NTN Develops Hub Bearing with Built-In Sensor for Driven Wheels

The NTN Corporation has developed a "hub bearing with built-in sensor for driven wheels". The velocity sensor is compactly integrated into the hub bearing outer ring edge. In detecting velocity speed by hub bearings, the conventional general technique is to install a geared pulser ring or magnetic encoder ring on a rotating side, such as the constant velocity joint outer race or hub bearing inner ring, and install the rotation sensor on a vehicle knuckle on the opposed fixed side. However, this configuration has the following issues. When the sensor is installed on the vehicle body, it is hard to secure the specified air gap (distance between the sensor surface and the detected surface). Machining and assembly work for installing the sensor to the knuckle are required. By giving the sensor a shape that does not interfere with the constant velocity joint outer race, NTN has developed a hub bearing with a built-in sensor positioned in the narrow gap between the knuckle and the constant velocity joint outer race. The sensor is a compact one-piece configuration with a toric metal core made from steel plate and the metal core is clamped by press fitting it onto the hub bearing outer ring edge. This eliminates the need for adjusting the air gap, processing the knuckle, and installing the sensor to the knuckle during assembly. Also, because this structure surrounds the sensing surface with the metal core, it prevents flying stones and other foreign matter from being trapped in the sensor. This has greatly improved the sensor's ease of handling, reliability, and ease of installation on the vehicle body. NTN will widely deploy these newly developed products in the market as products that can contribute to improved automobile reliability. [Features] Eliminates the need for sensor air gap adjustment. Eliminates the machining and assembly work for installing the sensor to the knuckle. Prevents flying stones and other foreign matter from being trapped in the sensor. [Applications] Automobile hub bearings [Contact] Planning and Marketing Department, Automotive Sales Headquarters Phone: 03-5487-2814