JP2008256080A - Supporting structure of hub unit bearing, and hub unit bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supporting structure of a hub unit bearing capable of reducing its processing cost and the weight of the hub unit bearing, and to provide the hub unit bearing. <P>SOLUTION: The supporting structure of the hub unit bearing is equipped with a regulating means for regulating axial movement of an outside member 21 with respect to a knuckle 12. The regulating means includes an engaging part 25 provided on an outer peripheral part of the outside member 21 to project radially outward, and engaged parts 26, 27 provided on the knuckle 12 for engaging with the engaging part 25 in the axial direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a support structure for a hub unit bearing for rotatably supporting a wheel of an automobile or the like with respect to a suspension device, and a hub unit bearing.

  As a conventional hub unit bearing, for example, a hub unit bearing 40 shown in FIG. 4 is known. The hub unit bearing 40 has a pair of inner rings 43 fitted to end portions of a hub 42 having a flange 41 to which a wheel or the like is attached, and between each raceway surface of the pair of inner rings 43 and a double row raceway surface of the outer ring 44. A plurality of rolling elements 45 are arranged so as to freely roll to form a rear combination structure (DB) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the hub unit bearing 40, the outer ring 44 is a fixed ring, and the outer ring 44 is fitted to the knuckle 46. The inner peripheral surface of the knuckle 46 is engaged with a stepped portion 46a with which the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer ring 44 abuts, and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the outer ring 44 to restrict axial movement of the outer ring 44. A retaining ring mounting groove 46b for mounting the retaining ring 47 is formed.

  As another conventional hub unit bearing, for example, a hub unit bearing 50 shown in FIG. 5 is known. The hub unit bearing 50 includes an outer ring 51 having a double-row raceway surface formed on the inner peripheral surface, a pair of inner rings 52 each having a single-row raceway surface formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a pair of double-row raceway surfaces of the outer ring 51. A plurality of rolling elements 53 that are rotatably arranged between the raceways of the inner ring 52, a hub 54 that is fitted to the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of inner rings 52, and both axial ends of the outer ring 51. And seal members 55, 55 provided between the inner ring 52 and the pair of inner rings 52. Then, the entire axial length of the inner peripheral surface of the knuckle 56 is cylindrical, and the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends in the axial direction of the outer ring 51 are engaged with the axial end surfaces of the knuckle 56 to restrict the axial movement of the outer ring 51. A retaining ring mounting groove 51a for mounting the retaining ring 57 is formed.

US Pat. No. 6,124,411

  However, in the conventional hub unit bearing 40, the knuckle 46 has a fitting allowance between the bearing and the knuckle fitting surface that affects the preload of the bearing, and the preload affects the life. It is necessary to finish, and it is necessary to process the step part 46a and the retaining ring mounting groove 46b in the inner peripheral surface. The knuckle 46 has a relatively large shape and a poor weight balance. Therefore, the knuckle 46 has a poor rotational balance, and the inner diameter is processed with a long tool. Become. Further, the processing around the step 46a has a large difference between the finished shape of the forging and casting and the completed shape, and the machining allowance is increased, which causes the processing cost to increase.

  On the other hand, in the conventional hub unit bearing 50, the fitting surface of the knuckle 56 with the outer ring 51 is cylindrical, and the overall length of the hole is shorter than that of the hub unit bearing 40, so that the processing cost can be reduced. And high-precision machining can be performed relatively easily. In recent years, precise drilling methods such as fine blanking have become widespread, and it is possible to form a fitting surface with the outer ring 51 on the knuckle 56 only by a forging process without performing machining. .

  However, in the hub unit bearing 50 having the rear combination structure, both end portions in the axial direction of the outer ring 51 are thin. Therefore, when the retaining ring mounting groove 51a is formed in the outer ring 51, mechanical damage of the retaining ring mounting groove 51a or In order to prevent cracking due to heat treatment, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the outer ring 51, which causes a problem of increasing the weight of the bearing 50.

  The present invention has been made in order to eliminate such inconveniences, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hub unit bearing support structure capable of reducing processing costs and reducing the weight of the hub unit bearing. It is to provide a hub unit bearing.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.
(1) A hub unit bearing in which a plurality of rolling elements are rotatably arranged between an inner member and an outer member, a knuckle to which the outer member of the hub unit bearing is fitted, and an outer member with respect to the knuckle And a restricting means for restricting movement in the axial direction of the hub unit bearing, wherein the restricting means is provided at the outer peripheral portion of the outer member so as to protrude radially outward and at the knuckle. A hub unit bearing support structure comprising: an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion in the axial direction.
(2) The support structure for a hub unit bearing according to (1), wherein the engaging portion is disposed at an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the outer member.
(3) A hub unit bearing in which a plurality of rolling elements are rotatably disposed between the inner member and the outer member, and the outer member is fitted to the knuckle. A hub unit bearing characterized in that an engaging portion that can be engaged in the axial direction protrudes radially outward.

  According to the present invention, the restricting means for restricting the axial movement of the outer member with respect to the knuckle is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the outer member so as to protrude radially outward, and the knuckle is provided with the engaging portion. Since the engaged portion is engaged with the portion in the axial direction, the processing cost can be reduced and the hub unit bearing can be reduced in weight.

  Embodiments of a hub unit bearing support structure and a hub unit bearing according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a hub unit bearing support structure and a first embodiment of a hub unit bearing according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a first embodiment of a hub unit bearing support structure and a hub unit bearing according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hub unit bearing 10 of the present embodiment is for a drive wheel, and includes a hub wheel (inner member) 11 and a double row ball bearing 20 that is externally fitted to the hub wheel 11. , Attached to the knuckle 12 of the suspension system. In order to obtain a stable preload and support, the knuckle 12 overlaps at least the rows of balls and the fitting portion.

  The hub wheel 11 has a flange 13 extending radially outward at an end portion on the outboard side of the outer peripheral surface (an end portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction in the assembled state in the automobile: the left end portion in FIG. 1). A plurality of hub bolts 14 for attaching a wheel (not shown), a brake rotor, and the like that constitute a wheel are implanted in the flange 13 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  A small-diameter step portion 15 is formed at the end portion on the inboard side of the hub wheel 11 (the end portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction in the assembled state in the automobile: the right end portion in FIG. 1). A pair of inner rings 22 of the row ball bearing 20 are fitted.

  The double row ball bearing 20 has a rear combination structure, and a pair of inner rings having an outer ring (outer member) 21 having a double row outer ring raceway surface 21a on an inner peripheral surface and a single row inner ring raceway surface 22a on an outer peripheral surface. 22, between a plurality of balls (rolling elements) 23 that are rotatably arranged between the outer ring raceway surface 21 a and the inner ring raceway surface 22 a, and between the axially opposite ends of the outer ring 21 and the pair of inner rings 22. And a seal member 24 disposed respectively. In the present embodiment, a ball is used as the rolling element 23. However, in the case of a heavy hub unit bearing, a tapered roller may be used as the rolling element 23.

  And in this embodiment, while providing the protrusion part (engagement part, control means) 25 which protrudes to a radial direction outer side in the inboard side edge part of the outer peripheral part of the outer ring | wheel 21, fitting with the outer ring | wheel 21 of the knuckle 12 A stepped recess (engaged portion, restricting means) 26 is provided at the end of the surface on the inboard side. Further, the inner diameter of the stepped recess 26 of the knuckle 12 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 25 of the outer ring 21. As a result, a predetermined radial gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the stepped recess 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 25. In addition, although the protrusion part 25 is formed in the outer ring | wheel 21, since the outer ring | wheel 21 is a shape which is easy to forge near-net forging, a forging input material does not increase greatly and a machining allowance does not increase. .

  A retaining ring mounting groove 28 to which a retaining ring (engaged portion, restricting means) 27 is detachably mounted is formed at the inboard side end of the inner peripheral surface of the stepped recess 26. Then, by mounting the retaining ring 27 in the retaining ring mounting groove 28, the stepped recess 26 and the retaining ring 27 are engaged with both end surfaces in the axial direction of the protruding portion 25 of the outer ring 21, respectively. Movement is restricted.

  In the hub unit bearing support structure thus configured, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 21 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the knuckle 12, and the end surface on the outboard side of the protruding portion 25 of the outer ring 21 is engaged with the stepped recess 26. In this state, the retaining ring 27 is mounted in the retaining ring mounting groove 28 of the stepped recess 26, and the retaining ring 27 is engaged with the inboard side end surface of the protruding portion 25. Thereby, the movement of the outer ring 21 in the axial direction with respect to the knuckle 12 is restricted.

  As described above, according to the hub unit bearing support structure of the present embodiment, the restricting means for restricting the axial movement of the outer ring 21 relative to the knuckle 12 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the outer ring 21. And a stepped recess 26 and a retaining ring 27 that are provided on the knuckle 12 and engage the projection 25 in the axial direction. Therefore, the fitting surface of the knuckle 12 with the outer ring 21 is cylindrical. It can be shaped. Thereby, since the processing man-hour to the fitting surface of the knuckle 12 can be reduced, processing efficiency can improve and processing cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the support structure for the hub unit bearing of the present embodiment, the retaining ring mounting groove 28 for mounting the retaining ring 27 is formed in the knuckle 12, so that the thickness of the outer ring 21 can be minimized. it can. Thereby, the weight reduction of the outer ring 21 and the weight reduction of the hub unit bearing 10 can be achieved.

  Further, according to the hub unit bearing support structure of the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the stepped recess 26 of the knuckle 12 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the protruding portion 25 of the outer ring 21, so that no special processing accuracy is required. , Processing costs can be reduced.

  Further, according to the support structure of the hub unit bearing of the present embodiment, since the protruding portion 25 is provided at the end portion on the inboard side of the outer ring 21, even if a large load on the outboard side is input to the hub unit bearing 10. Since the outer ring 21 does not slip out to the outboard side, it is possible to reliably prevent the hub unit bearing 10 from slipping out.

  Furthermore, according to the support structure of the hub unit bearing of the present embodiment, the retaining ring 27 is disposed at the inboard side end of the knuckle 12, so that the retaining ring required when disposed at the outboard side end is provided. Means for attaching and detaching, for example, a tool insertion hole formed in the flange 13 and a notch formed in the end of the knuckle 12 can be eliminated.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, 2nd Embodiment of the support structure of a hub unit bearing which concerns on this invention, and a hub unit bearing is described. Note that portions that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining a hub unit bearing support structure and a hub unit bearing according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a knuckle crimping piece viewed from the inboard side. is there.

  In the hub unit bearing support structure of the present embodiment, the knuckle 30 to which the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 21 is fitted is a press-molded product, and the fitting part of the knuckle 30 with the outer ring 21 as shown in FIGS. A plurality of crimping pieces (engaged portions, restricting means) 31 protruding toward the inboard side are provided at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on the inboard side edge. Further, a stepped portion (engaged portion, restricting means) 32 with which the end surface on the outboard side of the protruding portion 25 of the outer ring 21 abuts is provided at the base portion of the caulking piece 31 of the knuckle 30.

  In the hub unit bearing support structure thus configured, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 21 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the knuckle 30, and the outboard side end surface of the protruding portion 25 of the outer ring 21 is engaged with the stepped portion 32. In this state, a part of the plurality of crimping pieces 31 is crimped to the projecting portion 25 and engaged with the end face on the inboard side of the projecting portion 25. Thereby, the movement of the outer ring 21 in the axial direction is restricted with respect to the knuckle 30.

  Further, when the double row ball bearing 20 is replaced, the swaged crimping piece 31 is scraped off and the double row ball bearing 20 is removed, and after the bearing is replaced, a part of the unswaged swaged piece 31 is removed. Alternatively, the outer ring 21 is fixed by caulking the entire projecting portion 25. Thereby, the knuckle 30 can be reused.

  As described above, according to the hub unit bearing support structure of the present embodiment, the restricting means for restricting the axial movement of the outer ring 21 with respect to the knuckle 30 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the outer ring 21. The protrusion 25 provided on the knuckle 30 and the crimping piece 31 and the step 32 which are provided on the knuckle 30 and engage with the protrusion 25 in the axial direction have a cylindrical fitting surface with the outer ring 21 of the knuckle 30. It can be shaped. Thereby, since the processing man-hour to the fitting surface of the knuckle 30 can be reduced, processing efficiency can improve and processing cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the support structure of the hub unit bearing of the present embodiment, since the retaining ring mounting groove for mounting the retaining ring to the knuckle 30 and the outer ring 21 is not formed, the wall thickness of the outer ring 21 is minimized. Can do. Thereby, the weight reduction of the outer ring 21 and the weight reduction of the hub unit bearing 10 can be achieved.
About another structure and an effect, it is the same as that of the said 1st Embodiment.

In addition, this invention is not limited to what was illustrated to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a hub unit bearing for a drive wheel is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a hub unit bearing for a driven wheel.

It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating 1st Embodiment of the support structure of a hub unit bearing which concerns on this invention, and a hub unit bearing. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment of the support structure of a hub unit bearing which concerns on this invention, and a hub unit bearing. It is the side view which looked at the crimping piece of the knuckle from the inboard side. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the conventional hub unit bearing. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating the other conventional hub unit bearing.

Explanation of symbols

10 Hub unit bearing 11 Hub ring (inner member)
12 knuckle 13 flange 14 hub bolt 15 small diameter step 20 double row ball bearing 21 outer ring (outer member)
22 inner ring 23 ball (rolling element)
24 Seal member 25 Protruding part (engagement part, regulating means)
26 Stepped recess (engaged part, regulating means)
27 Retaining ring (engaged part, restricting means)
28 retaining ring mounting groove 30 knuckle 31 crimping piece (engaged part, regulating means)
32 steps (engaged part, restricting means)

Claims (3)

A hub unit bearing in which a plurality of rolling elements are rotatably arranged between an inner member and an outer member, a knuckle to which the outer member of the hub unit bearing is fitted, and the outer side with respect to the knuckle A support structure for a hub unit bearing, comprising a restriction means for restricting movement of the member in the axial direction,
The restricting means includes an engaging portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral portion of the outer member, and an engaged portion that is provided on the knuckle and engages the engaging portion in the axial direction. A support structure for a hub unit bearing.   The hub unit bearing support structure according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is disposed at an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the outer member. A hub unit bearing in which a plurality of rolling elements are rotatably disposed between an inner member and an outer member, and the outer member is fitted to a knuckle.
A hub unit bearing, wherein an engaging portion that can be engaged with the knuckle in an axial direction is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the outer member so as to protrude radially outward.

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