Static seal and driving wheel hub assembly incorporating the same

Abstract

To provide a static seal which enables easy assembly and is intended to be used in a face spline type connection part and a non-face spline type connection part.SOLUTION: An annular static seal (48) for a driving wheel hub assembly (10) including: a hub ring (12); a torque converter (14); an inner ring (30) fixed to the hub ring (12) by shrinkage fitting and axially held by a flange part (32) forming a rear end (42) of the hub ring (12), is configured, in a mounting position, to cover an annular outer peripheral edge part (46) in a connection part between the hub ring (12) and the torque converter (14) installed at the rear end (42) of the hub ring (12). The static seal (48) includes a resiliently deformable annular fastening portion (50) protruding radially toward a reference axis (200), fastening the static seal (48) to the hub ring (12) elastically.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive wheel hub assembly including a hub axle and a torque converter, and more particularly to protection of the connection between the hub axle and the torque converter. [Background technology]

[0002] In a drive wheel hub assembly, the hub wheel is rotationally guided by rolling bearings that are mechanically fixed to the wheel support. To transmit the rotational motion from the vehicle transmission to the drive wheel, the hub is constrained to rotate with the torque converter, usually by the interpenetration of two sets of splines.

[0003] Hereinafter, in this specification, the rotational axis of the wheel hub assembly and the direction along said axis will be referred to as front and rear, which respectively correspond to the side where the wheel is attached to the hub wheel (outside of the vehicle) and the side where the transmission device is connected to the torque converter (inside of the vehicle).

[0004] The wheel hub-torque converter are connected in a rotationally fixed manner at an interface, i.e. at a mutual contact area, which may have a longitudinal portion and a radial portion relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel hub assembly. The interface may consist of a set of face splines or a set of radial splines formed on the mating portions of the wheel hub and the torque converter. If the tooth flanks of the splines project radially from the spline roots, they are called "radial" splines, preferably with the tooth roots of each spline extending longitudinally and approximately lying on a common cylinder. If the tooth flanks of the splines project axially from the spline roots, they are called "face" splines, preferably with the tooth roots of each spline extending radially and approximately lying on a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation or on a common surface of approximately frusto-conical or approximately toroidal shape centered on the axis of rotation. The hub ring is mechanically connected to the wheel support by a rolling bearing with single or multiple rows of rolling elements, the inner ring being referred to as the "rear" ring on the torque converter side.

[0005] In all of the embodiments described, the radially outer peripheral edge of the connection between the torque converter and the annular hub is preferably located at a location on the longitudinal rear end of the torque converter near the rear inner ring of the rolling bearing, and may be separated from the rear inner ring by a bead-shaped thick portion formed on the longitudinal inner end of the hub by, for example, heading. If the connection includes a face spline, the spline may extend to this radially outer peripheral edge, in which case the radially outer peripheral edge has a splined profile. If there is no face spline, the radially outer peripheral edge of the connection may be circular. If there is a face spline, the peripheral edge may have a gap due to incomplete fit between the splines.

[0006] However, the drive wheel hub assembly is a very exposed location, exposing the components of the drive wheel hub assembly to debris from the wheels and road. Therefore, the prior art relating to face spline connections recommends providing a static seal to cover the outer periphery of the connection and protect the splines from contamination. Such a static sealing device in the prior art is constituted by a static seal mechanically connected to the inner ring of the rear rolling bearing. This rear rolling bearing is further protected by a dynamic seal, such as a cassette seal, inserted on the torque converter side between the inner and outer rings of the rear rolling bearing. Also, an axial type encoder is usually mounted on the inner ring of the rear bearing.

[0007] Not only does this configuration result in many components being fitted into a small area, but it also requires a complex static seal with flexible components that are often overmolded and assembled to complex shaped metal reinforcements.

[0008] EP 2 042 755 A1 and US 2011 / 077089 A1 describe such hybrid static sealing devices that can cover the gap formed between the face spline at the rear end of the hub wheel and the face spline at the front face of the torque transducer. These hybrid static sealing devices have an axial sealing surface that can be pressed against the rear face of the inner ring of the rolling bearing of the hub wheel, and a radial sealing surface that can be pressed against the periphery of the bulbous extension of the torque transducer.

[0009] Prior art static seals are typically shrink fitted onto the inner race or torque transducer and have close manufacturing and installation tolerances, making them expensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0010] Furthermore, no protection of the torque transducer-hub wheel connection in the absence of a face spline is recommended, presumably because such protection is deemed unnecessary, but the risk of corrosion has been identified in all connections, whether face splined or radial splined, and is suspected to be the cause of microfriction and noise while the vehicle is in operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2042755 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 077089 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The object of the present invention is in particular to remedy some or all of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a static seal which is simple to install and which is intended to be used both in face splined and non-face splined connections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To this end, the invention relates in a first aspect to an annular static seal for a drive wheel hub assembly comprising a hub wheel, a torque transducer and an inner ring which is shrink fitted to the hub wheel and axially retained by a flange forming the rear end of the hub wheel, the annular static seal being configured in an installation position to cover an annular outer circumferential edge of the connection between the hub wheel and the torque transducer mounted at the rear end of the hub wheel and defining a reference axis, the annular static seal comprising at least one rear sealing surface configured in the installation position to be in continuous annular pressing contact with a rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer and at least one front sealing surface configured in the installation position to be in continuous annular pressing contact with a front static seal seat formed on the flange of the hub wheel, on the inner ring or on a deflector or encoder mounted on the inner ring. The static seal of the present invention further comprises an elastically deformable annular fastening portion which protrudes radially toward the reference axis and which, when the static seal is moved axially toward the inner ring and passes through the flange of the hub wheel, is elastically crushed and moves to the mounting position, and at the mounting position is positioned axially between the lateral surface of the inner ring and the surface of the flange of the hub wheel facing the inner ring, and is capable of elastically fastening the static seal to the hub wheel.

[0014] In the mounting position, the radially inner end of the fastening portion is closer to the reference axis than the radially outer end of the flange of the hub wheel, ensuring that the static seal is shape-locked in the axial direction and press-locked in the circumferential direction.

[0015] Preferably (claim 2), the reference axis before mounting is located at a distance D1 from the fastening part and at a distance D2 from a transition part in the static seal which is intended to be positioned radially opposite the part of the flange part of the hub wheel that is furthest from the reference axis before mounting, and one or more of the following dimensional characteristics are realized: D2-D1>2mm; D2-D1>5mm; D2-D1<8mm; and D2-D1<10mm.

[0016] These dimensions ensure easy installation and effective fastening. At the lower end of the range, lower installation forces may be possible and the static seal may be easier to mold. Higher values ​​do not necessarily result in more effective installation or locking.

[0017] In one embodiment, the static seal further comprises an intermediate portion connecting the fastening portion and one of the rear sealing surfaces and configured to cover the outer peripheral edge portion at the connection portion between the hub wheel and the torque converter in the mounting position.

[0018] In a highly advantageous embodiment, the intermediate part can be a sleeve and has a significantly lower bending and torsional stiffness than the fastening part, in order to ensure that the mechanical decoupling of the front and rear sealing surfaces does not result in loss of contact of the fastening part due to relative movements between the torque transducer and the hub wheel caused by dynamic stresses during operation.For the same reason, the intermediate part has a significantly lower bending and torsional stiffness than the rear sealing part, on which the rear sealing surface is formed.

[0019] In one embodiment, the intermediate portion, in the mounting position, defines, together with one of the front sealing surfaces or one of the rear sealing surfaces, an annular sealing space surrounding the outer periphery of the connection portion between the hub wheel and the torque converter, the annular sealing space having a diameter of, for example, 300 mm. 3More than 1000mm, preferably 3 Over, for example, 2000 mm 3 Less than 1500mm, preferably 3 is less than.

[0020] The rear sealing surface may have various configurations. Preferably, at least one of the following configurations is realized: one of the rear sealing surfaces is configured to radially press against a cylindrical rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer in the mounting position; one of the rear sealing surfaces is configured to axially press against a flat rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer in the mounting position; one of the rear sealing surfaces is configured to bear against a frusto-conical rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer in the mounting position; one of the rear sealing surfaces is formed by a sealing lip configured to press against a rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer in the mounting position, the sealing lip preferably having an outer contour that converges towards the torque transducer.

[0021] At least one material of the static seal must be elastically deformable, in particular for fastening and also for forming the seal between the front and rear sealing faces. In one embodiment, the static seal further comprises a body part, which consists of a plastic material, e.g. an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, etc., and which at least partially forms the fastening part, preferably the fastening part and at least one of the front sealing faces and / or one of the rear sealing faces.

[0022] If necessary, a stiffener made of a material more rigid than the main body may be provided. In particular, one of the following arrangements may be provided: - the stiffening member is configured to be shrink fitted to the torque transducer at the mounting location; - the high stiffness reinforcement surrounds the rear sealing surface; - the stiffening member surrounds the fastening portion; the stiffening element constitutes an encoder, in particular a magnetic or optical encoder; the stiffening member holds an encoder, in particular a magnetic or optical encoder;

[0023] The static seal may be assigned further functions. Specifically, the static seal may further include: a baffle device projecting radially outwardly and capable of being butted against a complementary element rigidly connected to the wheel support and arranged in the vicinity of the static seal in said mounting position; and / or - encoders, in particular magnetic or optical encoders, It is possible to provide the following:

[0024] Various variants of the front seal are envisaged: one of the front sealing surfaces is formed on the fastening part; and / or one of the front sealing surfaces is configured to be in continuous annular pressure contact with the surface of the flange facing the inner ring in the mounting position; and / or One of the front sealing surfaces is configured, in the mounting position, to be in continuous annular pressure contact with a surface of the flange portion facing away from the reference axis.

[0025] It may also be desirable to protect the contact connection between the inner ring and the flange of the hub wheel by a front seal.Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, one of the front sealing surfaces is configured in the mounting position to be in continuous annular pressure contact with the inner ring or a deflector or encoder mounted thereon, preferably with one or more of the following features: one of the front sealing surfaces is configured to radially press against a cylindrical front static seal seat formed on the inner ring or on a deflector or encoder attached to the inner ring in the mounting position; one of the front sealing surfaces is configured in the mounting position to axially press against a flat front static seal seat formed on the inner ring or on a deflector or encoder mounted on the inner ring; - one of the front sealing surfaces is configured in the mounting position to press against a sharp or blunt edge formed on the inner ring or on a deflector or encoder mounted on the inner ring; one of the front sealing surfaces is formed by a front sealing lip configured to press against a front static seal seat formed on a deflector or encoder attached to the ring or to the inner ring in the mounting position.

[0026] Of course, the seal of the inner race and the seal of the flange of the hub wheel may be combined, i.e. in one embodiment, one or more of the front sealing surfaces includes at least one first front sealing surface configured to press against a first front static seal seat formed on the inner race or a deflector or encoder attached to the inner race in the mounting position, and a second front sealing surface configured to press against a front static seal seat formed on the flange of the hub wheel in the mounting position.

[0027] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a drive wheel hub assembly comprising a hub wheel, a torque converter, an inner ring which is shrink fitted to the hub wheel and axially retained by a flange forming a rear end of the hub wheel, and the above-mentioned static seal which is arranged in an attachment position and whose reference axis coincides with the rotational axis of the hub wheel, wherein the hub wheel and the torque converter have a connection portion at the rear end of the hub wheel which includes an annular outer peripheral edge portion.

[0028] In one embodiment, the torque transducer includes a set of splines and radial ribs mating with a set of splines and radial ribs formed on the hub wheel and spaced axially from the rear end of the hub wheel. Preferably, the hub wheel has a flat, toroidal or frusto-conical annular rear contact surface in face contact with a flat, toroidal or frusto-conical annular contact surface of the torque transducer, the outer periphery of the rear contact surface of the hub wheel and the annular contact surface of the torque transducer defining the outer periphery of the rear contact surface of the hub wheel and the annular contact surface of the torque transducer. In one embodiment, the torque transducer includes a set of face splines and ribs mating with a set of face splines formed on the rear end of the hub wheel.

[0029] Optionally, the annular sealed space is at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty product, such as a lubricant, a substance comprising a porous polymer matrix containing a liquid or pasty lubricant, etc.

[0030] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of installing the static seal described above is performed as follows: first, the sealing sleeve is fitted onto the bulbous extension of the torque transducer, and then the torque transducer is moved toward the hub wheel until the front end of the sealing sleeve presses against the rear surface of the inner wheel.

[0031] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of installing the static seal described above is performed by first attaching the annular fastening portion of the seal to the hub wheel, and then bringing the torque transducer close to the hub wheel and fitting it to the seal.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting, illustrative embodiments of the various aspects of the invention.

[0033] In the present description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which also illustrate, by way of non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a drive wheel hub assembly equipped with a static seal according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] For clarity, the same reference numbers are used throughout the figures to refer to the same or similar components.

[0036] FIG 1 shows a drive wheel hub assembly 10 with a hub wheel 12 and a torque converter 14, both made of steel. The hub wheel 12 has a flange 16 for fastening a wheel rim and a brake disc (not shown) and is guided by rolling bearings 20 to rotate about a rotation axis 100 relative to a wheel support 18. The wheel support 18 is connected to a part of the chassis of the automobile via a suspension (not shown). Again, by convention, front and rear refer to the outside (left side in FIG 1) and inside (right side in FIG 1) sides along the rotation axis 100, respectively.

[0037] The rolling bearing 20 illustrated in the drawings preferably includes a double row 22 of rolling elements 24 (balls in this example), with two outer raceways 26 formed on a single outer ring 27, and two inner raceways 28, one of which is formed directly on the hub ring 12 in this example, while the other is formed on the inner ring 30. The inner ring 30 is attached to the hub ring 12 (shrink-fitted to the hub ring 12 in this example), and is fixed in the axial direction by a flange 32 of the hub ring, which is formed, for example, by heading. As a variant not shown, the front inner ring raceway 28 may be formed on an attached ring. The outer raceway 26 may be formed on two separate rings. The raceways 26, 28 may be arranged, for example, in an "O" or "X" configuration. The rolling elements 24 may be conical or cylindrical balls or rollers, and may have different dimensions and shapes for each row 22. Preferably, the rolling bearing 20 is equipped with a sealing device 33, which may suitably be a cassette seal and may include a deflector 332 attached to the inner ring 30. The deflector optionally incorporates an encoder 334, preferably a magnetic or optical encoder, arranged to provide an angular or absolute position or displacement signal to a sensor (not shown) which is suitably fixed relative to the wheel support 18.

[0038] The torque converter 14 is formed by a bulbous piece 34 from the front of which extends a projection 36. The cylindrical periphery of the projection 36 is formed with a set of splines and radial ribs 38 which engage with a set of splines and complementary ribs 40 formed on the inner periphery of a tubular, through or bottomed recess in the wheel hub 12. These radial splines 38 serve to transmit the drive torque from the torque converter 14 to the wheel hub 12 and to a drive wheel held by the wheel hub 12.

[0039] The rear end 42 of the hub wheel 12 comprises a rear surface (preferably flat) of the collar 32 which bears against a corresponding shoulder 44 of the torque transducer.

[0040] In a variant not shown, the torque of the prime mover can also be transmitted by cooperation of two sets of face spline ribs formed on the rear face 42 of the collar 32 and on a corresponding shoulder 44 of the torque converter 14. The set of spline radial ribs 38, 40 may be replaced by these two sets of face spline ribs, if necessary. The permanent rotational connection between the torque converter 14 and the hub wheel 12 may be realized by other means. The shape of the rear face 42 and the shape of the corresponding face 44 of the torque converter may be changed to another one and may be complementary or not complementary.

[0041] In any envisaged configuration, the outer peripheral edge 46 of the contact connection between the torque transducer 14 and the hub wheel 12 is preferably protected by a static seal 48 according to the present invention. Various exemplary embodiments of the static seal 48 are shown in Figures 2-7.

[0042] 2 shows a static seal 48 of a first exemplary embodiment. The static seal 48 is rotationally symmetrical about a reference axis 200. At the time of installation of the seal 48, the reference axis 200 coincides with the rotation axis 100 of the wheel hub assembly 10. Given the given front-to-rear orientation with respect to the wheel hub assembly 10, the seal 48 is oriented between a front end that faces the axial direction of the inner raceway 28 and the flange 16 of the hub wheel 12 when the seal is installed, and a rear end that faces the bulbous piece 34 of the torque transducer 14 when the seal is installed. In this orientation, the static seal 48 comprises a front portion 481, a rear portion 482, and a middle portion 483 connecting the front portion 481 and the rear portion 482.

[0043] In particular, the front part 481 of the static seal 48 includes an elastically deformable annular fastening part 50. The fastening part 50 projects radially towards the reference axis 200 and is arranged axially and radially between a lateral surface 52 of the inner ring 30 and a surface 54 of the flange 32 facing the inner ring 30 by elastically fastening the static seal 48 to the hub wheel 12 in the mounting position.

[0044] It is possible to indicate the magnitude of the radial projection of the fastening part 50 by comparing the shortest distance D1 between the reference axis 200 and the fastening part 50 with the shortest distance D2 between the transition part 55 and the reference axis 200 in the static seal 48, which is immediately adjacent to the rear side of the fastening part 50 and is intended to cover, with or preferably without contact, the part of the collar 32 that is furthest from the reference axis. To ensure proper installation, D2-D1 is preferably more than 2 mm or more than 5 mm. To avoid interference with assembly, D2-D1 is preferably less than 10 mm, and practically less than 8 mm.

[0045] Since the static seal 48 is elastic, when the static seal 48 is moved axially forward to pass the flange portion 32 of the hub wheel 12, the fastening portion 50 moves in the opposite direction to the reference axis 200 and is elastically crushed, making it possible to move the fastening portion 50 to the mounting position.

[0046] In this example, the front part comprises three front sealing surfaces intended to press against static seal seats formed on the inner ring 30 or on the flange 32 of the hub ring 12, respectively. The first sealing surface 56 is formed by a sealing lip which is in directrix contact with the outer edge of the inner ring 30 and / or which may be in directrix contact with the deflector 332 or the encoder 334 of the sealing device 33, as appropriate, whereas the remaining two sealing surfaces 58, 60 are in surface contact (flat contact) with the inner ring 30, and in surface contact (frustoconical contact) with the flange 32, one of them.

[0047] In this example, the rear portion includes a sealing lip 62 which presses against a cylindrical static seal seat formed on the torque transducer 14 in the mounted position.

[0048] In the mounted position, the intermediate portion 483, together with the front sealing face 60 and the rear sealing face 62, defines an annular sealing space 300 surrounding the outer peripheral edge 46 of the connection between the hub wheel 12 and the torque transducer 14. Preferably, the space has a diameter of 500 mm. 3 Over 2000mm 3 Optionally, the space may be filled with an at least partially liquid or semi-solid product, such as a lubricant, a substance including a porous polymer matrix containing a liquid or pasty lubricant, etc., to retard oxidation of the connection between the rear face 42 of the hub wheel 12 and the shoulder 44 of the torque transducer 14, or, if oxidation is to extend beyond the outer periphery 46 towards the radial splines 38, 40, to retard oxidation over a larger area.

[0049] In this example, the intermediate portion 483 includes a sleeve and a collar 484 that projects radially outward and is intended to abut a complementary element 184 (FIG. 1) fixed to the wheel support 18 and located adjacent the static seal 48 to form a baffle, and possibly a baffle and a non-contacting dynamic seal. In a variant not shown, the location of the collar 484 may be changed and placed either at the rear 482 or at the front 481 of the seal 48, as required.

[0050] The seal 48 in the embodiment of Figure 3 does not have a sealing flange, and the thickness of the intermediate portion 483 is thin to form a sleeve with low bending rigidity and torsional rigidity. Therefore, even if relative dynamic minute movement occurs between the torque converter 14 and the hub wheel 12, it is possible to separate the front portion 481 of the seal 48 from the rear portion 482 so that excessive force is not generated on the front sealing faces 56, 58, 60 and the rear sealing face 62. This is fundamentally different from the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, the static seal 48 is integrally formed with a unitary body portion that does not include an insert.

[0052] The seal 48 shown in Figure 4 differs from the previous ones by the addition of a ring-shaped magnetic or optical encoder 64 horizontal to the outer surface of the body of the seal 48. The signal provided by said encoder is intended to be read by a sensor rigidly coupled to a non-rotating component, in particular the wheel support 18, to provide information about, for example, the relative or absolute angular orientation, angular displacement or angle of the hub wheel.

[0053] 5 differs from the previous ones in that the seal retains an encoder ring 64 that overlaps with a reinforcing insert 66 embedded in the elastomeric body of the seal. The separation of the retention function of the insert 66 from the function of encoding the angle information provided by the encoder 64 allows the encoder to be made from a more flexible material than the reinforcing insert 66, if desired.

[0054] The seal 48 shown in FIG. 6 differs from those previously described in that it includes the addition of a stiffener 66, preferably an annular stiffener 66, embedded in the elastomeric body of the seal and axially spaced from the fastening portion 50.

[0055] The seal shown in FIG. 7 differs from that previously described in that the position of the reinforcement 66 surrounds the fastening portion 50.

[0056] Depending on the type of vehicle propulsion, the drive wheel hub assembly 10 may be installed on a set of front wheels of a propelled vehicle, a set of rear wheels of a push-type vehicle, or a set of all wheels of an integrated propulsion vehicle.

[0057] As can be seen from the above description, the various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in various configurations different from those described above depending on the situation. For example, the splines capable of transmitting a drive torque to the rotating parts of the hub wheel may be radial splines, face splines, or frusto-conical splines, or a combination of these embodiments.

[0058] Of course, the above description of the present invention is given by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drive wheel hub assembly (10) comprising a hub ring (12), a torque converter (14), and an inner ring (30) shrink-fitted to the hub ring (12) and axially retained by a collar (32) forming a rear end (42) of the hub ring (12), an annular static seal (48) configured to cover an annular outer peripheral edge (46) of a connection between the hub wheel (12) and the torque transducer (14) mounted at the rear end (46) of the hub wheel (12) in an attached position, the static seal defining a reference axis (200); at least one rear sealing surface (62) configured to continuously press annularly against a rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer (14) in the mounted position; At least one front sealing surface (56, 58, 60) configured to continuously press annularly against a front static seal seat formed on the flange (32) of the hub wheel (12), the inner ring (30), or a deflector (331) or encoder attached to the inner ring (30) in the attached position; an elastically deformable annular fastening portion (50) that protrudes radially toward the reference axis (200) and moves to the mounting position by elastically squashing when the annular static seal (48) is moved axially toward the inner ring (30) and passes through the flange (32) of the hub ring (12), and that is arranged axially between a lateral surface (52) of the inner ring (30) and a surface (54) of the flange (32) of the hub ring (12) that faces the inner ring (30) at the mounting position, thereby elastically fastening and fixing the annular static seal (48) to the hub ring (12); and an annular static seal (48) comprising:

2. 2. The annular static seal (48) according to claim 1, wherein the reference axis before installation is located at a distance D1 from the fastening portion (50) and at a distance D2 from a transition portion in the annular static seal intended to be arranged radially opposite a portion of the collar (32) of the hub ring (12) that is farthest from the reference axis (200) in the installed position, D2-D1>2mm, D2-D1>5mm, D2-D1<8 mm, and D2-D1<10mm, An annular static seal (48) having one or more of the following dimensional characteristics realized therein.

3. The annular static seal (48) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an intermediate portion (483) configured to connect the fastening portion (50) and one of the rear sealing surfaces (62) and to cover the outer peripheral edge portion (46) at the connection portion between the hub wheel (12) and the torque converter (14) in the mounting position; an annular static seal (48) comprising:

4. In the annular static seal (48) according to claim 3, the intermediate portion (483), in cooperation with one of the front sealing surfaces (60) or one of the rear sealing surfaces (62), defines an annular sealing space (300) surrounding the outer peripheral edge (46) at the connection between the hub wheel (12) and the torque converter (14), in the mounted position, and the annular sealing space (300) has a diameter of, for example, 300 mm. ３ More than 1000 mm, preferably ３ and for example, 2000 mm ３ Less than 1500 mm, preferably ３ an annular static seal (48) that is less than

5. 5. The annular static seal (48) of claim 1, wherein: one of the rear sealing surfaces (62) is configured to bear against a cylindrical rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer (14) in the mounted position; and / or one of the rear sealing surfaces (62) is configured to axially press against a flat rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer (14) in the mounted position; and / or one of the rear sealing surfaces (62) is configured to bear against a frusto-conical rear static seal seat formed on the torque transducer (14) in the mounted position; and / or One of the rear sealing surfaces (62) is formed by a sealing lip (62) configured to press against a rear static seal seat formed on the torque converter (14) in the mounted position, and preferably the sealing lip (62) has an outer shape that converges toward the torque converter (14).

6. The annular static seal (48) of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a body portion made of a plastic material, such as an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, or the like, and at least partially forming the fastening portion (50), preferably the fastening portion (50) and at least one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) and / or one of the rear sealing surfaces (62); an annular static seal (48) comprising:

7. 7. The annular static seal of claim 6, further comprising: a reinforcing member (66) made of a material having higher rigidity than the main body portion; and preferably the stiffness reinforcement (66) is configured to be shrink fitted to the torque transducer at the mounting location; and / or the stiffening member (66) surrounds the rear sealing surface (62); and / or the stiffening member (66) surrounds the fastening portion (50); and / or the stiffening member (66) constitutes an encoder, in particular a magnetic or optical encoder (64); and / or An annular static seal, wherein said stiff reinforcement (66) holds an encoder, in particular a magnetic or optical encoder (64).

8. The annular static seal (48) of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a baffle device (484) projecting radially outward and capable of being rigidly connected to the wheel support (18) and abutting a complementary element (184) located adjacent the annular static seal (48) in said mounting position; and / or an encoder (64), in particular a magnetic or optical encoder; an annular static seal (48) comprising:

9. 9. The annular static seal (48) of claim 1, wherein: one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is formed on the fastening part; and / or one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is configured to continuously press annularly against a surface (54) of the flange (32) facing the inner ring side (30) in the mounted position; and / or An annular static seal (48) configured such that one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is in continuous annular pressure contact with a surface (54) of the flange portion (32) facing away from the reference axis (200) in the installed position.

10. 10. The annular static seal (48) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is configured to be in continuous annular pressure contact with the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or an encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) in the attached position, and preferably one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is configured to radially press against a cylindrical front static seal seat formed on the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) in the mounted position; and / or one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is configured to axially press against a flat front static seal seat formed on the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) in the mounted position; and / or one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is configured to press against a sharp or blunt edge formed on the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) in the mounted position; and / or an annular static seal (48), wherein one of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) is formed by a front sealing lip configured to press against a front static seal seat formed on the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) at the attached position.

11. 11. The annular static seal (48) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one or more of the front sealing surfaces (56, 58, 60) includes at least one first front sealing surface (56, 58) configured to press against a first front static seal seat formed on the inner ring (30) or a deflector (332) or encoder (334) attached to the inner ring (30) in the mounted position, and a second front sealing surface (60) configured to press against a front static seal seat formed on the flange (32) of the hub wheel (12) in the mounted position.

12. A vehicle drive wheel hub assembly (10), comprising: A hub wheel (12), a torque transducer (14); an inner ring (30) that is shrink-fitted to the hub ring (12) and is axially held by a flange (32) that forms a rear end (42) of the hub ring (12); an annular static seal (48) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is arranged at the mounting position and the reference axis (200) coincides with the rotation axis (100) of the hub wheel (10); wherein the hub wheel (12) and the torque converter (14) have a connection portion at the rear end (42) of the hub wheel (12) that includes an annular outer peripheral edge portion (46).

13. 13. The vehicle drive wheel hub assembly (10) of claim 12, wherein the torque converter (14) includes a set of splines and radial ribs (38) formed on the hub wheel (12) and abutting a set of splines and radial ribs (40) axially spaced from the rear end (42) of the hub wheel (12).

14. 14. The vehicle drive wheel hub assembly (10) of claim 13, wherein the hub ring (12) has a flat, toroidal or frusto-conical annular rear contact surface (42) that is in surface contact with a flat, toroidal or frusto-conical annular contact surface (44) of the torque converter (14), and the outer periphery of the rear contact surface (42) of the hub ring (12) and the annular contact surface (44) of the torque converter (14) is formed with the outer periphery of the rear contact surface (42) of the hub ring (12) and the outer periphery of the annular contact surface (44) of the torque converter (14).

15. 15. The vehicle drive wheel hub assembly (10) of claim 12, wherein the torque converter (14) includes a set of face spline ribs that abut a set of face splines formed on the rear end (42) of the hub wheel (12).

16. 16. A vehicle drive wheel hub assembly (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the static seal (48) is the static seal according to claim 4, and the annular sealing space (300) is at least partially filled with a liquid or paste-like product, such as a lubricant, a substance including a porous polymer matrix containing a liquid or semi-solid lubricant, or the like.

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