Patent ID: 11926173
Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  G | IPC B  F  G

Claim 10:
11. A system for real-time detection of the forces and moments applied to a wheel hub unit comprising:
an outer ring radially provided on the inside with a pair of annular races for rolling elements;
a plurality of longitudinal recesses axially formed in an outer lateral surface of the outer ring, spaced angularly apart from each other, each of the plurality of longitudinal recesses extending both axially and in a circumferential direction over both the annular races, each of the plurality of longitudinal recesses further defining zones of localised elastic deformation in the outer ring;
a first step, of annular shape, formed peripherally within at least one of the plurality of longitudinal recesses along the whole perimeter of the at least one of plurality of longitudinal recesses;
a pair of metal plates located transversely within the at least one of plurality of longitudinal recesses, each metal plate of the pair of metal plates aligned circumferentially with a respective annular race, wherein circumferentially opposite extremities of each metal plate being coupled to opposite lateral sides of the first step;
a hollow formed centrally within the at least one of plurality of longitudinal recesses, the hollow being bounded perimeterally by the first step so as to form a second step inside the first step, the second step delimiting a base wall of the recess;
a first sensor including a plate of piezoresistive ceramic material coupled to the at least one metal plate, the plate of piezoresistive ceramic material being made on a first face the at least one metal plate opposite to a radially outer lateral surface of the outer ring;
a temperature sensor;
an electrical circuit connected in symmetrically opposite positions in the circumferential direction to opposite extremities of the plate of piezoresistive ceramic material, wherein the electric circuit is further connected to opposite extremities of a plurality of other plates of piezoresistive ceramic material to collect a plurality of first electrical signals (S1), each relating to a respective sensor of a plurality of sensors, including the first sensor, the electrical circuit being also connected to the temperature sensor to collect a second electrical signal (S2) emitted by the temperature sensor; and
a circuit board connected to one end of the electrical circuit to simultaneously process the first signals (S1) relating to each of the plurality of sensors and the second signal (S2) relating to the temperature sensor in parallel.