Wheel hub
A sensor is mounted to or embedded in a wheel hub. The sensor node includes a power source and a sensing device that detects and monitors at least one parameter associated with the wheel hub. The sensor node also includes a communication module that communicates via wireless communication signals and a processing device in communication with the sensing device and the communication module. The processing device collects data from the sensing devices, processes the data, and based on that processing, communicates information relating to the wheel hub to a remote server or network. A mesh network of multiple sensor nodes can be applied to multiple different wheel hubs on a vehicle and communicate with a central processing device. The processing device can thus monitor performance and/or operation of each wheel hub.
1. A wheel hub comprising:
a housing having a central opening to receive a spindle of a vehicle;
a wheel mounting portion of the housing to have a wheel secured thereto;
a bearing in the central opening of the housing to rotatably connect the housing to the vehicle spindle;
a sensor node rotatable with the housing and mounted to the housing external to the central opening, the sensor node comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature external to the central opening; and
communication circuitry operatively connected to the temperature sensor, the communication circuitry operable to wirelessly communicate data indicative of the temperature to an external device, the data configured to facilitate a determination of bearing damage based at least in part upon the detected temperature.
2. The wheel hub of claim 1 in combination with the external device, the external device configured to determine the bearing damage based at least in part upon a comparison of the temperature and an ambient air temperature.
3. The wheel hub of claim 1 in combination with the external device, the external device configured to determine the bearing damage based at least in part upon a comparison of the temperature and a temperature of another wheel hub of the vehicle.
4. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is operable to communicate the data to the external device via a base station of the vehicle.
5. The wheel hub of claim 1 in combination with the external device, the external device comprising a base station of the vehicle;
wherein the base station is configured to relay the data to a vehicle-based computer and/or a server computer.
6. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a portion of the housing adjacent the sensor node.
7. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a radially inner surface defining at least a portion of the central opening and a radially outer surface opposite the radially inner surface; and
wherein the sensor node is mounted to the radially outer surface of the housing.
8. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the sensor node is mounted to the housing outboard of the wheel mounting portion.
9. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the housing is rotatable around a central axis and has a tubular side wall with opposite ends, the tubular side wall defining at least a portion of the central opening;
wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises a flange extending radially outward from the tubular side wall intermediate the opposite ends of the tubular side wall; and
wherein the sensor node is mounted to the tubular side wall of the housing spaced axially from the opposite ends.
10. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the housing includes bosses with openings to receive fasteners and recesses between the bosses; and
wherein the sensor node is in one of the recesses.
11. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the housing is rotatable about a central axis; and
wherein the sensor node overlaps the bearing in a radial direction.
12. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the sensor node includes an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope to detect an acceleration of the housing; and
wherein the communication circuitry is operatively connected to the accelerometer and/or gyroscope, the communication circuitry operable to wirelessly communicate data indicative of the acceleration to the external device.
13. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the wheel mounting portion comprises a flange and studs extending from the flange.
14. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the housing has a unitary, one-piece construction.
15. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the sensor node comprises a battery to provide electrical power to the sensor and the communication circuitry.
16. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate the data via a Bluetooth communication protocol.
17. The wheel hub of claim 1 wherein the sensor node is potted in a pocket of the housing.
18. The wheel hub of claim 1 in combination with the external device, the external device comprising:
a base station of the vehicle;
an on-board computer of the vehicle;
a portable electronic device; or
another wheel hub of the vehicle.