Patent Abstract:
A bracket includes a fixing piece on a rotation element ( 3 ), said fixing piece comprising a body ( 22 ) in the general form of a ring, provided with an annular radial projection ( 23 ). The body includes an opening ( 33 ) which permits a variation in the diameter of said body ( 22 ) on assembly with engagement of the projection ( 23 ) in a corresponding groove ( 9 ) on the rotation element ( 3 ) to give a radial interference fit. A bar ( 28 ) prevents a variation in the diameter of the body ( 22 ) as above after the assembly thereof.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The subject of the present invention is a mounting bracket of the type used for mounting a sensor or encoder system on a race of an instrumented rolling bearing, and a corresponding assembly method.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Relevant Art  
         [0004]     An instrumented rolling bearing generally includes a rotating race, a nonrotating race, an encoder system mounted on the rotating race, and a sensor system mounted on the nonrotating race. The means for mounting the sensor or encoder system on a race must make it possible to prevent poor mounting that would lead to measuring errors or uncoupling between the sensor or encoder system and the corresponding race, rendering the instrumented rolling bearing unusable.  
         [0005]     Document FR 0 376 771 discloses a bracket for the sensor system of an instrumented rolling bearing including a drum cut at one end into a plurality of circumferentially spaced elastic tongues, each tongue being provided at its free end with a hook projecting into a groove in the nonrotating race. The bracket is mounted on the nonrotating race by radial interference between the hooks and the groove. During assembly, the bracket is pressed axially against the nonrotating race. The elastic tongues are deformed by flexing radially to allow the hooks to pass and the bracket and race to be brought toward one another axially. On their hooks are located facing the groove, the tongues assume their initial position, the hooks projecting into the groove.  
         [0006]     Since the tongues are small in length, considerable force must be exerted to achieve flexing of the tongues so that the hooks can be latched into place. The flexing of the tongues required for the passage of the hooks additionally depends on the radial interference between the hooks at the nonrotating race. Too much radial interference results in considerable assembly effort, leading to the risk of the tongues breaking during the assembly. Too little radial interference makes it easier to assemble the bracket on the race but entails the risk of poor mounting of said bracket and of uncoupling between the bracket and the race. Moreover, radial interference is difficult to control since it depends on the manufacturing tolerances of the race and of the bracket.  
         [0007]     Such a mounting bracket is therefore not satisfactory since it presents risks of breaking during its assembly and risks of inadequate mounting during its use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Described herein is a mounting bracket allowing secure and reliable mounting on an axisymmetric element without risks of the mounting bracket breaking during its assembly.  
         [0009]     Also described is a mounting bracket allowing assembly with deformation using small applied forces preventing any risk of the mounting bracket breaking.  
         [0010]     Additionally, a bracket allowing mounting on an axisymmetric element with locking of the bracket to prevent inadvertent disassembly is also described.  
         [0011]     Such a bracket includes a part for mounting the bracket on an axisymmetric element, said mounting part including a body in the general shape of a ring and provided with an annular radial projection, the body including an opening allowing a variation in the diameter of said body during assembly so as to engage the projection in a corresponding groove in the axisymmetric element to allow mounting by radial interference, a locking means being capable, after assembly thereof, of prohibiting any such variation in the diameter of the body.  
         [0012]     The formation of an opening in the body allows a variation in the diameter of the body by bringing toward one another the edges of the body delimiting the opening. The diameter of the body is varied using little force while allowing the variation in the diameter to be sufficient to allow the passage of the annular projection toward the corresponding groove in the axisymmetric element without risking the breaking of the body or of the annular projection. When the annular projection is located facing the groove, the body assumes its initial shape. The projection is introduced into the groove, with a slight clearance or with clamping, to retain the bracket on the axisymmetric element by radial interference. The simple assembly without risk of the bracket breaking makes it possible to provide an annular projection allowing, after assembly, considerable radial interference capable of ensuring that the mounting part is suitably retained on the axisymmetric element.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, the annular projection is interrupted in an angular sector diametrically opposed to the opening. The annular projection is thus divided into two attachment sectors. The use of a continuous annular projection in extended angular sectors makes possible improved retention of the mounting part on the axisymmetric element. Interruption of the annular projection in an angular sector diametrically opposed to the opening makes it possible to limit the force necessary to vary the diameter of the body. Interruption of the projection additionally makes it possible to facilitate the latching into place of the projection during assembly of the bracket while facilitating the passage of the projection.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, the body includes lugs projecting radially outward from a region situated close to edges delimiting the opening. The lugs projecting radially outward facilitate the application of a force for varying the diameter of the body. The lugs may also serve as a mounting portion for elements borne by the mounting bracket.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the locking means includes a rigid portion whose shape matches the opening and which is capable of being inserted into the opening. Once the locking means has been inserted into the opening, it prohibits the edges of the body delimiting the opening from being pulled together and consequently prohibits a reduction in the diameter of the body, which prevents detachment of the mounting bracket. Such a locking means is suitable in the case where the bracket is mounted on the axisymmetric element as a result of a reduction in the diameter of the body.  
         [0016]     In one embodiment, the locking means includes a rigid element bearing on at least one cylindrical supporting surface of the body. The rigid element, bearing on a cylindrical supporting surface, prohibits radial extension or contraction deformation of the cylindrical supporting surface, and therefore of the body.  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, the body includes an axial cylindrical extension forming a locking cylindrical supporting surface.  
         [0018]     Advantageously, the locking means includes a disk portion bearing on an inner cylindrical supporting surface of the axial cylindrical extension. The disk portion is designed to prohibit a reduction in the diameter of the body.  
         [0019]     Advantageously, the locking means includes a rigid cap provided with an annular groove capable of engaging with the axial cylindrical extension. Since the axial cylindrical extension projects into an annular groove in a rigid cap, the latter prohibits an increase or a decrease in the diameter of the body.  
         [0020]     The invention also relates to an instrumented rolling bearing device including a nonrotating race and a sensor means, a rotating part including a rotating race and an encoder means, rolling elements arranged between raceways of the rotating race and nonrotating race, the sensor means additionally including a bracket for mounting it on the nonrotating race according to one aspect of the invention.  
         [0021]     Advantageously, the locking means and/or the body of the bracket bears detection elements of the sensor means. The locking means and/or the body of the bracket may also bear means for processing a measurement signal of the type transmitted by one or more detection elements. Preferably, the locking means includes a connection portion including connection means for the purpose of transmitting signals corresponding to rotation parameters.  
         [0022]     The invention also relates to a method of assembling an instrumented rolling bearing including a nonrotating part including a nonrotating race and a sensor means, a rotating part including a rotating race and an encoder means, rolling elements arranged between raceways of the rotating race and nonrotating race, in which method the sensor means is mounted on the nonrotating race with the aid of a bracket by varying the diameter of a body of the bracket and engaging a projection of the body in a corresponding groove in the nonrotating race to allow mounting by radial interference, and any variation in the diameter of the body is prohibited with the aid of a locking means.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a view in axial section of an instrumented rolling bearing including a bracket according to one aspect of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the bracket of  FIG. 2  when deformed;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a view in axial section of the rolling bearing of  FIG. 1  during a first step of assembling the bracket;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a view in axial section of the rolling bearing of  FIG. 1  during a second step of assembling the bracket;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the rolling bearing of  FIG. 1  during a third step of assembling the bracket;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a cap intended for the bracket;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a view in axial section of the rolling bearing of  FIG. 6  equipped with the cap of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a bracket according to a second embodiment;  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of an instrumented rolling bearing equipped with the bracket according to  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a view in axial section of the rolling bearing of  FIG. 10  during a step of assembling a cap; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a view in axial section of the device of  FIG. 11  after assembly. 
     
    
       [0036]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawing and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     In  FIG. 1 , an instrumented rolling bearing, referenced  1  in its entirety, includes a rotating inner race  2  and a nonrotating outer race  3 . The rotating race  2  is provided with a bore  2   a , with lateral radial faces  2   b ,  2   c , and with a toroidal raceway  4  formed on an outer cylindrical surface  2   d . The nonrotating race  3  includes an outer cylindrical surface  3   a , lateral radial faces  3   b ,  3   c  and a toroidal raceway  5  formed on an inner surface  3   d . Rolling elements  6 , in this case balls, are arranged between the raceways  4 , 5  of the rotating race  2  and nonrotating race  3 . The rolling elements  6  are kept circumferentially spaced by a cage  7 .  
         [0038]     The nonrotating race  3  includes, on its inner surface  3   d , a first annular groove  8  situated axially close to one lateral face  3   b  and a second annular groove  9  situated axially close to the other lateral face  3   c  and being symmetrical to the annular groove  8  with respect to a radial plane passing through the center of the rolling elements  6 .  
         [0039]     The rolling bearing  1  includes a sealing member  10  provided with a rigid reinforcement  11  and with an elastic part  12  overmolded on the rigid reinforcement  11 . The elastic part  12  includes a bulge  13  projecting into the groove  8  from the region of greatest diameter of the elastic part  12 , for the purpose of mounting the sealing member  10  on the nonrotating race  3 . The elastic part  12  also includes a sealing lip  14  extending from the region of smallest diameter of the elastic part  12  and coming, by way of its free edge, into frictional contact with the outer surface  2   d  of the rotating race  2 .  
         [0040]     The instrumented rolling bearing  1  includes an encoder means in the form of an encoder ring  15 , made of magnetic sheet for example, fixed to the rotating race  2 . The encoder ring  15  has the general shape of a cup of L-shaped cross section, including a tubular portion  16  of which a free end  17  is fitted on to the outer surface  2   d  of the rotating race  2 . An inwardly extending radial portion  18  is formed by folding an intermediate portion of the tubular portion  16 . The end  17  of the tubular portion  16  is fitted on to the rotating race  2  such that the radial portion  18  is in axial contact with the lateral surface  2   c  of the rotating race  2 .  
         [0041]     The encoder ring  15  includes a radial portion  19  extending outward from that end of the tubular portion  16  opposite the end  17 . On its free edge of greatest diameter the radial portion  19  includes encoding notches  20   a  forming tongues  20   b  which alternate circumferentially with said notches  20   a.    
         [0042]     A sensor system includes a mounting bracket  21  including a body  22  and synthetic material and in the general shape of an open ring, surrounding the tubular portion  16  of the encoder ring  15  and being situated axially between the rolling elements  6  and the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15 . The end  22   a  of the body  22  opposed to the radial portion  19  is situated projecting into the space enclosed between the rotating race  2  and nonrotating race  3 . The bracket  21  includes an annular projection  23  extending radially outward from the periphery of the end  22   a  of the body  22 . The annular radial projection  23  has a shape matching that of the groove  9  of the nonrotating race  3  and is engaged in the groove  9  in order to mount the bracket  21  on the nonrotating race  3 . The bracket  21  includes an axial cylindrical protrusion  24  of generally annular shape extending on the opposite side to a radial surface  25  of the body  22  in contact with the lateral face  3   c  of the nonrotating race  3 .  
         [0043]     A magnet  26  is embedded in the body  22  flush with a radial surface  27  oriented toward the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15 . The magnet  26  is situated radially facing the notches  20   a  and the tongues  20   b . The bracket  21  additionally includes a locking ring  28 , which will be described later, bearing a detection member  29  situated axially between the magnet  26  and the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15  and radially facing the notches  20   a  and tongues  20   b  of the encoder ring  15 .  
         [0044]     The rolling bearing  1  includes a protective cap  30  of generally annular shape for protecting the encoder and sensor means, this cap being made of synthetic material and including an annular radial portion  31  situated on that side of the portion  19  of the encoder ring  15  directed away from the bracket  21 . The cap  30  includes a tubular portion  32  surrounding the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  of the bracket  21 . An outer cylindrical supporting surface  24   a  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  is in contact with a bore  32   a  of the tubular portion  32 . The axial cylindrical protrusion  24  has an outside diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the outer surface  3   a  of the nonrotating race  3 . The cap  30  is placed on the bracket  21  and pushed in axially until the free edge of the tubular portion  32  comes into axial contact against the lateral surface  3   c  of the nonrotating race  3 . The free end of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  comes close to or in contact with the radial portion  31 . The inside diameter of the radial portion  31  is between the diameter of the bore  2   a  of the rotating race  2  and the diameter of the tubular portion  16  of the encoder ring  15 .  
         [0045]     As can be seen more clearly from  FIG. 6 , the locking means  28  includes a disk portion  40  bearing on an inner cylindrical supporting surface  24   b  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  of the bracket  21 , in an angular sector on either side of the opening  33 . The locking means  28  is entirely rigid and includes a radial connection portion  41  situated radially facing the lugs  34 ,  35  of the bracket  21  and being joined to the disk portion  40  via a narrower radial central portion  42  forming notches  43 ,  44  between the connection portion and the disk portion  40 . The ends  45 ,  46  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  which are adjacent to the opening  33  project into the notches  43 ,  44 , being of matching shape with the latter. The notches  43 ,  44  may be designed such that the locking means can be assembled with clamping between the ends  45 ,  46 . The locking means  28  is arranged axially in contact against the radial surface  27  of the body  22 .  
         [0046]     The thickness of the disk portion  40  is smaller than the axial distance between the surface  27  of the cap oriented toward the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15  and said radial portion  19 . The outside diameter of the disk portion  40  is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  of the cap  22 . The inside diameter of the disk portion  40  is substantially greater than the diameter of the tubular portion  16  of the encoder ring  15 . The disk portion  40  extends over an angular sector which may be between 10° and 360°.  
         [0047]     The detection member  29  is borne by the disk portion  40 , being offset angularly with respect to the opening  33 . The detection member  29  is joined by way of an electrical connection  47  to processing means  48  mounted on the disk portion  40 . The processing means  48  are joined by electrical connections  49 ,  50 ,  51  to connection means  52 ,  53 ,  54  in the form of pins or tongues arranged in or on the connection part  41 . When the rotating race  2  rotates with respect to the nonrotating race  3 , the detection member  29  sends a measurement signal to the processing means  48 , which transmit signals corresponding to the rotation parameters of the rotating race  2  with respect to the nonrotating race  3 . The angular positioning of the detection member  29  is ensured by the interaction of the locking means  28  with the ends  45 ,  46  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 , prohibiting angular displacement of the locking means  28  with respect to the bracket  21 .  
         [0048]     The locking means  28  serves as support for sensor means of the instrumentation system of the rolling bearing  1 . The central part  42  of the locking means  28  prohibits the edges  45 ,  44  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  from being brought toward one another. As a consequence, the locking means  28  prohibits elastic deformation of the body  22  that reduces the diameter of the body  22 . The locking means may therefore be advantageously produced from the printed circuit board, the substrate of the board providing the mechanical lock function while the components supported by it provide the detection and/or signal processing and/or connection functions.  
         [0049]     During the rotation of the rotating race  2 , the notches  20   a  and tongues  20   b  of the encoder ring  15  rotate past the detection member  29  which they face. The notches  22  disturb the magnetic field produced by the magnet  26 . The magnetosensitive detection member  29  detects the variations in magnetic field and transmits the corresponding measurements to processing means which make it possible to know, for example, the angular displacement, speed or acceleration of the rotating race  2  with respect to the nonrotating race  3 . Of course, it is possible to provide different detection means, for example of the optical type, associated with an encoder ring provided with alternating reflecting and nonreflecting regions.  
         [0050]     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the bracket  21  includes an opening  33 . The annular radial projection  23  is interrupted in an angular sector opposed to the opening  33 . The annular projection  23  is separated into two diametrically opposite sectors  23   a  and  23   b . The bracket  21  includes lugs  34 ,  35  projecting radially outward from regions  36 ,  37  situated close to edges  38 ,  39  of the body  22  delimiting the opening  33 . The opening  33  gives the bracket  21  a certain radial flexibility.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows the bracket  21  in a configuration in which the diameter of the body  22  has been reduced by application of a force and elastic deformation. To achieve this, a force may be applied to the lugs  34 ,  35  which brings them toward one another. The sectors  23   a ,  23   b  of the annular projection  23  are brought radially toward one another so as to allow them to pass into the space enclosed between the rotating race  2  and nonrotating race  3  until they come to face the groove  9  in which they will be introduced when the body  22  has resumed its initial shape. The position of the bracket  21  corresponding to the initial position of the body  22  has been shown in dashed lines.  
         [0052]     In  FIG. 4  the rolling bearing  1  is partially assembled and includes the rotating race  2  and nonrotating race  3 , the rolling elements  6 , the cage  7 , and the sealing member  10 . The bracket  21  is deformed elastically in order to reduce its diameter, as represented in  FIG. 3 . The bracket  21  is presented facing the space between the rotating race  2  and nonrotating race  3  so that it can be brought axially toward this space and mounted in the groove  9 .  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 5  the bracket  21  has been introduced axially into the space enclosed between the rotating race  2  and the nonrotating race  3  until the shoulder  25  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  comes into contact with the lateral surface  3   c  of the outer race  3 . The force exerted on the lugs  34 ,  35  is released and the bracket  21  resumes its initial shape, the sectors  23   a ,  23   b  of the annular projection  23  projecting into the annular groove  9  of the nonrotating race  3 . After the bracket  21  has returned to its initial position, the spacing E between the edges  38 ,  39  delimiting the opening  3  ( FIG. 5 ) is greater than the spacing e between these same edges  38 ,  39  during the preceding step of axially inserting the bracket ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0054]     During a third assembly step illustrated by  FIG. 6 , the locking means  28  is assembled on the bracket  21  in order to prohibit a reduction in diameter of the bracket  21  so as to avoid uncoupling between the bracket  21  and the nonrotating race  3 . The locking means  28  thus prevents undesired uncoupling between the bracket  21  and the nonrotating race  3 . The locking means  28  is preferably assembled with slight clamping.  
         [0055]     The bracket  21  including a body  22  of generally annular shape provided with an opening  33  may be easily deformed elastically in order to reduce the diameter of the body  22  without risking the latter breaking. It is thus possible to provide an annular projection  23  allowing considerable radial interference by engaging in the groove  9  of the nonrotating race  3  and ensuring reliable mounting of the nonrotating race and of the bracket  21 , the ease of assembling the bracket  21  being maintained by virtue of the bracket being sufficiently deformed without considerable force leading to the risk of the bracket  21  breaking. In particular, sufficient radial interference for mounting can be provided in spite of variations in diameter due to manufacturing tolerances.  
         [0056]     During a subsequent assembly step, the cap  30  is placed on the bracket  21  by way of its tubular portion  32  and the latter is fitted onto the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  of the bracket  21 . As can be seen more clearly from  FIG. 7 , the cap  30  includes a radial protrusion  31   a  for protecting the connection part  41  of the locking means  28 , coming radially to face said connection part  41 . The tubular portion  32  is interrupted in the angular sector of the radial protrusion  31   a,  being extended radially outward by edges  32   b ,  32   c  situated on either side of the radial protrusion  31   a.    
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows a view in cross section of the completely assembled rolling bearing  1  in an axial cutting plane passing through the opening  33  and through the interruption of the annular projection  23 . The central part  42  of the locking means is situated between the edges of the axial cylindrical protrusion, one edge  46  of which is visible between the central part  42  and the radial portion  31  of the cap  30 .  
         [0058]     The locking means  28  prohibits deformation of the bracket  21  by prohibiting the edges of the body  22  delimiting the opening  23  from moving toward one another. In another embodiment, a more angularly extended disk portion  40  is provided such that it bears against a portion of the inner supporting surface  24   c  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  which is sufficiently extended to prohibit a reduction in the diameter of the body  22 . For example, the disk portion  40  may extend over an angular sector of between 190° and 360°.  
         [0059]     The deformation of the body  22  by exerting a force which brings the edges  37 ,  38  delimiting the opening  33  toward one another is manifested by the attachment sectors  23   a ,  23   b  being brought diametrically toward one another as a result of the portions of the body  22  which are situated on either side of the opening  33  being brought substantially toward one another. The whole of that portion of the body  22  diametrically opposed to the opening undergoes less considerable radial deformation, as is represented in  FIG. 3 . The interruption of the projection  23  makes it possible to reduce the rigidity of the body to a certain extent. Moreover, since the axis passing through the opening  33  and the interruption of the projection  23  is an axis of lesser radial deformation of the body  22  when the edges  37 ,  38  delimiting the opening  33  are brought toward one another, the interruption of the projection  23 , associated with the opening  33 , makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the projection along this axis in order to facilitate assembly of the bracket  21 .  
         [0060]     Attachment sectors  23   a ,  23   b  extended angularly over, for example, 10° to 170° make it possible to provide secure mounting, the projection being rigid and the mounting forces being distributed. Of course, it would be possible to provide a projection divided into three or more attachment sectors without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0061]     In FIGS.  9  to  12  the references to like elements in FIGS.  1  to  8  have again been used. In this embodiment, the bracket  21  ( FIG. 9 ) is similar to the bracket of the previous embodiment, apart from the fact that it is without lugs.  FIG. 10  illustrates a rolling bearing  1  on which the bracket  21  is mounted. The magnet  26  flush with the radial surface  27  of the body  22  is offset angularly with respect to the opening  33  of the body  22 .  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 12  the cap  30  includes a tubular portion  32  surrounding the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 . A bore  32   a  of the tubular portion  32  is in contact with an outer cylindrical supporting surface  24   a  of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 . An annular bulge  55  extends from a radial portion  31  of the cap  30  in the direction of the rolling elements, forming an annular groove  56  in which the free end of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  is engaged. The axial cylindrical protrusion  24  forms an inner cylindrical supporting surface  24   b  in contact with the outer surface of the bulge  55 . The cap  30  includes a tubular central portion  57  extending axially toward the rotating race  2 , from the region of smallest diameter of the radial portion  31 . The tubular central portion  57  extends close to the radial portion  18  of the encoder ring  15  to form a narrow sealing passage.  
         [0063]     A processing board  58  is housed in a recess  59  in the radial portion  31  situated facing the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15 . The board  53  bears a detection member  29  situated facing the magnet  26 , on the opposite side of the radial portion  19  of the encoder ring  15 . In this position, the detection member  29  detects the variations in the magnetic field created by the magnet  26 , said variations being brought about by the encoding notches  20   a  and the tongues  20   b  of the radial portion  19  moving past between the magnet  26  and the detection member  29 . The detection member  29  is connected in a way which has not been represented to a connection outlet  60  projecting axially from a face of the radial portion  31  directed away from the rolling bearing  1 .  
         [0064]     As illustrated by  FIG. 11 , since the bracket  21  is assembled on the nonrotating race  3 , the encoder ring  15  is fitted onto the rotating race  2 , and then the cap  30  is placed in such a way that the free end of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24  projects into the groove  56 . Finally, the instrumented rolling bearing as represented in  FIG. 12  is obtained. The groove  56  has a deeper region forming a notch  56 d intended to interact with a tooth  24   d  projecting axially from the free edge of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 . The notch  56 d and the tooth  24   d  form a means of axially indexing the cap  30  with respect to the bracket  21  in order to ensure that the detection member  29  is situated in an angularly correct position opposite the magnet  26 .  
         [0065]     When the cap  30  is assembled ( FIG. 12 ), a variation in the diameter of the body  22  of the bracket  21  is prohibited by the cap  30 . A reduction in the diameter of the bracket  21  causes a reduction in the diameter of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 , which then bears by its inner supporting surface  24   b  against the outer surface of the bulge  55 . The bulge  55  of the cap  30  is rigid and prohibits a reduction in the diameter of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 . The cap  30  also prohibits an increase in the diameter of the body  22 , because such an increase would be manifested by an increase in the diameter of the axial cylindrical protrusion  24 , prohibited by the tubular portion  32  surrounding said axial cylindrical protrusion  24 .  
         [0066]     The lock function is provided by the bulge  55  made in one piece with the protective cap  30 . The bulge  55  comes into contact with a cylindrical supporting surface of the bracket  21  to prevent a reduction in the diameter of the body  22  of the bracket. It is possible to conceive of other embodiments allowing the formation of a rigid part of the cap in contact with a cylindrical supporting surface of the bracket  21  in order to prevent a variation in the diameter of the bracket  21 . For example, it is possible to provide an annular groove formed in that surface  27  of the body  22  oriented toward the cap  30 , and a corresponding rib of the cap projecting into the annular groove, being in contact with a cylindrical supporting surface of the groove.  
         [0067]     Embodiments have been described in which the bracket  21  is assembled on an axisymmetric element, in this case races of a rolling bearing, entailing deformation of the bracket  21  through a reduction in its diameter. In different embodiments, an increase in the diameter of the bracket may be required for its assembly. For example, it may be desired to mount a bracket by latching into a groove in an outer surface of an inner or outer race of a rolling bearing. It will then be required to provide an annular projection directed radially inward to interact with said groove. An increase in the bracket diameter will then be necessary to latch the annular projection into the groove. A locking means making it possible to prohibit an increase in the diameter of the body of the bracket will be provided.  
         [0068]     By virtue of the invention, it is possible to obtain a bracket for mounting on an axisymmetric element which can be mounted on the support in a secure manner and without risk to the bracket while it is being assembled. The mounting bracket allows assembly on the mounting element with little force in relation to its breaking point, providing sufficient radial interference for mounting.  
         [0069]     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description to the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. In addition, it is to be understood that features described herein independently may, in certain embodiments, be combined.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5