Wheel bearing device

Abstract

To provide a wheel bearing device in which a sealing property of an annular space between an outer ring and an inner ring is improved, and an assemblability of a cover is improved.SOLUTION: A wheel bearing device 1 includes: an outer ring 2; a hub ring 3 having a small diameter stepped part 3a; an inner ring 4 provided in the small diameter stepped part 3a of the hub ring 3; and an inner-side seal member 9 fitted with an inner-side opening 2a formed between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 4. The wheel bearing device includes: a cover 30 covering a radial outer side of a face spline 3i of a fastening part 3h of the hub ring 3 and a face spline 25a of a shoulder part 25 of an outer joint member 21 of a constant velocity universal joint 20; and a magnetic encoder 32 on a cover 30 which is a separate body from the inner-side seal member 9. An outer diameter of the magnetic encoder 32 is positioned on a radial outer side of an outer diameter of the inner-side seal member 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a wheel bearing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, double-row angular contact ball bearings have been commonly used as bearing assemblies for automobile wheels, and each bearing assembly includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and balls held in raceway grooves formed in the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0003] Furthermore, a known bearing device for a wheel hub of an automobile that can be driven via a rotary joint is one in which a wheel hub connected to a wheel flange and a rotary joint connected to a drive shaft are connected by a toothed portion to prevent relative rotation between them (see Patent Document 1). The bearing device for the wheel hub of the automobile includes a double-row rolling bearing mounted on the wheel hub and having an inner bearing race disposed axially outward and facing the rotary joint. The inner bearing race has its axially outer end surface disposed in the region of the end of the axial end of the wheel hub and is axially preloaded by a radial surface of the wheel hub acting on the end surface of the separate inner bearing race. The outer and inner bearing races are equipped with sealing devices, and the sealing device has a sealing ring connected to the inner bearing race and made of a plate, with the sealing ring having a radial leg and an axial leg. Furthermore, in the bearing device for the automobile wheel hub of the automobile, the free end of the sealing ring is expanded to form an end leg extending in the axial direction, and the end leg is disposed radially above the toothed portion and above a step on the outer joint body of the rotary joint. In this way, the free end of the seal ring covers the radially outer side of the toothed portion between the wheel hub and the rotary joint with the end leg extending in the axial direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2009-543009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the wheel hub bearing device of the automobile, it is desired to further improve the sealing performance between the outer race and the inner race of the bearing. Furthermore, in the above-described wheel hub bearing device, the seal ring and end leg of the sealing device are integrally formed, so the sealing device must be attached to the wheel hub before being attached to the rotary joint. Since the sealing device attached to the wheel hub is heavy, there is a risk that the end leg of the sealing device may accidentally come into contact with an unintended portion of the rotary joint and become deformed when the end leg is attached to the rotary joint. Such contact and deformation with the rotary joint may impair the sealing performance of the sealing device. In this manner, in a bearing device such as the above-described wheel hub bearing device, in which the seal ring and end leg of the sealing device are integrally formed, problems may arise in terms of the ease of assembling a cover that covers the radial outside of the toothed portion between the wheel hub and the rotary joint.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to provide a wheel bearing device that can improve the sealing performance of the annular space between the outer ring and the inner ring, and also improve the ease of assembling the cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, an outer member having double rows of outer raceway grooves on its inner periphery; an inner member comprising a hub ring having a small diameter stepped portion at an inner end of an outer periphery, and an inner ring provided on the small diameter stepped portion of the hub ring, wherein the hub ring and the inner ring are integrated by crimping an inner end of the small diameter stepped portion of the hub ring to form a crimped portion, and the inner member has double row inner raceway grooves facing the double row outer raceway grooves; an inner seal member fitted to an inner opening formed between the outer member and the inner member; double-row rolling elements rollably accommodated between the raceway grooves of the outer member and the inner member; a constant velocity universal joint connected to the hub wheel, The constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member including a mouth portion and a shoulder portion that forms a bottom portion of the mouth portion at an outer side portion of the mouth portion; a face spline on an inner end surface of the crimped portion; a face spline on an outer end surface of the shoulder portion that engages with the face spline on one side, a cover that covers the radially outer sides of the one face spline and the other face spline, the cover is formed separately from the inner seal member on the inner side of the inner seal member, the cover includes the magnetic encoder; The outer diameter of the magnetic encoder is positioned radially outward of the outer diameter of the inner seal member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention has the following effects. That is, according to the wheel bearing device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the sealing performance of the annular space between the outer ring and the inner ring, and also to improve the ease of assembling the cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a wheel bearing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel bearing device where a cover is disposed. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel bearing device where a cover is disposed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel bearing device where a cover is disposed. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel bearing device where a cover is disposed. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wheel bearing device where a cover is disposed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] A wheel bearing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of a wheel bearing device according to the present invention, and supports a wheel rotatably in a suspension system of a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wheel bearing device 1 has a configuration known as a third generation, and includes an outer ring 2 as an outer member, a hub ring 3 and an inner ring 4 as inner members, two rolling rows of inner ball rows 5 and outer ball rows 6, an inner seal member 9, an outer seal member 10, a constant velocity universal joint 20, and a cover 30.

[0013] Here, the inner side refers to the vehicle body side of the wheel bearing device 1 when it is attached to the vehicle body, and the outer side refers to the wheel side of the wheel bearing device 1 when it is attached to the vehicle body. The axial direction refers to the direction along the rotation axis X of the wheel bearing device 1, with one axial end side being the outer side and the other axial end side being the inner side. The direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1 is referred to as the radial direction. In the following description, the term "cross section" will be used to refer to a cross section that passes through the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1 and is parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1.

[0014] An inner-side outer raceway groove 2c and an outer-side outer raceway groove 2d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. A vehicle body mounting flange 2e for mounting the outer ring 2 to a vehicle body member is formed integrally with the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. The vehicle body mounting flange 2e is provided with bolt holes 2f into which fastening members (here, bolts) are inserted that fasten the vehicle body member and the outer ring 2. A step 2g is provided at the inner end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2.

[0015] The inner end of the outer peripheral surface of the hub wheel 3 is formed with a small-diameter step 3a that is smaller in diameter than the outer end. A wheel mounting flange 3b for mounting a wheel is formed integrally with the outer end of the hub wheel 3. A plurality of bolt holes 3d are formed in the wheel mounting flange 3b. Wheel bolts are threaded into the bolt holes 3d from the wheel side to fasten the hub wheel 3 to the wheel or brake component. The structure for fastening the hub wheel 3 to the wheel or brake component may also be fixed by press-fitting a hub bolt and using a nut.

[0016] An outer-side inner raceway groove 3c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub ring 3 so as to face the outer-side outer raceway groove 2d of the outer ring 2. In other words, the inner raceway groove 3c is defined by the hub ring 3 on the outer side of the inner member. An outer-side opening 2b, which is an annular space, is formed between the outer ring 2 and the hub ring 3. An outer-side seal member 10 is fitted into the outer-side opening 2b and prevents foreign matter such as muddy water from entering through the outer-side opening 2b. The outer-side seal member 10 is an example of a sealing device.

[0017] The inner ring 4 is mounted on the small diameter step 3a of the hub ring 3. The inner ring 4 is press-fitted into the small diameter step 3a via a predetermined interference. Furthermore, the hub ring 3 and the inner ring 4 are integrated by a crimped portion 3h, which is plastically deformed by crimping the inner end of the small diameter step 3a of the hub ring 3, preventing the inner ring 4 from slipping out of the hub ring 3 in the axial direction. The crimped portion 3h is provided with a face spline 3i. The face spline 3i is formed on the inner end surface of the crimped portion 3h. The inner ring 4 applies preload to the inner ball row 5 and outer ball row 6, which are rolling rows. The outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 4 is provided with an inner-side inner raceway groove 4a, which faces the inner-side outer raceway groove 2c of the outer ring 2. In other words, the inner ring 4 defines the inner raceway groove 4a on the inner side of the inner member. An inner-side opening 2a, which is an annular space, is formed between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 4. The inner seal member 9 is fitted into the inner opening 2a and prevents foreign matter such as muddy water from entering through the inner opening 2a. The inner seal member 9 is disposed on the outer side of the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2. The inner seal member 9 is an example of a sealing device.

[0018] The inner seal member 9 includes a slinger 91 and a seal ring 92. The slinger 91 is a ring-shaped body made of, for example, a steel plate, and is fitted onto the inner ring 4. The slinger 91 includes an outer fitting portion, which is a cylindrical portion fitted onto the radially outer surface of the inner end portion of the inner ring 4, and an outer plate portion, which is a donut-shaped portion extending radially outward from the axially outer end portion of the outer fitting portion.

[0019] The seal ring 92 of the inner seal member 9 is fitted into the outer ring 2. The seal ring 92 includes a core 93 and an elastic member 94. The core 93 is a ring-shaped member made of, for example, steel plate, and includes an inner fitting portion, which is a cylindrical portion fitted into the radially inner surface of the inner end of the outer ring 2, and an inner plate portion, which is a donut-shaped portion extending radially inward from the axially inner end of the inner fitting portion. The elastic member 94 is made of, for example, synthetic rubber and is joined to the core 93 by vulcanization bonding or the like. The elastic member 94 includes one radial lip 94a and two side lips 94b and 94c. The tip of the radial lip 94a contacts or is close to the outer fitting portion of the slinger 91. The two side lips 94b and 94c are arranged side by side in the radial direction. The tip ends of the two side lips 94b and 94c contact the outer plate portion of the slinger 91.

[0020] The inner ball row 5 and outer ball row 6, which are rolling rows, are formed by a plurality of balls 7, which are rolling elements, held in a cage 8. The inner ball row 5 is rollably sandwiched between the inner raceway groove 4a of the inner ring 4 and the inner-side outer raceway groove 2c of the outer ring 2. The outer ball row 6 is rollably sandwiched between the inner raceway groove 3c of the hub ring 3 and the outer raceway groove 2d on the outer side of the outer ring 2. In other words, the inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6 are rollably housed between the raceway grooves of the outer member and the inner member. In the wheel bearing device 1, the outer ring 2, the hub ring 3 and the inner ring 4, the inner ball row 5, and the outer ball row 6 form a double-row angular contact ball bearing.

[0021] The constant velocity universal joint 20 is provided at one end of an intermediate shaft (not shown) that constitutes a drive shaft, and is connected to the hub wheel 3. The constant velocity universal joint 20 includes an outer joint member 21, an inner joint member 22 having track grooves formed on its outer peripheral surface that face the track grooves of the outer joint member 21, and balls 23 incorporated between the track grooves of the outer joint member 21 and the track grooves of the inner joint member 22.

[0022] The outer joint member 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 comprises a bowl-shaped mouth portion 24 configured to have a diameter that decreases toward the outer side, a shoulder portion 25 that forms the bottom of the mouth portion 24 at the outer side portion of the mouth portion 24, and a cylindrical connecting portion 26 that extends from the shoulder portion 25 toward the outer side.

[0023] The mouth portion 24 of the outer joint member 21 has a step portion 24a. The step portion 24a is formed on a side surface of the mouth portion 24 that extends in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X and is located inner than an outer circumferential surface 25b of a shoulder portion 25.

[0024] The shoulder portion 25 of the outer joint member 21 is provided with a face spline 25a that engages with the face spline 3i of the crimped portion 3h of the hub wheel 3. The face spline 25a is formed on the outer end surface of the shoulder portion 25. The connecting portion 26 is inserted into the axial hole 3f of the hub wheel 3. An internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion 26. By threading a fastening bolt into the internal thread of the connecting portion 26, the face spline 3i of the crimped portion 3h of the hub wheel 3 and the face spline 25a of the shoulder portion 25 of the outer joint member 21 are held in an engaged state, and torque from the drive shaft can be transmitted to the hub wheel 3 via the outer joint member 21.

[0025] [Cover composition] 1 and 2, the cover 30 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. The cover 30 covers the radially outer side of the face spline 3i of the crimped portion 3h of the hub wheel 3 and the face spline 25a of the shoulder portion 25 of the outer joint member 21. The cover 30 includes a cover main body 31, a magnetic encoder 32, and a seal lip 33.

[0026] The cover body 31 of the cover 30 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. The cover body 31 includes a cover portion 31a, a contact portion 31b, a press-fit portion 31c, and a flange portion 31d. The cover portion 31a is a cylindrical portion that is disposed radially outward from the shoulder portion 25 of the outer joint member 21 and radially outward from the face spline 3i of the crimped portion 3h of the hub wheel 3 and the face spline 25a of the shoulder portion 25 of the outer joint member 21. An inner-side end portion of the cover portion 31a reaches the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24 of the outer joint member 21, and an outer-side end portion of the cover portion 31a reaches the inner-side end face of the inner ring 4.

[0027] The contact portion 31b of the cover body 31 is a donut-shaped portion extending radially outward from the outer end portion of the cover portion 31a. The contact portion 31b (the outer side surface of the contact portion 31b) comes into contact with the inner end face of the inner ring 4 when attached to the inner ring 4 and the constant velocity universal joint 20. In this way, the contact portion 31b comes into contact with the inner end face of the inner ring 4, thereby preventing the cover 30 from shifting outward and moving in a direction away from the constant velocity universal joint 20.

[0028] The press-fit portion 31c of the cover body 31 is a cylindrical portion extending from the radially outer end of the contact portion 31b toward the outer side. The press-fit portion 31c is fitted onto the radially outer surface of the inner end of the inner ring 4, on the inner side of the inner seal member 9.

[0029] The flange portion 31d of the cover body 31 is a donut-shaped plate-shaped portion extending radially outward from the outer end of the press-fit portion 31c. The flange portion 31d is disposed within the outer-side opening 2b, which is the annular space between the outer ring 2 and the hub wheel 3. The flange portion 31d may be disposed outer than the outer-side opening 2b, which is the annular space between the outer ring 2 and the hub wheel 3. The flange 31d is disposed adjacent to the inner-side seal member 9 on the inner side of the inner-side seal member 9. The flange portion 31d is configured to face an outer fitting portion of the slinger 91 of the inner-side seal member 9. The flange portion 31d is disposed adjacent to the outer fitting portion of the slinger 91 of the inner-side seal member 9 so as to form a predetermined space between the flange portion 31d and the outer fitting portion of the slinger 91 of the inner-side seal member 9. The outer diameter of the flange portion 31d is located outside the outer diameter of the inner-side seal member 9. The radially outer end of the flange portion 31d is located within the step portion 2g of the outer ring 2, and is disposed so that a predetermined space is formed between the flange portion 31d and the step portion 2g of the outer ring 2.

[0030] The cover body 31 of the cover 30 is made by pressing an austenitic stainless steel plate (JIS standard SUS304, etc.), a cold-rolled steel plate (JIS standard SPCC, etc.), or a ferritic stainless steel plate (JIS standard SUS430, etc.). By making it in this way, the cover body 31 can be made to have excellent wear resistance.

[0031] The magnetic encoder 32 is made of synthetic rubber or the like with magnetic poles (north and south poles) arranged, and is configured in a doughnut plate shape. The magnetic encoder 32 is joined to the cover body 31 by vulcanization bonding or the like. The magnetic encoder 32 is provided on the inner side of the flange portion 31d of the cover body 31. The magnetic encoder 32 is arranged close to the inner side of the inner seal member 9. The magnetic encoder 32 is arranged close to the outer fitting portion of the slinger 91 of the inner seal member 9. The outer diameter of the magnetic encoder 32 is located outside the outer diameter of the inner seal member 9. The radially outer end of the magnetic encoder 32 is located within the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2, and is arranged so that a predetermined space is formed between the magnetic encoder 32 and the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2.

[0032] As described above, the cover 30 is provided with the magnetic encoder 32, and the cover main body 31, the magnetic encoder 32, and the inner-side seal member 9 are configured as separate bodies. Furthermore, as described above, the outer diameter of the magnetic encoder 32 is positioned outside the outer diameter of the inner-side seal member 9, so a labyrinth structure is configured between the magnetic encoder 32 and the outer ring 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inner side of the cover 30, and it is possible to improve the sealing performance at the inner-side opening 2a.

[0033] As described above, the flange portion 31d of the cover body 31 of the cover 30 and the radially outer end portion of the magnetic encoder 32 are located within the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2, and are disposed so that a predetermined space is formed between the flange portion 31d and the magnetic encoder 32 of the cover body 31 and the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2, thereby forming a labyrinth structure between the flange portion 31d and the magnetic encoder 32 of the cover body 31 and the stepped portion 2g of the outer ring 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inner side of the cover 30, and it is possible to further improve the sealing performance at the inner-side opening 2a.

[0034] The seal lip 33 of the cover 30 is elastically deformable and contacts the mouth portion 24 to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as muddy water between the cover 31 and the mouth portion 24. The seal lip 33 is made of, for example, synthetic rubber and is joined to the cover body 31 by vulcanization bonding or the like. The seal lip 33 is disposed at the inner end of the cover portion 31a of the cover body 31. The seal lip 33 includes one radial lip 33a and two side lips 33b and 33c. Instead of including the seal lip 33, the cover 30 can also be configured to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as muddy water between the cover 31 and the mouth portion 24 using a predetermined sealant or adhesive.

[0035] The radial lip 33a of the seal lip 33 of the cover 30 extends radially inward and outward. The tip of the radial lip 33a contacts the outer peripheral surface 25b of the shoulder portion 25 of the mouth portion 24. The radial lip 33a holds the mouth portion 24 in the radial direction by the tension force due to its interference.

[0036] Of the two side lips 33b and 33c of the seal lip 33 of the cover 30, one side lip 33b extends radially outward and inward, while the other side lip 33c extends radially inward and inward. The tips of the two side lips 33b and 33c are in contact with the axial side surfaces of the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24. The two side lips 33b and 33c deform to move away from each other and adhere to the axial side surfaces of the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24. By adhering to the axial side surfaces of the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24 in this way, the two side lips 33b and 33c hold the mouth portion 24 in the axial direction.

[0037] As described above, the tip of radial lip 33a of seal lip 33 of cover 30 contacts outer peripheral surface 25b of shoulder portion 25 of mouth portion 24, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and other foreign matter between cover 31 and mouth portion 24. Furthermore, as described above, the tip of two side lips 33b and 33c contact the axial side of step portion 24a of mouth portion 24, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and other foreign matter between cover 31 and mouth portion 24.

[0038] As described above, contact portion 31b of cover body 31 of cover 30 contacts the inner end surface of inner ring 4, preventing cover 30 from moving in a direction away from constant velocity universal joint 20 (outer side). This prevents cover 30 from moving outer side, thereby preventing a decrease in the sealing ability of side lips 33b and 33c of seal lip 33 to the axial side surface of step portion 24a of mouth portion 24. This more reliably prevents foreign matter such as muddy water from entering between cover 31 and mouth portion 24.

[0039] As described above, the radial lip 33a of the seal lip 33 of the cover 30 holds the mouth portion 24 in the radial direction by the tension force due to its interference, so that a fastening bolt can be threaded into the female thread of the connecting portion 26 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 without supporting the outer joint 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20, improving ease of assembly. As described above, the two side lips 33b and 33c of the seal lip 33 hold the mouth portion 24 in the axial direction by adhering to the axial side surfaces of the stepped portion 24a of the mouth portion 24, so that a fastening bolt can be threaded into the female thread of the connecting portion 26 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 without supporting the outer joint 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20, improving ease of assembly.

[0040] The radial lip 33a and the side lips 33b and 33c of the seal lip 33 of the cover 30 may be configured separately. Also, a configuration may be provided in which only one of the radial lip 33a and the side lips 33b and 33c of the seal lip 33 is provided.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, instead of the seal lip 33 of the cover 30 being configured with one radial lip 33a and two side lips 33b and 33c, it may be configured with one radial lip 33a and one side lip 33b. In this case, the radial lip 33a and the side lip 33b deform and adhere to the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24, thereby holding the mouth portion 24. In this way, since the radial lip 33a and the side lip 33b adhere to the step portion 24a of the mouth portion 24, the mouth portion 24 is held. Therefore, a fastening bolt can be threaded into the female thread of the connecting portion 26 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 without supporting the outer joint 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20, thereby improving ease of assembly.

[0042] 4, the magnetic encoder 32 and the seal ship 33 of the cover 30 can be integrally constructed from the same material (for example, synthetic rubber with magnetic poles arranged thereon). By constructing the cover 30 in this manner, the manufacturing process for the cover 30 can be simplified compared to when the magnetic encoder 32 and the seal ship 33 of the cover 30 are constructed separately from different materials.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic encoder 32 of the cover 30 may be provided on the outer side of the flange portion 31d of the cover main body 31 and may be configured to face the slinger 91 of the inner-side seal member 9. In this case, the cover main body 31 of the cover 30 is made of a non-magnetic SUS steel plate (e.g., SUS304 series according to the JIS standard) because the magnetic force of the magnetic encoder 32 needs to be read through the cover main body 31 of the cover 30. In this case, the boundary between the press-fit portion 31c of the cover main body 31 and the flange portion 31d is configured to be folded back, and the magnetic encoder 32 is provided at this folded back portion. However, the boundary between the press-fit portion 31c of the cover main body 31 and the flange portion 31d may not be configured to be folded back, and the flange portion 31d may extend radially outward from the outer end of the press-fit portion 31c.

[0044] As described above, the magnetic encoder 32 of the cover 30 is provided on the outer side of the flange portion 31d of the cover main body 31 and is disposed so as to face the slinger 91 of the inner-side seal member 9. This prevents foreign matter such as mud from getting between the sensor (not shown) that detects the magnetic force of the magnetic encoder 32 disposed on the inner side of the flange portion 31d of the cover main body 31 and the magnetic encoder 32 from being worn down by the foreign matter.

[0045] 6, instead of the elastic member 94 of the seal ring 92 of the inner seal member 9 having one radial lip 94a and two side lips 94b and 94c, it may have one radial lip 94a and one side lip 94b. By reducing the number of lips of the elastic member 94 that come into contact with the slinger 91 in this way, it is possible to achieve low friction.

[0046] Although a so-called third-generation wheel bearing device has been exemplified, the wheel bearing device according to the present invention is not limited to this structure and may, for example, have a first- or second-generation structure in which a pair of inner rings are press-fitted into a small-diameter stepped portion of a hub ring. Also, although a double-row angular contact ball bearing with ball rows 5 and 6 as rolling elements has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this and may also be a double-row tapered roller bearing that uses tapered rollers as rolling elements.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, which are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the equivalent meanings set forth in the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Wheel bearing device 2 outer ring 2a Inner side opening 2b Outer side opening 2c (inner side) outer raceway groove 2d (Outer side) outer raceway groove 2e Body mounting flange 2f bolt hole 2g stepped section 3 Hub Wheel 3a Small diameter stepped section 3b Wheel mounting flange 3c Inner raceway groove 3d bolt holes 3f shaft hole 3h Fastening part 3i Face Spline 4. Inner Circle 4a Inner track groove 5 Inner ball row 6 Outer ball row 7 Ball 8 Cage 9 Inner seal member 10 Outer seal member 20 Constant velocity universal joint 21 Outer joint member 22 Inner joint member 23 ball 24 Mouse section 24a Stepped section 25 Shoulder 25a Face Spline 25b Outer surface 26 Connecting part 30 Cover 31 Cover body 31a Cover part 31b Contact part 31c Press-fit part 31d flange 32 Magnetic Encoder 33 Seal lip 33a Radial Lip 33b Side lip 33c side lip 91 Slinger 92 Seal ring 93 Core 94 Elastic Members 94a Radial Lip 94b Side lip 94c side lip

Claims

1. an outer member having double-row outer raceway grooves on its inner periphery; an inner member comprising a hub ring having a small diameter stepped portion at an inner end of an outer periphery, and an inner ring provided on the small diameter stepped portion of the hub ring, wherein the hub ring and the inner ring are integrated by crimping an inner end of the small diameter stepped portion of the hub ring to form a crimped portion, and the inner member has double row inner raceway grooves facing the double row outer raceway grooves; an inner seal member fitted to an inner opening formed between the outer member and the inner member; double-row rolling elements rollably accommodated between the raceway grooves of the outer member and the inner member; a constant velocity universal joint connected to the hub wheel, the constant velocity universal joint comprises an outer joint member including a mouth portion and a shoulder portion at an outer side portion of the mouth portion that forms a bottom portion of the mouth portion, a face spline on an inner end surface of the crimped portion; a face spline on an outer end surface of the shoulder portion that engages with the face spline on one side, a cover that covers the radially outer sides of the one face spline and the other face spline, the cover is formed separately from the inner seal member on the inner side of the inner seal member, the cover includes the magnetic encoder; The outer diameter of the magnetic encoder is located radially outward of the outer diameter of the inner seal member. Wheel bearing device.

2. 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a seal lip that contacts the mouth portion to prevent foreign matter from entering between the cover and the mouth portion.

3. The mouth portion has a step portion on its outer circumferential surface, 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal lip comprises a radial lip that contacts the outer circumferential surface, and a side lip that contacts a side surface of the stepped portion in the axial direction.

4. 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a contact portion that comes into contact with the inner ring to prevent the cover from moving in a direction away from the constant velocity universal joint.

5. 4. The wheel bearing device according to claim 3, wherein the radial lip is formed as a single piece and the side lip is formed as a single piece.

6. 3. The wheel bearing device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic encoder and the seal ship are made of the same material and are integrally configured.

7. 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of SPC steel plate or SUS steel plate.

8. The inner seal member includes a slinger fitted onto the outer ring and a seal ring fitted onto the outer ring, the magnetic encoder is disposed so as to face the slinger, 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a non-magnetic material.

9. the inner seal member includes the slinger fitted onto the outer ring and a seal ring fitted onto the outer ring, The slinger includes an outer fitting portion fitted onto the inner ring, and an outer plate portion extending radially outward from an axially outer end of the outer fitting portion. the seal ring includes a core metal fitted into the outer ring and an elastic member joined to the core metal, A wheel bearing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic member comprises one side lip that contacts the outer plate portion of the slinger and one radial lip that contacts the outer fitting portion of the slinger.

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