초록 ▼

A constant velocity joint has an outer bell telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable hub of a hub bearing unit so as to provide torque transmission thereto. The joint bell is releasably axially coupled to a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit by an annular connector. The connector i

A constant velocity joint has an outer bell telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable hub of a hub bearing unit so as to provide torque transmission thereto. The joint bell is releasably axially coupled to a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit by an annular connector. The connector includes a radially inwardly extending annular flange axially clamped against a rigid annular part fixed to or integral with the hub, and a radially outer portion extending axially around a cylindrical surface of the joint bell. This outer portion has a resiliently radially expansible section with one or more radially inwardly extending protrusions providing a snap connection with a relief or recess formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the joint.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A coupling arrangement between a hub bearing unit for a motor vehicle wheel and an associated constant velocity joint, the constant velocity joint having an outer rotatable bell member telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit so as t

What is claimed is: 1. A coupling arrangement between a hub bearing unit for a motor vehicle wheel and an associated constant velocity joint, the constant velocity joint having an outer rotatable bell member telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit so as to provide torque transmission to a rotatable hub of the hub bearing unit, the bell member having a cylindrical outer surface, and an annular connector releasably axially coupling the joint bell to a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit, the annular connector comprising: a radially inwardly extending annular flange axially clamped against a rigid annular part fixed to or integral with the hub, a radially outer portion extending axially around said cylindrical surface of the joint bell, said outer portion having a resiliently radially expansible section with at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion providing a snap connection with a relief or recess formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the joint; wherein: a driving ring is fixed to the rotatable hub providing torque transmission to the hub from the rotatable bell member of the constant velocity joint; the bell member has a tubular projection in telescopic relation with the driving ring, the tubular projection forming said cylindrical outer surface; the annular connector releasably axially couples the joint bell to the driving ring; and the radially inwardly extending flange is axially clamped between a rigid annular race of the bearing and the driving ring. 2. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the radially inwardly extending flange is axially clamped between a rigid annular race of the bearing and a radially outwardly cold formed edge of the hub. 3. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the radially expansible section of the connector includes a conical end section diverging in an axially inner direction. 4. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein two opposite sides of the inwardly extending flange are at least partly covered with a respective annular layer of elastomeric material. 5. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein an annular layer of elastomeric material is attached on the inside of a section that joins the radially inwardly extending flange and the radially outer, axially extending portion of the connector. 6. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the connector forms a plurality of equally angularly spaced openings for detecting rotation of the hub. 7. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the driving ring forms a peripheral circular recess for tightly accommodating a radially innermost portion of the inwardly extending flange of the connector between the same driving ring and the bearing race. 8. A hub bearing assembly for a driving wheel of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a hub bearing unit including an outer stationary race, an inner rotatable race fixed on a rotatable hub and a splined surface fixed with respect to the hub for receiving torque transmission from a bell member of a constant velocity joint, an annular connector for releasably axially coupling the bell member of the constant velocity joint to a rotatable member of hub bearing unit, the annular connector comprising: a radially inwardly extending annular flange suitable for being axially clamped against a rigid annular part fixed to or integral with the hub; a radially outer portion extending axially around a cylindrical surface of the bell member, said outer portion having a resiliently radially expansible section with at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion for providing a snap connection with a relief or recess formed on a cylindrical outer surface of the joint; wherein said radially inwardly extending annular flange of the connector is axially clamped between the inner rotatable bearing race and a splined driving ring fixed to the rotatable hub of the hub bearing unit. 9. The hub bearing assembly of claim 8, wherein the driving ring forms a peripheral circular recess for tightly accommodating a radially innermost portion of the inwardly extending flange of the connector between the same driving ring and the bearing race. 10. The hub bearing assembly of claim 8, wherein the other of the two rigid annular parts is a radially outwardly cold formed edge of the hub.