Patent ID: 12188522

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments explained in the following refer to preferred embodiments of the invention. With the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments represent individual features to be considered independently of one another, which also further embody the invention independently of one another. Thus, the disclosure should also comprise combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented through further described features of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to equivalent features and functions in the figures.

FIG.1shows a schematic perspective view of a wheel carrier device10for a vehicle, which is preferably a motor vehicle. The wheel carrier device10has at least or precisely one wheel carrier12. In its completely manufactured state, the vehicle has the wheel carrier device10and thus the wheel carrier12. In its completely manufactured state, the vehicle can particularly have a steering system designed, for example, as an axle-pivot steering system, in which the steering system may comprise the wheel carrier device10and thus the wheel carrier12. In this case, the wheel carrier12, for example, is a steering knuckle, which pivots about a pivot axis, also known as a steering axis, relative to a vehicle structure formed, for example, as a self-supporting body and thus can be steered.

The wheel carrier12has at least or precisely one bearing point14, at which at least or precisely one wheel bearing16, for example as shown inFIG.2, is to be mounted or is mounted for rotatable mounting of a wheel hub. This means that, in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle, the previously mentioned wheel hub is rotatably mounted at the bearing point14and thus rotatably mounted on the wheel carrier12, via the wheel bearing16, such that the wheel hub can rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the wheel carrier12. The wheel bearing16in this case is formed, for example, as a roller bearing, which has an outer ring, an inner ring, and a rolling element. The outer ring and the inner ring are also characterized as bearing rings, which have respective raceways. The rolling elements in this case are arranged between the bearing rings and, particularly in this case, between the raceways and roll on the raceways, between the bearing rings, during a relative rotation. In this case, in the completely manufactured state of the vehicle, a wheel, also known as a vehicle wheel, is connected to the wheel hub in a rotationally fixed manner such that, for example, the wheel rotates together with the wheel hub about the axis of rotation relative to the wheel carrier12when the vehicle is driven. The wheel is a ground-contact element, by means of which the vehicle can be supported or is supported downwardly on the ground in the vertical direction of the vehicle. If the vehicle is moved along the ground while the vehicle is supported downwardly on the ground in the vertical direction of the vehicle via the wheel, the wheel rolls along the ground and the wheel rotates about the axis of rotation relative to the wheel carrier12.

The bearing point14in this case has a bearing mount18, also known as a recess or mount, in which the wheel bearing16is accommodated at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely, in particular in relation to the axial direction of the wheel bearing16. The axial direction of the wheel bearing16in this case coincides with the previously mentioned axis of rotation. If the wheel carrier12can be pivoted, for example, about the steering axis, then the wheel can also be pivoted about the steering axis relative to the body. In other words, the wheel can be steered in order to thereby implement, for example, a lane change, changes in direction, and curve-driving of the vehicle.

In order to realize especially energy-efficient operation of the vehicle, the wheel carrier12, particularly the outer circumferential jacket surface20thereof, is at least partially, particularly at least predominantly, surrounded by at least one thermal insulation element22. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1, the thermal insulation element22is provided in addition to the wheel carrier12and formed separately from the wheel carrier12. In this case, the wheel carrier12is surrounded on the outer circumference, at least predominately, by the thermal insulation element22such that more than half of the outer circumferential jacket surface20is surrounded by the thermal insulation element22. The outer circumferential jacket surface20is also known as the surface area or surface of the wheel carrier12.

In order to avoid excessive or excessively quick dissipation of heat from the wheel carrier12and particularly from the bearing point14or from the wheel bearing16to an environment24of the wheel carrier device10and, as a result, to realize especially energy-efficient operation of the vehicle, the thermal insulation element22overlaps the bearing point14at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely. In particular, it is preferably provided that the thermal insulation element22surrounds the bearing point14at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, on at least two different sides thereof, the sides being opposite or facing away from each other.

One of the sides is designated as51inFIG.1.FIG.1does not show the other side since it is, for example, a backside of the wheel carrier12and consequently is facing away from the viewer's perspective inFIG.1.

In order to avoid an excessive transfer of heat to the environment24, the thermal insulation element22has direct contact with the outer circumferential jacket surface20. Thus, the wheel carrier12is sheathed with the thermal insulation element22. In addition,FIG.1shows especially well that the wheel carrier device10is completely free of heating elements, by means of which the wheel carrier12or the bearing point14can be actively heated using electrical energy. In addition, it is preferably provided that the wheel carrier12is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, while the thermal insulation element22is preferably formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

FIG.2shows that the wheel bearing16is surrounded on the outer circumference at least partially by at least one further thermal insulation element26. Preferably, the thermal insulation element26is formed from a third material, which is different from the first material and/or from the second material, in which the third material and the second material can be the same. In particular, the thermal insulation element26can be formed from a plastic.

In the completely manufactured state of the vehicle or in an arrangement of the wheel bearing16on the wheel carrier12, the thermal insulation element26is arranged at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely, between wheel bearing16, which is formed separately from wheel bearing12, and wheel bearing12. Thus, wheel bearing16, for example, is thermally encapsulated with respect to wheel carrier12and particularly with respect to the environment24by means of the thermal insulation element26. In this case, the thermal insulation element22can optionally be omitted.

By using thermal insulation element22and/or26, the wheel bearing16, for example, can heat up especially quickly when the vehicle is driven and particularly due to a power loss such that especially energy-efficient operation can consequently be shown. In addition, excessively quick cooling of the wheel bearing16can be avoided, for example, during a stopped phase following the drive such that the wheel bearing16has an especially advantageously high temperature when the trip is resumed. As a whole, the power loss of the wheel bearing16can be kept low such that the vehicle can be operated, particularly driven, especially energy-efficiently. Furthermore, overall it is clear that thermal insulation element22or26represents thermal insulation or encapsulation of wheel carrier12with respect to the environment24or wheel bearing16with respect to wheel carrier12, and particularly with respect to the environment24. Excessive heat loss of the wheel bearing16can thereby be avoided. In addition, the wheel bearing16can be heated especially quickly or kept warm without additional, active heating measures being required for this. As a result, the energy consumption, the number of parts, the costs, the weight, and the installation space requirements can be kept especially low.

Preferably, the thermal insulation element26is connected to the wheel bearing16, particularly also independently of the wheel carrier12. In addition,FIG.2shows that at least the thermal insulation element26and the wheel bearing16form a bearing device28, which comprises the wheel bearing16and the thermal insulation element26at least partially surrounding the wheel bearing16on the outer circumference.