DE102015000549A1 - Wheel bearing assembly on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel bearing arrangement (1) on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle, with a wheel bearing (2) with which the vehicle wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle, wherein the wheel bearing (2) is designed as a lubricated rolling bearing with a plurality of bearing side raceways (3, 4 ) rolling rolling bodies (7) is formed, wherein between the raceways (3, 4) a rolling body (7) and a lubricant receiving bearing interior (8) is provided, in which at least one electric heating element (12, 13) is arranged is electrically connected to an outside of the wheel bearing (2) arranged control and / or regulating device. According to the invention, the at least one electrical heating element (12, 13) through one of the raceways (3, 4) through electrically connected to an electrical plug contact (14, 15), wherein it is preferably provided that one of the control and / or regulating device to the plug contact (14, 15) guided and with the plug contact (14, 15) electrically connected plug contact connection line (37) at least partially within a further vehicle-side arranged electrical unit (34) is guided and / or at least partially part of a vehicle side another electrical unit (34).

Description

The invention relates to a wheel bearing assembly on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle.

Wheel bearings for supporting a vehicle, in particular a wheel hub of a vehicle wheel, are well known. For such wheel bearings are usually single or multi-row bearings, for example tapered roller bearings or ball bearings used, which can also absorb axial forces in addition to radial forces. The rolling bearings regularly have a plurality of bearing-side raceways, in particular between an inner ring and an outer ring rolling rolling elements, which are regularly kept separated by a cage. In order to reduce the friction between the rolling elements and the raceways even further, the roller bearings forming the wheel bearings are lubricated by means of a lubricant, in particular by means of a lubricating grease, that in an outwardly sealed gap between the two opposing raceways of the outer and inner ring, in which the rolling elements rotate, is recorded. The wheel bearings used in vehicles are designed to be maintenance-free. This is realized with a grease filling, which ensures sufficient lubrication of the rolling elements over the entire life of the wheel bearing. Seals ensure that neither water nor dirt can enter the wheel bearing.

For optimal friction reduction by means of the lubricant used, however, it is necessary that this lubricant has a certain temperature in order to reduce the viscosity of the lubricant so that the best possible friction reduction is achieved.

For this it is from the JP 2011/058523 A It is already known to integrate a heating element in a wheel bearing, by means of which the lubricant can be heated. Specifically, for this purpose, a temperature sensor in the lubricant receiving space is arranged as the intermediate space or as the bearing interior space between the two raceways, which adjusts the lubricant temperature to a certain temperature. The energy supply for the electric heating element via the vehicle battery or a positioned on the vehicle roof solar panel. The heating element can be arranged both outside of the bearing shells as well as be arranged in a roller bearing the body and lubricant bearing interior, wherein in the latter arrangement, the electrical contacting is difficult to perform and is not further discussed.

In contrast, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel bearing assembly on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle available, with a arranged in the bearing interior electric heating element can be electrically contacted in a simple and reliable manner from outside the wheel bearing ago.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, a wheel bearing assembly is proposed on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle having a wheel bearing, with which the vehicle wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle. The wheel bearing is formed as a lubricated rolling bearing with several rolling rolling bearing between bearing tracks rolling elements, between the raceways, the rolling elements and a lubricant receiving bearing interior is provided in which at least one electric heating element is arranged, which is used to heat the lubricant accommodated in the lubricant receiving space and / or for heating the bearing air contained in the lubricant receiving space is electrically connected to a control and / or regulating device arranged outside the wheel bearing. According to the invention it is provided that the heating element is electrically connected through one of the raceways with an electrical plug contact. According to a particularly preferred embodiment for this purpose, it is provided that a guided by the control and / or regulating device to the plug contact and electrically connected to the plug contact plug contact connection line is guided at least partially within a vehicle arranged further electrical unit and / or at least in part Part of a vehicle side arranged further electrical unit is.

With such a solution according to the invention, the at least one electric heating element can be electrically contacted from outside the wheel bearing in a manner that is simple in terms of assembly technology, functionally reliable and space-friendly. In addition, the plug contact connection line does not need to be designed as an exposed line, but already existing components are already exploited to install the plug contact connection line mounting and space-friendly sealed to the outside.

According to a preferred specific embodiment, the plug contact on a contact housing, in which at least one contact pin is received, wherein the at least one contact pin projects beyond the contact housing with a free contact pin end and through a career-side passage therethrough to, preferably immediately after a bearing interior side mouth opening Implementation in the warehouse interior arranged, heating element is guided. In such a contact housing, a contact pin can be reliably absorbed and also functionally reliable shielded against external influences. In addition, such a contact housing allows a particularly advantageous tight contact connection in the field of implementation of the contact pins through the raceway. Particularly preferred in this case is a specific embodiment, in which the contact housing is formed in a socket-like manner in contact pin longitudinal direction opposite end faces, wherein the contact pin with its free contact pin end on one of the end faces of the contact housing, this outstanding, is led out. The end faces can in principle have any desired shape, that is, for example, also arched or flat, as long as according to a particularly preferred embodiment it is ensured that the end face on which the contact pin is led out is in a planar contact connection around the mouth opening area of the leadthrough is applied to create the desired dense system. Accordingly, the contact housing is placed according to a particularly preferred embodiment on a side facing away from the bearing interior of the bearing shell, and in particular sealed and / or immediately attached to an outside mouth opening of the implementation subsequently.

For an even better seal to the outside, it can also be provided that a sealing element is inserted into the outer-side orifice of the bushing, by means of which the contact pin in the region of the orifice can be inserted tightly into the bushing. This sealing element can either be formed by a separate component or else be an integral part of the contact housing. The sealing element may in principle extend only over a portion of the length of the implementation or extend over the entire length of the implementation to the heating element, so that the sealing element optionally also allows a particularly tight connection of the heating element to the raceway in the bearing interior. The sealing element itself may be made of any suitable material, for example of an elastomeric material. The sealing element can also be designed socket-shaped. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the sealing element surrounds the contact pin in a contact connection form and / or contour-matched, whereby a particularly dense implementation of the contact pin is made possible.

In principle, a plurality of heating elements may also be arranged in the bearing interior, for example two heating elements may be arranged, in which case each of the heating elements may each be assigned a separate plug contact. In connection with such, several plug contacts and a plurality of heating elements having embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the contact housing of the individual plug contacts are connected by a contact housing connection channel in which a contact pin connection line is guided, with the respective contact pins of the individual plug contacts electrically connected is. This results in a particularly advantageous and the electrical line connection and the contact pins to the outside shielding structure, which is also designed compactly compact space. In principle, however, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of contact pins in a single contact housing, which is then correspondingly larger, that is, in this case, instead of a plurality of separate contact housings, a single larger contact housing is provided, in which the contact pins are spaced correspondingly received from each other ,

According to a first particularly preferred specific embodiment, the plug contact connection line is part of a, the further electrical assembly forming cable harness of the vehicle. The electrical connection between the contact pin accommodated in the contact housing by means of the harness-side plug contact connection line can then be made in this case, for example by means of an electrical plug connection, to name just one example.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the plug-in contact connection performance for a particularly compact construction is guided at least partially within a housing of a further electrical component arranged on the vehicle side. Such an electrical component arranged on the vehicle side is preferably arranged directly adjacent to the wheel bearing and thus lends itself to a compact, space-friendly integration of at least one subarea of the plug contact connection line.

According to a particularly preferred specific embodiment, the plug contact connection line is guided at least partially in a housing of a vehicle side, in particular immediately adjacent and / or adjacent to the wheel bearing, arranged sensor element. Such a sensor element may be, for example, a wheel speed sensor and / or an acceleration sensor and / or a tire pressure monitoring sensor. Again, thus allowing at least partially guide the plug contact connection line a particularly easy to assemble compact design in conjunction with an electrical contact of integrated in the rolling element heating elements. This means that the plug contact connection line at such a configuration can be installed in a particularly sealed and space-friendly manner sealed to the outside.

The contact housing or, in the case of a plurality of contact housings, at least one of the contact housings can in principle be an integral part of the sensor element housing, for example, be connected to it in the same material and / or in one piece. This means in concrete terms that, for example, in the design of a sensor element housing, the contact housing is already integrated into the housing structure in order to enable the desired cable routing. Such an embodiment is easy to accomplish manufacturing technology and reduces the variety of components. According to an alternative embodiment, which offers greater constructive degrees of freedom, the contact housing or, in the case of a plurality of contact housings, at least one of the contact housings can be arranged directly on the sensor element housing, in particular fixedly connected thereto. Again, this results in a particularly compact and space-friendly arrangement of a contact housing.

According to a specific embodiment may be provided for short connection lines that the plug contact connection line is guided from the sensor element housing, starting through a contact and / or connection region of the sensor element housing with the contact housing through to the contact pin arranged in the contact housing. In addition, this ensures in a simple manner that the plug contact connection line is arranged permanently within a housing structure and thus sealed against the outside environment running.

The plug-in contact connection line preferably forms, together with at least one electrical sensor line running in the sensor element housing, a cable harness that is located on the sensor element side. This leads to a function-integrated, cost-saving solution.

As already mentioned above, the connection between the plug contact connection line and the contact pin can be designed as a plug contact connection, although, of course, any other suitable electrical contacting is likewise basically possible.

Further, it is preferably provided that the raceways are formed by bearing shells, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one heating element is electrically connected by a stationary bearing shell with the plug contact.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing.

Show it:

1 schematically shows a perspective sectional view through a wheel bearing on a vehicle wheel, not shown here, of a vehicle with an exemplary plug contact connection according to the invention recorded in the bearing interior heating elements, and

2 an enlarged schematic diagram of the embodiment according to the 1 ,

In the 1 and 2 is merely exemplary and schematically a wheel bearing 2 a wheel bearing assembly 1 a wheel hub, not shown here also shown a vehicle wheel, also not shown. Designed as a rolling bearing wheel bearing 2 here includes one of the two bearing-side raceways 3 . 4 forming inner ring 5 and outer ring 6 , where the inner ring 5 here only by way of example two parts is formed. Between the raceways 3 . 4 is one of the rolling elements 7 (only schematically and by way of example is in the 2 a single rolling element 7 shown) and a not further illustrated lubricant receiving space as a bearing interior 8th provided to the outside with gaskets 9 is sealed, wherein in the schematic representation of 2 merely an example of one of the seals 9 is shown.

The wheel bearing 2 Here is only an example as a double-row roller bearing with two spaced-apart and formed by the rolling elements rolling bearing rows 10 . 11 trained, for reasons of clarity, as previously stated, in the 2 only a rolling element 7 is shown by way of example.

How this continues 1 and 2 it can be seen here are on the inner side facing the bearing interior of the formed as a stationary bearing shell outer ring 6 for example, two spaced-apart electrical heating elements 12 . 13 arranged, for example in the form of at least partially or in sections over the outer ring inner circumference extending electrical heating elements 12 . 13 ,

These two electrical heating elements 12 . 13 are through the standing outer ring 6 through each with its own electrical plug contact 14 . 15 electrically connected.

The plug contacts 14 . 15 each have a separate socket-shaped contact housing 16 . 17 on, in each case a contact pin 18 . 19 is included, with the contact pins 18 . 19 each with their free contact pin ends 20 . 21 at one of the outer ring 6 facing contact housing end face 22 . 23 from the contact housing 16 respectively. 17 led out. As further from the synopsis of 1 and 2 can be removed, the free Kontaktpinenden 20 . 21 in the illustrated assembled state of the contact housing 16 . 17 each by an outer ring-side implementation 24 . 25 through to the here immediately after a bearing interior side mouth opening 26 . 27 of the bushings 24 . 25 in the warehouse interior 8th arranged heating elements 12 . 13 guided and electrically coupled or connected with this.

How this from the synopsis of 1 and 2 In addition, it can be seen that each of the contact housing 16 . 17 on a warehouse interior 8th remote outside of the outer ring 6 put on, and that closely or directly to an outside mouth opening 28 . 29 of the bushings 24 . 25 then put on.

For a particularly advantageous seal is in the outer side orifice 28 . 29 in each case a sealing element formed here by way of example by a separate component 30 . 31 used, which is made for example of an elastomeric material. Through these sealing elements 30 . 31 become the contact pins 18 . 19 in an optimized way through the bushings 24 . 25 passed tight, the sealing elements 30 . 31 the contact pins 18 . 19 preferably in a system connection form and / or contour adapted tightly enclose.

The two contact housings 16 . 17 the plug contacts 14 . 15 are here through a contact housing connection channel 32 communicating with each other, wherein in the contact housing connection channel 32 a contact pin connection line 33 is guided, with the two contact pins 18 . 19 the plug contacts 14 . 15 electrically connected.

The wheel bearing arrangement 1 further includes a sensor element 34 , For example, a wheel speed sensor, an acceleration sensor or a tire pressure monitoring sensor, with a sensor element housing 35 in which an electrical sensor line extends or is received for making electrical contact with the sensor element. This electrical sensor line 36 is together with an at least partially extending in the sensor element housing plug contact connection line 37 Component of a sensor element-side cable harness 38 ,

The contact housing 16 of the plug contact 14 is here directly on the sensor element housing 35 arranged and preferably fixedly connected to this, so that the plug contact connection line 37 from the sensor element housing 35 starting from the investment and / or connection area 39 of the sensor element housing 35 with the contact housing 16 through to the contact housing 16 arranged contact pin 18 can be performed. This ensures that a, guided by a control and / or regulating device, not shown, to the respective plug contacts and electrically connected to this plug contact connection line 37 is at least partially performed within an already arranged on the vehicle further electrical unit or at least partially forms part of such an already arranged on-board further electrical assembly, in the example shown, a sensor element 34 as another electrical component.

The contact housing connection channel 32 can, as in the 1 and 2 shown into the sensor element housing 35 extend into it. Next may also be the contact pin connection line 33 Part of the electrical plug connection cable 37 form.

With such an exemplified solution according to the invention thus an existing sensor is thus advantageously used for wiring for electrical contacting of internal heating elements.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• JP 2011/058523 A [0004]

Claims (15)

Wheel bearing arrangement ( 1 ) on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle, with a wheel bearing ( 2 ), with which the vehicle wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle, wherein the wheel bearing ( 2 ) as lubricated rolling bearing with several between bearing side raceways ( 3 . 4 ) rolling rolling elements ( 7 ) is formed, wherein between the raceways ( 3 . 4 ) the rolling elements ( 7 ) and a lubricant receiving bearing interior ( 8th ) is provided, in which at least one electrical heating element ( 12 . 13 ) arranged with one outside the wheel bearing ( 2 ) is electrically connected, characterized in that the at least one electrical heating element ( 12 . 13 ) through one of the tracks ( 3 . 4 ) through with an electrical plug contact ( 14 . 15 ) is electrically connected, wherein it is preferably provided that one of the control and / or regulating device to the plug contact ( 14 . 15 ) and with the plug contact ( 14 . 15 ) electrically connected plug connection cable ( 37 ) at least partially within a vehicle-side further electrical assembly ( 34 ) is guided and / or at least partially part of a vehicle-side further electrical assembly ( 34 ). Wheel bearing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug contact ( 14 . 15 ) a contact housing ( 16 . 17 ), in which at least one contact pin ( 18 . 19 ), wherein the contact pin ( 18 . 19 ) the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) with a free contact pin end ( 20 . 21 ) and through a career-side implementation ( 24 . 25 ) to, preferably immediately after a bearing interior side mouth opening ( 26 . 27 ) of the implementation ( 24 . 25 ) in the warehouse interior ( 8th ), heating element ( 12 . 13 ) is guided and electrically connected thereto. Wheel bearing arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) is formed with a bushing in the contact pin longitudinal direction opposite end faces, wherein the at least one contact pin ( 18 . 19 ) with his free contact pin end ( 20 . 21 ) on one of the end faces ( 22 . 23 ) from the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ), this outstanding, is led out. Wheel bearing arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) on a warehouse interior ( 8th ) facing away from the outside of the career ( 3 ), preferably standing, bearing shell ( 6 ) is placed, in particular sealed and / or directly to an outside mouth opening ( 28 . 29 ) of the implementation ( 24 . 25 ) is then attached. Wheel bearing arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that a, formed by a separate component or integral part of the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) forming, sealing element ( 30 . 31 ) in the outside mouth opening ( 28 . 29 ) of the implementation ( 24 . 25 ), through which the contact pin ( 18 . 19 ) in the region of the mouth opening ( 28 . 29 ) tightly into the bushing ( 24 . 25 ) is insertable. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the bearing interior ( 8th ) several heating elements ( 12 . 13 ), wherein each or at least a part of the heating elements ( 12 . 13 ) each have a plug contact ( 14 . 15 ) assigned. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 5 and according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) of the individual plug contacts ( 14 . 15 ) through a contact housing connection channel ( 32 ) in which a contact pin connection line ( 33 ) which is connected to the respective contact pins ( 18 . 19 ) of the individual plug contacts ( 14 . 15 ) is electrically connected. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug contact connection line is part of a, the further electrical unit forming the harness of the vehicle. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug contact connection line ( 37 ) at least partially within a housing ( 35 ) of a vehicle-side arranged further electrical component ( 34 ) is guided. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug contact connection line ( 37 ) at least partially within a housing ( 35 ) a vehicle side, in particular immediately adjacent and / or adjacent to the wheel bearing ( 2 ), arranged sensor element ( 34 ), in particular a wheel speed sensor and / or an acceleration sensor and / or a tire pressure control sensor. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 7 and claim 10, characterized in that the contact housing or, in the case of a plurality of contact housings, at least one of the contact housings is an integral part of the sensor element housing, in particular being connected to the same material and / or in one piece. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 7 and claim 10, characterized in that the contact housing or in the case of multiple contact housing ( 16 . 17 ) at least one of the contact housings ( 16 ) directly on the sensor element housing ( 35 ) is arranged, in particular with this firmly connected. Wheel bearing arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the plug contact connection line ( 37 ) from the sensor element housing ( 35 ) starting from an investment and / or connection area ( 39 ) of the sensor element housing ( 35 ) with the contact housing ( 16 ) through to the contact housing ( 16 ) arranged contact pin is guided. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the plug contact connection line ( 37 ) together with at least one in the sensor element housing ( 35 ) extending electrical sensor line ( 36 ) a sensor element-side cable harness ( 38 ) trains. Wheel bearing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the connection between the plug contact connection line ( 37 ) and the contact pin ( 18 ) is designed as a plug-in contact connection.

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