A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus
has an outer member (4) with an integrally formed body mounting flange
(4b) and double row outer raceway surfaces (4a) formed on the inner
circumferential surface of the outer member (4). An inner member (3)
includes a wheel hub (1) with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange
(7) at one end. A cylindrical portion (1b) axially extends from the wheel
mounting flange (7). An inner ring (6) is fitted on the cylindrical
portion (1b) of the wheel hub (1). Double row inner raceway surfaces (1a,
6a) are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the wheel hub (1)
and inner ring (6), respectively opposite to the double row outer raceway
surfaces (4a). Double row rolling elements (5) are rotatably arranged
between the outer and inner raceway surfaces (4a; 1a, 6a). An encoder
(19) is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring
(6). An annular sensor holder (15) is arranged on the end of the outer
member (4) opposite to the encoder (19). A wheel speed detecting sensor
(20) is integrally molded with the sensor holder (15) and arranged
opposite to the encoder (19), via a predetermined radial gap. The encoder
(19) has an annular ring configuration and its characteristics
alternately and equidistantly vary along its circumferential direction. A
seal is arranged at the inboard side of the encoder (19). The seal
includes first and second annular sealing plates (21, 22) mounted on the
sensor holder (15) and the inner ring (6), respectively, and opposite
toward each other. The encoder (19) is mounted on the second sealing
plate (22).