 (also known as SIR) embedded in the cylindrical annular portion 16 of the hub 10. The cylindrical annular portion 16 of the hub 10 is formed on the opposite side of the flange 12, and the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 opposite to the end 11 projects axially in a cantilever manner from the cylindrical annular portion 16.

[0018] Now also referring to Figure 2 , Figure 2 shows in a larger scale the Figure 1 details. As has been seen, the constant velocity joint 3 includes a radially outer annular joint element 5. The joint element 5 is configured to engage with the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 through an axial splined coupling 19. The axial splined coupling 19 is known and is formed radially on the outer side of the annular hub 10.

[0019] The clamping system 7 includes a screw element 20 which in turn includes a threaded stem 21 and a flange-shaped head 22.

[0020] The flange-shaped head 22 extends radially outwardly from a first end 222 of the threaded stem 21 which faces the annular joint element 5 during use.

[0021] The clamping system 7 further includes a threaded portion 23 of the annular hub 10 which is formed radially on the inner side of a second end 18 of the hub 10 and is configured to engage with the threaded stem 21 of the screw element 20.

[0022] Alternatively, the flange-shaped head 22 is configured to cooperate with an annular shoulder 24 of the annular joint element 5 which is formed inside the joint element 5 on the opposite side to the annular hub 10.

[0023] The threaded stem 21 further has an actuating seat 25 on a side which faces the annular hub 10 during use. The actuating seat 25 is of a known type, such as a hexagonal key type, and is configured to rotate the screw element 20 by using a tool (known and not shown for simplicity) which is located on the side where the annular hub 10 is and passes through the annular hub 10.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping system further includes an elastic ring 26 and at least one annular seat 27 for the elastic ring 26. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the non-limiting example shown, the annular seat 27 is formed integrally radially on the inner side of the annular joint element 5. In particular, the annular seat 27 is formed integrally radially on a cylindrical side surface 28 which terminates radially internally at the shoulder 24.

[0025] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention, at least one annular seat 27 for the elastic ring 26 is configured such that when the elastic ring 26 engages with the annular seat 27 (as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown), the elastic ring 26 keeps the flange-shaped head 22 in cooperation with the annular shoulder 24.

[0026] In particular, at least one annular seat 27 is configured such that the elastic ring engages / engages inside the annular seat 27 with a predetermined axial play G. The axial play G is shown enlarged and not to scale in Figure 2 for illustrative purposes only.

[0027] Even more particularly, at least one annular seat 27 is constructed such that the resilient ring 26 engages within / engages with the annular seat 27 with an axial play G of at least 10 percent millimeters, preferably not more than 20 percent millimeters, i.e., the axial play G remains within these orders of magnitude and can be defined as "minimal" in the context of the present invention.

[0028] The annular seat 27 is also constructed such that the resilient ring 26 also engages within / engages with the annular seat 27 with a predetermined axial play to allow the resilient ring 26 to be operated in a known manner, and thus, the resilient ring 26 can be inserted into / separated from the annular seat 27 by a specific known tool (not shown for simplicity) as needed.

[0029] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, finally, the clamping system 7 includes a single annular seat 27 for the resilient ring 26, which seat 27 is formed radially on the inner side of the annular joint element 5, in the vicinity of the annular shoulder 24, such that when the resilient ring 26 engages with the single annular seat 27, the flange-like head 22 is tightly locked between the same resilient ring 26 and the annular shoulder 24 radially inside the annular joint element 5.

[0030] Now referring to Figures 3 to 5 , where for simplicity, details similar or identical to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, at least one annular seat 27 for the resilient ring 26 can be two instead of single and formed only on the joint element 5, such that the resilient ring 26 engages both the joint element 5 and the screw element 20 simultaneously, rather than forming only a shoulder element for the screw element 20, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 where the resilient ring 26 faces the shoulder 24 and is axially spaced from the shoulder 24 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the flange-like head 22 measured in the axial direction.

[0031] Thus, according to Figures 3 to 5 the embodiment shown, there is a first annular seat 27 formed radially on the inner side of the joint element 5, but there is also a second annular element formed radially on the outer side of the flange-like head 22 along the radial outer periphery 29 of the flange-like head 22.

[0032] According to Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, where 1b and 1d represent Figure 1 and Figure 2Two alternative embodiments of component 1 shown in the figure, the clamping system 7 includes a first annular seat 27 formed on the side surface 28 and a second annular seat 30 for the elastic ring 26.

[0033] The seats 27 and 30 are formed facing each other, that is, the first seat 27 is formed radially inside the annular joint element 5, near the annular shoulder 24, while the second seat 30 is formed radially outside the flange-like head 22 along the radial outer periphery 29; according to these embodiments, the elastic ring 26 is configured to engage both seats 30 and 27 simultaneously with its radial outer edge and its radial inner edge, respectively.

[0034] According to Embodiment 1( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) and 1b( Figure 3 ), the elastic ring 26 has a quadrilateral radial cross-section.

[0035] Alternatively, according to Embodiment 1d, the elastic ring 26 has a circular radial cross-section, so the elastic ring 26 has an annular shape.

[0036] In Embodiments 1b and 1d, as will be seen, in order to allow the assembly of the constant velocity joint 3 / hub bearing 2, the radial depth of the annular seat 27 is less than the thickness or the extension in the radial width direction (i.e., the cross-section) of the elastic ring 26, while the radial depth of the annular seat 30 must be greater than the thickness or the extension in the radial width direction (i.e., the cross-section) of the elastic ring 26.

[0037] According to Figure 4 the Embodiment 1c shown, finally, the second annular seat 30 for the elastic ring 26 is formed on the front surface 31 of the flange-like head 22, and the surface 31 is positioned to face the opposite side of the annular hub 10 during use; in addition, the seat 30 extends radially as far as the radial outer periphery 29 to define a step 32 on the radial outer periphery 29.

[0038] According to one aspect of the present invention, in all the described Embodiments 1, 1b, 1c, and 1d, the axial spline coupling (axial spline coupler) 19 is formed radially outside the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 and is offset axially relative to the threaded portion 23 of the annular hub 10 towards the annular joint element 5, and the threaded portion 23 is formed radially inside the second end 18 of the annular hub 10.

[0039] In this way, according to one aspect of the present invention, at least part of the spline coupling 19 protrudes axially in a cantilever manner towards the annular joint element 5 relative to the threaded portion 23.

[0040] Finally, it is clear from what has been described so far that the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a wheel hub bearing / constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle (such as the described assemblies 1, 1b, 1c, 1d), the method comprising the following steps.

[0041] A first step of providing a wheel hub bearing unit 2, the wheel hub bearing unit 2 comprising a radially outer annular housing 8, a radially inner annular hub 10 and a plurality of rolling elements 13, the radially inner annular hub 10 being provided at its first end 11 with a flange 12 which extends radially outside the annular housing 8, the plurality of rolling elements 13 being arranged between the annular housing 8 and the hub 10 so that the hub 10 can rotate relative to the annular housing 8 about a common axis of symmetry A.

[0042] A second step of providing a constant velocity joint 3 in an unassembled (i.e., disassembled) configuration, the constant velocity joint 3 comprising a shaft 4, rolling elements (known and not shown for simplicity of illustration) and an annular joint element 5, the annular joint element 5 being located radially outside the shaft 4 and being configured to engage with the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 opposite the first end 11 by means of an axial spline connection 19 formed radially outside the annular hub 10.

[0043] A third step of providing a screw element 20, the screw element 20 comprising a threaded rod 21 and a flange-like head 22 which extends radially outside from the first end 222 of the threaded rod 21; during this step, the threaded rod 21 is provided with an actuation seat 25 on the opposite side of the flange-like head 22, the actuation seat being configured to rotate the screw element 20.

[0044] A fourth step of forming a threaded portion 23 radially inside the second end 18 of the annular hub 10, the threaded portion 23 being configured to engage with the threaded rod 21 of the screw element 20.

[0045] A fifth step of forming an annular shoulder 24 inside the annular joint element 5, the annular shoulder 24 being configured to cooperate with the flange-like head 22 of the screw element 20 on the opposite side of the annular hub 10 during use.

[0046] A sixth step of inserting the screw element 20 into the annular joint element 5 on the side where the threaded rod 21 is located, until the flange-like head 22 abuts against the annular shoulder 24, such that at least part of the threaded rod 21 of the screw element 20 projects axially in a cantilever manner from the annular joint element 5, through an axial through-hole 33 of the annular joint element 5, the axial through-hole 33 being configured to face the annular hub 10 and to cooperate angularly with the spline connection 19 during use.

[0047] Seventh step, according to one aspect of the present invention, the screw element 20 is axially locked with a minimum axial clearance against the annular shoulder 24 by inserting the elastic ring 26 into the annular joint element 5, the elastic ring 26 snap-fits into at least one of the annular seats 27 and / or 30, the annular seats 27 and / or 30 are pre-formed radially on the inner side of the annular joint element 5, and / or, the annular seats 27 and / or 30 are pre-formed radially along the radial outer periphery 29 of the flange-shaped head 22 and on the outer side of the flange-shaped head 22.

[0048] Eighth step, according to another aspect of the present invention, the constant velocity joint 3 is fully assembled, for example, by inserting the shaft 4 into the joint section element 5 and engaging the raceway 6 and the shaft 4 with suitable rolling elements (not shown) in a known manner.

[0049] Ninth step, the annular joint element is mounted onto the axial spline connection 19 of the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 by pushing the annular joint element 5 in the axial direction, inserting a suitably shaped hole 33 above the axial spline connection 19 of the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 ( / inserting the axial spline connection 19 of the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 into a suitably shaped hole 33) to initiate the angular connection of the constant velocity joint 3 with the annular hub 10.

[0050] Tenth step, wherein a tool located on the side where the annular hub 10 is and passing through the annular hub 10 is used to rotate the screw element 20 to gradually screw the threaded rod 21 onto the threaded portion 23 of the second end 18 of the annular hub 10 to gradually complete the angular connection of the constant velocity joint 3 with the annular hub 10 and fully insert the spline connection 19 of the annular hub 10 into the annular joint element 5.

[0051] Eleventh and final step, continue to apply a rotational torque to the screw element 20 until the flange-shaped head 22 is axially pushed against the axial annular shoulder 24, thereby obtaining a predetermined preload of the rolling elements 13 of the hub bearing unit 2, which is made possible by the fact that the head 22 pushing against the shoulder 24 presses the joint element 5 against the ring 15.

[0052] Based on the above, it is obvious that, contrary to the situation in the prior art, the screw element has been held in place during the assembly of the constant velocity joint 3 and then during transportation and handling by the elastic ring 26, which engages in the groove defined by the annular seat 27 in the inner surface of the bell-shaped member defined by the joint element 5 of the constant velocity joint 3, simplifying the assembly and design of the constant velocity joint 3. The components of the constant velocity joint 3 no longer have to have a special shape as in the prior art, thus correspondingly reducing costs.

[0053] The internal part of the screw element 20 is blind to prevent any penetration of water or dirt inside the constant velocity joint and any potential loss of grease or vapors.

[0054] Furthermore, by introducing a stop function due to the elastic ring 26, when the screw element 20 is assembled with the constant velocity joint 3, the screw element 20 can be easily positioned within the seat of the hub 10 and these components remain in place during subsequent operations in the assembly chain. This also ensures that the displacement of the screw element 20 during the combination with the hub bearing unit 2 is much smaller, which is very important during the coupling operation. In fact, during this step, an initial engagement of the splined connection 19 should be obtained to ensure the correct alignment and rapid engagement of the screw 20 within the thread 23, thus reducing the risk of incorrect insertion. This also ensures that any position of the shaft 4 can be considered to solve any type of problem that may be encountered in the very limited space of the area forming part of the upright of the vehicle suspension (during initial installation and during after-sales assistance).

[0055] Embodiment 1b is also effective during the assembly of the constant velocity joint, proposing that the assembly of the elastic ring 26 can be first carried out on the head 22 of the screw element 20 and thus in an open environment and without any force during positioning. Then, the screw 20 with the assembled ring 26 is easily pushed into the joint element 5 until the ring 26 engages within the groove 27.

[0056] All the objects of the present invention are thus achieved.

Claims

1. A wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle (1; 1b； 1c； 1d), including: - a wheel hub bearing unit (2), comprising: The radially outer ring or seat (8), a radially inner flanged annular hub (10), and A plurality of rolling elements (13) are arranged between the annular seat and the annular hub with a flange. - an annular joint element (5) of a constant velocity joint (3) configured to engage with the flanged annular hub (10) via an axial spline connection (19) arranged between the annular joint element (5) and the flanged annular hub (10); and - Clamping system (7), comprising: a screw element (20) configured to engage with a threaded portion (23) formed on the flanged annular hub (10), and the screw element (20) is provided with a flange-shaped head (22), the flange-shaped head (22) being configured to cooperate with the annular joint element (5) and constrain the flanged annular hub and the annular joint element (5) in the axial direction; The assembly is characterized in that the clamping system further comprises an elastic ring (26) and at least one annular seat (27; 30) for the elastic ring, the at least one annular seat (27; 30) being formed radially on the inside of the annular joint element (5) and / or the at least one annular seat (27; 30) being formed radially on the outside of the flange-like head (22) along the radial outer periphery (29) of the flange-like head.

2. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly (1; 1b; 1c; 1d) for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: - a radially inner annular hub (10) provided at its first end (11) with a flange (12), said flange (12) extending radially outside said annular seat; a radially outer annular joint element (5) configured to engage with a second end portion (18) of the annular hub opposite to the first end portion via the axial spline coupling portion (19) formed radially outside the annular hub (10); as well as - the flange-like head (22) of the screw element extends radially outward from a first end (222) of the threaded rod, the first end (222) facing the annular joint element during use, while the threaded portion (23) of the annular hub is formed radially inwardly of the second end (18) of the annular hub and is configured to engage with the threaded rod of the screw element, the flange-like head (22) being configured to cooperate with an annular shoulder (24) of the annular joint element, the annular shoulder (24) being formed on the inner side of the annular joint element on the opposite side of the annular hub; the threaded rod (21) is provided with an actuating seat (25) on the side where the annular hub is located, the actuating seat (25) being configured to rotate the screw element by using a tool on the side where the annular hub is located and passing through the annular hub; The at least one annular seat (27; 30) for the elastic ring is configured such that when the elastic ring (26) is engaged with the at least one annular seat, the elastic ring (26) holds the flange-like head (22) in engagement with the annular shoulder (24).

3. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one annular seat (27, 30) is configured such that the elastic ring (26) engages with the at least one annular seat (27, 30) with a predetermined axial play (G).

4. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The at least one annular seat (27, 30) is configured such that the elastic ring (26) engages with the at least one annular seat (27, 30) with an axial play (G) of at least 10 percent of a millimeter.

5. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamping system (7) comprises a single annular seat (27) for the elastic ring, which is formed radially inside the annular joint element (5) near the annular shoulder (24) of the annular joint element (5), so that the elastic ring, when engaging with the single annular seat, tightly locks the flange-shaped head (22) of the screw element between the same elastic ring (26) and the radially inner annular shoulder (24) of the annular joint element.

6. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamping system (7) comprises a first annular seat (27) and a second annular seat (30) for the elastic ring, the first annular seat (27) and the second annular seat (30) being formed facing each other, i.e., the first annular seat (27) is formed radially on the inner side of the annular joint element near the annular shoulder (24) of the annular joint element, and the second annular seat (30) is formed radially on the outer side of the flange-shaped head (22) along the radial outer periphery of the flange-shaped head; the elastic ring (26) is constructed to engage with the two annular seats (27, 30) simultaneously via its outer radial edge and its inner radial edge, respectively.

7. The hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic ring (26) has a quadrilateral or circular radial cross section.

8. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: A second annular seat (30) for the resilient ring is formed on a front surface (31) of the flange-like head, said front surface (31) being positioned facing the opposite side of the annular hub during use and extending as far as the radially outer periphery (29) to define a step (32) on the radially outer periphery (29).

9. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The axial spline connection portion (19) is formed radially outside the second end portion (18) of the annular hub (10) and is axially offset relative to the threaded portion (23) of the annular hub (10) formed radially inside the second end portion of the annular hub toward the radially outer annular joint element (5), so that at least a portion of the axial spline connection portion (19) protrudes axially toward the annular joint element (5) in a cantilever manner relative to the threaded portion (23).

10. The wheel hub bearing or constant velocity joint assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The at least one annular seat (27, 30) is configured such that the elastic ring (26) engages with the at least one annular seat (27, 30) with an axial play (G) of not more than 20 percent of a millimeter.

11. A method for manufacturing a wheel hub bearing or a constant velocity joint assembly for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: - providing a hub bearing unit (2), the hub bearing unit (2) comprising a radially outer annular seat (8), a radially inner annular hub (10) and a plurality of rolling elements (13), the radially inner annular hub (10) being provided with a flange (12) at a first end thereof, the flange (12) extending radially outside the annular seat, the plurality of rolling elements (13) being arranged between the annular seat and the annular hub so as to enable the annular hub to rotate relative to the annular seat about a common symmetry axis (A); - providing a constant velocity joint (3) in a disassembled configuration and comprising a radially outer annular joint element (5) configured to engage with a second end (18) of the annular hub opposite the first end via an axial spline coupling (19) formed radially outside the annular hub; - providing a screw element (20), said screw element (20) comprising a threaded shank (21) and a flange-shaped head (22), said flange-shaped head (22) extending radially outwardly from a first end of said threaded shank; said threaded shank (21) being provided with an actuating seat (25) on the opposite side of said flange-shaped head, said actuating seat (25) being configured for rotating said screw element; - forming a threaded portion (23) on the inner side of the second end portion of the annular hub (10) in the radial direction, the threaded portion (23) being configured to engage with the threaded rod of the screw element; - forming an annular shoulder (24) on the inner side of the annular joint element (5), the annular shoulder (24) being configured to cooperate with the flange-like head of the screw element on the opposite side of the annular hub during use; characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: i) inserting the screw element (20) into the annular joint element (5) on the side of the threaded shank (21) until the flange-like head (22) abuts the annular shoulder (24), so that at least part of the threaded shank (21) of the screw element protrudes axially in a cantilevered manner from the annular joint element through an axial through hole (33) of the annular joint element, the axial through hole (33) being configured to face the annular hub during use; ii) axially locking the screw element (20) against the annular shoulder with minimal axial play by inserting an elastic ring (26) in the annular joint element (5), the elastic ring (26) snap-fitting into at least one annular seat (27, 30) pre-formed radially on the inside of the annular joint element and / or pre-formed radially on the outside of the flange-like head along the radial outer periphery (29) of the flange-like head; iii) fully assembling the constant velocity joint; iv) inserting the annular joint element (5) onto the axial spline connection (19) of the second end of the annular hub by pushing the annular joint element (5) in the axial direction to start angularly coupling the constant velocity joint and the annular hub together; v) by rotating the screw element (20) using a tool on the side of the annular hub and passing through the annular hub, the threaded rod (21) is gradually screwed onto the threaded portion (23) of the second end of the annular hub, thereby gradually completing the angular connection of the constant velocity joint and the annular hub by fully inserting the spline connection portion (19) of the annular hub into the annular joint element (5); vi) continuing to apply a rotational torque to the screw element until the flange-like head is pushed against the annular shoulder (24) with an axial force, thereby achieving a predetermined prestressing force of the rolling elements (13) of the hub bearing unit.

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