Abstract: A passenger automotive vehicle wheel bearing assembly having improved impact Brinell resistance is provided. Due to a controlled gap between a rotating component and a non-rotating component or a vehicle suspension structure, the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure is permitted to share impact loads caused by a sufficient radial or side impact (such as a pothole or curb impact) to the rotating component, thus preventing excessive loads from being transmitted to rolling elements, and providing greater resistance against Brinell impact damage that would generate a noise and/or vibration condition in the bearing assembly. Wheel bearing assemblies according to the invention provide increased impact Brinell resistance while avoiding excessive contact between the rotating component and the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure during extreme cornering maneuvers.

Abstract: A passenger automotive vehicle wheel bearing assembly having improved impact Brinell resistance is provided. Due to a controlled gap between a rotating component and a non-rotating component or a vehicle suspension structure, the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure is permitted to share impact loads caused by a sufficient radial or side impact (such as a pothole or curb impact) to the rotating component, thus preventing excessive loads from being transmitted to rolling elements, and providing greater resistance against Brinell impact damage that would generate a noise and/or vibration condition in the bearing assembly. Wheel bearing assemblies according to the invention provide increased impact Brined resistance while avoiding excessive contact between the rotating component and the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure during extreme cornering maneuvers.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having improved impact Brinell resistance is provided. Due to a controlled gap between a rotating component and a non-rotating component or a vehicle suspension structure, the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure is permitted to share impact loads caused by a sufficient side impact to the rotating component, thus preventing excessive loads from being transmitted to rolling elements, and providing greater resistance against Brinell impact damage that would generate a noise and/or vibration condition in the bearing assembly. The width of the controlled gap and of the area of potential contact between the rotating component and the vehicle suspension structure or the non-rotating component are optimized to increase impact Brinell resistance while avoiding excessive contact between the rotating component and the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure during extreme cornering maneuvers.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having improved impact Brinell resistance is provided. Due to a controlled gap between a rotating component and a non-rotating component or a vehicle suspension structure, the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure is permitted to share impact loads caused by a sufficient side impact to the rotating component, thus preventing excessive loads from being transmitted to rolling elements, and providing greater resistance against Brinell impact damage that would generate a noise and/or vibration condition in the bearing assembly. The width of the controlled gap and of the area of potential contact between the rotating component and the vehicle suspension structure or the non-rotating component are optimized to increase impact Brinell resistance while avoiding excessive contact between the rotating component and the non-rotating component or the vehicle suspension structure during extreme cornering maneuvers.

Abstract: A support member (14) for rotatably coupling a first element to a second element. The support member includes a sleeve (50) for rotatably supporting the first element, and a flange (56) having a concave central portion. The flange (56) is coupled to the sleeve (50). The flange (56) has bearing surfaces (68a, 68b) formed thereon along which the flange (56) is mounted to the second element. In one embodiment, the first element is a spindle (12) of a vehicle wheel assembly (11) and is rotatably supported in the sleeve (50) by rollable bearing elements positioned therein. Multiple tapered lobes (64) extend outwardly from the sleeve (50), and the support member (14) is mounted to a vehicle via bearing surfaces (68a, 68b) along the lobes (64).

Abstract: A vehicle corner apparatus and method of fabricating a vehicle corner apparatus, utilize a wheel spindle adapted for receiving a self-tapping screw for securing a brake rotor to the wheel spindle. Using a self-tapping screw allows manufacturing and assembly costs to be significantly reduced, in comparison to prior vehicle corners that used a machine screw and a threaded hole in a wheel spindle for securing a rotor to the spindle, and provides greater assurance that the lateral run out of the brake rotor will be maintained at a lower value than can be achieved in prior vehicle corners. The wheel spindle includes a retaining screw hole having a conical web adapted to receive and facilitate installation and increase holding force of the self-tapping screw. The retaining screw hole may also include a counter bore for receipt of a locator pin that is used during subsequent formation of wheel bolt holes in the spindle.

Abstract: A separator for a bearing comprising a frame including a plurality of cavities for receiving rolling elements and further including a lubrication channel in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of cavities. This separator may be a component of a bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in each of the plurality of cavities of the separator and set to be in movable contact with the outer race and inner race of the bearing. A lubricant is introduced into the lubrication channel and flows into each of the plurality of cavities which provides evenly distributed lubrication to each rolling element of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A separator for a bearing comprising a frame including a plurality of cavities for receiving rolling elements and further including a lubrication channel in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of cavities. This separator may be a component of a bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in each of the plurality of cavities of the separator and set to be in movable contact with the outer race and inner race of the bearing. A lubricant is introduced into the lubrication channel and flows into each of the plurality of cavities which provides evenly distributed lubrication to each rolling element of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle corner apparatus and method of fabricating a vehicle corner apparatus, utilize a wheel spindle adapted for receiving a self-tapping screw for securing a brake rotor to the wheel spindle. Using a self-tapping screw allows manufacturing and assembly costs to be significantly reduced, in comparison to prior vehicle corners that used a machine screw and a threaded hole in a wheel spindle for securing a rotor to the spindle, and provides greater assurance that the lateral run out of the brake rotor will be maintained at a lower value than can be achieved in prior vehicle corners. The wheel spindle includes a retaining screw hole having a conical web adapted to receive and facilitate installation and increase holding force of the self-tapping screw. The retaining screw hole may also include a counter bore for receipt of a locator pin that is used during subsequent formation of wheel bolt holes in the spindle.