Vehicle wheel support device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wheel support device that can reduce the number 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; and a drive shaft 20 which is an assembly member assembled to at least one hub bearing 12 of the hub bearing 12 and the hab carrier 11. The vehicle wheel support device 10 has a large diameter protrusion 22 provided along an outer peripheral surface 21 of a shaft body 21 so that the drive shaft 20 cooperates with the hub carrier 11 to prevent foreign matters from entering toward the sensor 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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] In this way, when a deflector is provided, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor, but the need to provide a separate deflector results in an increase in the number of parts.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel support device that can reduce the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle wheel support device disclosed herein 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 an assembly member that is attached to at least one of the hub bearing or the hub carrier, and the assembly member has a large diameter convex portion that cooperates with the hub carrier to prevent foreign objects from entering toward the sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure, the hub carrier and the large diameter protrusion provided on the mounting member cooperate to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor. Therefore, there is no need to prepare and assemble a deflector separately for the drive wheel of the vehicle, and the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of parts, i.e., the omission of the deflector, makes assembly unnecessary, and as a result, it is possible to reduce costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [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] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a hub carrier. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a drive shaft. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a cap. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram for explaining the prevention of intrusion of foreign matter by the small diameter convex portion and the large diameter convex portion on the drive wheel side. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram for explaining the prevention of intrusion of foreign matter by a small diameter protrusion and a cap on the driven wheel side. FIG. [Figure 8] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a hub carrier and a drive shaft according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a hub carrier and a drive shaft according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a deflector according to a third modified example. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a cap according to a third modified example. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a deflector and a cap according to a fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a vehicle wheel support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a vehicle wheel support device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a hub carrier 11, a hub bearing 12, and a sensor 13.

[0012] 1, when the vehicle wheel support device 10 supports a wheel that is driven by a driving source M such as a motor or an internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle, i.e., a driving wheel, a drive shaft 20 serving as an assembly member is connected to the vehicle wheel support device 10. When the vehicle wheel support device 10 supports a wheel that is not driven by the driving source M, i.e., a wheel that is not connected to the drive shaft 20 and follows the driving wheel, i.e., a driven wheel, a cap 14 serving as an assembly member is provided to the vehicle wheel support device 10, as shown in FIG.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 3, the hub carrier 11 has an accommodation hole 111 that accommodates a part of the hub bearing 12. Thus, 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."

[0014] 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 111A 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 111A of the accommodating hole 111.

[0015] 1, 2 and 3, the hub carrier 11 has a small diameter protrusion 113. The small diameter protrusion 113 is provided adjacent to the hub bearing 12 accommodated in the accommodation hole 111. More specifically, the small diameter protrusion 113 is provided adjacent to the end of the hub bearing 12 on the vehicle interior side. More specifically, the small diameter protrusion 113 is provided adjacent to the stick sensor 13 fixed to the fixing portion 112 on the vehicle interior side. The small diameter protrusion 113 is provided circumferentially along the inner circumferential surface 111A.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 1, when supporting a driving wheel, the vehicle wheel support device 10 is connected to a drive shaft 20. In this case, one end of the drive shaft 20 is connected to a driving source M, and the other end is connected to a hub shaft 124 that constitutes a rotating shaft of the hub bearing 12.

[0020] Therefore, in this case, the hub bearing 12 constitutes a driving wheel. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the drive shaft 20 is connected to the hub shaft 124. 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 20 to be connected to the inner ring 122, for example.

[0021] The hub shaft 124 on the drive wheel side has a spline hole 125 provided in the center so that the drive shaft 20 can be inserted and the driving force from the driving source M can be transmitted. As a result, the hub shaft 124 on the drive wheel side can transmit the driving force from the driving source M to the wheel W1, i.e., the wheels W, by being spline-fitted with the drive shaft 20.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] On the other hand, when the vehicle wheel support device 10 supports a wheel that is not driven by the driving source M, i.e., a driven wheel, as shown in Fig. 2, it does not include a drive shaft 20. In this case, the hub bearing 12 is not connected to the drive shaft 20. 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.

[0025] Furthermore, in the hub bearing 12 provided on the driven wheel side, a cap 14 (described later) is attached liquid-tight 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 1 and 2, the stick sensor 13 is provided with a detection unit 131 for detecting a rotation state at its tip. 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 111A 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 a change in magnetic flux density and convert the detected change in magnetic flux density into the rotation speed of the wheel W, i.e., the wheel speed.

[0030] 4, the drive shaft 20 has a large diameter protrusion 22 provided on the outer circumferential surface 21A of the shaft body 21. The large diameter protrusion 22 cooperates with a small diameter protrusion 113 provided on the hub carrier 11 to prevent foreign matter from entering from the space S toward the detection unit 131. For this reason, the large diameter protrusion 22 is provided circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface 21A of the shaft body 21.

[0031] 1, in this embodiment, the large diameter convex portion 22 is disposed adjacent to the small diameter convex portion 113 in the approach direction D of the foreign object advancing toward the detection portion 131. More specifically, the large diameter convex portion 22 is disposed on the upstream side (inside the vehicle) in the approach direction D, that is, on the space S side.

[0032] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion 22 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion 113. As a result, the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 are disposed adjacent to each other and overlap (wrap) each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Therefore, the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 can exhibit a labyrinth effect. In particular, on the driving wheel side, the large diameter convex portion 22 can move relative to the small diameter convex portion 113 as the drive shaft 20 rotates. As a result, on the driving wheel side, it is possible to more effectively prevent the intrusion of foreign matter from the gap between the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 in the wrap portion.

[0033] The cap 14 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 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 from the space S on the driven wheel side. The cap 14 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 from foreign matter.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cap 14 is molded using a resin material. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cap 14 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 14 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 14 can also be molded integrally by pressing a thin steel plate using a mold. The cap 14 can also be molded by welding each member molded by pressing.

[0035] 5, the cap 14 has a hat-shaped cap body 141, a large diameter convex portion 142, and a turned-back portion 143. Here, in the present embodiment, a case will be illustrated in which the large diameter convex portion 142 and the turned-back portion 143 are integrally formed with the cap body 141. In the following description, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the turned-back portion 143 may be collectively referred to as the "deflector member 14A."

[0036] The cap body 141 has a flange portion 141A. The cap body 141, i.e., the cap 14, is attached to the hub bearing 12 by fixing the flange portion 141A to the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 121 of the hub bearing 12. This allows the cap body 141 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 flange portion 141A to the outer ring 121 of the hub bearing 12, for example, the flange portion 141A can be fitted and fixed into a groove (not shown) provided along the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface.

[0037] The large diameter protrusion 142 is formed so as to extend radially outward along the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 141. As a result, the large diameter protrusion 142 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 141 is attached to the hub bearing 12. Therefore, the large diameter protrusion 142 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.

[0038] 2, when the cap 14 is attached to the hub bearing 12, the large diameter protrusion 142 is disposed adjacent to the small diameter protrusion 113 in the foreign object entry direction D. More specifically, the large diameter protrusion 142 is disposed on the upstream side (vehicle interior side) in the foreign object entry direction D, that is, on the space S side.

[0039] Also, the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion 142 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion 113. As a result, by mounting the cap 14 to the hub bearing 12, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the small diameter convex portion 113 are disposed so as to be adjacent to each other and to overlap (wrap) each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Therefore, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the small diameter convex portion 113 can exhibit a labyrinth effect in the cap 14 as well. As a result, by mounting the cap 14 to the hub bearing 12, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering through the gap between the large diameter convex portion 142 and the small diameter convex portion 113 in the wrap portion on the driven wheel side as well.

[0040] The turned portion 143 extends from the radially outer peripheral edge of the large diameter protrusion 142 toward the vehicle inner side in the axial direction (see FIG. 2). That is, the turned portion 143 is molded to be coaxial with the cap body 141. As a result, the turned portion 143 repels foreign matter that enters from the space S on the driven wheel side toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13. Therefore, on the driven wheel side, in addition to preventing the entry of foreign matter by the labyrinth effect described above, the turned portion 143 repels foreign matter, thereby preventing the foreign matter from adhering to the detection portion 131.

[0041] In this embodiment, the deflector member 14A has the return portion 143. However, the return portion 143 may be omitted as necessary. In this case, the deflector member 14A is composed of only the large diameter protrusion 142.

[0042] In the vehicle wheel support device 10 configured in this manner, the small diameter protrusion 113 is provided on the hub carrier 11. Then, on the drive wheel side, the large diameter protrusion 22 of the drive shaft 20 is provided adjacent to the small diameter protrusion 113 on the space S side in the approach direction D. As a result, the large diameter protrusion 22 and the small diameter protrusion 113 cooperate with each other to prevent the intrusion of scattered foreign matter toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the drive wheel side, as shown by the thick arrow and the dashed circle in Fig. 6.

[0043] That is, on the driving wheel side, the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 exert a labyrinth effect to hinder the intrusion of foreign matter and prevent the foreign matter from reaching the detection portion 131. Alternatively, the large diameter convex portion 22 blocks the hole (hole communicating with the accommodation hole portion 111) formed by the small diameter convex portion 113, thereby hindering the intrusion of foreign matter and preventing 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 deteriorating.

[0044] On the other hand, in the vehicle wheel support device 10, on the driven wheel side, a cap 14 is attached to the hub bearing 12. In the cap 14, as shown by the thick arrow in Fig. 7, a cap body 141 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 14A 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.

[0045] Also, in the vehicle wheel support device 10, the small diameter protrusion 113 is provided on the hub carrier 11. Then, on the driven wheel side, the large diameter protrusion 142 of the cap 14 is provided adjacent to the small diameter protrusion 113 on the space S side in the approach direction D. As a result, the large diameter protrusion 142 and the small diameter protrusion 113 cooperate with each other to prevent the intrusion of scattered foreign matter toward the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driven wheel side, as shown by the thick arrow and the dashed circle in Fig. 7.

[0046] That is, on the driven wheel side, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the return portion 143, i.e., the deflector member 14A, which are integrally formed with the cap 14, obstruct the entry of foreign objects and prevent the foreign objects from reaching the detection portion 131. Also, on the driven wheel side, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the small diameter convex portion 113 exert a labyrinth effect to obstruct the entry of foreign objects and prevent the foreign objects from reaching the detection portion 131. As a result, on the driven wheel side, foreign objects are less likely to be present in the air gap set between the detection portion 131 and the magnetized pulsar ring 127 via the flange portion 141A of the cap 14. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection accuracy of the stick sensor 13 from deteriorating.

[0047] As can be understood from the above description, the vehicle wheel support device 10 includes a hub bearing 12 that rotatably supports a 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 drive shaft 20 and a cap 14 that are assembly members that are assembled to at least one of the hub bearing 12 and the hub carrier 11. In the vehicle wheel support device 10, the drive shaft 20 has a large diameter protrusion 22 that cooperates with the hub carrier 11 to prevent foreign matter from entering toward the sensor, and the cap 14 has a large diameter protrusion 142 that cooperates with the hub carrier 11 to prevent foreign matter from entering toward the sensor.

[0048] In this case, the hub carrier 11 has an accommodating hole portion 111 that accommodates a portion of the hub bearing 12, and a small diameter protrusion portion 113 provided along the inner surface 111A of the accommodating hole portion 111 so as to cooperate with the large diameter protrusion portion 22 to prevent the entry of foreign matter.

[0049] In this case, the sensor 13 is fixed to the fixed portion 112 of the hub carrier 11 with a detection portion 131 protruding from the inner surface 111A, which detects the rotational state around the axis of the hub shaft 124 (including the connected inner ring 122), which is a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel W (wheel W1) at the hub bearing 12, and the small diameter convex portion 113 is positioned between the large diameter convex portion 22 and the detection portion 131 in the entry direction D of the foreign object entering toward the detection portion 131.

[0050] In this case, the large diameter protrusion 22 is disposed adjacent to the small diameter protrusion 113 in the approach direction D of the foreign matter that approaches the sensor 13 (detection portion 131).

[0051] In this case, the outer diameters of the large diameter protrusions 22 and 142 are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter protrusion 113 .

[0052] In this case, the drive shaft 20 is connected to the hub bearing 12 so as to transmit the driving force from the driving source M, and the large diameter protrusion 22 is provided along the outer circumferential surface 21A of the shaft body 21 of the drive shaft 20.

[0053] In this case, the cap 14 is attached to the hub bearing 12 so as to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing 12 , and a large diameter protrusion 142 is provided along the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 141 of the cap 14 .

[0054] In this case, the large diameter protrusion 142 is integrally formed with the cap body 141 of the cap 14 .

[0055] Furthermore, in these cases, the large diameter convex portion 142 has a return portion 143 at the outer periphery thereof that repels foreign matter that advances toward the detection portion 131 .

[0056] According to the vehicle wheel support device 10, the small diameter convex portion 113 provided on the hub carrier 11 and the large diameter convex portion 22 provided on the drive shaft 20 cooperate to exert a labyrinth effect, and it is possible to prevent the adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor 13. In addition, the large diameter convex portion 22 blocks the hole (the hole communicating with the receiving hole portion 111) formed by the small diameter convex portion 113, thereby hindering the entry of foreign matter and preventing the foreign matter from reaching the detection portion 131. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare and assemble a deflector, which will be described later, in the drive wheel of the vehicle, and the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of parts, i.e., the omission of the deflector, makes the assembly work unnecessary, and as a result, it is possible to reduce costs.

[0057] According to the vehicle wheel support device 10, in a driven wheel that does not have a drive shaft 20, the large diameter convex portion 142 and the return portion 143 integrally formed with the cap body 141 of the cap 14 can isolate the detection portion 131 of the sensor 13 in the space S that allows the intrusion of foreign matter. Furthermore, even on the driven wheel side, the small diameter convex portion 113 and the large diameter convex portion 142 cooperate to exert a labyrinth effect and close the hole, thereby preventing the adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor 13.

[0058] Here, even if the deflector is omitted on the driving wheel side, the vehicle wheel support device 10 can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor 13 by cooperation between the small diameter protrusion 113 and the large diameter protrusion 22. Also, on the driven wheel side, the cap 14 attached to the hub bearing 12 of the vehicle wheel support device 10 can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor 13 by cooperation between the small diameter protrusion 113 and the large diameter protrusion 142. Therefore, the vehicle wheel support device 10 can fix the sensor 13 to the hub carrier 11 on the driving wheel and the driven wheel. As a result, the vehicle wheel support device 10 can adopt a common hub carrier 11 on the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and can standardize the sensor 13, the wire harness, and the connector.

[0059] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described in order from the first modification to the fourth modification.

[0060] (First Modification) In the above-described embodiment, the drive shaft 20 has one large diameter protrusion 22. In the first modified example, as shown by the dashed circle in Fig. 8, the large diameter protrusion 22 and the large diameter protrusion 23 are provided along the approach direction D. That is, the drive shaft 20 of the first modified example has two large diameter protrusions 22, 23 provided on the outer circumferential surface 21A of the shaft body 21. Specifically, in the first modified example, the large diameter protrusion 23 is provided so as to be located on the outer side of the small diameter protrusion 113, i.e., between the small diameter protrusion 113 and the stick sensor 13, compared to the above-described embodiment.

[0061] Therefore, in the first modified example, even if a foreign object enters through the gap between the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113, the large diameter convex portion 23 can prevent the foreign object from entering toward the stick sensor 13. As for other effects, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0062] In the first modified example, the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion 23 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion 113. This allows, for example, the operation of connecting the drive shaft 20 and the hub shaft 124 to be performed without interference between the large diameter convex portion 23 and the small diameter convex portion 113.

[0063] (Second Modification) In the above-described embodiment, the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 are disposed adjacent to each other in the approach direction D, and the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion 113. As a result, in the above-described embodiment, a portion where the large diameter convex portion 22 and the small diameter convex portion 113 overlap is generated, thereby exerting a labyrinth effect.

[0064] 9, in the second modified example, the outer diameter of the large diameter protrusion 22 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter protrusion 113, and the large diameter protrusion 22 and the small diameter protrusion 113 are disposed opposite each other. As a result, as shown by the dashed circle in FIG. 9, the large diameter protrusion 22 and the small diameter protrusion 113 cooperate with each other to isolate the detection unit 131 of the stick sensor 13 from the space S.

[0065] Also in the second modified example, large diameter convex portion 22 can move relative to small diameter convex portion 113 as drive shaft 20 rotates. As a result, in the second modified example, even if a foreign object enters the gap between large diameter convex portion 22 and small diameter convex portion 113, the rotation of large diameter convex portion 22 can prevent the foreign object from entering toward detection portion 131. Therefore, the second modified example can also provide the same effects as the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0066] (Third Modification) In the above-described embodiment, the cap 14 provided on the driven wheel side is made of resin and is integrally molded to have the large diameter convex portion 142 and the bounce portion 143. However, it is also possible to use the metallic deflector 15 that has conventionally been used on the driving wheel side on the driven wheel side.

[0067] The metallic deflector 15 is formed, for example, by pressing a thin steel plate. As shown in Fig. 10, the deflector 15 includes a cylindrical portion 151, and a disk portion 152 and a return portion 153 corresponding to the large diameter convex portion 142 and the return portion 143 constituting the deflector member 14A of the cap 14 described above. In the third modified example, the cap 14 may be made of resin as in the above-described embodiment, or may be formed, for example, by pressing a thin steel plate.

[0068] The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 151 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cap body 141 of the cap 14. That is, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 151 is formed to have a size with a tightening margin so as to fit into the cap body 141. As a result, the deflector 15 is fixed by fitting the cylindrical portion 151 into the cap body 141, for example, by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 151.

[0069] The disk portion 152 is connected to the cylindrical portion 151 so as to stand upright. As a result, with the cylindrical portion 151 fixed to the cap body 141, the disk portion 152 covers and isolates the side surface of the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driven wheel side. For this reason, like the large diameter protrusion 142 of the deflector member 14A in the above-mentioned embodiment, the disk portion 152 cooperates with the small diameter protrusion 113 to prevent foreign matter scattered toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13 in the space S on the driven wheel side from adhering to the detection portion 131.

[0070] The return portion 153 is provided along the outer periphery of the disc portion 152. The return portion 153 is connected to the disc portion 152 so as to stand upright, that is, so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical portion 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.

[0071] In the third modified example, 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.

[0072] 11, the deflector 15 is fixed integrally to the cap 14 by fitting the cylindrical portion 151 into the cap body 141 at a predetermined position, for example, by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 151. Even when the cap 14 is molded in this manner, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0073] (Fourth Modification) In the fourth modified example, as shown in FIG. 12, the drive shaft 20, the cap 14, and the deflector 15 are partially modified. Specifically, the drive shaft 20, the cap 14, and the deflector 15 of the fourth modified example are provided with the large diameter convex portion 24, the large diameter convex portion 144, and the disk portion 154, instead of the flat plate-shaped large diameter convex portion 22, the large diameter convex portion 142, and the disk portion 152 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the third modified example. The large diameter convex portion 24, the large diameter convex portion 144, and the disk portion 154 are formed with a plurality of concaves and convexes along the circumferential direction. In this way, the large diameter convex portion 24, the large diameter convex portion 144, and the disk portion 154, which are formed with a plurality of concaves and convexes, can suppress the adhesion of foreign matter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter from the space S on the driven wheel side toward the detection portion 131 of the stick sensor 13. Other effects are obtained similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0074] (Other variations) In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the small diameter protrusion 113 is provided along the inner circumferential surface 111A of the accommodation hole 111 of the hub carrier 11, and the small diameter protrusion 113 cooperates with the large diameter protrusion 22 of the drive shaft 20 or the large diameter protrusion 142 of the cap 14. However, it is also possible to omit providing the small diameter protrusion 113 on the hub carrier 11.

[0075] In this case, the large diameter protrusion 22 or the large diameter protrusion 142 can cooperate with, for example, a side surface of the hub carrier 11 (a surface facing the large diameter protrusion 22 or the large diameter protrusion 142) to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter. As a result, even if the hub carrier 11 is not provided with the small diameter protrusion 113, for example, the large diameter protrusion 22 or the large diameter protrusion 142 can block the accommodating hole 111 from the vehicle interior side, thereby preventing the adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor 13.

[0076] In addition, in the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the drive shaft 20 connected to the hub bearing 12 on the driving wheel side and the cap 14 attached to the hub bearing 12 on the driven wheel side are exemplified as the assembly member. The assembly member is not limited to the drive shaft 20 and the cap 14, and may be, for example, a housing of a motor or a housing of a reduction mechanism connected to the hub bearing 12, a cap attached to the hub carrier 11 or both the hub carrier 11 and the hub bearing 12, etc.

[0077] 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 an assembly member that is assembled to at least one of the hub bearing and the hub carrier, and the assembly member has a large diameter convex portion that cooperates with the hub carrier to prevent foreign objects from entering toward the sensor.

[0078] In addition, a second form of vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the first form, wherein the hub carrier has an accommodating hole portion that accommodates a part of the hub bearing, and a small diameter protrusion portion provided along the inner surface of the accommodating hole portion so as to cooperate with the large diameter protrusion portion to prevent the entry of foreign matter.

[0079] In addition, a vehicle wheel support device of a third embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the second embodiment, wherein the large diameter convex portion is positioned adjacent to the small diameter convex portion in the direction of entry of a foreign object toward the sensor.

[0080] A vehicle wheel support device of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the third aspect, further comprising a plurality of large diameter protrusions provided along the entry direction.

[0081] In addition, a fifth aspect of the vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of any one of the second to fourth aspects, in which the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion is set larger than the inner diameter of the accommodating hole portion or the small diameter convex portion.

[0082] In addition, a sixth form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of the second form, in which the outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion is set smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion, and the large diameter convex portion and the small diameter convex portion are arranged opposite each other.

[0083] Furthermore, a seventh form of vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device in any one of the second to sixth forms, in which a sensor is fixed to a fixed portion of the hub carrier with a detection portion protruding from the inner surface for detecting the rotational state around the axis of a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel at the hub bearing, and a small diameter convex portion is positioned between the large diameter convex portion and the detection portion in the entry direction of a foreign object entering toward the detection portion.

[0084] Furthermore, a vehicle wheel support device of an eighth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel support device of any one of the second to seventh forms, in which the assembly member is a drive shaft that is connected to the hub bearing so as to transmit driving force from the driving source, and a large diameter convex portion is provided on the drive shaft.

[0085] Furthermore, a ninth form of a vehicle wheel support device of the present disclosure is any one of the second to eighth forms, in which the assembly member is a cap that is attached to the hub bearing so as to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing, and a large diameter convex portion is provided on the cap.

[0086] A vehicle wheel support device of a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of the ninth aspect, wherein the large diameter convex portion is integrally formed with the cap.

[0087] Further, a vehicle wheel support device of an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel support device of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the large diameter convex portion has a plurality of concaves and convexes along the circumferential direction.

[0088] 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 large diameter recess has a return portion at its outer periphery that repels entering foreign matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10...vehicle wheel support device, 11...hub carrier, 111...accommodating hole portion, 111A...inner peripheral surface, 112...fixing portion, 113...small diameter protrusion 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...cap (assembly member), 141...cap body (predetermined position), 1 41A...flange portion, 142...large diameter convex portion, 143...return portion, 144...large diameter convex portion, 14A...deflector member, 15...deflector, 151...cylindrical portion, 152...disk portion, 153...return portion, 20...drive shaft (assembly member), 21...shaft main body, 21A...outer peripheral surface, 22...large diameter convex portion, 23...large diameter convex portion, 24...large diameter convex portion, W...wheel, W1...wheel, 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; an assembly member that is assembled to at least one of the hub bearing and the hub carrier; The mounting member has a large diameter protrusion that cooperates with the hub carrier to prevent foreign matter from entering the sensor. Wheel support device for a vehicle.

2. The hub carrier has an accommodating hole portion that accommodates a part of the hub bearing, and a small diameter protrusion portion provided along an inner peripheral surface of the accommodating hole portion so as to cooperate with the large diameter protrusion portion to prevent the intrusion of the foreign matter.

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

3. the large diameter convex portion is disposed adjacent to the small diameter convex portion in a direction in which the foreign matter advances toward the sensor; 3. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 2.

4. The large diameter protrusion is provided in a plurality of portions along the entry direction.

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

5. The outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the accommodating hole portion or the small diameter convex portion.

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

6. The outer diameter of the large diameter convex portion is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter convex portion, The large diameter convex portion and the small diameter convex portion are disposed opposite to each other in the axial direction of the hub bearing.

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

7. the sensor is fixed to a fixed portion of the hub carrier in a state where a detection portion for detecting a rotation state around an axis of a rotating shaft body connected to the wheel in the hub bearing protrudes from the inner circumferential surface, the small diameter convex portion is disposed between the large diameter convex portion and the detection portion in a direction in which the foreign matter advances toward the detection portion; 3. The vehicle wheel support device according to claim 2.

8. the mounting member is a drive shaft connected to the hub bearing so as to transmit a driving force from a driving source, The large diameter protrusion is provided on the drive shaft. A vehicle wheel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the assembly member is a cap that is attached to the hub bearing so as to prevent the foreign matter from entering the inside of the hub bearing, The large diameter protrusion is provided on the cap. A vehicle wheel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The large diameter protrusion is integrally formed with the cap.

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

11. The large diameter convex portion is A plurality of projections and recesses are provided along the circumferential direction.

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

12. The large diameter protrusion is The outer periphery has a return portion that repels the entering foreign matter.

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

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