JP2009160962A - Rolling bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rolling bearing device controlling fuel cost by reducing the frictional torque of the bearing used in a device for adjusting a tire pneumatic pressure. <P>SOLUTION: The rolling bearing device 1 used in a tire pressure adjusting device 8 for a vehicle, provided with a compressed fluid supplying source 9 supplying compressed fluid to a tire air chamber 5b, has a rolling body 2c placed between an inner lace 2b and an outer lace 2a. A seal device 11 for sealingly forming a bearing flow passage part 2d1 acting as a part of a compressed fluid passage 10 is installed within an annular space chamber 2f between the inner lace 2b and the outer lace 2a. The seal device 11 includes: an annular spring body 11h supported on a core 11a installed at the outer lace 2a to apply a predetermined tension force to a seal lip part 11f in contact with the inner lace 2b; a back-up ring 11j for restricting displacement and motion of the seal lip part 11f toward a released fluid side P2 with fluid pressure on the sealed fluid side of the bearing passage 2d1; and a repulsive member 12 placed between the back-up ring 11j and the seal lip 11f to cause them to be spaced apart from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rolling bearing device that can be used in a system for adjusting the tire pressure of an automobile.

  As a system for improving the running of an automobile in response to various conditions such as road surface conditions and running speed, a system in which tire air pressure can be adjusted while the automobile is running is known (see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2000-255228 A

  In the tire pressure adjusting system, a compressed air supply source on the vehicle side is connected to a tire by an air flow path. This air flow path is provided through a hub bearing to which a tire is attached. The hub bearing includes an outer ring that rotatably supports a hub to which a tire is attached by an inner ring and is fixed to a knuckle. An air flow path is formed using the space between the inner and outer rings of the hub bearing. The air flow path in this space is kept airtight by a sealing material that allows relative rotation of the inner and outer rings.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the seal material includes a seal lip C made of a rubber-like elastic body that is vulcanized and bonded to a core metal B that is fitted to the inner peripheral side of the outer ring A, and the seal lip C includes an inner ring D. An annular spring E is provided so as to be brought into contact with the outer peripheral side of the member by a desired tightening force. For this reason, this tension force is maintained even when the space between the inner and outer rings of the hub bearing is not pressurized (released to the atmosphere) except for air supply / exhaust. For this reason, it has the subject that fuel consumption deteriorates by the friction torque according to tension.

  The subject of this invention is providing the rolling bearing apparatus which reduced the friction torque in the bearing used for the apparatus which adjusts a tire air pressure, and prevented deterioration in fuel consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a rolling bearing device according to the present invention includes a vehicle including a compressed fluid supply source capable of supplying a compressed fluid to a tire air chamber in a tire mounted on a wheel via a compressed fluid channel. A rolling bearing device that is used in a tire pressure adjusting device for an automobile and includes an outer ring connected to a vehicle fixing member, an inner ring connected to the tire, and a rolling element interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The rolling bearing device includes a seal device that seals and forms a bearing flow path portion as a part of the compressed fluid flow path in an annular space chamber between the inner ring and the outer ring. A core member fitted to the outer ring, a seal member having a seal lip portion made of a rubber-like elastic body supported by the core metal and contacting the inner ring, and the seal lip portion in contact with the inner ring , Prescribed tension An annular spring body to be applied, a backup ring for restricting displacement and movement of the seal lip portion to the open fluid side outside the bearing flow passage portion due to fluid pressure on the sealing fluid side in the bearing flow passage portion, and the backup And a repelling member interposed between the ring and the seal lip portion and spaced apart from each other.

  By adopting the above configuration, the tightening force by the seal lip portion in the seal device is such that the fluid pressure in the bearing flow passage portion becomes high when the compressed fluid is supplied to the tire (at the time of pressurization), and the seal lip portion tends to be displaced and moved. However, since this can be regulated by the backup ring, the sealing function during pressurization can be reliably maintained. Further, the seal lip portion of the seal device in a state where no compressed fluid is supplied to the tire (when no pressure is applied), the resilience of the resilience member so as to resist the elastic force as the seal member and the resilience of the annular spring body. Displacement and movement away from the backup ring by force. For this reason, the tension force by a seal lip part is reduced and the friction torque at the time of non-pressurization is reduced. As a result, fuel consumption can be improved, and durability due to wear of the sealing device itself is also improved.

  In addition, the repulsive force of the repulsion member disposed in the portion of the backup ring and the seal lip portion so as to be in a non-contact state when pressurized fluid is supplied to the bearing flow passage portion. Is set.

  By using the above configuration, long-term use is possible even when permanent magnets made of materials that are easy to break due to mechanical strength and are prone to rust due to peeling of the surface treatment layer such as plating are used as repulsive members. , Durability and reliability can be improved.

  Further, the repulsion member is an annular permanent magnet in which magnetic poles of the same polarity are arranged to face each other, so that the repulsive force can be made uniform in the circumferential direction. As a result, the contact position in the circumferential direction between the seal lip portion and the inner ring can be prevented from being partially displaced in the axial direction, so that the sealing function is not impaired.

  Further, the rolling bearing device is a rolling bearing device comprising an outer ring connected to a vehicle fixing member, an inner ring connected to a tire, and a rolling element interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, The rolling bearing device includes a seal device that seals and forms a bearing flow channel portion as a part of a compressed fluid flow channel in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring, and the seal device is fitted to the outer ring. A core member to be mounted, a seal member having a seal lip portion made of a rubber-like elastic body supported by the core metal and in contact with the inner ring, and a predetermined tension in a state where the seal lip part is in contact with the inner ring. An annular spring body that imparts a force, and a backup ring that restricts displacement and movement of the seal lip portion toward the open fluid side outside the bearing flow passage portion due to fluid pressure on the sealing fluid side in the bearing flow passage portion; The Wherein the click-up ring is interposed between the seal lip portion, characterized in that it comprises a and a repulsion member which is adapted to be spaced apart from each other.

  With the above configuration, the tire air chamber in the tire can be used by being connected to a vehicle tire pressure adjusting device provided with a compressed fluid supply source capable of supplying the compressed fluid via the compressed fluid flow path. . As a result, the tightening force by the seal lip portion in the seal device is such that the fluid pressure in the bearing flow passage portion becomes high when the compressed fluid is supplied to the tire (at the time of pressurization), and the seal lip portion tends to move or move. Since this can be regulated by a backup ring, the sealing function during pressurization can be reliably maintained. Further, the seal lip portion of the seal device in a state where no compressed fluid is supplied to the tire (when no pressure is applied), the resilience of the resilience member so as to resist the elastic force as the seal member and the elastic force of the annular spring body. It is displaced and moved away from the backup ring by force. For this reason, the tension force by a seal lip part is reduced and the friction torque at the time of non-pressurization is reduced. As a result, fuel consumption can be improved, and durability due to wear of the sealing device itself is also improved. In addition, at the time of pressurization when compressed fluid is supplied to the bearing flow path portion, the repulsive force of the repulsive member disposed in the portion is set so that a portion of the backup ring and the seal lip portion is not in contact with each other. Even if a permanent magnet made of a material that is prone to rust due to peeling of the surface treatment layer such as plating is easy to break due to mechanical strength, it can be used for a long time even if it is used as a repulsive member. Reliability can be improved. In addition, the repulsion member can be an annular permanent magnet in which magnetic poles having the same polarity are arranged to face each other, and the repulsive force can be made uniform in the circumferential direction. As a result, the contact position in the circumferential direction between the seal lip portion and the inner ring can be prevented from being partially displaced in the axial direction, so that the sealing function is not impaired.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mounted state of a rolling bearing device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a rolling bearing device 1 includes an outer ring 2a as a fixed ring, an inner ring 2b as a rotating ring, and rolling elements 2c arranged in a plurality of rows interposed between the inner ring 2b and the outer ring 2a. The rolling bearing 2 is provided.

  The rolling bearing 2 is provided with a sealing device 2g for sealing between the outer ring 2a and the inner ring 2b from the outside. The sealing device 2g is provided on both ends of the rolling bearing 2 in the axial direction Z.

  The rolling bearing 2 is connected to an attachment port 3a of a vehicle fixing member 3 such as a knuckle or an axle housing on the vehicle inner side of a suspension device in the vehicle. In this connection, the outer ring 2a of the rolling bearing 2 is inserted and fitted into the mounting port 3a, and the flange portion 2d protruding outward from the outer ring 2a is fixed to the vehicle via a fastening member 2e such as a bolt and a nut. The member 3 is fixed to the peripheral surface (vehicle outer side) of the attachment port 3a.

  The inner ring 2 b of the rolling bearing 2 is connected to the hub 4. The hub 4 has a hub bolt 4a for mounting the wheel 5 on the vehicle outer side. The wheel 5 includes a tire 5c that is attached to the wheel 5a to form a tire air chamber 5b.

  The hub 4 has a press-fit shaft portion 4b that is press-fitted into the inner ring 2b of the rolling bearing 2 on the vehicle inner side. The press-fit shaft portion 4b is press-fitted into the inner ring 2b and the hub 4 rotates together with the inner ring 2b. It is provided as possible. The hub 4 is spline-coupled to the drive shaft 6, and one end side of the drive shaft 6 is passed through an insertion hole 4 c formed in the press-fit shaft portion 4 b of the hub 4, and a nut 7 is screwed to this end portion to be fixed. Has been.

  The suspension device using the rolling bearing device 1 is provided with a vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 8 for adjusting the air pressure in the tire air chamber 5b of the wheel 5, as shown in FIG. The vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 8 includes a compressed fluid supply source 9 such as an accumulator for accumulating a compressed fluid provided on the vehicle side, a compressor for generating the compressed fluid, and the compressed fluid from the compressed fluid supply source 9 as a tire. And a compressed fluid flow path 10 for supplying the air chamber 5b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the compressed fluid channel 10 is a fixed member circulation formed inside the vehicle fixing member 3 in a state where the rolling bearing device 1 is attached to the vehicle fixing member 3 and the wheels 5 are mounted. A hole 3b, an outer ring circulation hole 2a1 formed inside the outer ring 2a, a bearing flow passage 2d1 provided in the annular space 2f between the outer ring 2a and the inner ring 2b, and an inner ring circulation hole formed inside the inner ring 2b. 2b1, the hub circulation hole 4e formed inside the hub 4, and the wheel circulation hole 5a1 formed inside the wheel 5a are connected so as to communicate continuously.

  The bearing flow path part 2d1 is provided between the rolling elements 2c arranged in a double row. Two sealing devices 11 that allow relative rotation of the inner and outer rings are arranged in a part of the annular space 2 f between the rolling elements 2 c to seal the bearing channel 2 d 1 as a part of the compressed fluid channel 10. Form.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing device 11 includes a ring-shaped metal core 11a and a rubber elastic body that is vulcanized and bonded to the metal core 11a and slidably contacts the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 2b. A member 11b is provided.

  The annular cored bar 11a extends in the axial direction Z side of the outer ring 2a, and is bent from the axial direction Z end side of the cylindrical part 11c and the cylindrical part 11c fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2a. A cross section composed of a wall portion 11d extending inward in the radial direction X (inner ring side) is formed of a substantially L-shaped sheet metal material.

  Further, the seal member 11b which is vulcanized and bonded to the cored bar 11a includes a fitting pressure-bonding part 11e covering the cylindrical part 11c of the cored bar 11a and a seal extending from the wall part 11d to the inner peripheral surface side of the inner ring 2b. And a lip portion 11f. When the fitting crimping part 11e is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2a, a predetermined fitting force is generated, and the core 11a is held and fixed to the outer ring 2a. Moreover, when not forming the fitting crimping | compression-bonding part 11e, as shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder part 11c is directly fitted by the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring | wheel 2a.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f is formed into a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the tip end of the lip portion 11g cooperates with the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 2b with a predetermined tightening allowance. Demonstrates a contact-type sealing function.

  An annular spring body 11h is provided in the concave groove 11g2 on the back side of the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f. The annular spring body 11h is formed by forming a coil spring into an annular shape, and the tip of the lip part 11g of the seal lip part 11f contacts the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 2b by the elastic force when the diameter of the annular spring body 11h is reduced. In this state, a predetermined tightening force is applied.

  Further, when the pressure on the sealed fluid side P1 in the bearing flow passage portion 2d1 is applied to the seal lip portion 11f, the open fluid side outside the bearing flow passage portion 2d1 that is a low pressure side with respect to the pressure on the sealed fluid side P1. The lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f is displaced / moved toward P2. For this reason, an annular backup ring 11j for restricting the displacement / movement of the lip portion 11g is provided.

  The backup ring 11j is formed of a resin material or metal material that is harder than the rubber-like elastic body of the seal lip portion 11f. The backup ring 11j extends inward in the axial direction Z of the outer ring 2a and is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2b, and at the same time extends to the outer peripheral side of the fitting crimping part 11e of the cylindrical part 11c of the core metal 11a. A reinforcing cylinder part 11k to be bent, a reinforcing wall part 11m that is bent from the Z direction end side in the axial direction of the reinforcing cylinder part 11k and extends inward in the radial direction X (inner ring side), and a radial direction X of the reinforcing wall part 11m The cross section is generally U-shaped as a whole by a flange portion 11n that is bent from the end side and extends in the axial direction Z side, and the distal end peripheral surface 11n1 is disposed close to the peripheral side surface 11g1 of the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f. It is formed in a shape.

  A corner fillet portion 11n2 as an inner peripheral surface on the outer side in the radial direction X, which is continuous with the distal end peripheral surface 11n1 of the flange portion 11n, is rounded to have an arcuate cross section. Further, a corner fillet portion 11f2 as a peripheral side surface of the waist portion 11f1 between the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f and the base portion side on the side of the cylindrical portion 11c is rounded and formed in a circular arc shape in cross section.

  The corner fillet portion 11n2 and the corner fillet portion 11f2 are configured such that when the pressure on the sealing fluid side P1 is applied to the seal lip portion 11f, the corner fillet portion 11f2 of the seal lip portion 11f contacts the corner fillet portion 11n2. Displacement / movement of the seal lip portion 11f toward the open fluid side P2 is restricted by the backup ring 11j.

  A repulsive member 12 is interposed between the peripheral side surface 11g1 of the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f and the front end peripheral surface 11n1 of the flange portion 11n of the backup ring 11j.

  The repulsion member 12 is composed of two permanent magnets formed in an annular shape, and magnetic poles of the same polarity (N poles or S poles) are arranged to face each other to generate a repulsive force, so that the seal lip portion 11f Are attached to the peripheral side surface 11g1 of the lip portion 11g and the tip peripheral surface 11n1 of the flange portion 11n of the backup ring 11j so as to be integrated by embedding or fitting.

  Thus, if it is an annular permanent magnet, the repulsive force in the circumferential direction can be made uniform. As a result, it is possible to prevent a positional deviation in which the contact position in the circumferential direction of the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f with the inner ring 2b is partially displaced in the axial direction. Further, as a form of the annular permanent magnet, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of divided bodies 12 a made of permanent magnets can be arranged in the circumferential direction Y at equal intervals. In this case, it is possible to provide an advantage that damaged members can be individually replaced such as partial cracks of the permanent magnet.

  Further, the repulsive force by the repulsive member 12 is in a state where the pressure on the sealed fluid side P1 is the highest, that is, during pressurization when the compressed fluid is supplied to the bearing flow path portion 2d1, and the backup ring 11j and the seal lip portion 11f. Is provided with a magnetic force that sets the repulsive force of the repulsive member 12 disposed in the portion so that the repulsive members 12 are not in contact with each other. As a result, permanent magnets made of a material that is not easily broken by mechanical strength and easily rusts due to peeling of a surface treatment layer such as plating can be used for a long period of time. In addition, permanent magnets can be largely classified into three types, alnico magnets, ferrite magnets, and rare earth magnets, depending on the component elements.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing member flow hole 3b, the outer ring flow hole 2a1, the bearing flow channel portion 2d1, the inner ring flow hole 2b1, the hub flow hole 4e, the wheel flow of the vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 8 including the rolling bearing device 1. In the path of the compressed fluid flow path 10 including the hole 5a1, the valve is opened when the compressed fluid is supplied from the upstream side to the downstream side of the path, and is closed when the supply of the compressed fluid is shut off. Furthermore, a first control valve 13 having a function of opening the compressed fluid in the downstream path to the atmosphere side in the upstream closed valve shut-off state is provided.

  The compressed fluid flow path 10 is opened between the wheel flow hole 5a1 and the bearing flow path portion 2d1 when the compressed fluid is supplied via the first control valve 13 on the upstream side. The valve is closed when the supply of air is shut off, and at the same time, the valve is closed so as to maintain the pressure in the tire air chamber 5b. In the closed state when the supply of compressed fluid is shut off, the inside of the tire air chamber 5b When lowering the pressure, a second control valve 14 having a function of opening so that a part of the compressed fluid in this path is directly exhausted to the outside is provided.

  The opening and closing operations of the first and second control valves 13 and 14 are controlled by a control device 15 using a microcomputer or the like equipped in the vehicle.

The operating state of the vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 8 configured as described above will be described.
A pressure sensor 16 provided in the vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 8 and connected to the control device 15 detects the tire pressure in the tire air chamber 5b. When the tire pressure is set to a pressure higher than the detected pressure, the control device 15 controls the valve opening operation of the first control valve 13 interposed in the compressed fluid flow path 10 to supply the compressed fluid. The compressed fluid of the source 9 is fed to the second control valve 14 side on the downstream side. The second control valve 14 is controlled to open by the control device 15, and the compressed fluid is sent into the tire air chamber 5b until the set pressure is reached.

  During the pressurized supply of the compressed fluid, the bearing flow path portion 2d1 of the rolling bearing device 1 constituting a part of the compressed fluid flow path 10 is also in a pressurized state. In the sealing device 11 for sealing the bearing flow path portion 2d1 in this state, the sealing lip portion 11f of the sealing member 11b in the sealing device 11 receives the pressure on the sealing fluid side P1 as shown in FIG. It is displaced and moved so as to approach the backup ring 11j side which is P2.

  In this displaced / moved state, the backup ring 11j and the seal lip portion 11f are partially in a non-contact state. Specifically, the peripheral side surface 11g1 in the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f and the tip peripheral surface 11n1 in the flange portion 11n of the backup ring 11j are in a non-contact state. This non-contact state is maintained by the repulsive force of the repulsive member 12 made of a permanent magnet disposed in the portion. As a result, even a permanent magnet made of a material that is easily broken by mechanical strength and easily rusted by peeling off a surface treatment layer such as plating can be used for a long period of time, and durability and reliability are improved.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in a non-pressurized state other than the above-described pressurization, the first control valve 13 is controlled to close the valve so as to shut off the supply of the compressed fluid, and the downstream side of the compressed fluid path 10 is controlled. The valve opening operation is controlled so that the compressed fluid is exhausted to the atmosphere side. On the other hand, the second control valve 14 is controlled to be closed so as to block the inlet / outlet of the compressed fluid path 10 so as to maintain the tire pressure in the tire air chamber 5b. In such a state, the bearing flow path portion 2d1 of the rolling bearing device 1 is in an open state.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, the seal lip portion 11f of the seal member 11b of the seal device 11 that seals the bearing flow path portion 2d1 has an elastic force as the seal member 11b and an elastic force of the annular spring body 11h. In order to resist, the repulsive force of the repulsive member 12 is displaced and moved in the direction away from the backup ring 11j to the sealed fluid side P1. This reduces the tightening force by the lip portion 11g of the seal lip portion 11f. As a result, the friction torque at the time of non-pressurization is reduced.

Sectional drawing of the attachment state of the rolling bearing apparatus which concerns on this invention. The enlarged view which shows the sealing device of a rolling bearing apparatus. The enlarged view which shows the other example of a sealing device. The figure which shows the other example of a repulsion member. The system schematic of the tire pressure adjusting device for vehicles. The elements on larger scale of the pressurization state of a sealing device. The elements on larger scale of the non-pressurized state of a sealing device. The figure which shows the sealing material of background art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rolling bearing apparatus 2a Outer ring 2b Inner ring 2c Rolling element 2d1 Bearing flow path part 2f Annular space chamber 4e Hub distribution hole 5a Wheel 5a1 Wheel distribution hole 5b Tire air chamber 5c Tire 8 Vehicle tire pressure adjusting device 9 Compressed fluid supply source 10 Compression Fluid flow path 11 Sealing device 11a Core 11b Seal member 11f Seal lip 11h Annular spring body 11j Backup ring 12 Repulsion member P1 Sealing fluid side P2 Open fluid side

Claims (4)

Used in a vehicle tire pressure adjusting device having a compressed fluid supply source capable of supplying a compressed fluid to a tire air chamber in a tire mounted on a wheel via a compressed fluid flow path,
A rolling bearing device comprising: an outer ring connected to a vehicle fixing member; an inner ring connected to the tire; and a rolling element interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring,
The rolling bearing device includes a seal device that hermetically forms a bearing flow path portion as a part of the compressed fluid flow path in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring,
The sealing device includes:
A core metal fitted to the outer ring, and a seal member having a seal lip portion made of a rubber-like elastic body supported by the core metal and in contact with the inner ring;
An annular spring body for applying a predetermined tightening force in a state where the seal lip portion is in contact with the inner ring;
A backup ring that regulates displacement and movement of the seal lip portion to the open fluid side outside the bearing flow channel portion by the fluid pressure on the sealing fluid side in the bearing flow channel portion;
A rolling bearing device comprising: a repelling member interposed between the backup ring and the seal lip portion and spaced apart from each other.   At the time of pressurization when the compressed fluid is supplied to the bearing flow path portion, the repulsive force of the repulsion member disposed in the portion is set so that the backup ring and the seal lip portion are not in contact with each other. The rolling bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling bearing device is set.   The rolling bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the repulsive member is an annular permanent magnet in which magnetic poles having the same polarity are arranged to face each other. A rolling bearing device comprising: an outer ring connected to a vehicle fixing member; an inner ring connected to a tire; and a rolling element interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring,
The rolling bearing device includes a seal device that hermetically forms a bearing channel portion as a part of a compressed fluid channel in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring,
The sealing device includes:
A core metal fitted to the outer ring, and a seal member having a seal lip portion made of a rubber-like elastic body supported by the core metal and in contact with the inner ring;
An annular spring body for applying a predetermined tightening force in a state where the seal lip portion is in contact with the inner ring;
A backup ring that regulates displacement and movement of the seal lip portion to the open fluid side outside the bearing flow channel portion by the fluid pressure on the sealing fluid side in the bearing flow channel portion;
A rolling bearing device comprising: a repelling member interposed between the backup ring and the seal lip portion and spaced apart from each other.

Images