Redefining wheel bearings

In the transport and logistics industry, there is a saying that "if the wheels don't turn, you don't earn". It's a concise but very accurate statement, as according to the national highway report, more than 41,500 vehicles broke down on motorways, leading to unplanned downtimes. 

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is fundamental to reducing truck fuel consumption, tyre wear and costs. Manually adjusting the pressure for each trip and adapting to changing weather conditions is a time-consuming task that is often neglected. 

Schaeffler has developed a wheel bearing with an integrated seal that helps the driver adjust tyre pressure on the fly without any manual input. "This solution reduces fuel consumption, CO2 emis-sions, and tyre wear, enabling fleet operators to lower their operating costs whilst simultaneously improving safety", explains Dieter Eireiner, Head of Schaeffler Bearings business division. 

The key to this innovation is the pneumatic rotary union that connects the bearing to the tyre. Once integrated into the vehicle manufacturing systems, this can automatically reduce or increase tyre pressure on all axle loads. Meaning that tyre pressure can be increased automatically to the optimal level when the vehicle is loaded and then reduced when it is unloaded. 

The automotive and industrial supplier has also developed its new smart wheel bearings sensors, which enable remote monitoring of bearing and wheel conditions. This is a crucial development, as four out of every ten vehicle breakdowns are caused by defective tyres or brakes. This new functionality will allow transport fleet operators to monitor the condition of vehicles on the road and receive early warnings of potential damage and breakdown so that they can undertake pre-ventive maintenance. 

To learn about Schaeffler's innovative smart wheel bearings, click here.