Ntn Corporation

Kentaro Ikki

Takayuki Norimatsu

Kentarou Nishikawa

Toru Takahashi

Yujiro Ono

Koji Kametaka

A wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements interposed between double row rolling surfaces of outer and inner members, which are opposed to each other. Electronic components including a plurality of the sensor units, a signal processing IC for processing respective sensor output signals thereof and a signal cable for transmitting the processed output signal to the outside of the bearing assembly are arranged inwardly of an annular protective covering to provide an annular sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is fitted to a peripheral surface of a stationary member in a fashion coaxial with the stationary member.

Sensor-equipped bearing for wheel

A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which the load imposed on the wheel support bearing assembly or a tire tread of a wheel tire can be accurately detected without being affected by the rolling elements, includes rolling elements interposed between plural opposed rolling surfaces defined in outer and inner members. One of the outer and inner members that serves as a stationary member is provided with one or more sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments fixed to the stationary member, and a sensor for detecting such strain. The strain generating member in the sensor unit is arranged at a position departing from a line passing through a center of the rolling elements and extending in a direction defined by the rolling element contact angle.

A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes rolling elements interposed between double row rolling surfaces defined respectively in outer and inner members in face-to-face relation with each other. One of the inner and outer members, which serves as a stationary member, has an outer diametric surface provided with three or more sensor units. Each of the sensor units includes a strain generating member having two or more contact fixing segments, fixed to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member in contact with therewith, and one or more strain sensors fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain occurring in the strain generating member. A load estimating section is provided for estimating a radial load and an axial load in the wheel support bearing assembly, from respective output signals of the sensors.

A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly includes a sensor unit provided in an outer member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit has a strain generator and a sensor for detecting a strain occurring in the generator. A principal load estimator estimates the load acting on the wheel, with the use of an average value of a signal from the sensor, and an amplitude processed load estimator estimates the load, using amplitude of a signal wave outputted from the sensor, resulting from passage of rolling elements. A drift amount estimator estimates a drift amount of an estimated load output utilizing the average value and the amplitude, which is used to correct the estimated load.

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Iwata, Japan

Kentaro Ikki