US 5,381,090 AGranted

Hub and bearing assembly with integrated rotation sensor and temperature measurement feature

AssigneeNTN Technical Center

InventorsJonathan M. Adler, Kevin J. Fontenot

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A bearing assembly incorporating a speed and/or temperature sensor particularly adapted for motor vehicle wheel applications. The sensor incorporates a magnetized tone ring defining a radial or cylindrical face which interacts with an annular transducer. The transducer has a plurality of teeth facing the magnetized tone ring with separate first and second rows of teeth extending from the transducer frame. The first set of teeth engage one area of the tone ring defining one magnetic pole whereas the second series of teeth interact with regions of the tone ring defining the opposite magnetic pole. Relative rotation between the transducer and tone ring induces an alternating magnetic field through the transducer case which induces an alternating voltage in the winding coil. The transducer is efficiently packaged within the enclosed cavity of a bearing assembly. This invention further contemplates a means to allow transducer temperature to be evaluated by monitoring the DC resistance of the transducer winding.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A bearing assembly comprising:

an inner bearing race located radially within an outer bearing race, one of said inner or outer bearing races being fixed relative to said bearing assembly,
means for permitting relative rotation between said inner and outer bearing races, said means for permitting relative rotation located radially between said inner and outer races,
a source of magnetic field including a set of magnetic poles in mechanical communication with one of said inner or outer bearing races and a magnetically conductive element in mechanical communication with the other of said inner or outer bearing races, said set of magnetic poles and said magnetically conductive element rotating relative to each other and magnetically interacting and providing a source of magnetic flux of varying direction and magnitude through said magnetically conductive element;
an electrical conductor winding integrally connected to and about a circumference of said other bearing race;
said electrical conductor winding magnetically communicating with said source of magnetic flux and conducting a magnetically induced voltage having an alternating component related to the speed of relative rotation between said inner race and said outer race, said voltage induced by said source of varying magnetic flux, and
temperature responsive means operatively connected to said electrical conductor winding for providing an output voltage signal related to the resistance of said electrical conductor winding where a direct current input signal having a predetermined amplitude is applied to said electrical conductor winding and said resistance varies in accordance with the temperature of said electrical conductor winding, said direct current input signal varying in accordance with said resistance to yield said output voltage, said output voltage being superimposed on said magnetically induced voltage.

3 more elements

A bearing assembly for a vehicle having a suspension component and a wheel comprising:

an inner bearing race fixed relative to either said vehicle suspension component or said wheel;
an outer bearing race which is rotatable with the other of said vehicle wheel or said vehicle suspension component;
means for permitting relative rotation between said inner and outer bearing races about a relative axis of rotation, said means for permitting relative rotation located radially between said inner and outer races;
a source of magnetic field including a set of magnetic poles in mechanical communication with outer bearing race and a magnetically conductive element in mechanical communication with said inner bearing race, said set of magnetic poles and said magnetically conductive element rotating relative to each other and magnetically interacting and providing a source of magnetic flux of varying direction and magnitude through said magnetically conductive element;
an electrical conductor winding integrally connected to and about a circumference of said fixed inner bearing race, said electrical conductor winding magnetically communicating with said source of induced varying magnetic flux and conducting a magnetically induced voltage having an alternating component related to the speed of relative rotation between said inner race and said outer race, said voltage induced by said source of varying magnetic flux;
and
temperature responsive means operatively connected to said electrical conductor winding for providing an output voltage signal related to the resistance of said electrical conductor winding where a direct current signal having a predetermined amplitude is applied to said electrical conductor winding and said resistance varies in accordance with the temperature of said electrical conductor winding, direct current input signal varying in accordance with said resistance to yield said output voltage, said output voltage being superimposed on said magnetically induced voltage.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/190,243Filed 31 Jan 1994 · continuation
Priority: 11 Nov 1991
Granted: 10 Jan 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F16C 41/007
Other accessories, e.g. devices integrated in the bearing not relating to the bearing function as such: encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of…
F16C 19/525
With devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions: related to temperature and heat, e.g. insulation
G01K 13/08
For measuring temperature of moving solid bodies: in rotary movement
G01P 3/443
For measuring angular speed: mounted in bearings