Wheel bearing unit with speed of rotation sensor

Abstract

A wheel bearing unit for an automotive vehicle, and particularly a vehicle provided with ABS/traction control, includes a wheel bearing that is preferably a two row wheel bearing with the inner ring. A sensor is fixed in rotation with reference to the bearing unit and is supported to the bearing unit. A pulse generating ring is mounted around the sensor and is connected with the rotatable part of the wheel bearing, and particularly with the rotatable inner bearing ring to rotate with the rotatable ring and with respect to the sensor. An additional support bearing is provided for guiding the pulse generating ring and for supporting the pulse generating ring to the sensor to provide a constant air gap between them and to reliably mount the sensor. The additional support bearing is developed as an angular bearing. That angular bearing is prestressed by a spring. The force to the line of action of the additional support bearing extends substantially parallel to the force line of action to the adjacent wheel bearing or two row wheel bearing. Preferably, the support bearing is developed as an angular ball bearing with a cup shaped bottom, which serves for application of the spring thereto. The additional spring loaded supported bearing is an angle bearing which supports and guides the sensor. The sensor can be snapped in the housing by a plug in type connection that opposes the initial spring stressing and the spring urges the sensor out when it is released.