JP2001219710A - Vehicle axle assembly and vehicle axle bearing assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle axle assembly having an axle speed detecting system with easy production, easy handling, and low cost. SOLUTION: The axle assembly has a single row rolling bearing 10 (a tapered roller bearing if possible) arranged within a bearing housing 5 integrated with an axle tube 3. The axle assemble also has a bearing holding unit 30 adjacent to the bearing 10 and press-fit to an axle 7. A tone.wheel for forming a bearing holding unit/tone.wheel member 20 integratedly formed is installed in the bearing holding unit. An alternate magnetic permeability region like a tooth 24 and a cavity 26 is installed on a cylindrical outer circumferential surface 23 of the tone.wheel. The bearing holding unit/tone.wheel member 20 is preferable to be a integrated one part component. The tone.wheel 35 may be a separate component integratedly fixed to the outer circumferential surface 32 of the bearing holding unit with an adhesive.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile axle.
Vehicle axle assembly, particularly a vehicle axle bearing assembly having a rotational speed detection system for detecting the rotational speed of the axle
earing assembly).

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bearing assemblies for vehicle axles are well known in the art. Typically, the rear axle of a conventional front engine rear wheel drive vehicle is provided with each differential side gear connected to each drive wheel and extending through the axle tube. The axle tube is connected to the lower surface of the vehicle body member by a spring (usually a leaf spring or a coil spring).

New front engine rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles (particularly light trucks and sport vehicles (SUVs)) are typically of the so-called semi-floating type.
Use the drive axle. A semi-floating axle turns each drive wheel to support the weight of the vehicle. The ends of the semi-floating axle are held free to rotate by single row rolling bearings such as ball bearings, tapered roller bearings or the like. A first bearing supporting the inner end of the rear axle is located on the side closer to the differential gear, and a second bearing supporting the outer end of the rear axle is located on the side closer to the wheels.

[0004] Many of the vehicles currently manufactured are anti-lock brake systems [anti-lo] that require processing functions on the speed of the vehicle wheels (or axles).
ckbreaking system] (ABS) and / or
Alternatively, a traction control system (TCS) is provided. Existing systems typically use speed sensors mounted on wheel bearing assemblies and require extensive changes to existing drive axles. In general, the speed detector consists of a tone wheel that rotates with the vehicle wheels and a wheel (or drive axle).
And a sensor that outputs a signal having a frequency proportional to the rotation speed of the sensor.

[0005] Various types of tone wheel and speed sensors are well known in the art. The most widely used tone wheels are gear teeth. This tone
The wheel is typically press-fit to the axle (when used on a drive axle), usually near the wheel mounting flange and often outside the bearing housing. Such a tone
Wheels are subject to pollution effects. In addition, in the case of a separate press-fit tone wheel, the press fit requires very expensive precision machining of the axle on the tone wheel.

[0006] With this conventional structure, the working structure is extremely complex and difficult to manufacture, cumbersome and expensive.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel axle assembly provided with an axle speed detector, particularly for use in rear-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles.

The axle bearing assembly of the present invention includes a rolling bearing assembly (preferably tapered roller bearing) disposed within a bearing housing integral with the axle tube. The bearing assembly further includes a bearing retainer press-fit to the axle adjacent to the bearing to suppress axial movement of the bearing. To reduce production costs and simplify the structure,
The bearing retainer is provided with an integral tone wheel forming an integrally formed bearing retainer / tone wheel member. The bearing retainer / tone wheel member is preferably formed as an integral part. However, the tone wheel may be a separate part integrally secured to the outer periphery of the bearing retainer by adhesive bonding or using other known fastening devices that match the mechanical properties of the retainer.

Thus, the present invention reduces the cost of producing an axle assembly in conjunction with an axle speed detector by eliminating the need for precision machining of the axle for the tone ring, and a separate tone wheel press. Labor costs are reduced by eliminating fitting work. Further, the present invention provides a better protection environment against dirt and moisture on the tone wheel teeth.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows a novel construction of an axle bearing assembly and speed sensing system, particularly, but not necessarily, for a semi-floating drive axle. The axle housing or axle tube 3 is usually bolted to the spring seat 4
And supported on the lower vehicle body surface of the rear wheel drive vehicle by a leaf spring or the like. One end of the axle tube 3 is a differential carrier.
(Not shown), the other end of the axle tube 3 is provided with an end section 3a which is open on the side closer to the vehicle wheel (not shown). The generally cylindrical bearing housing 5 is integrally fixed to the open end section 3a of the axle tube 3, preferably by welding. However, the bearing housing 5 and the bearing tube 3 may be integral parts made by casting, for example.

The bearing assembly of the present invention comprises a single row of rolling bearings 10 that support the axle 7 so that it can freely rotate inside the axle tube 3. The axle 7 extends through the axle tube 3 and has a first end (not shown) with a differential gear [di
and a wheel mounting flange 8 at the second end 7a. The sealing member 15 is mounted radially between the bearing housing 5 and the second end 7a of the axle 7.

The bearing 10 has an outer race (outer race).
ce) 11 and inner race 12
And a plurality of tapered rollers 14 provided in a space between the outer race 11 and the inner race 12. The outer race 11 is slidingly fitted in the bearing housing 5. The inner race 12 has a second end 7 around the axle 7.
Press fit with a. That is, the axle 7 rotates freely in the axle tube 3 and the bearing housing 5.

Further, the present invention provides an annular integrally formed bearing retainer / tone wheel member.
tainer / tone wheel member)
20. The member 20 is fixed (preferably by a press fit) around the axle 7 in the bearing housing 5 adjacent to the inner race 12 of the bearing 10. Bearing cage /
The function of the tone wheel member 20 is dual.

The primary function of member 20 is to constrain the axial movement of inner race 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one end of the inner race 12 is engaged with a stepped section 9 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end 7a of the axle 7. Inner race 12
The other end (the right end in FIG. 1) is engaged with the retainer / tone wheel member 20.

A second function of member 20 is to provide a tone wheel in the axle rotational speed detection system. A tone wheel typically has alternating permeability regions on its cylindrical outer surface. The speed detection system includes a speed sensor 18 for use with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) or a traction control system (TCS). The speed sensor 18 is mounted on the mounting hole 1 formed in the bearing housing 5.
7 and located proximate to the cage / tone wheel member 20. In the present invention, any well-known type of sensor may be used, such as a Hall effect sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor or the like.

The bearing retainer / tone wheel member 2 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
0 is a magnetic permeability region (al) which is attached to the axle 7 (preferably by press-fitting) and alternates with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 22.
turning regions of magn
It is an integral annular member having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 23 provided with an ic permeability. The alternating magnetic permeability region may comprise a plurality of sets of alternating teeth 24 and cavities 26 arranged at a uniform pitch in the circumferential direction. Tooth 2
4 and the gap 26 face the speed sensor 18 and
The rotation of the axle 7 changes the magnetism, especially the magnetic flux, and detects the rotation speed of the axle 7. The alternate magnetic permeability regions may have the shape of a plurality of holes (or windows) in the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the member 20 or any other suitable shape.

That is, the bearing retainer / tone wheel member 20 is an integral unitary part that combines the functions of the bearing retainer and the tone wheel.
piece part). Bearing cage / tone
The wheel member 20 may be made by any appropriate manufacturing method such as casting, forging, machining, powder metallurgy and the like.

A bearing retainer / tone wheel member 20a according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. Bearing cage / tone wheel member 20a
Comprises a bearing retainer 30 and a tone wheel 35 secured together. The bearing retainer 30 is mounted around the axle 7 (preferably with a press fit) and
And an annular member having an outer peripheral surface 32. Bearing retainer 30
Are fixed adjacent to the inner ring 12 of the bearing 10 to position the inner ring, that is, the inner race 12, and to suppress axial movement of the bearing 10. Tone wheel 3
5 has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 37 and an outer peripheral surface 36. Outer surface 3
6 is preferably provided with a plurality of sets of teeth 38 and gaps 39 forming alternating magnetic permeability regions. The inner peripheral surface 37 of the tone wheel is press-fit adhesively bonded (adhesive).
It is mounted around the outer peripheral surface 32 of the bearing retainer 30 by any suitable means such as bonding.

In the bearing assembly having the rotation speed detecting system of the present invention as configured in each of the above-described embodiments, the number of parts is reduced, one machining operation is omitted, and the production, management and assembly of each part. Production and labor costs are reduced because work is simplified.

Furthermore, placing the cage / tone wheel member in the bearing housing 5 provides a better protection environment for the tone wheel teeth against external dirt and moisture.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention is merely illustrative of the invention. This description does not limit the invention. The present invention is capable of various changes and modifications without departing from its spirit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of an axle assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bearing retainer / tone wheel member according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the bearing retainer / tone wheel member I of FIG. 2;
It is sectional drawing which follows the II-III line.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a bearing retainer / tone wheel member according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows V of the bearing cage / tone wheel member of FIG. 4;
It is sectional drawing which follows the -V line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 axle tube 5 bearing housing 7 axle 10 bearing assembly 20, 20a bearing retainer / tone wheel member 30 annular bearing retainer 32 outer peripheral surface 34 inner peripheral surface 36 tone wheel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) G01P 3/487 G01P 3/487 F (72) Inventor Earl, James, Irwin Fort 46845, Indiana, USA Wayne, Burning Tree Rawd 12409

Claims (10)

[Claims] A bearing housing fixed to an outer end of an axle tube remote from a differential gear; an axle extending through the axle tube and the bearing housing to drive vehicle wheels; and a bearing housing. A bearing assembly provided between the axle and the axle to form a rotatable connection therebetween, an integrally formed bearing retainer / tone wheel member;
The bearing retainer / tone wheel member having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a cylindrical inner peripheral surface extending through the axle, secured to the axle and coaxially adjacent to the bearing assembly. An annular bearing retainer arranged to limit axial movement of the bearing assembly; and an annular tone wheel mounted concentrically around the bearing retainer on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A vehicle axle assembly comprising: a tone wheel having alternating magnetic permeability regions circumferentially arranged at a uniform pitch on an outer peripheral surface of the tone wheel. 2. The vehicle axle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a speed sensor located proximate said tone wheel. 3. The vehicle axle assembly of claim 1 wherein said bearing retainer / tone wheel member is an integral part. 4. The vehicle axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said tone / wheel is press-fit to said outer peripheral surface of said bearing retainer. 5. The inner peripheral surface of the tone wheel,
The vehicle axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the bearing retainer is adhered with an adhesive. 6. The vehicle axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bearing retainer is fixed to said axle by a press fit. 7. An outer race member supported by the bearing housing, an inner race member supported by the axle, and a plurality of race members positioned between the outer race member and the inner race member. The vehicle axle assembly according to claim 1, comprising a rolling member. 8. The vehicle axle assembly according to claim 7, wherein each of said rolling members is a tapered roller. 9. The vehicle axle assembly of claim 1, wherein said alternating magnetic permeability regions are formed by a plurality of alternating teeth and cavities arranged at a uniform pitch in a circumferential direction. 10. A bearing housing fixed to the outer end of the axle tube remote from the differential gear, an axle extending through the axle tube and the bearing housing to drive a vehicle wheel; A rolling bearing provided between the bearing housing and the axle so as to form a rotatable connecting portion between the two, and an outer race member supporting the rolling bearing by the bearing housing And an inner race member supported by the axle, and a plurality of tapered rollers positioned between the outer race member and the inner race member, a cylinder extending through the cylindrical outer peripheral surface and the axle Having a shaped inner peripheral surface, arranged on the outer peripheral surface at a uniform pitch in the circumferential direction, forming a plurality of alternating teeth and cavities forming alternating magnetic permeability regions, fixed to the axle, An integral one-piece bearing retainer / tone wheel member disposed coaxially adjacent to the inner race and adapted to limit axial movement of the inner race; A vehicle axle bearing assembly further comprising: