Vehicle wheel support device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wheel support device that can achieve commonization of components.SOLUTION: A vehicle wheel support device 10 comprises: a hub bearing 12 which rotatably supports a wheel W; a hub carrier 11 which supports the hub bearing 12; a sensor 13 which detects a rotational state of the wheel W; a cap 14 which prevents foreign matters from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12; and a deflector 15 which isolates the sensor 13 from the foreign matters. In the vehicle wheel support device 10, the deflector 15 is fixed to the cap 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wheel support device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an arrangement of a knuckle (one form of a hub carrier), a hub bearing, a drive shaft, and a deflector, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The conventional arrangement is an arrangement in which a drive shaft is connected to a rotating shaft of a hub bearing supported by a hub carrier, at a drive wheel, and a deflector is fixed to the drive shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-071339 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the drive wheel side, a sensor that detects the rotation state of the wheel may be fixed to the hub carrier. Here, the hub carrier is placed in an environment where foreign matter such as water, sand, mud, etc. can easily enter from the inside of the vehicle (the side opposite to the outside of the vehicle where the wheel is connected to the rotating shaft) in the left-right direction of the vehicle as the vehicle travels. For this reason, the sensor fixed to the hub carrier is placed in an environment where foreign matter can easily adhere.

[0005] Here, the sensor is required to maintain good detection accuracy even in an environment where foreign matter is likely to adhere to it. Therefore, the deflector provided on the drive wheel is fixed to the drive shaft located on the inside of the vehicle relative to the hub carrier so as to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor located opposite the hub bearing.

[0006] However, even in the case of a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft, it is necessary to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor and to detect the rotation state of the wheel with high detection accuracy. However, in the case of a driven wheel, it is not possible to attach a deflector to the drive shaft as described above.

[0007] For this reason, for example, when a sensor is fixed to a hub carrier for a driven wheel as well as a driving wheel, a dedicated hub carrier may be used for the driven wheel. In this case, the dedicated hub carrier is designed so that the inside of the vehicle is blocked at the accommodation hole that accommodates the hub bearing. When a dedicated hub carrier is used, the accommodation hole is blocked at the driven wheel to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor.

[0008] Furthermore, when a dedicated hub carrier is not used, a cap may be provided to protect the internal structure of the hub bearing, such as the outer ring, rolling balls, and inner ring. In this case, at least the detection portion of the sensor is embedded so as to penetrate to the inside of the cap. When a cap is provided, the sensor is embedded in the cap to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor.

[0009] In this way, in order to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor, the specifications of the hub carrier may differ between the driving wheel side and the driven wheel side. Also, when the sensor is fixed to the hub carrier on the driving wheel side and the sensor is fixed to the cap on the driven wheel side, the specifications of the hub carrier and the sensor may differ, and the specifications of the wire harness and connector connected to the sensor may also differ. In other words, in the past, the hub carrier, the sensor, the wire harness and the connector were produced and managed as separate parts for the driving wheel side and the driven wheel side, respectively, and separate assembly work was required. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in terms of preventing the adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor and standardizing the parts.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel support device that enables the use of standardized parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The vehicle wheel support device disclosed herein comprises a hub bearing that rotatably supports a wheel, a hub carrier that supports the hub bearing, a sensor that detects the rotational state of the wheel, a cap that prevents foreign objects from entering the inside of the hub bearing, and a deflector that isolates the sensor from foreign objects, the deflector being fixed to the cap. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure, the deflector can be fixed to the cap. This allows the deflector to be used even in a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft. Therefore, even in a driven wheel, the deflector can isolate the detection portion of the sensor from foreign matter, and can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor. And, since the deflector can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor, the sensor can be fixed to the hub carrier even in a driven wheel. Therefore, according to the vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure, by sharing the deflector between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, it is possible to standardize a common hub carrier, sensor, wire harness, and connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle wheel support device for a driving wheel. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle wheel support device for a driven wheel. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a cap. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a deflector. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram for explaining prevention of intrusion of foreign matter by a deflector on a driven wheel side. FIG. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a configuration of a deflector according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle wheel support device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] 1 and 2, the vehicle wheel support device 10 of this embodiment includes a hub carrier 11 and a hub bearing 12. The vehicle wheel support device 10 also includes a sensor 13, a cap 14, and a deflector 15.

[0016] The hub carrier 11 has an accommodation hole 111 that accommodates a part of the hub bearing 12. As a result, the hub carrier 11 supports the hub bearing 12 while being accommodated in the accommodation hole 111. Here, when the hub carrier 11 is provided on a steered wheel of a vehicle, it may be referred to as a "knuckle." In the following explanation, there is no distinction between steered wheels and non-steered wheels, and the hub carrier 11 will be referred to as the "hub carrier 11."

[0017] The hub carrier 11 is also provided with a fixing portion 112 through which a rod-shaped sensor 13 (hereinafter also referred to as the "stick sensor 13") described below is inserted and fixed with its tip portion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole 111. As a result, when the stick sensor 13 is fixed to the fixing portion 112, a detection portion 131 provided at the tip portion of the stick sensor 13 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole 111.

[0018] The hub bearing 12 includes an outer ring 121, an inner ring 122, rolling balls 123, and a hub shaft 124. Here, the inner ring 122 and the hub shaft 124 form a "rotating shaft body." In this embodiment, the hub bearing 12 includes rolling balls 123. However, the hub bearing 12 may include, for example, rolling rollers instead of the rolling balls 123.

[0019] The outer ring 121 is fixed to the hub carrier 11 by bolts or the like (not shown). The inner ring 122 rolls the rolling balls 123 on one side together with the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 121. The hub shaft 124 is connected to the inner ring 122, and rolls the rolling balls 123 on the other side together with the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 121.

[0020] At the tip of the hub shaft 124, which is on the outer side of the vehicle in the left-right direction (outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction), the wheel W1 constituting the wheel W is fastened by bolts and nuts (not shown) with the brake disc B sandwiched between them. As a result, the hub bearing 12 rotatably supports the wheel W (wheel W1) via the inner ring 122 and the hub shaft 124, which are rotating shaft bodies.

[0021] 1, in the case where the vehicle wheel support device 10 supports a wheel driven by a driving force source M such as a motor or an internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle, that is, a driving wheel, the vehicle wheel support device 10 is provided with a drive shaft D. In this case, one end of the drive shaft D is connected to the driving force source M, and the other end is connected to a hub shaft 124 that constitutes the rotating shaft of the hub bearing 12.

[0022] Therefore, in this case, the hub bearing 12 constitutes a drive wheel. In this embodiment, a case in which the drive shaft D is connected to the hub shaft 124 will be described as an example. However, since the inner ring 122 and the hub shaft 124 are connected to each other, it is also possible to configure the drive shaft D to be connected to the inner ring 122, for example.

[0023] The hub shaft 124 on the drive wheel side has a spline hole 125 provided in the center so that the drive shaft D can be inserted and the drive force can be transmitted from the drive force source M. As a result, the hub shaft 124 on the drive wheel side can transmit the drive force from the drive force source M to the wheel W1, i.e., the wheels W, by being spline-fitted with the drive shaft D.

[0024] Moreover, in the hub bearing 12 provided on the drive wheel side, an annular seal 126 is provided to separate the space S, into which foreign matter such as water, sand, and mud is permitted to enter, from the inside of the hub bearing 12. In other words, the annular seal 126 prevents foreign matter from entering between the outer ring 121 and the inner ring 122 so as not to impede the rolling of the rolling balls 123. As a result, the internal structure of the hub bearing 12 on the drive wheel side is protected by the annular seal 126.

[0025] Here, the space S can be exemplified as, for example, a space inside the wheel W1, i.e., the wheel W, inside the wheel house in which the wheel W of the vehicle is housed (inside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction). More specifically, the space S can be exemplified as a space inside the wheel house, inside the vehicle, of an end of the hub bearing 12 housed in the housing hole 111 of the hub carrier 11. Foreign objects present on the road surface are allowed to enter the space S by being stirred up by the rotation of the wheel W as the vehicle travels.

[0026] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, when the vehicle wheel support device 10 supports a wheel that is not driven by the driving force source M, i.e., a driven wheel, it does not include a drive shaft D. In this case, the hub bearing 12 is not connected to the drive shaft D. For this reason, the hub shaft 124 on the driven wheel side is formed in a solid shape without being provided with a spline hole 125. Therefore, in this case, the hub bearing 12 constitutes a part of the driven wheel.

[0027] Furthermore, in the hub bearing 12 provided on the driven wheel side, a cap 14 is attached liquid-tightly to separate the space S, through which foreign matter is permitted to enter, from the inside of the hub bearing 12. In other words, the cap 14 prevents foreign matter from entering between the outer ring 121 and the inner ring 122 so as not to impede the rolling of the rolling balls 123. In this way, the internal structure of the hub bearing 12 on the driven wheel side is protected by the cap 14.

[0028] 1 and 2, the hub bearing 12 is provided with a magnetized pulsar ring 127. The magnetized pulsar ring 127 is a multi-pole magnet in which N poles and S poles are magnetized alternately in a radial pattern on an annular base material. The magnetized pulsar ring 127 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the hub bearing 12, more specifically, facing toward the inside of the accommodation hole 111 of the hub carrier 11.

[0029] More specifically, on the driving wheel side, the magnetized pulsar ring 127 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the annular seal 126, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, on the driving wheel side, the magnetized pulsar ring 127 directly faces the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13. On the driven wheel side, the magnetized pulsar ring 127 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the attached cap 14, that is, on the interior side of the cap 14, as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, on the driven wheel side, the magnetized pulsar ring 127 faces the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 across the cap 14.

[0030] The sensor 13 detects the rotation state of the inner ring 122 or the hub shaft 124 that constitutes the rotating shaft of the hub bearing 12. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sensor 13 of this embodiment detects the rotation state around the axis of the inner ring 122 that constitutes the rotating shaft of the hub bearing 12, in other words, the rotation state of the wheel W. Here, an example of the sensor 13 is a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel speed. In the following, the sensor 13 will be described as a wheel speed sensor, but it may be a sensor that detects other physical quantities.

[0031] 1 and 2, the stick sensor 13 is provided with a detection unit 131 at its tip portion for detecting the rotation state. When the stick sensor 13 is fixed to the fixing unit 112 of the hub carrier 11, the detection unit 131 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation hole 111. The detection unit 131 faces the magnetized pulser ring 127 provided in the hub bearing 12 with a predetermined air gap therebetween. This allows the stick sensor 13 to detect changes in magnetic flux density and convert the detected changes in magnetic flux density into the rotation speed of the wheel W, i.e., the wheel speed.

[0032] The cap 14 is formed in a disk shape, and is attached to the hub bearing 12 on the driven wheel side. The cap 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S, as shown in FIG.

[0033] The cap 14 is formed, for example, by pressing a thin steel plate using a forming die. As shown in FIG. 3, the cap 14 has a large diameter portion 141 and a step portion 142. The large diameter portion 141 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 121 of the hub bearing 12. In this way, the cap 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12.

[0034] Also, the outer diameter of the step 142, which is formed to be smaller than the large diameter portion 141, is formed to be the same dimension as the outer diameter of the step D1 of the drive shaft D, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3. The step 142 is at a predetermined position of the cap 14. Therefore, on the driven wheel side, the deflector 15 is fixed to the step 142 of the cap 14. Here, the step D1 of the drive shaft D is provided at a predetermined position in the axial direction. Therefore, on the driving wheel side, the deflector 15 is fixed to the step D1 of the drive shaft D.

[0035] The deflector 15 is formed in an annular shape, and is disposed in the space S so as to isolate the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13 fixed to the hub carrier 11. The deflector 15 is fixed to a step D1 of the drive shaft D on the driving wheel side. On the other hand, the deflector 15 is fixed to a step 142 of the cap 14 on the driven wheel side. Here, the deflector 15 fixed to the step D1 of the drive shaft D on the driving wheel side and the deflector 15 fixed to the step 142 of the cap 14 on the driven wheel side have the same shape.

[0036] The deflector 15 is formed, for example, by pressing a thin steel plate using a forming die. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the deflector 15 includes a cylindrical portion 151, a disk portion 152, and a return portion 153. As described below, in the deflector 15 of this embodiment, the disk portion 152 extends radially outward from the end portion of the cylindrical portion 151 on the vehicle interior side, and the return portion 153 extends axially inward from the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 152 on the radially outer side.

[0037] The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 151 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameters of the steps D1 and 142. That is, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 151 is formed to have an interference fit so as to fit into the steps D1 and 142.

[0038] As a result, the deflector 15 of this embodiment is fixed by fitting the cylindrical portion 151 to the step portion D1 and the step portion 142, for example, by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 151. In this manner, the step portion D1 and the step portion 142 are molded to have the same outer diameter, so that the deflector 15 can be shared between the driving wheel and the driven wheel.

[0039] The disk portion 152 is connected to the cylindrical portion 151 so as to stand upright. As a result, the disk portion 152 covers and isolates the side surface of the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S in a state in which the cylindrical portion 151 is fixed to the step portion D1 or the step portion 142. Therefore, the disk portion 152 prevents foreign matter scattered in the space S toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 from adhering to the detection unit 131.

[0040] The return portion 153 is provided along the outer periphery of the disk portion 152. The return portion 153 is connected to the disk portion 152 so as to stand upright, that is, so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical portion 151. In this way, the return portion 153 repels foreign matter that enters from the space S toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13.

[0041] In this embodiment, the deflector 15 has a return portion 153. However, the return portion 153 may be omitted as necessary. In this case, the deflector 15 is composed of a cylindrical portion 151 and a disk portion 152.

[0042] In the vehicle wheel support device 10 configured in this manner, on the drive wheel side, as shown in Fig. 1, the deflector 15 is press-fitted and fixed into the step portion D1 of the drive shaft D. The deflector 15 prevents foreign matter scattered in the space S from entering toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13, as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 1.

[0043] That is, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 formed on the deflector 15 obstruct the entry of foreign matter and prevent the foreign matter from reaching the detection portion 131. As a result, on the driving wheel side, foreign matter is less likely to be present in the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13, particularly in the air gap set between the detection portion 131 and the magnetized pulsar ring 127. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the stick sensor 13 from being deteriorated.

[0044] On the other hand, in the vehicle wheel support device 10, on the driven wheel side, the deflector 15 is press-fitted and fixed into the step portion 142 of the cap 14 as shown in Fig. 5. In this way, the cap 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 5. In addition, the deflector 15 fixed to the step portion 142 of the cap 14 prevents foreign matter scattered in the space S from entering toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13 as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 5.

[0045] That is, on the driven wheel side as well, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 formed on the deflector 15 obstruct the intrusion of foreign matter and prevent the foreign matter from reaching the detection portion 131, as in the driving wheel side. As a result, on the driven wheel side, foreign matter is less likely to be present in the air gap set between the detection portion 131 and the magnetized pulsar ring 127 via the large diameter portion 141 of the cap 14. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the stick sensor 13 from being deteriorated.

[0046] As can be understood from the above explanation, the vehicle wheel support device 10 comprises a hub bearing 12 that rotatably supports the hub shaft 124 (including the connected inner ring 122), which is a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel W (wheel W1), a hub carrier 11 that has an accommodating hole portion 111 that accommodates part of the hub bearing 12 and supports the hub bearing 12 while accommodated in the accommodating hole portion 111, a sensor 13 that is fixed to a fixed portion 112 of the hub carrier 11 with a detection portion 131 that detects the rotation state protruding from the inner surface of the accommodating hole portion 111 so as to detect the rotation state around the axis of the inner ring 122 (including the connected hub shaft 124), a disk-shaped cap 14 that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S where the entry of foreign matter is permitted, and an annular deflector 15 that is arranged to isolate the detection portion 131 from the space S, and the deflector 15 is fixed to the cap 14.

[0047] In this case, the hub bearing 12 is connected to the hub shaft 124 (including the connected inner wheel 122) and a drive shaft D that transmits driving force from a driving force source M to form a driving wheel that drives the wheel W (wheel W1), or the hub shaft 124 (including the connected inner wheel 122) and the drive shaft D are not connected to form a driven wheel that follows the driving wheel, and a deflector 15 of the same shape is fixed to the drive shaft D in the driving wheel, and is fixed to the cap 14 in the driven wheel.

[0048] In this case, the deflector 15 has a cylindrical portion 151 whose inner diameter is set so as to fit at a step D1 at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the drive shaft D and at a step 142 at a predetermined position in the cap 14.

[0049] In this case, the deflector 15 is fixed by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 151 into a step D1 at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the drive shaft D and into a step 142 at a predetermined position of the cap .

[0050] Furthermore, in these cases, the deflector 15 has a return portion 153 at the outer circumferential edge for repelling foreign matter that enters from the space S toward the detection portion 131.

[0051] According to the vehicle wheel support device 10, the deflector 15 can be fixed to the step portion 142 of the cap 14. This allows the deflector 15 to be used even in a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft D. Therefore, even in a driven wheel, the deflector 15 can isolate the detection portion 131 of the sensor 13 in the space S in which the intrusion of foreign matter is permitted, and the attachment of foreign matter to the sensor 13 can be prevented. And, since the deflector 15 can prevent the attachment of foreign matter to the sensor 13, the sensor 13 can be fixed to the hub carrier 11 even in a driven wheel. Therefore, according to the vehicle wheel support device 10, the deflector 15 is shared between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and therefore the hub carrier 11, the sensor 13, the wire harness, and the connector can be made common.

[0052] Next, a modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described. In the modified example, as shown in Fig. 6, a part of the deflector 15 shared by the driving wheels and the driven wheels is modified.

[0053] Specifically, the deflector 15 of the modified example includes a disk portion 154 instead of the flat disk portion 152 of the above-described embodiment. The disk portion 154 has a plurality of projections and recesses formed along the circumferential direction. The disk portion 154 having a plurality of projections and recesses thus rotates about its axis, so that the projections and recesses can easily repel foreign matter scattered from the space S, and can also suppress adhesion of the foreign matter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter from the space S toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13. As for other effects, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10...vehicle wheel support device, 11...hub carrier, 111...accommodating hole portion, 112...fixing portion, 12...hub bearing 12, 121...outer ring, 122...inner ring (rotating shaft body), 123...rolling ball, 124...hub shaft (rotating shaft body), 13...sensor, 131...detection portion, 14...cap, 141...large diameter portion, 142...step portion (predetermined position), 15...deflector, 151...cylindrical portion, 152...disc portion, 153...return portion, 154...disc portion, W...wheel, W1...wheel, D...drive shaft, D1...step portion (predetermined position), B...brake disc.

Claims

1. A hub bearing that rotatably supports the wheel; A hub carrier that supports the hub bearing; A sensor for detecting a rotation state of the wheel; a cap for preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing; a deflector for isolating the sensor from the foreign object; The deflector is fixed to the cap.

2. The hub bearing is A drive wheel that drives the wheel is configured by connecting a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel and a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from a driving force source, or a driven wheel that is driven by the driving wheel is configured by connecting the rotating shaft body and the drive shaft, and is not connected to the rotating shaft body and the drive shaft. The deflectors of the same shape are The drive wheel is fixed to the drive shaft, The driven wheel is fixed to the cap.

2. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1.

3. The deflector includes: a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter set so as to be fitted at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the drive shaft and to be fitted at a predetermined position in the cap; 3. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 2.

4. the deflector is fixed by press-fitting the cylindrical portion at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the drive shaft and at a predetermined position of the cap; 4. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 3.

5. The deflector includes: The outer periphery has a return portion for repelling the intruding foreign matter. A vehicle wheel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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