# US 2014/0193108 A1 · Bearing unit for a vehicle wheel

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- Number: US 2014/0193108 A1
- Document ID: US20140193108A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/150,285
- Filed: 2014-01-08
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: Aktiebolaget Skf
- Applicants: Aktiebolaget SKF
- Inventors: Paolo Baratti; Andrea Serafini
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193108A1

## CPC

- F16C 33/7886: {mounted outside the gap between the inner and outer races, e.g. sealing rings mounted to an end face or outer surface of a race}
- B60B 27/0005: {with ball bearings}
- B60B 27/0068: {the element being a sensor}
- B60B 27/0073: {characterised by sealing means}
- F16C 33/723: {Shaft end sealing means, e.g. cup-shaped caps or covers}
- F16C 33/762: {by means of a fluid}
- F16C 33/768: {between relatively stationary parts, i.e. static seals}
- F16C 33/783: {of the mounting region}
- F16C 41/007: {Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles}
- F16C 19/186: {with three raceways provided integrally on parts other than race rings, e.g. third generation hubs}
- F16C 2326/02: Wheel hubs or castors
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION

## Abstract

A bearing unit for a vehicle wheel is provided having an axis of rotation and a radially outer stationary ring including a tubular axial lug delimited by an outer cylindrical surface, and with a flange transverse to the axis of rotation and axially delimited. A radially inner rotatable ring defines, with the ring, a space. An encoder is fixed to the inner ring and extends outside of the space and in front of the axial lug. A protective cover mounted on the axial lug to protect the encoder and close off the space. The stationary ring includes a shaped annular channel formed across the axial surface and delimited axially by a bottom surface and the side wall with a bent edge arranged axially in abutment against the bottom surface of the annular channel. Sealing means are arranged between the bent edge and the bottom surface to seal the annular channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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′) 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) includes an annular channel (16) formed across the axial surface (15) and delimited axially by a bottom surface (17); wherein
the side wall (42) of the cover (40) is provided with a bent edge (43) arranged axially in abutment against the bottom surface (17) of the annular channel (16); and wherein
sealing means (50) are arranged between the bent edge (43) and the bottom surface (17) to seal in a leak tight manner the annular channel (16), preventing the infiltration of impurities between the cover (40) and the axial lug (14′).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bearing unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means includes a liquid sealant deposited and metered, before mounting of the cover (40), either into the annular channel (16) or onto the bent end edge (43).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The bearing unit according to claim 1, where the sealing means includes a solid sealant applied and metered, before mounting of the cover (40), either into the annular channel (16) or onto the bent end edge (43).

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The bearing unit according to claim 2, wherein the sealing means are also arranged between the cylindrical side wall (42) of the cover (40) and the tubular axial lug (14′) to seal further in a leak tight manner the cylindrical side wall (42) on the outer cylindrical surface (12).

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The bearing unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means also possess adhesive properties for fixing, at the same time as the sealing action, the cover (40) on the axial lug (14′).