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 hub shaft 124 which is a rotary shaft body connected to a wheel W; a hub carrier 11 which has a storage hole part 111 for accommodating a part of the hub bearing 12, and supports the hub bearing 12 in the state of being accommodated in the storage hole part 111; a sensor 13 which is fixed to a fixed part 112 of the hub carrier 11 in the state that a detection part 131 for detecting a rotation state projects from an inner peripheral surface of the storage hole part 111 so as to detect the rotation state of an inner ring 122 around an axis thereof; and a cap 15 which prevents foreign matters from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from a space S that permits entry of the foreign matters, and with which a deflector member 15A, which is at least a part of a deflector 14 for isolating the detection part 131 in the space S, is formed integrally.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, and a cap that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing, the cap being integrally molded with a deflector member that includes at least a part of a deflector that isolates the sensor from foreign matter. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure, the deflector can be integrally molded with the cap. That is, the cap can have the function of a deflector. As a result, even in a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft, the cap having the function of a deflector can isolate the detection unit of the sensor from foreign matter. Therefore, the cap can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor. And, since the cap having the function of a 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, a common hub carrier, sensor, wire harness, and connector can be shared between the driving wheel and the driven wheel. [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] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a configuration of a deflector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a cap. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram for explaining how a deflector on a driven wheel side prevents entry of foreign matter. FIG. [Figure 6]13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a deflector and a cap according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a third modified example. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram for explaining a cap according to a seventh modified example. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram for explaining a cap according to an eighth modified example. FIG. 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 deflector 14, and a cap 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] In addition, in the hub bearing 12 provided on the driven wheel side, a cap 15 (described later) 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 15 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 15.

[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 15, that is, on the interior side of the cap 15, 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 15.

[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 deflector 14 is formed in an annular shape and is disposed so as to isolate the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13 fixed to the hub carrier 11 in the space S on the drive wheel side. The deflector 14 is fixed to a step portion D1 of the drive shaft D as shown in FIG.

[0033] The deflector 14 is formed, for example, by pressing a thin steel plate using a mold. The deflector 14 may also be formed by injection molding a resin material using a mold. The deflector 14 may also be formed by welding each member formed by pressing.

[0034] 1 and 3, the deflector 14 includes a cylindrical portion 141, a disk portion 142, and a return portion 143. In the deflector 14 of this embodiment, as described below, the disk portion 142 extends radially outward from the vehicle interior end of the cylindrical portion 141, and the return portion 143 extends axially toward the vehicle interior from the radially outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 142.

[0035] The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the step portion D1. That is, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 is formed to have a size with a tightening margin so as to fit into the step portion D1. As a result, the deflector 14 is fixed by fitting the cylindrical portion 141 into the step portion D1, for example, by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 141.

[0036] The disk portion 142 is connected to the cylindrical portion 141 so as to stand upright. As a result, with the cylindrical portion 141 fixed to the step portion D1, the disk portion 142 covers and isolates the side surface of the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driving wheel side. Therefore, the disk portion 142 prevents foreign matter scattered toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driving wheel side from adhering to the detection unit 131.

[0037] The return portion 143 is provided along the outer periphery of the disk portion 142. The return portion 143 is connected to the disk portion 142 so as to stand upright, that is, so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical portion 141. As a result, the return portion 143 repels foreign matter that enters from the space S on the drive wheel side toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13.

[0038] In this embodiment, the deflector 14 has a return portion 143. However, the return portion 143 may be omitted as necessary. In this case, the deflector 14 is composed of a cylindrical portion 141 and a disk portion 142.

[0039] The cap 15 is formed in a disk shape and is attached to the hub bearing 12 on the driven wheel side. As shown in Fig. 2, the cap 15 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S on the driven wheel side. The cap 15 is also arranged in the space S on the driven wheel side so as to isolate the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 fixed to the hub carrier 11.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cap 15 is molded using a resin material. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cap 15 is molded by injection molding in which the resin material is injected into a mold. Here, examples of the resin material for molding the cap 15 include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ABS resin (a copolymer synthetic resin of acrylonitrile (A), butadiene (B), and styrene (S)). The cap 15 can also be molded integrally by pressing a thin steel plate using a mold. The cap 15 can also be molded by welding each member molded by pressing.

[0041] 4, the cap 15 has a hat-shaped cap body 151, a disk portion 152 corresponding to the disk portion 142 of the deflector 14 described above, and a return portion 153 corresponding to the return portion 143 of the deflector 14. In other words, the cap 15 is an integrated product in which the cylindrical portion 141 of the deflector 14 is replaced by the cap body 151, and the disk portion 142 and the return portion 143, which are the main portions of the deflector 14, are integrally molded with the cap body 151 as the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153.

[0042] That is, in the cap 15, the deflector member 15A including the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153, which are parts of the deflector 14, is molded integrally with the cap body 151. Therefore, the cap 15 is molded integrally with the deflector member 15A, and can be said to have a deflector function.

[0043] The cap body 151 has a flange-shaped large diameter portion 151A. The cap body 151, i.e., the cap 15, is attached to the hub bearing 12 by fixing the large diameter portion 151A to the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 121 of the hub bearing 12. This allows the cap body 151 to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S on the driven wheel side. When fixing the large diameter portion 151A to the outer ring 121 of the hub bearing 12, for example, the large diameter portion 151A can be fitted and fixed into a groove (not shown) provided along the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface.

[0044] The disc portion 152 constituting the deflector member 15A is formed so as to extend radially outward from the vehicle interior end (see FIG. 2) of the cap body 151. As a result, the disc portion 152 covers and isolates the side surface of the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driven wheel side when the cap body 151 is attached to the hub bearing 12. Therefore, the disc portion 152 prevents foreign matter scattered toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driven wheel side from adhering to the detection unit 131.

[0045] The return portion 153 constituting the deflector member 15A extends from the radially outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 152 toward the vehicle interior in the axial direction (see FIG. 2). That is, the return portion 153 is formed so as to be coaxial with the cap body 151. As a result, the return portion 153 repels foreign matter that enters from the space S on the driven wheel side toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13.

[0046] In this embodiment, the deflector member 15A has the return portion 153. However, the return portion 153 may be omitted as necessary. In this case, the deflector member 15A is composed of only the disk portion 152.

[0047] In the vehicle wheel support device 10 configured in this manner, the deflector 14 is press-fitted and fixed to the step portion D1 of the drive shaft D on the drive wheel side, as shown in Fig. 1. The deflector 14 prevents foreign matter scattered in the space S on the drive wheel side from entering toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13, as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 1.

[0048] That is, the disk portion 142 and the return portion 143 constituting the deflector 14 obstruct the entry of foreign objects and prevent the foreign objects from reaching the detection portion 131. As a result, on the driving wheel side, foreign objects are 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.

[0049] On the other hand, in the vehicle wheel support device 10, on the driven wheel side, as shown in Fig. 2, a cap 15 is attached to the hub bearing 12. In the cap 15, as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 5, a cap body 151 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S on the driven wheel side, and a deflector member 15A prevents foreign matter scattered in the space S on the driven wheel side from entering toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13.

[0050] That is, on the driven wheel side, like the deflector 14 on the driving wheel side, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153, i.e., the deflector member 15A, integrally formed with the cap 15, obstruct the entry of foreign matter and prevent the foreign matter from reaching the detection portion 131. 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 151A of the cap 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the stick sensor 13 from deteriorating.

[0051] As can be understood from the above explanation, the vehicle wheel support device 10 comprises a hub bearing 12 that rotatably supports the wheel W (wheel W1), a hub carrier 11 that supports the hub bearing 12, a sensor 13 that detects the rotational state of the wheel W, and a cap 15 (cap main body 151) that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12, the cap 15 being integrally molded with a deflector member 15A (disc portion 152 and return portion 153) that includes at least a part of the deflector 14 that isolates the sensor 13 from foreign matter.

[0052] In this case, the hub bearing 12 has a hub shaft 124 (including a connected inner ring 122), which is a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel W (wheel W1), and the hub carrier 11 has an accommodating hole portion 111 that accommodates part of the hub bearing 12 and a fixing portion 112 to fix the sensor 13, and the sensor 13 is fixed to the fixing portion 112 with a detection portion 131, which detects the rotational state around the axis of the inner ring 122 (including the connected hub shaft 124), protruding from the inner surface 111A of the accommodating hole portion 111.

[0053] 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 in the driving wheel, the deflector 14 is fixed to the drive shaft D, and in the driven wheel, a cap 15 is attached to the hub bearing 12.

[0054] In these cases, the cap 15 is molded using a resin material.

[0055] In this case, the cap 15 is formed by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a mold.

[0056] Furthermore, in these cases, the deflector 14 and the cap 15 have a return portion 153 at the outer circumferential edge that repels foreign matter that enters from the space S toward the detection portion 131.

[0057] According to the vehicle wheel support device 10, in the cap 15, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 corresponding to the deflector 14 are integrally molded with the cap body 151 by injection molding of a resin material. Therefore, the cap 15 can have the function of the deflector 14.

[0058] As a result, even in a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft D, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 integrally formed with the cap body 151 of the cap 15 can isolate the detection portion 131 of the sensor 13 in the space S in which foreign matter is permitted to enter. Therefore, the cap 15 can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor 13. And because the cap 15 can prevent foreign matter from adhering 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, a common hub carrier 11 can be adopted for the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and the sensor 13, the wire harness and the connector can be standardized.

[0059] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described, starting with the first modification to the seventh modification.

[0060] (First Modification) In the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, the deflector 14 and the cap 15 are partially modified. Specifically, the deflector 14 and the cap 15 of the first modified example are provided with a disk portion 144 and a disk portion 154 instead of the flat disk portion 142 and the disk portion 152 of the above-mentioned embodiment. The disk portions 144, 154 are formed with a plurality of projections and recesses along the circumferential direction. In this way, the disk portions 144, 154 with a plurality of projections and recesses can easily bounce back foreign matter scattered from the space S by rotating around the axis, and can also suppress adhesion of foreign matter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter from the space S on the driving wheel side and the driven wheel side toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13. As for other effects, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0061] (Second Modification) In the second modified example, the cap 15 is divided into a plurality of members, and the respective members are joined together to form the cap 15. In the second modified example, examples of joining include adhesion between the members, more specifically, welding between the members.

[0062] 7, the cap 15 is divided into two parts: a deflector member 15A including a disk portion 152 and a turned-back portion 153, and a cap body member 15B including a cap body 151. In the second modified example, the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B are joined together to form the cap body 151.

[0063] The deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B are molded by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a mold. As shown in FIG. 7, the deflector member 15A has a simple annular shape, and the cap body member 15B has a simple disk shape. Therefore, the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B can be molded by injection molding using a simple mold. As a result, in the second modified example, it is possible to simplify the mold structure of the mold, and it is possible to reduce the cost required for manufacturing.

[0064] The deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B are then joined together to form the cap 15. In this case, the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B are bonded, i.e., joined, at a position surrounded by a dashed circle in Fig. 7 by using a method such as vibration welding to form the cap 15. The bonding of the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B is not limited to welding, and may be bonding using an adhesive, for example.

[0065] As a result, the cap 15 molded from the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B is attached to the hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the cap body 151 can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S. Also, the cap 15 molded from the deflector member 15A and the cap body member 15B is attached to the hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 corresponding to the deflector 14 can isolate the detection portion 131 in the space S.

[0066] (Third Modification) In the third modified example as well, the cap 15 is divided into a plurality of members, and the respective members are joined together to form the cap 15. Here, in the third modified example as well, examples of joining include adhesion between members, more specifically, welding between members.

[0067] 8, for example, a first cap member 15C and a second cap member 15D are divided into two by a virtual plane including the central axis, and then joined together to form the cap 15. Note that the number of divisions is not limited to two, and it is also possible to divide the cap 15 into three or more by a virtual plane including the central axis.

[0068] The first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D are molded by injection molding of a resin material. As shown in Fig. 8, the first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D, which are obtained by splitting the cap 15 in half along the central axis, can also be molded by injection molding using a simple molding die, as in the second modified example described above. This makes it possible to simplify the mold structure in the third modified example as well, and to reduce the manufacturing costs.

[0069] The first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D are joined together to form the cap 15. In this case, the first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D are bonded to each other at a position circled by a dashed line in Fig. 8 using a method such as vibration welding to form the cap 15. The bonding of the first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D is not limited to welding, and may be bonding using an adhesive, for example.

[0070] As a result, the cap 15 molded from the first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D is attached to the hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the cap body 151 can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S. In addition, the cap 15 molded from the first cap member 15C and the second cap member 15D is attached to the hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 corresponding to the deflector 14 can isolate the detection portion 131 in the space S.

[0071] (Fourth Modification) In the fourth modified example as well, the cap 15 is divided into a plurality of members, and the respective members are joined together to form the cap 15. And in the fourth modified example as well, examples of the joining include adhesion between the members, more specifically, welding between the members.

[0072] 9, the cap 15 is divided into two parts: a cap main member 15E including the disk portion 152, the turned portion 153, and a part of the cap body 151, and a fixing member 15F including the large diameter portion 151A that constitutes the cap body 151. In the fourth modification, the cap main member 15E and the fixing member 15F are joined together to form the cap body 151.

[0073] The cap main member 15E and the fixing member 15F are also molded by injection molding of a resin material. As shown in Fig. 9, the cap main member 15E has a simple disk shape, and the cap body 151 has a simple ring shape. Therefore, the cap main member 15E and the fixing member 15F can also be molded by injection molding using a simple molding die, as in the second and third modified examples described above. This makes it possible to simplify the mold structure in the fourth modified example as well, and to reduce the manufacturing costs.

[0074] The cap main component 15E and the fixing component 15F are then joined together to form the cap 15. In this case, the cap main component 15E and the fixing component 15F are bonded to each other at a position circled by a dashed line in Fig. 9 using a method such as vibration welding to form the cap 15. The bonding between the cap main component 15E and the fixing component 15F is not limited to welding, and may be bonded, for example, by an adhesive.

[0075] As a result, cap 15 molded from cap main member 15E and fixing member 15F is attached to hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and cap body 151 can prevent foreign matter from entering hub bearing 12 from space S. Also, cap 15 molded from cap main member 15E and fixing member 15F is attached to hub bearing 12 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and disc portion 152 and return portion 153 corresponding to deflector 14 can isolate detection portion 131 in space S.

[0076] (Fifth Modification) In the above-described embodiment and the first to fourth modified examples, the cap 15 is molded using a resin material. In the fifth modified example, a case in which the cap 15 is at least partially molded using a resin material will be described. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the cap body 151 of the cap 15 is made of resin molded using a resin material, and the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 are made of metal using a metal material.

[0077] In the fifth modified example, a metallic deflector 14 fixed to the drive shaft D on the driving wheel side is used on the driven wheel side. For this reason, in the fifth modified example, the metallic deflector 14 is integrally molded with the cap body 151 by insert molding.

[0078] Specifically, the metallic deflector 14 is placed at a predetermined position inside a mold, and in that state, a resin material is injected into the mold by insert molding to form the cap body 151. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10, the cylindrical portion 141 of the deflector 14 is covered with the resin material that forms the cap body 151, and the deflector 14 and the cap body 151 are integrated together, that is, the cap 15 is formed.

[0079] Therefore, in the fifth modified example, the metallic deflector 14 on the driving wheel side can be used on the driven wheel side, that is, it is possible to share the deflector 14 as a part. The other effects are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0080] (Sixth Modification) In the above-mentioned fifth modified example, as an example of a case where a part of the cap 15 is molded using a resin material, the deflector 14 is made of metal, and the cap body 151 of the cap 15 is made of resin. In the sixth modified example, as an example of a case where at least a part of the cap 15 is molded using a resin material, the disk part 152 and the return part 153 corresponding to the deflector 14 are made of resin, and a metal cap body 155 is used. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the cap body 155 is made of metal molded using a metal material, and the disk part 152 and the return part 153 corresponding to the deflector 14 are made of resin molded using a resin material.

[0081] In the sixth modified example, for example, the cap body 155 is formed by pressing a thin steel plate. In the sixth modified example, the metal cap body 155 is integrally molded with the resin disc portion 152 and the return portion 153 by insert molding.

[0082] Specifically, a metal cap body 155 is placed at a predetermined position inside a molding die. In this state, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 are formed by insert molding, in which a resin material is injected. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the cap body 155, for example, except for the large diameter portion 155A, is covered with the resin material that forms the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153, and the cap 15 is formed.

[0083] Therefore, in the sixth modified example, it is possible to use, for example, a metal cap that has been conventionally used on the driven wheel side. The other effects are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0084] (Seventh Modification) In the above-described embodiment and the first to fourth modified examples, the case where the entire cap 15 is molded using the same resin material has been exemplified. However, as shown in Fig. 12, it is also possible to mold the cap body 151, which prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S, and the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153, which isolate the detection portion 131 of the sensor 13 in the space S, using different resin materials.

[0085] In the seventh modified example, a case will be illustrated in which the cap body 151 and the deflector member 15A including the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 are molded by using different material molding in which different resin materials are injected into a molding die. Note that different material molding is sometimes called two-color molding or double molding.

[0086] Specifically, in the seventh modified example, the cap body 151 is molded by injecting, for example, ABS resin, which is resistant to heat and impact, into the portion of the mold where the cap body 151 is to be molded. Then, the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153, i.e., the deflector member 15A, are molded by injecting, for example, a lightweight and hard polypropylene resin into the portion of the mold where the disk portion 152 and the return portion 153 are to be molded.

[0087] This allows the cap body 151 and the disk portion 152 and return portion 153, which are the deflector member 15A, to be molded integrally according to the application or purpose. Therefore, by molding the cap 15 using different material molding, it is possible to improve the ease of mounting the large diameter portion 151A of the cap 15 to the hub bearing 12, reduce the cost required for manufacturing the cap 15, and the like. Other effects are similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0088] (Eighth Modification) In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the deflector member 15A, which is a part of the deflector 14, is integrally molded with the cap 15. However, it is also possible to mold the entire deflector 14 integrally with the cap 15, more specifically, with the cap body 151.

[0089] In the eighth modified example, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 of the deflector 14 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the step D1 (see FIG. 1) of the drive shaft D and the cap body 151 (or the metal cap body 155). That is, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 is formed to have a size with a tightening margin so as to fit with the step D1 and the cap bodies 151, 155.

[0090] 13, the deflector 14 is molded integrally with the cap 15 by fitting the cylindrical portion 141 into the cap bodies 151, 155, for example by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 141. In this way, the step portion D1 and the cap bodies 151, 155 are molded to have the same outer diameter, which has the effect of making the deflector 14 common to the driving wheels and the driven wheels. Other effects are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0091] Here, the vehicle wheel support device of the first form of the present disclosure comprises a hub bearing that rotatably supports the wheel, a hub carrier that supports the hub bearing, a sensor that detects the rotational state of the wheel, and a cap that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing, the cap being integrally molded with a deflector member that includes at least a part of a deflector that isolates the sensor from foreign matter.

[0092] Furthermore, a second form of vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of the first form, in which the hub bearing is connected to a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel and a drive shaft that transmits driving force from a driving force source to form a driving wheel that drives the wheel, or the rotating shaft body is not connected to the drive shaft to form a driven wheel that follows the driving wheel, and in the driving wheel a deflector is fixed to the drive shaft, and in the driven wheel a cap is attached to the hub bearing.

[0093] In addition, a third form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of the first or second form, in which the cap is divided into a plurality of members, and the cap is formed by joining each member to each other.

[0094] A vehicle wheel support device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device according to the third embodiment, wherein each member is bonded to each other to form a cap.

[0095] A vehicle wheel support device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein each member is welded to each other to form a cap.

[0096] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel support device of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the cap is molded by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a molding die.

[0097] Furthermore, a seventh form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to fifth forms, in which the cap is divided into a deflector member and a cap body, and the deflector member molded by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a molding die, and the cap body molded by injection molding of a resin material are joined together to form the cap.

[0098] In addition, an eighth form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to fifth forms, in which the cap is divided into a deflector member and a cap main body, and the deflector member and the cap main body are integrally molded using different resin materials by different material molding in which different resin materials are injected into a molding die.

[0099] A vehicle wheel support device of a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cap is at least partially molded using a resin material.

[0100] In addition, a vehicle wheel support device of a tenth form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the ninth form, wherein the cap has a resin cap body, and the metal deflector is integrally molded with the resin cap body by insert molding, in which a resin material is injected into a metal deflector placed inside a molding die.

[0101] Furthermore, an eleventh form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the ninth form, wherein the cap has a metal cap body, and the metal cap body is molded integrally with the resin deflector by insert molding, in which a resin material is injected into the metal cap body placed inside a molding die.

[0102] A vehicle wheel support device of a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the deflector and the cap are formed with a plurality of projections and recesses along the circumferential direction.

[0103] A vehicle wheel support device of a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the deflector has a return portion at its outer periphery that repels entering foreign matter.

[0104] Furthermore, a fourteenth form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to thirteenth forms, wherein the hub bearing has a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel, the hub carrier has an accommodating hole portion that accommodates part of the hub bearing and a fixing portion for fixing a sensor, and the sensor is fixed to the fixing portion with a detection portion that detects the rotational state of the rotating shaft body around its axis protruding from the inner surface of the accommodating hole portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10...vehicle wheel support device, 11...hub carrier, 111...accommodating hole portion, 112...fixing portion, 12...hub bearing, 121...outer ring, 122...inner ring (rotating shaft body), 123...rolling ball, 124...hub shaft (rotating shaft body), 13...sensor, 131...detection portion, 14...deflector, 141...cylindrical portion, 142...disk portion, 143...return portion, 144...disk portion, 15...cap, 151...cap Main body, 151A...large diameter portion, 152...disc portion, 153...turned portion, 154...disc portion, 155...cap main body, 155A...large diameter portion, 15A...deflector member, 15B...cap main body member, 15C...first cap member, 15D...second cap member, 15E...cap main member, 15F...fixing member, W...wheel, W1...wheel, D...drive shaft, D1...step portion, B...brake disc.

Claims

1. A hub bearing that rotatably supports the wheel; A hub carrier supporting the hub bearing; A sensor for detecting a rotation state of the wheel; a cap for preventing intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the hub bearing, the cap being integrally formed with a deflector member including at least a part of a deflector for isolating the sensor from the foreign matter; A vehicle wheel support device comprising:

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. In the driving wheel, the deflector is fixed to the drive shaft, In the driven wheel, the cap is attached to the hub bearing.

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

3. The cap is divided into a plurality of members, each of the members being joined together to form the cap; 2. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1.

4. Each of the members is bonded together to form the cap.

4. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 3.

5. Each of the members is welded together to form the cap.

5. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 4.

6. The cap is molded by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a mold. A vehicle wheel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cap is divided into the deflector member and a cap body, the deflector member molded by injection molding in which a resin material is injected into a mold, and the cap body molded by injection molding of a resin material are joined together to form the cap; 4. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 3.

8. The cap is divided into the deflector member and a cap body, The deflector member and the cap body are integrally molded using different resin materials by injecting different resin materials into a molding die.

3. A vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The cap is at least partially molded using a resin material.

3. A vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The cap has a resin cap body, The metallic deflector is molded integrally with the resin cap body by insert molding, in which a resin material is injected into the metallic deflector disposed inside a molding die.

10. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 9.

11. The cap has a metal cap body, The metal cap body is integrally molded with the resin deflector by insert molding, in which a resin material is injected into the metal cap body disposed inside a molding die.

10. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 9.

12. The deflector and the cap are A plurality of projections and recesses are formed along the circumferential direction.

3. A vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The deflector and the cap are The outer periphery has a return portion that repels the entering foreign matter.

3. A vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1 or 2.

14. The hub bearing has a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel, The hub carrier has an accommodating hole portion that accommodates a part of the hub bearing and a fixing portion that fixes the sensor, The sensor is fixed to the fixed portion in a state in which a detection portion that detects a rotation state around the axis of the rotating shaft body protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole portion.

3. A vehicle wheel support device according to claim 1 or 2.

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