Axle Box Patents (Class 301/109)
  • Patent number: 11173761
    Abstract: An integrated module for a vehicle suspension includes a bearing outer ring and a suspension upright or knuckle, the outer ring being formed of a first high-strength material, and at least part of the suspension upright or knuckle being made from a second, metallic material, the second material being lighter than the first material. The upright or knuckle is co-moulded radially onto the outside of the bearing and is directly fixed to the bearing ring by means of an interface for form coupling. Opposite axial ends of the bearing outer ring are configured to receive closing and sealing devices for protecting one or more races of the bearing outer ring during co-moulding and for removing heat from the races during co-moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Marco Falossi, Paolo A Re
  • Patent number: 10465799
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealing assembly that includes an elastic seal lip having a movable part. The seal lip is configured to be attached to a first part of a machine and to be in sliding contact with a second part of the machine. It is proposed that at least one vibration sensor is fixed to the movable part of the seal lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: Aktiebolaget SKF, SKF Economos Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Defeng Lang, Muhammad Ahmer, Thomas Deigner, Jos Holsnijders, Sebastian Ziegler, Frank de Wit
  • Patent number: 10113593
    Abstract: An encoder with oil gas prevention structure including a base, a shaft, a bearing, a cover and an encoding device is provided. The base includes a body and a through hole configured on the body. The shaft is disposed within the though hole. The bearing holds the shaft and is disposed within the through hole, and includes an inner ring and an outer ring wherein the inner ring is set against the first section, and the outer ring is set against a circumference of the through hole. The cover holds the shaft and adjacent to the bearing. The encoding device holds the shaft and is disposed on the cover, and includes a code disc rotatably disposed on the shaft wherein the cover is located between the bearing and the code disc. Therefore, the code disc is prevented from being contaminated by the leaking oil gas from the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HIWIN MIKROSYSTEM CORP.
    Inventors: Wei-Kai Tseng, Jheng-Ying Lin, Yi-Shun Huang, Hsin-Wei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20150137585
    Abstract: A deflector is arranged to prevent differential oil, as lubrication oil, leaking from a gap between a rod of an axle and a shaft portion of a drive shaft and passing through a unit bearing, from attaching to an inner periphery of a brake drum. A guide groove unit is formed on an inward surface of a hub in a vehicle-width direction so as to guide the differential oil leaking into an internal space defined inside of the deflector to outside of the brake drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuharu Ono
  • Publication number: 20150123455
    Abstract: A bearing-hub assembly having a rolling bearing provided with a stationary radially outer ring, at least one rotatable radially inner ring and at least one row of rolling bodies is provided. The bearing-hub assembly includes a light alloy hub, provided with a flanged portion and a cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing is axially located inside the radially inner ring and is provided with an external lateral surface having a complementary shape with an internal lateral surface of the radially inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Davide Antonio Olivieri, Laura Sguotti
  • Patent number: 9022485
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly with a centering device that includes a wheel hub arranged rotatably on an axle body about an axis of rotation. The assembly further includes a centering unit fixed to the wheel hub, wherein the centering unit has a centering portion, and wherein the distance of the centering portion to the axis of rotation is smaller than the distance of the outer periphery of the wheel hub to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: SAF-Holland GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Publication number: 20150115696
    Abstract: A wheel hub bearing unit including a plurality of rolling bodies disposed between annular elements. One of the annular elements is a rotating element that includes a spindle on a side facing the outboard side of the vehicle having a mounting flange adapted to receive a vehicle wheel. A frontal surface of the mounting flange is covered by a layer of UV photopolimerizable synthetic plastic material having a predetermined thickness deposited on the frontal surface of the flange in the non-polimerized state by a mixed air spraying nozzle, by rotating the wheel hub bearing unit about a symmetry axis thereof with the nozzle arranged at a radial distance from a peripherally outer edge of the flange, and has a spraying axis which forms, with the symmetry axis, an angle from 20° to 80°; the synthetic plastic material being sprayed by the nozzle at a temperature higher than the room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Baratti, Andrea Serafini
  • Publication number: 20150108822
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an aircraft landing gear wheel is provided that effectively supports the wheel on an axle while maximizing internal wheel volume available for mounting non-engine drive means used to power the wheel and/or brakes or other structures within the maximized wheel volume. The bearing arrangement is preferably employed with a two-part aircraft wheel mounted on a landing gear axle and includes bearing structures located only on wheel sections adjacent to the axle. A specifically configured cantilevered joint portion of inboard and outboard wheel sections supports weight and loads bearing structures, eliminating the need for and space required by a high speed bearing. Stiffness necessary for strength and structural integrity is provided by the materials selected to form the wheel sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Scott Perkins
  • Patent number: 8985710
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The core (15) and the outer body are made of two different materials and joined as a single piece. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At both axial ends of the ring, the radially outer surface of the core provides a succession of depressions (27) and ridges (28) which extend in a circumferential direction, and cause the formation of complementary recesses and reliefs in the outer body (16). This results in a long meander-like path that opposes or at least delays the entrance of contaminant or corrosive agents between the outer body (16) and the core (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Publication number: 20150069826
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements. A pulser ring is fit onto the inner ring. A second cap is fit on the inboard-side end of the outer member. A rotational speed sensor is mounted on the second cap. A cup-shaped first cap is press-fit into the inner circumference of an inboard-side end of the outer member. The first cap has a cylindrical fitting portion press-fit into the outer member. A disk portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion. The sensor abuts the disk portion. The second cap is press-fit into the inner circumference of an inboard-side end of the outer member via a predetermined interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syougo SUZUKI, Shigeaki FUKUSHIMA, Masuo TAKAKI, Sadako TAKADA, Hisashi OHTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20150069825
    Abstract: Arrangement including a portion of a radially outer lateral surface of an inner ring of wheel hub having an annular step formed on a constant velocity joint. The step is adapted to receive a first shield, a flange portion that radially extends to protrude towards an outer ring of a wheel hub, in front of a flange portion of a second shield, from a first end of a sleeve portion of the first shield facing on the side opposite of the constant velocity joint and axially protrudes from the inner ring and towards the joint, defining a tubular element arranged straddling wheel hub and an outer ring of the constant velocity joint, having an opposite second end, supporting an annular seal; an annular signal generating insert covers a face of the flange portion, wherein a radially inner annular part of face defines a thrust shoulder for mounting the first shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Daniele Duch, Fausto Morello, Andrea Serafini
  • Patent number: 8944522
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At the axially outer end of the ring, at the side where the flange (17) is provided, the interface surfaces between the external body (16) and the core (15) terminate in a groove (21) formed partly in the outer body and partly in the core. The groove (21) accommodates a sealing ring of polymeric material (22) which is cast and continuously covers a circular separation line (23) at the axially outer end of the interface between the core (15) and the outer body (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Patent number: 8944523
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At the axially outer end of the ring, at the side where the flange (17) is provided, the interface surfaces between the outer body (16) and the core (15) terminate in a groove (21) formed partly in the outer body and partly in the core. The groove (21) accommodates a sealing ring (22) made of rubber-like or elastomeric material which presses against both the outer body (16) and the core (15) so as to seal continuously, along an entire circumference around the axis (x), a separation line (23) between the core (15) and the outer body (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Re, Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers
  • Publication number: 20150028662
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a spindle; a wheel hub rotatable relative to the spindle; a seal mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub, the spindle, the wheel hub, and the seal defining a sealed cavity; and at least one bearing mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub within the sealed cavity, the at least one bearing facilitating rotation of the wheel hub relative to the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Crown Parts and Machines Inc.
    Inventors: Lane R. Gobbs, Derek L. Hansen, Kenneth P. Pitman
  • Publication number: 20150028663
    Abstract: A wheel bearing has a seal device formed as a pack seal with an annular sealing plate and slinger. The sealing plate has a metal core and an integrally adhered sealing member. The sealing member has a base portion, side lip and radial lip. The base portion covers an inner circumferential surface of the metal core. The radial lip slidingly contacts the cylindrical portion of the slinger. A garter spring is mounted on the radial lip. A tightening force of the garter spring is set to 50% or more of a total tightening force of the radial lip. The tightening force of the radial lip without the garter spring is set to 3 N or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: MAKOTO SEKI, Tomoko Baba
  • Patent number: 8936321
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring for a motor vehicle wheel includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core and an outer body around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. The ring further includes an element of generally tubular shape, which contacts both the outer body and the inner core to cover and seal with continuity a circular line of separation at the end of the interface surface between the core and the outer body at the axially outer side of the ring. The tubular element further forms a cylindrical axial edge which extends in an axially inner direction and is fixed in the axially outer end of the core cavity, and a cylindrical tubular portion, projecting in an axially outer direction beyond the flange, for centering the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Re, Andreas Knopf
  • Publication number: 20140361606
    Abstract: A wheel bearing includes a constant velocity universal joint and a wheel bearing. The wheel bearing is separably coupled to the constant velocity universal joint with a screw fastening structure, in which a stem section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the hub wheel. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are formed on the stem section of the outer joint member, and depressed portions having an interference with respect to the projecting portions are formed on the hub wheel. The stem section of the outer joint member is press-fitted to the hub wheel, and a shape of the projecting portions is transferred to the other, to thereby provide a projection and depression fitting structure in which the projecting portions and the depressed portions are in close contact at an entire fitting contact portion therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Shuji Mochinaga, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20140346850
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, and seals. At least one seal of the seals has a metal core press-formed from steel sheet with a cylindrical fitting portion. A radial portion extends radially inward from the end of the fitting portion. A sealing member with a plurality of sealing lips is integrally adhered to the fitting portion of the metal core. Bearing grease is contained within the bearing. Sealing grease is applied to the sealing lips. Both the bearing grease and the sealing grease use the same thickener and the worked penetration of 350 or less. The kinematic viscosity of the base oil of the sealing grease at 40° C. is set to 70% or less of the kinematic viscosity of the base oil of the bearing grease at 40° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Yasushi SHIBATA
  • Patent number: 8894156
    Abstract: A hub bearing assembly for a motor vehicle wheel comprises a flanged ring and a set of pin connection elements. The flanged ring defines a central axis of rotation and comprises a tubular core made of steel and an outer flange of light metallic material having axial bores formed therethrough. Each pin connection element includes a head portion and an axial cylindrical shank defining a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation and is accommodated in one of the bores, and a threaded cylindrical surface for connecting the flanged ring to a wheel or to a suspension standard of the vehicle. Each head portion is shaped differently from that of a solid of revolution generated about the longitudinal axis of the shank portion. Each head portion is accommodated in a respective recess of corresponding shape, formed in one of the two radial opposite faces of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Publication number: 20140239707
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel prevents backlash in a circumferential direction and has excellent workability for connecting a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure in which the hub wheel and a shaft section, which is fitted in a hole of the hub wheel of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint, are unitized together. In the recess-projection fitting structure, entire fitting regions among projections on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and recesses, which fit on the projections, are brought into intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira TORII, Hiroshi KAWAMURA, Kiyoshige YAMAUCHI, Masahiro OZAWA, Tohru NAKAGAWA, Yuichi ASANO, Mitsuru UMEKIDA, Hisaaki KURA, Shin TOMOGAMI
  • Publication number: 20140239706
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel prevents backlash in a circumferential direction and has excellent workability for connecting a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure in which the hub wheel and a shaft section, which is fitted in a hole of the hub wheel of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint, are unitized together. In the recess-projection fitting structure, entire fitting regions among projections on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and recesses, which fit on the projections, are brought into intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira TORII, Hiroshi KAWAMURA, Kiyoshige YAMAUCHI, Masahiro OZAWA, Tohru NAKAGAWA, Yuichi ASANO, Mitsuru UMEKIDA, Hisaaki KURA, Shin TOMOGAMI
  • Patent number: 8777492
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus of a semi-floating type has a pilot portion 21 on an outer member 20. The pilot portion includes a cylindrical portion 21a and a tapered portion 21b. The tapered portion 21b gradually decreases in diameter from the cylindrical portion 21a to an end surface of the inboard side. A fitting portion 16 of an axle housing 14 corresponds to the shape of the pilot portion 21. An annular groove 22 is formed at the tapered portion 21b of the pilot portion 21. A seal ring 23 is mounted in the annular groove 22. An outer diameter d3 of the seal ring 23, after mounting, is set smaller than an inner diameter d4 of the cylindrical portion 16a of the axle housing 14. The seal ring elastically contacts the axle housing 14. A slight gap of a fitting portion between the outer member 20 and the axle housing 14 is blocked off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Yamamoto, Kazuhisa Shigeoka
  • Publication number: 20140175862
    Abstract: A hub of a vehicle bearing device has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. The flange portion has a pin hole formation portion, a reference position intermediate portion, separate position intermediate portions, and build-up portions. The reference position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The first separate position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The second separate position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The pin hole formation portion is formed at the reference position intermediate portion, and has a hub side pin hole. A pin for fixing the hub and a brake rotor to each other is inserted into the hub side pin hole. The build-up portions are formed on the separate position intermediate portions, and are balanced in terms of weight with the pin-hole formation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi ANNO, Katsuyuki HARADA, Alexander SCHUPP, Josef ALTWECK
  • Publication number: 20140103702
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements. A coupler ring is fit onto the wheel hub. The coupler ring inner circumferential splined portion has a plurality of spline recesses and spline projections. The plurality recesses and projections mate with a hub splined portion formed on the inner side outer circumference of the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. An axial cross-section of the inner-side end of each spline projection of the hub splined portion is formed by a single circular arc with a predetermined radius of curvature “R”. The radius of curvature “R” is larger than a dimension “A”, measured from the inner-side end face of the coupler ring to the inner-side edge “B” of each spline projection (R>A). Also, it is larger than the height “h” of each spline projection (R>h).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo KOMORI
  • Publication number: 20140084672
    Abstract: A sealing device including an annular reinforcing insert couplable with a wheel hub in use and an annular sealing element carried by the reinforcing insert and including at least one sealing lip cooperating with a spacer carried by a wheel support pin in use; the reinforcing insert delimits an annular chamber arranged directly adjacent to the annular sealing element in axial direction, and the device further includes a shield mounted in floating manner with radial and axial play in the annular chamber, including a first radial end, which extends to the lip and couples in forced manner with the spacer in use, and a second radial end, opposite to the first, which cooperates with the reinforcing insert and with the annular sealing element to create a labyrinth seal in the annular chamber interposed in use between the annular lip and an environment (E) external to the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Giraudo, Alessandro Lo Conte
  • Publication number: 20130342004
    Abstract: A recess-projection fitting structure includes projections extending in an axial direction on an outer diameter surface of a shaft section of an outer joint member or an inner diameter surface of a hole of a hub wheel, press-fitting the projections in another of the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface along the axial direction, and forming recesses brought into contact and fitted with the projections by press fitting in the other of the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface, the projections and the recesses being held in contact with each other through intermediation. An outer member is fitted in a hole of a knuckle of a vehicle. Annular grooves are formed respectively in an outer peripheral surface of the outer member and an inner peripheral surface of the hole of the knuckle, and a snap ring is engaged with both the annular grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshige YAMAUCHI, Masahiro OZAWA, Mitsuru UMEKIDA
  • Publication number: 20130334870
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel suppresses backlash in a circumferential direction, has excellent coupling workability with a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and has excellent strength owing to stable fitting between the hub wheel and the outer joint member. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are provided on one of an outer surface of a shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of a hole portion of the hub wheel. The projecting portions are press-fitted into the other along the axial direction, and recessed portions are formed in the other through press-fitting of the projecting portions. Thus, a recess-projection fitting structure is formed, in which the projecting portions and the recessed portions are held in close contact with each other through an entire region of fitting contact regions therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro OZAWA, Yuichi ASANO, Masayuki KURODA, Tohru NAKAGAWA, Kiyoshige YAMAUCHI, Mitsuru UMEKIDA
  • Publication number: 20130292996
    Abstract: A wheel rolling bearing unit has a hub spindle having flange and shaft-shaped sections, an inner-ring raceway surface on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped section; an outer ring member disposed around the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped section, an outer-ring raceway surface on the inner peripheral surface thereof; and rolling elements between the inner-ring raceway and outer-ring raceway surfaces. The flange section is on one side of the spindle in a rotation axis direction thereof; on the flange surface, a cylindrical spigot joint section protruding on one side is coaxial with the spindle; the boundary section of the flange surface and the outer peripheral surface of the spigot joint section has an arc-shaped boundary surface to connect smoothly toward the flange surface. The surface roughness of the boundary surface is finer than that of the flange surface and the outer peripheral surface of the spigot joint section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yokota, Tsuyoshi Okumura, Nobuyuki Seo
  • Publication number: 20130249273
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a cup-shaped cap that is coated by a preserving film and mounted on an outer member. The cap is press-formed from non-magnetic steel sheet. The cap has a cylindrical fitting portion, a disk portion and a bottom portion. The cylindrical fitting portion is press-fit into the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member. The disk portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion and opposes a pulser ring, via a small axial gap. The bottom portion extends from the disk portion, via a bent portion, to cover the inner-side end of the inner member. The rotational speed sensor is arranged opposite the pulser ring, via the disk portion of the cap, where the rotational speed sensor is closely arranged to the pulser ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20130228957
    Abstract: A deep-grooved ball bearing including a rolling contact member formed of a sintered ?-sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a plurality of balls arranged in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring on an annular raceway. The ball is configured of a sintered body that contains as a main component a ?-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1?z?3.5 and has a remainder formed of an impurity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Katsutoshi MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20130200583
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a housing, retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, second end, and conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GEO PLASTICS
    Inventor: GEO PLASTICS
  • Publication number: 20130147257
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a wheel bearing assembly (100) comprising a flanged hub (110) and at least one second component (130) that is joined to the flanged hub by means of a radially intermediate joint (160). Specifically, the flanged hub has a first joining surface and the second component has a second joining surface, radially opposite from the first joining surface and spaced therefrom, such that a groove is defined between the first and second joining surfaces. According to the invention, the radially intermediate joint (160) is formed by an insert ring made from a high strength material that is pressed into the groove. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of manufacturing a wheel bearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: John van de Sanden, Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers, Victor Haans, Andreas Knopf, Paolo A. Re
  • Publication number: 20130127235
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member and a constant velocity joint connected to a wheel hub. The wheel hub and the constant velocity joint outer joint member are axially detachably connected. An end face of the caulked portion has a flat surface. A cap is mounted on the caulked portion. The cap has a metal core press-formed of a corrosion resistant steel sheet with a generally ring shape having a substantially L-shaped cross-section and a molded portion. The molded portion is formed from synthetic resin and has an infinite number of micro indentations on its surface. The cap abuts against the end face of the caulked portion and the shoulder portion of the outer joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: NTN CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130125370
    Abstract: A tool for holding the wheel bearing or the wheel bearing seal of a vehicle wheel. This tool is useful in the fields of aircraft manufacture and aircraft maintenance. The aircraft wheel is of the kind comprising a rim that has a flange on the hub side and a wheel bearing, mounted on a stub axle. The holding tool comprises a plate bearing a collar that presses against the wheel bearing. An arrangement to lock the tooling onto the rim of the wheel flange brings the pressing collar into locked contact with the wheel bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Cedric Rodrigues-Morgado, Pascal Martinez
  • Publication number: 20130076111
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus of a semi-floating type has a pilot portion 21 on an outer member 20. The pilot portion includes a cylindrical portion 21a and a tapered portion 21b. The tapered portion 21b gradually decreases in diameter from the cylindrical portion 21a to an end surface of the inboard side. A fitting portion 16 of an axle housing 14 corresponds to the shape of the pilot portion 21. An annular groove 22 is formed at the tapered portion 21b of the pilot portion 21. A seal ring 23 is mounted in the annular groove 22. An outer diameter d3 of the seal ring 23, after mounting, is set smaller than an inner diameter d4 of the cylindrical portion 16a of the axle housing 14. The seal ring elastically contacts the axle housing 14. A slight gap of a fitting portion between the outer member 20 and the axle housing 14 is blocked off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: NTN CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130069332
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly includes a wheel hub, a knuckle member defining a bore, and a bearing arranged in the bore and configured to rotatably support the wheel hub. The bearing includes a seal member configured to cover internal workings of the bearing. The wheel bearing assembly also includes an annular slinger arranged on the wheel hub and configured to at least partially screen the seal member to minimize ingestion of contaminants by the bearing from the ambient. The wheel bearing assembly additionally includes an annular shield configured to at least partially shield the slinger from the contaminants and generate a labyrinth path from the ambient to the seal member for any of the contaminants. A vehicle employing the above described wheel bearing assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wenshui Wang, Robert G. Sutherlin
  • Publication number: 20130062929
    Abstract: A hub unit includes a rolling bearing and a flange integrally formed with a hub wheel that may function as a bearing ring member of the rolling bearing. The flange has a plurality of thick portions formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange. Each thick portion has a bolt hole that extends through the corresponding thick portion in the thickness direction of the thick portion. Work holes through which a working tool is able to be inserted and which extend through the flange in the thickness direction of the flange are formed between the bolt holes adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. A circumferential width of each thick portion that has the bolt hole and that is adjacent to the work holes in the circumferential direction is set to such a width dimension that the thick portion does not interfere, with the adjacent work holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki ONIZUKA
  • Publication number: 20120292981
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly including a modular wheel hub that can be utilized for both passive and driven wheel hub applications with the insertion of a wheel hub bore modification body. The wheel hub is rotatably mounted to a vehicle using a wheel bearing and knuckle arrangement, the wheel bearing comprising an inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements between the rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Zheng WANG
  • Publication number: 20120248856
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At the axially outer end of the ring, at the side where the flange (17) is provided, the interface surfaces between the external body (16) and the core (15) terminate in a groove (21) formed partly in the outer body and partly in the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andreas KNOPF, Paolo RE
  • Publication number: 20120248859
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The core (15) and the outer body are made of two different materials and joined as a single piece. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At both axial ends of the ring, the radially outer surface of the core provides a succession of depressions (27) and ridges (28) which extend in a circumferential direction, and cause the formation of complementary recesses and reliefs in the outer body (16). This results in a long meander-like path that opposes or at least delays the entrance of contaminant or corrosive agents between the outer body (16) and the core (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andreas KNOPF, Paolo RE
  • Publication number: 20120248858
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring for a motor vehicle wheel includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core and an outer body around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. The ring further includes an element of generally tubular shape, which contacts both the outer body and the inner core to cover and seal with continuity a circular line of separation at the end of the interface surface between the core and the outer body at the axially outer side of the ring. The tubular element further forms a cylindrical axial edge which extends in an axially inner direction and is fixed in the axially outer end of the core cavity, and a cylindrical tubular portion, projecting in an axially outer direction beyond the flange, for centering the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Paolo RE, Andreas KNOPF
  • Publication number: 20120248857
    Abstract: A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At the axially outer end of the ring, at the side where the flange (17) is provided, the interface surfaces between the outer body (16) and the core (15) terminate in a groove (21) formed partly in the outer body and partly in the core. The groove (21) accommodates a sealing ring (22) made of rubber-like or elastomeric material which presses against both the outer body (16) and the core (15) so as to seal continuously, along an entire circumference around the axis (x), a separation line (23) between the core (15) and the outer body (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Paolo RE, Cornelius Petrus Antonius VISSERS
  • Publication number: 20120200145
    Abstract: In a wheel support structure for a motorcycle, a magnetic encoder 34 for detecting rotational speed is mounted and fastened to the inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical section 36a, which extends outward in the axial direction from the outer ring 22, of an encoder installation plate 35a that is attached to the end section in the axial direction of the outer ring 22 of the one of the rolling bearings 21a on the side toward the other rolling bearing 4, or is mounted and attached to the side surface toward the side of the other rolling bearing 4 of a slinger 73, which is attached to the end section in the axial direction of the outer ring 22b of the one of the rolling bearings 21a on the side toward the other rolling bearing 4 such that the end surface on the inner diameter side closely faces the outer surface of the inner ring 24 to form labyrinth space 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kakuda, Hirokazu Yajima, Aya Kikuchi, Takashi Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20120161501
    Abstract: A hub bearing assembly for a motor vehicle wheel comprises a flanged ring and a set of pin connection elements. The flanged ring defines a central axis of rotation and comprises a tubular core made of steel and an outer flange of light metallic material having axial bores formed therethrough. Each pin connection element includes a head portion and an axial cylindrical shank defining a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation and is accommodated in one of the bores, and a threaded cylindrical surface for connecting the flanged ring to a wheel or to a suspension standard of the vehicle. Each head portion is shaped differently from that of a solid of revolution generated about the longitudinal axis of the shank portion. Each head portion is accommodated in a respective recess of corresponding shape, formed in one of the two radial opposite faces of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andreas KNOPF, Paolo RE
  • Publication number: 20120161502
    Abstract: A connecting element serves to connect a flanged ring of a hub-bearing unit to a wheel or a suspension standard of a motor vehicle. The connecting element has an overall crown-like shape and forms, in a single piece, an annular portion and a plurality of parallel, equally angularly spaced pin portions which extend protruding axially from a same side of the annular portion and each have a threaded section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andreas KNOPF, Paolo RE
  • Patent number: 8186767
    Abstract: The two-piece wheel rim assembly includes first and second hub sections affixed together and rotatably mounted on an axle by a set of bearings which are longitudinally spaced apart on the axle. The hub sections have radially inboard wall segments and radially outboard segments. The inboard segments form a radial cavity about the axle longitudinally bounded by the bearings. An oil bath substantially fills the radial cavity except for a small thermal expansion air pocket. The thermal expansion air pocket is positioned above the axle and the bearings when the hub-tire combination is in use. The thermal expansion air pocket has a nominal size only sufficient to account for thermal expansion and contraction of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas S. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20120104837
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly with a centering device that includes a wheel hub arranged rotatably on an axle body about an axis of rotation. The assembly further includes a centering unit fixed to the wheel hub, wherein the centering unit has a centering portion, and wherein the distance of the centering portion to the axis of rotation is smaller than the distance of the outer periphery of the wheel hub to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Publication number: 20120049611
    Abstract: A vehicle hub unit includes: an outer ring; rolling elements; a hub wheel that is arranged radially inward of the outer ring via the rolling elements; and an inner ring member that is fixed to an end portion of a hub spindle of the hub wheel by clinching. A spline tooth portion that meshes with a tooth portion of a constant velocity joint that transmits driving force to the hub unit is formed at a clinched portion of the hub spindle. A protruding portion is formed at a radially inner side portion of a bottom of the spline tooth portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Harada, Kentaro Shirakami, Naoto Araki
  • Publication number: 20110298272
    Abstract: A device comprising at least one wheel hub with a flange section and a sleeve section, and a constant-velocity rotary joint, at least one joint outer part, a joint inner part and torque-transmitting elements, wherein the wheel hub and the constant-velocity rotary joint are coupled to each other via a spur toothing, and the spur toothing is surrounded radially on the outside by a flexible seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Publication number: 20110254355
    Abstract: An asymmetric wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements of different pitch diameters has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The angle of contact and the osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements is different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Luca Ciulla