Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements (3) between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2), a sensor unit (21) is fitted to one of the outer and inner members (1) and (2), which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit (21) is made up of a sensor mounting member (22) and at least one or more strain sensor (23) fitted to the sensor mounting member (22). A sensor signal processing circuit (60) for processing an output signal from the strain sensor (23) is provided in the sensor mounting member (22).

Abstract: To provide a broken piece detecting sensor assembly capable of stably detecting broken piece admixed in a fluid, which broken piece is made of material characterized by non-metal, non-magnetic and non-electroconductive characteristics such as ceramics. This broken piece detecting sensor assembly is a sensor for detecting broken piece admixed in a fluid. Provided are two opposed flat plates, a shift mechanism for moving at least one of the two flat plates in a confronting direction to allow the broken piece to be sandwiched between those two flat plates, and measuring and determining section. The measuring and determining section is operable to measure the distance between the two flat plates to thereby detect the presence or absence of the broken piece, the size of the broken piece or the amount of the broken piece accumulated.

Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member (4) with an integrally formed body mounting flange (4b) and double row outer raceway surfaces (4a) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer member (4). An inner member (3) includes a wheel hub (1) with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange (7) at one end. A cylindrical portion (1b) axially extends from the wheel mounting flange (7). An inner ring (6) is fitted on the cylindrical portion (1b) of the wheel hub (1). Double row inner raceway surfaces (1a, 6a) are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the wheel hub (1) and inner ring (6), respectively opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces (4a). Double row rolling elements (5) are rotatably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces (4a; 1a, 6a). An encoder (19) is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring (6).

Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly comprises a stationary outer member and a rotatable inner member. The to-be-detected parts of angle detection sensors are fixed to the inner member and an outer race of a constant velocity joint connected to the inner member, respectively. Detecting parts of the angle detection sensors are fixed to the outer member in face-to-face relation with the to-be-detected parts. The bearing assembly also includes a load conversion unit detecting a relative angular difference between the inner member and the constant velocity universal joint by comparing the detection signals from the detecting parts to detect the load acting on the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member (1) having an inner peripheral surface formed with raceway surfaces (4), an inner member (2) having an outer peripheral surface formed with raceway surfaces (5) in face-to-face relation with the raceway surfaces (4) in the outer member (1), and rows of rolling elements (3) interposed between the raceway surfaces (4, 5). A ring member (21) made of a magnetostrictive material is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner member (2), and a magnetostrictive sensor (23) and a displacement sensor (22) are disposed in the outer member (1) or a member (24) fixed to the outer member (1) to confront the ring member. The magnetostrictive sensor (23) measures a change in magnetic strain occurring in the ring member (21) and the displacement sensor (22) measures the distance between the ring member (21) and the displacement sensor (22).

Abstract: A combined sensor and bearing assembly (1) is of a type having a capability of detecting a point of origin and includes a rolling bearing unit (6) and a rotation sensor unit (31). The rolling bearing unit (6) is made up of a rotatable raceway member (4), a stationary raceway member (5) and at least one row of rolling elements (3). The rotation sensor unit (31) includes a to-be-detected member (8) having a magnet and fitted to one of the raceway members (4, 5), and a magnetic detecting member (9) fitted to the other raceway member (4, 5) at a location confronting the to-be-detected member (8).

Abstract: To provide a sensor incorporated wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be compactly installed in an automotive vehicle, the load acting on the vehicle wheel can be detected with high sensitivity and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, the bearing assembly having a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between an outer member and an inner member includes a sensor unit fitted to one of the outer member and the inner member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member and a strain sensor fitted thereto. The sensor mounting member has two contact fixing portions fixed to the outer member and a first contact fixing portion is fixed to a flange surface of the outer member and a second contact fixing portion is fixed to a peripheral surface of the outer member.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes a rolling bearing including a rotatable raceway member and a stationary raceway member. This bearing assembly also includes a to-be-detected member carried by the raceway member and having a magnetic characteristic which cyclically varies in a direction circumferentially of the to-be-detected element and has a cycle matching with one complete rotation of the raceway member, a magnetic sensor unit carried by the raceway member in face-to-face relation with the to-be-detected member, and a magnetic detecting circuit to supply an electric power to the unit and to process an output signal from the unit to provide an output to an external circuit. The magnetic characteristic of the to-be-detected member represents a substantially sinusoidal waveform rising and falling more steeply than a sinusoidal waveform at a zero-crossing point.

Abstract: To provide a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be snugly and neatly installed in automotive vehicle and which detects the load or the like acting on a vehicle wheel and requires an inexpensive cost in mass production. A sensor unit is fitted to an outer member as a stationary member of the bearing assembly. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member having bolt insertion holes alignable with vehicle body fitting holes of the outer member, and a strain sensor fitted to the sensor mounting member. This sensor unit is sandwiched between the outer member and a knuckle and is fitted by means of bolts inserted through the vehicle body fitting holes and the bolt insertion holes. The sensor unit has a portion that is greater in a radial direction than a flange of the outer member.

Abstract: A combined sensor and bearing assembly including a rolling bearing unit and a rotation sensor unit. The rolling bearing unit is made up of a rotatable raceway member, a stationary raceway member and at least one row of rolling elements. The rotation sensor unit includes a to-be-detected member having a magnet and fitted to one of the raceway members, and a magnetic detecting member fitted to the other raceway member at a location confronting the to-be-detected member. This combined sensor and bearing assembly is used at a location close to an electromagnetic coil emanating a leakage magnetic field, in a condition in which a direction of flow of an electric current through the electromagnetic coil is fixed in one direction so that a direction of a magnetic flux, with which the magnetic detecting member is switched off, may coincide with a direction of the leakage magnetic flux.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes a rolling bearing including a rotatable raceway member and a stationary raceway member. This bearing assembly also includes a to-be-detected member carried by the raceway member and having a magnetic characteristic which cyclically varies in a direction circumferentially of the to-be-detected element and has a cycle matching with one complete rotation of the raceway member, a magnetic sensor unit carried by the raceway member in face-to-face relation with the to-be-detected member, and a magnetic detecting circuit to supply an electric power to the unit and to process an output signal from the unit to provide an output to an external circuit. The magnetic characteristic of the to-be-detected member represents a substantially sinusoidal waveform rising and falling more steeply than a sinusoidal waveform at a zero-crossing point.

Abstract: A sensor-incorporated wheel support bearing assembly, enabling a load sensor to be compactly installed on the vehicle and capable of detecting a load on a wheel with good sensitivity includes a ring member, affixed to a stationary member, which has at an intermediate portion thereof a first non-contact ring portion not in contact with the stationary member, at one end a first contact ring portion in contact with the stationary member, and at the other end the following (A) or (B): (A) a second non-contact ring portion having a wall thickness greater than that of the first non-contact ring portion; (B) a second contact ring portion in contact with the stationary member. A strain sensor is fitted to; in (A), the first non-contact ring portion, and in (B), the first non-contact ring portion or first contact ring portion, which has smaller wall thickness.

Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly, enabling the cost during the mass production to be reduced, includes an outer member (1), an inner member (2), a plurality of rolling elements (3) interposed between the opposed raceway surfaces. One of the outer member (1) and the inner member (2), which serves as a stationary member, is fitted with a sensor mounting member (22) provided with a strain sensor (23). The sensor mounting member (22) is further provided with a status detecting sensor (24) for detecting different status other than a strain.

Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including a plurality of rolling elements (5) interposed between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2), a sensor unit (21) is fitted to one of the outer member and the inner member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member (22) and a strain sensor (23) fitted to the sensor mounting member. The sensor mounting member has a plurality of contact fixing portions (22a, 22b) that are fixed to at least two locations spaced a distant from each other in a direction circumferentially of the outer member. A cutout (24) is provided in the outer member at respective positions corresponding to the neighboring contact fixing portions of the sensor mounting member, so as to extend in an axial direction. The strain sensor is arranged intermediate between the neighboring contact fixing portions.

Abstract: To provide a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which the sensor for detecting the load can be snugly and neatly installed in an automotive vehicle, the load acting on the vehicle wheel can be detected with high sensitivity and the cost of manufacture can be reduced during a mass production. The sensor unit 21 is mounted on an outer member 1, which is a stationary member of the wheel support bearing assembly. The sensor unit 21 includes a sensor mounting member 22 and at least one or more strain sensors 23 fitted to the sensor mounting member 22. The outer member 1 includes a knuckle contact portion contactable with a knuckle 16 and is provided with a cutout portion 17 defined in a portion of the knuckle contact portion 1a.

Abstract: A plasma generating device for an internal combustion engine sets the generating-atmosphere pressure for generating plasma to the intake pressure, thereby achieving a reduction in the size, weight, and energy consumption of the plasma generating device and an improvement in combustibility. An internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber. An intake valve opens and closes the intake opening. A plasma generating device includes a plasma generator having a generating chamber for converting intake air into a plasma state to generate plasma. The plasma generating device supplies plasma to a downstream passage of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve. A gas control valve operates in conjunction with the throttle valve, and is arranged in an introduction passage between a clean chamber of the air cleaner chamber and a generating chamber.

Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly having rows of rolling elements (3) interposed between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2), spacers (27) are interposed between vehicle body fitting holes (9) in the outer member (1), which is a stationary member, and a knuckle (25). A sensor unit (16) including a sensor mounting member (17) and a strain sensor (18) is fitted to the outer member (1). The sensor mounting member (17) has at least two contact fixing portions (17a, 17b) fixed to the outer member (1) and, also, has at least one recess (17c) between the neighboring contact fixing portions (17a, 17b), the strain sensor (18) being disposed in this recess (17c).

Abstract: A method of magnetizing a ring-shaped to-be-detected member of a rotation sensor unit, using a magnetizing yoke assembly of a structure having a pair of yoke arms having respective end faces curved arcuately with a space left between those end faces, the method including positioning the to-be-detected member with a ring center thereof aligned with an imaginary line connecting between respective centers of curvature of the curved end faces of the yoke arms, fixing the to-be-detected member with opposite sides of the to-be-detected member spaced an equal distance from the adjacent free end faces and magnetizing the to-be-detected member.

Abstract: A motor cooling structure for efficiently cooling a driving motor in a power unit case of the electric vehicle includes a transmission case cover having an air filter mounted on a side surface of a transmission case adjacent to a fan, and a ventilation gap defined between a rear portion of the transmission case cover and the transmission case. The transmission case cover includes a cooling air inlet facing the ventilation gap. When the fan is rotated in synchronism with a crankshaft, an outside cooling air is introduced from the cooling air inlet into the transmission case cover and then passes through the air filter to enter the transmission case, thereby forcibly cooling a transmission. Thereafter, a part of the cooling air is discharged from a central air outlet to the outside of the transmission case, and the remaining cooling air is drawn to the driven portion of the transmission.

Abstract: A occupant weight detecting device detects the weight of an occupant setting on a vehicle seat assembly and includes a pivot support mechanism for supporting the vehicle seat assembly for pivotal movement about a horizontally extending shaft relative to a seat fixing portion in a vehicle; an elastic force applying mechanism for applying a biasing force to the vehicle seat assembly to enable the latter to pivot an angle, proportional to a load imposed on the vehicle seat assembly, relative to the seat fixing portion; a pivot angle detecting mechanism for detecting an angle of pivot of the vehicle seat assembly relative to the seat fixing portion; and a pivot restricting mechanism for defining a pivotal range over which the vehicle seat assembly can pivot relative to the seat fixing portion.