JP2003187368A - Bearing device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bearing device for a vehicle capable of improving the reliability of wireless communication of a rotation detection signal or the like, to enhance a detection function for monitoring the bearing device itself and to suppress the complication of a configuration involved in higher functionization. <P>SOLUTION: This bearing device 51 for a vehicle with plural rows of rolling bodies 3 interposed between rollingly moving surfaces of an outer member 1 and an inner member 2 is provided with a rotation detection sensor 4. A digitizing means 101 for digitizing a detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 and a transmitting means 105 for wirelessly transmitting the digitized detection signal are provided. Different situation detection sensors 52 and 53 for detecting the temperature and vibration of the bearing device 51 are also provided. A signal integrating means 104 such as a data switching device is provided for integrating signals detected by the sensors 4, 52 and 53 so that the transmitting means 105 can transmit the signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle bearing device such as a wheel bearing device in an automobile or the like, and more particularly to a vehicle bearing device having a rotation detection sensor for an antilock brake.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an anti-lock brake system for an automobile, it is necessary to detect the rotational speed of wheels for controlling the anti-lock brake system. The wheel rotation speed detection sensor is provided in the wheel bearing device. The detection signal of the sensor is generally sent to the vehicle body section by an electric wire, but this electric wire is exposed outside the vehicle between the wheel bearing device and the vehicle body, and due to stone bounce, freezing of the tire house, etc. It is easy to cause disconnection. As a solution to such a problem, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a wireless transmission of a signal from a sensor of a wheel bearing device to a vehicle body or the like (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-15109).
0).

[0003]

Since the wireless transmission means of the above-mentioned proposed example transmits the detection signal of the sensor as an analog signal, it is easily affected by disturbance noise and the like. The location of the wheel bearing device is extremely severe in terms of temperature, muddy water, dust, etc., and automobiles have many sources of noise that interfere with radio waves. Even if the above rotation detection signal is wirelessly transmitted in an analog format, there is no problem with the current anti-lock brake system, but it is easily affected by disturbance noise as described above, and it is in a severe environment. However, when trying to perform more advanced control, the reliability is still insufficient. Further, the conventional wheel bearing device with a sensor is provided with a rotation detection sensor for the purpose of detecting the wheel rotation speed. However, the present inventor has changed the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor and its transmission means to other means. It has been devised to be highly functionalized so that it can be effectively used for the purpose of (1) and can be monitored for abnormality diagnosis of vehicle bearing devices such as wheel bearing devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing device for a vehicle which can improve the reliability of wireless communication such as a rotation detection signal. Another object of the present invention is to
It is to improve the detection function for monitoring the bearing device itself and to suppress the complication of the configuration due to the higher functionality.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bearing device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises an outer member (1) having a rolling surface on the inner periphery and an inner member (1) having a rolling surface facing the rolling surface. In the vehicle bearing device (51) including the rolling member (3) housed between the rolling surfaces, the relative rotation between the outer member (1) and the inner member (2) is detected. A sensor (4), a digitizing means (101) for digitizing the detection signal of the rotation detecting sensor (4), and a transmitting means (105) for wirelessly transmitting the digitized detection signal. Is characterized by. According to this configuration, the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor (4) is digitized and transmitted, so that highly reliable communication can be performed as compared with the case of analog transmission. For example, it is easy to further increase the reliability by appropriate processing such as adding a redundant bit described later.

As described above, since the rotation detection signal can be transmitted with high reliability, when the vehicle bearing device (51) is a wheel bearing device, it is possible to improve the reliability of the control of the automobile by the antilock brake system or the like. You can Since the transmitting means (105) transmits wirelessly, the electric wires are not exposed outside the vehicle, the wiring is not hindered, and complicated wiring fixing work is not required, which reduces the weight and cost of the vehicle. It also leads to a decline. The wireless transmission means (105) is not limited to radio waves, but may be any one that uses a signal that transmits space, such as transmission by magnetic coupling, transmission by infrared rays, or transmission by ultrasonic waves. In the case of a wheel bearing device, the vehicle bearing device (51) includes an outer member (1) having a double row rolling contact surface on the inner circumference and an inner member having rolling contact surfaces facing the rolling contact surfaces. A square member (2) and a double row rolling element (3) housed between the rolling surfaces are provided to rotatably support the wheels with respect to the vehicle body.

The vehicle bearing device (51) of the present invention includes another situation detecting sensor (52, 53) for detecting any situation other than the rotation of the vehicle bearing device (51), and the other situation detecting sensor (52, 53). Digitalizing means (102, 103) for digitizing the detection signal of (53), and the digitalizing means (102, 1) of the sensors (52, 53).
A signal grouping unit (104) for grouping the detection signals digitized by (03) so as to be transmitted by the transmitting unit (105) may be provided. As the other situation detection sensor (52, 53), for example, a temperature detection sensor and / or a vibration detection sensor are provided. In this way, by providing the different situation detection sensor (52, 53), the situation of the vehicle bearing device (51) can be monitored, and the transmitted different situation detection sensor (52, 53).
It is possible to diagnose the bearing device (51) from the signal of 53), prevent the occurrence of defects in the bearing device (51), and speed up maintenance. When these detection signals are used in a system for remote monitoring using a mobile communication network,
High-level diagnosis of the vehicle bearing device (51) is possible. Diagnosis of the service life and malfunction of the vehicle bearing device (51) can be performed by the temperature or vibration detection data of the device (51). Therefore, by providing both or one of the temperature detection sensor and the vibration detection sensor as the different situation detection sensor (52, 53), the vehicle bearing device (51)
Can be diagnosed. Since the detection signals of the different situation detection sensors (52, 53) are also digitized and transmitted, reliable communication can be performed and accurate diagnosis can be performed. In addition, a signal collecting means (104) is provided, and another situation detection sensor (5
Since the signal of the rotation detection sensor (4) is combined with the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor (4), the transmission means (105) for transmitting the signal of the rotation detection sensor (4) is connected to another situation detection sensor (52, 53). It can be used for transmitting a detection signal, and it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration due to the enhancement of the detection function.
Since it is digitized, the signal grouping means (10
The process of combining signals according to 4) can be performed by a simple process.

As the signal summing means (104),
Data switching means for sequentially switching and inputting the output signals of the respective digitizing means (101 to 103) can be used. In this case, from the transmission means (105), the digitized detection signal of the rotation detection sensor (4) and the digitized detection signal of the different situation detection sensor (52, 53) are alternately alternately arranged, for example. Will be sent.

The above digitizing means (101 to 10)
In 3), it is preferable that at least the detection signal digitizing means (101) of the rotation detection sensor (101) generates a signal in which a redundant bit is added to the bit to be the detection signal. By adding the redundant bit, when a part of the detection signal is broken, the error can be recognized and repaired, and the communication reliability is further improved.

Each of the above digitizing means (101 to 10)
Of 3), at least the detection signal digitizing means (101) of the rotation detection sensor (4) converts the digitized detection signal into digital data of a predetermined data format, or outputs it after encryption. Also good. By performing data conversion or encryption in this way, confidentiality is enhanced.

The rotation detecting sensor (4) is a means for generating a pulse, and the detection signal digitized by the digitizing means (101) of the sensor (4) is the pulse cycle data. Good. The rotation detecting sensor (4) is generally a pulse generating means, but in that case, it can be easily digitized by digitizing the pulse period data, and highly accurate detection as a rotation speed detection signal. You can get a signal.

The transmitting means (105) may be one that performs spread spectrum communication. As a spread spectrum communication method, for example, a frequency hopping method or a direct spread method is used. Spread spectrum communication enables communication that is resistant to interference and interference. For example,
Even if there is an interference wave or noise in the same frequency band, it can be eliminated and it is unlikely to be affected by radio wave propagation such as fading. Also, spread spectrum communication enables highly confidential communication. In the case of spread spectrum communication, the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor (4) is preferably pulse cycle data as described above.

In the case of each of the above configurations in the present invention, the rotation detection sensor (4) may be a generator. In this way, by using the rotation detection sensor (4) as a generator,
An electric wire for supplying power to this sensor (4) is unnecessary. Power supply to the transmitting means (105) and another situation detection sensor (5
2, 53) may also be supplied with electric power generated by the rotation detection sensor (4) including this generator. This makes it possible to eliminate all electric wires between the vehicle bearing device (51) and the vehicle body.

In the case of each of the above-mentioned configurations of the present invention, the transmitting means (105) may have a function of connecting a line to a mobile communication network as a mobile terminal. By transmitting the detection signal to the mobile communication network in this manner, it is possible to remotely monitor the vehicle bearing device (51) at a business place or the like located in a remote place from the automobile. Further, by making the transmitting means (105) have a function of connecting a line as a mobile terminal, each sensor (4, 52, 5)
Since the vehicle bearing device has all the functions up to transmitting the detection signal of 3) to the mobile communication network, the wiring and setting processes after the vehicle bearing device (51) is installed in the automobile are processed. To be simplified.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The vehicle bearing device 51 of this embodiment is an example applied to a wheel bearing device, and includes an outer member 1 having a double row rolling contact surface on the inner periphery and rolling contact surfaces facing each of these rolling contact surfaces. It has an inner member 2 and a double row rolling element 3 housed between the rolling surfaces, and rotatably supports the wheels with respect to the vehicle body.

In this vehicle bearing device 51, a sensor 4 for detecting relative rotation between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2,
A digitizing means 101 for digitizing the detection signal of the rotation detecting sensor 4 and a transmitting means 105 for wirelessly transmitting the digitized detection signal are provided. The rotation detection sensor 4 generates a pulse by rotation, and is composed of a generator, for example, as described in detail later. The vehicle bearing device 51 includes separate situation detection sensors 52 and 53 that detect any situation other than the rotation of the vehicle bearing device 51, and the separate situation detection sensor 5.
Digitizing means 102, 103 for digitizing the detection signals of 2, 53, and the respective sensors 4, 52,
Signal summing means 1 which is means for summing the detection signals digitized by the respective digitizing means 101 to 103 of 53 so that they can be transmitted by the transmitting means 105.
04 and 04 are provided. Another situation detection sensor 52, 53
Are a temperature detection sensor and a vibration detection sensor that detect the temperature and vibration of the vehicle bearing device 51, respectively. The signal output side portions of the different situation detection sensors 52, 53 and the rotation detection sensor 4 are attached to the fixed side member of the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 of the vehicle bearing device 51. In this example, the outer member 1 is a fixed member, and the signal output side portions of the different situation detection sensors 52 and 53 and the rotation detection sensor 4 are attached to the outer member 1. The receiving means 106 for the transmitting means 105 is installed at an appropriate place in the vehicle body of the automobile equipped with the vehicle bearing device 51, for example, in a tire house.

The digitizing means 101 to 103 and the signal summarizing means 104 are configured as one transmitting unit 5 and are fixed members of the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 of the vehicle bearing device 51. That is, it is attached to the outer member 1. The transmission unit 105 can be handled as a single component as a whole, and is, for example, a component housed in a housing or a component mounted on the same circuit board.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the configuration of the transmission unit 5. The digitizing means 101 for the rotation detecting sensor 4 is a timing signal generating means 107,
It is composed of a cycle measuring counter 108, a latch means 109, a redundant bit generation means 110, and a data conversion or encryption means 111. Cycle counter 1
The number 08 counts the number of clocks from the time when there is a reset input until the time when there is a next reset input, and outputs the count value as a cycle data as a digital signal. The periodic data of the digital signal is output as parallel data having a predetermined number of bits. The timing signal generation means 107 detects the rising or falling timing of each pulse in the pulse signal input which is the rotation detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4, and detects the latch signal (latching command signal) by the detection means 109. To the counter 1 for period measurement immediately after that.
It is a means for outputting to 08. The latch means 109 receives the latch signal and receives the frequency measurement counter 108.
Latch the cycle data of. Therefore, the latch means 1
09 is to latch the data of the cycle T between the pulse rising or falling timings t _n and t _{n + 1} between the respective pulses in the pulse output of the rotation detection sensor 4. The latch means 109 latches the redundant bit generated by the redundant bit generation means 110 on the basis of a predetermined reference at the time of latching the periodic data, and adds the redundant bit to the bit to be the original periodic data with the redundant bit. Generate periodic data. The number of redundant bits may be one or plural. The periodic data with redundant bits, which is the parallel data of a predetermined number of bits generated in this way, is converted by the data conversion or encryption means 111 into digital data or encrypted data of a different format according to the setting rule. When the data conversion or encryption means 111 is provided, the receiving side needs to perform decryption corresponding to the conversion or encryption. The data conversion or encryption means 111 may be omitted.

The digitizing means 102 for the different situation detecting sensor 52 for temperature detection is means for digitizing by A / D conversion or the like. Another situation detection sensor 5 for vibration detection
The digitizing means 103 for 3 digitizes the amplitude and period of the vibration waveform. These digitizing means 102 and 103 may also have the same data conversion or encryption means as described above.

The signal summarizing means 104 converts the output signals of the respective digitizing means 101 to 103 into one transmitting means 10.
In this embodiment, the data switching device is used. The signal summing means 104 including this data switcher sequentially switches and fetches the signals of the respective digitizing means 101 to 103. Therefore, a signal in which the cycle data, the temperature detection data, and the vibration detection data are sequentially arranged is input from the signal collecting unit 104 to the transmitting unit 105. The frequency of data acquisition by the signal summarizing means 104 may be different for each of the digitizing means 101 to 103.

In this embodiment, the transmitting means 105 is supposed to perform spread spectrum communication (also called spread spectrum communication). Although various types of spread spectrum communication can be used, the frequency hopping method is used. The frequency hopping method is a modulation method that spreads the spectrum by temporally switching carrier frequencies in a predetermined order. Transmission means 1
05 is a shift register 112 and a frequency selector 11
3 and a transmission circuit (not shown) that amplifies the output of the frequency selector 113 and transmits it from the antenna. This transmission circuit may be one that performs transmission by magnetic coupling, transmission by infrared rays, or transmission by ultrasonic waves, instead of transmitting by radio waves. Shift register 11
2 converts each parallel digital data input from the signal grouping means 104 into a serial format and outputs the serial format to the frequency selector 113. The shift register 112 outputs the digital data, for example, every 2 bits.
The frequency selector 113 is provided with means (not shown) for providing a plurality (n) of carrier waves f1 to fn at constant frequency intervals within the bandwidth W.
3, the carrier waves f1 to fn are, for example, f1, f2 and f2 according to a predetermined order (hopping pattern).
Switching is performed at fixed time intervals, such as f3 .... The frequency selector 113 puts the digital signal output from the shift register 112 on the carrier wave which is sequentially switched in this way, and outputs it.

In this way, the period data of the pulse output by the rotation detecting sensor 4 and the different situation detecting sensor 52,
The detection data of the temperature and vibration of 53 are transmitted by the transmission means 105.
Is output as a wireless signal from.

In this bearing device 51 for a vehicle,
When the separate situation detection sensors 52 and 53 are not provided, the signal summing means 104 is omitted, and the output of the digitizing means 101 is as it is, the shift register 11 of the transmitting means 105.
Entered in 2.

According to the vehicle bearing device 51 of this structure,
As described above, since the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 is digitized and transmitted, highly reliable communication can be performed as compared with the case of analog transmission. Moreover, the detection signals of the different situation detection sensors 52 and 53 that detect temperature, vibration, etc. can also be sequentially switched and transmitted, so that even if there are two or more different situation detection sensors, they can be transmitted. Since the transmission means 105 performs spread spectrum communication, it can perform communication resistant to interference and interference. For example, even if an interference wave or noise is present in the same frequency band, it can be eliminated, and it is less susceptible to radio wave propagation such as fading. Also,
Communication with high confidentiality can be performed. When redundant bits are added to a digital signal to be transmitted, even if a certain frequency to be frequency-popped is disturbed, the redundant bits can be used for restoration. As described above, since the rotation detection signal can be transmitted with high reliability, it is possible to enhance the reliability of control of the vehicle by the antilock brake system or the like. Since the transmitting means 105 transmits wirelessly, the electric wires are not exposed outside the vehicle, the disconnection is not hindered, and complicated wiring fixing work is not required, which reduces the weight of the vehicle and reduces the cost. Is also connected. When the rotation detection sensor 4 is a generator, an electric wire for supplying power to this sensor 4 becomes unnecessary. In addition, the transmission means 105 and the other situation detection sensor 5
Power supply to 2, 53, each digitizing means 101-103
When the electric power is supplied to the vehicle by the electric power generated by the rotation detection sensor 4 including the generator, the vehicle bearing device 5
It is possible to eliminate all electric wires between 1 and the car body. In addition,
When the rotation detecting sensor 4 is not a generator, it is possible to provide a means for supplying power wirelessly between the vehicle bearing device 51 and the vehicle body, whereby all the electric wires can be eliminated. Using a generator simplifies the configuration.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle bearing device 5 is used.
Although the wireless communication is performed between the transmitting means 105 of No. 1 and the receiving means 106 of the vehicle body,
May have a function of connecting to the mobile communication network as a mobile terminal, as described later.

3 to 7 show this vehicle bearing device 5.
1 shows a specific configuration of No. 1. In this embodiment, the vehicle bearing device 51 is a wheel bearing device. Also,
This embodiment is a fourth generation inner ring rotating type and is an example applied to a bearing device for supporting a drive wheel. In this vehicle bearing device 51, a double row rolling element 3 is interposed between an outer member 1 and an inner member 2, and a rotation detecting device including a generator is provided in an annular space between the inner and outer members 2 and 1. Built-in sensor 4,
A transmission unit 5 for wirelessly transmitting the rotation speed signal output from the rotation detection sensor 4 is provided.
The rotation detection sensor 4 is arranged between the rolling elements 3 in both rows. The different situation detection sensors 52 and 53 are arranged on the outer member 1 which is a member provided with the transmission unit 5 between the rolling elements 3 and 3 in both rows. The transmission unit 5 has been described with reference to FIGS. The outer member 1 has double rows of rolling surfaces 6 and 7 on the inner circumference, and rolling surfaces 8 and 9 facing the rolling surfaces 6 and 7 are provided on the outer circumference of the inner member 2. There is. The double row rolling elements 3 are accommodated between the rolling surfaces 6 and 8 and between the rolling surfaces 7 and 9. This vehicle bearing device is a double-row angular contact ball bearing, and the contact angles of the rolling surfaces 6 to 9 are formed so as to be back-to-back. The rolling elements 3 are held by the cage 10 for each row. Both ends of the inner and outer members 2 and 1 are sealed with seals 11 and 11A. The outer member 1 has a vehicle body mounting flange 1a at one end, and is attached to a wheel bearing support component 12a such as a knuckle of the vehicle body 12 via the vehicle body mounting flange 1a. The outer member 1, including the vehicle body mounting flange 1a, is an integral member as a whole. The inner member 2 has a wheel mounting flange 2a, and the wheel 13 has a bolt 1 attached to the wheel mounting flange 2a.
Mounted with 4.

The inner member 2 is a combination of a hub wheel 2A integrally having a wheel mounting flange 2a and another inner ring constituent member 2B. Each of the hub wheel 2A and the inner ring constituent member 2B is Of the double row rolling surfaces 8 and 9, the rolling surfaces 8 and 9 of each row are formed. The inner ring constituent member 2B is a member integrally formed with the outer ring 15a of the constant velocity joint 15, and a drive shaft (not shown) is connected to the inner ring (not shown) of the constant velocity joint 15. In the inner ring constituent member 2B, the shaft portion 16 integrally extending from the constant velocity joint outer ring 15a has a large diameter portion 16a on the base end side and the large diameter portion 16a.
It is formed by a small diameter portion 16b continuing to a through a step, and the hub wheel 2A is fitted to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 16b. Above rolling surface 9
Is formed on the large diameter portion 16a. The hub wheel 2A and the inner ring constituent member 2B are integrally fixed by plastic coupling such as caulking.

The rotation detecting sensor 4 is provided with a multi-pole magnet 18 facing the inner peripheral side of a ring-shaped coil / magnetic material set 17 having a built-in coil. Coil / Magnetic Material Set 17
Is attached to the inner diameter surface of the outer member 1, which is the fixed member, and serves as the stator of the generator. The multi-pole magnet 18 is attached to the outer diameter surface of the inner member 2 that is the member on the rotation side, more specifically, the outer diameter surface of the hub wheel 2A, and serves as a rotor of the generator. The coil / magnetic material set 17 serves as the signal output side portion of the rotation detection sensor 4.

The wireless transmission unit 5 is installed in a part of the outer diameter surface of the outer member 1 in the circumferential direction, and is composed of a transmitter in which electronic parts are housed in an outer case. The case is a box type, and a transmitting antenna (not shown) is provided inside. The wireless transmission unit 5 is, for example, a transmitter that transmits a signal by a weak radio wave. The signal may be one that turns the radio wave on and off,
Further, the carrier may be modulated by frequency modulation or the like. The wireless transmission unit 5 may perform transmission by magnetic coupling, transmission by light such as infrared rays, or transmission by ultrasonic waves in addition to transmission by radio waves, as long as it uses a signal for transmitting space. . The rotation detection sensor 4 is used as a power source of the wireless transmission unit 5.
Is used. The reception means 106 (FIG. 1) for the wireless transmission unit 5 is installed in, for example, a tire house (not shown) of the vehicle body 12, and signals are transmitted from the reception means 106 to the control unit of the antilock brake system. The receiving means 106 is fixed to a position where the transmitting unit 5 can be seen through without any obstacle such as metal in order to efficiently receive signals such as radio waves transmitted from the transmitting unit 5. Between the transmission unit 5 and the coil / magnetic material set 17 of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the other situation detection sensors 52, 53, the generated power of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the respective sensors 4, 52, 5 are provided.
An electric wire (not shown) for taking out the detection signal 3 is connected. This electric wire is inserted into a wiring hole (not shown) provided through the peripheral wall of the outer member 1 in the radial direction, and the wiring hole is sealed with a sealing member such as an elastic body or a wet seal. A connector (not shown) may be provided instead of the electric wire.

As the rotation detecting sensor 4, for example, one shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is used. As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-pole magnet 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a ring-shaped member having magnetic poles N and S arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coil / magnetic material set 17
Is a type in which a large number of magnetic poles composed of claws 21a and 21b are arranged. The claws 21a and 21b are, for example, pole-shaped, and the coil / magnetic body set 17 is called a claw pole type or the like. 7 (A) and 7 (B) are respectively shown in FIG.
It is the figure which expanded a part of (A) and (B). More specifically, the coil / magnetic material set 17 includes a magnetic ring member 19 and a coil 20 housed in the ring member 19. The ring member 19 has a groove-shaped cross-sectional shape of the accommodating portion for accommodating the coil 20, which faces the inner peripheral side, that is, a U-shaped cross-sectional shape directed toward the inner peripheral side, and both flanges 19a forming groove side surfaces. , 19b have a plurality of comb-teeth-shaped claws 21a, 21b bent from the opening edge of the opening 19b toward the opposite side surface. Comb-tooth-shaped claws 2 on both flanges 19a and 19b
1a and 21b are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction with a predetermined gap therebetween. An annular magnetic pole portion is formed by the arrangement of the claws 21a and 21b. Each claw 21a,
21b has a rectangular shape elongated in the protruding direction, and the width of the gap d between the claws 21a and 21b in the same direction is, for example, the claw 21a.
It is about three times the width of a and 21b. On the inner peripheral edge of both flanges 19a, 19b of the ring member 19, the claws 21a, 2
The notches 22a and 22b are provided between the portions where 1b is formed, and the flange 19 on the opposite side is provided in these notches 22a and 22b.
The tips of the claws 21b and 21a of b and 19a are exposed.
The notches 22a and 22b are formed in a semicircular shape or a U shape. The ring member 19 is a pressed product of sheet metal, and a magnetic member such as a stainless plate is used as the sheet metal material. The ring member 19 is divided into two at the center in the width direction, that is, the center of the web, but it may be an integral member.

According to the bearing device for a vehicle having this structure, since the rotation detecting sensor 4 for generating electric power by the relative rotation of the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 is provided, the output of the rotation detecting sensor 4 corresponds to the rotation speed of the wheel 13. It can be used as a signal to detect the wheel rotation speed. The rotation detection sensor 4 is the outer member 1.
Since it is built in the annular space between the inner member 2 and the inner member 2, the bearing device is downsized while having a rotation speed detection function. Further, since the transmission unit 5 that wirelessly transmits the detection signal of the wheel rotation speed output from the rotation detection sensor 4 is provided, an electric wire for drawing the rotation speed detection signal to the control unit is not required. Since the rotation detection sensor 4 including a generator is used, an electric wire for supplying power to the sensor is not needed. Further, the electric power obtained by the rotation detection sensor 4 is also used as a power source for the wireless transmission unit 5 and the other situation detection sensors 52 and 53, and an electric wire for supplying power from the vehicle body 12 to the wireless transmission unit 5 is unnecessary. For these reasons, the electric wires are not exposed to the outside of the vehicle, the disconnection is not hindered, and complicated wiring fixing work is not required, which leads to weight reduction and cost reduction of the vehicle. Further, since the entire rotation detecting sensor 4 is built in the annular space between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, it is not necessary to provide a hole for exposing a part of the rotation detecting sensor 4, and the sealing performance of the bearing is improved. Also improves. The hole for passing the electric wire between the rotation detection sensor 4 and the wireless transmission unit 5 is
Although it is necessary to provide the outer member 1, a hole for inserting an electric wire may be a small hole, so that sealing can be easily performed.

The rotation detecting sensor 4 includes comb-shaped claws 21a,
A ring-shaped multi-pole magnet 18 is used by using a coil / magnetic material set 17 including a ring member 19 having 21b and a coil 20.
Since it is combined with, it is easy to increase the number of poles and downsize, and it is possible to perform efficient power generation with excellent utilization efficiency of magnetic flux. In particular,
The coil / magnetic material set 17 includes claws 21a, 2 extending in an opposed manner.
Since the gap between the magnetic poles 1b is large and the magnetic flux leakage from the adjacent magnetic poles is small, the utilization efficiency of the magnetic flux can be high.

The rotation detecting sensor 4 may have a coil / magnetic material set 17 having the structure shown in FIG. 8 in place of the above structure. In the coil / magnetic material set 17 shown in FIG. 8, the claws 21a and 21b of the ring member 19 are shaped such that the width of the claw gradually decreases toward the tip. Ring member 19
Is divided into a pair of ring member constituent members 19A and 19B. Each of the ring member constituent members 19A, 19B includes a flange 19a, 19b and a flange 19a, 1b.
Web component piece 19c extending radially from the outer diameter edge of 9b
a, 19cb, and these web component pieces 19ca, 1
Both ring member constituting members 19A and 19B are combined so that 9cb overlaps each other in a part in the width direction. Each of the ring member constituent members 19A and 19B is formed by bending the comb-shaped claws 21a and 21b from the inner diameter edges of the flanges 19a and 19b.
a and 21b are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction with a predetermined gap therebetween. The other configurations of the coil / magnetic material set 17 in the figure are the same as those of the coil / magnetic material set 17 in the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7. In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7 and the example of FIG. 8, corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

Rectangular claws 21a, 21b shown in FIGS. 6 and 7
Comparing the coil / magnetic material set 17 having the above with the coil / magnetic material set 17 having the tapered claws 21a and 21b shown in FIG. 8, there are the following advantages and disadvantages. Rectangular claw 21 of FIGS. 6 and 7
In the case of the coil / magnetic material set 17 having a and 21b, it is considered that the utilization efficiency of magnetic flux is the best, but the claws 21a and 21a,
The magnetic flux density at the base end, which is the bent portion of 21b, becomes large, and a certain cross-sectional area is required to prevent magnetic saturation. Therefore, there are limits to the number of poles and miniaturization. A coil having tapered claws 21a and 21b in FIG.
In the case of the magnetic body set 17, magnetic saturation does not occur in the bent portions of the claws 21a and 21b, so that multipole and miniaturization are possible. That is, since the magnetic field strength of the NS adjacent magnet has a sine wave shape, the magnetic field at the NS switching point is very weak and the adjacent magnetic pole claw 21
The claws 21a and 21b are tapered so that the magnetic saturation of the bent portions does not occur even if the leakage to the a and 21b is considered to have little effect. The reason why the ring member 19 is of the split type is for convenience of processing, and in the example of FIG. 8, the ring member 19 may be of the integral type. Also, in the example of FIG.
The pair of ring member constituent members 19A and 19B are shown in FIGS.
Similar to the above example, the web portions 19c may be butted. Further, in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the ring member 1
9 may be of a split type in which the web component pieces partially overlap each other as in the example of FIG.

In the above embodiment, the rotation detecting sensor 4 is arranged between the rolling contact surfaces of the double row.
May be provided at the open end between the inner member 2 and the outer member 1 as shown in the following embodiments. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless transmission unit 5 is composed of a box-shaped transmitter provided in a part in the circumferential direction, but the wireless transmission unit 5 is composed of an annular transmitter. It may be one. In that case, an annular transmitter may be integrated with the ring member 19 of the rotation detection sensor 4.
Next, the rotation detection sensor 4 is used as a component of the seal 11,
Moreover, various embodiments in which the wireless transmission unit 5 is integrated with the ring member of the rotation detection sensor 4 as an annular transmitter will be described.

9 to 14 show other embodiments of the present invention. First, items common to these embodiments will be described. The vehicle bearing device of each of these embodiments is a wheel bearing device, and includes an outer member 1 having double rows of rolling contact surfaces 6 and 7 on the inner periphery, and these rolling contact surfaces 6 and 7, respectively. An inner member 2 having rolling surfaces 8 and 9 facing each other and a double row rolling element 3 accommodated between the rolling surfaces 6 and 8 and rolling surfaces 7 and 9 are provided. It is said that the wheels are rotatably supported. This vehicle bearing device is a double-row angular contact ball bearing, and the contact angles of the rolling surfaces 6 to 9 are formed so as to be back-to-back.
The rolling elements 3 are held by the cage 10 for each row. The annular space formed between the inner and outer members 2 and 1 has both open end portions sealed by seals 11 and 11A, respectively.
The seal 11 has the opening end on the inboard side,
Seals the open ends on the outboard side. A transmission unit 5 is provided which has a rotation detection sensor 4 for generating electric power by relative rotation between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, and which wirelessly transmits a signal of the number of rotations of the wheel output from the rotation detection sensor 4. There is. The rotation detection sensor 4 includes a ring member 19 made of a magnetic material that accommodates the coil 20, and a ring-shaped multi-pole magnet 18. Ring member 19 to outer member 1
One of the inner member 2 and the inner member 2 is provided, and the multi-pole magnet 18 is provided on the other member. Rotation detection sensor 4
Is a thrust type in which the direction in which the coil / magnetic body set 17 and the multi-pole magnet 18 face each other, that is, the direction in which the magnetic poles face is the bearing axial direction, It is a radial type that faces the radial direction of the bearing. At least one of the ring member 19 and the multi-pole magnet 18 is a seal 1 that seals the open end between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2.
It is formed integrally with the seal member, which is the first constituent member. The transmission unit 5 is formed in an annular shape, and the annular transmission unit 5 is integrated with a ring member 19 forming the rotation detection sensor 4. Transmission unit 5 and coil 20
And are connected by an electric wire or a connector for connection (not shown). Hereinafter, individual embodiments will be described.

The vehicle bearing device of the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is a third generation inner ring rotating type bearing device for supporting the drive wheels. The rotation detection sensor 4 is a thrust type. The outer member 1 has a vehicle body mounting flange 1a and is mounted on a wheel bearing support component 12a such as a knuckle of the vehicle body 12 as in the first embodiment. The inner member 2 includes a hub wheel 2A,
Another inner ring constituent member 2C fitted to the outer diameter of the end of the hub ring 2A
Composed of and. The hub wheel 2A integrally has a wheel mounting flange 2a. Rolling surfaces 8 and 9 of each row in the inner member 2
Is formed on the hub wheel 2A and the inner ring constituent member 2C.
An outer ring 15a of a constant velocity joint 15 manufactured separately from the vehicle bearing device is connected to the inner member 2. The constant velocity joint outer ring 15a has a shaft portion 16 integrally extending from an outer bottom portion thereof. The shaft portion 16 is connected to the inner member 2 by being inserted into the inner diameter surface of the hub wheel 2A and fixed with a nut. It The axially-oriented flat step portion 16c provided on the outer bottom portion of the constant velocity joint outer race 15a includes an inner race constituent member 2
The inner ring constituting member 2C is fixed by abutting on the end surface of C.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9B, the seal 11 on the rear side of the bearing has first and second annular seal members 31, which are attached to the inner member 2 and the outer member 3, respectively. Three
Have two. These seal members 31 and 32 are attached to the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 by press-fitting them. Both of the seal members 31 and 32 are plate-shaped members, and are formed to have an L-shaped cross section composed of cylindrical portions 31a and 32a and standing plate portions 31b and 32b, and face each other. The first seal member 31 is fitted to the inner member 2 which is a member on the rotation side of the inner member 2 and the outer member 1. The standing plate portion 31b of the first seal member 31 is
The multi-pole magnet 1 is arranged on the outer side of the bearing and on the outer side surface.
8 magnet members 34 are provided. This magnet member 34
Is a component of the multi-pole magnet 18 of the rotation detection sensor 4 together with the first seal member 31, and the first seal member 3
1 is a magnetic material. The magnetic member 34 has magnetic poles N and S formed alternately in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 10, and the magnetic poles N and S are
The pitch circle diameter (PCD) is formed to have a predetermined pitch p. By arranging the coil / magnetic material set 17 facing the magnet member 34 of the multi-pole magnet 18 as shown in FIG. 9B, the rotation detection sensor 4 also serving as the rotation sensor is configured. Magnet member 34 of the multi-pole magnet 18
Is made of an elastic member in which magnetic powder is mixed, and is bonded to the first seal member 31 by vulcanization bonding or the like, which is a so-called rubber magnet. The magnet member 34 of the multi-pole magnet 18 is obtained by bonding magnetic powder to the first seal member 31 instead of vulcanization and bonding, and using magnetic powder hardened by bonding. May be Further, the magnetic member 34 of the multipolar magnet 18 may be plastic mixed with magnetic powder.

The second seal member 32 has side lips 36a slidably contacting the standing plate portion 31b of the first seal member 31 and radial lips 36b, 36c slidably contacting the cylindrical portion 31a.
And have integrally. These lips 36 a to 36 c are provided as a part of the elastic member 36 vulcanized and bonded to the second seal member 32. The cylindrical portion 32a of the second seal member 32 and the tip of the standing plate portion 31b of the first seal member 31 face each other with a slight radial gap, and the labyrinth seal 37 is constituted by the gap.

The coil / magnetic material set 17 is composed of a magnetic material ring member 19 accommodating the coil 20. Ring member 1
9 is the ring member 1 in the coil / magnetic material set 17 described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 in the first embodiment (FIG. 3).
9 is the same as 9 except that the direction of the magnetic pole is different. That is, the ring member 19 of the example of FIG. 9 has a groove-shaped cross-sectional shape, and is bent from the opening edge of the side surface of the groove to the opposite side surface side, like the ring member 19 of the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7. It has a plurality of comb-teeth-shaped claws 21a and 22a, and these comb-teeth-shaped claws 21a and 22a on both side surfaces are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. However, the coil / magnetic body set 17 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is different from the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 in that the groove opening direction is the axial direction and is formed by the comb-tooth-shaped claws 21a and 22a. The magnetic poles are oriented in the axial direction. Also in the ring member 19 of the example of FIG. 9, as in the example of FIG.
Alternatively, a and 22a may be tapered.

In FIG. 9B, the coil / magnetic material set 1
7, the ring member 19 is attached to the attachment ring 49, and the annular transmission unit 5 is attached to the attachment ring 49. In this way, by attaching the transmission unit 5 and the ring member 19 of the coil / magnetic material set 17 to the same attachment ring 49, these transmission units 5
And the ring member 19 of the coil / magnetic material set 17 are integrated. The ring-shaped transmission unit 5 is arranged on the outer circumference of the ring member 19. The mounting ring 49 is made of a molded metal plate, and has a lateral groove portion 49a into which the coil / magnetic body assembly 17 is fitted, and a groove portion extending radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the groove portion 49a. It has an inverted L-shaped portion 49b extending in the same direction as the opening direction of the portion 49a. The attachment ring 49 is attached to the outer member 1 by fitting the inverted L-shaped portion 49b into the outer diameter surface of the end portion of the outer member 1 in a press-fitted state. By mounting in this way, the coil / magnetic material set 17 is positioned so as to face the open end portion between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, and thus faces the multipolar magnet 18, and the transmission unit 5 is placed outside. It is located opposite to the end surface of the square member 1. The mounting ring 49 substantially covers the end opening between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 and also serves as a sealing means for the end opening, and the remaining portion between the mounting ring 49 and the inner member 2 remains. A seal 38 that covers the gap is attached to the opening edge on the inner diameter side of the groove portion 49a of the attachment ring 49. Seal 38
Is made of an elastic body such as rubber and is in sliding contact with the end surface of the inner member 2. The seal 38 prevents foreign matter from entering the gap between the ring member 19 that constitutes the coil / magnetic body set 17 and the magnet member 34 of the multipolar magnet 18, and prevents the rotation detection sensor 4 from being damaged. To prevent.

In the case of this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. Since the rotation detecting sensor 4 is arranged at the open ends of the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, unlike the case where the rotation detecting sensor 4 is arranged inside the bearing as in the first embodiment, The rotation detection sensor 4 can be attached and detached without disassembling the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, and the rotation detection sensor 4 can be easily maintained and repaired. Further, since the multi-pole magnet 18 of the rotation detecting sensor 4 is formed integrally with the seal member 31 at the opening end between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2, the rotation detecting sensor 4 can be configured compactly. The number of parts is small, and the assemblability is excellent. Since the transmission unit 5 is configured in an annular shape, the cross section of the transmission unit 5 can be made small, and the transmission unit 5 can be arranged by utilizing a small empty space around the bearing device. That is, when the box-shaped transmission unit 5 is provided as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the transmission unit 5 is bulky, so that the mounting space for the box-shaped transmission unit 5 is provided in the vicinity of the vehicle bearing device. However, in the case of the ring-shaped transmission unit 5, the space normally generated around the vehicle bearing device can be used for the arrangement of the transmission unit 5. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the space normally generated around the vehicle bearing device, particularly the space around the end opening, is constant velocity joint 15 and wheel bearing mounting member 12.
There is often a very small space around a. Even in such a small peripheral space, the transmitting unit 5 can be arranged by making it annular.
In particular, the peripheral space has a shape with a relatively large allowance in the radial direction rather than the axial direction because the constant velocity joint 15 is approaching, but in this embodiment, the transmission unit 5 is used.
Are arranged on the outer circumference of the coil / magnetic body set 17, so that they can be efficiently housed in the above-mentioned peripheral space as compared with the case where both are arranged in the axial direction. Further, in this embodiment, since the ring-shaped transmission unit 5 and the ring member 19 of the rotation detection sensor 4 are integrated, these transmission units 5
The combination of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the rotation detection sensor 4 can be made more compact, the arrangement space can be easily secured, and the number of parts can be further reduced.

A mounting ring 49 for mounting the coil / magnetic material set 17 and the transmission unit 5 covers the multi-pole magnet 18, and a seal 38 for sealing between the mounting ring 49 and the inner member 2 is mounted. The multi-pole magnet 18
Foreign matter is prevented from entering the gap between the coil and the magnetic body set 17. The attachment ring 49 and the seal 38 prevent damage to the rotation detection sensor 4 due to intrusion of foreign matter. The seal 11 obtains the sealing property of the bearing end portion by the sliding contact between the seal lips 36a to 36c provided on the second seal member 32 with the first seal member 31 and the labyrinth seal 37.

FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. This vehicle bearing device is a second-generation inner ring rotation type vehicle bearing device, and the rotation detection sensor 4 serving as a rotation sensor is a thrust type. In this embodiment, the outer member 11 is provided with a vehicle body mounting flange 1a.

FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. This vehicle bearing device is a third-generation inner ring rotating type vehicle bearing device for supporting drive wheels. In this embodiment, a small-diameter portion 81 having a small inner ring outer diameter is provided at an opening of the bearing, that is, a portion where the seal 11 is arranged,
The volume of the seal 11 is expanded in the inner diameter direction to increase the surface area of the multi-pole magnet 18 and the volume of the rotation detection sensor 4. The small-diameter portion 81 is formed to have a small diameter with a step, and is formed on the inner ring constituent member 2C. By thus providing the diameter-reduced portion 81, the axial length of the rotation detection sensor 4 can be made more compact. That is, the length in the radial direction can be shortened by the amount in the axial direction. Such a configuration in which the inner diameter of the inner ring is reduced to 81 and the volume of the seal 11 is increased in the inner diameter direction is generally applied to a bearing device for a vehicle in which the components of the seal 11 and the rotation detection sensor 4 are integrated. You can In this embodiment, the annular transmission unit 5 is arranged on the outer circumference of the coil / magnetic body set 17, and the transmission unit 5 is fixed to the mounting ring 49.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a second-generation outer ring rotation type vehicle bearing device, and the rotation detection sensor 4 serving as a rotation sensor is a thrust type. The outer member 1 has a wheel mounting flange 1b at one end on the front side. The inner member 2 is
It is of a split type in which two bearing inner rings 2D are arranged in the axial direction. In the case of this embodiment, since the outer member 1 is a member on the rotation side, the transmission unit 5 attached to the outer member 1 rotates, but since the transmission unit 5 has an annular shape, transmission is performed. The rotation of the unit 5 does not affect the fluctuation of the detection signal on the receiving side.

FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a third generation outer ring rotating type,
In addition, it is a vehicle bearing device for supporting the driven wheels. The rotation detection sensor 4 serving as a rotation sensor is a thrust type. The outer member 1 has a wheel mounting flange 1b at one end on the front side. The inner member 2 is composed of two inner ring constituent members 2E and 2F, and a vehicle body mounting flange 2b is provided on the inner ring constituent member 2F. The vehicle body mounting flange 2b is the outer member 1
Is provided further on the back side than the end on the back side. The inner ring constituent member 2E is arranged at the end portion on the front side and is fixed by a caulking portion provided on the inner ring constituent member 2F. In this embodiment, the first seal member 31 of the seal 11 is press-fitted into a portion of the outer diameter surface of the inner member 2 between the raceway surface 9 and the vehicle body mounting flange 2b.
The coil / magnetic material set 17 of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the transmission unit 5 are attached to the outer member 1 by the attachment ring 49. The seal 38 provided on the inner peripheral portion of the attachment ring 49 is provided on the inner member 2. Sliding on the outer diameter surface. In the case of this embodiment, a groove-shaped space is formed between the end of the outer member 1 and the vehicle body mounting flange 2b on the outer periphery of the inner member 2, but the rotation detection sensor 4 and the annular transmission unit 5 are Since they overlap in the axial direction, the rotation detection sensor 4 and the transmission unit 5 can be arranged by effectively utilizing the outer peripheral space of the inner member 2.

Next, an application example of utilizing the sensor detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the vehicle bearing device 51 will be shown. FIG. 15 is an antilock brake system 100 using the vehicle bearing device 51 of each embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like.
It is a block diagram of. The brake 89 contacts a friction member (not shown) such as a brake drum or a brake disc provided on the wheel 13 to brake the wheel 13, and includes a hydraulic cylinder or the like. The operation of the brake operating member 90 such as the brake pedal is converted into hydraulic pressure or the like via the conversion means 91, and the force is transmitted to the brake 89 after increasing the force. The braking force control unit 92 is a unit that adjusts the braking force of the brake 89, and adjusts the braking force according to a command from the control circuit 93. The braking force adjusting means 92 is provided in the hydraulic circuit between the brake 89 and the converting means 91. The control circuit 13 is a means for giving a braking force adjustment command to the braking force adjusting means 12 in accordance with the wheel rotation speed detected by the rotation detection sensor 4, and is composed of an electronic circuit such as a microcomputer. The rotation detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 is transmitted from the wireless transmission means 105 to the reception means 106, and is input from the reception means 106 to the control circuit 93. The anti-lock brake system 100 has a receiving means 106.
Only the rotation detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 is selected and used from the various signals received in.

The rotation detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the detection signals of the different situation detection sensors 52 and 53 received by the reception means 106 are input to the information processing means 56. The information processing device means 56 is a computer that is installed in a vehicle and used for various control of the vehicle and other purposes. The information processing means 56 has a function of becoming a mobile terminal of a mobile communication network which will be described later, and outputs the input detection signals of the rotation detection sensor 4 and the other situation detection sensors 52 and 53 to the mobile communication network. It is sent to the diagnostic means, judgment means, etc. of the remote monitoring system. The information processing device means 56 may also function as the control circuit 93 of the antilock brake system 100. Further, the rotation detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 4 may be used not only in the antilock brake system 100, but also in a system (ARS system) for electronically controlling the steering of the rear wheel angle of the front-wheel steering vehicle in the vehicle control. good.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a remote monitoring system for monitoring the condition of the vehicle bearing device 51 by the detection signals of the sensors 4, 52 and 53 of the vehicle bearing device 51. Vehicle bearing device 5 for supporting each wheel 13 of the vehicle 50
1, the bearing device 51 for vehicles which has said each sensor 4, 52, 53 is used. The vehicle 50 has sensors 4,
The vehicle-mounted communication means 55 that extracts the detection signals of 52 and 53 as wireless signals from the transmission unit 5 provided in the vehicle bearing device 51 and transmits them to the mobile communication network 60.
Is provided. The vehicle-mounted communication means 55 is a wireless communication means including a transmission unit 5 provided in the vehicle bearing device 51 and a reception means 106 provided in the vehicle body 12 and receiving a signal transmitted as a wireless signal from the transmission unit 5. 150 and an information processing device 56 which is provided in the vehicle body 12 and serves as a mobile terminal which processes a signal received by the receiving means 106 and wirelessly transmits it to the mobile communication network 60. The business office 71 at a remote location from the vehicle 50 has the sensors 4, 52, which are communicated via the mobile communication network 60.
Judgment means 75 is provided for diagnosing predetermined matters concerning the vehicle bearing device 51 from the detection signal of 53. Vehicle 50
Are various automobiles, for example, passenger cars, trucks, buses, and construction vehicles.

The mobile communication network 60 may be any means capable of wirelessly communicating with a mobile body, such as a mobile phone, car telephone communication network, PHS (Personal Handy-phone Sys).
tem) communication network, mobile satellite communication network, etc. The illustrated example is an example of a mobile phone communication network, which includes a base station 61, a base station controller 62, and a mobile exchange 63.
Communication with a mobile terminal such as the information processing device 56 is performed via the communication terminal 1. The mobile exchange 63 is a general subscriber line network or IS.
It is connected to another communication network 64 such as a DN network or another mobile communication network, and communicates with the business office 71 from the other communication network 64.

The information processing device 56 serving as a mobile terminal of the vehicle-mounted communication means 55 is, for example, capable of bidirectional communication. The signal format of the sensor detection signal transmitted by the information processing device 56 via the mobile communication network 60 may be an analog signal or a digital signal. Vehicle 50
Is equipped with a vehicle-mounted terminal 57 of a car navigation system (positional information detection system).
Connected with. A screen display device such as a liquid crystal display of the car navigation terminal 57 and the information processing device 56 is
One may be shared or they may be provided separately.

The information processing device 56 is a vehicle bearing device 51.
In addition to the processing of the reception signal of the receiving means 106 for the above, it also serves as a means for processing information of various sensors for detecting the condition of the vehicle 50. The vehicle 50 performs various electronic controls, is provided with various sensors for convenience of driving, safety, etc., and information of these sensors is processed by the information processing device 56. Information processing device 56
May be used for multipurpose information processing unrelated to the driving of the vehicle 50.

Further, the information processing device 56 may have a vehicle mounting determination section 58 which determines a predetermined item from the signal received by the receiving means 106 and guides the determination result. This judgment should be relatively simple. For example, the vehicle mounting determination unit 58 compares a detection signal of temperature or vibration obtained from the received signal with a threshold value, and gives a predetermined notification when the detection signal exceeds the threshold value.

The business office 71 and the judging means 75 will be described. The business establishment 71 in which the determination means 75 is provided is, for example, one of a bearing manufacturer, an automobile maker, an automobile dealer, and an automobile maintenance factory. FIG. 16 shows the judging means 7.
An example in the case where the business office 71 where 5 is provided is a bearing manufacturer is shown.

The judging means 75 uses the communication device 76 for connecting the sensor detection signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted communication means 55 via the mobile communication network 60 to the mobile communication network 60 or another communication network 64. A predetermined matter concerning the vehicle bearing device 51 is diagnosed from the inputted sensor detection signal. The sensor detection signal is a rotation speed signal, and a temperature and vibration signal. As the above-mentioned diagnosis, the judging means 75 compares, for example, each signal with a set range, and judges whether or not it is within an allowable range and makes a stepwise judgment.

In addition to the judging means 75, the business establishment 71 is provided with a treatment information creating means 77 and a database 79, and an order processing means 78 is provided as necessary.
The determination means 75, the treatment information creation means 77, and the order processing means 78 are all computers (not shown).
It is provided in. The treatment information creating means 77 is a judging means 75.
It is a means for creating information on the treatment for the abnormality of the vehicle bearing device 51 according to the judgment result. The treatment information creating means 77 also serves as means for transmitting the created treatment information to the vehicle 50 via the mobile communication network 60.

The treatment information creating means 77 carries out a process of selecting a business establishment 74 which carries out maintenance of the vehicle 50 or a business establishment 73 which carries out sales for the above-mentioned maintenance, and includes the selection information as information of the preparation to be produced. . Treatment information creating means 77
Transmits the information of the treatment to the selected business establishments 73 and 74, and sends the information to the selected business establishments 73 and 74 by the vehicle 5
A message for guiding 0 is transmitted to the vehicle 50 together with the information on the treatment or the information on the judgment result of the judging means 75. The driver of the vehicle 50 can prevent the malfunction by seeing the information about the bearing abnormality, which is the determination result,
Further, it is possible to look at the guide information of the business establishments 73 and 74 to be treated and head to the appropriate business establishments 73 and 74. At the business establishments 73 and 74 that perform treatments, the information on the treatments can be viewed to advance the preparation of the parts and the like, and when the vehicle 50 arrives, the treatments such as bearing replacement can be promptly performed.

Unlike the example of FIG. 16, FIG. 17 is a transmission means 105 of the transmission unit 5 provided in the vehicle bearing device 51, in which the means that serves as a mobile terminal that wirelessly transmits to the mobile communication network 60 is provided. It consists of That is, the vehicle-mounted communication means 55 comprises the transmission means 105. Office 7 receiving sensor detection signal from mobile communication network 60
1 is a business office 71 of a bearing manufacturer, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The business office 71 is provided with a treatment information creating means 77 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Means 78 are provided. The determination means 75 and the treatment information creation means 77 may be provided in any of the other business establishments 72 to 74, as in the above embodiments.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the vehicle bearing device is a wheel bearing device has been described.
The present invention can be generally applied to a vehicle bearing device which is a bearing used in an automobile. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle bearing device used in a railway vehicle.

[0062]

According to the bearing device for a vehicle of the present invention, between the outer member having the rolling surface on the inner periphery, the inner member having the rolling surface facing the rolling surface, and the rolling surface. In a vehicle bearing device including a rolling element accommodated therein, a sensor that detects relative rotation between an outer member and an inner member, and a digitizing unit that digitizes a detection signal of the rotation detection sensor,
Since the transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the digitized detection signal is provided, it is possible to provide the vehicle bearing device having excellent reliability of wireless communication of the rotation detection signal and the like. Another situation detecting sensor for detecting any situation other than the rotation of the vehicle bearing device, a digitizing means for digitizing a detection signal of the other situation detecting sensor, and each digitizing means for digitizing the sensor. When the signal summarizing means for summing the detection signals so that they can be transmitted by the transmitting means is provided, it is possible to enhance the detection function for monitoring the bearing device itself and to suppress the complication of the configuration due to the higher functionality. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a vehicle bearing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmission unit in the vehicle bearing device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of the vehicle bearing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bearing device for a vehicle as viewed from the constant velocity joint side.

5A and 5B are a cross-sectional view and a front view, respectively, of a multipolar magnet that is a component of a rotation detection sensor.

6A and 6B are a cutaway side view and a front view of a ring member of a rotation detection sensor, respectively.

7A and 7B are enlarged views of a part of FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.

8A to 8C are a broken side view, a front view, and a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8B showing a modified example of the ring member in the rotation detection sensor.

9 (A) and 9 (B) are a sectional view and a partially enlarged sectional view of a vehicle bearing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial front view of an elastic member serving as a multi-pole magnet of a rotation detection sensor in the bearing device.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a bearing device for a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a vehicle bearing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle bearing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

14 (A) and 14 (B) are a sectional view and a partially enlarged view of a vehicle bearing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of an antilock brake system to which the vehicle bearing device of the invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conceptual configuration showing an example of a remote monitoring system that monitors a detection signal of the vehicle bearing device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conceptual configuration showing another example of the remote monitoring system for monitoring the detection signal of the vehicle bearing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Outer member 2 ... Inner member 3 ... rolling elements 4 ... Rotation detection sensor 5 ... communication unit 51 ... Vehicle bearing device 52, 53 ... Another situation detection sensor 101-103 ... Digitizing means 104 ... Signal grouping means 105 ... Transmission means 106 ... Receiving means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F16C 33/58 F16C 41/00 41/00 G01K 1/14 M G01K 1/14 G01P 3/487 L G01P 3 / 487 G08C 19/00 C G08C 19/00 17/00 B 23/02 23/00 B 23/04 C H04J 13/00 H04J 13/00 A F term (reference) 2F073 AA35 AB02 AB12 BB01 BB02 BC02 BC04 BC05 FF03 GG01 GG04 3D046 BB12 BB28 HH36 3J101 AA03 AA32 AA43 AA54 AA62 AA72 BA53 BA54 FA22 FA24 FA55 GA03 5K022 EE01

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An outer member having a rolling surface on an inner circumference, an inner member having a rolling surface facing the rolling surface, and a rolling element accommodated between the rolling surfaces. In a vehicle bearing device, a sensor that detects relative rotation between an outer member and an inner member, a digitizing unit that digitizes a detection signal of the rotation detection sensor, and the digitized detection signal is wirelessly transmitted. A bearing device for a vehicle, comprising: 2. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an outer member having a double row rolling contact surface on an inner circumference, an inner member having rolling contact surfaces facing the rolling contact surfaces, and the rolling contact surface. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, which is a bearing device for an axle, which is provided with a double row rolling element housed therebetween and rotatably supports a wheel with respect to a vehicle body. 3. A different situation detecting sensor for detecting some situation other than the rotation of the vehicle bearing device, and a digitizing means for digitizing a detection signal of the different situation detecting sensor,
The vehicle bearing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising signal summing means for summing the detection signals digitized by the respective digitizing means of the respective sensors so as to be transmitted by the transmitting means. 4. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein both or one of a temperature detection sensor and a vibration detection sensor is provided as the another situation detection sensor. 5. The vehicle bearing device according to claim 3, wherein the signal summing means is a data switching means for sequentially switching and inputting output signals of the respective digitizing means. 6. Among the above-mentioned digitizing means, at least the digitizing means of the detection signal of the rotation detecting sensor is
The bearing device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a signal in which a redundant bit is added to a bit serving as a detection signal is generated. 7. Among the above-mentioned digitizing means, at least a digitizing means of a detection signal of a rotation detecting sensor is
7. The vehicle bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the digitized detection signal is converted into digital data in a predetermined data format, or is encrypted and output. 8. The rotation detecting sensor is means for generating a pulse, and the detection signal digitized by the digitizing means of the rotation detecting sensor is cycle data of the pulse. The bearing device for a vehicle according to any one of 1. 9. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means performs spread spectrum communication. 10. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotation detection sensor is a generator. 11. The bearing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means has a function of connecting to a mobile communication network as a mobile terminal.