JP2007139034A - Radial needle bearing assembling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an assembling method for efficiently incorporating needles 6, 6 into a plurality of pockets 13 of a cage without damaging the cage and the needles 6, 6. <P>SOLUTION: The cage in use consists of a pair of cage elements 18, 18 combined, 18. The cage elements 18, 18 each have ring-shaped rim portions 11, 11 and a plurality of semi-columnar portions 17, 17. After the needles 6, 6 are incorporated between the semi-columnar portions 17, 17 of one cage element 18, the front ends of the semi-columnar portions 17, 17 of the pair of cage elements 18, 18 are joined to each other. The needles 6, 6 are rollingly held inside each pocket 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a method for assembling a radial needle bearing and realizes an assembling method in which a high-quality cage is incorporated, and the cage and needle are not easily damaged during the assembling operation.

  A radial needle bearing is incorporated in a portion to which a large radial load is applied in a rotation support portion of an automobile transmission or various mechanical devices. For example, a planetary gear type transmission that constitutes an automatic transmission of an automobile supports a planetary gear rotatably with respect to a carrier by a radial needle bearing as described in Patent Document 1 and the like. FIG. 5 shows an example of a planetary gear rotation support device that rotatably supports the planetary gear with respect to such a carrier. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 5, both end portions of the support shaft 3 are supported and fixed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of a pair of support plates 2 a and 2 b which are parallel to each other and constitute the carrier 1. A planetary gear 4 is rotatably supported by a radial needle bearing 5 around an intermediate portion of the support shaft 3.

  The radial needle bearing 5 holds a plurality of needles 6 and 6 so as to be freely rollable by a cage 7, and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the support shaft 3 is a cylindrical inner ring raceway 8. The inner peripheral surface is a cylindrical outer ring raceway 9, and the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and 6 are brought into rolling contact with the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9. Further, floating washers 10a and 10b are disposed between the both axial end surfaces of the planetary gear 4 and the inner side surfaces of the two support plates 2a and 2b, respectively. The frictional force acting between the inner surfaces of the support plates 2a and 2b is reduced.

  The cage 7 constituting the radial needle bearing 5 is, for example, as shown in detail in FIGS. 6 to 7, arranged in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIGS. A pair of rim portions 11, 11 and a plurality of column portions 12, 12. These column parts 12 and 12 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction, and both end parts thereof are made to be continuous with the outer diameter portions of the inner side surfaces of the rim parts 11 and 11 facing each other. . Moreover, each said pillar part 12 and 12 has the shape where the axial direction intermediate part bent in the trapezoid shape toward radial inside. And the space part surrounded by the circumferential direction both sides edge of these pillar parts 12 and 12 adjacent to the circumference direction and the inner side surface where both the above-mentioned rim parts 11 and 11 mutually oppose is made into pockets 13 and 13, respectively. The needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely.

  The cage 7 configured as described above is formed by rolling a strip-shaped metal plate (generally a steel plate or a stainless steel plate) into a cylindrical shape as described in Patent Document 2 and the like, as is well known. That is, although not shown in the drawing, a first stage intermediate material having a basic cross-sectional shape as a cage is formed by pressing a band-shaped metal plate, and then the first stage intermediate material is sheared. As a result, the pockets 13 and 13 for holding the needles 6 and 6 so as to be freely rollable are punched to form an intermediate material in the second stage. Further, the intermediate material in the second stage is cut into a predetermined length to obtain a third stage intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the intermediate material 14 in the third stage is rounded into a cylindrical shape, and both end portions are butt welded to form a cage 7 as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, in order to regulate the radial position of the retainer 7, the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 7 is brought close to and opposed to the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 5). During operation, the outer circumferential surface of the cage 7 that is closely opposed in this way is guided to the outer ring raceway 9 (outer ring guidance), thereby positioning the cage 7 in the radial direction, and vibration and noise are generated. I try to prevent it from occurring.

  Further, the cage 7 protrudes the locking projections 15 and 15 in the circumferential direction from the respective side surfaces at positions aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of both side edges of the pillars 12 and 12. It is provided in the state to do. These locking projections 15 and 15 prevent the needles 6 and 6 that are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely from coming out of the pockets 13 and 13 radially outward. belongs to. That is, when the needles 6 and 6 are assembled together with the cage 7 between the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 5), the needles 6 and 6 are put into the pockets 13 and 13, respectively. It is necessary to hold in a state in which it is prevented from coming out in the radial direction.

For this purpose, the locking projections 15 and 15 are provided on the outer diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6 and 6 at the openings of the pockets 13 and 13 so as to face each other. The distance D ₁₅ (see FIG. 6) between the leading edges of the locking projections 15 and 15 is made smaller than the outer diameter D ₆ (see FIG. 5) of the needles 6 and 6 (D ₆ > D). ₁₅ ). At the same time, the distance D between the side edges facing each other of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, 16 located on the inner diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6, 6 at the intermediate portion of the column parts 12, 12. ₁₆ (see FIG. 6) also outside is smaller than the diameter D ₆ (D _6> D ₁₆₎ of the needles 6. By restricting the dimensions of these portions in this way, the needles 6 and 6 held in the pockets 13 and 13 are not prepared in the radial direction of the cage 7 from the pockets 13 and 13. A so-called detent structure is configured to prevent the slipping out.

In order to hold the needles 6 and 6 in the pockets 13 and 13, the needles 6 and 6 are pushed into the pockets 13 and 13 from the inner diameter side of the cage 7. At this time, the interval D ₁₆ between the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, ₁₆ is elastically expanded by the needles 6, 6, and the needles 6, 6 are passed between the side edges. . In the state where the needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 in this way, the needles 6 and 6 are respectively connected to the outer sides of the cage 7 by the locking protrusions 15 and 15. In addition, the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16 of the column portions 12 and 12 are prevented from coming out in the same radial inward direction. Although not shown, each needle may be incorporated into each pocket from the outer diameter side of the cage. There are also cages that do not have the locking projections 15 and 15 and the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16.

In the case of a radial needle bearing retainer made of a metal plate having the above-described structure, which has been conventionally known, it is difficult to improve the shape accuracy, and it is difficult to obtain good performance. The reason is that the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 8 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded to form the cage 7 as shown in FIGS. This is because the shape deteriorates for the reason (5).
(1) It is difficult to match the curvature of the portion where the intermediate material 14 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded with the curvature of the other intermediate portion. The degree gets worse.
(2) The intermediate portion 14 in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8) intermediate portion is also different in rigidity between the continuous portions with the column portions 12 and 12 and between the respective continuous portions. It is difficult to make both the rim parts 11 and 11 into a correct circle. Specifically, each of the continuous portions has a substantially polygonal shape in which each of the continuous portions has a linear shape and each of the portions between the continuous portions has an arc shape.
(3) Even if the intermediate material 14 is rounded, the cross-sectional shape of the portions that become the pillars 12 and 12 remains linear.
(4) The intervals between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are likely to be slightly different, and if they are different, the width dimensions of the pockets 13 are not the same.
(5) When the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 is substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the process of rounding the intermediate material 14, the column parts are affected by the influence of the rim parts 11, 11. 12 and 12 are easily distorted slightly.

In the case of a conventionally known radial needle bearing retainer and its manufacturing method, the shape may deteriorate due to the reasons (1) to (5) described above. , 13 may make it difficult to incorporate the needles 6 and 6, or the incorporated needles 6 and 6 may fall off accidentally. Of course, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be prevented by performing processing for correcting the shape on the cage 7 assembled as shown in FIG. 6, but this is not preferable because the cost increases accordingly. Moreover, in order to obtain the above-mentioned retainer 7 having a substantially M-shaped cross section, the work of producing the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 8 from the belt-shaped metal plate is troublesome, which causes an increase in cost.
In addition, Patent Document 3 describes an invention related to a radial needle bearing retainer that is divided into two in the axial direction, but is a structure that is not joined while being divided into two, and is a structure that is an object of the manufacturing method of the present invention. Is fundamentally different.

  In view of such circumstances, the present inventors have previously invented a radial needle bearing retainer that can stably obtain a high-quality retainer and a manufacturing method thereof (Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2005-126768 and 2005). -325104). These two inventions will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the shape in the completed state of the radial needle bearing retainer obtained by these two-end inventions is substantially the same as the conventional structure shown in FIGS. The difference in the shape in the completed state is only the cross-sectional shape of each of the column portions 12 and 12 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) related to the virtual plane orthogonal to the central axis.

  First, the first prior invention according to the above Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-126768 will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the first prior invention is that each of the column parts 12 and 12 is constructed by abutting the end edges of a pair of half-column parts 17 and 17 and welding the abutting parts. . By adopting such a configuration, the shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy of each part including the roundness of the pair of rim parts 11 and 11 are improved, and each column part 12 related to the virtual plane is also improved. , 12 has an arc shape.

  For this reason, in the case of the first prior invention, a pair of retainer elements 18 are formed by bending and punching a metal plate. Each of the cage elements 18 and 18 includes an annular rim portion 11 and the plurality of half pillar portions 17 and 17 each having a base end portion continuous with the rim portion 11. In the case of the first prior invention, such a cage element 18 is manufactured as shown in FIG. 10 and 11, the pitches in the circumferential direction of the half pillars 17 and 17 and the tongue pieces 22 and 22 for making the half pillars 17 and 17 are drawn shorter than actual. ing.

In the manufacturing method of the cage element 18 shown in FIG. 10, first, a circular base plate as shown in FIG. 10A is formed by punching a steel plate or a stainless steel plate as a raw material. Get 19.
Next, a first intermediate material 20 as shown in FIG. 10B is obtained by punching a part of the base plate 19. That is, the center portion of the base plate 19 is punched in a circular shape, and the portion reaching the outer peripheral edge portion from the radial intermediate portion is punched into a notch shape, whereby the annular portion 21 to be the rim portion 11 is formed in the center portion. At the same time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 to be the half columnar portions 17 and 17 extending radially outward from a plurality of equally spaced locations on the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 21 are formed. Each tongue piece 22, 22 is formed with a protrusion that becomes a locking protrusion 15, 15 (see FIG. 9) in a state in which each of the column parts 12, 12 is assembled.

  Next, the first intermediate material 20 is subjected to a stepping process as shown in FIG. The second intermediate material 23 is formed by bending the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape at a part of the first intermediate material 20. Such processing is performed in correspondence with the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 as a finished product being substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. At this time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are also pressed, and the cross-sectional shapes of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are arcuate. The radius of curvature of the arc shape is such that each of the pillars 12 and 12 exists in a single virtual cylindrical space in a state where the pillars 12 and 12 are assembled from the tongues 22 and 22. regulate. Thus, the process of obtaining the second intermediate material 23 from the first intermediate material 20 is performed by pressing the first intermediate material 20 between a pair of upper and lower molds set in a press machine. Easy and highly accurate.

  Next, the second intermediate material 23 is subjected to drawing and bending to form the cage element 18 as shown in FIG. In this drawing / bending process, the portion near the outer diameter of the annular portion 21 together with the tongue pieces 22, 22 are arranged in the axial direction of the annular portion 21 (upper part of the lower drawing in FIG. 10). This is done by bending at right angles over the entire circumference until the two are parallel to each other. By such drawing / bending process, the second intermediate material 23 becomes the cage element 18, and the tongue pieces 22, 22 become the half columnar portions 17, 17.

  In the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11 as well, by first punching a part of a circular base plate 19 as shown in FIG. An intermediate material 20 is made. Next, in the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11, the first intermediate material 20 is subjected to drawing / bending processing, whereby the radially intermediate portion of the first intermediate material 20 closer to the inner diameter (annular portion 21). Is bent at a right angle over the entire circumference to form a second intermediate material 24 as shown in FIG. Then, the second intermediate material 24 is subjected to undercut molding for bending the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape to form the half pillar portions 17 and 17, and FIG. The cage element 18 as shown is used.

  In order to manufacture the cage according to the first prior invention, a pair of cage elements 18 and 18 which are respectively constructed by the processes as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 described above are mutually connected as shown in FIG. The rim portions 11 and 11 are arranged concentrically, and are arranged in a state in which the phases in the circumferential direction of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are made to coincide with each other. This operation is performed in a state where both the cage elements 18 and 18 are gripped by a pair of gripping portions (finger) provided in the assembling apparatus. Since these two gripping portions are provided concentrically with each other and the phase with respect to the rotation direction can be adjusted, the rim portions 11, 11 of the two retainer elements 18, 18 are arranged concentrically, and the half pillars of each other are arranged. The operation of matching the phases of the portions 17 and 17 can be easily performed with high accuracy.

  If both the cage elements 18 and 18 are arranged as described above, the two cage elements 18 and 18 are brought close to each other, the tip portions of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are butted together, and this butted portion Are welded to bond and fix the two cage elements 18 and 18 together. For this welding operation, it is possible to form a groove (chamfer) at the tip edge of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17. The half columnar portions 17, 17 that are brought into contact with each other and further welded to each other become the column portions 12, 12. And the part enclosed by each pillar part 12 and 12 and the said rim | limb parts 11 and 11 adjacent to the circumferential direction becomes the pockets 13 and 13 (refer FIGS. 5-7), respectively.

In the case of the radial needle bearing retainer according to the first prior invention constructed and constructed as described above, it is easy to improve the shape accuracy, and the performance of the radial needle bearing incorporating this retainer is improved. Can be good. The reason for this is as follows (1) to (5).
(1) Since the annular portions 21 of the retainer elements 18 and 18 to be the both rim portions 11 and 11 are formed by punching the flat plate 19, the annular portion 21 is formed from the annular portion 21. The roundness of both rim parts 11 and 11 can be made favorable.
(2) In order to manufacture the cage element 18 from the second intermediate material 23, the work of bending the outer circumferential portion of the annular portion 21 at a right angle over the entire circumference is performed using a press machine or the like. And you can do it with great power. For this reason, it is easy to correctly form both the rim portions 11, 11, and the entire cage element 18 obtained can be formed into an accurate circle, not a polygonal shape.
(3) Since the cross-sectional shapes of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 to be the columnar portions 12 and 12 can be curved in advance, the cross-sectional shapes of the columnar portions 12 and 12 can also be arcuate.
(4) The interval between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be made to exactly match, and the width dimensions of the pockets 13 formed between these column portions 12 and 12 can be exactly matched. You can make it.
(5) Even when the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 is substantially M-shaped, the shape of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 is not distorted when the rim portion 11 is processed. The shape of each of the column parts 12 and 12 made by 17 is not distorted.
In the case of the first prior invention, for the reasons (1) to (5) above, excellent shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy can be obtained. , 13 can be prevented from being incorporated into the needles 6 and 6, or conversely, the incorporated needles 6 and 6 can be prevented from inadvertently falling off.

  Next, the second prior invention relating to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-325104 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the second prior invention, the difference in shape in the completed state from the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 is orthogonal to the central axis as in the case of the first prior invention. It becomes only the cross-sectional shape of each pillar part 12 and 12 regarding the virtual plane to do. The feature of the above-mentioned second prior invention is that these column portions 12, 12 are connected to the outer peripheral edge of one rim portion 11a with the respective base column portions 25, 25 having the distal end edges thereof. The other rim portion 11b is butted against a portion near the outer diameter on one side surface in the axial direction, and this butted portion is joined. By adopting such a configuration, the shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy of each part, including the roundness of the pair of rim parts 11a and 11b, are improved, and the column parts 12 related to the virtual plane are also improved. , 12 has an arc shape.

  First, in order to obtain the first example of the structure of the second prior invention shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the one rim portion 11 a and each of the above-described ones are obtained by bending and punching a metal plate. The cage element 26 composed of the base column portions 25 and 25 and the other rim portion 11b are formed. Of these, the cage element 26 includes the annular one rim portion 11a and the plurality of element pillar portions 25 and 25 each having a base end portion continuous to the rim portion 11a. In the case of the first example of the structure of the second prior invention, such a cage element 26 is manufactured as shown in FIG. The manufacturing process shown in FIG. 15 is substantially the same as the first example of the manufacturing process of the first prior invention shown in FIG. 10 except for the shape of each of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 described above. The description which overlaps substantially is abbreviate | omitted. The cage element 26 can also be manufactured by the same process as the second example of the manufacturing process of the first prior invention shown in FIG. A specific example of the process shown in FIG. 11 and the process of manufacturing the cage element 26 according to the process is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2005-324405 and 2005-325104, and the present invention. Therefore, detailed illustration and description are omitted.

  Regardless of which process is used to produce the cage element 26, in order to produce the cage of the first example of the structure of the second prior invention, the cage element 26 and a separate metal plate are stamped and formed. 12 to 14, the other rim portion 11b formed in an annular shape as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, and the other rim portion 11b and one rim portion constituting the cage element 26 as shown in FIG. 11a is arranged in a state of being concentrically positioned with respect to each other. Next, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the leading edge of each of the columnar portions 25, 25 constituting the cage element 26 is placed on the end portion of the other rim portion 11 b near the outer diameter on one side surface in the axial direction. Match. And this butted part is welded and this other rim | limb part 11b and the said retainer element 26 are joined and fixed. The respective columnar portions 25, 25, whose respective front end portions are butted against the other rim portion 11 b and further welded, become the respective column portions 12, 12. And the part enclosed by the circumference | surroundings by each pillar part 12 and 12 adjacent to the circumferential direction and both said rim | limb parts 11a and 11b becomes the pockets 13 and 13 (refer FIGS. 5-7, 12, and 13), respectively. .

In the case of the radial needle bearing retainer of the first example of the second prior invention constructed and constructed as described above, the shape accuracy is improved for the same reason as in the first prior invention. It is easy to do, and the performance of the radial needle bearing incorporating this cage can be improved.
Furthermore, in the case of the first example of the second prior invention, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced for the following reason as compared with the case of the first prior invention.
First of all, when the other rim portion 11b and the cage element 26 are combined, the leading edge of each of the columnar portions 25 and 25 is projected to the outer peripheral portion of one side surface of the other rim portion 11b in the axial direction. Just hit it. As in the first prior invention described above, the tips of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 (see FIG. 9) that are thin and have low rigidity in a cantilever state before joining the tips are accurately Eliminates the need for matching. For this reason, the positioning operation can be easily performed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
In addition, a convex portion generated by welding or the like present at a joint portion between the distal end portion of each of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 and the other rim portion 11b, and a needle held in each of the pockets 13 and 13 It is not necessary to consider much the prevention of interference with the rolling surfaces of 6 and 6 (see FIG. 5). That is, a chamfered portion having a reduced outer diameter exists at the outer peripheral edge portion of the axial end portion of each of the needles 6 and 6 facing the joint portion. For this reason, even if some convex parts (the amount of protrusion is small) are formed at each joint part, the convex parts and the surfaces of the needles 6 and 6 do not interfere with each other. Accordingly, it is not necessary to extremely avoid the formation of convex portions at the respective joint portions, and accordingly, the machining operation of each joint portion can be facilitated to reduce the cost.

  Further, in the case of the second example of the structure according to the second prior invention shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the tip end portions of the respective elementary column portions 25a and 25a are formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the other rim portion 11b. The cutouts 27 and 27 are fitted. The depth dimension of each of the notches 27, 27 with respect to the radial direction of the other rim part 11b is made to coincide with the thickness dimension of each of the elementary column parts 25a, 25a. In the case of the second example of the structure according to the second prior invention, the both side edges of the respective end portions 25a and 25a are cut out by the thickness of the other rim portion 11b, Narrow portions 28, 28 that fit into the notches 27, 27 without gaps are formed at the distal ends of the columnar portions 25 a, 25 a. Then, in a state where these narrow portions 28, 28 are fitted into the notches 27, 27, the narrow portions 28, 28 or both side portions of the narrow portions 28, 28, and the cut portions. At least a part of the contact surface with the inner surface of the notches 27, 27 is welded or bonded to join the distal end portions of the elementary column portions 25a, 25a and the other rim portion 11b. .

Furthermore, also in the case of the third example of the structure according to the second prior invention shown in FIGS. 20 to 23, the tip end portions of the elementary column portions 25b and 25b are formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the other rim portion 11b. The cutouts 27a and 27a are fitted. In the case of the third example of the structure according to the second prior invention, on the inner peripheral side surface of the distal end portion of each of the elementary column portions 25b, 25b, the dimension in the length direction of each of the elementary column portions 25b, 25b is as described above. The stepped recesses 29 and 29 corresponding to the plate thickness of the other rim portion 11b are formed in a state of being recessed radially outward. Further, the depth dimension in the radial direction of the other rim portion 11b of each of the notches 27a and 27a formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the other rim portion 11b is set to the tip of each of the elementary column portions 25b and 25b. It is made to correspond to the thickness dimension of the part which formed the said stepped recessed parts 29 and 29 in the part. Then, in the state where the stepped recesses 29 and 29 are formed at the tip portions of the elementary column portions 25b and 25b and fitted into the notches 27a and 27a, the tips of the elementary column portions 25b and 25b are provided. And at least a part of the contact surface between the inner surface of each of the cutouts 27a and 27a is welded or bonded, and the tip of each of the elementary column portions 25b and 25b and the other rim portion 11b Are joined.
In the case of the second to third examples of the structure according to the second prior invention configured as described above, the positioning of the distal end portions of the respective elementary column portions 25a and 25b and the outer peripheral edge portion of the other rim portion 11b. Work can be done easily and reliably.

  Whether the structure according to the first prior invention configured as described above or the structure according to the second prior invention configured as described above is used for the reasons (1) to (5) described above, The shape accuracy of the cage can be improved, and the performance of the radial needle bearing incorporating this cage can be improved. However, although both the above-mentioned inventions are intended to improve the shape accuracy of the cage, no particular consideration is given to the efficiency of the operation of assembling each needle into the cage. Therefore, as in the case of the cage having the conventional structure described above, as shown in FIG. 24, the needles 6 and 6 are inserted into the pockets 13 and 13 from the radial direction of the cage 7 as shown in FIG. The needles 6, 6 and the cage 7 are combined by pushing the 12 while being elastically deformed in the circumferential direction.

  Conventionally, the techniques described in Patent Documents 4 and 5 are known as techniques for assembling a needle into each pocket provided in a cage in order to assemble a radial needle bearing with a cage. Among them, Patent Document 4 describes an invention relating to an automatic assembly device for rollers that pushes rollers (needles) one by one into a pocket of the cage while rotating the cage. Further, Patent Document 5 describes an invention relating to an assembling apparatus that transports a plurality of needles to be incorporated into the cage around the cage and pushes these needles into the pockets of the cage all at once. ing.

  In the case of the conventional techniques described in Patent Documents 4 and 5, no particular device is provided on the side of the cage in which each needle is incorporated. Therefore, in order to incorporate the needles one by one, it takes a long time to incorporate the needles into all the pockets (in the case of the prior art described in Patent Document 4), or to place all the needles around the pockets. In order to push it into each of these pockets after being correctly positioned, a complicated structure is required, and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus is increased (in the case of the prior art described in Patent Document 5). Further, in the case where the cage is provided with a stopper structure, it is necessary to elastically deform each column portion constituting the cage in the circumferential direction when the needle is pushed into the pocket. At this time, there is a possibility that harmful (plastic) deformation will occur in each of these column parts, or harmful scratches may occur on the rolling surface of the needle.

JP 2002-235841 A JP-A-8-270658 JP 2004-28134 A JP 55-77431 A JP-A-7-328878

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention uses a retainer for a radial needle bearing according to the previous invention having a unique structure as described above, and thereby, within a plurality of pockets provided in the retainer. The present invention has been invented to realize a method for assembling a radial needle bearing capable of efficiently incorporating each needle into the needle without damaging the cage or needle.

A radial needle bearing with a cage, which is an object of the assembling method of the present invention, includes a plurality of needles between a cylindrical outer ring raceway and an inner ring raceway that are concentric with each other, and holding these needles so that they can roll. It is equipped with a vessel.
Among these, the cage is provided on a pair of annular rim portions arranged concentrically with each other in the axial direction, and inner surfaces facing each other on both side surfaces in the axial direction of both rim portions. And a plurality of pillars with the axial ends thereof connected and fixed. A portion surrounded by four sides by both circumferential side surfaces of each column portion and the inner side surfaces of both rim portions is used as a pocket for holding the needles.

In the case of the assembling method of the present invention, when assembling the radial needle bearing with retainer as described above, the retainer according to the first and second prior inventions described above, that is, Both rim portions are not coupled to each other via the column portions, and at least a part of each column portion in the axial direction is connected and fixed to a side surface of at least one of the rim portions. Use the same thing.
First, the needles are inserted between at least a part of the axial portions of the column portions, which are axially connected to the one rim portion, from the side opposite to the one rim portion. Insert in the axial direction. After that, by joining at least a part of each of the column parts with the axial ends connected and fixed to the one rim part and the other rim part of the two rim parts, Both rim portions are coupled and fixed through the column portions, and the needles are held inside the pockets so as to roll freely.

  More specifically, as the cage, as described in claim 2, a cage formed by punching and bending a metal plate is used. In this case, each of the column portions is connected and fixed at both axial end portions to the outer diameter portion of the inner side surfaces of the rim portions, and the respective axial center portions are radially inward of the rim portions. It is biased to a part, and this axially central part and the axially opposite ends are made continuous by the stepped part. Then, due to the engagement between the rolling surfaces of the needles held in the pockets and the circumferential edges on both ends in the axial direction of the pillars, the needles are radially outward of the cage. So as to prevent the needles from coming out inward in the radial direction of the cage by engaging the rolling surfaces of the needles with the axially central portions of the pillars. Provide a detent structure. When a retainer having such a detent structure is used, the center of each of the needles, with respect to the radial direction of the retainer, the portion that should be the axial end portions of each of the column portions and the center in the axial direction The needles are inserted between at least a part of each column part in the axial direction in a state of being positioned between the parts to be the parts.

According to the method for assembling the radial needle bearing of the present invention as described above, the incorporation of each needle into the plurality of pockets provided in the cage can be performed efficiently and without damaging the cage or needle. The
That is, since the operation of assembling the needles into the pockets can be performed simultaneously from one side in the axial direction, the time required for assembling the needles into the pockets can be shortened.
Further, when the needles are incorporated in the pockets of the cage having the anti-skid structure as described in claim 2, it is not necessary to elastically deform the pillar portions constituting the cage. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of harmful (plastic) deformation in each of the column portions or the occurrence of harmful scratches on the rolling surfaces of the needles. In addition, it is possible to incorporate the needles into the pockets without damaging the rolling surfaces of the needles without extremely increasing the accuracy of the shape and dimensions of the pillars. It is possible to prevent these needles from inadvertently coming out of the pockets after being assembled. Furthermore, since a large force is not required for assembling the needles into the pockets, the assembly apparatus can be easily configured.

[First example of embodiment]
1 and 2 show a first example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3. In this example, needles 6 and 6 are respectively placed in a pocket 13 of a cage formed by joining a pair of cage elements 18 and 18 according to the first invention shown in FIGS. It relates to the method of incorporation. For this reason, in the case of this example, one retainer element 18 shown in FIG. 9 or (D) of FIGS. 10 to 11, for example, on the horizontal surface of the assembly table or assembly conveyor constituting the assembly device, Place the rim portion 11 down. The rim portion 11 corresponds to one rim portion described in the claims.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), the needles 6 and 6 are respectively inserted between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 constituting the cage element 18, respectively. Insert in the direction. Each of the half columnar portions 17, 17 has a distal end portion (upper end portion) in a completed state as a cage, and an inner diameter side locking portion 16 (see FIGS. 5 to 7), and a proximal end portion (lower end portion). ) Are formed on the outer diameter side locking portions, respectively. Therefore, the needles 6 and 6 have their respective central axes with respect to the radial direction of the cage (the rim portion 11) and the distal end portions (upper end portions) and the proximal end portions of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 respectively. Between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 (the column portions 12 and 12, respectively) in a state of being positioned between the both ends in the axial direction of the column portions 12 and 12 and the axially central portion in the completed state. Between the two parts) in the axial direction. The needles 6 and 6 can be inserted one by one between the half columnar portions 17 and 17, but in consideration of the efficiency of the assembling work, a plurality of needles 6 and 6 can be inserted. Most preferably, all needles 6, 6 to be incorporated into the retainer element 18 are performed simultaneously. In a state where the needles 6 and 6 are inserted between the half columnar portions 17 and 17, the positions of the needles 6 and 6 with respect to the radial direction of the cage element 18 are the positions of the needles 6 and 6. It is regulated by the engagement between the rolling surface and both circumferential edges of the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the half columnar portions 17, 17. As long as no external force is applied, the needles 6 and 6 are held upright above the rim portion 11 constituting the cage element 18.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, another cage element 18, which is joined to the cage element 18 to constitute the cage, is placed above the needles 6, 6 on the rim portion 11. (Corresponding to the other rim portion described in the claims) is placed face up. The cage elements 18 and 18 are made concentric, and the phases of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are matched (as shown in FIG. 9 described above). Approach each other. And as shown to (C) of FIG. 1, the front-end | tip edges of the half columnar parts 17 and 17 of these both holder | retainer elements 18 and 18 are faced | matched mutually.

  In this way, if the tip edges of the half pillar portions 17 and 17 of the two cage elements 18 and 18 are abutted with each other, the tip edges of the half pillar portions 17 and 17 of the two cage elements 18 and 18 are brought together. Are joined to each other by welding to form the respective column parts 12 and 12. The operation of joining the end edges of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 by welding is performed by laser welding using one or more laser welding machines 30 and 30, as shown in FIG. If the tip edges of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are joined by laser welding, the time required for the joining work is shortened (the time required for one welding work is about several ms to several tens of ms). The time required for the joining work of the tip edges of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 can be shortened. In particular, if the joining operation is performed using a plurality of laser welding machines 30, 30, the time can be shortened. Further, if the joining work is performed by laser welding, the influence of heat at the time of welding can be suppressed to a small extent, and the dimensional accuracy and shape accuracy of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 can be ensured. There is no damage to the rolling surface. When the number of the laser welding machines 30 and 30 is smaller than the number of the column portions 12 and 12 provided in one cage, the both cage elements 18 and 18 are indexed by a predetermined angle (intermittent rotation). The above welding operation is performed. The number and arrangement of the laser welders 30 and 30 are appropriately determined in terms of design in accordance with the number of the column parts 12 and 12 (even number or odd number).

  As described above, in the state where the tip edges of the half pillar portions 17 and 17 of both the cage elements 18 and 18 are joined to each other by welding to form the pillar portions 12 and 12, the both cage elements 18 and 18 are connected. A pair of rim portions 11 and 11 constituting the same are joined and fixed via the pillar portions 12 and 12 to form a cage. And it will be in the state which hold | maintained each said needles 6 and 6 inside each pocket 13 provided in this holder | basement so that rolling is possible. In this way, the combined structure (cage & roller) holding the needles 6 and 6 in the pocket 13 of the cage is concentric with the cylindrical outer ring raceway 9 and the inner ring raceway 8 (see FIG. 5) to form a radial needle bearing.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 3 shows a second example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, and 7. In this example, the pocket 13 of the cage 7 formed by joining the cage element 26 and the rim portion 11b according to the second prior invention shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 (same as in FIGS. 16 to 23). It relates to a method of incorporating needles 6 and 6 respectively. For this reason, in the case of this example, the cage element 26 shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15D is placed on the horizontal surface of the assembly table or assembly conveyor constituting the assembly apparatus, for example. And place it. The rim portion 11a corresponds to one rim portion recited in the claims.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the needles 6 and 6 are respectively connected to the shafts 25 and 25 constituting the retainer element 26 one by one. Insert in the direction. Each of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 has an intermediate portion of the inner side locking portion 16 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) in a completed state as a cage, on both side edges in the circumferential direction of the both ends. The formed locking projections 15 and 15 (see FIG. 14) also constitute outer diameter side locking portions, respectively. Therefore, the needles 6 and 6 have their respective central axes positioned between both end portions and the intermediate portion of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 with respect to the radial direction of the cage (the rim portion 11a). In this state, one or more (preferably all the needles 6 and 6 are simultaneously inserted) are inserted between the elementary pillars 25 and 25 (to be the respective pillars 12 and 12). In a state in which these needles 6 and 6 are inserted between the elementary column portions 25 and 25, the positions of the needles 6 and 6 with respect to the radial direction of the cage element 26 are the positions of the needles 6 and 6. It is regulated by the engagement between the rolling surface and both circumferential edges of both ends and intermediate portions of each of the elementary column portions 25, 25. The needles 6 and 6 are held in an upright state above the rim portion 11 a constituting the cage element 26.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, another rim portion 11b (corresponding to the other rim portion described in the claims) that is joined to the cage element 26 to constitute the cage is provided. The needles 6 are disposed above the needles 6. And after making this rim | limb part 11b and the rim | limb part 11a of the said retainer element 26 concentric, these rim | limb part 11b and the retainer element 26 mutually approach. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the leading edge of each of the elementary column portions 25, 25 constituting the retainer element 26 is abutted against the inner surface outer diameter portion of the other rim portion 11b. (Or concavo-convex fitting). Then, in this state, the butted portions of the leading edge of each of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 and the inner side surface of the other rim portion 11b are joined by welding or adhesion to form the respective column portions 12 and 12. When joining by welding, it is preferable to carry out by laser welding similarly to the case of the 1st example of the above-mentioned embodiment.

  As described above, the columnar portions 12 and 12 are formed by welding the distal end edges of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 of the cage element 26 and the inner surface outer diameter portion of the other rim portion 11b by welding. Thus, the rim portion 11a constituting the cage element 26 and the other rim portion 11b are bonded and fixed via the column portions 12 and 12 to form a cage. And it will be in the state which hold | maintained each said needles 6 and 6 inside each pocket 13 provided in this holder | basement so that rolling is possible. In this way, the combined structure (cage & roller) holding the needles 6 and 6 in the pocket 13 of the cage is concentric with the cylindrical outer ring raceway 9 and the inner ring raceway 8 (see FIG. 5) to form a radial needle bearing.

[Third example of embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows a third example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7. In the case of this example, the needles 6 and 6 are inserted between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 constituting one cage element 18, and further each of the pairs constituting the cage elements 18 and 18. The positioning member 31 is used to abut the tip edges of the half pillars 17 and 17 and join them by welding. The positioning member 31 has a columnar shape called a mandrel, and the diameter of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface is larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle of the needles 6 and 6. In addition, guide grooves 32 and 32 having a circular arc shape, which are recessed in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface, are positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning member 31 so as to align with the portions where the needles 6 and 6 are to be inserted. Are formed in the axial direction.

In the case of this example, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the positioning member 31 is inserted into the inner diameter side of the one retainer element 18 and the circumferential direction of the retainer element 18 is determined. The phases of the portions between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 (portions to be the pockets 13 and 13) and the guide grooves 32 and 32 are matched. Then, the needles 6 and 6 are inserted between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 while a part of the needles 6 and 6 is inserted into the guide grooves 32 and 32. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pair of cage elements 18 and 18 are made concentric and the phases of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are matched with each other. 18 and 18 are brought close to each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the end edges of the half columnar portions 17 of the two retainer elements 18 and 18 are brought into contact with each other and then joined by welding. These series of operations are performed with the positioning member 31 inserted into the inner diameter side of the cage element 18 and the needles 6 and 6, and after welding and joining, the positioning member 31 is pulled out.
In the case of this example, since the series of operations are performed while being positioned by the positioning member 31, each member can be positioned easily and accurately. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example of the embodiment described above.

Sectional drawing and partial top view which show one example of embodiment of this invention in process order. The fragmentary sectional view which shows one example of the state which joins the front-end | tips of each half pillar part which comprises one pair of cage elements. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows the 3rd example. The fragmentary sectional view which shows one example of the rotation support apparatus of the planetary gear conventionally known. The perspective view which similarly shows one example of the retainer for radial needle bearings. AA sectional drawing of FIG. The figure seen from the side used as an outer peripheral surface, when the intermediate material before forming in a cylindrical shape is made into a cylindrical shape. The perspective view which shows the structure and manufacturing method of 1st prior invention in the state before joining a pair of retainer element. The top view and sectional drawing which show the 1st example of the manufacturing method of 1st prior invention in order of a process. The figure similar to FIG. 10 which shows the 2nd example. Sectional drawing which shows the 1st example of the structure of 2nd prior invention. The figure seen from the right side of FIG. The perspective view shown in the state before joining a retainer element and the other rim | limb part similarly. The top view and sectional drawing which show an example of the processing method of a cage | basket element in order of a process. Sectional drawing which shows the 2nd example of the structure of 2nd prior invention. The figure seen from the right side of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the state just before combining a retainer element and the other rim | limb part. Similarly a partial perspective view. Sectional drawing which shows the 3rd example of the structure of 2nd prior invention. The figure seen from the right side of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the state just before combining a retainer element and the other rim | limb part. Similarly a partial perspective view. Sectional drawing and partial top view which show the assembly method of the needle to the holder | retainer generally performed from the past in order of a process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carrier 2a, 2b Support plate 3 Support shaft 4 Planetary gear 5 Radial needle bearing 6 Needle 7 Cage 8 Inner ring track 9 Outer ring track 10a, 10b Floating washer 11, 11a, 11b Rim part 12 Pillar part 13 Pocket 14 Intermediate material 15 Engagement Stop projection 16 Inner diameter side locking portion 17 Half pillar portion 18 Cage element 19, 19a Base plate 20 First intermediate material 21 Ring portion 22, 22a Tongue piece 23 Second intermediate material 24 Second intermediate material 25, 25a, 25b Elementary column part 26 Cage element 27, 27a Notch 28 Narrow part 29 Stepped concave part 30 Laser welding machine 31 Positioning member 32 Guide groove

Claims (7)

  A plurality of needles and a cage that holds each of these needles in a freely rolling manner are mounted between the concentric and cylindrical outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway. A pair of annular rim portions arranged concentrically with each other, and a plurality of axial rim portions connected to each other on the inner side surfaces facing each other on both side surfaces in the axial direction of both rim portions. A portion surrounded by the four circumferences by the circumferential side surfaces of each of the column portions and the inner side surfaces of the two rim portions, as pockets for holding the needles. When assembling the radial needle bearing with cage, as the cage, the rim portions are not coupled to each other via the column portions, and at least a part of each column portion in the axial direction is Of at least one of the rim parts. The needle is connected between at least a part in the axial direction of each of the pillars, the axial ends of which are connected and fixed to the one rim. After inserting in the axial direction from the opposite side of the rim part, at least a part in the axial direction of each of the column parts having the axial end parts connected and fixed to the one rim part, and A radial needle bearing with a cage that joins and fixes the two rim parts via the pillars to join the other rim part, and holds the needles inside the pockets so that they can roll. Assembly method.   The cage is formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and each column portion is connected and fixed at both axial end portions to the outer diameter portion of the inner side surfaces of both rim portions. The central portion in the direction is biased toward the radially inward portions of these two rim portions, and the central portion in the axial direction and the both end portions in the axial direction are continuous by the stepped portions. The engagement between the rolling surface of the needle and the circumferential edges on both ends in the axial direction of the pillars prevents the needles from coming out radially outward of the cage. Use the one that prevents the needles from coming out inward in the radial direction of the cage by engaging the rolling surface with the axially central part of the pillars. With respect to the radial direction of the cage, both end portions in the axial direction of the column portions are provided. The holding according to claim 1, wherein the needles are inserted between at least a part of each column part in a state where the needles are located between the central part and the part to be the axially central part. Assembly method for radial needle bearings with a vessel.   The cage is a combination of a pair of cage elements, and each of the cage elements is folded in a direction perpendicular to the rim portion from the rim portion, and the rim portion, A plurality of half pillars, each base end being connected to the outer peripheral edge of the rim part, and a stepped part is formed at each axially intermediate part, each of which is a part in the axial direction of each pillar part And a rim portion of a pair of retainer elements are arranged concentrically with each other after the needles are assembled between the half pillar portions constituting one retainer element. By joining the tip portions of the half pillar portions, the half pillar portions of one cage element that is a part of the axial direction of each pillar portion and the rim of the other cage element that is the other rim portion. Are connected to each other through the half pillars constituting the other cage element. To method of assembling a radial needle bearing according to claim 2.   The cage is constructed by joining the distal ends of a plurality of elemental column portions, each base end portion of which is continuous to either one of the rim portions, to the other rim portion. In each case, after each needle is incorporated between each of the columnar parts, the tip of each of the columnar parts is directly joined to the other rim part. A method for assembling the described radial needle bearing.   Inserting each needle between at least a part of each column part in the axial direction and further joining at least a part of each column part in the axial direction and the other rim part with respect to the radial direction of the cage The radial needle bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a positioning member is inserted inside each column portion concentrically with at least a part of the column portion in the axial direction. Assembly method.   As a positioning member, it has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface having a diameter larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle of each needle, and this outer peripheral surface is positioned at a position aligned with the portion where each needle is to be inserted. The radial needle bearing assembly method according to claim 5, wherein guide grooves that are recessed in the radial direction are formed in the axial direction.   The radial needle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a part of the column part in the axial direction and the other rim part are joined by laser welding using one or more laser welding machines. Bearing assembly method.

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