Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a joint element having a first spline portion defined on an axial surface and a nose. An inner ring is provided that includes a through hole configured to receive at least a portion of the joint element and an abutment flange defined within the through hole. The inner ring includes a second spline portion configured to matingly engage with the first spline, and the nose of the joint element is configured to extend axially within the abutment flange. A connection assembly is configured to connect the inner ring and the joint element, and a portion of the connection assembly abuts a first axial end of the abutment flange.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed herein. The bearing assembly includes a first inner ring and a second inner ring, as well as an outer ring. A first plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be supported between the first inner ring and the outer ring. A second plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be supported between the second inner ring and the outer ring. A third plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be supported between the second inner ring and the outer ring. The second plurality of rolling elements is arranged axially between the first and third plurality of rolling elements. Various dimensions and aspects of the bearing assembly are designed in order to provide increased efficiency and a reduced envelope.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is disclosed that a bearing ring defining a first splined portion, a joint element including a second splined portion configured to matingly engage with the first splined portion, and a first retention assembly arranged radially outward from the first and second splined portions. The first retention assembly is configured to axially retain the bearing ring with the joint element.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is disclosed that a bearing ring defining a first splined portion, a joint element including a second splined portion configured to matingly engage with the first splined portion, and a first retention assembly arranged radially outward from the first and second splined portions. The first retention assembly is configured to axially retain the bearing ring with the joint element.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a joint element having a first spline portion defined on an axial surface and a nose. An inner ring is provided that includes a through hole configured to receive at least a portion of the joint element and an abutment flange defined within the through hole. The inner ring includes a second spline portion configured to matingly engage with the first spline, and the nose of the joint element is configured to extend axially within the abutment flange. A connection assembly is configured to connect the inner ring and the joint element, and a portion of the connection assembly abuts a first axial end of the abutment flange.

Abstract: A wheel bearing arrangement for a disconnectable wheel assembly which includes a drive shaft that is adapted to be drivingly engaged with or disengaged from a wheel supporting flange and an assembly method are provided. The arrangement includes first and second deep groove ball bearings located between the shaft and the flange. The first inner ring of the first bearing is axially positioned by a shaft shoulder on the shaft and the first outer ring is axially positioned by a first flange shoulder on the flange. The second outer ring of the second bearing has an interference fit with the flange in a radial direction. For some options, a spacer axially separates the first and second inner rings. A nut is engaged to an end of the shaft and clamps the second inner ring, the spacer, and the first inner ring to the shaft shoulder. Alternate arrangements are also provided.

Abstract: A wheel bearing has four rows of ball rollers. All four of the rows are at the same radius from an axis of rotation and have the same number of rollers. The bearing is assembled by inserting the rollers radially into raceways of a single piece outer ring and of two ring portions of a split inner ring. Then, the inner ring portions are assembled to the outer ring and to each other axially.

Abstract: A bearing assembly may include first and second rings and a seal assembly therebetween. A stiff element may be coupled to a radial surface of the first ring and a flinger coupled to a radial surface of the second ring. The flinger may include an axially extending portion that contacts the radial surface of the second ring and a radially extending portion. The radially extending portion may be curved in a radial direction, having portions that extend axially inward and outward. A flexible element may be attached to the stiff element and include an axial lip that is configured to seal with the radially extending portion of the flinger. The flinger may be configured such that a misalignment between the flinger and the stiff element, compared to a neutral position, results in a substantially similar interference area between the axial lip and the radially extending portion of the flinger.

Abstract: Wheel bearing flanges and wheel bearings are disclosed. The wheel bearing flange may include a flange connected to an inner ring of a bearing, the flange having a front surface facing away from the inner ring and a rear surface facing towards the inner ring. A plurality of geometric features may extend from the rear surface in an axial direction and define recessed regions of the flange therebetween. The geometric features may be formed in a pattern and the geometric features may include ribs.

Abstract: A suspension strut bearing includes a top mount. The top mount is coupled to a guidance ring, wherein relative rotation or oscillation between the guidance ring and the top mount is enabled via rolling elements between an upper raceway and a lower raceway. The top mount has a top mount plate with an internal seal and an external seal. Both seals are overmolded to the top mounted plate and inhibit debris or the like from interfering with the operation of the rolling elements in the raceways. By overmolding the seals, a separate cap is no longer needed to be part of the suspension strut bearing. Further, the upper raceway can be integrated into the top mount plate itself. For example, the top mount plate can be shaped or formed to take the shape of the upper raceway, rather than having a separate element attached to the top mount plate.

Abstract: A bearing assembly may include first and second rings and a seal assembly therebetween. A stiff element may be coupled to a radial surface of the first ring and a flinger coupled to a radial surface of the second ring. The flinger may include an axially extending portion that contacts the radial surface of the second ring and a radially extending portion. The radially extending portion may be curved in a radial direction, having portions that extend axially inward and outward. A flexible element may be attached to the stiff element and include an axial lip that is configured to seal with the radially extending portion of the flinger. The flinger may be configured such that a misalignment between the flinger and the stiff element, compared to a neutral position, results in a substantially similar interference area between the axial lip and the radially extending portion of the flinger.

Abstract: Bead seals and methods of forming the same are disclosed for bearing assemblies. A bearing assembly may include an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements supported therebetween. An annular seal may be disposed between the inner and outer rings, the seal including a metal portion having a mating surface configured to contact a wall of the inner ring. A bead seal may be secured to the mating surface and may extend around a circumference of the seal, the bead seal contacting and forming a seal between the mating surface and the wall of the inner ring. The bead seal may be secured to/within a groove formed in the mating surface. The bead seal may be over-molded on the groove. The disclosed bead seal(s) may reduce or replace other sealants or sealing members in the assembly.

Abstract: Bead seals and methods of forming the same are disclosed, for example, for bearing assemblies. A bearing assembly may include an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements supported therebetween. An annular seal may be disposed between the inner and outer rings, the seal including a metal portion having a mating surface configured to contact a wall of the inner ring. A bead seal may be secured to the mating surface and may extend around a circumference of the seal, the bead seal contacting and forming a seal between the mating surface and the wall of the inner ring. The bead seal may be secured to/within a groove formed in the mating surface. For example, the bead seal may be over-molded on the groove. The disclosed bead seal(s) may reduce or replace other sealants or sealing members in the assembly.

Abstract: A strut bearing, including: an axis of rotation; cap; a body portion; and a bearing fixed to the strut bearing cap and to the body portion. The cap includes: a first radial surface facing in a first axial direction; a plurality of ribs; a plurality of spaces, each space circumferentially disposed between a respective pair of ribs; and a plurality of radial recess surfaces. Each rib includes: a radial rib surface extending radially outwardly from the first radial surface; and a slant surface extending from the radial rib surface partly radially outwardly and partly in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction. Each radial recess surface: faces in the first axial direction; is circumferentially disposed between two respective ribs; and is off-set, in the second axial direction, from the first radial surface.

Abstract: An integrated plastic shield bearing assembly including a plastic shield for preventing contamination of running surfaces of a bearing assembly is disclosed. The integrated plastic shield bearing assembly includes an inner bearing ring defining an inner race, an outer bearing ring defining an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements supported between the inner race and the outer race. A first one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring includes a circumferential groove. The plastic shield includes a molding portion molded on to the circumferential groove of the first one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring, and a shield portion extending towards a second one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring.

Abstract: A bearing and housing support including a bearing outer ring overmolded with a thermoplastic bearing housing. The support arranged to support and engage with an intermediate drive shaft of a vehicle.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The bearing assembly may include an outer bearing ring having a first outer diameter and defining an outer race and a radially outer surface. A radial extension may be coupled to the radially outer surface of the outer bearing ring to expand an outer diameter of the bearing assembly from the first outer diameter to a larger second outer diameter. The second outer diameter may be configured to correspond to a diameter of a housing cavity that is larger than the first diameter such that the bearing assembly can be coupled to the housing (e.g., press fit into the housing). The radial extension may be over-molded or press fit onto the outer bearing ring. The radial extension may be formed of a material less dense than the outer bearing ring, such as a polymer or elastomer.

Abstract: An integrated plastic shield bearing assembly including a plastic shield for preventing contamination of running surfaces of a bearing assembly is disclosed. The integrated plastic shield bearing assembly includes an inner bearing ring defining an inner race, an outer bearing ring defining an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements supported between the inner race and the outer race. A first one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring includes a circumferential groove. The plastic shield includes a molding portion molded on to the circumferential groove of the first one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring, and a shield portion extending towards a second one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring.

Abstract: A bearing and housing support including a bearing outer ring overmolded with a thermoplastic bearing housing. The support arranged to support and engage with an intermediate drive shaft of a vehicle.

Abstract: An active magnetic wheel bearing including at least two electromagnetic units arranged to support a wheel hub flange of a vehicle within a bearing outer ring. The active magnetic wheel bearing requires little change to surrounding known structure of the wheel hub flange unit. In addition a method of control and operation of the magnetic wheel bearing is presented.