# US 8,540,582 B2 · Bearing device for wheel, and axle module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,582 B2 - Document ID: US8540582B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/676,955 - Filed: 2008-09-10 - Published: 2010-12-30 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-12 - Assignees: Ntn Corporation - Applicants: Masahiro Ozawa; Yuichi Asano; Masayuki Kuroda; Tohru Nakagawa; Kiyoshige Yamauchi; Mitsuru Umekida - Inventors: Masahiro Ozawa; Yuichi Asano; Masayuki Kuroda; Tohru Nakagawa; Kiyoshige Yamauchi; Mitsuru Umekida - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540582B2 ## CPC - B60B 27/0005: {with ball bearings} - F16C 33/586: {outside the space between the races, e.g. end faces or bore of inner ring} - B60B 27/00: Hubs (non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00) - F16C 19/186: {with three raceways provided integrally on parts other than race rings, e.g. third generation hubs} - F16C 33/64: Special methods of manufacture - F16C 35/0635: {the bore of the inner ring being of special non-cylindrical shape which co-operates with a complementary shape on the shaft, e.g. teeth, polygonal sections} - F16D 1/072: involving plastic deformation (plastic welding F16D1/068) - F16D 1/108: having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting by interengaging parts, i.e. positive coupling - F16D 3/2237: where the grooves are composed of radii and adjoining straight lines, i.e. undercut free [UF] type joints - F16C 19/184: {in O-arrangement} - F16C 2202/04: Hardness - F16C 2326/02: Wheel hubs or castors - F16D 2001/103: {the torque is transmitted via splined connections} - F16D 2003/22326: {Attachments to the outer joint member, i.e. attachments to the exterior of the outer joint member or to the shaft of the outer joint member} - F16D 2250/0053: Hardening - F16D 2300/10: Surface characteristics; Details related to material surfaces - 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 - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A bearing device for a wheel suppresses backlash in a circumferential direction, has excellent coupling workability with a hub wheel and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, and has excellent strength owing to stable fitting between the hub wheel and the outer joint member. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are provided on one of an outer surface of a shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of a hole portion of the hub wheel. The projecting portions are press-fitted into the other along the axial direction, and recessed portions are formed in the other through press-fitting of the projecting portions. Thus, a recess-projection fitting structure is formed, in which the projecting portions and the recessed portions are held in close contact with each other through an entire region of fitting contact regions therebetween. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bearing device for a wheel, comprising: a bearing comprising double-row rolling elements arranged between outer raceways and inner raceways opposed to each other; a hub wheel for attachment to a wheel; a constant velocity universal joint; and a recess-projection fitting structure through which a shaft section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is integrated with the hub wheel, the shaft section being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion of the hub wheel, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure comprises: projecting portions extending in an axial direction provided on one of an outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions being press-fitted along the axial direction into another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel; and recessed portions formed through the press-fitting of the projecting portions in the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel such that the projecting portions bite into the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel and transfer a shape of the projecting portions onto the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions and the recessed portions being held in close contact with each other in a fitting manner throughout an entire region of fitting contact regions therebetween, wherein a hardness of at least press-fitting start end portions of the projecting portions is set to be higher than a hardness of a recessed-portion forming region into which the projecting portions are press-fitted, and a hardness difference therebetween is set to be equal to or larger than 20 points in HRC, and wherein an end of each of the projecting portions on a side from which the press-fitting is started is formed as an edge that is not chamfered. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the press-fitting start end portions of the projecting portions is set to 50 to 65 points in HRC. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the recessed-portion forming region is set to 10 to 30 points in HRC. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portions are subjected to heat-treatment hardening by induction heat treatment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, and wherein the mouth section is out of contact with the hub wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, and wherein an end portion on an inboard side of the hub wheel is forged so as to apply precompression to the bearing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 6, wherein a surface hardness of a forged portion at the end portion on the inboard side of the hub wheel is set to be equal to or smaller than 25 points in HRC. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the hub wheel is made of medium carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 wt % to 0.80 wt %. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 9, wherein an inner diameter dimension of the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel is set to be smaller than a diameter dimension of a circle connecting vertexes of the projecting portions provided on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and is set to be larger than a diameter dimension of a circle connecting bottoms between the projecting portions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 11, wherein an outer diameter dimension of the shaft section of the outer joint member is set to be larger than a diameter dimension of a circular arc connecting vertexes of the plurality of projecting portions provided on the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel and is set to be smaller than a diameter dimension of a circle connecting bottoms between the projecting portions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction are set to be smaller than circumferential dimensions in positions corresponding to the middle portions in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according claim 1, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein a sum of circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction is set to be smaller than a sum of circumferential thicknesses in positions corresponding to the middle portions in projecting portions on a counterpart side which fit in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft slip-off preventing structure provided between the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hub wheel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 15, wherein the shaft slip-off preventing structure is maintained in an unhardened state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure allows separation by applying a pulling-out force in the axial direction, and wherein the hub wheel and the shaft section of the outer joint member are subjected to bolt fixation with a bolt member threadedly engaged with a threaded hole formed at a shaft center portion of the shaft section of the outer joint member along the axial direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 17, wherein, in a bolt fixation state of the hub wheel and the shaft section of the outer joint member, an inner wall for bearing a head portion the bolt member is provided on the hole portion of the hub wheel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 17, further comprising a seal material interposed between a bearing surface of the bolt member and the inner wall, the bolt member performing the bolt fixation of the hub wheel and the shaft section of the outer joint member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein a pocket portion for housing an extruded portion caused by formation of the recessed portions through the press-fitting is provided. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 20, wherein, in the shaft section of the outer joint member, the pocket portion is provided on an outboard side with respect to the projecting portions, and a shaft extending portion for centering with the hole portion of the hub wheel is provided on the outboard side with respect to the pocket portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure is arranged at an immediate-underside avoiding position with respect to raceway surfaces of the bearing. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) An axle module, using the bearing device for a wheel according to claim 1. ### Claim 24 A bearing device for a wheel, comprising: a bearing comprising double-row rolling elements arranged between outer raceways and inner raceways opposed to each other; a hub wheel for attachment to a wheel; a constant velocity universal joint; and a recess-projection fitting structure through which a shaft section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is integrated with the hub wheel, the shaft section being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion of the hub wheel, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure comprises: projecting portions extending in an axial direction provided on one of an outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions being press-fitted along the axial direction into another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel; and recessed portions formed through the press-fitting of the projecting portions on the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel such that the projecting portions bite into the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel and transfer a shape of the projecting portions onto the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions and the recessed portions being held in close contact with each other in a fitting manner throughout an entire region of fitting contact regions therebetween; and a foreign-matter intrusion prevention means which prevents foreign matter from intruding into the recess-projection fitting structure, and wherein an end of each of the projecting portions on a side from which the press-fitting is started is formed as an edge that is not chamfered. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, and wherein the foreign-matter intrusion prevention means is a seal member arranged between an end portion on an inboard side of the hub wheel and the bottom portion of the mouth section. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the foreign-matter intrusion prevention means is a seal material interposed between the fitting contact regions located between the projecting portions and the recessed portions in the recess-projection fitting structure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, further comprising: a slip-off prevention engaging portion that engages on the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the slip-off prevention engaging portion being provided on an outboard side of the shaft section of the outer joint member, wherein the foreign-matter intrusion prevention means is a seal material that is interposed between the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel and the slip-off prevention engaging portion. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the foreign-matter intrusion prevention means are provided on an outboard side and an inboard side with respect to the recess-projection fitting structure, respectively. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, and wherein the mouth section is out of contact with the hub wheel. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, wherein an end portion on an inboard side of the hub wheel is forged so as to apply precompression to the roller bearing. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the hub wheel is made of medium carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 wt % to 0.80 wt %. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction are set to be smaller than circumferential dimensions in positions corresponding to the middle portions in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according claim 24, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein a sum of circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction is set to be smaller than a sum of circumferential thicknesses in positions corresponding to the middle portions in projecting portions on a counterpart side which fit in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, further comprising a shaft slip-off preventing structure provided between the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hub wheel. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure allows separation by applying a pulling-out force in the axial direction, and wherein the hub wheel and the shaft section of the outer joint member are subjected to bolt fixation with a bolt member threadedly engaged with a threaded hole formed at a shaft center portion of the shaft section of the outer joint member along the axial direction. ### Claim 38 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein a pocket portion for housing an extruded portion caused by formation of the recessed portions through the press-fitting is provided. ### Claim 39 (depends on 24) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure is arranged at an immediate-underside avoiding position with respect to raceway surfaces of the bearing. ### Claim 40 (depends on 24) An axle module, using the bearing device for a wheel according to claim 24. ### Claim 41 A bearing device for a wheel, comprising: a bearing comprising double-row rolling elements arranged between double-row outer raceways and double-row inner raceways opposed to each other; a hub wheel for attachment to a wheel; a constant velocity universal joint; and a recess-projection fitting structure through which a shaft section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is integrated with the hub wheel, the shaft section being inserted in a fitting manner into a hole portion of the hub wheel, wherein the bearing comprises an outer member having the double-row outer raceways formed therein and an inner member having the double-row inner raceways formed therein, and an opening portion of an annular space formed between the outer member and the inner member is sealed with a seal member, one of the double-row inner raceways on an outboard side of the inner member is formed in an outer surface of the hub wheel, another of the double-row inner raceways on an inboard side of the inner member is formed in an outer surface of an inner race fitted onto a smaller-diameter step section provided on an inboard side of the hub wheel, wherein the hub wheel is subjected to thermal refining treatment, and a hardened layer is provided in a region ranging from a seal land on an outboard side with respect to the one of the double-row inner raceways on the outboard side via the one of the double-row inner raceways on the outboard side to a surface corresponding to the smaller-diameter step section on which the inner race is externally fitted, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure comprises: projecting portions extending in an axial direction provided on one of an outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and an inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions being press-fitted along the axial direction into another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel; and recessed portions formed through the press-fitting of the projecting portions in the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel such that the projecting portions bite into the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel and transfer a shape of the projecting portions onto the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, the projecting portions and the recessed portions being held in close contact with each other in a fitting manner throughout an entire region of fitting contact regions therebetween, and wherein an end of each of the projecting portions on a side from which the press-fitting is started is formed as an edge that is not chamfered. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein a surface hardness of the hardened layer of the hub wheel is set to 54 to 64 points in HRC. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the hub wheel integrally comprises a wheel attachment flange to which the wheel is attached, and wherein a surface hardness of a base portion on an outboard side of the wheel attachment flange is set to be equal to or smaller than 35 points in HRC. ### Claim 44 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, and wherein the mouth section is out of contact with the hub wheel. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the outer joint member comprises: a mouth section in which an inner joint member is mounted; and the shaft section provided to protrude from a bottom portion of the mouth section, wherein an end portion on an inboard side of the hub wheel is forged so as to apply precompression to the roller bearing. ### Claim 46 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the hub wheel is made of medium carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 wt % to 0.80 wt %. ### Claim 47 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member. ### Claim 48 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the projecting portions in the recess-projection fitting structure are provided on the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel. ### Claim 49 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction are set to be smaller than circumferential dimensions in positions corresponding to the middle portions in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 50 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according claim 41, wherein, of the projecting portions, at least portions ranging from their vertexes to middle portions in a projecting direction are press-fitted to the another of the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hole portion of the hub wheel, and wherein a sum of circumferential thicknesses of the middle portions in the projecting direction is set to be smaller than a sum of circumferential thicknesses in positions corresponding to the middle portions in projecting portions on a counterpart side which fit in between the projecting portions adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 51 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, further comprising a shaft slip-off preventing structure provided between the shaft section of the outer joint member and the inner surface of the hub wheel. ### Claim 52 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure allows separation by applying a pulling-out force in the axial direction, and wherein the hub wheel and the shaft section of the outer joint member are subjected to bolt fixation with a bolt member threadedly engaged with a threaded hole formed at a shaft center portion of the shaft section of the outer joint member along the axial direction. ### Claim 53 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein a pocket portion for housing an extruded portion caused by formation of the recessed portions through the press-fitting is provided. ### Claim 54 (depends on 41) A bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41, wherein the recess-projection fitting structure is arranged at an immediate-underside avoiding position with respect to raceway surfaces of the bearing. ### Claim 55 (depends on 41) An axle module, using the bearing device for a wheel according to claim 41.