JP2004239338A - Fixing structure for rolling bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing structure for a rolling bearing with reduced manufacturing cost, causing no choking of the rolling bearing in a radial clearance. <P>SOLUTION: A recess 14 is formed at a part of an outer circumferential surface of an outer ring 9 corresponding to an interval between two rail surfaces disposed to adjoin each other in an axial direction on the inner circumferential side of the outer ring 9. A corresponding part of an outer circumferential surface of the housing 3 corresponding to the recess 14 in an outer circumferential surface on of the outer ring 9 is diametrically inwardly caulked to form an engagement protrusion 15. It is engaged with the recess 14 in the outer ring 9 to fix the outer ring 9 to a housing 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fixing structure of a rolling bearing suitable for use in fixing a rolling bearing such as a rolling bearing for a handle column.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a fixing structure of a rolling bearing, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-342853 (Patent Document 1). In this fixing structure of a rolling bearing, the rolling bearing is fixed to a column tube which is a housing of a vehicle steering.
[0003]
The column tube has a U-shaped opening formed by punching in the axial direction, and a tongue piece is formed inside the U-shaped opening. In addition, a stopper is formed on the opposite side of the U-shaped opening facing the tongue piece, and a pair of pressing portions is formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the U-shaped opening. ing. The stopper and the pair of pressing portions are formed by recessing the edges of the U-shaped opening other than the tongue piece inward in the radial direction of the column tube.
[0004]
In this fixing structure of a rolling bearing, after the rolling bearing is inserted into the inside of the column tube until one end face in the axial direction of the outer ring of the rolling bearing abuts against the stopper, the tip of the tongue piece becomes the other end face of the outer ring. Until the tongue piece is bent inward from the inner peripheral surface of the column tube until the pair of pressing portions contact the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring and press the outer ring firmly until the pair of pressing portions contact each other. Is further depressed inward from the inner peripheral surface of the column tube to fix the rolling bearing to the column tube.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-348553 (FIGS. 1 and 4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional method of fixing a rolling bearing, it is necessary to form a U-shaped through hole, a stopper, and a pressing portion in the column tube. There is a problem that manufacturing costs increase.
[0007]
Further, in the conventional method of fixing a rolling bearing, the pressing portion is pressed inward from the inner circumferential surface of the column tube until the pair of pressing portions firmly presses the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring. There is a problem in that the outer race of the bearing is deformed radially inward, so that the radial clearance of the rolling bearing is blocked.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing structure for a rolling bearing that has a low manufacturing cost and does not cause clogging of a radial gap of the rolling bearing.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a fixing structure for a rolling bearing according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
An outer ring made of a pressed steel plate having multiple rows of tracks, a plurality of single-row inner rings having tracks corresponding to each of the multiple rows of the outer rings, a plurality of single-row tracks of the outer ring, and the plurality of single rows. A rolling bearing fixing structure for fixing a rolling bearing having a double row of balls arranged between a raceway of an inner ring and a housing in which an outer ring of the rolling bearing is internally fitted,
Forming a concave portion in a portion corresponding to between the double row of raceway surfaces on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing corresponding to the concave portion of the outer ring is depressed by caulking to form an engaging convex portion on the inner peripheral side of the housing, and the engaging convex portion is formed in the concave portion of the outer ring. The outer ring is engaged with the housing and fixed to the housing.
[0010]
According to the rolling bearing fixing structure of the first aspect of the present invention, a concave portion is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring corresponding to the space between the multiple rows of raceways, while a concave portion is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring. The outer convex portion formed by caulking the outer peripheral surface portion of the housing inward in the radial direction is engaged with the concave portion of the outer ring to fix the outer ring to the housing. It is not necessary to form a through-hole, a stopper and a pressing portion as in the prior art. Therefore, the housing can be formed inexpensively with a small number of man-hours, and the manufacturing cost of the fixing structure of the rolling bearing can be significantly reduced.
[0011]
Further, according to the rolling bearing fixing structure of the first aspect of the present invention, the concave portion of the housing is adapted to fit into the concave portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer race between the multiple rows of raceways. The portion corresponding to the outer ring is swaged inward in the radial direction to form an engagement projection, and the engagement recess is engaged with the recess of the outer ring to fix the outer ring to the housing. There is no deformation, and no radial gap clogging of the rolling bearing occurs.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a steering column 1 of a vehicle having a rolling bearing fixing structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
The steering column 1 is disposed between a steering shaft 2 that transmits rotational power of a steering wheel (not shown), a housing 3 that covers the steering shaft 2, and an outside of the steering shaft 2 and an inside of the housing 3. And a rolling bearing 5 for rotatably supporting the bearing 2.
[0015]
The rolling bearing 5 is a two-row angular contact ball bearing, and has one outer ring 9 made of a pressed steel plate and two inner rings 10 and 10.
[0016]
The outer ring 9 has an annular concave portion 14 formed by pressing a substantially central portion in the axial direction of a cylinder having substantially the same thickness in the radial direction inside by press molding over the entire circumference, and has an inner peripheral surface. Has two orbital surfaces formed symmetrically. The axially opposite ends of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 9 are fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 1.
[0017]
On the other hand, the two inner rings 10 have a shape in which one end in the axial direction of a cylinder having the same thickness is curved outward in the radial direction. A single raceway surface is formed on each of the inner peripheral surfaces of the curved end portions of the two inner rings 10 and 10. Each of the two inner rings 10, 10 is externally fitted to the steering shaft 2 via an annular spacer 18. The annular spacer 18 is fitted to the inner races 10, 10 in a tight fit state, and has a role of preventing the inner races 10, 10 from being separated in the axial direction.
[0018]
The two inner races 10 and 10 are arranged symmetrically in a state where the curved portion is arranged on the outside in the axial direction such that each of the raceway surfaces faces each of the two raceway surfaces of the outer race 9. A predetermined gap is set between the inner end faces to apply a pressure to the bearing.
[0019]
A plurality of balls 11, 11, 11,... Held by a retainer (not shown) are provided between two rows of raceways of the outer ring 9 and two single rows of inner races 10, 10. Are arranged in columns.
[0020]
In this rolling ball bearing, when each of the raceways of the two inner races 10, 10 and each of the two raceways of the outer race 9 are arranged to face each other, the contact angle between the ball 11 and the raceway is larger than 0 °. It is designed to receive both thrust and radial loads.
[0021]
Also, several portions of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 corresponding to the concave portions 14 of the outer ring 9 are dented by caulking at equal intervals, and several portions projecting radially inward to the inner peripheral side of the housing 3. Are formed. The several engagement projections 15 are firmly engaged with the recesses 14 of the outer ring 9, and the outer ring 9 is firmly fixed to the housing 3.
[0022]
According to the fixing structure of the rolling bearing of the above embodiment, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 corresponding to the concave portion 14 formed in the portion between the two rows of raceways on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 9 is dented by caulking, An engaging projection 15 protruding inward in the radial direction is formed, and the engaging projection 15 is engaged with the recess 14 of the outer ring 9 to fix the outer ring 9 to the housing 3. It is not necessary to form a through-hole, a stopper, and a pressing portion in the same. Therefore, the housing 3 can be formed inexpensively with a small number of man-hours, and the manufacturing cost of the fixing structure for the rolling bearing can be significantly reduced.
[0023]
Further, according to the fixing structure of the rolling bearing of the above embodiment, the portion of the housing 3 corresponding to the concave portion 14 of the outer ring 9 is caulked so as to fit into the concave portion 14 formed in advance on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 9. Since the convex portion 15 is formed and the engaging concave portion 15 is engaged with the concave portion 14 of the outer ring 9 to fix the outer ring 9 to the housing 3, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 9 may be excessively deformed. Therefore, the radial clearance of the rolling bearing does not clog.
[0024]
In the fixing structure of the rolling bearing according to the above-described embodiment, two angular type raceways adjacent to each other in the axial direction are formed on the inner periphery of the outer ring 9, and the angular raceways are formed on the outer periphery of the inner ring 10. In the rolling bearing fixing structure of the present invention, two arcuate raceways adjacent to each other in the axial direction may be formed on the inner periphery of the outer ring, and an arcuate raceway may be formed on the outer periphery of the inner race.
[0025]
In the fixing structure of the rolling bearing according to the above embodiment, two raceways adjacent to each other in the axial direction are formed on the inner periphery of the outer race 9, and the annular recess 14 is formed between the two raceways. In the rolling bearing fixing structure of the present invention, three or more raceways adjacent to each other in the axial direction are formed on the inner periphery of the outer race so that an annular concave portion is formed between any two adjacent raceways. You may do it.
[0026]
Further, in the rolling bearing fixing structure of the above embodiment, the annular spacer 18 is inserted between the inner ring 10 and the steering shaft 2. However, in the rolling bearing fixing structure of the present invention, the annular spacer is omitted and the inner ring is omitted. May be directly fitted to the steering shaft.
[0027]
Further, in the fixing structure of the rolling bearing according to the embodiment, several portions of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 corresponding to the recesses 14 are swaged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In the fixing structure of (1), one or several portions on the outer peripheral surface of the housing corresponding to the concave portion may be caulked. In the rolling bearing fixing structure of the present invention, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing corresponding to the recess may be swaged over the entire circumference.
[0028]
In addition, as a method of specifying the location of the housing to be caulked, the axial end face of the outer ring in the rolling bearing in which the axial distance from the outer ring end face of the location where the concave portion exists is known, the axial end face of the housing. There is a method of arranging a rolling bearing so as to conform to the above, and specifying a swaged portion on the outer periphery of the housing from a known distance of the recess of the outer ring. As another method, a small step is provided on a rotating shaft such as a steering shaft, and the axial end face of the outermost inner ring (or spacer) in the axial direction of the rolling bearing is engaged with this step. From the known axial distance between the concave portion of the outer ring and the end surface of the inner ring (or the spacer) and the axial distance between the step portion and the axial end surface of the housing, the outer periphery of the housing is caulked. There is a way to identify the location.
[0029]
Further, in the fixing structure of the rolling bearing according to the above-described embodiment, the fixing structure of the rolling bearing is applied to a rolling bearing for a steering column of a vehicle (a vehicle having a steering wheel such as a bicycle or a car). Is not limited to a rolling bearing for a steering column of a vehicle, and a great effect can be obtained particularly when applied to a rolling bearing that supports a shaft having a low rotation speed. It is needless to say that the fixing structure for a rolling bearing according to the present invention may be applied to a rolling bearing that supports a shaft having a high rotation speed.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the rolling bearing fixing structure of the first aspect of the present invention, a concave portion is formed in a portion corresponding to between the multiple rows of raceways on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring, and the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring is formed. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing corresponding to the concave portion is depressed by caulking radially inward, and an engaging convex portion formed on the inner peripheral side of the housing is engaged with the concave portion of the outer ring, and the outer ring is mounted on the housing. Since there is no need to form a through hole, a stopper, and a pressing portion in the housing, the housing can be formed inexpensively with a small number of man-hours, and the manufacturing cost of the structure for fixing the rolling bearing can be greatly reduced.
[0031]
Further, according to the rolling bearing fixing structure of the first aspect of the present invention, the concave portion of the housing is adapted to fit into the concave portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer race between the multiple rows of raceways. The portion corresponding to the outer ring is caulked radially inward to form an engagement projection, and the engagement recess is engaged with the recess of the outer ring to fix the outer ring to the housing, so that the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring is excessively deformed. There is no radial gap in the rolling bearing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a steering column having a fixing structure for a rolling bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 steering column 2 housing 3 steering shaft 5 rolling bearing 9 outer ring 10 inner ring 11 ball 14 recess 15 engaging projection

Claims (1)

Pressed steel plate outer ring having multiple rows of tracks, multiple single row inner rings having tracks corresponding to each of the multiple rows of outer rings, and multiple rows of outer rings and multiple single rows of outer rings. A rolling bearing fixing structure for fixing a rolling bearing having a double row of balls arranged between a raceway of an inner ring and a housing in which an outer ring of the rolling bearing is internally fitted,
Forming a recess in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring corresponding to between the double row of raceway surfaces,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing corresponding to the concave portion of the outer ring is depressed by caulking to form an engaging convex portion on the inner peripheral side of the housing, and the engaging convex portion is formed in the concave portion of the outer ring. A fixing structure for a rolling bearing, wherein the outer ring is fixed to the housing by engagement.

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