JP2008190581A - Thrust bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thrust bearing achieving lower cost and a longer life by simplifying manufacturing processes and further improving mechanical property. <P>SOLUTION: The thrust bearing comprises an annular orbital disc 12 having a raceway surface. The orbital disc 12 is formed by applying heat treatment to a cold-finished hoop having a surface roughness of Rmax≤2 μm which is obtained by cold rolling a high carbon steel containing 0.9-1.2 wt.% carbon, 1.2-1.7 wt.% chrome, 0.1-0.5 wt.% manganese, and 0.15-0.35 wt.% silicon. The raceway surface is partitioned into a radial inside region 12a, a radial center region 12b and a radial outside region 12c. The radial center region 12b has a relatively lower cross section than each of the radial inside region 12a and the radial outside region 12b. Its maximum level difference is 30 μm or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a thrust plain bearing, and a bearing base for a thrust rolling bearing having a plurality of rolling elements, a cage for holding the plurality of rolling elements, and a bearing disc for clamping the plurality of rolling elements from the thickness direction of the cage. It is.

  High mechanical properties and high machining accuracy are required for thrust rolling bearings, thrust plain bearing washer, and thrust receiving mechanism washer (hereinafter collectively referred to as “thrust bearing components”). . Therefore, when manufacturing the thrust bearing component, it is indispensable to select a starting material and an optimum processing method according to the material.

  For example, a method of manufacturing a synchronizer ring having a structure similar to that of a thrust bearing component is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-223225 (Patent Document 1). With reference to FIG. 6, the manufacturing method of the synchronizer ring described in the publication will be described.

  First, the synchronizer ring described in the same publication includes 0.6 wt% to 1.2 wt% carbon (C), 0.1 wt% to 0.9 wt% manganese (Mn), and 0.3 wt% to A steel plate obtained by hot rolling carbon steel containing 1.0 wt% chromium (Cr) and 0.01 wt% to 0.15 wt% silicon (Si) is used as a starting material.

  The synchronizer ring has a step of pressing the above starting material into a predetermined shape, a step of obtaining a predetermined dimension by machining such as turning, and a heat treatment including quenching and tempering. It is described that it is manufactured through a process of obtaining hardness and a process of finishing the surface smoothly by grinding.

  Moreover, the conventional thrust roller bearing used for a motor vehicle, a general industrial machine, etc. is described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2005-195148 (patent document 2), for example. The thrust roller bearing described in the publication includes a plurality of rollers, a cage that holds the plurality of rollers, and a bearing disc that clamps the plurality of rollers from the thickness direction of the cage.

  For example, the bearing disc employed in the thrust roller bearing having the above-described configuration is formed into a predetermined shape by the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6 and then subjected to carbonitriding and tempering at 230 ° C. as heat treatment. As a result, a nitrogen-enriched layer is formed on the surface layer of the washer. The amount of retained austenite in the nitrogen-enriched layer is 5% by volume to 25% by volume, and the nitrogen content is 0.1 wt% to 0.7 wt%.

It is described that a long-life thrust roller bearing that can prevent early breakage due to surface damage such as surface-origin type separation and is effective in load-dependent rolling fatigue can be obtained by using the above-described composition of the washer. Has been.
JP-A-11-223225 JP 2005-195148 A

  In recent years, in automobiles and general industrial machines, the amount of oil is reduced and low-viscosity oil is used for energy saving and torque reduction. In such thrust roller bearings used under lean lubrication, early breakage due to surface damage such as surface-origin peeling or wear becomes a problem. Furthermore, along with the miniaturization and high output of the mechanical device itself, internal origin type separation due to normal load-dependent rolling fatigue also occurs.

  Moreover, when manufacturing a washer using a steel plate obtained by hot rolling as a starting material, due to surface properties such as surface roughness, oxide layer, and decarburized layer, grinding after heat treatment is performed as shown in FIG. It cannot be omitted. In this grinding process, the surface nitrogen-enriched layer obtained by the heat treatment is removed by the grinding process, resulting in a problem that the long life effect and the wear resistance effect are lowered.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost and long-life thrust bearing by simplifying the manufacturing process and further improving mechanical properties.

  A thrust bearing according to the present invention includes an annular washer having a raceway surface. This washer includes 0.9 wt% to 1.2 wt% carbon, 1.2 wt% to 1.7 wt% chromium, 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% manganese, and 0.15 wt% to 0 wt%. The surface roughness obtained by cold rolling high carbon steel containing .35 wt% silicon is formed by subjecting the steel strip to a heat treatment of only Rmax ≦ 2 μm. The raceway surface is divided into a radial inner region, a radial central region, and a radial outer region, and the radial central region has a relatively low cross-sectional height compared to the radial inner region and the radial outer region. The maximum height difference is 30 μm or less.

  By using carbon steel having the above chemical components, the mechanical properties of the washer are improved. Specifically, it is possible to improve hardenability, improve rolling fatigue life and load resistance, reduce friction and wear, improve hardness, and prevent damage to the washer due to press working.

  In addition, the steel sheet manufactured through the cold rolling process can obtain the desired dimensions, surface smoothness, and hardness, so the turning process and surface to adjust the dimensions during the manufacturing process of the washer are smooth. The grinding step and the like can be omitted. Thereby, since the manufacturing process of a washer is simplified, the manufacturing cost of a thrust bearing can be reduced. Furthermore, the surface nitrogen-enriched layer obtained by the heat treatment is not removed.

  Furthermore, by making the surface shape of the washer as described above, the lubricity is improved and the wear resistance and seizure resistance due to the reduction of the surface pressure are improved. As a result, it is possible to obtain a thrust bearing that has a long life and can reduce costs. The “track surface” is a concept that includes both a surface that contacts the rolling elements of the raceway disk in the rolling bearing and a sliding surface that contacts the raceway surfaces in the slide bearing.

  Preferably, the shape in which the radial center region has a relatively low cross-sectional height as compared with the radially inner region and the radially outer region, and the maximum height difference is 30 μm or less is a generatrix shape passing through the center of the washer Are always formed on the same surface. Although the effect of the present invention can be obtained even if the above relationship is established only at a part of the washer, a higher effect can be expected if it is established at all positions in the circumferential direction of the raceway surface.

  According to this invention, it is possible to obtain a thrust bearing excellent in mechanical properties at low cost by manufacturing a washer using a steel plate obtained by cold rolling carbon steel having a predetermined chemical composition as a starting material. it can.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the thrust needle roller bearing 11 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the manufacturing method of the washer 12 and 13 of the thrust needle roller bearing 11 are demonstrated. 1 is an enlarged view in which the top of the P portion of FIG. 2 is reversed, FIG. 2 is a view showing a thrust needle roller bearing 11, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of main steel sheets used as starting materials for the raceways 12 and 13. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main manufacturing steps of the washer plates 12 and 13.

  First, referring to FIG. 2, the thrust needle roller bearing 11 includes a plurality of needle rollers 14, a cage 15 that holds the plurality of needle rollers 14, and a plurality of needle rollers 14. A pair of washer plates 12 and 13 are sandwiched from the thickness direction.

  The thrust needle roller bearing 11 configured as described above has various advantages such as being able to increase the load capacity and rigidity in a simple manner, while being different between the bearing discs 12 and 13 and the needle roller 14. A sliding motion occurs. The needle roller 14 is purely rolled at the center in the length direction, and the relative slip increases linearly as it approaches both ends. In particular, since the needle roller bearing 14 has a long roller length, the difference in peripheral speed at both ends of the needle roller 14 is large, and the amount of slip is large compared to other bearings.

  For this reason, the wear amount of the washer 12 and 13 becomes large at a portion where a large differential slip occurs, and surface-origination type peeling occurs at the edge of the rolling track. In particular, the thrust needle roller bearing 11 has a large number of rollers and a narrow internal space, so that the lubricating oil does not easily reach the raceway surface. As a result, surface-origin type peeling is likely to occur compared to other bearings.

  In addition, a large thrust load is applied to the raceways 12 and 13 employed in the thrust needle roller bearing 11 having the above-described configuration. Further, the raceway surface on which the needle rollers 14 roll is required to have predetermined hardness and surface smoothness.

  Therefore, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for manufacturing a steel plate as a starting material for the washer 12 and 13 used in such an environment will be described. First, as materials, 0.9 wt% to 1.2 wt% carbon (C), 1.2 wt% to 1.7 wt% chromium (Cr), and 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% manganese (Mn). And a steel slab containing 0.15 wt% to 0.35 wt% of silicon (Si) and other inevitable impurities and iron (Fe) (S11). The oxygen concentration in the steel is 0.0010% or less.

  Carbon (C) is an indispensable element for securing the strength required for the washer disks 12 and 13. Note that 0.9 wt% or more of carbon is required in order to make the hardness of the surfaces and cores of the washer disks 12 and 13 HRC 58 or more. On the other hand, if the carbon content exceeds 1.2 wt%, large carbides are generated on the surfaces of the bearings 12 and 13 to reduce the rolling fatigue life and load resistance, and increase friction and wear. Therefore, the carbon content is desirably in the range of 0.9 wt% to 1.2 wt%. “HRC” indicates Rockwell hardness.

  Chromium (Cr) also improves the hardenability and rolling fatigue life of the washer 12 and 13, secures hardness by carbide, reduces friction and wear, and improves load resistance. It is an indispensable element. In order to obtain a predetermined carbide, 1.2 wt% or more of chromium is required. On the other hand, even if an amount exceeding 1.7 wt% is added, no remarkable effect of addition is observed. Furthermore, if it exceeds 5.0 wt%, large carbides are produced, rolling fatigue life and load resistance are reduced, and friction and wear increase. Therefore, the chromium content is desirably in the range of 1.2 wt% to 1.7 wt%.

  Manganese (Mn) is an element used for deoxidation when manufacturing steel, and is an indispensable element as a starting material for the washer 12 and 13. In order to sufficiently remove oxygen in steel, 0.1 wt% or more of manganese is required. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.5 wt%, the material becomes brittle, and the washer disks 12 and 13 may be damaged during press working. Therefore, the manganese content is desirably in the range of 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt%.

  Silicon (Si) is an element unavoidable for steel materials, and the lower limit of the content is 0.15%. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.35 wt%, the raceway 12 and 13 may be damaged during press working. Therefore, the silicon content is desirably in the range of 0.15 wt% to 0.35 wt%.

  Furthermore, oxygen forms oxides in steel and becomes a starting point for fatigue failure as a non-metallic inclusion, so that the rolling fatigue life and load resistance are reduced, and friction and wear are increased. Therefore, the oxygen concentration in the steel is desirably 0.0010% or less.

  Next, a steel plate is obtained from the above material by hot rolling (S12). By rolling in a heated state, a huge cast structure becomes a fine and high-quality rolled structure. Moreover, since the work hardening of the material can be prevented by rolling in a temperature range equal to or higher than the recrystallization temperature, the thickness can be reduced at a stretch.

  In addition, you may further add the process of annealing the steel plate rolled after the hot rolling process. The crystal grains are refined by annealing, and the crystal orientation is adjusted, so that the surface accuracy and workability are improved.

  Next, pickling is performed for the purpose of rust prevention and removal of an oxide film (scale) attached to the surface of the steel sheet (S13). The oxide film shortens the tool life in machining and lowers the production efficiency, and causes physical and chemical changes on the surface of the steel sheet to reduce the effect of the surface treatment. Therefore, by removing the oxide film by pickling, production efficiency and product quality in the subsequent steps can be improved. The pickling solution includes hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and the like, and 5% to 15% dilute hydrochloric acid water is often used at about 40 ° C to 50 ° C.

  Next, a steel plate having a predetermined size is obtained by cold rolling, and mechanical properties such as hardness and surface smoothness required for the washer 12 and 13 are obtained (S14). By rolling at room temperature, a predetermined plate thickness can be obtained accurately and high smoothness can be obtained. Moreover, since the steel plate is work-hardened by rolling in a temperature region below the recrystallization temperature, the hardness of the steel plate is improved.

  Note that the wall surface serving as the raceway surface of the raceways 12 and 13 is required to have a surface roughness of Rmax ≦ 1.6 μm from the viewpoint of smooth rolling of the needle rollers 14. As will be described later, after the shape processing of the bearing discs 12 and 13, only barrel processing that can remove the surface roughness can be performed, and therefore the surface roughness after the cold rolling step is preferably Rmax ≦ 2 μm. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing breakage during press forming, it is desirable that the hardness after the cold rolling step be Hv220 or less. Here, “Rmax” indicates the maximum height, and “Hv” indicates the Vickers hardness.

  Here, the surface roughness, hardness, and plate thickness of the steel sheet obtained by the cold rolling process are the surface roughness of the rolling roll, the bending of the rolling roll, the rolling rate (ratio of the plate thickness before and after rolling), the rolling roll. It is affected by the gap (gap) and the rotation speed. Therefore, in order to obtain a desired surface roughness, hardness, and plate thickness, it is necessary to appropriately set these elements.

  The hot rolling step and the cold rolling step may each have a predetermined thickness in one rolling step, but may be divided into a plurality of times such as rough rolling, intermediate rolling, and finish rolling. It is good also as obtaining the thickness of.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a method for manufacturing the washer 12, 13 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the main manufacturing steps of the washer plates 12 and 13. First, a steel plate (polished steel plate) described with reference to FIG. 3 is adopted as a starting material (S21).

  Next, the steel plate is formed into the shape of the washer 12, 13 by press working (S22). Since the above-mentioned starting materials are already in a desired state such as plate thickness and surface roughness by the cold rolling process, steps such as turning can be omitted. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the thrust needle roller bearing 11 can be reduced. In addition, although this press work process is good also as a desired shape by one press work, it is good also as performing a press work in multiple times and obtaining a desired shape. Further, deburring may be performed after press working.

  Next, in order to obtain the mechanical properties required for the washer plates 12, 13, heat treatment including carbonitriding and high-temperature tempering at a tempering temperature of 230 ° C to 280 ° C is performed (S23). By performing the carbonitriding process, a nitrogen-enriched layer is formed on the surface layer of the washer 12, 13. This nitrogen-enriched layer is effective in improving rolling fatigue life and load resistance and reducing friction and wear. The “surface layer” refers to a layer having a thickness of 50 μm from the surface of the washer 12 or 13.

  Here, the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen-enriched layer is preferably within a range of 0.1 wt% to 0.9 wt%. When the nitrogen concentration is less than 0.1 wt%, the above effect is low, and particularly the surface damage life is reduced. On the other hand, when the nitrogen concentration exceeds 0.9 wt%, voids called voids are generated in the material, or the amount of retained austenite increases so much that the hardness is lowered and the life is shortened. The nitrogen-enriched layer can also be obtained by nitriding or nitriding instead of carbonitriding. The nitrogen concentration can be measured by, for example, EPMA (wavelength dispersion X-ray microanalyzer).

  Moreover, by performing high temperature tempering, not only the high temperature resistance is improved, but also retained austenite is decomposed into tempered martensite and fine carbides of crystal grains (particle size of 5 μm or less). This is particularly effective for improving rolling fatigue life and load resistance under high load conditions and reducing friction and wear.

  In order to make the retained austenite 10% or less, the tempering temperature needs to be 230 ° C. or more. On the other hand, if the tempering temperature is 280 ° C. or higher, the hardness becomes HRC 60 or lower and the required hardness for the washer 12 or 13 may not be maintained. Therefore, it is desirable to perform high temperature tempering within the range of 230 ° C to 280 ° C. The amount of retained austenite can be measured by comparing the diffraction intensities of martensite α (211) by X-ray diffraction and retained austenite γ (220).

  Finally, the oxide film (scale) generated on the surface of the washer 12, 13 by the heat treatment is removed (S24). As scale removal processing, there are mechanical methods such as barrel treatment and blast cleaning, and chemical methods such as pickling described above.

  Here, the “barrel process” is a process in which the container is rotated or vibrated in a state where the washer 12, 13, compound, and media are put in the container (barrel). According to this method, the scale can be removed, and the effect of improving the deburring and surface roughness of the washer 12 and 13 can be expected. As described above, the surface roughness of the starting material of the washer 12, 13 is already Rmax ≦ 2 μm after the cold rolling process, so it is necessary for the washer 12, 13 without providing an independent grinding process. A surface roughness Rmax ≦ 1.6 μm can be obtained.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a radial bus bar shape passing through the center of the washer in the P part of FIG. 2 of the washer 12 manufactured in the above process. 1 is divided into a radially inner region 12a, a radially central region 12b, and a radially outer region 12c. And the radial direction center area | region 12b has a relatively low cross-sectional height compared with the radial direction inner side area | region 12a and the radial direction outer side area | region 12c, The maximum height difference is set to 30 micrometers or less. FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of 500 times in the vertical direction and 5 times in the horizontal direction.

  Thus, by making the cross-sectional height of the radial center region 12b of the washer 12 lower than other portions, a uniform oil film can be formed without hindering the flow of the lubricating oil. As a result, the thrust needle roller bearing 11 excellent in lubricity can be obtained.

  Further, when the raceway surface is made to be a completely flat surface by grinding as in the washer manufactured by the conventional production process as shown in FIG. 6, there is a possibility that edge stress may be generated in the contact portion due to an attachment error or the like. is there. This is particularly noticeable at the inner and outer edges of the washer.

  On the other hand, when a load is applied to the thrust needle roller bearing 11 having the surface of the washer 12 as shown in FIG. 1, the raceway surface of the washer 12 is elastically deformed, and the radially inner region 12a and the radially outer region. The difference in maximum height from 12c is reduced to about several μm (1 μm to 9 μm). As a result, it is possible to reduce the local contact surface pressure, in particular, the contact surface pressure at the highest position (in FIG. 1, “the radially inner region 12a”).

  Furthermore, the washer manufactured by the conventional manufacturing process as shown in FIG. 6 has a non-uniform surface shape such as swell caused by heat treatment. This may promote local contact and obstruct the flow of the lubricating oil. However, in the washer 12 manufactured by the manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the surface shape can be corrected to a uniform state by the tempering process (S23). .

  The effect of the present invention can be obtained if at least one surface of the washer 12, that is, the raceway surface (“sliding surface” in the case of a thrust slide bearing) in contact with the needle roller 14 has the above surface shape. it can. Further, since the surface of the washer 13 is the same, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to this invention, various mechanical properties of the washer 12 and 13 are improved by using the carbon steel having the above chemical components. As a result, it is possible to obtain bearing discs 12 and 13 with improved load resistance such as rolling fatigue life and reduced friction and wear.

  Further, by including a cold rolling step in the manufacturing process of the starting material (step shown in FIG. 3), the plate thickness, hardness, surface roughness and the like necessary for the washer 12 and 13 can be obtained. If it does so, in the manufacturing process (process shown in FIG. 4) of the washer machines 12 and 13, it becomes possible to abbreviate | omit the process of turning or grinding. As a result, the manufacturing process of the washer 12 and 13 is simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the washer 12 and 13 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, by omitting the grinding process after the heat treatment, the nitrogen-enriched layer formed on the surface layer of the washer 12, 13 is not removed. As a result, it is possible to obtain the bearings 12 and 13 with improved rolling fatigue life and load resistance and reduced friction and wear.

  In the above-described embodiment, the method of manufacturing the bearing discs 12 and 13 of the thrust needle roller bearing 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to the manufacture of other thrust bearings. Can do. For example, a thrust rolling bearing in which the rolling element is a cylindrical roller or a ball may be used, or a thrust sliding bearing having no rolling element may be used. A thrust bearing according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The upper stage is a perspective view, and the lower stage is a side sectional view.

  A thrust slide bearing 21 according to another embodiment of the invention includes two washer plates 22 and 23. The track discs 22 and 23 are disk-shaped members having holes 22a and 23a in the center, respectively, and are overlapped so that the track surfaces 22b and 23b come into contact with each other.

  For example, the thrust slide bearing 21 fixes the washer 22 to a rotating shaft (not shown) and the washer 23 to a housing (not shown). Since the washer 22 rotates on the washer 23 while sliding, the rotating shaft can be rotatably supported. Note that the above rotating shaft includes not only one that rotates in a certain direction but also one that swings. In addition, the track disc 23 includes a case where it is fixed to another rotating shaft that rotates relative to the rotating shaft.

  A large thrust load is applied to the raceways 22 and 23 constituting the thrust slide bearing 21, and the raceway surfaces 22b and 23b are required to have predetermined hardness and surface smoothness. Therefore, the effect of the present invention can be obtained by manufacturing at least one of the raceways 22 and 23 of the thrust slide bearing 21 by the manufacturing method shown in FIGS.

  In addition, the “bearing disc” in the present specification should be broadly interpreted as including a thrust bearing raceway ring and an intermediate ring. Specifically, the disk-shaped race rings 12, 13, 22, and 23 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and the race and intermediate wheels of a thrust receiving mechanism (not shown) are applicable.

  Further, in order to obtain the effect of the present invention, it is only necessary that the dimensional relationship as shown in FIG. 1 is established in at least a part of the washer disks 12, 13, 22, and 23. However, if it is established at all positions in the circumferential direction of the washer disks 12, 13, 22, 23, a higher effect can be expected.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The present invention is advantageously used in the manufacture of thrust rolling bearings, raceway disks for thrust sliding bearings, and the like.

It is the figure which expanded the P section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the thrust needle roller bearing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main processes which manufacture a washer. It is a flowchart which shows the main processes which manufacture a washer from a steel plate. It is a figure which shows the thrust slide bearing which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main processes which manufacture a synchronizer ring.

Explanation of symbols

  11 Thrust needle roller bearings, 12, 13, 22, 23 bearing disc, 12a radial inner region, 12b radial central region, 12c radial outer region, 14 needle rollers, 15 cage, 21 thrust plain bearing, 22a , 23a Hole, 22b, 23b Track surface.

Claims (2)

A thrust bearing comprising a ring-shaped washer having a raceway surface,
The washer is
0.9 wt% to 1.2 wt% carbon, 1.2 wt% to 1.7 wt% chromium, 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% manganese, and 0.15 wt% to 0.35 wt% silicon. The surface roughness obtained by cold rolling a high carbon steel containing is formed by subjecting only a post-roll strip steel with Rmax ≦ 2 μm to heat treatment,
The raceway surface is divided into a radially inner region, a radially central region and a radially outer region,
The thrust bearing, wherein the radial central region has a relatively low cross-sectional height compared to the radial inner region and the radial outer region, and the maximum height difference is 30 μm or less.   The radial center region has a relatively low cross-sectional height as compared with the radially inner region and the radially outer region, and the shape having a maximum height difference of 30 μm or less is a generatrix shape passing through the center of the washer The thrust bearing according to claim 1, wherein the thrust bearing is always formed on the same surface.

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