JP2001113907A - Rolling bearing unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure fixing of a hub inner ring with a join outer bearing ring in the axial direction for heightening degree of freedom of selecting part materials to facilitate assembling and to improve quality while reducing the weight of the joint outer bearing ring 3 of a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle. SOLUTION: This unit comprises an outer ring with flange 1, a hub inner ring 2, a joint outer bearing ring 3, rolling elements 4a and 4b held among the inner and outer rings 1c, 1d, 2c and 3c respectively by bearing holders 6a and 6b to be rolled, and a connecting member 5 for connecting fixedly the hub inner ring 2 with the joint bearing ring 3 in axial and rotational directions while pre-loading the rolling elements 4a and 4b. A small diameter part 52 to be fixed on a connecting hole 32 formed on an axial part 3a of the joint outer bearing ring 3 and a brim part 51 abutting on a stepping part 2e of the hub inner ring 2 are formed on the connecting member 5. A recess hole 53 is formed on the small diameter part 52 and a part of a hole edge part 54 of the recess hole 53 is fit and caulked on a slitting part 33 formed on a joint engaging side edge of the connecting hole 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle used for supporting wheels used for automobiles and industrial machines, particularly for driving wheels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a front wheel such as a driving wheel of an automobile is supported by a flanged outer ring connected to a knuckle for supporting the wheel on a vehicle body, and a hub inner ring connected to a wheel hub to which the wheel is mounted. Assemble joint outer races with inner rings on the outer periphery of joint outers that can be connected to constant velocity joints from the drive shaft via joint inners, joint balls, etc. Accordingly, a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle that enables transmission of torque between a drive shaft and wheels is used.

[0003] In such a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle, when the hub inner ring and the joint outer race are joined, transmission of driving torque is ensured, preload of the rolling bearing is ensured, and rotational and axial deviations are reduced. Need to be prevented. Further, it is necessary to consider the weight reduction and the heat radiation effect. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-189004 shown in FIG. 3, an inner diameter or end face spline portion 113, an inner diameter spigot portion 114, and a butt surface 115 are sequentially formed inside a hub inner ring 102, and a hub inner ring is Outer diameter or end face spline portion 123, outer diameter spigot portion 124, butting portion 1
25, and a hub inner race and a joint outer race are fixed to each other by a plurality of axial through bolts 105.

In this apparatus, the torque transmission in the rotation direction of the hub inner ring 102 and the joint outer race 103 is performed by abutting a spline portion, centering by a spigot portion, and a bearing clearance (preload) by abutting portions. . Further, in this case, a through hole 116 is formed in the joint outer race 103 to improve the weight and improve the heat radiation effect. However, this method has a problem that the number of parts is large and the assembly is troublesome because a plurality of axial through bolts are used. The through-hole 116
The right side surface is closed by the lid 117 in FIG.

[0005]

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-190346 shown in FIG. 4 discloses a single axial bolt 205, which is screwed. Screws are not penetrated and are not lightweight. Neither is disclosed about locking of the bolt. So, as a detent,
There are stopper seats, caulking, etc., but there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts, assembling man-hours and assembling steps, and in coking, the quality is not stable.

On the other hand, as a method in which the hub inner ring and the joint outer race are not screwed together in the axial direction, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-317754, a hollow shaft extended to the joint outer race is inserted into the hub inner race. There is disclosed that a fixing ring is fixed with a retaining ring, and a tip of a hollow shaft is fixed to a hub inner ring by welding. FIG.
2 shown in FIG. 2 of JP-A-11-37146 shown in FIG.
2. A cylindrical hole portion 213 is formed sequentially, and a hollow shaft 205 extending to the joint outer race 203 is inserted into the hub inner ring to abut and fix the connecting hole step, taper portion and cylindrical hole portion of the hub inner ring by rolling or the like. In this case, a hollow shaft tip 204 is fixed to a hub inner ring by welding to prevent rotation.

[0007] However, those using these weldings are the hub inner ring 202 and the joint outer race 20.
Because heat is applied to 3, there is a change in the material and a limitation on the materials that can be used. In addition, since the hollow shaft 205 is provided on the joint outer race, the joint outer race becomes longer, the shape is complicated, and machining is difficult. Also, in the former case, the fixing strength is weak, and in the latter case, the material of the joint outer race must be secured to the material that plays the role of the race and the joint, and a material suitable for rolling processing must be used. However, there is a problem that the material cannot be freely selected.

In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of the joint outer race, secure the axial fixation of the hub inner race and the joint outer race, and increase the degree of freedom in selecting component materials. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle rolling bearing unit which is easy to assemble and has good quality.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an outer race with a flange having double rows of outer raceway surfaces arranged back to back on the inner peripheral surface of a flange provided to be connectable to a knuckle; A wheel hub to which a wheel is attached; a first inner raceway surface configured to form a bearing portion with one of the outer raceway surfaces and a rolling element at the other end; and an inner diameter hole provided inside. A hub inner ring and a constant velocity joint outer to which a joint for transmitting power from the drive shaft is fitted and connected is provided at one end side, and the other end has a shaft portion fitted to an inner diameter hole, and the other of the outer ring raceway surfaces A joint outer raceway provided with a second inner raceway surface configured to form a bearing via a rolling body, and a rolling body held by a bearing retainer between the inner and outer rings for rolling. , Hub inner ring and joint outer rail A coupling member for coupling and fixing the wheel and the rolling element in the axial and rotational directions while applying a preload to the rolling element, wherein a step portion is provided on the flange side of the inner diameter end of the hub inner ring, and a joint outer raceway is provided. A coupling hole is provided in the shaft portion of the ring, a coupling member is formed with a flange portion capable of contacting the step of the hub inner ring, and a small diameter portion fixed to the coupling hole of the joint outer race ring. The hub inner ring and the joint outer raceway ring are formed by forming a through hole in the portion, and fitting a part of the hole edge of the through hole into a slot provided at the joint fitting side edge of the coupling hole and caulking. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle in which the bearings are connected and fixed in the axial direction.

[0010] Since a joint hole is provided in the shaft portion of the joint outer race and a small hole is formed in the small diameter portion of the joint member,
There is no waste of joint outer race and connecting member.
Since a part of the hole edge of the squeezed hole is fitted into the slot provided on the joint fitting side edge of the coupling hole and caulked, the working area is less than caulking or welding at the hub inner ring side where the flange abuts. wide. Also, there is no thermal influence on members such as welding.

[0011] The male member can be easily assembled by providing a male screw in the small diameter portion of the connecting member, providing a female screw in the connecting hole of the joint outer race, and screwing them together.

On the other hand, the small diameter portion of the connecting member is formed of a hollow thin portion having a through hole, and a cylindrical hole portion, a tapered portion, and a connecting hole step portion are formed in the connecting hole of the joint outer race toward the joint fitting side. The small diameter portion of the coupling member may be plastically deformed and engaged along the cylindrical hole portion, the tapered portion, and the coupling hole step portion of the coupling hole by plastic working. In this case, it is also possible to mechanically caulk a part of the hole edge of the through hole to the joint outer raceway side continuously from the rolling step. In addition, even with such a structure, similarly to the case of screwing, the length of the joint outer race can be shortened, processing is easy, and the materials of the joint outer race and the coupling member can be appropriately selected. is there.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a flanged outer race 1 having a flange 1a provided to be connectable to a knuckle connected to a vehicle body (not shown)
, A hub inner ring 2 having a wheel hub 2a to which wheels are attached, a joint outer race ring 3 to which a joint for transmitting power from a drive shaft is fitted and connected, a flanged outer race, a hub inner race and a joint outer race ring. A plurality of balls (rolling elements) 4a, 4b held between the inner rings by the bearing retainers 6a, 6b so as to roll, and bolts (joining members) for axially connecting the hub inner ring and the joint outer race ring. ) 5).

A hole 1b for fixing to the knuckle is formed in the flange 1a of the flanged outer ring 1 so as to be fixed by a bolt (not shown), and a double row of outer ring raceway surfaces 1c and 1d are back-to-back on the inner peripheral surface. It is arranged to become. A wheel hub 2 is provided at one end on the outer periphery of the hub inner ring 2.
The wheel hub has a hole 2b for fixing to a wheel, and is fixed with a bolt. The other inner side of the wheel hub is connected to one of an outer raceway surface 1c and a ball 4a to form a first inner ring. A track surface 2c is provided. On the inner diameter side of the hub inner ring, a larger diameter hole 2d, a stepped portion 2e, an inner diameter spline (spline hole) 2f, a spigot hole 2g larger than the spline, and a hub inner ring butting surface 2h are sequentially provided from the flange 2a side.

A shaft portion 3a is formed on the non-drive shaft side of the joint outer race 3 and an outer diameter spline 3f fitted to the inner diameter spline 2f of the hub inner ring 2 and a spigot hole 2g larger in diameter than the spline are formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion. Mating spigot part 3
g, a butting surface 3h abutting against the hub inner ring butting surface 2h, and the other 1d of the outer ring raceway surface and the second via the ball 4b.
The inner raceway surface 3c and the cover 31 are sequentially provided. A joint hole 32 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the shaft portion of the joint outer race, a female screw 32a is provided, and a slit 33 is provided on the joint fitting side edge of the joint hole. A joint hole 34 is formed in the joint fitting side, and a joint ball 9 and a joint cage 1 for coupling to a drive shaft are provided.
0, the joint inner 11 is attachable, and a spline shaft portion of a drive shaft (not shown) is fitted and fixed in a spline hole 11a of the joint inner 11.

A flange 51 and a small diameter portion 52 are formed on the disk in connection with the hexagonal bolt head 5a of the bolt 5, and a male screw 52a is provided on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion. A clearance hole 53 is provided inside the small diameter portion 52, and a hole edge 54 of the clearance hole at the distal end of the small diameter portion has a thickness capable of partially deforming. When assembling, the flanged outer race 1 and each ball 4
a and 4b are arranged so as to constitute a bearing. The inner spline 2f and the outer spline 3f of the hub inner ring 2 and the joint outer race 3 are meshed and spline-coupled, and transmitted from the drive shaft to the joint outer race, the hub inner race, and the wheels. The centering of the hub inner race and the joint outer race is performed by fitting the spigot hole 2g and the spigot portion 3g.

The flange 51 of the bolt 5 is connected to the step 2 of the hub inner ring 2.
e and the female screw 32 of the joint outer race
The inner screw abutment surface 2h and the joint outer raceway ring abutment surface 3h are fixedly abutted by screwing and tightening a male screw 52a to the a. By controlling the dimensions of the butted surfaces, the clearance of the bearing is controlled. In particular, in the present invention, a part of the hole edge portion 54 of the through hole 53 at the tip of the bolt is deformed and crimped to the slit 33 on the joint fitting side edge of the coupling hole. Thereby, the number of bolts is reduced and the weight is reduced, and at the same time, the bolts 5 as the connecting members are prevented from being loosened. Reference numerals 7a and 7b are oil seals for sealing the bearing.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the rolling bearing unit for a vehicle according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the bolt 5 is screwed and fixed as a coupling member to the female screw 32a of the coupling hole 32 of the joint outer race 3 by a male screw 52a, whereas in the second embodiment, a cylindrical hole is formed. The difference is that the hollow thin-walled small-diameter portion is deformed and engaged by plastic working into the coupling hole of the joint outer race formed by the portion, the tapered portion and the coupling hole step. The other components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. That is, in the second embodiment, the cylindrical hole 43, the tapered portion 44, and the coupling hole step 45 are formed in the coupling hole 42 on the inner peripheral side of the shaft portion 13 a of the joint outer race 13.
A split portion 46 is sequentially provided toward the joint fitting side.

The connecting member 65 is formed of a hollow thin portion having a small diameter portion 62 and a recessed hole 63 connected to the flange 61, and the connecting hole 42 of the joint outer race is formed by plastic working such as rolling. The small diameter portion is plastically deformed and engaged along the cylindrical hole portion 43, the tapered portion 44, and the connecting hole step portion 45 of the connecting hole, and a part of the hole edge 64 of the through hole 63 is formed as a slot 46 of the joint outer race. Mechanically crimped.

In the second embodiment, both the plastic working step and the caulking step for fixing in the axial direction can be performed from the drive shaft side, which is suitable for automation. Also, JP-A-7-317754 and JP-A-11-37146.
The length of the joint outer race in the axial direction is shorter than that of the publication, and the processing of the joint outer race is easier. In addition, since the material of the joint outer race having the bearing rolling surface and the material of the coupling member to be deformed can be selected separately, it is possible to use a material suitable for each application.

In the above description, the spline connection in the radial direction has been described, but the same applies to the end face spline connection for transmitting the rotational force between the end faces. Also,
Splines, spigots, butting surfaces, etc. can be arranged and selected as appropriate. Needless to say, various forms such as using a different material for the raceway surface are possible. In addition, since a large negative axial clearance (preload) can be reliably set in the axial direction, a highly rigid undercarriage can be obtained. Also, since the control of the axial clearance is easy,
Accurate life prediction and rigidity prediction are possible.

[0022]

According to the present invention, a step portion is provided in the hub inner ring, a joint hole is formed in the joint outer race, and the joint member has a flange portion which can be brought into contact with the step portion of the hub inner ring; Form a small-diameter part to be fixed to the joint hole of the bearing ring, further form a through hole in this small-diameter part, and fit a part of the hole edge of the through-hole into the slot of the joint hole and caulking. As a result, waste of the joint outer race and the connecting member is eliminated, so that the weight can be reduced. Also, the joint outer race is reduced in size, further reduced in weight and easily processed. Furthermore, since the working area is wide on the crimping side, the crimping work is also easy, the axial fixing can be surely performed, and an easy-to-assemble high-quality rolling bearing unit for a vehicle is provided. Further, since there is no thermal influence on members such as welding, the degree of freedom in selecting component materials is high, and suitable materials such as those having good performance or low cost can be widely selected.

If the coupling member and the joint outer race are screwed together, the assembly can be easily performed, so that special processing and assembling opportunities are not required, so that it is suitable for trial production and small-lot production.

The thin, small diameter portion of the coupling member is plastically engaged with the coupling hole of the joint outer race by plastic working,
The joint outer race is shorter, making it easier to process, and the materials of the joint outer race and the coupling member can be selected as appropriate. In addition to the above effects, it is more suitable for mass production, automatic machining, and automatic assembly. It became something.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional rolling bearing unit for a vehicle engaged with a plurality of bolts.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vehicle rolling bearing unit engaged with a single bolt.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a rolling bearing unit for a vehicle by a conventional rolling process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 outer ring with flange 1a flange 1c, 1d outer raceway surface 2 hub inner race 2a wheel hub 2c first inner raceway surface 2f, 2g inner diameter hole 2e stepped portion 3 joint outer raceway ring 3a shaft portion 3c second inner raceway surface 4a 4b Rolling element (ball) 5, 65 Coupling member 6a, 6b Bearing retainer 32, 42 Coupling hole 32a Female screw 33, 46 Slotted portion 43 Cylindrical hole portion 44 Taper portion 45 Coupling step 51, 61 Flange portion 52, 62 Small diameter portion 52a Male screw 53, 63 Hole 54, 64 Edge of hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An outer ring with a flange having multiple rows of outer ring raceways arranged back to back on the inner peripheral surface of a flange provided to be connectable to a knuckle, and a wheel hub on one end side of which a wheel is mounted. A hub inner ring having a first inner raceway surface at one end and a first inner raceway surface configured to form a bearing portion via a rolling element and one of the outer raceway surfaces at the other end, and an inner diameter bore provided inside; A constant-velocity joint outer to which a joint that transmits and transmits a bearing is provided at one end side, and the other end has a shaft portion fitted to the inner diameter hole, and a bearing is provided through the other rolling element on the outer ring raceway surface. A joint outer raceway provided with a second inner raceway surface configured to be configured; a rolling element held between bearings by a bearing retainer between the inner and outer races; and the hub inner race and the hub inner race. Rolling body with joint outer race A coupling member for coupling and fixing in the shaft and rotational directions while applying a preload to the vehicle, wherein the coupling member is fixed to a coupling hole formed in the shaft portion of the joint outer race. A small-diameter portion and a flange portion provided on the flange side of the inner diameter end of the hub inner ring so as to be able to abut against a stepped portion. A rolling bearing unit for a vehicle, wherein a part of the rolling bearing unit is fitted into a slot provided on a joint fitting side edge of the coupling hole and is caulked. 2. The rolling device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a male screw is provided in the small diameter portion of the connecting member, and a female screw is provided in the connecting hole, and the screw is screwed to each other. Bearing unit. 3. A small-diameter portion having a through hole of the coupling member is formed by a hollow thin portion, and a cylindrical hole, a taper portion, and a coupling hole step are sequentially provided in the coupling hole toward a joint fitting side. 2. The rolling bearing unit for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the small diameter portion of the coupling member is deformed and engaged along the cylindrical hole portion, the tapered portion, and the coupling hole step portion of the coupling hole by plastic working. .