An axle assembly for a vehicle. A movable housing is movably positioned within a closed channel defined by a central housing. The movable housing moves the axle assembly between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A mounting assembly may be coupled to and spaced from the movable housing and slidably positioned adjacent the central housing. A steering actuator is coupled to a steering arm and the mounting assembly such that the steering actuator moves as a unit. A track assist bracket may be fixedly coupled to the central housing and define a gap sized to slidably receive a mounting plate of the mounting assembly. A bushing may be disposed on each wall of a telescoping portion of the movable housing. A bellows may be provided to enclose exposed portions of the bushings in the extended configuration. Methods of adjusting the track of the axle assembly are also disclosed.

A wheel bearing apparatus has a magnetic encoder 14 mounted on an inner ring 5 opposing the rotational speed sensor 16, via the cap 10 and an air gap. The cap 10 has a cylindrical fitting part 10a press-fit into an inner circumference of an end of the outer member 2. A shielding part 10c extends radially inward from the fitting part 10a and has an annular disc shape. A detection part 16a of the rotational speed sensor 16 is arranged close to or in contact with a side surface of the shielding part 10c. The cap 10 is formed of austenitic stainless steel sheet based on SUS 304. The carbon (C) content is reduced and the nickel (Ni) content is increased. A difference of magnetic flux density between a martensitic transformation part and non-martensite part is 1.4 mT or less.

A wheel bearing apparatus has a magnetic encoder 14 mounted on an inner ring 5 opposing the rotational speed sensor 16, via the cap 10 and an air gap. The cap 10 has a cylindrical fitting part 10a press-fit into an inner circumference of an end of the outer member 2. A shielding part 10c extends radially inward from the fitting part 10a and has an annular disc shape. A detection part 16a of the rotational speed sensor 16 is arranged close to or in contact with a side surface of the shielding part 10c. The cap 10 is formed of austenitic stainless steel sheet based on SUS 304. The carbon (C) content is reduced and the nickel (Ni) content is increased. A difference of magnetic flux density between a martensitic transformation part and non-martensite part is 1.4 mT or less.

A method of manufacturing a rotating bearing unit includes to cause one end surface in the axial direction of the forming punch (46), formed by combining a plurality of punch elements (46, 46) divided in the circumferential direction, which are displaceable in the axial direction and which are not displaceable in the circumferential direction, and having a processing teeth (44, 44) at one end surface in the axial direction, to face the other end surface of the caulking section (20) in the axial direction. In this state, rolls (30a) are rotated about the central axis () of the hub main body (8) while pressing the other end surface of the forming punch (46) in the axial direction with a pressing surface (43) of the roll (30a) having a central axis () that is inclined with respect to the central axis () of the hub main body (8).

A method of manufacturing a rotating bearing unit includes to cause one end surface in the axial direction of the forming punch (46), formed by combining a plurality of punch elements (46, 46) divided in the circumferential direction, which are displaceable in the axial direction and which are not displaceable in the circumferential direction, and having a processing teeth (44, 44) at one end surface in the axial direction, to face the other end surface of the caulking section (20) in the axial direction. In this state, rolls (30a) are rotated about the central axis () of the hub main body (8) while pressing the other end surface of the forming punch (46) in the axial direction with a pressing surface (43) of the roll (30a) having a central axis () that is inclined with respect to the central axis () of the hub main body (8).

A method of making an axle sleeve may comprise forming a main body comprising a cylinder, and forming an expansion member whereby a diameter of the main body may be varied.

A bearing device (1) for a vehicle wheel is provided with: a magnetic encoder (7) provided to an inner-side end of an inner race (4), which is an inward member; a cover (11) for covering an inner-side opening (2B) of an outer race (2), which is an outward member, the cover having opened therein a sensor attachment hole (11H) in which an opening (11A) and a thin-walled bottom (11B) are formed; and a magnetic sensor (9) disposed facing the magnetic encoder across the bottom. The magnetic sensor is inserted into the sensor attachment hole in the cover through the opening (11A). The bottom (11B) in the sensor attachment hole is formed in such a shape as to bulge toward the inner side.

A bearing device (1) for a vehicle wheel is provided with: a magnetic encoder (7) provided to an inner-side end of an inner race (4), which is an inward member; a cover (11) for covering an inner-side opening (2B) of an outer race (2), which is an outward member, the cover having opened therein a sensor attachment hole (11H) in which an opening (11A) and a thin-walled bottom (11B) are formed; and a magnetic sensor (9) disposed facing the magnetic encoder across the bottom. The magnetic sensor is inserted into the sensor attachment hole in the cover through the opening (11A). The bottom (11B) in the sensor attachment hole is formed in such a shape as to bulge toward the inner side.

An axle system includes an axle stub and a clamping unit, the axle stub being formed in a substantially rotationally symmetrical manner about a stub axis, the clamping unit in an assembled state transmitting a clamping force to the axle stub, the clamping unit and the axle stub in the assembled state being secured non-positively to prevent movement relative to one another.

The present invention provides a rolling bearing unit for supporting wheel that is able to suppress increase in the dimension in the axial direction due to the installation of a generator and a wireless communication apparatus to a minimum, supply sufficient electric power to a sensor attached to a wheel, and wirelessly transmit output signals of the sensor to an electronic apparatus on the vehicle body. The hub 17 comprises an inner recessed portion 29 on the inner diameter side of the inside portion in the axial direction which has a cylindrical fitting surface section 30 on the inner peripheral surface and is coaxial with the center axis of the hub 17, and a supporting member 67 is supported by and fastened to the inside of the inner recessed portion in a state where the hollow cylindrical supporting member 67 fits the cylindrical guide surface section 70 that is provided in the outer peripheral surface to the fitting surface section 30. A rotor 6 which is an armature is fixed to the inside portion in the axial direction of the supporting member 67 to be coaxial with the supporting member 67, and the wireless communication apparatus 12 is placed inside in the radial direction of the supporting member 67. A through-hole 34 where a wiring 57 is placed opens in the bottom surface 31 of the inner recessed portion 29.