An impulse wheel for a wheel speed sensor bearing
The redesigned impulse wheel for two-wheeler vehicles addresses size and durability issues by integrating with the bearing member, reducing weight and mechanical vulnerability while maintaining performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Conventional impulse wheels for two-wheeler vehicles are large, heavy, and prone to mechanical damage due to exposure, necessitating additional fasteners and ribs for mounting, which increases weight and vulnerability.
An impulse wheel with a reduced size, weight, and integrated design that eliminates the need for additional fasteners by engaging directly with a bearing member, featuring 21 to 31 slots and engaging portions for secure attachment.
The new design reduces weight and minimizes mechanical damage while maintaining performance, ensuring reliable operation and integration with the wheel hub without additional components.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025079545_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
202400193AN IMPULSE WHEEL FOR A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR BEARINGThe following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an impulse wheel, and in particular, to an impulse wheel for a wheel speed sensor bearing used for an anti-lock braking system for a two-wheeler vehicle.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION:
[0002] An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on vehicle, such as two-wheeler vehicle, for example. ABS operates by preventing wheels of the vehicle from locking up during braking, thereby maintaining tractive contact with a road surface and allowing a driver of a vehicle to maintain more control over the vehicle.
[0003] Typically, ABS includes a central electronic control unit (ECU), wheel speed sensors, and at least two hydraulic valves within a brake hydraulic system. The ECU constantly monitors the rotational speed of each wheel, If the ECU detects that the wheel rotating significantly slower than speed of the vehicle which is a condition indicative of impending wheel lock, the ECU actuates the valves to reduce hydraulic pressure to the brake members at the affected wheel, thereby reducing a braking force on that wheel resulting in the wheel rotating relatively faster. Conversely, if the ECU detects a wheel turning significantly faster than the other wheel, brake hydraulic pressure to the brake members of that wheel, thereby reapplying the braking force resulting in slowing down of the wheel.202400193
[0004] Typically, for a two-wheeler vehicle, the wheel speed sensor is provided with a stand-alone impulse wheel (also referred as “toner wheel”) having a relatively larger size with 2 to 3 mm thickness and a minimum of 48 slots for motorcycles and 31 to 37 slots in scooters. Conventionally, the impulse wheel is mounted on the wheel hub provided with additional ribs by using fasteners, since impulse wheel has relatively larger size and weight. Further, the impulse wheel may undergo mechanical damages during operation of the vehicle since the impulse wheel is exposed to the external environment.
[0005] There is a need for an enhanced impulse wheel which overcomes at least drawbacks discussed herein.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simple manner that is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor is it intended for determining the scope of the disclosure.
[0007] Accordingly, an impulse wheel for a wheel speed sensor bearing is disclosed. The impulse wheel includes a circular portion defining an outer circumference and an inner circumference defining an opening. Further, the impulse wheel includes a plurality of slots equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion. The number of the plurality of slots is in a range of 21 to 31. The at least one engaging portion extends from the outer circumference and is configured to engage a bearing member.
[0008] To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be202400193described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
[0009] The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0010] Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of an impulse wheel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] Figure IB is a sectional view of the impulse wheel in accordance with an embodiment of figure 1 A of the present disclosure;
[0012] Figure 1C is a side perspective view of the impulse wheel in accordance with the with embodiments of figures 1 A and IB of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impulse wheel coupled to a bearing member provided to a wheel hub of a two-wheeler vehicle;
[0014] Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of an impulse wheel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 3B is a sectional view of the impulse wheel in accordance with an embodiment of figure 3 A of the present disclosure;
[0016] Figure 3C is a side perspective view of the impulse wheel in accordance with the with embodiments of figures 3 A and 3B of the present disclosure; and
[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the impulse wheel (30) coupled to a bearing member (26) provided to a wheel hub of a two-wheeler vehicle.
[0018] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the system, one or more components of the system may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols,202400193and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[0020] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0021] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.
[0022] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an202400193embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an impulse wheel for a wheel speed sensor for a wheel speed sensor bearing configured to be used for an ABS for a two-wheeler vehicle.
[0025] Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of an impulse wheel (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The impulse wheel (10) includes a circular portion (12) defining an outer circumference (14) and an inner circumference (16) defining an opening (18). Further, the impulse wheel (10) includes a plurality of slots (20) equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion (12). The number of the plurality of slots (20) is in a range of 21 to 31 for all types of tyre radius of a two-wheeler vehicle. Specifically, the number of plurality of slots is in a range of 26 to 31 for motorcycles and 21 slots for scooters. Furthermore, the impulse wheel (10) includes at least one engaging portion (22) extending from the outer circumference (14) of the circular portion (12) and configured to engage a bearing member (not shown in figure 1).
[0026] Figure IB is a sectional view of the impulse wheel (10) in accordance with an embodiment of figure 1A of the present disclosure. Figure 1C is a side perspective view of the impulse wheel (10) in accordance with the with embodiments of figures 1A and IB of the present disclosure. With reference to figures IB and 1C, as discussed herein the impulse wheel (10) includes the plurality of slots (20) equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion (12). Furthermore, the impulse wheel (10) includes at least one engaging portion (22) extending from the outer circumference (14) of the circular portion (12) and configured to engage a bearing member.202400193
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one engaging portion (22) extends entirely along the outer circumference (14) of the circular portion (12). In one embodiment, the at least one engaging portion (22) includes an axially extending portion (24) extends entirely along the outer circumference (14) of the circular portion (12). In another embodiment, the at least one engaging portion (22) includes the axially extending portion (24) and an inward radial portion (not shown) joined to the axially extending portion (24).
[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impulse wheel (10) coupled to a bearing member (26) provided to a wheel hub of a two-wheeler vehicle. Specifically, the at least one engaging portion (22) extending from the outer circumference (14) of the circular portion (12) of the impulse wheel (10) is engaged to the bearing member (26) provided to the wheel hub of the two-wheeler vehicle. More specifically, the at least one engaging portion (22) of the circular portion (12) of the impulse wheel (10) is engaged to the bearing member (26) to form a single integral component, also referred to as “wheel speed sensor bearing” (28). The impulse wheel (10) of the wheel speed sensor bearing (28) is configured to be used for an ABS for the two- wheel er vehicle.
[0029] Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of an impulse wheel (30) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The impulse wheel (30) includes a circular portion (32) defining an outer circumference (34) and an inner circumference (36) defining an opening (38). Further, the impulse wheel (10) includes a plurality of slots (40) equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion (32). The number of the plurality of slots (40) is in a range of 21 to 31 for all types of tyre radius of a two-wheeler vehicle. Specifically, the number of plurality of slots (40) is in a range of 26 to 31 for motorcycles and 21 slots for scooters. Furthermore, the impulse wheel (30) includes a plurality of engaging portions (42) extending from the outer circumference (34) of the circular portion (32) and configured to engage a bearing member (not shown in figure 3 A). In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of engaging portions (42) includes a plurality of lugs spaced apart from each other and extends from the outer202400193circumference (34) of the circular portion (32). Each lug includes an outward radial portion (44) and an axially extending portion (46) joined to the outward radial portion (44). In another embodiment, each lug may additionally include an inward radial portion (not shown) joined to the axially extending portion (46).
[0030] Figure 3B is a sectional view of the impulse wheel (30) in accordance with an embodiment of figure 3A of the present disclosure. Figure 3C is a side perspective view of the impulse wheel (30) in accordance with the with embodiments of figures 3A and 3B of the present disclosure. With reference to figures 3B and 3C, as discussed herein the impulse wheel (30) includes the plurality of slots (40) equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion (32). Furthermore, the impulse wheel (30) includes the engaging portions (42) spaced apart from each other and extend from the outer circumference (34) of the circular portion (32) and configured to engage a bearing member.
[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the impulse wheel (30) coupled to a bearing member (48) provided to a wheel hub of a two-wheeler vehicle. Specifically, the at least one engaging portion (42) extending from the outer circumference (34) of the circular portion (32) of the impulse wheel (30) is engaged to the bearing member (48) provided to the wheel hub of the two-wheeler vehicle. The bearing member (48) is similar to the bearing member (26) shown in figure 2. More specifically, the engaging portions (42) of the circular portion (32) of the impulse wheel (30) is engaged to the bearing member (48) to form a single integral component, also referred to as “wheel speed sensor bearing” (50). The impulse wheel (30) of the wheel speed sensor bearing (50) is configured to be used for an ABS for the two-wheeler vehicle.
[0032] In accordance with the embodiments discussed herein with reference to figures 1-4, size of each slot (20, 40) is in a range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm. In certain embodiments, a spacing between the mutually adjacent slots (20, 40) in a range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm.202400193
[0033] In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the impulse wheel (10, 30) is in a range of 30 mm to 52 mm. In certain embodiments, the weight of the impulse wheel (10, 30) is in a range of 3 rams to 10 grams.
[0034] The exemplary impulse wheel discussed herein in accordance with the present disclosure has relatively less thickness with minimum number of slots and is integrated to a bearing member itself. Mass and diameter of the exemplary impulse wheel are minimized without compromising a performance output compared to a conventional impulse wheel. Further, since the exemplary impulse wheel is integrated to the bearing member, there is no requirement for use of additional fasteners and ribs on wheel hub to mount the impulse wheel resulting in further weight reduction. Furthermore, there is no compromise on the reliability of the exemplary impulse wheel since mechanical failure arising from external environment damages are prevented.
[0035] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0036] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material,202400193are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Claims
202400193WE CLAIM:
1. An impulse wheel (10, 30) for a wheel speed sensor bearing (28, 50), the impulse wheel (10, 30) comprising:a circular portion (12, 32) defining an outer circumference (14, 34) and an inner circumference (16, 36) defining an opening (18, 38);a plurality of slots (20, 40) equally spaced apart from each other and formed along the circular portion (12, 32), wherein the number of the plurality of slots (20, 40) is in a range of 21 to 31; andat least one engaging portion (22, 42) extending from the outer circumference (14, 34) and configured to engage a bearing member (26, 48).
2. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein size of each slot (20, 40) is in a range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm.
3. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spacing between the mutually adjacent slots (20, 40) in a range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm.
4. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one engaging portion (22, 42) extends entirely along the outer circumference (14, 34) of the circular portion (12, 32).
5. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging portion (22, 42) comprises an axially extending portion (24).
6. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one engaging portion (22, 42) comprises a plurality of lugs spaced apart from each other, wherein each lug comprises an outward radial portion (44) and an axially extending portion (46) joined to the outward radial portion (44).2024001937. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the impulse wheel (10, 30) is in a range of 30 mm to 52 mm.
8. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight of the impulse wheel (10, 30) is in a range of 3 grams to 10 grams.
9. The impulse wheel (10, 30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impulse wheel (10, 30) for the wheel speed sensor bearing (28, 50) is configured to be used for an ABS for a two-wheeler vehicle.