JP2006250189A - Retainer and rolling bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retainer used corresponding to a space between a pair of a raceway discs (shoulders of raceway grooves) and including a pocket securing sufficient engagement margin for surely retaining a rolling element, and a rolling bearing equipped with the retainer. <P>SOLUTION: The retainer 10 built in a rolling bearing is provided with the pair of raceway discs 2, 4 opposingly arranged along an axial direction Ax relatively rotatably, and the plurality of rolling element 6 rollably arranged between the raceway discs. The retainer includes the plurality of pockets 12 retaining the plurality of rolling element individually rotatably, and has an opening M for inserting the rolling element into the pocket from an outer diameter side formed on an outer diameter side of the pocket. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rolling bearing used for various industrial machines having, for example, a rotating mechanism and a turning mechanism, and a cage incorporated in the rolling bearing. In particular, a thrust bearing is assumed as a rolling bearing, and a cage used for such a thrust bearing relates to a cage that holds a plurality of rolling elements in a freely rotatable manner before being assembled between inner and outer rings.

  Conventionally, various types of thrust bearings for applying an axial load have been incorporated in, for example, a rotation mechanism and a turning mechanism. As a cage used for such a thrust bearing, for example, it is called a brass milling die or a steel plate press die. There are known cages made of resin or lightweight and excellent in lubricity. For example, as a thrust bearing using a cage made of resin, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), a pair of washer plates 2, 4 that are opposed to each other along the axial direction so as to be relatively rotatable, and these washer discs. A single-type thrust ball bearing comprising a plurality of rolling elements 6 arranged so as to be able to roll between them and a cage 10 having a plurality of pockets 8 each holding a plurality of rolling elements 6 so as to be rotatable is assumed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the single thrust ball bearing, the cage 10 has a ring shape (annular shape), and the plurality of pockets 8 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the cage 10. As shown in FIG. 3B, each pocket 8 is formed with an opening M (an opening for inserting the rolling element 6 into the pocket 8) M penetrating in the axial direction Ax. A hook allowance 8a having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element 6 is provided. In addition, the opening M of each pocket 8 is formed in the up-and-down both sides of the axial direction Ax, respectively, and the rolling element 6 can be inserted from any direction up and down.

  Here, when the rolling element 6 is inserted into the pocket 8 from the axial direction Ax, when the rolling element 6 is pressed toward the opening M, the contact allowance 8a is elastically deformed by the pressing force of the rolling element 6 to widen the opening M. Further, by applying a pressing force to the rolling element 6, the rolling element 6 can be inserted into the pocket 8 over the hook 8 a. Immediately after that, the rolling element 6a is retained in the pocket 8 by returning to the initial state (a state where the inner diameter of the engaging element 8a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element 6) by the elastic force. Is done.

  In this case, the single-type thrust ball bearing is separated from the pair of washer plates 2 and 4 in a state before being incorporated in, for example, a rotation mechanism or a turning mechanism, but each rolling element 6 held in each pocket 8 is separated. Is in a state of being sandwiched between the upper and lower sides of the respective pockets 8 in the axial direction Ax by the hook allowance 8a, and therefore does not fall off from the respective pockets 8.

  By the way, in order to more reliably prevent the rolling element 6 held in the pocket 8 from falling off, the hook allowance 8a may be designed to be large. However, if this is done, the pressing force applied when the rolling element 6 is inserted is reduced. Depending on the degree, the allowance 8a may be greatly deformed and damaged.

  In addition, since the thrust bearing as described above is often used as a vertical axis in the axial direction Ax, the engagement allowance 8a is always in contact with the rolling element 6 and easily receives wear due to friction. In this case, as the amount of wear increases, play in the axial direction (axial direction Ax) increases accordingly, causing interference between the cage 10 and the pair of washer plates 2 and 4, resulting in seizure due to heat generation and reduced lubricity. There is a possibility that harmful effects such as

Further, it is assumed that not only the axial load but also a radial load or a moment load acts on the thrust bearing. In this case, depending on the magnitude of these loads, if the nominal contact angle between the rolling element 6 and the raceway grooves 2s, 4s of the pair of washer plates 2, 4 changes beyond a normal value (45 ° to 90 °). For example, it may be difficult for the rolling element 6 to ride on the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s (parts on both sides of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s) and maintain a smooth rotational state. In order to prevent this, the height of the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s (the height from the groove bottom to the top of the shoulders) should be designed high. The space between 2 and 4 (the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s) becomes small. As a result, it becomes impossible to secure the thickness of the cage 10 in the axial direction (axial direction Ax), and it becomes impossible to secure the engagement allowance 8a large enough to hold the rolling element 6.
JP-A-9-42294

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to cope with the space between a pair of raceways (shoulders of raceway grooves) and to securely hold the rolling elements. An object of the present invention is to provide a cage having a pocket with a sufficient allowance and a rolling bearing provided with the cage.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a pair of washer disks that are arranged to face each other along the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a plurality of rolling elements that are arranged to freely roll between these washer disks. The cage is incorporated in a rolling bearing having a plurality of pockets, each of which has a plurality of pockets for rotatably holding a plurality of rolling elements one by one, on the outer diameter side of each pocket. Is formed with an opening for inserting the rolling element into the pocket from the outer diameter side.
In addition, the present invention provides a pair of washer disks that are arranged to face each other along the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a plurality of rolling elements that are arranged to freely roll between these washer disks, and a plurality of rolling elements, respectively. A rolling bearing having a plurality of holders having a plurality of pockets that are rotatably held one by one, wherein the cage has a plurality of pockets that respectively rotatably hold a plurality of rolling elements one by one. An opening for inserting the rolling element into the pocket from the outer diameter side is formed on the outer diameter side of each pocket.

In the present invention, the cage has a ring shape, and the plurality of pockets are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the cage, and are provided at both edges of the opening of each pocket. Is provided with an allowance having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element.
The diameter of the cage virtual circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of pockets to each other is larger than the diameter of the rolling element virtual circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of rolling elements held in each pocket. Is also set larger.
In this case, the hook allowance provided at both edge portions of the opening of each pocket may be projected along the outer diameter of the rolling element. Further, the hanging allowance may be extended in the axial direction along the outer diameter of the rolling element between the raceway grooves of the pair of washer disks. In this configuration, when the space between the pair of washer is large, it is possible to increase the protruding amount of the allowance, and conversely, when the space between the pair of washer is narrow, It is possible to extend only the allowance in the axial direction between the raceway grooves of the washer.

  According to the present invention, the opening for inserting the rolling element into the pocket from the outer diameter side is formed on the outer diameter side of each pocket of the cage, so that the gap between the pair of washer disks (shoulders of the track grooves). It is possible to realize a cage having a pocket that can be adapted to the space and has a sufficient allowance for reliably holding the rolling element, and a rolling bearing provided with the cage.

  Hereinafter, a cage and a rolling bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, as a rolling bearing, although a single type and a double type thrust bearing can be assumed, for example, in this Embodiment, a single type thrust ball bearing is illustrated and demonstrated as an example. In this case, the single-type thrust ball bearing is the same as the above-described configuration (FIG. 3A), and therefore only the description of the cage having a different configuration will be given below.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the cage 10 of the present embodiment has a resin ring shape, and holds a plurality of rolling elements 6 one by one so as to be rotatable. A plurality of pockets 12 are provided. The pockets 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the cage 10, and the rolling elements 6 are inserted into the pockets 12 from the outer diameter side on the outer diameter side of these pockets 12 ( An opening M for insertion in the direction of arrow G) is formed. As the resin material of the cage 10, for example, a nylon material reinforced with glass fiber, an engineering plastic (for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)), or the like can be used. Further, as a method for forming the cage 10, for example, cutting or injection molding can be applied.

  More specifically, each pocket 12 is provided to be exposed at the outermost edge of the ring-shaped cage 10, and the opening M of the pocket 12 extends virtually from the center P of the cage 10 in a radial direction. It is formed on the line. The distance between the two opening ends Me that defines the opening M is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the rolling element 6. In this case, when the rolling element 6 is inserted into the pocket 12 (inserted in the direction of arrow G), the pressing force of the rolling element 6 acts on the pocket 12 via the two opening ends Me. However, by setting the opening M in the above positional relationship, the rolling element 6 can be inserted without deforming or damaging the two opening ends Me or the pocket 12.

  At both edge portions of the opening M (edge portions on both the upper and lower sides in the axial direction Ax), a hook allowance 12 a having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element 6 extends along the outer diameter of the rolling element 6. It protrudes. The cage 10 has a hollow disk shape with a thickness dimension T, and the thicknesses of the opening M and the pocket 12 are defined within the range of the thickness dimension T of the cage 10. Further, the hooking margin 12 a protrudes in the axial direction Ax with respect to the cage 10, and the inner diameter of the protruding ends 12 e is set smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element 6.

  In this case, the pockets 12 are arranged on the outer diameter side of the cage 10 and the opening M is formed on the outer diameter side of the pocket 12, so that the hanging allowance 12 a large enough to hold the rolling elements 6 is provided. Can be secured. That is, in the related art, since the rolling element 6 is inserted through the engagement allowance 8a as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the size of the engagement allowance 8a is constant to improve the insertability. There were restrictions. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the rolling element 6 can be easily inserted into the pocket 12 from the opening M on the outer diameter side of the retainer 10, the insertion property is impaired even if a large engagement allowance 12a is set. There is nothing.

  More specifically, in the conventional cage 10 (pocket 8) shown in FIG. 3, the size of the latching allowance 8a is the space between the pair of washer plates 2 and 4 (the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s). In the case where the space is small, it is not possible to secure the hanging allowance 8a large enough to hold the rolling element 6. On the other hand, in the present embodiment (FIGS. 1A to 1C), the pocket 12 is disposed on the outer diameter side of the cage 10 and the opening M is formed on the outer diameter side of the pocket 12. The hanging allowance 12a can be increased without being affected by the space between the pair of washer discs 2, 4 (the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s, 4s). In other words, a sufficient allowance 12a is secured in accordance with the space between the pair of washer plates 2, 4 (the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s, 4s) and large enough to hold the rolling elements 6. can do. The size and shape of the engagement allowance 12a can be arbitrarily set according to the size and shape of the rolling element 6, the size and type of the cage 10, the purpose of use of the rolling bearing, the usage environment, etc. There is no particular limitation.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), in a rolling bearing in which a space Gw between a pair of raceways 2, 4 (shoulders of raceway grooves 2s, 4s) is ensured, the allowance 12a is set in the axial direction. Ax can be set large. As a result, it is possible to secure a sufficient allowance 12 a for holding the rolling elements 6.
On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), in a rolling bearing having a narrow space Gs between a pair of raceways 2, 4 (shoulders of raceway grooves 2s, 4s), the raceway grooves 2s, 4s are mutually connected. In the space between, the allowance 12a can be set large in the axial direction Ax. Specifically, in such a rolling bearing, not only the axial load but also the rolling element 6 rides on the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s (the portions on both sides of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s) due to radial load and moment load. In order to prevent this, the height of the shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s (height from the groove bottom to the top of the shoulders) is designed to be high so that a pair of washer 2,4 (shoulders of the raceway grooves 2s and 4s) It corresponds to a single type thrust ball bearing with a smaller space between the two. In this case, the thickness dimension T of the cage 10 must be reduced in accordance with the space between the pair of washer plates 2, 4, but a relatively wide space is formed between the raceway grooves 2s, 4s. Therefore, the hanging allowance 12a positioned in the space is expanded. As a result, it is possible to secure a sufficient allowance 12 a for holding the rolling elements 6.

In any of the above rolling bearings (FIGS. 2A and 2B), the inner peripheral surface 12b of each pocket 12 has a curved shape (the outer diameter of the rolling element 6) matched to the shape of the outer diameter surface of the rolling element 6. A slightly larger curved shape). As a result, the rolling element 6 inserted into the pocket 12 has its outer diameter side sandwiched from both sides by the engagement margin 12a of the both edges of the opening M, and the other part is the curved inner peripheral surface of the pocket 12 It is held in 12b.
In this case, when the rolling element 6 is inserted into the pocket 12, the rolling element 6 is held rotatably in this state without dropping from the pocket 12. For example, in a state before a single type thrust ball bearing is incorporated in a rotation mechanism, a turning mechanism, etc., even if the pair of washer plates 2 and 4 are separated, the rolling elements 6 held in the pockets 12 The curved inner circumferential surface 12b is securely held and does not fall out of each pocket 8.

  Here, a method for inserting the rolling element 6 into the pocket 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the rolling element 6 is pressed toward the opening M from the outer diameter side of the cage 10 (pressed in the direction of arrow G), the two opening ends Me are elastically deformed in the direction of arrow W by the pressing force of the rolling element 6. Widen the opening M. Further, by applying a pressing force to the rolling element 6, the rolling element 6 can be inserted into the pocket 12 over the two opening ends Me. Immediately after this, the two opening ends Me return to the initial state (the state in which the inner diameter of the two opening ends Me is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rolling element 6) by the elastic force, so that the rolling element 6 becomes a pocket. 12 is held.

  In such an insertion method, it is preferable that the two opening ends Me be elastically deformed flexibly when the pressing force of the rolling element 6 acts on the two opening ends Me. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, by forming a notch (stolen) R between the adjacent pockets 12, the elasticity of the two opening ends Me defining the opening M (in the direction of the arrow W). Elasticity). In this case, since the two open ends Me are tapered from the notch R toward the projecting direction, the two rolling ends Me are elastically deformed flexibly when the rolling element 6 is inserted, and the insertability of the rolling element 6 is improved. After the rolling element 6 is inserted into the pocket 12, the rolling element 6 can be securely held in cooperation with the hanging allowance 12a.

  Further, according to the single-type thrust ball bearing provided with the cage 10 of the present embodiment, even if the pair of washer plates 2 and 4 are separated before being incorporated into, for example, a rotation mechanism or a turning mechanism, the cage 10 However, since the rolling element 6 is rotatably held without falling off from the pocket 12, the handling of the bearing is simplified, and the assembling work into the rotating mechanism and the turning mechanism can be made smooth and efficient.

  Furthermore, when a single-type thrust ball bearing is used as a vertical axis in the axial direction Ax, the conventional engagement allowance 8a (FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b)) is always in contact with the rolling elements 6 and easily receives friction and wears. In some cases, the backlash of the cage 10 becomes large. In the present embodiment (FIG. 1C), the pocket 12 is disposed on the outer diameter side of the cage 10 and the opening M is formed on the outer diameter side of the pocket 12. As a result, it is possible to secure a sufficient allowance 12a for holding the rolling element 6, and the backlash of the cage 10 does not increase even if it is worn slightly.

In the above-described embodiment, a single-type thrust ball bearing has been described as an example. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 2D, the same applies to the cage 10 of the present embodiment applied to a double-type thrust bearing. As a characteristic effect of the double thrust bearing, it is possible to receive an axial load in both the upper and lower directions.
In this case, a double thrust ball bearing is assumed as the double thrust bearing, and the double thrust ball bearing is composed of a single shaft washer 14 and a pair of axially disposed upper and lower sides of the axial washer 14. The housing washer 16, 18 and a plurality of rolling elements 6 arranged in a freely rolling manner between the shaft washer 14 and the pair of housing washer 16, 18 are provided. The cage 10 pocket 12 can be applied with the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the thrust bearing of the above-described embodiment, the diameter of the cage virtual circle formed by connecting the centers of the plurality of pockets 12 to each other is set to the center of the plurality of rolling elements 6 held in each pocket 12. It is preferable to set the diameter larger than the diameter of the rolling element virtual circle formed by connecting the two.
According to such a configuration, for example, when the cage 10 moves in the radial direction during the operation of the thrust bearing, the rolling element 6 has the inner peripheral surface 12b (FIG. 1 (a) before contacting the opening M of the pocket 12. )). That is, the rolling element 6 does not contact the hanging allowance 12a. As a result, it is possible to prevent wear and wear of the hanging allowance 12a.

(a) is a plan view showing a configuration of a cage according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a perspective view partially showing a state where a rolling element is inserted into a pocket, (c) is The sectional view which shows partially the composition of the maintenance machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a cross-sectional view partially showing a configuration example of a rolling bearing in which a space between the washer is widely secured, and (b) is a partial view showing a configuration example of a rolling bearing having a small space between the washer. Sectional drawing, (c) is a view partially showing a configuration example of a cage in which a notch (stolen) is formed between adjacent pockets 12, and (d) is a partial configuration example of a double thrust bearing. FIG. (a) is a perspective view showing a partial cross-section of a configuration of a thrust bearing in which a conventional cage is incorporated, and (b) is a cross-sectional view partially showing a configuration of a conventional cage.

Explanation of symbols

2 washer 4 washer 6 rolling element 8 conventional retainer 10 retainer 12 of the present invention pocket 12a engagement allowance Ax axial direction G rolling element insertion direction M opening Me opening end T retainer thickness dimension W engagement allowance Elastic deformation direction

Claims (10)

This cage is incorporated in a rolling bearing having a pair of washer disks that are opposed to each other along the axial direction so that they can rotate relative to each other, and a plurality of rolling elements that are arranged to roll between these washer disks. And
The cage has a plurality of pockets for rotatably holding a plurality of rolling elements one by one, and the outer diameter side of each pocket is for inserting the rolling elements into the pocket from the outer diameter side. A cage characterized in that an opening is formed.   The cage has a ring shape, and the plurality of pockets are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the cage, and rolling elements are provided at both edges of the opening of each pocket. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein a hooking margin having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the inner diameter is provided.   The diameter of the cage virtual circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of pockets to each other is larger than the diameter of the virtual rolling circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of rolling elements held in each pocket to each other. The retainer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retainer is set.   The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein hooking margins provided at both edges of the opening of each pocket protrude along the outer diameter of the rolling element.   The hooking margin provided at both edge portions of the opening of each pocket is extended in the axial direction along the outer diameter of the rolling element between the raceway grooves of the pair of washer disks. The holder | retainer in any one of -4. A pair of washer disks arranged opposite to each other in the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a plurality of rolling elements arranged so as to be able to roll between these washer disks, and a plurality of rolling elements each being rotatable one by one A rolling bearing provided with a cage having a plurality of pockets to hold,
The cage has a plurality of pockets for rotatably holding a plurality of rolling elements one by one, and the outer diameter side of each pocket is for inserting the rolling elements into the pocket from the outer diameter side. A rolling bearing characterized in that an opening is formed.   The cage has a ring shape, and the plurality of pockets are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the cage, and rolling elements are provided at both edges of the opening of each pocket. The rolling bearing according to claim 6, wherein an engagement margin having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the rolling bearing is provided.   The diameter of the cage virtual circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of pockets to each other is larger than the diameter of the virtual rolling circle configured by connecting the centers of the plurality of rolling elements held in each pocket to each other. The rolling bearing according to claim 6, wherein the rolling bearing is set.   The rolling bearing according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the engagement margin provided at both edge portions of the opening of each pocket protrudes along the outer diameter of the rolling element. The hooking margin provided at both edges of the opening of each pocket is extended in the axial direction along the outer diameter of the rolling element between the raceway grooves of the pair of washer disks. Rolling bearing in any one of -9.

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