Importance

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Abstract

A support member (14) for rotatably coupling a first element to a second element. The support member includes a sleeve (50) for rotatably supporting the first element, and a flange (56) having a concave central portion. The flange (56) is coupled to the sleeve (50). The flange (56) has bearing surfaces (68a, 68b) formed thereon along which the flange (56) is mounted to the second element. In one embodiment, the first element is a spindle (12) of a vehicle wheel assembly (11) and is rotatably supported in the sleeve (50) by rollable bearing elements positioned therein. Multiple tapered lobes (64) extend outwardly from the sleeve (50), and the support member (14) is mounted to a vehicle via bearing surfaces (68a, 68b) along the lobes (64). Due to the concave portion of the flange (56), the bearing surfaces (68a, 68b) are the only portions of the flange (56) in contact with the vehicle when the support member (14) is secured to the vehicle, reducing the contact area between the flange (56) and the vehicle, and reducing impact forces transferred to the bearings. A portion of the flange (56) may act as a spring member, enabling the flange (56) to flex in response to an impact load experienced by the wheel bearing assembly (11). This enables the flange (56) to absorb a portion of the side impact load, thereby attenuating the portion of the load transmitted to the bearings. A wheel bearing assembly (10) incorporating the support member (14) is also disclosed.

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First Claim