Abstract: A bearing device includes: at least one bearing that has a rolling element and a raceway surface to support a main shaft; a member disposed on a path through which pressing force generating a preload between the rolling element and the raceway surface is transmitted; and at least one load sensor element fixed to the member to measure the pressing force. At least one load sensor element is a chip component including a thin film pattern of which resistance changes according to the pressing force and a protective layer that insulates and protects thin film pattern.

Abstract: A load sensor element includes a substrate made of a ceramic material; an inorganic layer having a surface configured to receive a load, the inorganic layer covers a portion of the substrate; a thin-layer resistance body whose resistance value changes in accordance with the load received by the inorganic layer, the thin-layer resistance body having a main body portion and a pair of end portions, the main body portion mounted on the covered portion of the substrate and sandwiched between the substrate and the inorganic layer, the pair of end portions mounted on an exposed portion of the substrate, and the exposed portion free of the inorganic layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the pair of end portions of the thin-layer resistance body and separated away from the inorganic layer and on one side of the substrate.

Abstract: A bearing device includes: a magnetic ring fixed to an inner ring; and a stator fixed to an outer ring so as to face magnetic ring. Magnetic ring and stator constitute a claw pole type generator. Stator includes a coil and a magnetic yoke surrounding coil. The magnetic yoke is configured by combining a first member and a second member that are magnetic bodies. First member and second member have an identical shape. Each of first member and second member has a plurality of second claws arranged in a comb shape. A plurality of first claws of first member and the plurality of second claws of second member are alternately arranged on a surface facing magnetic ring.

Abstract: A first seal and a second seal seal an annular space between an outer ring and an inner ring by sandwiching a retainer. A stator including a coil is supported by the first seal and is opposed to a magnetic ring. A sensor, a wireless communication circuit, and a power supply circuit are supported by the second seal. A wire electrically connects the coil and the power supply circuit. The wire includes a part disposed in a groove extending in an axial direction of a bearing on an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring.

Abstract: A rolling bearing according to an embodiment includes a stationary ring having a first facing surface, a rotating ring having a second facing surface facing the first facing surface, and rotating relative to the stationary ring, rolling elements arranged between the first facing surface and the second facing surface, a cage that retains the rolling elements, first electrodes and second electrodes fixed in position relative to the stationary ring and arranged in a bearing space between the stationary ring and the rotating ring, third electrodes fixed in position relative to the rotating ring, position relative to the rolling elements, or position relative to the cage and arranged in the bearing space, and an insulating film formed on surfaces of the first electrodes and the second electrodes or surfaces of the third electrodes.

Abstract: A bearing device includes: a magnetic ring fixed to an inner ring; and a stator fixed to an outer ring so as to face magnetic ring. Magnetic ring and stator constitute a claw pole type generator. Stator includes a coil and a magnetic yoke surrounding coil. The magnetic yoke is configured by combining a first member and a second member that are magnetic bodies. First member and second member have an identical shape. Each of first member and second member has a plurality of second claws arranged in a comb shape. A plurality of first claws of first member and the plurality of second claws of second member are alternately arranged on a surface facing magnetic ring.

Abstract: A bearing device includes: at least one bearing that has a rolling element and a raceway surface to support a main shaft; a member disposed on a path through which pressing force generating a preload between the rolling element and the raceway surface is transmitted; and at least one load sensor element fixed to the member to measure the pressing force. At least one load sensor element is a chip component including a thin film pattern of which resistance changes according to the pressing force and a protective layer that insulates and protects thin film pattern.

Abstract: A load sensor element includes a substrate made of a ceramic material; an inorganic layer having a surface configured to receive a load, the inorganic layer covers a portion of the substrate; a thin-layer resistance body whose resistance value changes in accordance with the load received by the inorganic layer, the thin-layer resistance body having a main body portion and a pair of end portions, the main body portion mounted on the covered portion of the substrate and sandwiched between the substrate and the inorganic layer, the pair of end portions mounted on an exposed portion of the substrate, and the exposed portion free of the inorganic layer; and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the pair of end portions of the thin-layer resistance body and separated away from the inorganic layer and on one side of the substrate.

Abstract: A rolling bearing according to an embodiment includes a stationary ring having a first facing surface, a rotating ring having a second facing surface facing the first facing surface, and rotating relative to the stationary ring, rolling elements arranged between the first facing surface and the second facing surface, a cage that retains the rolling elements, first electrodes and second electrodes fixed in position relative to the stationary ring and arranged in a bearing space between the stationary ring and the rotating ring, third electrodes fixed in position relative to the rotating ring, position relative to the rolling elements, or position relative to the cage and arranged in the bearing space, and an insulating film formed on surfaces of the first electrodes and the second electrodes or surfaces of the third electrodes.

Abstract: A bearing equipped with a sensor and incorporating a power generation function in a simple configuration is provided. A bearing includes an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, an inner ring, a cage, a seal member, a sensor, a transmission unit, and a power generation unit. The sensor is disposed in the seal member, and detects state information of the bearing. The transmission unit transmits the state information detected by the sensor to outside. The power generation unit is disposed so as to face a bearing space sandwiched between the outer ring and the inner ring, and generates electric power that is to be supplied to the sensor and the transmission unit. The power generation unit includes an element that converts stress into electromotive force.

Abstract: An automobile-motor driving device equipped with speed reducer which has improved supply of lubrication oil to inside of the rolling bearings without sacrificing the function of the bearings, to reduce deformation in the rolling bearing outer ring. A parallel shaft gear speed reducer provides an automobile-motor driving device equipped with speed reducer. The parallel shaft gear speed reducer includes a plurality of gear shafts having two ends supported via rolling bearings fitted into bearing fitting holes in a speed reducer casing which houses the parallel shaft gear speed reducer. A groove in an inner circumferential surface of the bearing fitting hole into which the rolling bearing is fitted communicates between a space that houses the speed reducer and an inside space of the bearing fitting hole, at a location not crossed by the line of action of a load acting upon the rolling bearing due to the meshing of the gears.

Abstract: A torque detection device includes an inner ring, a middle ring, an outer ring, a first beam, a second beam, a magnetic target, and a magnetic sensor. The first beam is composed of an elastic member extending in a radial direction so as to couple the inner ring and the middle ring together. The second beam is composed of an elastic member extending in a radial direction so as to couple the middle ring to the outer ring together. The magnetic target is fixed to the inner ring and the magnetic sensor is fixed to the middle ring such that the magnetic target and the magnetic sensor face each other. Torque acting on the inner ring or the outer ring is calculated according to how an amount of magnetism sensed by the magnetic sensor changes.

Abstract: In an in-wheel motor drive device, a speed reduction part is a parallel shaft gear reducer that includes a plurality of gear shafts extending in parallel to one another. One of the gear shafts is coupled with the rotation shaft of the motor part, the other one of the gear shafts is coupled with the wheel hub of the wheel hub bearing part. Remaining gear shafts decelerate the rotation of the motor part and transmit it to the wheel hub. The motor drive device includes a parking gear attached to any of the gear shafts. The parking pawl has a projection portion engaged with a recess portion of the parking gear. A movement member enables a parking pawl to move between a locking position engaged with the recess portion and an unlocking position not engaged therewith. The parking gear, the parking pawl, and movement member are housed inside a housing.

Abstract: A suspension structure for an in-wheel motor drive device of the present invention includes an in-wheel motor drive device (10), a shock absorber (76), a torsion bar (81), and a stabilizer link (86), wherein: the shock absorber includes an upper spring seat (79a) provided in an upper end region of the shock absorber and a lower spring seat (79b) provided in a lower end region of the shock absorber and forming a pair with the upper spring seat; an upper end (87a) of the stabilizer link is arranged between a vehicle back edge (79d) of the lower spring seat and a vehicle front edge (79c) of the lower spring seat; and a lower end (87b) of the stabilizer link is arranged so as to overlap with a hub wheel (12) as viewed in an axial direction of the hub wheel.

Abstract: A bearing equipped with a sensor and incorporating a power generation function in a simple configuration is provided. A bearing includes an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, an inner ring, a cage, a seal member, a sensor, a transmission unit, and a power generation unit. The sensor is disposed in the seal member, and detects state information of the bearing. The transmission unit transmits the state information detected by the sensor to outside. The power generation unit is disposed so as to face a bearing space sandwiched between the outer ring and the inner ring, and generates electric power that is to be supplied to the sensor and the transmission unit. The power generation unit includes an element that converts stress into electromotive force.

Abstract: A torque detection device includes an inner ring, a middle ring, an outer ring, a first beam, a second beam, a magnetic target, and a magnetic sensor. The first beam is composed of an elastic member extending in a radial direction so as to couple the inner ring and the middle ring together. The second beam is composed of an elastic member extending in a radial direction so as to couple the middle ring to the outer ring together. The magnetic target is fixed to the inner ring and the magnetic sensor is fixed to the middle ring such that the magnetic target and the magnetic sensor face each other. Torque acting on the inner ring or the outer ring is calculated according to how an amount of magnetism sensed by the magnetic sensor changes.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor power line (93) includes, between its one end and the other end, an in-wheel motor drive device-side region (93d), an intermediate region (93e), and a vehicle body-side region (93f) which extend continuously. The in-wheel motor drive device-side region (93d) extends in the vertical direction, and the lower side of the in-wheel motor drive device-side region is connected to the intermediate region. The vehicle body-side region extends in the vertical direction, and the lower side of the vehicle body-side region is connected to the intermediate region. The intermediate region is curved with its both sides located at a higher position and its intermediate part located at a lower position.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor power line wiring structure of the present invention includes an in-wheel motor drive device configured to drive a wheel, a damper (77) including an upper end portion (77b) and a lower end portion (77c), the upper end portion (77b) being coupled to a vehicle-body-side member and the lower end portion (77c) being coupled to the in-wheel motor drive device, a power line extending from the in-wheel motor drive device to a vehicle body, and a clamp member (96) that is provided on the lower end portion of the damper and configured to hold an intermediate portion of the power line.

Abstract: In an in-wheel motor drive device, a speed reduction part is a parallel shaft gear reducer that includes a plurality of gear shafts extending in parallel to one another. One of the gear shafts is coupled with the rotation shaft of the motor part, the other one of the gear shafts is coupled with the wheel hub of the wheel hub bearing part. Remaining gear shafts decelerate the rotation of the motor part and transmit it to the wheel hub. The motor drive device includes a parking gear attached to any of the gear shafts. The parking pawl has a projection portion engaged with a recess portion of the parking gear. A movement member enables a parking pawl to move between a locking position engaged with the recess portion and an unlocking position not engaged therewith. The parking gear, the parking pawl, and movement member are housed inside a housing.

Abstract: A suspension structure for an in-wheel motor drive device of the present invention includes an in-wheel motor drive device (10), a shock absorber (76), a torsion bar (81), and a stabilizer link (86), wherein: the shock absorber includes an upper spring seat (79a) provided in an upper end region of the shock absorber and a lower spring seat (79b) provided in a lower end region of the shock absorber and forming a pair with the upper spring seat; an upper end (87a) of the stabilizer link is arranged between a vehicle back edge (79d) of the lower spring seat and a vehicle front edge (79c) of the lower spring seat; and a lower end (87b) of the stabilizer link is arranged so as to overlap with a hub wheel (12) as viewed in an axial direction of the hub wheel.