Assembly of a non-rotating wheel trim on an axle stub

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) of a fixed hub cap on an axle arm for a motor vehicle. The assembly (1) comprises an axle arm, a spacer (4), a wheel hub (5), a wheel bearing (7), a wheel, and a fixed hub cap. The axle arm comprises a fixed stub (10), which has an outer circumferential surface (11) on which the wheel hub (5) is rotatably mounted by means of the wheel bearing (7). The wheel hub (5) has an outer front face (17) to which the wheel is rotatably fixed, and the spacer (4) is fixed to the axle arm (3) such that the spacer (4) does not rotate when the wheel hub (5) is rotating. The spacer (4) is guided through a central opening (27) in the wheel hub (5), which leads to the wheel bearing (7).The hub cap is rotationally fixed directly to the spacer (4) so ​​that it does not rotate when the wheel hub (5) is rotating, covering at least part of the outer surface of the wheel. The spacer (4) forms a fastening element (39) that extends in the axial (x) direction and bears against the wheel bearing (7). The spacer (4) is fixed to the journal (10) of the axle arm (3) so that the fastening element (39) of the spacer (4) secures the wheel bearing (7) in the axial (x) direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the arrangement of a non-rotating wheel cover on a steering knuckle of a motor vehicle.

[0002] US Patent 4,981,329 discloses a stationary wheel cover assembly for a motor vehicle. The wheel cover assembly consists of a mounting flange that attaches to the threaded end of a spindle in the motor vehicle. A cover plate, bearing markings on its outer surface, is attached to the mounting flange so that the cover plate remains stationary when a wheel rim with a tire connected to a hub on the axle rotates, thus displaying the markings on the cover plate. An annular bearing seal can be attached to the wheel rim so that the bearing seal can rotate with the wheel rim. Furthermore, a frustoconical dust cover can be provided with an annular, inwardly facing flat rim around its smaller edge. The rim can be attached to the rear of the stationary mounting flange.The dust cover extends over the wider edge, so that it fits into the bearing seal and thus prevents dust and dirt from getting in between.

[0003] Document US 2,741,047 A discloses an advertising device, in particular signs, intended to be carried and displayed on delivery vehicles or other motor vehicles. This device provides a plate-bearing advertising medium that can be attached to one of the front wheel spindles of a motor vehicle in such a way that it appears as part of the wheel assembly but remains stationary during the rotation of the wheel.

[0004] Document US 1,522,904 A also discloses an advertising device in the form of a plate for mounting on vehicle wheels. This document discloses a combination of a rotating wheel, a fixed spindle for this wheel, and a sleeve with internal and external threads, which is screwed onto the spindle. The advertising plate is mounted on the sleeve, and fasteners are screwed onto the sleeve to hold the advertising plate in place.

[0005] Document US 3,795,997 A discloses a wheel fairing assembly with a disc-shaped fairing part attached to a wheel rotatably mounted on a fixed axle, wherein the fairing part is secured by a nut screwed onto the end of the axle, by a plate with a cylindrical, internally projecting portion attached to the nut to prevent rotation, by a sleeve attached at its outer end to the vehicle wheel and surrounding the cylindrical portion, by a seal between the sleeve and the cylindrical portion, by a device attached to the fairing part for attachment to the plate with a downwardly projecting element extending over the top edge of the plate and a spring-loaded latch connectable to the bottom edge of the plate for rotationally secure attachment of the fairing part to the plate.

[0006] From DE 32 31 364 A1 a ventilation device for the brake in a motor vehicle wheel is disclosed, in which inner openings are provided in a rim bowl and outer openings are provided in a wheel cover to form an airflow channel leading from the inside of the wheel to the outside of the wheel, wherein the wheel cover is held on a fixed wheel axle and comprises two interconnected segments which form at least one airflow channel with a slot-shaped outer opening between them, which is oriented in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of airflow.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a particularly simpler and more cost-effective arrangement of a non-rotating wheel cover on a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0008] According to the present invention, a spacer is proposed which is non-rotating, i.e., stationary, and attached to a pivot pin of a steering knuckle. A non-rotating wheel cover is attached to the spacer. In this sense, an arrangement of a non-rotating wheel cover on a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle is provided. The arrangement comprises a steering knuckle, a spacer, a wheel hub, a wheel bearing, a wheel, and a non-rotating wheel cover.

[0009] The steering knuckle includes a non-rotating pin. This pin extends, in particular, in a horizontal direction within the vehicle when the steering knuckle is installed in the vehicle. The pin may be hollow. It serves as the rotating support for the wheel hub, to which the wheel is then fixed. The pin has an outer circumferential surface on which the wheel hub is rotatably mounted by means of the wheel bearing. This can be achieved, in particular, by means of a rolling bearing, which may be arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the pin and an inner circumferential surface of the wheel hub. The wheel hub serves to hold the wheel in a rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the wheel hub has an outer end face to which the wheel is fixedly attached.

[0010] For the effect of a stationary wheel cover to occur, the wheel cover is fixed to the non-rotating and therefore stationary steering knuckle in a rotationally fixed manner. Because the wheel cover is fixed to the non-rotating or stationary steering knuckle, it does not rotate when the vehicle is in motion, even though the wheel and wheel hub rotate. The wheel cover conceals at least part of the outer surface of the wheel. For example, the wheel cover can be fixed to the knuckle using several screw connections distributed around the circumference of the outer face of the knuckle.

[0011] The wheel hub has a central opening. This opening extends axially through the hub. Firstly, it serves to guide the axle journal through the hub, allowing the hub to be rotatably mounted on the journal. Secondly, it allows a spacer, which rests against and may be attached to an outer face of the journal, to connect to the wheel cover. The wheel cover is located laterally to the wheel, outside the hub and its central opening. In other words, the spacer forms an axial extension of the journal. It extends further outwards than the outer face of the journal, enabling the wheel cover to be attached to it.The spacer thus bridges a gap between a connection system of the wheel cover and the pin. In this sense, the spacer is guided through the central wheel hub opening, which leads to the wheel bearing. "Outside" and "outer side" refer specifically to the side that faces outwards, not inwards, when the respective element, e.g., the wheel or wheel hub, is attached to the vehicle.

[0012] According to the invention, a screw connection of the wheel bearing or an axial fixation / tensioning of the wheel bearing is combined with a fastening, in particular a screw connection, of the spacer. The spacer rests against the wheel bearing when the spacer is attached, for example, by means of the screw connection to the journal of the steering knuckle, so that the wheel bearing is secured against axial displacement. The spacer according to this embodiment enables direct axial press contact with the wheel bearing, whereby, at the same time, the rotationally fixed connection to the wheel cover allows the latter to be designed as a stationary wheel cover. In this sense, the spacer forms a fixing element. The fixing element extends in the axial direction and rests against the wheel bearing, with the spacer being attached to the journal of the steering knuckle, so that the fixing element of the spacer fixes the wheel bearing in the axial direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the spacer extends without contact to a wheel hub and closes an opening in the wheel hub to a bearing point where the wheel hub is rotatably mounted on the axle journal. Compared to the prior art, this eliminates the need for an annular bearing seal and a dust cover. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the spacer only needs to extend to the wheel hub and not, as in the prior art, to the wheel rim. This allows the spacer to be more compact than the combination of bearing seal and dust cover in the prior art. It is therefore proposed to extend the spacer directly to the wheel hub. In particular, the spacer can form a guide ring that is integrally connected to the spacer. In this way, the wheel hub can be sealed externally.Because the spacer extends to the wheel hub, additional components such as a guide ring on the wheel hub and a sealing ring between the guide ring and the spacer are unnecessary. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it requires fewer components, less assembly effort, and can be implemented more cost-effectively. In one embodiment, the spacer closes the central opening of the wheel hub to the outside without coming into contact with the hub. Specifically, a gap always exists in the radial direction between the spacer and the wheel hub. This gap prevents the spacer from rubbing against the rotating wheel hub. However, the gap is so small and / or has such a geometry that the ingress of foreign objects (e.g.,Dust, dirt or other solid or liquid foreign matter) through the central opening of the wheel hub towards the bearing of the wheel hub on the journal of the steering knuckle is minimized.

[0014] To reliably prevent the ingress of foreign objects into the wheel hub bearing area without direct contact between the wheel hub and the spacer, the radial gap between the wheel hub and the spacer can be labyrinthine in the axial direction along an inner surface of the wheel hub and an outer surface of the spacer. In this respect, one embodiment provides that where the spacer closes the central opening of the wheel hub to the outside, the facing sections of the spacer and the wheel hub form a labyrinthine gap between them.

[0015] The labyrinth can be formed, for example, by radially overlapping and axially spaced labyrinth elements of the wheel hub and the spacer. Such a design is particularly characterized by its effectiveness and simplicity. In this sense, according to a further embodiment, the wheel hub forms at least one wheel hub labyrinth element, which is directed radially inwards, and the spacer forms at least one spacer labyrinth element, which is directed radially outwards. The wheel hub labyrinth element is arranged axially next to the spacer labyrinth element without touching it, with the wheel hub labyrinth element overlapping the spacer labyrinth element radially.The radial direction and the axial direction refer in particular to the spacer and / or the wheel hub.

[0016] Additionally, a labyrinth seal can be positioned towards the wheel hub. The labyrinth seal further contributes to closing any existing radial gaps between the wheel hub and the spacer in the direction of the wheel bearing, thus preventing contaminants from entering the wheel hub bearing area. In one embodiment, the arrangement further comprises a labyrinth seal, the seal being located on the inside of the wheel hub opening and extending between the wheel hub and the spacer. In particular, the labyrinth seal is positioned axially directly adjacent to the labyrinthine gap. The labyrinth seal is, in particular, a shaft seal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the spacer is coaxially attached to an end face of the steering knuckle, for example, by means of several screws distributed around the edge, which can run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the knuckle. This embodiment eliminates the need for central through-holes within the spacer and within the steering knuckle. Furthermore, the multiple screws prevent the spacer from rotating. The spacer can be closed in its center. The steering knuckle does not need to have an opening for, for example, a screw to connect the spacer to the steering knuckle. This allows for increased sealing in an area where, in particular, a wheel bearing bolt may be located.

[0018] The spacer can be attached to the steering knuckle by means of several screws. Particularly advantageously, holes for screws connecting the spacer to the wheel cover on the one hand and the steering knuckle on the other can be arranged in a common ring section. This further simplifies manufacturing and contributes to a more compact design. In one embodiment, the spacer forms a ring section that extends around a longitudinal axis of the spacer, with several wheel cover holes for connecting the spacer to the wheel cover arranged in the ring section, and with several steering knuckle holes for connecting the spacer to the steering knuckle arranged in the ring section between the wheel cover holes.

[0019] Alternatively, the spacer can be screwed to the journal of the steering knuckle using a central nut, particularly in combination with an axial clamping of a wheel bearing between the journal and the wheel hub, as described below. In a further embodiment, a distal end of the journal is guided through a central opening in the spacer, and the spacer is fixed to the distal end of the journal by means of a central nut to prevent rotation. The spacer can be secured against rotation to the steering knuckle by a separate collar. In this case, the spacer can have a first anti-rotation collar, the journal of the steering knuckle having a second anti-rotation collar, and the first anti-rotation collar engaging the second anti-rotation collar in such a way that the spacer is secured against rotation. Alternatively, other anti-rotation devices can be used, e.g.,Dowel pins or dowel screws.

[0020] The wheel bearing can be arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the journal and an inner circumferential surface of the wheel hub, so that the wheel hub is rotatably mounted on the journal by means of the wheel bearing. Furthermore, the wheel bearing can be secured axially on the journal of the steering knuckle by means of a combination of two slotted nuts and a locking plate arranged between the two slotted nuts.

[0021] Even greater sealing of the wheel bearing against the external environment can be achieved by combining the labyrinth seal described above with a wheel bearing seal located directly on the wheel bearing. In a further embodiment, the arrangement comprises a wheel bearing seal located on the inside of the wheel hub opening and extending between the wheel hub and the wheel bearing, with the wheel bearing seal positioned axially directly adjacent to the wheel bearing. Specifically, the wheel bearing seal is located on the axial side of the wheel bearing facing the spacer. The wheel bearing seal is, in particular, a shaft seal. Alternatively, only the wheel bearing seal can be provided, omitting the labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal is already sufficient to prevent the entry of a large proportion of foreign matter.Should foreign objects nevertheless pass through the labyrinth towards the wheel bearing, they can be caught by the wheel bearing seal.

[0022] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawing, wherein identical or similar elements are provided with the same reference numeral. Here, [the following is shown] Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover to a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle, wherein a spacer of the arrangement is centrally attached to a pin of the steering knuckle, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section view through the arrangement according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 2a an enlarged part of the arrangement according to Fig. 2 in the area of ​​a labyrinth guide in the area of ​​the spacer and a wheel hub of the arrangement, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the spacer of the arrangement according to Fig. 1Fig. 4 a perspective view of a second arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover to a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle, wherein a spacer is attached coaxially to a pin of the steering knuckle, Fig. 5 a longitudinal section view through the arrangement according to Fig. 4 Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a third arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover to a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle, wherein a spacer fixes or clamps a wheel bearing in an axial direction and wherein a seal is arranged in the area of ​​the spacer and in the area of ​​the wheel bearing, respectively; Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the arrangement according to Fig. 6 , Fig. 8 a perspective view of the spacer of the arrangement according to Fig. 6Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a fourth arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover to a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle, wherein a spacer fixes or clamps a wheel bearing in an axial direction and wherein a seal is arranged in the area of ​​the wheel bearing, whereas no additional seal is arranged in the area of ​​the spacer. Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section view through the arrangement according to Fig. 9 , Fig. 11 another longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement according to Fig. 9 , wherein a wheel cover is attached to the spacer and wherein a wheel is attached to a wheel hub of the arrangement, Fig. 12 a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 11 , Fig. 13 a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 11with an alternative, smaller wheel cover, Fig. 14 a perspective longitudinal section view of a fifth arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover to a steering knuckle for a motor vehicle, wherein a spacer is attached to the steering knuckle by means of a central nut and wherein the spacer fixes or clamps a wheel bearing in an axial direction, Fig. 15 a perspective exploded view of parts of the arrangement according to Fig. 14 , Fig. 16 an enlarged view in particular of the spacer of the arrangement according to Fig. 14 , wherein the spacer has a first rotating fixing collar, and Fig. 17 shows an enlarged view, in particular of a pin of the axle journal according to Fig. 14 , wherein the pin has a second rotating locking collar.

[0023] Figs. 1 to 3 Figure 1 shows an arrangement for attaching a non-rotating wheel cover 2 to a steering knuckle 3 for a motor vehicle (not shown). Figs. 1 to 3 The wheel cover 2 itself is not shown. However, the fastening of the non-rotating wheel cover 2 can be designed similarly to the embodiment shown in the following example. Fig. 11 The arrangement 1 comprises in particular a spacer 4, a wheel hub 5, a wheel 6 and a wheel bearing 7 in the form of a rolling bearing. Figs. 1 and 2 The wheel 6 itself is not shown. However, the attachment of the wheel 6 to the wheel hub 5 can be designed similarly to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Fig. 11 is shown, wherein a rim 8 of the wheel 6 is screwed to the wheel hub 5, and wherein a tire 9 is pulled onto the rim 8.

[0024] The steering knuckle 3 comprises a non-rotating pin 10, which has an outer circumferential surface 11 on which the wheel hub 5 is rotatably mounted by means of the wheel bearing 7. The wheel bearing 7 is arranged between the outer circumferential surface 11 of the pin 10 and an inner circumferential surface 12 of the wheel hub 5. In the Figs. 1 and 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel bearing 7 is secured in an axial direction x on the journal 10 of the steering knuckle 3 by means of a combination of two slotted nuts 13, 14 and a locking plate 15 arranged between the two slotted nuts 13, 14. The slotted nuts 13, 14 can be screwed onto a distal end 16 of the journal 10, so that the wheel bearing 7 is clamped and secured in the axial direction x.

[0025] The wheel hub 5 has an outer end face 17, on which the wheel 6 (cf. Fig. 11) can be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner by means of several screws 18 distributed around the outer edge of the wheel hub 5. The spacer 4 is attached to the steering knuckle 3 in such a way that the spacer 4 does not rotate when the wheel hub 5 rotates. In the by Figs. 1 and 2In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 4 is screwed to the steering knuckle 3 via a central flanged screw 19. The steering knuckle 3 includes a cavity 20 in the area of ​​the pin 10 and a central through-hole 21 that corresponds to the flanged screw 19 and adjoins the cavity 20 on the side facing away from the spacer 4. The spacer 4 has a central mounting hole 22 that corresponds to the flanged screw 19. The flanged screw 19 is inserted through the through-hole 22 of the spacer and extends through the cavity 20 in the area of ​​the pin 10. A free end of the flanged screw 19 has an external thread that engages in a corresponding internal thread in the area of ​​the through-hole 21 of the steering knuckle 3, so that the spacer 4 is screwed to the steering knuckle 3.

[0026] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows that the spacer 4 has two fixing lugs 23 which, in the installed state, engage positively in two corresponding fixing lugs of the pin 10, so that the spacer 4 is rotationally fixed and positionally fixed to the steering knuckle 3. The spacer 4 also has a centering diameter 24 which, in the installed state, engages positively in a corresponding counterpart on the pin 10, so that the spacer 4 is centered relative to the pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3.

[0027] The wheel cover 2 (see Figs. 11, 12 and 13The wheel cover 2 can be attached directly and rotationally fixed to the spacer 4 by means of several screws 25 distributed around the circumference of the spacer 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 4 has four coaxial bores 26 distributed around its circumference for this purpose. The steering knuckle 3 and its pin 10 do not rotate when the wheel hub 5, together with the wheel 6, rotates on the pin 10 via the wheel bearing 7. To achieve the effect of a stationary wheel cover, the wheel cover 2 is attached to the non-rotating and therefore stationary steering knuckle 3 in a rotationally fixed manner, as described above. Because the wheel cover 2 is attached to the non-rotating or stationary steering knuckle 3 in a rotationally fixed manner, the wheel cover 2 remains stationary when the vehicle is in motion, during which time the wheel 6 and the wheel hub 5 rotate. The wheel cover conceals the wheel 6, as described above. Figs. 12 and 13 shown, at least part of the outside of wheel 6.

[0028] The inner circumferential surface 12 of the wheel hub 5 defines a central wheel hub opening 27, which extends on one side to the outer end face 17 of the wheel hub 5 and on the other side leads to the wheel bearing 7. The spacer 4 closes the central opening 27 of the wheel hub 5 to the outside without coming into contact with the wheel hub 5. This can be seen particularly well in the magnification shown in Figure 5. Fig. 2a As can be seen, the spacer 4 closes off the central opening 27 of the wheel hub 5 to the outside in such a way that the sections of the spacer 4 and the wheel hub 5 facing each other form a labyrinthine gap 28 between them.

[0029] The wheel hub 5 forms a first wheel hub labyrinth element 29, which is directed inwards in a radial direction r, and a second wheel hub labyrinth element 30, which is also directed inwards in the radial direction r. The second wheel hub labyrinth element 30 is arranged at a distance from the first wheel hub labyrinth element 29 in the axial direction x, with the first wheel hub labyrinth element 29 being arranged closer to the wheel cover 2 in the axial direction x than the second wheel hub labyrinth element 30.

[0030] The spacer 4 forms a first spacer labyrinth element 31 and a second spacer labyrinth element 32 axially spaced from the first spacer labyrinth element 31 in the x-direction. Both spacer labyrinth elements 31 and 32 are oriented radially outwards in the r-direction. The first wheel hub labyrinth element 29 is arranged axially x-direction between the first spacer labyrinth element 31 and the second spacer labyrinth element 32, without touching either spacer labyrinth element 31 or 32. Similarly, the second spacer labyrinth element 32 is arranged axially x-direction x-direction between the two wheel hub labyrinth elements 29 and 30, without touching either wheel hub labyrinth element 29 or 30.The first wheel hub labyrinth element 29 overlaps the first spacer labyrinth element 31 in the radial direction r, and the second wheel hub labyrinth element 30 overlaps the second spacer labyrinth element 32 in the radial direction r, creating a labyrinthine guide for the gap 28 so that any foreign bodies become trapped in the labyrinth and cannot reach the wheel bearing 7.

[0031] To further protect the wheel bearing 7 from foreign objects, arrangement 1 shows that Figs. 1 to 3 An optional labyrinth sealing ring 33 (shaft seal) is provided, which is arranged on the inner surface 12 and thus on an inside side of the wheel hub opening 27 and extends between the wheel hub 5 and the spacer 4. In the axial direction x, the labyrinth sealing ring 33 is arranged directly next to the labyrinthine gap 28 and closes the labyrinthine gap 28 in the direction of the wheel bearing 7.

[0032] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows that the arrangement 1 further comprises a wheel bearing sealing ring 34 (shaft seal), which is also arranged on the inner surface 12 and thus on an inner side of the wheel hub opening 27 and extends between the wheel hub 5 and the wheel bearing 7. The wheel bearing sealing ring 34 is arranged directly on the wheel bearing 7 in the axial direction x and seals the wheel bearing 7 in the direction of the spacer 4.

[0033] In the through Figs. 4 and 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the central collar screw 19, the central through-hole 21 in the steering knuckle 3 and the central fastening hole 22 in the spacer 4 are omitted in particular. Figs. 1 to 3 Instead, arrangement 1 is shown. Figs. 4 and 5This is characterized in particular by the fact that the spacer 4 is attached coaxially to an end face 35 of the pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3. The spacer 4 forms a ring section 36 that runs coaxially around a longitudinal axis L of the spacer 4. The longitudinal axis L of the spacer 4 is simultaneously also the longitudinal axis of the pin 10, the wheel bearing 7, the wheel hub 5, and the wheel 6.

[0034] In the ring section 36 of the spacer 4, four coaxial wheel cover bores 26 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment for coaxial connection of the spacer 4 with the wheel cover 2. The wheel cover 2 can be fastened by four screws 25 (see figure). Figs. 12 and 13The spacer 4 is directly and rotationally fixed to the wheel cover bores 26, which are guided through the coaxial wheel cover bores 26. Furthermore, in the ring section 36 between the wheel cover bores 26, four coaxial steering knuckle bores 37 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment for the coaxial connection of the spacer 4 to the pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3. The spacer 4 can be directly and rotationally fixed to the pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3 by four screws 38, which are guided through the coaxial steering knuckle bores 37. This type of fastening contributes to improved sealing in the area of ​​the wheel bearing bolts 13 to 15, since no through holes in the steering knuckle 3 and the spacer 4 are necessary.

[0035] Figs. 6 to 8Figure 1 shows an arrangement according to the invention, in which a screw connection of the wheel bearing 7 or an axial fixation / tensioning of the wheel bearing 7 is combined with the screw connection of the spacer 4 to the steering knuckle 3. A portion of the spacer 4 rests against the wheel bearing 7 when the spacer 4 is attached to the journal 10 of the steering knuckle 3 by means of the screw connection, so that the wheel bearing 7 is secured against displacement in the axial direction x. For this purpose, the spacer 4 forms a fixing element 39. The fixing element 39 projects in the axial direction x from an end face of the spacer 4 facing the wheel bearing 7 and rests against the wheel bearing 7. The spacer 4 is screwed to the journal 10 of the steering knuckle 3 by means of eight screws 38, which are guided through eight steering knuckle bores 37.The fixing element 39 rests directly against the wheel bearing 7, so that the wheel bearing 7 is fixed in the axial direction x by the fixing element 39 of the spacer 4. The pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3 is shaped at its free end to fit the modified spacer 4 with its fixing element 39.

[0036] The through Figs. 6 to 8 The embodiment shown comprises both a labyrinth sealing ring 33 and a wheel bearing sealing ring 34, as described above, particularly in connection with the Figs. 1 to 3 has been described. Figs. 9 and 10 The embodiment shown, however, comprises a wheel bearing sealing ring 34, as described above in connection with the Figs. 1 to 3 has been described, whereas an additional labyrinth sealing ring 33 is omitted.

[0037] Fig. 11Figure 1 shows a wheel cover 2 attached to the spacer 4 and a wheel 6 with rim 8 and tire 9 attached to the wheel hub 5. Fig. 12 shows a wheel cover 2 that covers a large part of the wheel 6 including its tire 9. Fig. 13 shows a wheel cover 2, which only covers the rim 8 of the wheel 6.

[0038] Figs. 14 to 17Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the spacer 4 has a central opening 40. A free-running or distal end 16 of the pin 10 is guided through the central opening 40 of the spacer 4 and has an external thread. A central nut 41 has an internal thread that matches the external thread of the distal end 16 of the pin 10. The spacer 4 is screwed to the distal end 16 of the pin 10 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of the central nut 41. To align and secure the spacer 4 against rotation relative to the pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3, the spacer 4 has a first anti-rotation collar 42. The pin 10 of the steering knuckle 3 has a second anti-rotation collar 43, wherein the first anti-rotation collar 42 bears against the second anti-rotation collar 43 in such a way that the spacer 4 is secured against rotation. Reference sign

[0039] Longitudinal axis, spacer, radial direction, axial direction 1 Arrangement 2 Wheel cover 3 Steering knuckle 4 Spacer 5 Wheel hub 6 Wheel 7 Wheel bearing 8 Rim 9 Tire 10 Steering knuckle stud 11 Outer circumferential surface of stud 12 Inner circumferential surface of wheel hub 13 Slotted nut 14 Slotted nut 15 Locking plate 16 Distal end of stud 17 Outer face of wheel hub 18 Bolt 19 Central collar bolt 20 Cavity of stud 21 Through hole in steering knuckle 22 Central mounting hole for spacer 23 Fixing collar 24 Centering diameter 25 Bolt 26 Coaxial bore 27 Central wheel hub opening 28 Labyrinthine gap 29 First wheel hub labyrinth element 30 Second wheel hub labyrinth element 31 First spacer labyrinth element 32 Second spacer labyrinth element 33 Labyrinth sealing ring 34 Wheel bearing sealing ring 35 Front edge pin 36 Ring section spacer 37 Steering knuckle bore 38 Screw 39 Fixing element 40 Central opening spacer 41 Central nut 42 First rotary fixing collar 43 Second rotary fixing collar

Claims

1. Arrangement (1) of a non-rotating hub cap (2) on an axle stub (3) for a motor vehicle, the arrangement (1) comprising - an axle stub (3), - a spacer (4), - a wheel hub (5), - a wheel bearing (7), - a wheel (6), and - a non-rotating hub cap (2), wherein - the axle stub (3) comprises a non-rotating journal (10), - the journal (10) has an outer circumferential surface (11) on which the wheel hub (5) is mounted rotatably by means of the wheel bearing (7), - the wheel hub (5) has an outer end face (17) to which the wheel (6) is fastened rotationally conjointly, - the spacer (4) is fastened to the axle stub (3) in such a way that the spacer (4) does not rotate when the wheel hub (5) rotates, - the spacer (4) is guided through a central wheel-hub opening (27) of the wheel hub (5), wherein the central wheel-hub opening (27) leads to the wheel bearing (7), - the hub cap (2) is fastened directly and rotationally jointly to the spacer (4), so that the hub cap (2) does not rotate when the wheel hub (5) rotates, - the hub cap (2) conceals at least a part of an outer side of the wheel (6), - the spacer (4) forms a fixing element (39) which extends in an axial direction (x) and which bears against the wheel bearing (7), and - the spacer (4) is fastened to the journal (10) of the axle stub (3) so that the fixing element (39) of the spacer (4) fixes the wheel bearing (7) in the axial direction (x), characterized in that the spacer (4) closes off the central opening (27) of the wheel hub (5) towards the outside without coming into contact with the wheel hub (5).

2. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, wherein portions (29, 30; 31, 32) of the spacer (4) and the wheel hub (5) that are directed towards one another form a labyrinthine gap (28) between them where the spacer (4) closes off the central opening (27) of the wheel hub (5) towards the outside.

3. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 2, wherein - the wheel hub (5) forms at least one wheel-hub labyrinth element (29) which is directed inwards in a radial direction (r), - the spacer (4) forms at least one spacer labyrinth element (31) which is directed outwards in the radial direction (r), - the wheel-hub labyrinth element (29) is arranged next to the spacer labyrinth element (31) in an axial direction (x) without being in contact with the spacer labyrinth element (31), and - the wheel-hub labyrinth element (29) overlaps the spacer labyrinth element (31) in the radial direction (r).

4. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, the arrangement (1) further comprising a labyrinth sealing ring (33), wherein the labyrinth sealing ring (33) - is arranged on an inner side (12) of the wheel-hub opening (27) and extends between the wheel hub (5) and the spacer (4), and - is arranged directly next to the labyrinthine gap (28) in the axial direction (x).

5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer (4) is fastened coaxially to an end edge (35) of the journal (10) of the axle stub (3).

6. Arrangement (1) according to Claim 5, wherein - the spacer (4) forms an annular portion (36) which extends around a longitudinal axis (L) of the spacer (4), - multiple hub-cap bores (26) for connection to the hub cap (2) are arranged in the annular portion (36), and - multiple axle-stub bores (37) for connection to the journal (10) of the axle stub (3) are arranged in the annular portion (36) between the hub-cap bores (26).

7. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the spacer (4) is fastened to the journal (10) of the axle stub (3) by means of multiple screws (38).

8. Arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein - a distal end (16) of the journal (10) is guided through a central opening (40) of the spacer (4), and - the spacer (4) is fastened rotationally conjointly to the distal end (16) of the journal (10) by means of a central nut (41).

9. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the arrangement (1) further comprising a wheel-bearing sealing ring (34), wherein the wheel-bearing sealing ring (34) - is arranged on an inner side (12) of the wheel-hub opening (27), - extends between the wheel hub (5) and the wheel bearing (7), and - is arranged directly on the wheel bearing (7) in an axial direction (x).

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