Patent ID: 7850531

Claim:
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.