For Hub Patents (Class 384/544)
  • Patent number: 8708569
    Abstract: In a wheel rolling bearing device, where a pitch diameter of the inner-row ball set is D1 and a pitch diameter of the outer-row ball set is D2, D1 and D2 are set so as to satisfy the relationship “D1<D2”. Where an angle of a raceway circular arc from an intersection point of each inner-row ball with the inner-side outer ring raceway surface at a contact angle to a boundary portion of an inner-side raceway shoulder is ?1 and an angle of a raceway circular arc from an intersection point of each outer-row ball with the outer-side outer ring raceway surface at a contact angle to a boundary portion of an outer-side raceway shoulder is ?2, ?1 and ?2 are set so as to satisfy the relationship “?1<?2”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Yokota
  • Patent number: 8690449
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a protecting cover formed from non-magnetic material with a substantially dish-shaped configuration. A cylindrical fitting portion is adapted to be press-fit onto the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member. A disc-shaped shielding portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion, via a radially tapered portion. A bottom portion extends from the shielding portion, via a stepped portion. A flat relief portion is formed between the radially tapered portion and the shielding portion. The relief portion is parallel with the shielding portion. The relief portion is set slightly back from the shielding portion toward the radially tapered portion. An elastic member is integrally adhered to the outer circumference of the radially tapered portion. The elastic member elastically contacts with the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Seki, Tomoko Baba
  • Patent number: 8690448
    Abstract: There is provided a rolling bearing apparatus which can more disperse stress which concentrates on a root portion of a flange portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of an outer ring as compared with a related art. In a rolling bearing apparatus 1, a surface which continues from a vehicle outer side end face 220 of an outer ring flange portion 22 to an outer circumferential surface 210 of an outer ring main body portion 21 is formed to have a smoothly continuing curved surface 200, and a protruding curved surface 203 which protrudes radially outwards is formed on a part of the curved surface 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Shitsukawa
  • Patent number: 8690441
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device for a motor vehicle, having an inner ring arrangement, formed for rotationally fixed reception of a first rotary partner, particularly an axle stump, or a shaft, an outer ring arrangement, which is connected and/or connectable and rotationally fixed with a second rotary partner, a multitude of rolling elements, which roll between the inner ring arrangement and the outer ring arrangement, so that inner ring arrangement and outer ring arrangement and/or the rotary partners are rotatable against each other, and an electric sensor device, which, using mechanical contact, is arranged and/or formed for detecting an operating status of the wheel bearing device. The sensor device has a stationary sensor element and a rotating sensor element, which can work together to form the mechanical contact. One of the sensor elements is connected with the inner ring arrangement without the interposition of the first rotary partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Heim, Christian Mock, Ralf Hund, Tilman Ulrich
  • Patent number: 8678406
    Abstract: Vehicles and systems are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, for example, a vehicle may include, but is not limited to, an axle, a bearing coupled to the axle, a knuckle coupled to the bearing, and an isolation sleeve coupled between the bearing and the knuckle. In one embodiment, for example, the isolation sleeve may be composed of solid zinc. In another embodiment, for example, the isolation sleeve may include a zinc coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd D. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8678663
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements 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 are different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Luca Ciulla
  • Patent number: 8678660
    Abstract: A sealing device includes a bottom of an axial concave portion in a surface of an elastic member forming a radial lip, facing away from a flange portion in an axial direction overlaps an end face of a radially-extending portion of a core metal member, facing a tubular portion, in a radial direction. A bottom of a radial concave portion of the elastic member forming the radial lip, facing the tubular portion of a slinger is spaced from the end face of the core metal member toward a flange portion in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Koyo Sealing Techno Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Syuji Fujita, Shunichi Fujiwara, Kasumi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8678662
    Abstract: A drive wheel bearing device is provided with an outer member, an inner member, double-row rolling elements and a constant velocity joint. The inner member includes double-row inner races opposite outer races of the outer member, a first inner member, and a second inner member formed with at least one of the double-row inner races, the first inner member and the second inner member being inseparably coupled together at a flange-like swaged portion. The constant velocity joint includes an outer joint member press-fitted to an inner periphery of the first inner member with torque transmission means formed therebetween that transmits torque by engagement of a plurality of axially extending teeth, wherein the torque transmitting teeth of the first inner member have a tooth profile that is controlled within a specified range over the entire axial length of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tajima, Hisashi Ohtsuki, Akira Torii, Motoharu Niki
  • Patent number: 8678661
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, and double row balls contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces and adapted to be applied a predetermined contact angle. Each inner raceway surface is formed by a first circular arc section, with a first radius of curvature (r), that extends from a position near a contact point contacting the ball at an initial contact angle (?) to the raceway bottom. The second circular arc section, with a second radius of curvature (r1) smaller than the radius of curvature r, extends from an inflection point that the ball contacts at a contact angle (?1) to the radially outer side. The (r) and (r1) are set as 1.05 d<2 r?1.10 d and 1.01 d<2 r1?1.05 d (“d” is a diameter of the ball). ?? is in a range of 2° to 8° when the inflection point of the radii of curvatures r, r1 is positioned at ?1=?+?? (?=30-45°).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 8668393
    Abstract: A wheel hub joint unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a constant velocity rotary joint and a wheel bearing. The constant velocity rotary joint has a joint outer part. The wheel bearing supports a wheel hub with a double-row bearing, and the double-row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Siebeneick, Richard Starck
  • Patent number: 8661679
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing device for a wheel, the method including forming an inner shaft so that an outside diameter of the inner shaft at a first portion is smaller than an outside diameter of the inner shaft at a second portion which is adjacent to the first portion, the peripheral surface of the inner shaft at the first portion is to be heat-treated, and the peripheral surface of the inner shaft at the second portion is not to be heat-treated, and the first portion has a predetermined length in an axial direction, and heat-treating the peripheral surface of the inner shaft at the first portion, and finishing a peripheral surface of the inner shaft by lathe turning whereby a step is not formed at a border between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Coporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8657502
    Abstract: An inner ring of a wheel bearing device has a ring mounting surface on which a pulsar ring for detecting a rotation speed of an axle is mounted and first and second inner raceway surfaces which are arranged along an axis of the axle and on which rolling elements roll. The inner ring includes a first inner ring member that has the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface and a second inner ring member that has the second inner raceway surface and a portion that is spaced apart in an axial direction from the second inner raceway surface toward one side at a distance that is longer than or equal to a distance in the axial direction between the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface. A diameter of the portion is smaller than a diameter of the ring mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Furusawa, Yutaka Koma, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 8657503
    Abstract: Bearing-hub unit for a motor-vehicle wheel, having an axis of rotation and provided with a stationary bearing outer ring bounded by a side surface transverse to the axis of rotation; a radially inner rotatable hub; a bearing inner ring fixed onto the hub and defining together with the outer ring a cavity devoid of any sealing device; an encoder arranged inside the cavity and fixed externally on the inner ring; and a protective cover which is made of non-ferromagnetic material and is mounted on the outer ring in axial abutment against the side surface so as to protect the encoder and close the cavity; there being provided a static sealing element which is joined to an outer edge of the protective cover and has a first sealing portion situated between the protective cover and the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andrea Serafini, Edward White Ladell
  • Patent number: 8635775
    Abstract: This invention provided a manufacturing method to process a small-diameter step section 18 on an inside end section of a hub body 13a that comprises an outward facing flange 15 and a positioning cylinder 16 stably and with high precision. In this invention, an intermediate material 40 is pressed between a lower punch 36 and an upper punch 46 with an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate material 40 being held by a lower die 37 and an upper die 43, and then a part of the intermediate material 40 is pressed into the lower punch 36 such that the small-diameter step section 18 is formed by cold plastic working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Yuu Yasuda, Kiyoshi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 8631581
    Abstract: A method for forming a wheel bearing apparatus where the end portion of the cylindrical portion is pre-formed as a cylinder prior to its plastic deformation to form the caulking portion. A caulking tool with a punch and a swing shaft abuts against the end portion of the cylinder at a predetermined inclined angle relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. Teeth on the punch form the face-spline by plastically deforming the end face of the caulking portion. The swing shaft central axis is inclined at an angle relative to a central axis of the wheel hub. The face-spline is formed simultaneously with the formation of the caulking portion by advancing the caulking tool toward the wheel hub. A main shaft is rotated to cause a swing motion of the caulking tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Sera, Jun Numamoto
  • Patent number: 8616779
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, which includes a driveshaft member with a shortened stem portion. The wheel assembly also includes a bearing arrangement with an asymmetric configuration. An outboard bearing row may be disposed radially further from a central axis of a hub member than an inboard bearing row, and may have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the inboard bearing row. An outboard end of the stem portion may be generally aligned in the axial direction with the outboard bearing row. The stem portion length may approximately correspond to the bearing assembly length. Contact angles of a bearing assembly may be configured to distribute force over the wheel assembly. A fastening member may engage an outboard end of the stem portion and apply force to the hub member at a location inboard of the outboard bearing row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David S. Liu
  • Patent number: 8591118
    Abstract: A driving-wheel bearing device includes an outer race having double-row outer raceway surfaces formed on an inner periphery thereof, a hub wheel and an inner race having a wheel attachment flange at one end thereof and double-row inner raceway surfaces on an outer periphery thereof, and double-row rolling elements interposed between the outer raceway surfaces of the outer race and the inner raceway surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner race, the hub wheel having a shaft hole into which a stem section extending from an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint is spline-fitted by being press-fitted, in which a plate having a molybdenum coating layer or a fluorine-resin coating layer formed thereon and having a plate thickness ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm is interposed between opposite surfaces of a shoulder portion of the outer joint member and an crimped portion of the hub wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Ishijima, Hiroshi Teduka, Manabu Hoshino, Kazuhiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8585298
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotation speed detecting apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, a pulser ring, a cup-shaped sensor cap and a rotation speed sensor. The sensor cap is press-formed from anti-corrosion steel sheet into a cup-shaped configuration with a cylindrical fitting portion, to be press-fit into the end of the outer member, and a bottom portion, extending radially inward from the fitting portion to cover the inner-side end of the inner member. The rotation speed sensor is oppositely arranged so that it abuts or is positioned in close proximity to the bottom portion and accordingly the pulser ring. The rotation speed sensor and pulser ring oppose one another a predetermined axial air gap via the bottom portion. An elastic member is pressed and elastically deformed between the fitting portion of the sensor cap and the end of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Komori, Yasuhiro Aritake
  • Patent number: 8579515
    Abstract: A bearing ring (10) has a tubular steel core (15) around which is formed an outer body (16) of lightweight material. The outer surface of the core forms a circumferential shoulder (26), a first side of which is subjected to a turning finishing process and provides an undercut surface (23) defining part of an annular groove (22). An axially opposite, second side of the shoulder (26), not subjected to a turning finishing process, has a non-circular portion (29) with radial recesses (28) that act as anti-rotation means cooperating with complementary portions formed by the outer body (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Alessandro Ferrero, Marco Gemello, Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Patent number: 8568036
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements freely rollably contained between the outer raceway surfaces and inner raceway surfaces, respectively, of the outer member and the inner member. Either one of the outer member or inner member, on its outer side end, is integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange to mount a wheel. A plurality of bolt apertures is formed in the wheel mounting flange. The wheel is secured on the wheel mounting flange by a plurality of bolts. Cut-out portions are formed between the bolt apertures. The cut-out portions avoid the vicinity of each bolt aperture. Each cut-out portion is formed with a circular arc configuration so that its deepest portion is positioned closely to a pitch circle diameter of the bolt apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Torii
  • Patent number: 8568037
    Abstract: The ring (10) is provided with a tubular radially inner steel core (15) and an outer body (16) of lightweight metal formed around the core with a radial flange (17). The outer surface of the core includes a conical surface (21) which tapers in the axially inner direction, having a straight profile, when viewed in axial section. The conical surface (21) is perpendicular to a median line which bisects an axially inner raceway (11) and which corresponds to the row (13) of bearing balls against the axially inner raceway (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Alessandro Ferrero, Marco Gemello, Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Patent number: 8539676
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing device for vehicles capable of detecting a change in magnetism with high accuracy. A rolling bearing device H for vehicles in accordance with the present invention includes a rolling bearing 13 having an inner ring 11, which is a rotating ring, and an outer ring 12, which is a fixed ring, and rolling elements 3 and 4 interposed between both of the races 11 and 12; a magnetized element 14; a magnetic sensor 15; and a cover 16. The cover 16 is formed by demagnetizing a nonmagnetic material having being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshito Takada
  • Patent number: 8540431
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes a sensor unit provided in an outer member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit has a strain generator and a sensor for detecting a strain occurring in the generator. A principal load estimator estimates the load acting on the wheel, with the use of an average value of a signal from the sensor, and an amplitude processed load estimator estimates the load, using amplitude of a signal wave outputted from the sensor, resulting from passage of rolling elements. A drift amount estimator estimates a drift amount of an estimated load output utilizing the average value and the amplitude, which is used to correct the estimated load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Takayuki Norimatsu, Kentaro Ikki
  • Patent number: 8540582
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa, Yuichi Asano, Masayuki Kuroda, Tohru Nakagawa, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Mitsuru Umekida
  • Patent number: 8534922
    Abstract: A cover member includes a metallic cover main body having a lid portion and a cylindrical portion and an elastic covering material which covers outer circumferential surfaces of the lid portion and the cylindrical portion. In a state resulting before the cover member is fitted in a one end side opening of an outer ring of a rolling bearing, of the elastic covering material, an outside diameter dimension of a cylindrical portion elastic layer which covers the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion is set to be larger than an inside diameter dimension of an inner circumferential surface of the one end side opening. In an attached state in which the cover member is fitted in the outer ring, the cylindrical portion elastic layer is elastically compressed to thereby be brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the one end side opening of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshito Takada
  • Patent number: 8534923
    Abstract: In a rolling bearing device for a road-wheel including an inner shaft 1 that is provided with, on its outer-side end 10, a flange 4 on which a road-wheel member mounted, and an outer ring 2 disposed around the inner shaft 1, the inner shaft has, on its outer side, a hair-line pattern portion 5 that is formed by turning and that permits the manufacturing attribute of the bearing device to be identified based on the difference in the form of hair lines so formed. This permits the manufacturing attribute of the bearing device to be identified after the bearing device is assembled in a vehicle body. Furthermore, the representation of the manufacturing attribute can be readily implemented during a manufacturing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Tomomasa Kubo, Tatsuya Yokota
  • Patent number: 8534924
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel bearing unit (1) for a vehicle wheel, comprising a hub element (2, 3) which has a axially (a) extending cylindrical section (4) to be supported by a bearing arrangement (5) and which has a radially (r) extending flange section (6) for fixing the vehicle wheel and/or a brake disk at a face side (7) of the flange section (6). To ensure a simple design with high stability the invention is characterized in that the hub element (2, 3) consists of a first part (2) comprising the cylindrical section (4) and the flange section (6) and of a second part (3), wherein the second part (3) has means (8) for centering a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel and/or the brake disk and wherein the first part (2) and the second part (3) are connected by connection means (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jacobus Zwarts, Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers, Laurens Verhulst, Jan Hendrikus Kapaan
  • Patent number: 8534770
    Abstract: An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, Jeffrey S. Morris, Donald R. Hester
  • Patent number: 8516705
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bearing ring member for a rolling bearing unit is provided. In this method, a blank hollow cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than a hollow cylindrical portion is formed, the blank hollow cylindrical portion is radially expanded to form the hollow cylindrical portion, and a raceway surface is formed on either inner or outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylindrical portion along a circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Hiroshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 8511903
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device of the invention includes a flanged shaft member that includes a shaft portion to which a rolling bearing is assembled, a fitting shaft portion that is formed on one end side of the shaft portion and that is fitted to a center hole of a wheel, and a plurality of flange portions that extend radially outward on an outer peripheral surface located between the shaft portion and the fitting shaft portion and each of which has a through bolt hole in which a hub bolt for fastening the wheel is arranged. Each flange portion of the wheel bearing device is formed by side extrusion when a forged recess is formed at a center of an end surface of the fitting shaft portion by cold forging. An edge portion of a cross-sectional shape taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of each flange portion is formed in an R-chamfered shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Masuda, Tatsuya Yokota, Motonori Nakao
  • Patent number: 8500338
    Abstract: A steering knuckle, which is provided for receiving an outer ring of a wheel bearing, and a wheel bearing arrangement with such a steering knuckle. The sealing arrangements of the wheel bearing has a pre-seal, which is designed as a labyrinth seal to provide sealing for an appropriate gap geometry. To this end, the steering knuckle has a collecting channel, which captures liquids and dirt particles and discharges them at the periphery. The hearing seal can be changed by this measure, so that savings are possible with a minimum of sealing action of the conventional sealing arrangement and with greatly reduced friction torque. Overall, the sealing action, which is now achieved by the bearing seal and the pre-seal together, is increased or remains at least at the same level while manufacturing costs are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8480306
    Abstract: A bearing unit for driving wheels, and a manufacturing method thereof, includes a hub, a bearing, and a constant velocity universal joint, such that a process for assembling the bearing unit to a knuckle member is simplified. In order to achieve this, a hub (10) and an outer joint member (31) of an out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) are plastically joined together. An outer peripheral surface (26a) of an outer member (26) is press-fitted into an inner peripheral surface of the knuckle member, and a maximum diameter dimension (D1) of the out-board side constant velocity universal joint (30) is set smaller than a minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6). Also, a maximum diameter dimension (D2) of an in-board side constant velocity universal joint (40) is set smaller than the minimum diameter dimension (Dn) of the knuckle member (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Masayuki Kuroda, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Shigeaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8469598
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a wheel bearing unit (100) having an inner member (105) and an outer member (107) rotationally coupled to each other by at least one row of rolling elements (115), whereby at least one bearing inner ring (110) is mounted on the inner member (105). The inner member (105) comprises a first section (130) and a second section (135) that at least party lies radially inward of the first section (130). According to the invention, the first section (130) is formed from a first material and the second section (135) is formed from a metal material, preferably a lightweight metal such as aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers, Hendrikus Jan Kapaan
  • Patent number: 8465210
    Abstract: A rolling bearing unit for a wheel includes an outer ring member having a flange portion formed on its outer periphery and fitted to a vehicle body-side member, an inner ring member rotatably fitted in the outer ring member, and double-row rolling elements arranged between the outer ring member and the inner ring member. The flange portion includes a first flange portion formed on the upper-side portion of the outer periphery, and a second flange portion and a third flange portion formed on the lower-side portion of the outer periphery. Each of the first, second and third flange portion has a bolt-hole used to fit the outer ring member to the vehicle body-side member. The first flange portion is formed in such a manner that the bolt-hole thereof is positioned on the vertical line that passes through the rotational center of the outer ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Yamamoto, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Syuuji Nagata, Changxin Yu
  • Patent number: 8449197
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which reduces the weight, size and number of parts and also prevents ingress of rain water or dusts and leakage of differential gear oil has an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle. A hollow drive shaft is inserted into the axle housing. A wheel bearing is arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing and is structured as a unit including a wheel hub and a double row rolling bearing. The wheel bearing includes an inner member with a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange on one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with at least one of the inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. An outer member is arranged around the inner member and formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface opposite to the inner raceway surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazuhisa Shigeoka, Akira Fujimura, Koji Nishino, Hisashi Ohtuski
  • Patent number: 8444322
    Abstract: A face spline of a toothed rim running in a circumferential direction around a rotation axis on a wheel-bearing arrangement for a driven wheel hub. The face spline is provided for play-free engagement with the counter-spline, facing the face spline and the teeth of the face spline have a wedge-like embodiment such that the geometrical lines of the face spline meet centrally at a common point on the rotation axis and the teeth thus run in the radial direction on the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Langer, Peter Niebling, Ernst Masur, Ralf Heiss, Benno Fueller
  • Patent number: 8439572
    Abstract: The wheel bearing assembly connects a journal section of the hub and a joint body. The wheel bearing assembly has an adapter section is connected to a joint cap, a journal section connected to a wheel hub. A separate inner ring is located on the journal section. The adapter section and the journal section intermesh by means of end gearing. The assembly also has a tensioning element that mutually braces the adapter section and the journal section under an overall pre-tension, the end gearing being braced by a first pre-tension along a first force path A between the adapter section and the journal section and the inner ring being braced by a second pre-tension along a second force path B between the adapter section and the journal section. At least some sections of the first and second force paths A and B are parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Fischer, Peter Niebling, Roland Langer, Pavel Tseluyko, Peter Partheymueller
  • Patent number: 8439568
    Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements between an outer member and an inner member, a sensor unit is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit is made up of a sensor mounting member and at least one or more strain sensors fitted to the sensor mounting member. A sensor signal processing circuit to process an output signal from the strain sensor is provided in the sensor mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8429823
    Abstract: In a state in which a first ball 103 is assembled in between a first inner peripheral raceway surface of an outer ring 105 and an outer peripheral raceway surface of a shaft 101, and a second ball 104 is placed in between a second inner peripheral raceway surface of the outer ring 105 and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft 101, a first distance “a” from a plane “q” generally perpendicular to a central axis “p” of the shaft 101 to the second ball 104 and a second distance “b” from the plane “q” to a stepped portion 107 of the shaft 101 are measured. Then, the size in the axial direction of the inner ring 102 is adjusted on the basis of a difference between the first distance “a” and the second distance “b”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miura, Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Yasuhiro Ohtani
  • Patent number: 8424205
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a bearing ring member such as an outer ring comprising an installation portion on the outer peripheral surface and a double row of outer-ring raceways on the inner peripheral surface, in which a raw material is processed to obtain a final stage intermediate member through a first upsetting process, a forward-backward extrusion process, a second upsetting process, a burr removing process, and a punching process, wherein a movable die which leaves a stationary die in the final step is used in the second upsetting process, and the excess metal material is moved toward outside in the radial direction to a portion which become the installation section and a burr formation section, exposing a high pure metal material at least in a portion where the load of rolling bodies acts so as to ensure the rolling fatigue life of the both of outer-ring raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Hiroshi Koyama, Yuu Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8418367
    Abstract: To realize a manufacturing method for a wheel-supporting rolling bearing unit that can establish sufficient parallelism between a rotating side installation surface 14 for fastening to and supporting a disk of a disk brake and a stationary side installation surface 15 for fastening a caliper or support, in the present invention, while rotating a hub 2 comprising the rotating side installation surface 14 with respect to an outer race comprising the stationary side installation surface, a finishing process such as turning is performed on the rotating side installation surface 14 or both side surfaces in the axial direction of the disk which is fastened and supported to and by the rotating side installation surface 14, with the stationary side installation surface 15 as a reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishikawa, Yasunori Suzuki, Narihito Otake, Tetsu Takehara, Kiyotaka Hirata, Shouji Horike, Tetsuo Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8419288
    Abstract: A hub unit bearing H1 includes a rotational speed detector 9 which is made up of an encoder 6 and a sensor 8. A seal 5b on a side facing a center side of a vehicle includes a primary seal 5bp and a secondary seal 5bq which are disposed in that order in an axial direction from rolling elements 32 on a side facing the center side of the vehicle towards the center side of the vehicle so as to define a primary sealed space portion I between the vehicle's center side facing rolling elements 32 and the primary seal 5bp and a secondary sealed space portion II between the primary seal 5bp and the secondary seal 5bq, with the rotational speed detector 9 disposed within the secondary sealed space portion II.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kaneko, Eishi Shibuya, Masaru Hashida
  • Patent number: 8402661
    Abstract: A raceway member 6 of a wheel support hub unit, having wheel or vehicle body fixing portions 7 extending radially outward from a solid or hollow shaft portion, and a wheel or vehicle body positioning cylindrical portion 9 extending concentrically with the shaft portion, the fixing portion 7 being formed by the cold side extrusion so that the fixing portion is integral with the shaft portion 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kiyoshi Ootuka, Yuu Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8393795
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotational speed detecting apparatus has a protecting cover. A cylindrical fitting portion of the cover is press-fit into the end inner circumference of the outer member. A donut-shaped shielding portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion, via a radially reducing portion. A bottom portion is continuous with the shielding portion, via a stepped portion, to close the inner-side end of the inner member. A sealing member is integrally adhered to the outer circumference of the radially reducing portion. The sealing member and annular portion has a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting portion of the protecting cover. The sealing member projected portion has a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fitting portion of the protecting cover. The projected portion is press-fit into the end inner circumference of the outer member via a predetermined interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aritake, Kazuo Komori
  • Patent number: 8393798
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel has minimized circumferential play and allows a hub ring and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint to be connected with excellent workability. Axially extending projections are formed on either one of the outer diameter surface of a shaft of the outer joint member and the inner diameter surface of a hole of the hub ring, and the projections are axially press fitted into the other. Recesses fitted in an intimate contact manner onto the projections are formed in the other. Thus, a recess/projection fitting structure is formed. In the structure, the entire fitting/contact portions of the projections and the recesses are in intimate contact with each other. Further, a shaft come-out prevention structure is provided between the shaft of the outer joint member and the inner diameter surface of the hub ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8382377
    Abstract: A wheel speed detecting apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has an inner ring axially secured on a wheel hub. A protecting cover, with a substantially dish-shaped configuration, is press-formed from a non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel sheet. The cover includes a cylindrical fitting portion adapted to be fit onto the outer member. A disc-shaped shielding portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion. A bottom portion extends from the shielding portion, via an inclined portion, to close the inner side end of the inner member. The protecting cover is positioned to abut against a stepped portion formed on the end face or the inner circumference of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Yamamoto, Kohei Yoshino, Nobukatsu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8382378
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device suppresses backlash in the circumferential direction and has excellent workability in connecting a hub wheel and an outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel bearing device has a stem shaft of an outer joint component of a constant velocity universal joint fitted into a hole section of a hub wheel that is integrated with the hub wheel by a projection and recess mating structure. In the projection and recess mating structure, an overall recess mating area of a projection is in close contact with a corresponding recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano
  • Patent number: 8382213
    Abstract: A wheel hub assembly is fitted to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the axle. The assembly includes a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle and fastening members to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing. The hub can be removed without removing the wheel bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA
    Inventor: Oswaldo De Freitas
  • Patent number: 8376625
    Abstract: A wheel supporting roller bearing in which a pitch circle diameter of an outboard row is larger than a pitch circle diameter of an inboard row. Thermally-hardened layers are formed, at two locations along an axial direction, in portions of an inner circumferential surface of an outer ring including outer ring raceways. The thermally-hardened layers are separated from each other by an unhardened portion in an axially middle portion of the outer ring. A non-cylindrical curved portion having an arcuate generatrix is provided on the axially middle portion of the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring between the outer ring raceways. A thickness of the thermally-hardened layer in the portion including the outer ring raceway on an axially outer side is larger than a thickness of the thermally-hardened layer in the portion including the outer ring raceway on the axially inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8360655
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel is capable of suppressing a backlash in a circumferential direction, is excellent in coupling operability of a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and is excellent for maintenance by allowing separation of the hub wheel and the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. In the bearing device for a wheel, a hub wheel, and a shaft section of the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are separably coupled with each other through a recess-projection fitting structure, the shaft section being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion of the hub wheel. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are provided on one of an outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano