Bearing unit for a vehicle wheel

A bearing unit (1) for a vehicle wheel, the bearing unit (1) having an axis of rotation (A) and comprising:

• a radially outer stationary ring (10) provided with a tubular axial lug (14′) delimited by an outer cylindrical surface (12), and with a flange (14) transverse to the axis of rotation (A) and axially delimited, on the side where the axial lug (14′) is located, by an axial front surface (15);
• a radially inner rotatable ring (20) defining, together with the stationary ring (10), a space (3);
• an encoder (30) fixed onto the inner ring (20) and extending outside of the space (3) and in front of the axial lug (14′);
• and
• a protective cover (40) mounted on the axial lug (14′) so as to protect the encoder (30) and close off the space (3) and having a side wall (42) mounted on the outer cylindrical surface (12);
• wherein
• the stationary ring (10) provides a first shaped annular channel (16) formed through the axial surface (15) and delimited axially by a bottom surface (17);
• wherein
• a second annular channel (18)(18′) is arranged between the side wall (42) and the axial lug (14′);
• wherein
• the side wall (42) of the cover (40) is provided with an edge (43) arranged axially in abutment against the bottom surface (17) of the first annular channel (16);
• and wherein
• sealing means (50) are positioned between the side wall (42) and the axial lug (14′) inside the second annular channel (18)(18′) to seal the cover (40), thus preventing the infiltration of impurities between the cover (40) and the axial lug (14′).