A LOAD SENSING WHEEL END

摘要

A load sensing antifriction bearing (16) for a vehicle that senses wheel loads applied by a road wheel R to a suspension upright (10) of the vehicle. The load sensing antifriction bearing (16) supports a shaft connected to the road wheel R and provides an axis X of rotation about which the road wheel R can rotate. The load sensing antifriction bearing (16) comprises an outer race (36), the outer race further (36) having a flange (20) configured for attachment to the suspension upright (10). The flange (20) has a face (22) that is presented away from the suspension upright (10) and having a groove (24) opening out of that face (22). The bearing (16) also comprises an inner race (42). Rolling elements (48) are located between and contact the outer race (36) and the inner race (42). A sensor substrate (54) attaches to the flange (20) on each side of the groove (24) such that the sensor substrate (54) spans the groove (24). Additionally, a sensor (60) attaches to the sensor substrate (54) wherein the sensor measures substrate strains, caused by radial expansions and contractions of the groove and axial displacements across the groove (24), as the suspension upright (10) experiences applied loads.