Wheel bearing assembly for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel bearing assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, the wheel bearing assembly comprising a wheel hub (3) and a wheel bearing (2) for rotatably supporting the wheel hub (3) on a wheel carrier, wherein the wheel bearing (2) comprises an outer ring (6) and an inner ring (7) rotatable relative to the outer ring (6) about a rotation axis (10), the inner ring being connected to the wheel hub (3), wherein a wheel flange (4) projects from the wheel hub (3) in a radial direction, the wheel flange comprising a brake disc receptacle (16) which is open in a direction facing away from the outer ring (6) when viewed in an axial direction, the brake disc receptacle being formed by a recess in the wheel flange (4) when viewed in a longitudinal section and comprising a brake disc contact surface (14) for a brake disc, wherein a seal receiving chamber (22) is formed in the wheel flange (4) on its side facing the outer ring (6) in an axial direction, in which a wheel bearing seal is located. Provision is made here for a rim centering seat element (5) to protrude from the wheel hub (3), the rim centering seat element extending in a direction opposite to the brake disc contact surface (14) with respect to the brake disc receptacle (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel bearing assembly for a motor vehicle, which comprises a wheel hub and a wheel bearing for rotatably supporting the wheel hub on a wheel hub carrier, wherein the wheel bearing comprises an outer ring and an inner ring which can rotate relative to the outer ring about a rotation axis, the inner ring being connected to the wheel hub, wherein a wheel rim protrudes from the wheel hub in a radial direction, the wheel rim having a brake disc receiving portion which is open in a direction away from the outer ring when viewed in an axial direction, the brake disc receiving portion being formed by a groove of the wheel rim when viewed in a longitudinal section and having a brake disc contact surface for a brake disc, wherein a seal receiving cavity is constructed in the wheel rim on its side facing the outer ring in the axial direction, and a wheel bearing seal is present in the seal receiving cavity. Background Art

[0002] For example, the publication EP 3 351 403 A1 is known from the prior art. This publication describes a wheel bearing for a motor vehicle, which has an outer ring, an inner ring arranged at least partially within the outer ring, and a longitudinal axis extending from the vehicle interior to the vehicle exterior in the axial direction of the outer ring and the inner ring. The inner ring has a flange section at its end pointing toward the vehicle exterior, the flange section having a first section which is farthest from the axial center of the outer ring and a second section which forms a contact surface for mounting a brake disc. The flange section is designed in a stepped manner, so that the contact surface for mounting the brake disc is arranged displaced in the axial direction toward the vehicle interior relative to the section of the flange section which is farthest from the axial center of the outer ring, and an at least partially circumferential projection is present on the side opposite to the contact surface for mounting the brake disc.

[0003] In addition, the publication EP 3 447 321 A1 describes a wheel bearing assembly for a motor vehicle, which has a wheel hub and a wheel bearing for rotatably supporting the wheel hub on a wheel hub carrier, wherein the wheel bearing has an outer ring and an inner ring rotatable relative to the outer ring about a rotation axis, the inner ring being connected to the wheel hub, wherein a wheel rim protrudes from the wheel hub, the wheel rim having a brake disc receiving portion open in a direction away from the outer ring when viewed in the axial direction, the brake disc receiving portion being formed by a groove of the wheel rim when viewed in a longitudinal section relative to the rotation axis and having a contact surface for the brake disc. A joint shaft flange is fixed to the wheel hub. A seal receiving cavity is formed in the wheel rim on its side facing the outer ring. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel bearing assembly for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known wheel bearing assemblies and in particular allows a faster and more precise assembly of the wheel on the wheel rim.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a wheel bearing assembly for a motor vehicle. Provision is made here that a rim centering seat element protrudes from the wheel hub, the rim centering seat element extending in a direction opposite to the brake disc abutment surface relative to the brake disc receptacle.

[0006] The wheel bearing assembly serves to rotatably support at least one wheel on the body of a motor vehicle. The wheel bearing assembly is preferably a component of a wheel suspension, which serves to suspend the wheel relative to the body, in particular to suspend the wheel elastically. The wheel is rotatably supported on a hub carrier of the wheel bearing assembly. For this purpose, the wheel can be fixed on a wheel rim, which is connected to a wheel hub, which is ultimately rotatably supported on the hub carrier by means of a wheel bearing. The wheel bearing has an inner ring and an outer ring. The wheel bearing is preferably designed as a rolling bearing, in particular as a single-row or multi-row rolling bearing, so that, in order to reduce friction, rolling bodies are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring in only one row or (alternatively) in multiple rows.

[0007] The outer ring is fixed or can be fixed to the wheel carrier, while the inner ring is connected or can be connected to the wheel hub and thus to the wheel rim. The inner ring can be designed in one piece and / or of the same material with the wheel hub and / or the wheel rim, that is, in this respect, integrated therein. Obviously, there can also be a plurality of inner rings, wherein one or more of the inner rings can be designed independently of the wheel hub or (alternatively) in one piece and / or of the same material with the wheel hub. Thus, at least one of the inner rings, for example exactly one of the inner rings, is integrated into the wheel hub and for this purpose is designed in one piece and / or of the same material with the wheel hub, whereas another of the inner rings is designed independently of the wheel rim and is then fixed to the wheel rim.

[0008] The wheel rim projects from the wheel hub in the radial direction and extends outwardly from the wheel hub in the radial direction. In other words, this means that the wheel hub is arranged radially further inwardly relative to the axis of rotation when viewed in longitudinal section than the wheel rim, which is accordingly arranged further outwardly. The wheel rim is essentially used to fix the wheel. Preferably, the wheel rim is arranged and configured to be screwed to the wheel, in particular the wheel rim has for this purpose at least one wheel bolt receptacle for a wheel bolt.

[0009] After the wheel has been mounted on the wheel rim, the wheel bolts act on the wheel on the one hand and on the wheel rim on the other hand and hold them together. For example, the wheel here rests on the rim end side of the wheel rim and is pressed by the wheel bolts in the direction of the wheel bolt receptacle. In the axial direction, the rim end side (on which the wheel rests after its mounting) is spaced apart from the wheel bolt receptacle (i.e. by the brake disc receptacle). This means that, viewed in longitudinal section, the brake disc receptacle is located between the rim end side and the wheel bolt receptacle in the axial direction or in longitudinal section. The rim end side can also be referred to as the wheel contact surface.

[0010] The brake disc receptacle is used to receive a brake disc, which can be a component of a brake system of a motor vehicle. The brake disc contact surface delimits the brake disc receptacle in the axial direction, so that after its installation, the brake disc contacts the wheel rim, more precisely in the axial direction against the brake disc contact surface, in particular in a flat manner. In addition to the brake disc, the brake system preferably additionally has at least one brake caliper, which is movable relative to the brake disc and cooperates with the brake disc in a braking manner in at least one position. That is, in at least one position, a braking force or a braking torque is applied to the wheel rim by means of the brake caliper and the brake disc.

[0011] In radial direction inwards, the brake disc receiving part is limited by the outer peripheral surface of the wheel rim, which is formed by the groove of the wheel rim. When viewed in longitudinal section, the outer peripheral surface is preferably mostly or continuously flat, so that the outer peripheral surface is at least partially present as a conical side surface. The outer peripheral surface is arranged parallel to the rotation axis or at an angle to the longitudinal center axis. In the latter case, the outer peripheral surface is present as an inclined surface. When viewed in the axial direction, the outer peripheral surface preferably extends from the wheel bolt receiving part to the end side of the wheel rim, and the wheel rests on the end side of the wheel rim after its assembly. In this regard, the end side of the wheel rim can also be called the wheel contact surface.

[0012] Preferably, the brake disc has at most the same dimensions as the brake disc receptacle in the axial direction, but preferably has smaller dimensions, so that after its installation, the brake disc is completely accommodated in the brake disc receptacle in the axial direction. Conversely, in the radial direction, after its installation, the brake disc protrudes beyond the wheel rim, i.e. has a larger diameter relative to the axis of rotation than the wheel rim. Accordingly, optionally, the wheel and / or the brake disc are components of the described wheel bearing assembly. In other words, optionally, the wheel bearing assembly includes the wheel but not the brake disc, or the wheel bearing assembly includes the brake disc but not the wheel, or includes both the wheel and the brake disc.

[0013] The wheel rim has a seal receiving cavity on its side facing the outer ring in the axial direction, in which a wheel bearing seal is arranged. The wheel bearing seal is sealingly abutted against the wheel rim on the one hand and sealingly abutted against the outer ring on the other hand, so that the wheel bearing can be reliably sealed from the external environment at least from the wheel rim side. Preferably, another sealing portion is arranged on the side of the wheel bearing facing away from the sealing portion in the axial direction, that is (in the case where the wheel bearing is designed as a rolling bearing) on ​​the side of the rolling body opposite to the sealing portion in the radial direction. The wheel bearing seal is, for example, fixed to the wheel rim in a rotationally fixed manner and thus rotatably abuts against the outer ring in a sealing manner. Alternatively, it is provided that the wheel bearing seal is fixed to the outer ring in a rotationally fixed manner and thus rotatably abuts against the wheel hub carrier in a sealing manner. The design of the described wheel bearing assembly achieves an extremely compact design in the axial direction.

[0014] In order to enable a particularly quick, simple and precise assembly of the wheel on the wheel rim, a rim centering seat element projects from the wheel hub. The rim centering seat element extends in a direction opposite the brake disc contact surface relative to the brake disc receptacle. In other words, viewed in longitudinal section, the brake disc receptacle is arranged in the axial direction between the rim centering seat element and the brake disc contact surface. For example, the rim centering seat element is connected to the wheel contact surface in the axial direction or intersects an imaginary plane which continuously accommodates the wheel contact surface in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation. This means that the imaginary plane, on the one hand, continuously accommodates at least one region of the wheel contact surface itself in the circumferential direction and, on the other hand, extends through the rim centering seat element.

[0015] The rim centering element forms a rim centering element for a wheel or a rim for a wheel. Before the wheel is fastened to the wheel flange, the rim centering element centers the wheel relative to the axis of rotation, or rather cooperates with the wheel for wheel centering. In the context of this description, a wheel is understood to be at least one rim of a wheel, which does not necessarily have to be provided with a tire or a tread. Preferably, however, the wheel consists of a rim and a tire or a tread.

[0016] That is, both the wheel rim and the rim centering seat element protrude from the wheel hub, i.e. the wheel rim in the radial direction and the rim centering seat element in the axial direction. Particularly preferably, the rim centering seat element is designed integrally with the wheel hub and / or is made of the same material. For example, the wheel hub, the wheel rim and the rim centering seat element are designed integrally with one another and are made of the same material, so that the wheel bearing assembly is particularly compact and lightweight.

[0017] To form a rim centering seat, the rim centering seat element has, for example, a cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical, outer circumferential surface. From this outer circumferential surface radial projections may project, from which radial projections extend radially outwards. The radial projections serve to reduce the contact surface between the wheel or the rim of the wheel on the one hand and the rim centering seat element on the other hand, in order to prevent the wheel from sticking, corroding and / or jamming, for example due to weather factors.

[0018] The radial projection is designed to be continuous in the circumferential direction. However, it is particularly preferred that the radial projection is segmented, so that the radial projection consists of a plurality of radial projection segments that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, it is provided that the radial projection segments are located in the region of an outer peripheral surface, which is located on an assumed cylindrical circumference of a cylinder, in particular a circular cylinder, so that this region is convex. In contrast, between the radial projection segments, the outer peripheral surface can differ from the circumferential surface and be designed to be concave, for example. This makes it particularly effective to avoid wheel sticking and at the same time achieve a low weight of the wheel bearing assembly.

[0019] An improved solution of the present invention provides that the seal receiving chamber overlaps the outer ring end of the outer ring facing the wheel rim in the radial direction. In other words, the seal receiving chamber extends further outward in the radial direction than the outer ring end of the outer ring or even than the entire outer ring. The outer ring end is understood to be the end of the outer ring facing the wheel rim, which is closest to the wheel rim and / or the wheel contact surface in the axial direction. This design of the seal receiving chamber makes it possible to arrange the outer ring particularly close to the wheel, for example, so that the outer ring is flush with the wheel rim, or even engages in the seal receiving chamber. As a result, a wheel bearing assembly that is particularly compact in the axial direction is achieved.

[0020] The outer ring end is, for example, located on an outer ring protrusion, which extends in the axial direction from the base of the outer ring in the direction of the seal accommodating cavity. Here, the outer ring protrusion has a smaller dimension in the radial direction than the outer ring as a whole, especially on the outer ring end. Preferably, the outer ring protrusion has an extension in the radial direction on its end facing the seal accommodating cavity, that is, on the outer ring end, which is equivalent to a maximum of 50%, a maximum of 25% or a maximum of 10% of the maximum extension of the outer ring in the same direction.

[0021] An improved solution of the present invention provides that the outer ring of the wheel bearing is flush with the rim end side of the wheel rim facing the outer ring, or at least engages into the seal receiving cavity with a projection of the outer ring. This has been pointed out above. The rim end side is understood to be the end side of the wheel rim opposite to the wheel contact surface. That is, when viewed in the axial direction, the wheel contact surface limits the wheel rim in a first direction and limits the wheel rim end side in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The seal receiving cavity passes through the rim end side, so that the seal receiving cavity is located in the wheel rim with an open edge and leads to the external environment through the rim end side.

[0022] Preferably, the wheel flange end face is located continuously in the circumferential direction in an imaginary plane which is particularly preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It can be particularly preferably provided that at least one rolling element of the wheel bearing is also arranged overlapping the wheel flange when viewed in the axial direction, i.e., in particular, is arranged on the side of an imaginary plane which preferably continuously accommodates the wheel flange end face in the circumferential direction, which side faces the wheel contact surface and / or intersects this plane.

[0023] The outer ring is flush with the rim end side. This means that the outer ring, viewed in the axial direction, directly adjoins the rim end side. Because here, the outer ring is arranged to overlap the seal receiving chamber in the radial direction, contact between the outer ring and the rim is nevertheless avoided. In other words, the outer ring and the rim are arranged without contact or without any contact with each other, although the outer ring is flush with the rim end side. Furthermore, this also applies if the outer ring or at least the outer ring projection engages in the seal receiving chamber.

[0024] As already explained, the outer ring projection is understood to be a raised portion of the outer ring, which has, for example, smaller dimensions in the radial direction than other areas of the outer ring. For example, it can be provided that the seal accommodating cavity only extends further outwards in the radial direction than the outer ring projection, but not further than the entire outer ring. In other words, the seal accommodating cavity only overlaps the outer ring projection in the radial direction and does not overlap the outer ring as a whole, i.e. overlaps with the outer ring in the radial direction. However, it is obviously also possible to provide that the seal accommodating cavity overlaps the entire outer ring in the radial direction, i.e. extends further outwards in the radial direction than the outer ring. In any case, if there is an outer ring projection, the outer ring end already described above is located on the outer ring projection. The design of the described wheel bearing assembly is implemented to be extremely compact in the axial direction.

[0025] An improved solution of the present invention provides that the seal receiving chamber, when viewed in longitudinal section, comprises a first seal receiving chamber area having a first seal receiving chamber width and a second seal receiving chamber area having a second seal receiving chamber width different from the first seal receiving chamber width, wherein the first seal receiving chamber area transitions into the second seal receiving chamber area in a manner overlapping with the outer ring when viewed in the radial direction. Therefore, the seal receiving chamber can be divided into at least two seal receiving chamber areas, namely, the first seal receiving chamber area and the second seal receiving chamber area. The two seal receiving chamber areas differ in their width, namely, their extension in the axial direction, so that the first seal receiving chamber width of the first seal receiving chamber area is different from the second seal receiving chamber width of the second seal receiving chamber area.

[0026] The first seal accommodating chamber area is arranged to be located further inwardly than the second seal accommodating chamber area in the radial direction. In other words, the first seal accommodating chamber area extends to a transition point in the radial direction and transitions into the second seal accommodating chamber area at the transition point. Preferably, the first seal accommodating chamber width is greater than the second seal accommodating chamber width, so that the seal accommodating chamber has a greater width further inwardly in the radial direction than further outwardly in the radial direction.

[0027] In principle, the extension of the seal receiving chamber area width in the radial direction can be identical or different from one another. That is, for example, the first seal receiving chamber area has the same dimensions in the radial direction as the second seal receiving chamber area. Preferably, the dimensions of the seal receiving chamber areas in the radial direction are at least similar, that is, for example, so that the dimension of the first seal receiving chamber area in the radial direction is at least 75% to a maximum of 125% of the dimension of the second seal receiving chamber area, or vice versa. The transition between the first seal receiving chamber area and the second seal receiving chamber preferably overlaps with the outer ring, in particular the outer ring end of the outer ring, and / or the outer ring projection when viewed in the radial direction.

[0028] If the outer ring engages in the seal receiving chamber, this is achieved, for example, in such a way that, viewed in longitudinal section, a larger part of the outer ring, more precisely the outer ring projection, engages in the second seal receiving chamber area and only a smaller part engages in the first seal receiving chamber area. Different seal receiving chamber widths enable the wheel bearing seal to be used with a particularly high sealing effect. For example, the wheel bearing seal rests sealingly on the wheel rim in the first seal receiving chamber and rests on the outer ring next to the first seal receiving chamber area. For this purpose, for example, the wheel bearing seal extends through the second seal receiving chamber area in the direction of the outer ring.

[0029] A further development of the invention provides that the wheel bearing seal bears sealingly against the wheel rim in the first seal receiving area with at least one sealing lip and extends from the first seal receiving chamber area into the second seal receiving chamber area and bears sealingly against the outer ring in a manner overlapping at least the second seal receiving chamber area when viewed in the radial direction in longitudinal section. A design of this type has already been mentioned. This design enables the use of a wheel bearing seal of sufficient size to achieve a reliable seal between the wheel rim and the outer ring.

[0030] The wheel bearing seal has at least one sealing lip, but preferably a plurality of sealing lips. At least one of the sealing lips, but preferably a plurality of the sealing lips, rests against the wheel rim in the area of ​​the first seal receiving chamber. At least another of the sealing lips, but preferably a plurality of the other sealing lips, rests sealingly against the outer ring. For example, it can be provided that the wheel bearing seal rests against the outer ring end of the outer ring, in particular against the side end of the outer ring closest to the wheel rim. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the wheel bearing seal at least partially overlaps the outer ring on its radially outer side and rests sealingly against the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring. As a result, a particularly good sealing effect of the wheel bearing seal is achieved.

[0031] A refinement of the invention provides that the seal receiving chamber (viewed in the longitudinal direction) is arranged in the radial direction to overlap with an inclined surface, which connects the end side of the wheel rim to the brake disc contact surface for forming the groove. In other words, the groove is formed by the inclined surface. The inclined surface is at least partially or completely located in an imaginary plane that is angled with respect to the rotation axis and that encloses an angle greater than 0° and less than 180° with the rotation axis. For example, the angle is a minimum of 40° to a maximum of 60°.

[0032] When viewed in the axial direction, the inclined surface is located between the end side of the wheel rim and the contact surface of the brake disc. The inclined surface limits the brake disc receiving portion inwardly in the radial direction. Preferably, the inclined surface is oriented in such a way that its distance from the rotation axis decreases from the contact surface of the brake disc toward the end side of the wheel rim. When viewed in the longitudinal section, the inclined surface is arranged to overlap with the seal receiving cavity in the radial direction. As a result, the outer shape of the wheel rim is achieved in the longitudinal section, that is, it has an S shape or a mirrored S shape. In other words, the wheel rim has an S direction when viewed in the longitudinal section. As a result, a compact design of the wheel bearing assembly is achieved.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the seal receiving chamber width is greater than the width of the brake disc receiving portion present in the axial direction between the wheel contact surface and the brake disc contact surface. This again enables the use of a wheel bearing seal which reliably seals the wheel bearing against environmental influences. If a good sealing effect is not necessarily required, the seal receiving chamber width can obviously also correspond to the brake disc receiving portion width at most or be smaller than the brake disc receiving portion width.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that the brake disc receiving portion of the brake disc receiving portion located between the wheel contact surface and the brake disc contact surface in the axial direction is at most 1.25 times the wheel bolt receiving portion width of the wheel bolt receiving portion located between the wheel rim end side and the brake disc contact surface and formed in the wheel rim, wherein the brake disc receiving portion width corresponds to the wheel bolt receiving portion width or is smaller than the wheel bolt receiving portion width. As already explained, the wheel contact surface is understood to be the end side of the wheel rim facing away from the wheel bearing. The brake disc receiving portion is located between the wheel contact surface and the brake disc contact surface when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, the distance of the wheel contact surface in the axial direction corresponds to the brake disc receiving portion width.

[0035] At least one wheel bolt receptacle is formed in the wheel rim, which serves to receive a wheel bolt or a wheel screw, which is fastened to the wheel rim by means of the wheel bolt / wheel screw when the wheel is mounted. In the context of the present application, the terms bolt and screw are used essentially synonymously. The wheel bolt receptacle preferably passes completely through the wheel rim in the axial direction. More preferably, the longitudinal center axis of the wheel bolt receptacle runs continuously in a straight line and is especially oriented parallel to the axis of rotation or at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0036] The extension of the wheel bolt receptacle in the axial direction is referred to as the wheel bolt receptacle width. It is particularly preferred that the brake disc receptacle width is smaller than the wheel bolt receptacle width. However, it is also permissible in principle that the brake disc receptacle width is slightly larger than the brake disc receptacle width, i.e., a maximum of up to 1.25 times the brake disc receptacle width. This allows both the brake disc and the wheel to be securely fixed to the wheel rim.

[0037] A development of the invention provides that the rim centering seat formed by the rim centering seat element has a rim centering seat width which, viewed in the axial direction, extends between the wheel contact surface and the rim centering seat end side facing away from the wheel contact surface and corresponds at least to the brake disc receiving width and / or at most to the wheel bolt receiving width. The rim centering seat located on the rim centering seat element has already been indicated. The rim centering seat or the rim centering seat element has a rim centering seat width in the axial direction, which extends in the same direction between the wheel contact surface and the rim centering seat end side. The rim centering seat end side closes the rim centering seat element or the rim centering seat in the axial direction in the direction facing away from the wheel flange.

[0038] In order to achieve a reliable centering of the wheel or rim by means of the rim centering seat, the rim centering seat is at least larger than the brake disc receptacle in the axial direction. The rim centering seat width is therefore at least as large as the brake disc receptacle width. However, in order to achieve a particularly compact design of the wheel bearing assembly, the rim centering seat width is preferably limited to the size of the wheel bolt receptacle width, i.e., is smaller than or equal to the wheel bolt receptacle width. This design of the wheel bearing assembly achieves the advantages already mentioned, i.e., simple and reliable mounting of the wheel on the wheel rim and a compact design in the axial direction.

[0039] A development of the invention provides that the rim centering seat element has a larger inner diameter than the wheel hub. Both the wheel hub and the rim centering seat element have a central inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity of the wheel hub transitions into the inner cavity of the rim centering seat element without interruption. However, the inner cavity is enlarged here so that the inner cavity of the rim centering seat element is larger than the inner diameter of the wheel hub. The corresponding inner cavity is present in the form of a hollow cavity. This allows a reduction in the weight of the wheel bearing assembly. For example, different inner diameters are formed by means of a sudden change in the inner diameter. This means that the inner cavity is enlarged abruptly starting from the inner cavity of the wheel hub in the direction of the inner cavity of the rim centering seat element, i.e., it is enlarged while forming a step. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Next, the present invention will be explained based on the embodiments shown in the drawings without limiting the present invention.

[0041] The single FIGURE shows a schematic longitudinal section through a wheel bearing assembly for a motor vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The drawing shows a schematic longitudinal section through the region of a wheel bearing assembly 1 for a motor vehicle. In the wheel bearing assembly 1, in particular, a wheel bearing 2, a wheel hub 3, a wheel flange 4 and a rim centering element 5 are shown. The wheel bearing 2 has an outer ring 6 and an inner ring 7. The wheel bearing is designed as a rolling bearing, so that rolling bodies 8 are arranged between the outer ring 6 and the inner ring 7, which rolling bodies bring about a friction reduction between the outer ring 6 and the inner ring 7. In the embodiment shown here, the inner ring 7 of the wheel bearing 2 is designed to be integrated with the wheel hub 3, so that the wheel hub 3 itself has a running surface for one or more of the rolling bodies 8. However, it is obvious that the inner ring 7 can be designed to be independent of the wheel hub 3.

[0043] In addition to the inner ring 7, a further inner ring 9 of the wheel bearing 2 is shown, which also forms a running surface for at least one or more of the rolling elements 8. The inner ring 9 is preferably designed to be independent of the inner ring 7 or the wheel hub 3. For example, the inner ring 9 is arranged behind the outer ring 6 and the rolling elements 8 or is arranged together with the outer ring and the rolling elements on the inner ring 7 and / or the wheel hub 3. The further inner ring 9 is fixed to the wheel hub 3 in the axial direction, for example, by forming a rolling riveted flange on the wheel hub 3. The rolling riveted flange is made by an enlargement of the wheel hub 3 in the radial direction.

[0044] The inner ring 7 and the hub 3 arranged or fixed on the inner ring 7 are arranged in the outer ring 6. However, the hub 3 projects from the outer ring in the axial direction. In this regard, both the rim 4 and the rim centering element 5 project from the hub 3, i.e., the rim 4 projects outwards in the radial direction and the rim centering element 5 projects in the axial direction away from the wheel bearing 2. The rim 4 extends in the radial direction over the rolling elements 8 and the outer ring 6. With the aid of the wheel bearing 2, the hub 3, the rim 4 and the rim centering element 5 are supported rotatably about the rotation axis 10 relative to the wheel carrier (not shown here). The wheel bearing 2 is present as a multi-part rolling bearing, so that the rolling elements 8 are divided into two rolling element rows 11 and 12 which are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction relative to the rotation axis 10.

[0045] A brake disc (not shown here) and a wheel of a motor vehicle (also not shown) can be fixed or secured to the wheel rim 4. The wheel is fixed to the wheel rim 4 by means of at least one wheel bolt (not shown), and the wheel rim 4 has a wheel bolt receptacle 13 for receiving the wheel bolt. The wheel bolt receptacle 13 extends through a brake disc contact surface 14 and a wheel rim end side 15 facing away from the brake disc contact surface. The brake disc contact surface 14 delimits a brake disc receptacle 16 in the axial direction, i.e. in the direction of the wheel bearing 2.

[0046] In contrast, in the radial direction inwards, the brake disc receptacle 16 is limited by an outer peripheral surface 17 of the wheel rim 4, which in the embodiment shown here is designed as an inclined surface. Therefore, in order to form the outer peripheral surface 17, the wheel hub 3 is partially designed to be conical. Preferably, the brake disc contact surface 14 is located continuously in an imaginary plane, which is preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10. The outer peripheral surface 17 is preferably also flat when viewed in longitudinal section.

[0047] In the axial direction, on the side of the brake disc receptacle 16 facing away from the brake disc contact surface 14, the wheel flange 4 has a wheel contact surface 18, against which the wheel of the motor vehicle contacts after it is mounted. Preferably, the wheel contact surface is located continuously in an imaginary plane, which is preferably also perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10. Overall, the wheel flange 4 is limited, viewed in the axial direction, on the one hand by the wheel flange end face 15 and on the other hand by the wheel contact surface 18.

[0048] The rim centering seat element 5 forms a rim centering seat 19 which, viewed in the axial direction, extends from the wheel contact surface 18 to a rim centering seat end face 20. It can be provided that at least one radial projection 21 projects from the rim centering seat element 5, which radial projection is designed to be continuous or interrupted in the circumferential direction.

[0049] In order to seal the wheel bearing 2 against external influences, at least one wheel bearing seal (not shown here) is provided. The wheel bearing seal is arranged at least partially in a seal receiving chamber 22 formed in the wheel rim 4. In the embodiment of the wheel bearing assembly 1 shown here, the outer ring 6 engages with the outer ring end 23 in the seal receiving chamber 22, i.e. so that, viewed in the axial direction, the outer ring 6 and the wheel rim 4 overlap one another. This results in a particularly compact design of the wheel bearing assembly 1 in the axial direction.

[0050] However, in any case, the seal receiving chamber 22 overlaps the outer ring 6 or at least its outer ring end 23 in the radial direction outwardly, that is, the seal receiving chamber 22 extends further outwardly in the radial direction than the outer ring 6 or at least the outer ring end 23. This makes it possible for the outer ring 6 to be arranged at least very close to the wheel rim 4, so that, for example, the outer ring 6 and the wheel rim 4 are flush with each other.

[0051] It is conceivable that the seal receiving chamber 22 is designed in a stepped manner and thus has a first seal receiving chamber area 24 and a second seal receiving chamber area 25, which are characterized by different seal receiving chamber widths. The seal receiving chamber width of the first seal receiving chamber area 24 can be referred to as the first seal receiving chamber width B. DR1 , and the seal accommodating cavity width of the second seal accommodating cavity region 25 may be referred to as the second seal accommodating cavity width B DR2 .

[0052] As a further dimension, the wheel bolt receptacle 13 has a wheel bolt receptacle width B RA The brake disc receiving portion 16 has a brake disc receiving portion width B BA , and the rim centering seat 19 has a rim centering seat width B FS In addition, the rim 4 has a rim width B RF The wheel rim width is determined by the wheel bolt receiving width B RA and brake disc receiving width B BA Composition. Rim width B RF and rim centering seat width B FS The sum of is called the total width B G In addition, the bearing unit width B is indicated. BS , which represents the distance in the axial direction between the brake disc contact surface 14 and the end side of the outer ring 6 facing away from the wheel rim 4. The extension of the outer ring 6 in the axial direction is called the outer ring width B RL .

[0053] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the hub 3 and the rim centering seat element 5 have a common inner cavity 26, which has an inner diameter D1 in the region of the hub 3 and an inner diameter D2 in the region of the rim centering seat element 5. In this case, the diameter D2 is greater than the diameter D1. The enlargement of the inner cavity 26 from the hub 3 to the rim centering seat element 5 is preferably caused by an inner diameter jump 27, which forms a step 27. In this respect, the inner cavity 26 is present as a stepped inner cavity.

[0054] On the one hand, the described embodiment of the wheel bearing assembly 1 is distinguished by simple assembly of the wheel, namely due to the rim centering seat element 5 or the rim centering seat 19. On the other hand, the wheel bearing assembly has an extremely compact construction in the axial direction.

[0055] List of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1 wheel bearing assembly

[0057] 2 wheel bearings

[0058] 3 wheels

[0059] 4 Rim

[0060] 5. Rim centering element

[0061] 6 Outer ring

[0062] 7 Inner Circle

[0063] 8 rolling elements

[0064] 9 Inner Circle

[0065] 10Rotation axis

[0066] 11 rolling element rows

[0067] 12 rolling element rows

[0068] 13 Wheel bolt receiving portion

[0069] 14 Brake disc contact surface

[0070] 15 Wheel rim end

[0071] 16 brake disc receiving portion

[0072] 17 Outer peripheral surface

[0073] 18 wheel contact surface

[0074] 19 Rim centering seat

[0075] 20 Wheel rim centering seat end side

[0076] 21 radial protrusion

[0077] 22 Sealing element accommodating chamber

[0078] 23 Outer ring end

[0079] 24 first sealing member accommodating chamber area

[0080] 25 Second sealing member accommodating chamber area

[0081] 26 Inner cavity

[0082] 27 Steps

Claims

1. A wheel bearing assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel hub (3) and a wheel bearing (2) for rotatably supporting the wheel hub (3) on a wheel carrier, wherein: The wheel bearing (2) comprises an outer ring (6) and an inner ring (7) which can rotate relative to the outer ring (6) about an axis of rotation (10), the inner ring being connected to a wheel hub (3), wherein a wheel rim (4) protrudes from the wheel hub (3) in a radial direction, and when viewed in the axial direction, the wheel rim has a brake disc receiving portion (16) which is open in a direction away from the outer ring (6), the brake disc receiving portion being formed by a groove in the wheel rim (4) when viewed in a longitudinal section, wherein the brake disc receiving portion (16) is limited inwardly in a radial direction by an outer peripheral surface (17) formed by the groove and has a brake disc contact surface (14) for a brake disc, wherein a brake disc is provided in the wheel rim (4) and ... A seal receiving cavity (22) is constructed on the side facing the outer ring (6) in the axial direction, and a wheel bearing seal is present in the seal receiving cavity, characterized in that, viewed in the axial direction, the outer peripheral surface (17) extends from the brake disc contact surface (14) to the wheel contact surface (18), wherein a rim centering seat element (5) protrudes from the wheel contact surface (18), the rim centering seat element extending in a direction opposite to the brake disc contact surface (14) relative to the brake disc receiving portion (16), wherein at least one radial protrusion (21) protrudes from the rim centering seat element (5), and the at least one radial protrusion is constructed to be continuous or interrupted in the circumferential direction.

2. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seal accommodating cavity (22) overlaps the outer ring end (23) of the outer ring (6) facing the wheel rim (4) in the radial direction.

3. A wheel bearing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The outer ring (6) of the wheel bearing (2) is flush with the wheel flange end side (15) of the wheel flange (4) facing the outer ring (6), or at least engages with an outer ring projection into the seal receiving chamber (22).

4. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The seal accommodating cavity (22) comprises a first seal accommodating cavity width (B DR1 ) of the first seal accommodating cavity area (24) and having a first seal accommodating cavity width (B DR1 ) Different widths of the second sealing member accommodating cavity (B DR2 ), wherein the first seal receiving chamber area (24) transitions into the second seal receiving chamber area (25) in a manner overlapping with the outer ring (6) when viewed in the radial direction.

5. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The wheel bearing seal is sealingly abutted against the wheel rim (4) in a first seal receiving chamber area (24) by means of at least one sealing lip and extends from the first seal receiving chamber area (24) into a second seal receiving chamber area (25), wherein the wheel bearing seal is sealingly abutted against the outer ring (6) in a manner overlapping at least the second seal receiving chamber area (25) when viewed in a longitudinal section in a radial direction.

6. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: When viewed in longitudinal section, the seal receiving chamber (22) is arranged in radial direction to overlap with an inclined surface which connects the wheel flange end side (15) with the brake disc contact surface (14) to form a groove.

7. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: Width of seal cavity (B DR1 ) is greater than the width (B ) of the brake disc receiving portion existing between the wheel contact surface (18) and the brake disc contact surface (14) in the axial direction. BA ).

8. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The brake disc receiving portion width (B BA ) is the wheel bolt receiving width (B) of the wheel bolt receiving portion (13) between the wheel flange end side (15) and the brake disc contact surface (14). RA ), the wheel bolt receptacle being formed in the wheel flange (4), or the brake disc receptacle width (B BA ) is equal to or smaller than the wheel bolt receiving width (B RA ).

9. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The rim centering seat (19) formed by the rim centering seat element (5) has a rim centering seat width (B FS ), the rim centering seat width, viewed in the axial direction, is between the wheel contact surface (18) and the rim centering seat end side (20) facing away from the wheel contact surface (18), and is at least equal to the brake disc receiving portion width (B RA ) and / or at most the width of the wheel bolt receptacle (B RA ).

10. The wheel bearing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rim centering seat element (5) has a larger inner diameter (D2) than the hub (3).

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