For a long time, the conventional, detachable taper roller bearing was deemed to be the universal wheel bearing solution. This entailed regular lubrication and adjustment work which, if neglected, resulted in costly part failures. Modern wheel bearings meanwhile need no maintenance and have a longer service life.
Furthermore, they also support driver assistance systems such as ABS, ASR and ESP. A magnetic multi-pole encoder ring, usually integrated in the bearing seal ring, transmits the signals to the corresponding wheel speed sensor which is designed as a Hall generator. In contrast to the sinusoidal signal that has to be converted first, these signals can be processed straightaway by the control unit, thus avoiding the risk of soiling which so often causes the failure of ABS systems with conventional signalling.
New-generation wheel bearings in two-flange design are equipped with an integrated pick-up ring and additional sensor.