WHEEL CARRIER DEVICE AND BEARING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A wheel carrier device for a vehicle, with at least one wheel carrier which has at least one bearing point at which at least one wheel bearing is to be mounted for rotatably mounting a wheel hub, wherein the wheel carrier is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one thermal insulation element.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A wheel carrier device for a vehicle, comprising: at least one wheel carrier which has at least one bearing point at which at least one wheel bearing is to be mounted for rotatably mounting a wheel hub, wherein the wheel carrier is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one thermal insulation element.

10. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the wheel carrier is at least predominately surrounded on the outer circumference by the thermal insulation element.

11. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal insulation element overlaps the bearing point at least partially, particularly at least predominately or completely.

12. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal insulation element surrounds the bearing point at least partially, particularly at least predominantly, on at least three different sides of the bearing point.

13. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal insulation element has direct contact with an outer circumferential jacket surface of the wheel carrier.

14. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the wheel carrier is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, and the thermal insulation element is formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

15. The wheel carrier device according to claim 9, wherein the wheel carrier device has the wheel bearing which is arranged at the bearing point.

16. The wheel carrier device according to claim 15, wherein the wheel bearing is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one further thermal insulation element arranged between the wheel bearing and the wheel carrier.

17. A bearing device for a vehicle, comprising: at least one wheel bearing for rotatably mounting a wheel hub on a wheel carrier of the vehicle, wherein the wheel bearing is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one thermal insulation element.

18. A vehicle, comprising: at least one wheel carrier device having at least one wheel carrier which has at least one bearing point at which at least one wheel bearing is to be mounted for rotatably mounting a wheel hub, wherein the wheel carrier is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one thermal insulation element; and at least one bearing device with at least one wheel bearing for rotatably mounting a wheel hub on a wheel carrier of the vehicle, wherein the wheel bearing is at least partially surrounded on the outer circumference by at least one thermal insulation element.

19. The wheel carrier device according to claim 10, wherein the thermal insulation element overlaps the bearing point at least partially, particularly at least predominately or completely.

20. The wheel carrier device according to claim 10, wherein the thermal insulation element surrounds the bearing point at least partially, particularly at least predominantly, on at least three different sides of the bearing point.

21. The wheel carrier device according to claim 11, wherein the thermal insulation element surrounds the bearing point at least partially, particularly at least predominantly, on at least three different sides of the bearing point.

22. The wheel carrier device according to claim 10, wherein the thermal insulation element has direct contact with an outer circumferential jacket surface of the wheel carrier.

23. The wheel carrier device according to claim 11, wherein the thermal insulation element has direct contact with an outer circumferential jacket surface of the wheel carrier.

24. The wheel carrier device according to claim 12, wherein the thermal insulation element has direct contact with an outer circumferential jacket surface of the wheel carrier.

25. The wheel carrier device according to claim 10, wherein the wheel carrier is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, and the thermal insulation element is formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

26. The wheel carrier device according to claim 11, wherein the wheel carrier is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, and the thermal insulation element is formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

27. The wheel carrier device according to claim 12, wherein the wheel carrier is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, and the thermal insulation element is formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

28. The wheel carrier device according to claim 13, wherein the wheel carrier is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, and the thermal insulation element is formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the following. The following is shown:

[0027] FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a wheel carrier device according to the invention for a vehicle; and

[0028] FIG. 2 a schematic perspective view of a bearing device according to the invention for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] 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.

[0030] The same reference numerals refer to equivalent features and functions in the figures.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a wheel carrier device 10 for a vehicle, which is preferably a motor vehicle. The wheel carrier device 10 has at least or precisely one wheel carrier 12. In its completely manufactured state, the vehicle has the wheel carrier device 10 and thus the wheel carrier 12. 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 device 10 and thus the wheel carrier 12. In this case, the wheel carrier 12, 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.

[0032] The wheel carrier 12 has at least or precisely one bearing point 14, at which at least or precisely one wheel bearing 16, for example as shown in FIG. 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 point 14 and thus rotatably mounted on the wheel carrier 12, via the wheel bearing 16, such that the wheel hub can rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the wheel carrier 12. The wheel bearing 16 in 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 carrier 12 when 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 carrier 12.

[0033] The bearing point 14 in this case has a bearing mount 18, also known as a recess or mount, in which the wheel bearing 16 is accommodated at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely, in particular in relation to the axial direction of the wheel bearing 16. The axial direction of the wheel bearing 16 in this case coincides with the previously mentioned axis of rotation. If the wheel carrier 12 can 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.

[0034] In order to realize especially energy-efficient operation of the vehicle, the wheel carrier 12, particularly the outer circumferential jacket surface 20 thereof, is at least partially, particularly at least predominantly, surrounded by at least one thermal insulation element 22. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the thermal insulation element 22 is provided in addition to the wheel carrier 12 and formed separately from the wheel carrier 12. In this case, the wheel carrier 12 is surrounded on the outer circumference, at least predominately, by the thermal insulation element 22 such that more than half of the outer circumferential jacket surface 20 is surrounded by the thermal insulation element 22. The outer circumferential jacket surface 20 is also known as the surface area or surface of the wheel carrier 12.

[0035] In order to avoid excessive or excessively quick dissipation of heat from the wheel carrier 12 and particularly from the bearing point 14 or from the wheel bearing 16 to an environment 24 of the wheel carrier device 10 and, as a result, to realize especially energy-efficient operation of the vehicle, the thermal insulation element 22 overlaps the bearing point 14 at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely. In particular, it is preferably provided that the thermal insulation element 22 surrounds the bearing point 14 at 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.

[0036] One of the sides is designated as 51 in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 does not show the other side since it is, for example, a backside of the wheel carrier 12 and consequently is facing away from the viewer's perspective in FIG. 1.

[0037] In order to avoid an excessive transfer of heat to the environment 24, the thermal insulation element 22 has direct contact with the outer circumferential jacket surface 20. Thus, the wheel carrier 12 is sheathed with the thermal insulation element 22. In addition, FIG. 1 shows especially well that the wheel carrier device 10 is completely free of heating elements, by means of which the wheel carrier 12 or the bearing point 14 can be actively heated using electrical energy. In addition, it is preferably provided that the wheel carrier 12 is formed from a first, particularly metallic, material, while the thermal insulation element 22 is preferably formed from a second material, which is different from the first material, particularly from a plastic.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows that the wheel bearing 16 is surrounded on the outer circumference at least partially by at least one further thermal insulation element 26. Preferably, the thermal insulation element 26 is 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 element 26 can be formed from a plastic.

[0039] In the completely manufactured state of the vehicle or in an arrangement of the wheel bearing 16 on the wheel carrier 12, the thermal insulation element 26 is arranged at least partially, particularly at least predominantly or completely, between wheel bearing 16, which is formed separately from wheel bearing 12, and wheel bearing 12. Thus, wheel bearing 16, for example, is thermally encapsulated with respect to wheel carrier 12 and particularly with respect to the environment 24 by means of the thermal insulation element 26. In this case, the thermal insulation element 22 can optionally be omitted.

[0040] By using thermal insulation element 22 and/or 26, the wheel bearing 16, 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 bearing 16 can be avoided, for example, during a stopped phase following the drive such that the wheel bearing 16 has an especially advantageously high temperature when the trip is resumed. As a whole, the power loss of the wheel bearing 16 can be kept low such that the vehicle can be operated, particularly driven, especially energy-efficiently. Furthermore, overall it is clear that thermal insulation element 22 or 26 represents thermal insulation or encapsulation of wheel carrier 12 with respect to the environment 24 or wheel bearing 16 with respect to wheel carrier 12, and particularly with respect to the environment 24. Excessive heat loss of the wheel bearing 16 can thereby be avoided. In addition, the wheel bearing 16 can 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.

[0041] Preferably, the thermal insulation element 26 is connected to the wheel bearing 16, particularly also independently of the wheel carrier 12. In addition, FIG. 2 shows that at least the thermal insulation element 26 and the wheel bearing 16 form a bearing device 28, which comprises the wheel bearing 16 and the thermal insulation element 26 at least partially surrounding the wheel bearing 16 on the outer circumference.