JP2006342945A - Wheel bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighter and compact wheel bearing device easy of disassembling/assembling work. <P>SOLUTION: The wheel bearing device comprises an outward member 10 pressed into a knuckle N, an inward member 1 having an integrated wheel mounting flange 4 at one end and consisting of a hub ring 2 having a small diameter stepped portion 2b extending therefrom to the axial direction and an inner ring 3 pressed into the small diameter stepped portion 2b, and a double-row rolling elements 5 rollingly stored between the outward member 10 and the inward member 1. The inner ring 3 is fixed with a caulking portion 2c which is formed by plastically deforming the end of the small diameter stepped portion 2b outward in the radial direction. The wheel mounting flange 4 is split into a plurality of partial flanges 4a apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and its root portion 14 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the end of the outward member 10. Annular retainer ring grooves 11, 12 are formed in the fitting face of the outward member 10 to the knuckle N, and an ended retainer ring 13 is engaged with the retainer ring grooves. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel of an automobile or the like with respect to a suspension device, and more particularly to a wheel bearing device in which an outer ring of a wheel bearing is press-fitted and fixed to a knuckle.

  In order to rotatably support a wheel of an automobile or the like with respect to a suspension device, various types of wheel bearing devices in which an outer ring and an inner ring are rotatably combined via rolling elements are used. In addition, as a wheel bearing device in which an outer ring of a wheel bearing is attached to a knuckle constituting the independent suspension type suspension in order to rotatably support the wheel with respect to an independent suspension type suspension that is one of the suspension devices. A wheel bearing device as shown in FIG. 6 is known.

The wheel bearing device is accommodated between an outer ring 101 fitted into a knuckle 104, a pair of inner rings 102 press-fitted into a hub ring (not shown), and the outer ring 101 and the inner ring 102, and is rotated by cages 105 and 105. A wheel bearing 100 including double-row balls 103, 103 held freely is provided. Here, a retaining ring 106 having a plurality of claws 107 is attached to the outer diameter of the end portion of the outer ring 101, and a tapered retaining ring groove 108 is formed in the knuckle 104. Then, the outer ring 101 is fitted into the knuckle 104 while elastically deforming the claw 107 of the retaining ring 106, whereby the claw 107 is elastically restored at the position of the retaining ring groove 108 and elastically contacts the wall surface of the retaining ring groove 108. To do. As a result, the outer ring 101 can be fixed to the knuckle 104 without play in the axial direction.
US Pat. No. 5,927,867

  However, in this wheel bearing device, it is difficult to disassemble the wheel bearing 100 from the knuckle 104 at the time of repair, and it has been forced to disassemble the retaining ring 106 by applying an excessive load. Further, after the disassembly, damage to the knuckle 104 and the outer ring 101 remained, and not only the knuckle 104 but also the wheel bearing 100 could not be reused. This not only increases the number of man-hours required for repair, but also necessitates replacement of new parts with new ones, which raises the total cost.

  Furthermore, in the assembly of this type of wheel bearing device, the hub wheel can be press-fit after the wheel bearing 100 is press-fitted and fixed to the knuckle 104 in advance, but such an assembly method is adopted in the self-retained structure shown in FIG. I can't do it. That is, a small-diameter step portion 109a is formed on the hub wheel 109, and a pair of inner rings 103 is formed by a caulking portion 109b formed by plastic deformation (oscillation caulking) of the end portion of the small-diameter step portion 109a radially outward. , 103 are fixed in the axial direction, the wheel bearing 100 must be press-fitted and fixed to the knuckle 104 in a so-called bearing assembly line for the vehicle. It is practically difficult.

  Therefore, in a wheel bearing device having a self-retained structure, the wheel bearing 100 is integrally assembled with the hub wheel 109 in advance by a bearing manufacturer, and is press-fitted and fixed to the knuckle 104 by the automobile manufacturer. More specifically, a press-fitting jig 111 is inserted into a gap Δ between the wheel mounting flange 110 of the hub wheel 109 and the outer ring 101 of the wheel bearing 100, and the outer ring 101 is pressed by the press-fitting jig 111 to thereby provide a wheel bearing. 100 is press-fitted and fixed to the knuckle 104.

  Here, the press-fitting jig 111 inserted into the gap Δ of the wheel bearing device has to have a structure divided into a plurality of parts in the circumferential direction, which makes the assembly work complicated and increases the number of assembly steps. Efficiency is reduced. In addition, despite the adoption of a self-retained structure to make the device lighter and more compact, the wheel bearing device gap Δ must be set larger than necessary, making the device lighter and more compact. Naturally there was a limit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wheel bearing device that is easy to disassemble and assemble and is light and compact.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an outer member formed with a double row outer rolling surface on the inner periphery and press-fitted into a knuckle constituting a suspension device, and one end. A hub wheel integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange in the part and formed with a small diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange, and at least one inner ring press-fitted into the small diameter step portion of the hub wheel, An inner member formed with a double row inner raceway facing the outer raceway of the double row, and accommodated in a freely rollable manner between the respective raceway surfaces of the inner member and the outer member. In the wheel bearing device in which the hub wheel is rotatably supported with respect to the knuckle, when the wheel mounting flange of the hub wheel is viewed from the outboard side, In a shape where at least a part of the end face of the outer member is exposed It adopted the configuration that have been made.

  In this way, a hub having a double row outer rolling surface formed on the inner periphery, an outer member press-fitted into the knuckle, a wheel mounting flange integrally formed at one end, and a small-diameter stepped portion formed on the outer periphery. In a wheel bearing device including an inner member formed of a ring and an inner ring press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion, and a double row rolling element that is rotatably accommodated between the inner member and the outer member Since the wheel mounting flange of the hub wheel is formed in such a shape that at least a part of the end surface of the outer member is exposed when viewed from the outboard side, the cylindrical press-fitting jig can be pivoted from the opened portion. The outer member can be pressed only by inserting in the direction, and the outer member can be easily press-fitted into the knuckle without using a special press-fitting jig. Therefore, the assembling work can be performed efficiently, the assembling performance can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. Further, it is possible to provide a wheel bearing device in which the gap between the wheel mounting flange and the outer member can be made as small as possible, and the device is lighter and more compact.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 2, annular retaining ring grooves are formed on the outer periphery of the outer member and the inner periphery of the knuckle, and an end ring-shaped retaining ring is engaged with these retaining ring grooves. If the outer member is positioned and fixed to the knuckle, the gap between the wheel mounting flange and the outer member can be further reduced, and the device can be further reduced in weight and size.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the wheel mounting flange is formed by dividing into a plurality of partial flanges separated in the circumferential direction, and an outer diameter of a root portion of the partial flange is the outer member. If it is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the end, the hub wheel can be reduced in weight, and the end face on the outboard side of the outer member is exposed between the partial flanges. The outer member can be pressed only by inserting it axially from the part.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of through holes are formed in the base of the wheel mounting flange, and the outer diameter of the bottom of the through hole is set smaller than the inner diameter of the end of the outer member. If this is done, the weight of the hub wheel can be maintained and the weight can be reduced, and the end face on the outboard side of the outer member is exposed from this through hole, and the cylindrical press-fitting jig is pivoted from this through hole. The outer member can be pressed only by inserting in the direction.

  Further, as in the invention according to claim 5, the inner ring is fixed in the axial direction with respect to the hub ring by a crimping portion formed by plastically deforming an end portion of the small diameter step portion radially outward. If so, the apparatus can be reduced in weight and size, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The wheel bearing device according to the present invention has an outer member formed with a double row outer rolling surface on the inner periphery, press-fitted into a knuckle constituting a suspension device, and a wheel mounting flange at one end. A hub wheel formed with a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange, and at least one inner ring press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel, and the outer circumferential surface of the double row on the outer periphery. An inner member formed with opposing double-row inner rolling surfaces; and a double-row rolling element housed between the inner member and the outer member so as to roll freely. In the wheel bearing device in which the hub wheel is rotatably supported with respect to the knuckle, when the wheel mounting flange of the hub wheel is viewed from the outboard side, at least a part of the end surface of the outer member is Since it is formed in an exposed shape, it is cylindrical It is possible to press the outer member only by inserting the incoming jig from the open sites in the axial direction, it can be easily pressed into the outer member to the knuckle without using a special press-fit jig. Therefore, the assembling work can be performed efficiently, the assembling performance can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. Further, it is possible to provide a wheel bearing device in which the gap between the wheel mounting flange and the outer member can be made as small as possible, and the device is lighter and more compact.

  A double-row outer rolling surface is formed on the inner circumference, and an outer member press-fitted into a knuckle constituting the suspension device and a wheel mounting flange at one end are integrally formed, and the outer rolling of the double row is arranged on the outer circumference. One inner rolling surface facing the surface is formed, a hub ring formed with a cylindrical small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub ring is press-fitted into the outer periphery. An inner member formed of an inner ring formed with the other inner rolling surface facing the outer rolling surface of the double row, and freely rollable between the rolling surfaces of the inner member and the outer member. The inner ring is fixed to the hub ring by a crimping portion formed by plastically deforming an end portion of the small diameter step portion radially outward. In the wheel bearing device in which the hub ring is rotatably supported with respect to the wheel mounting flange, And the outer diameter of the base portion of the partial flange is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the end portion of the outer member, and the outer An annular retaining ring groove is formed on the outer periphery of the side member and the inner periphery of the knuckle, and an end ring-shaped retaining ring is engaged with the retaining ring groove, and the outer member is positioned and fixed to the knuckle. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a wheel bearing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a knuckle of a wheel bearing device according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an assembly process. In the following description, the side closer to the outer side of the vehicle when assembled to the vehicle is referred to as the outboard side (left side in the drawing), and the side closer to the center is referred to as the inboard side (right side in the drawing).

  This wheel bearing device includes an inner member 1 and an outer member (outer ring) 10 fitted in the knuckle N, and double-row rolling elements (balls) 5 and 5 accommodated between the members 1 and 10. It has. The inner member 1 includes a hub ring 2 and an inner ring 3 press-fitted into the hub ring 2. The hub wheel 2 integrally has a wheel mounting flange 4 for mounting a wheel (not shown), one (outboard side) inner rolling surface 2a on the outer periphery, and an axial direction from the inner rolling surface 2a. A cylindrical small-diameter step portion 2b extending in the direction is formed. Further, hub bolts 9 for fixing the wheels are planted at the circumferentially equidistant positions of the wheel mounting flanges 4.

  The inner ring 3 is formed with the other (inboard side) inner rolling surface 3a on the outer periphery, and is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 2b of the hub wheel 2 through a predetermined shimiro. The inner ring 3 is fixed to the hub wheel 2 in the axial direction with a preload applied by a crimping portion 2c formed by plastically deforming the end of the small diameter step portion 2b radially outward. . In the present embodiment, by adopting such a self-retain structure, it is not necessary to manage the preload by firmly tightening with a nut or the like as in the prior art, so that the assembly to the vehicle can be simplified. At the same time, the preload amount can be maintained for a long time.

  The hub wheel 2 is formed of medium carbon steel containing 0.40 to 0.80 wt% of carbon such as S53C, and extends from the inboard side base portion of the wheel mounting flange 4 and the inner raceway surface 2a to the small diameter step portion 2b. The surface hardness is set to a range of 58 to 64 HRC by induction hardening. The caulking portion 2c is an unquenched portion having a material surface hardness of 25 HRC or less after forging. The inner ring 3 is made of high carbon chrome bearing steel such as SUJ2, and is hardened in the range of 58 to 64 HRC up to the core portion by quenching.

  On the other hand, the outer member 10 is made of a high carbon chrome bearing steel such as SUJ2, and the outer circumferential surfaces 10a and 10a of the double row facing the inner rolling surfaces 2a and 3a are formed on the inner periphery. It is cured in the range of 58 to 64 HRC. And the double-row rolling elements 5 and 5 are accommodated between each rolling surface 10a, 2a and 10a, 3a, and these double-row rolling elements 5 and 5 are rollably hold | maintained by the holder | retainers 6 and 6. ing. Seals 7 and 8 are attached to both ends of the outer member 10 to prevent leakage of lubricating grease sealed inside the bearing and intrusion of rainwater and dust from the outside into the bearing. In addition, although the double row angular contact ball bearing which used the rolling elements 5 and 5 as a ball | bowl was illustrated here, it may be a double row tapered roller bearing which uses a tapered roller for not only this but a rolling element. Although not shown, a structure in which wheel bearings are press-fitted into the hub wheel, that is, a so-called first generation structure in which a pair of inner rings are press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel may be employed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, an annular retaining ring groove 11 is formed on the outer periphery of the outer member 10, and an annular retaining ring corresponding to the retaining ring groove 11 is formed on the inner periphery of the knuckle N constituting the suspension device. A groove 12 is formed. An end retaining ring 13 is mounted in an annular space formed by both retaining ring grooves 11 and 12. The retaining ring groove 11 is preferably formed in a substantially intermediate portion that becomes a thick portion in consideration of the strength of the outer member 10. As a result, the gap Δ between the wheel mounting flange 4 and the outer member 10 can be reduced, and the device can be reduced in weight and size.

  The retaining ring 13 is formed from a hard steel wire (JIS standard SWB or SWC system) or the like into an end ring shape in which the cross section is substantially rectangular and the outer diameter portion is chamfered. The material of the retaining ring 13 is not limited to this, and any material having a predetermined shear stress may be used. For example, a reinforcing synthetic fiber such as GF (glass fiber) may be added to a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as PA (polyamide) 66. It may be added and formed by injection molding. Thereby, during operation, the movement of the outer member 10 in the axial direction with respect to the knuckle N is restricted, and at the time of disassembly, the retaining ring 13 can be broken without applying an excessive load. Since N or the outer member 10 is not damaged, it can be reused.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the wheel mounting flange 4 of the hub wheel 2 is formed by being divided into a plurality (four) of partial flanges 4a separated in the circumferential direction. In other words, the partial flange 4a is formed so as to largely cut out a portion excluding the vicinity of the hub bolt insertion hole 9a so as to protrude radially from the annular base portion with substantially the same width as the formation portion of each hub bolt insertion hole 9a. Yes. The outer diameter A of the root portion 14 of the partial flange 4 a is set to be smaller than the end inner diameter B of the outer member 10. Thereby, the outboard side end surface of the outer member 10 is exposed from between the partial flanges 4a and 4a.

  Next, the procedure for assembling the wheel bearing device into the knuckle N will be described with reference to FIG. First, the retaining ring 13 is mounted in advance in the retaining ring groove 11 of the outer member 10. Next, the press-fitting jig 15 is inserted into the root portion 14 between the partial flanges 4 a, 4 a and the outer member 10 is pressed into the inner periphery of the knuckle N by pressing the end face on the outboard side of the outer member 10. The press-fitting jig 15 has a pressing portion 15a that is formed in a cylindrical shape and divided into a plurality (four) in the circumferential direction. When the outer member 10 is inserted into the inner periphery of the knuckle N, the retaining ring 13 comes into contact with the outboard side end surface of the knuckle N to reduce the diameter, and is embedded in the retaining ring groove 11 of the outer member 10. Become. In this state, the outer member 10 is further fitted into the inboard side along the inner periphery of the knuckle N. When the inboard side end surface of the outer member 10 abuts with the flange portion 16 of the knuckle N, the positions of the retaining ring groove 11 of the outer member 10 and the retaining ring groove 12 of the knuckle N coincide with each other. 13 is elastically restored and locked to the retaining ring groove 12.

  After the wheel bearing device is assembled to the knuckle N, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer joint member 17 constituting the constant velocity universal joint is fitted into the hub wheel 2. The outer joint member 17 is integrally formed with a shoulder portion 19 serving as a bottom portion of the cup-shaped mouth portion 18 and a stem portion 20 extending from the shoulder portion 19 in the axial direction. A serration (or spline) 20 a that engages with a serration (or spline) 2 d of the hub wheel 2 is formed on the outer periphery of the stem portion 20. The stem portion 20 is inserted into the hub wheel 2 until the caulking portion 2c of the hub wheel 2 abuts with the shoulder portion 19, and the fixing nut 21 is fastened to the screw portion 20b formed at the end of the stem portion 20. Thus, the assembly is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the wheel mounting flange 4 of the hub wheel 2 is composed of a plurality of partial flanges 4 a, and the outer diameter A of the root portion 14 of the partial flange 4 a is set to be smaller than the inner diameter B of the end portion of the outer member 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer member 10 can be pressed only by inserting the cylindrical press-fitting jig 15 in the axial direction from the root portion 14, and a special press-fitting jig is used. The outer member 10 can be easily press-fitted into the knuckle N. Therefore, the assembling work can be performed efficiently, the assembling performance can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. Further, the gap Δ between the wheel mounting flange 4 and the outer member 10 can be made as small as possible, and a wheel bearing device can be provided in which the device is reduced in weight and size.

  Further, in the structure in which the inner rolling surface 2a is directly formed on the outer periphery of the hub wheel 2 as in this type of wheel bearing device, when the outboard side seal 7 is mounted on the outer member 10, usually, After the seal 7 is preliminarily inserted into the hub wheel 2, the outer member 10 is extrapolated into the hub wheel 2, and then the outer member 10 is pressed by pressing the seal 7 with a special jig divided in the circumferential direction. I had to adopt the method of wearing it. However, in this embodiment, similarly to the outer member 10 described above, the outboard-side seal 7 can be easily attached to the outer member 10 simply by inserting the cylindrical press-fit jig 15 in the axial direction from the root portion 14. Can be attached to.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the wheel bearing device according to the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment only in the configuration of the hub wheel, and other parts having the same parts or the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the hub wheel 22 integrally has a wheel mounting flange 23 for mounting a wheel (not shown) at an end portion on the outboard side, and an inner rolling surface 2a on the outboard side on the outer periphery. A cylindrical small-diameter step 2b extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface 2a is formed. Unlike the above-described hub wheel 22, the wheel ring 22 has a wheel mounting flange 23 formed in a disk shape as shown in FIG. 5. Here, a plurality (four) of through holes 24 are formed in the base portion of the wheel mounting flange 23. The outer diameter C of the bottom 24 a of the through hole 24 is set smaller than the end inner diameter B of the outer member 10. Thereby, the end surface on the outboard side of the outer member 10 is exposed from the through hole 24.

  Thus, as in the above-described embodiment, the outer member 10 can be pressed simply by inserting the cylindrical press-fitting jig 15 in the axial direction from the through-hole 24, without using a special press-fitting jig. The outer member 10 can be easily press-fitted into the knuckle N, and the gap Δ between the wheel mounting flange 23 and the outer member 10 can be made as small as possible.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further, the equivalent meanings described in the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope of the scope of the present invention are included. Including.

  The wheel bearing device according to the present invention can be applied to a self-retaining structure in which an outer member constituting a wheel bearing is press-fitted and fixed to a knuckle, and an inner ring is caulked and fixed to a hub ring having a wheel mounting flange at one end. .

It is a longitudinal section showing a 1st embodiment of a bearing device for wheels concerning the present invention. It is a side view of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process to the knuckle of the wheel bearing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the wheel bearing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional wheel bearing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process to the knuckle of the conventional wheel bearing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1... Inner members 2, 22... Hub wheels 2 a, 3 a... Inner rolling surface 2 b. ····························································· Serration 3 ··········································· Wheel mounting flange 4a ... Partial flange 5 ... Rolling element 6 ... Cage 7 ... Outboard seal 8 ...・ Inboard side seal 9 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Hub bolt 10 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Outside member 10a ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Outside rolling surface 11, 12 ・ ・ ・ Stop Ring groove 13 ... Retaining ring 14 ... Base 15 ... Press-fit jig 15a ... Pressing part 16 ...... Bottom 17 ......... Outside Hand member 18 ······ Mouse portion 19 ···· Shoulder portion 20 ····· Stem portion 20b ······· Screw portion 21 ··· ··············································································································· .... Inner ring 103 ... Ball 104 ... Knuckle 105 ... Retainer 106 ... Retaining ring 107 ...・ Nail 108 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Retaining ring groove 109 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Hub wheel 109a ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Small diameter step portion 109b ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Clamping portion 110 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・· Wheel mounting flange 111 ······· Press-fit jig A ················ Outside diameter B of the base ........ Bottom Diameter N ········· knuckle

Claims (5)

An outer member formed with a double row outer rolling surface on the inner periphery and press-fitted into a knuckle that constitutes the suspension device;
It has a wheel mounting flange integrally at one end, a hub wheel formed with a small diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange, and at least one inner ring press-fitted into the small diameter step portion of the hub wheel, An inner member in which a double row inner rolling surface facing the outer row rolling surface of the double row is formed on the outer periphery;
A double row rolling element that is rotatably accommodated between the rolling surfaces of the inner member and the outer member, and the hub wheel is rotatably supported with respect to the knuckle. In the bearing device,
The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel mounting flange of the hub wheel is formed in a shape in which at least a part of the end surface of the outer member is exposed when viewed from the outboard side.   An annular retaining ring groove is formed on the outer periphery of the outer member and the inner periphery of the knuckle. An end ring-shaped retaining ring is engaged with the retaining ring groove, and the outer member is positioned and fixed to the knuckle. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1.   The wheel mounting flange is formed by being divided into a plurality of partial flanges separated in the circumferential direction, and an outer diameter of a root portion of the partial flange is set smaller than an inner diameter of an end portion of the outer member. The wheel bearing device according to 1 or 2.   3. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in a base portion of the wheel mounting flange, and an outer diameter of a bottom portion of the through hole is set smaller than an inner diameter of an end portion of the outer member. Bearing device.   5. The inner ring is fixed to the hub ring in the axial direction by a caulking part formed by plastically deforming an end of the small diameter step part radially outward. Wheel bearing device.

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