JP2006118562A - Thrust roller bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the application of overstress to the base end of an outside collar portion 15c of one element 12c as part of a cage 3a even when an outer ring 4, an inner ring 5 and the cage 3a are in eccentric conditions during operation. <P>SOLUTION: The outside collar portion 15c has a circular arc cross section. Two points, the base end (a P-point) and the front end (a Q-point) of the inner peripheral face of the outside collar portion 15c, are put in contact with the whole outer peripheral face of an outside collar portion 15b as part of another element 12b. Thus, when radial load is applied from the inner peripheral face of an outside flange 8 as part of the outer ring 4 to the outer peripheral face of the outside collar portion 15c, the load is distributively borne by two-point contact portions. This construction solves the above issue. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  A thrust roller bearing (including a thrust needle bearing) according to the present invention is mounted on a rotating portion of an automobile transmission, a torque converter, or the like, and supports a thrust load applied between a pair of members opposed in the axial direction. On the other hand, the two members are used for allowing relative rotation freely.

  For example, a thrust roller bearing 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 is mounted on a rotating portion of a transmission, a car cooler compressor, or the like to support a thrust load applied to a rotating shaft or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . The thrust roller bearing 1 includes a plurality of rollers 2 arranged in a radial direction, a cage 3 that is formed in an annular shape as a whole, and holds the rollers 2 in a freely rolling manner, and the rollers 2 are pivoted. It consists of an outer ring 4 and an inner ring 5 that are clamped from both sides in the direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4). Each of the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 5 is made of a hard metal plate such as case-hardened steel and is formed in an annular shape as a whole with an L-shaped cross section. That is, the outer ring 4 includes an annular outer ring race portion 7 having an outer ring raceway 6 on one side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 4), and the outer ring raceway 7 side in the axial direction from the outer peripheral edge of the outer ring race portion 7. And a cylindrical outer flange 8 formed over the entire circumference in a protruding state. On the other hand, the inner ring 5 protrudes toward the inner ring raceway 9 in the axial direction from an inner ring race portion 10 having an inner ring raceway 9 on one side surface (right side surface in FIG. 4) and an inner peripheral edge of the inner ring race portion 10. And an inner flange 11 formed over the entire circumference.

  The cage 3 is formed by combining a pair of elements 12a and 12b, each of which is U-shaped in cross section with a metal plate, and is formed in an annular shape as a whole. That is, each of these elements 12a (12b) includes an annular part 14a (14b) in which window holes 27, 27 for constituting the same number of pockets 13 as the respective rollers 2 are arranged in a radial direction, and the annular part. 14a (14b) cylindrical outer flange 15a (15b) provided in a state protruding from the outer peripheral edge to one axial direction, and a state protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the ring portion 14a (14b) to one axial direction And a cylindrical inner flange 16a (16b) provided in the above. However, of the elements 12a and 12b, one (the right side in FIG. 4) element 12a has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the other (the left side in FIG. 4) element 12b (the thickness of the outer flange 15a). The inner diameter dimension is slightly smaller (the thickness of the inner flange portion 16a). The cage 3 is a state in which the pair of elements 12a and 12b are opposed to each other in the axial direction on both sides of the elements 12a and 12b and the phases of the window holes 27 and 27 are made to coincide with each other. Then, the outer flange portion 15b and the inner flange portion 16b constituting the other element 12b are allowed to enter between the outer flange portion 15a and the inner flange portion 16a constituting the one element 12a without any looseness in the radial direction. It is configured by combining.

  Further, the outer edge of the outer flange 8 can be externally locked by partially bending the entire circumference or a plurality of circumferential locations (in the example shown, four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction) radially inward. Portions 17 and 17 are formed. The retainer 3 and the outer ring 4 are prevented from being separated by the engagement between the outer locking portions 17 and 17 and the outer peripheral edge of the retainer 3. On the other hand, an inner locking portion 18 is formed at the front end edge of the inner flange 11 by bending the entire circumference or a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction partially outward in the radial direction. The retainer 3 and the inner ring 5 are prevented from being separated from each other by engagement between the inner locking portions 18 and the inner peripheral edge of the retainer 3. Therefore, the above-mentioned members constituting the thrust roller bearing 1 are not separated even before being assembled to the rotating member.

  When the thrust roller bearing 1 configured as described above is used, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer ring 4 is mounted in a state where the outer flange 8 configuring the outer ring 4 is fitted in the holding portion 20 of the casing 19. The other side surface in the axial direction of the outer race portion 7 to be configured is brought into contact with the step portion 21 of the casing 19. At the same time, the other side surface in the axial direction of the inner race portion 10 constituting the inner race 5 is brought into contact with the step portion 23 of the shaft 22. In this state, the shaft 22 is rotatably supported with respect to the casing 19, and a thrust load acting between the shaft 22 and the casing 19 is supported. An outer-diameter-side gap 24 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the cage 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange 8, and between the inner peripheral surface of the cage 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner flange 11. Each have an inner diameter side gap 25 interposed therebetween. Based on the presence of both the gaps 24 and 25, the cage 3, the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 5 can be slightly displaced relative to each other in the radial direction. Thus, even when the shaft 22 is eccentric with respect to the casing 19, the relative rotation of both the members 19 and 22 is allowed while absorbing the eccentricity.

  By the way, in the case of the thrust roller bearing 1 as described above, the outer flange portion 15a of the one element 12a constituting the cage 3 ensures assemblability (for one of the reasons) due to manufacturing convenience (manufacturing error or the like). For convenience, it may be difficult to form a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 4 because the other element 12b can easily enter the inside of the element 12a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer flange portion 15 a constituting the one element 12 a is a conical cylindrical shape inclined in a direction in which the diameter dimension increases toward the distal end side (left end side in FIG. 6). It may become. In such a case, the outer collar portion 15b that constitutes the other element 12b is provided with the inner peripheral surface of the outer collar portion 15a only at one location (base end portion) on the proximal end side (the right end side in FIG. 6). Contact with the outer peripheral surface of the. In such a state, when the cage 3 and the outer ring 4 are eccentric, and the leading edge of the outer flange 15a is strongly pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange 8 constituting the outer ring 4, the outer flange A large moment load is applied to the base end of the portion 15a, and stress concentrates on the base end. Further, in this state, when the cage 3 and the outer ring 4 are relatively rotated during operation, the stress applied to the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15a becomes larger. Therefore, when such an operation is performed, there is a possibility that the life (time until failure) of the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15a is shortened.

  Also, due to manufacturing reasons, etc., as shown in FIG. 7, the outer flange portion 15a constituting one element 12a has a conical cylindrical shape inclined in a direction in which the diameter dimension decreases toward the tip side. There is. Also in such a case, the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange portion 15a comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer flange portion 15b constituting the other element 12b only at one point (tip portion) on the distal end side. For this reason, as in the case described above, when the operation is performed with the cage 3 and the outer ring 4 being eccentric, an excessive stress is applied to the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15a, and this base end The life of parts may be shortened.

  In addition, the above-described disadvantage is the same for not only the outer flange portion 15a constituting one element 15a but also the inner flange portion 16a (in a state where the cage 3 and the inner ring 5 are eccentric). Can occur when driving).

JP 2000-266043 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the thrust roller bearing of the present invention is based on the flange portion of one element constituting the cage even when the outer ring, the inner ring and the cage are operated in an eccentric state. It was invented to realize a structure capable of preventing an excessive stress from being applied to the end portion.

Among the thrust roller bearings of the present invention, the first aspect includes a bearing ring, a plurality of rollers, and a cage.
Of these, the race ring includes a ring-shaped race portion having a raceway on one side surface, and a cylindrical flange provided in a state protruding from the outer peripheral edge or inner peripheral edge of the race portion toward the track side in the axial direction. Prepare.
The plurality of rollers have their rolling surfaces in rolling contact with the track in a state of being arranged in the radial direction.
Further, the retainer has an annular shape as a whole in order to hold the rollers in a rollable manner, and is configured by combining a pair of elements with each other. Each of these elements is formed in a state in which a ring portion having a window hole for forming a pocket for holding each of the rollers at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction is formed, and is projected from the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion to one side in the axial direction. It consists of an outer collar provided over the entire circumference and an inner collar provided over the entire circumference in a state of protruding from the inner circumferential edge of the ring portion to one side in the axial direction. The retainer has the pair of elements in a state where the axial side surfaces of the two elements are opposed to each other, between the outer collar part and the inner collar part constituting one element. The outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the element are combined with each other by allowing them to enter with no radial backlash.
In particular, in the thrust roller bearing according to claim 1, at least one of the outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the one element, the flange portion facing the flange in the radial direction, By setting the cross-sectional shape of the virtual plane including the central axis of the collar part to an arch shape (for example, an arc shape, an elliptical arc shape, a trapezoidal shape, etc.) that is convex on the opposite side to the rollers with respect to the radial direction, These two base end portions and tip end portions are respectively brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge or inner peripheral edge of the other element over the entire circumference.

In addition, among the thrust roller bearings of the present invention, the invention described in claim 2 includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers, and a cage.
Of these, the outer ring includes a ring-shaped outer ring race part having one side as an outer ring raceway, and a cylindrical outer flange provided in a state of protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the outer ring race part toward the outer ring raceway in the axial direction. Is provided.
The inner ring includes an annular inner ring race portion having one side as an inner ring raceway, and a cylindrical inner flange provided in a state protruding from the inner periphery of the inner ring race portion toward the inner ring raceway in the axial direction. Is provided.
Further, the plurality of rollers are sandwiched between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway in a state of being arranged in a radial direction.
Further, the retainer has an annular shape as a whole in order to hold the rollers in a rollable manner, and is configured by combining a pair of elements with each other. Each of these elements is formed in a state in which a ring portion having a window hole for forming a pocket for holding each of the rollers at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction is formed, and is projected from the outer peripheral edge of the ring portion to one side in the axial direction. It consists of an outer collar provided over the entire circumference and an inner collar provided over the entire circumference in a state of protruding from the inner circumferential edge of the ring portion to one side in the axial direction. The retainer has the pair of elements in a state where the axial side surfaces of the two elements are opposed to each other, between the outer collar part and the inner collar part constituting one element. The outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the element are combined with each other by allowing them to enter with no radial backlash.
In particular, in the thrust roller bearing according to claim 2, at least one of the outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the one element includes a virtual axis including the central axis of the flange portion. By making the cross-sectional shape with respect to the plane an arch shape (for example, an arc shape, an elliptical arc shape, a trapezoidal shape, etc.) that is convex on the opposite side to the above-mentioned rollers with respect to the radial direction, Two portions are brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge or the inner peripheral edge of the other element over the entire circumference.

  As described above, in the case of the thrust roller bearing of the present invention, the two parts of the base end portion and the tip end portion of the flange portion having one of the elements and the arch shape of the cross section are formed over the entire circumference. It is made to contact the outer periphery or inner periphery of the other element. For this reason, the bearing ring (outer ring and inner ring) and the cage are assembled at the place of use in an eccentric state, or the bearing ring and the cage are eccentric from each other due to a radial load acting during operation. Even when a radial load or sliding frictional force is applied from the peripheral surface of the flange (the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange or the outer peripheral surface of the inner flange) to the convex peripheral surface of the butt that has the above-mentioned cross-sectional shape as an arch shape, The force can be distributed and supported at the two contact portions. For this reason, it is possible to prevent stress from being concentrated on the base end portion so that a large moment load is not applied to the base end portion of the collar portion having the arch shape as the cross-sectional shape.

Further, in the case of the present invention, since the cross-sectional shape of at least one of the outer collar portion and the inner collar portion constituting the one element is changed to an arch shape, this sectional shape is changed to an arch shape. The continuous portion of the flange portion and the annular portion constituting the one element can be smoothly continued with a large curvature radius. Therefore, since it is possible to make it difficult to concentrate stress on the continuous portion, it is possible to increase the strength of the base end portion of the collar portion having the cross-sectional shape as an arch shape.
As a result, in the case of the present invention, it is possible to improve the durability of the collar portion in which the cross-sectional shape is an arch shape.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 2. The feature of this embodiment is the shape of the outer flange portion 15c of the element 12c that constitutes the cage 3a (on the right side in FIG. 1). Since the structure and operation of other parts are the same as those of the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 described above, overlapping illustrations and explanations are omitted or simplified, and hereinafter, the characteristic parts of this embodiment will be mainly described. explain.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the cross-sectional shape of the outer flange portion 15c constituting the one element 12c in the virtual plane including the central axis of the outer flange portion 15c It has a convex arc shape (a kind of arch shape). Then, the base end portion (right end portion in FIG. 1, point P) and the distal end portion (left end portion in FIG. 1, point Q) of the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange portion 15 c are respectively wound around the entire circumference, It is made to contact the outer peripheral surface of the outer collar part 15b which comprises the other element 12b (left side of FIG. 1). Further, in the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the cross-sectional shape of the outer flange portion 15c constituting one element 12c is changed to an arc shape having a radially outer side convex, so that the outer flange portion 15c The base end portion and the outer peripheral edge of the annular ring portion 14a constituting the one element 12c are smoothly continuous with a large curvature radius (without going through a bent portion having a small curvature radius).

  As described above, in the case of the thrust roller bearing of the present embodiment, the base end portion and the tip end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange portion 15c constituting the one element 12c are spread over the entire circumference. The outer peripheral surface of the outer flange 15b constituting the other element 12b is in contact with the outer element 12b. For this reason, the outer ring 4, the inner ring 5 and the cage 3a are assembled at the place of use in an eccentric state, or the outer ring 4, the inner ring 5 and the cage 3a are mutually connected by a radial load acting during operation. As a result of the eccentricity, even when a radial load or a sliding frictional force is applied from the inner peripheral surface of the outer flange 8 to the outer peripheral surface of the outer flange portion 15c during operation, these forces are distributed to the two contact portions. Can be supported. For this reason, it is possible to prevent stress from concentrating on the base end portion so that a large moment load is not applied to the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15c.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the continuous portion of the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15c constituting the one element 12c and the annular ring portion 14a is smoothly continued with a large curvature radius. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for stress to concentrate on the continuous portion, so that the strength of the base end portion of the outer flange portion 15c can be increased.
As a result, in the present embodiment, the durability of the outer flange portion 15c can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the cross-sectional shape of the outer flange portion constituting one element is an arch shape. However, when practicing the present invention, only the cross-sectional shape of the inner collar that constitutes one element is made into an arch shape, or the cross-sections of both the outer collar and the inner collar that constitute one element The shape can also be an arch shape. When only the cross-sectional shape of one of the outer collar and the inner collar is an arch, there is a possibility that the outer collar and the inner collar may contact the flange during operation. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the relatively high collar is an arch shape.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claim 1 only. In the case of the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a thrust roller bearing having only the outer ring 4 as a bearing ring. The structure and operation of other parts are the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which also corresponds to claim 1 only. In the case of the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a thrust roller bearing having only the inner ring 5 as a bearing ring. In the case of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape related to the virtual plane including the central axis of the inner flange 16c of the inner flange 16c provided at the radially inner end of one element 12d constituting the retainer 3b, The arch shape is convex on the radially inner side. Then, the base end portion (right end portion in FIG. 3, point P) and the distal end portion (left end portion in FIG. 3, point Q) of the outer peripheral surface of the inner flange portion 16 c are respectively spread over the entire circumference, and the other element 12 b is connected. It is made to contact the internal peripheral surface of the inner side collar part 16b to comprise. Further, as described above, the inner flange portion 16c constituting the one element 12d has an arch shape in cross section, and the inner flange portion 16c and the annular ring portion 14a constituting the one element 12d are combined. Smooth and continuous with a large radius of curvature.
Also in the case of the thrust roller bearing of this embodiment configured as described above, the durability of the inner flange portion 16c constituting the one element 12d can be improved by the same action as that of the first embodiment described above. .

The fragmentary sectional view which shows Example 1 of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the same Example 2. FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the same Example 3. FIG. The fragmentary sectional view shown in the state which assembled | attached the conventional thrust roller bearing to the use location. The figure which looked at the outer ring which comprises the conventional thrust roller bearing from the axial direction one side. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the 1st example of the conventional thrust roller bearing which may cause a malfunction at the time of a driving | operation. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the 2nd example similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thrust roller bearing 2 Roller 3, 3a, 3b Cage 4 Outer ring 5 Inner ring 6 Outer ring raceway 7 Outer ring race part 8 Outer flange 9 Inner ring raceway 10 Inner ring race part 11 Inner flange 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Element 13 Pocket 14a, 14b Annulus 15a, 15b, 15c Outer flange 16a, 16b, 16c Inner flange 17 Outer latching portion 18 Inner latching portion 19 Casing 20 Holding portion 21 Step portion 22 Shaft 23 Step portion 24 Outer diameter side clearance 25 Inner diameter side Clearance 27 Window hole

Claims (2)

  A ring-shaped race part having a raceway on one side surface, and a raceway ring provided with a cylindrical flange provided in a state protruding from the outer peripheral edge or inner peripheral edge of the race part toward the track side in the axial direction; A plurality of rollers in which the respective rolling surfaces are brought into contact with the raceway in an arrayed state, and a ring-shaped cage that holds each of these rollers in a freely rollable manner. Annulus formed with a window hole that forms a pocket for holding the rollers at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and is provided over the entire circumference in a state of protruding from the outer periphery of the annulus to one side in the axial direction. A pair of elements consisting of the outer flange and the inner flange provided over the entire circumference in a state of protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the ring portion to one side in the axial direction, Make up one element with the elements facing each other In a thrust roller bearing constituted by combining an outer flange portion and an inner flange portion constituting the other element between the flange portion and the inner flange portion so as to enter with no radial play. And at least one of the outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the one element has a cross-sectional shape with respect to a virtual plane including the central axis of the flange portion facing the flange in the radial direction. By making the arch shape convex on the opposite side of each roller with respect to the radial direction, the outer edge or inner edge of the other element is spread over the entire circumference of the base end portion and the tip end portion of the flange portion. Thrust roller bearing characterized by contacting the periphery.   An outer ring having an annular outer ring race portion having one side surface as an outer ring raceway and a cylindrical outer flange provided in a state of projecting toward the outer ring raceway side in the axial direction from the outer peripheral edge of the outer ring race portion; An inner ring with a cylindrical inner flange provided in a state of projecting toward the inner ring raceway in the axial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the inner ring race portion with a ring-shaped inner ring race portion having an inner ring raceway arranged in a radial direction A plurality of rollers sandwiched between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway in a state where the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway are held, and a ring-like cage that holds each of the rollers in a freely rolling manner. Annulus formed with a window hole that forms a pocket for holding the rollers at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and is provided over the entire circumference in a state of protruding from the outer periphery of the annulus to one side in the axial direction. Outer ribs and the above ring A pair of elements composed of an inner flange provided over the entire circumference in a state of projecting from the inner peripheral edge of one side in the axial direction, and one side in a state where the axial side surfaces of these elements are opposed to each other. It is constructed by combining the outer and inner collars constituting the other element between the outer and inner collars constituting the element and entering them in the radial direction without rattling. In the thrust roller bearing, the cross-sectional shape with respect to a virtual plane including the central axis of at least one of the outer flange portion and the inner flange portion constituting the one element is related to the radial direction. By adopting an arch shape in which the opposite side of each roller is convex, the base end portion and the tip end portion of the flange portion are respectively brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge or inner peripheral edge of the other element over the entire circumference. Thrust roller bearing characterized by

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