NTN has recently announced the successful development of its "Drive Wheel Sensor Built-in Wheel Hub Bearing," a groundbreaking innovation that integrates the speed sensor directly into the hub bearing's outer wheel edge for passenger vehicles. Unlike traditional designs where the sensor is mounted separately on the hinge joint, this new technology embeds the sensor within the hub bearing itself, making installation more straightforward and significantly improving both operability and reliability.
The company plans to launch the product in 2006 and aims to achieve annual sales of 2 billion yen by 2010. This move represents a major step forward in automotive sensor technology, offering a more compact and efficient solution compared to conventional systems.
In the past, the process involved first installing a pulse ring and a magnetic encoder ring on rotating components such as the outer wheel of a constant velocity universal joint or the inner wheel of a hub bearing. Then, a rotation sensor was mounted on the hinge joint attached to the vehicle body. This required precise adjustment of the air gap between the sensor and the target surface, along with complex assembly processes to secure the sensor in place.
By integrating the sensor directly into the hub bearing, NTN has designed a system that doesn't interfere with the function of the constant velocity joints. The sensor is positioned in a narrow space between the hinge joint and the outer wheel of the constant velocity joint. Additionally, the design includes an integral annular core metal structure that allows the core to be press-fitted into the hub bearing’s outer ring, eliminating the need for air gap adjustments and reducing the complexity of the hinge joint assembly.
Because the sensing surface is made from a gold-coated core, it offers better protection against debris and road splashes, enhancing the sensor’s durability, performance, and overall reliability. This improvement not only simplifies maintenance but also ensures more accurate and consistent data collection over time.
This innovation marks a significant advancement in automotive engineering, reflecting NTN's commitment to developing smarter, more reliable, and easier-to-install sensor solutions for modern vehicles.
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