Vehicle Wheel Bearing Integrating Sensor Cap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bearing devices for vehicle wheels require complex fabrication to maintain sealing properties, which can lead to damage on the seal member and increased frictional resistance.

Innovation Solution

The design features an outer member with integrally formed outside rolling surfaces, an inner member with inside rolling surfaces, rolling elements, a protection cover with a circular ring seal, and a sensor holder, eliminating steps on the inner periphery of the outer member to prevent seal member damage and reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple steps are formed on the inner periphery of the outer member opening to engage protection cover and sensor cap, then sealing property is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing propertyVSAvoidfabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protection cover and sensor cap into a single integrated protection cover assembly. The protection cover is designed with an integrated sensor cap portion that houses the rotational speed sensor, eliminating the need for separate engagement features for two separate components. This merging reduces the number of steps and engagement features needed on the outer member inner periphery while maintaining the sealing function through a single seal member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it protects the encoder ring from damage and contamination, provides sealing through the seal member, and houses the rotational speed sensor through the integrated sensor cap. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor cap engagement features, reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining all necessary functions including sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple steps are formed on the inner periphery of the outer member opening, then sealing property is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complicated fabrication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing propertyVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protection cover and sensor cap are merged into a single component, reducing the number of engagement features and steps required on the outer member. This simplification directly improves ease of manufacture by reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining the sealing function through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protection cover and sensor cap are used separately, then encoding ring is protected from damage and contamination, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damage and contaminationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection cover and sensor cap are merged into a single integrated protection cover assembly that provides both protection from damage and contamination while housing the rotational speed sensor. This eliminates the complexity of having two separate components with separate engagement features, while maintaining all protective functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration maintains sealing properties without complex fabrication, reduces frictional resistance, and allows for a lighter weight and improved mechanical strength of the bearing device.

Implementation Method 1

having an outer peripheral surface on which a circular ring seal member is provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

rolling elements arranged in a plurality of lines and housed in a freely rollable manner between each inside rolling surface and the corresponding outside rolling surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the encoder ring is fixed to the hub wheel, and the magnetic sensor is disposed at a part that does not rotate with the hub wheel. In the bearing device for vehicle wheel, the rotational speed of the vehicle wheel connected with the hub wheel can be detected based on the interval of magnetism change when the encoder ring rotating with the hub wheel passes through the vicinity of the magnetic sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11371554B2Bearing device for vehicle wheel

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 NTN CORP

AI summary

A bearing device for a vehicle wheel that is capable of maintaining the sealability of a protective cover by preventing a seal member of the protective cover from being damaged without performing any complex machining. The bearing device for vehicle wheel (1) is provided with: a cylindrical sensor holder (11) that is fitted outside the protective cover (9), wherein in the outer ring (2), a protective cover fitting part (13A) to which the protective cover (9) is fitted, a seal part (13B) with which the seal member (10) of the protective cover (9) is brought into contact, and a sensor holder fitting part (13C) to which the sensor holder (11) is fitted are formed, the inner diameter of the seal part (13B) is equal to that of the sensor holder fitting part (13C), and the seal part (13B) and the sensor holder fitting part (13C) are adjacent to each other.