Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

American Electronics Components, Inc.

Edward Russell Clark

Steven F Baker

George L Hurrell, Ii

Richard F Miller

Robert P Tussey

Jan Dubovec

A sensor assembly includes an insert mounted within a fixed structure and tabs that engaged the insert to secure the sensor assembly in a desired orientation. A cap is assembled over the sensor assembly and the interface between the tabs and the insert to prevent undesired removal.

Bearing mounted sensor assembly

Unlike known wheel-speed sensors, the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention is readily serviceable without disassembly of major components of the wheel assemblies and is relatively simple, and thus less expensive to manufacture, than known wheel-speed sensors. Two embodiments of the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. One embodiment relates to a 'between-the-rows' wheel-speed sensor which includes a magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be affixed to a rotating axle between rolling element rows of a wheel bearing. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the wheel-speed sensor is configured to form a grease seal which typically inserts into the end of an axle tube. A wheel-speed sensor utilizes a multiple pole magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be attached to a rotating axle shaft. The wheel-speed sensor includes a two-piece stator which also functions as a grease seal which concentrates flux from a rotating multiple pole exciter ring. A coil of magnet wire or, alternatively, an active Hall effect device is used as the sensor and connects the two stator pieces, forming a flux bridge.

Wheel-speed sensor

A wheel-speed sensor for generating signals representative of the wheel-speed of an individual wheel on a vehicle. Unlike known wheel-speed sensors, the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention is readily serviceable without disassembly of major components of the wheel assemblies and is relatively simple, and thus less expensive to manufacture, than known wheel-speed sensors. Two embodiments of the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. One embodiment relates to a 'between-the-rows' wheel-speed sensor which includes a magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be affixed to a rotating axle between rolling element rows of a wheel bearing. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the wheel-speed sensor is configured to form a grease seal which typically inserts into the end of an axle tube. A wheel-speed sensor utilizes a multiple pole magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be attached to a rotating axle shaft. The wheel-speed sensor includes a two-piece stator which also functions as a grease seal which concentrates flux from a rotating multiple pole exciter ring. A coil of magnet wire or, alternatively, an active Hall effect device is used as the sensor and connects the two stator pieces, forming a flux bridge.

A wheel speed sensing device with shape-coupled sensor and exciter ring components reduces the effects of tolerance stack variances in the relative radial and axial locations of the sensor and exciter ring. Additionally, the assembly is readily adapted to installation within the sealed confines of the bearing area of a wheel.

Shape coupled wheel speed sensor

A powered wheel bearing has a solid spindle supported within a stationary hub by two rows of bearing balls. The innermost ball row has a separable race that is fixed in place by an abutting keeper ring that sits in an adjacent groove. The keeper ring, in turn, is prevented from dislodging by an overlaying shoulder on the sleeve of a CV joint that fits over the end of the spindle with interengaging splines. The joint sleeve is fixed to the spindle by an internal snap ring, so the motion of inserting the sleeve over the spindle is all that is necessary, both for attachment and alignment. The outside of the sleeve also carries regular teeth that provide the encoder ring for a speed sensor.

Bearing and drive assembly with combined wheel speed sensor

A serviceable ABS wheel speed sensor uses the permanent magnet both to provide an efficient magnetic circuit and to provide part of the retention force that retains a stator subassembly and a sensor subassembly together. The stator subassembly is a plastic end cap that seals one end of the wheel bearing, and has an annular steel web molded into it. A permanent magnet is located behind the web. The sensor subassembly is a plastic plug that fits into the end cap, and has a sensor coil with a steel plate in front abuttable with the stator subassembly web. When the two are assembled, the web and plate are pulled and retained together by the magnet. The coil and magnet are also thereby located proximate to spinning exciter teeth on one of the bearing races to provide an efficient magnetic circuit and strong signal.

Growing community of inventors

Monroeville, OH, United States of America

Edward Russell Clark