Patent ID: 6637943
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B60B,F16C

Abstract:
In combination with a road wheel and an automotive suspension system component having a bore that opens laterally, a hub assembly for supporting the suspension system component on the road wheel as the road wheel rotates about an axis rotation, said hub assembly comprising:a housing attached to the suspension system component and extending into the bore of suspension system component without fully occupying the bore; a hub having flange to which the road wheel is attached and a spindle projecting from the flange i p to the housing, with the spindle and flange being integral at one end of the spindle and with the spindle being provided with a formed end that is an integral part of the spindle and is directed radially outwardly with respect to the axis at the other end of the spindle; an antifriction bearing located between the spindle and the housing for enabling the hub to rotate relative to the housing with minimal friction, the bearing including an inner race that is formed separate and apart from the hub and is located around the spindle between the flange and formed end and within the housing such that an annular space exists between the inner race and housing, the inner race having an inner raceway that is presented away from the axis, the bearing also including an outer raceway that is carried by the housing and is presented inwardly toward the raceway on the inner race, the bearing further including rolling elements arranged in a row between the inner and outer raceways; and a slinger located around the spindle where it is captured tightly between the inner race an the formed end, the slinger projecting outwardly away from the spindle and having its periphery in close proximity to the surface of the bore in the suspension system component.