JP2002250355A - Sealed rolling bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rolling bearing with improved fluidity of grease sealed into the bearing provided with a crown-shaped cage, contributing to lubrication. SOLUTION: A sealing plate 9 opposing a claw part 6b of the cage 6 has a two-part configuration composed of a first seal ring 10 fixed to an inner ring 3 which is a rotating ring and a second seal ring 11 fixed to an outer ring side. The first seal ring 10 is rotated by the rotation of the inner ring 3, and the grease existing in a bearing space 15 is made to flow by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first seal ring 10 and is supplied to the outer ring side efficiently.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grease-lubricated sealed rolling bearing provided with a crown type retainer, and more particularly, to a sealed rolling bearing used in a rotating motion portion of an automobile or various power units, particularly, in inner ring rotation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Rolling bearings have been widely used to constitute various types of rotation supporting portions. Rolling bearings generally include an outer ring having an outer raceway on an inner peripheral surface, an inner racer having an inner raceway on an outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of balls provided rotatably between the outer raceway and the inner raceway. A retainer is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the outer race and the outer peripheral surface of the inner race to hold the plurality of balls in a freely rolling manner, and a seal for sealing grease.

FIG. 9 shows such a general rolling bearing. Here, the crown-shaped cage 400 is used as the cage, but other than that, a hollow cage and a waveform holder are also used. The crown-shaped retainer (plastic retainer) 400 as shown in FIG. 9 is characterized by being superior in self-lubricating properties, low friction characteristics, light weight, corrosion resistance, low noise, etc. as compared with the corrugated press retainer. It is used favorably in high-speed environments. In most cases, the seal 500 (600) used to seal grease inside the bearing has an outer diameter 501 on the outer ring (non-rotating side raceway) 100.
And has two or more lips 503 on the inner diameter side (seal sliding contact side) 502, and the lip 503 is formed in a seal groove 201 formed at an axial end of the inner ring (rotation side race ring) 200. It is located in.

In the lip 503, an inner lip 503a is in sliding contact with a slope 201a which is a side wall surface of the seal groove 201, and an outer lip 503b is in contact with the seal groove 2a.
A labyrinth 800 is formed with the lane. In other cases, the outer lip may slide on the slope that is the side wall surface of the seal groove, and the inner lip may form a labyrinth with the seal groove. As described above, the rolling bearing as shown in FIG. 9 is used in various rotating device support portions,
As described above, the seal structure is generally mounted and fixed on the outer ring 100 side, and in a high-speed rotation environment, a crown-shaped retainer (plastic retainer) is preferably used.

[0005]

However, when the structure of the seal 500 and the crown-shaped cage 400 are used in combination, the bearing surrounded by the claw-side end 401 of the cage 400 and the seal inner surface 504 opposed thereto is used. The grease existing in the space 700 hardly flows, and it has been concerned that the contribution to lubrication may be low.

Therefore, in order to confirm this, the present inventors made a seal 500 with acrylic, sealed a grease mixed with a dye on the seal 500, and set the seal inner ring 2
The grease behavior was observed visually or with a high speed video camera by rotating 00. As a result, it was found that the grease existing in the space 700 hardly flowed. Conversely, it was found that the grease existing between the cage rear side end portion 402 and the inner surface 604 of the seal 600 opposed thereto flows and has a high contribution to lubrication.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a rolling bearing that improves the fluidity of grease sealed in a bearing having a crowned cage and contributes to lubrication.

[0008]

The technical means achieved by the present invention to achieve the above object is to provide an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of balls rotatably incorporated between the outer ring and the inner ring; In a rolling bearing configured to include a crown-shaped cage that rollably holds the plurality of balls and a sealing plate that seals grease, at least a sealing plate that faces a claw-side end of the cage. , A seal ring fixed to the outer ring side and a seal ring fixed to the inner ring side, and the respective seal rings are in sliding contact with each other.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rolling bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment. In the case of the present embodiment, the outer ring 1 having the outer raceway 1a on the inner peripheral surface and the inner race 3 having the inner raceway 3a on the outer peripheral surface
A plurality of balls 5 rotatably incorporated between the outer raceway 1a and the inner raceway 3a; and a plurality of balls 5 provided between an inner peripheral surface of the outer race 1 and an outer peripheral surface of the inner race 3; Cage (plastic retainer) 6 for holding the roller in a rolling manner, and sealing plates 7, 9 provided on both sides of the bearing for sealing grease.
And used for inner ring rotation. And grease is sealed in the bearing. In the present embodiment,
Well-known structures or materials can be appropriately selected for the outer ring 1, the inner ring 3, the balls 5, the crown-shaped retainer 6, and the grease, and the design can be changed within the scope of the present invention.

The crown-shaped cage 6 is provided between an annular main body 6a, claws 6b protruding axially from one of several circumferential positions of the annular main body 6a, and claws 6b adjacent in the circumferential direction. And a pocket 6c for storing balls. Crown cage 6
Is not to be construed as being limited to the illustrated example, and what is known as a crown retainer can be used within the scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the sealing plates 7 and 9 are provided on both sides of the bearing as described above. The sealing plate 7 faces the rear end 6d of the retainer 6, and the claw side end of the retainer 6. Part 6
e and a sealing plate 9 opposed to e.

An outer diameter 7a (fixed side) of the sealing plate 7 facing the rear end 6d of the retainer 6 is mounted and fixed to an outer ring (non-rotating side raceway) 1 and an inner diameter 7b side (seal sliding contact). Side) has a forked lip 8, which is located in a seal groove 4 formed at an axial end of the inner race (rotating raceway ring) 3. In the lip 8, an inner lip 8
a slides on a slope 4 a which is a side wall surface of the seal groove 4, and the outer lip 8 b forms a labyrinth 12 with the seal groove 4. The sealing plate 7 is not particularly limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and the configuration, material, and the like can be changed in design. The configuration of the lip 8 (the number of lips, the lip shape, the contact / non-contact state of the lip, etc.) is also arbitrary.

On the other hand, the sealing plate 9 facing the claw-side end 6 e of the retainer 6 has a two-part structure of a first seal ring 10 and a second seal ring 11. First seal ring 10
The inner ring 10b (fixed side) has an inner ring (rotation side raceway ring) 3
And has a lip 10c that is circumferentially continuous on the outer diameter 10a side (ring tip). The second seal ring 11 has an outer diameter 11a side (fixed side) mounted and fixed to an outer ring (non-rotating side raceway ring) 1, and has a flat portion 11d between the outer diameter 11a side and the inner diameter 11b side. . The lip 10c of the first seal ring 10 and the inner surface 11d 'of the flat portion of the second seal ring 11 are in sliding contact with each other, thereby performing a sealing function. Although the degree of sliding contact is arbitrary, it is preferable that the torque is the same as that of the conventional product.

The radial dimension of the first seal ring 10 is as follows:
The value is set to about one third of a value obtained by subtracting the outer diameter of the inner race from the inner diameter of the outer race. Therefore, the torque is almost the same as that of a conventional product (such as a seal that is fixed to the outer race and slides the lip against the inner race). Also, by changing the radial width of the first seal ring 10, the degree of grease flow can be changed. For example, by increasing the width when the rotation speed is low and by decreasing the width when the rotation speed is high, the grease can be made to flow efficiently.

Therefore, the grease existing in the space 15 surrounded by the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6 and the sealing plate 9 facing the same is caused by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first seal ring 10 and the outer ring. Flow to one side. As described above, in the present embodiment, the sealing plate 9 facing the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6 is provided with the lip 10c at the end of the ring, and the inner ring 3
The first seal ring 10 is mounted and fixed on the outer ring 1 side, and the second seal ring 11 has a flat portion 11d that is in sliding contact with the lip 10c and is mounted and fixed on the outer ring 1 side. This solves the problem, and is expected to improve the grease life as compared with the conventional shape rolling bearing.

At least the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6
And the sealing plate 9 facing the rear end 6d of the retainer 6 may be a two-part structure including the first sealing ring 10 and the second sealing ring 11. As in the case of the sealing plate 9, it is also within the scope of the present invention to have a two-part configuration of a first seal ring and a second seal ring. Also, it is sufficient that at least one lip 10c is provided, and the number, lip shape, and the like thereof may be arbitrary. In addition, the length and the inclination angle of the lip 10c are arbitrary, and a configuration is adopted in which the torque can be suppressed to the same level as that of the conventional product.

In the present embodiment, the sealing plate 7 and the sealing plate (the first sealing ring 10 and the second sealing ring 11) have the metal core 14, but the sealing plate without the metal core 14 is used. However, it is of course within the scope of the present invention. The first seal ring 1 of the sealing plate 9 fixed to the inner ring 3
0, the fixed portion (outer diameter 11a side) of the sealing plate 9 fixed to the outer ring 1 in the second seal ring 11, and the sealing plate 7 fixed to the outer ring 1
The fixing portion (outer diameter 7a side) may be fixed by caulking or fitted and fixed, and the fixing method is not particularly limited and is arbitrary.

In this embodiment, the case of inner ring rotation will be described, but the case of outer ring rotation is also within the scope of the present invention.

"Second Embodiment" FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing plate 9 facing the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6 has the inner diameter 10b side attached and fixed to the inner race (rotary raceway ring) 3. A seal ring 10 and a second seal ring 1 for fixing the outer diameter 11a side to an outer ring (non-rotating raceway) 1
1 and 2 parts.

However, in the present embodiment, a lip 11c is provided on the inner diameter 11b side (ring tip) of the second seal ring 11, and the lip 11c is attached to the flat portion 1 of the first seal ring 10.
The outer surface 10d 'of Od is brought into sliding contact with the outer surface 10d' to perform a sealing function. The sliding position of the lip 11c is not limited to the illustrated example and can be set arbitrarily within the scope of the present invention. The other configurations, functions and effects are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

"Third Embodiment" FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing plate 9 facing the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6 has the inner diameter 10b side attached and fixed to the inner race (rotary raceway ring) 3. A seal ring 10 and a second seal ring 1 for fixing the outer diameter 11a side to an outer ring (non-rotating raceway) 1
1 and 2 parts.

However, in this embodiment, the lip 10 is provided on the outer diameter 10a side (ring end) of the first seal ring 10 and on the inner diameter 11b side (ring end) of the second seal ring 11, respectively.
c, 11c, the lip 10 of the first seal ring 10
c is slid on the inner surface 11d 'of the second seal ring 11 and the lip 11c of the second seal ring 11 is slid on the outer surface 10d' of the first seal ring 10 to achieve a sealing function. The sliding contact position of the lip 10c and the sliding contact position of the lip 11c are not limited to the illustrated examples, and the positional interval between the two lips 10c and 11c can be set freely and narrowly. In the present embodiment, since there are two sliding contact points as described above, improvement in grease leakage prevention can be expected as compared with the above-described embodiment.
The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

"Fourth Embodiment" FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing plate 9 facing the claw-side end 6e of the retainer 6 has the inner diameter 10b side attached and fixed to the inner race (rotary raceway ring) 3. A seal ring 10 and a second seal ring 1 for fixing the outer diameter 11a side to an outer ring (non-rotating raceway) 1
1 and 2 parts.

However, in the present embodiment, a lip 10c is provided on the outer diameter 10a side (ring tip) of the first seal ring 10 and is bent toward the inside of the bearing on the inner diameter 11b side (ring tip) of the second seal ring 11. A bent end 11e is provided. Therefore, the first seal ring 10
Of the flat portion 11d of the second seal ring 11, and the lip 10c
The labyrinth 13 is formed by c and the bent end portion 11e of the second seal ring 11 to achieve a sealing function.

In this embodiment, the lip 10c and the flat portion 1
Since a double seal is formed by the slide contact portion with 1d and the labyrinth 13, improvement in grease leakage prevention can be expected as compared with the above-described embodiment. One or more steps are provided on one or both of the lip 10c of the first seal ring 10 and the bent end 11e of the second seal ring 11 forming the labyrinth 13 to enhance the sealing function. It is also within the scope of the present invention. The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

[0027]

As described above, the rolling bearing of the present invention has a crown cage (plastic cage) between the outer ring and the inner ring.
In a rolling bearing lubricated by grease, having at least one ball, the sealing plate facing at least the claw-side end of the retainer has a two-part configuration including a first seal ring and a second seal ring. It is mounted and fixed on the inner ring, the other is mounted and fixed on the outer ring, and both seal rings are brought into sliding contact to achieve a sealing function. Therefore, the flow of the grease can be improved by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the seal ring attached and fixed to the rotating bearing ring side. Thus, it is possible to solve various problems that occur in the conventional structural bearing having the crown-shaped cage and the sealing plate facing the claw-side end of the cage mounted and fixed to the non-rotation-side race. . That is, if the rolling bearing of the present invention is used in a sealed rolling bearing with a seal, an effect of improving the grease life can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the rolling bearing of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sliding contact portion between a first seal ring and a second seal ring in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sliding contact portion between a first seal ring and a second seal ring in a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sliding contact portion between a first seal ring and a second seal ring in a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sliding contact portion between a first seal ring and a second seal ring in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a conventional rolling bearing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Outer ring (non-rotating side bearing ring) 3: Inner ring (rotating side bearing ring) 5: Ball 6: Cage 6b: Claw 6d: Back side end 6e: Claw side end 7: Sealing plate (Cage back) 9: Sealing plate (opposite side of retainer claw portion) 10: First seal ring 10c: Lip 11: Second seal ring 11d: Flat portion 15: Space (between sealing plate 9 and retainer claw portion 6b) Space)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls rotatably incorporated between the outer ring and the inner ring, a crown-shaped retainer rotatably holding the plurality of balls, and a grease sealed. In the rolling bearing configured with the sealing plate, at least the sealing plate facing the claw side end of the retainer includes a seal ring fixed to the outer ring side and a seal ring fixed to the inner ring side. A sealed rolling bearing, wherein each seal ring is in sliding contact.