Rotation detecting device and wheel support bearing assembly utilizing the same

A rotation detecting device which comprises:

• a rotatable member rotatably supported on a non-rotatable member;
• an electric power generator for generating an electric power by a relative rotation between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• a transmission device for transmitting wireless at least one of a rotational speed detection signal outputted by the electric power generator and an output signal from a sensor that operates using as an electric power source the electric power generated by the electric power generator, said transmission device being of an annular configuration;
• and
• a sealing member for sealing a space delimited between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• said electric power generator comprising a multi-pole magnet assembly having a plurality of alternating magnetic poles arranged in a circumferential direction, and a magnetic ring assembly accommodating a coil and confronting the multi-pole magnet assembly;
• said wireless transmission device being integrated together with the magnetic ring assembly;
• said sealing member being mounted on the wireless transmission device and having a lip member slidingly engaged with a seal contact area defined in the rotatable member;
• and
• said magnetic ring assembly and the multi-pole magnet assembly of the electric power generator confronting with each other at a location inwardly of the sealing member.

A rotation detecting device which comprises:

• a rotatable member rotatably supported on a non-rotatable member;
• an electric power generator for generating an electric power by a relative rotation between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• a transmission device for transmitting wireless at least one of a rotational speed detection signal outputted by the electric power generator and an output signal from a sensor that operates using as an electric power source the electric power generated by the electric power generator, said transmission device being of an annular configuration;
• and
• a sealing member for sealing a space delimited between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• said electric power generator comprising a multi-pole magnet assembly having a plurality of alternating magnetic poles arranged in a circumferential direction, and a magnetic ring assembly accommodating a coil and confronting the multi-pole magnet assembly;
• said wireless transmission device being mounted on the non-rotatable member;
• said sealing member being mounted on the wireless transmission device and having a lip member slidingly engaged with a seal contact area defined in the rotatable member;
• and
• said magnetic ring assembly and the multi-pole magnet assembly of the electric power generator confronting with each other at a location inwardly of the sealing member.

A rotation detecting device which comprises:

• a rotatable member rotatably supported on a non-rotatable member;
• an electric power generator for generating an electric power by a relative rotation between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• a transmission device for transmitting wireless at least one of a rotational speed detection signal outputted by the electric power generator and an output signal from a sensor that operates using as an electric power source the electric power generated by the electric power generator;
• and
• a sealing member for sealing a space delimited between the non-rotatable member and the rotatable member;
• said electric power generator comprising a multi-pole magnet assembly having a plurality of alternating magnetic poles arranged in a circumferential direction, and a magnetic ring assembly accommodating a coil and confronting the multi-pole magnet assembly;
• said sealing member being mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the magnetic ring assembly and having a lip member slidingly engaged with a seal contact area defined in the rotatable member;
• and
• said magnetic ring assembly and the multi-pole magnet assembly of the electric power generator confronting with each other at a location inwardly of the sealing member.

A rolling bearing assembly equipped with an electric power generator, which assembly comprises:

• first and second member rotatable relative to each other through rolling elements;
• an electric power generator capable of generating an electric power by a relative rotation between the first and second members;
• and
• an electric circuit disposed within a yoke forming a part of the electric power generator and utilizing the electric power generated by the electric power generator.

A wheel support bearing assembly which comprises:

• an outer member connected with an automobile body structure through a knuckle and having a plurality of outer raceways defined in an inner peripheral surface thereof;
• an inner member having a corresponding number of inner raceways defined in an outer peripheral surface thereof in alignment with the respective outer raceways in the outer member;
• a corresponding number of rows of rolling elements rollingly accommodated in part within the inner raceways and in part within the outer raceways, respectively;
• an electric power generator including a multi-pole magnet assembly mounted on the inner member and having a plurality of alternating magnetic poles defined therein in a circumferential direction thereof, and a magnetic ring assembly accommodating a coil and confronting the multi-pole magnet assembly, the magnetic ring assembly being mounted on the knuckle.