Nested Sensor Bearing Assembly for Universal Hub Fitment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor bearing assemblies require a specific shape of the vehicle hub to accommodate the sensor housing, limiting their adaptability and integration flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A sensor bearing assembly design featuring a bearing with an inner and outer ring, an impulse ring secured to the outer ring, and a sensor device with a spacer that axially abuts the inner ring, allowing the sensor housing to have an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the bearing's outer diameter, eliminating the need for a specific hub shape, and incorporating a friction ring and seal for enhanced robustness and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor housing is made with a larger outer diameter to accommodate the sensor device, then the sensor device can be properly housed and protected, but it requires a specific hub shape on the vehicle, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is nested within the outer ring of the bearing assembly, with its outer diameter being smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the outer ring. This nesting arrangement allows the sensor device to be protected within the bearing's outer boundary, eliminating the need for a specific hub shape on the vehicle while maintaining sensor protection and enabling universal fitment across different vehicle types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor housing outer diameter is reduced to match the bearing outer diameter, then adaptability to different vehicles is improved, but the sensor device may be more vulnerable to external pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is nested within the outer ring's boundary, utilizing the bearing structure itself as the protective envelope. This allows the sensor to be protected without requiring additional external housing that would increase the overall diameter, thus maintaining universal fitment while protecting against pollutants.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing acts as a protective shell that encloses the sensor device. This shell structure provides a barrier against external pollutants while maintaining a compact size that fits within the bearing's outer diameter, enabling universal application across different vehicle hubs.
3Reliability
If a seal and friction ring are added to protect against pollutants, then robustness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring of the bearing serves multiple functions: it provides the structural boundary of the bearing assembly, houses the sensor device within its diameter, and acts as a protective envelope against external pollutants. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective housings, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing is merged with the bearing assembly structure, where the bearing's outer ring serves as the protective boundary. The seal and friction ring are integrated into this merged structure, providing pollution protection without requiring entirely separate subsystems, thus balancing robustness with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor bearing assembly includes a bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, an impulse ring secured to the outer ring of the bearing, and a sensor device for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring. The sensor device includes a sensor housing and at least one sensor element supported by the sensor housing and cooperating with the impulse ring. An annular spacer is configured to axially abut against a lateral face of the inner ring of the bearing and the sensor housing is secured to the spacer. An outer diameter of the sensor housing is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the outer ring.