JP2010133508A - Retainer for roller bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive retainer for a roller bearing capable of preventing distortion, capable of maintaining dimension accuracy to a fixed level, and capable of preventing erroneous assembly of a roller. <P>SOLUTION: The retainer 2 for the roller bearing includes a retainer body 6 formed in an annular shape capable of being incorporated into the roller bearing, and a plurality of pockets P arranged along the retainer body in equal intervals in a peripheral direction and holding the roller 4 as a rolling element to be rotated one by one. Each of the pockets is shaped along the profile of the roller and has the same shape, and is formed to penetrate the retainer body. In the retainer body, a dummy pocket dP having a size different from the pocket is provided between the pockets adjacent in the peripheral direction in such a manner of penetrating the retainer body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a roller bearing cage applied to, for example, automobile transmissions and various industrial machines, and more particularly to a cage incorporated in a needle roller bearing.

  Conventionally, various cages incorporated in needle roller bearings are known (Patent Document 1). Here, since the “roller” as the rolling element held by the cage for the needle roller bearing has a small diameter, for example, a diameter of a virtual circle (PCD) formed by connecting the rotation centers of the rollers. ) Is large, the number of rollers to be held by the cage increases, and usually tends to be over-spec. Moreover, when reducing the number of rollers, the width dimension of each pillar part which comprises the pocket holding each roller becomes large.

  By the way, in a cage in which the width dimension of each column part is large, when the material is iron, for example, in the heat treatment in the cage manufacturing process, the cage is deformed by heat treatment due to the difference in rigidity between each column part and each pocket. As a result, distortion may occur throughout the cage. In addition, when the material is resin, the volume of each column is large, so the amount of resin required only for the volume is increased, resulting in a higher material cost, and the entire cost of the cage is increased by the material cost. Manufacturing costs will increase. Furthermore, a resin cage is molded by injecting a predetermined amount of resin material.In this case, curing starts from the resin around (in the vicinity of) the injection portion. May vary greatly. In such a case, it may be difficult to maintain a constant dimensional accuracy of the entire completed cage.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), in the cage 2 having a large PCD, the usual number of pockets P are formed, and every other pocket P serves as a rolling element. There is a specification to hold 4. In this case, the number of rollers held by the cage 2 can be reduced, and as a result, overspec can be avoided. However, in such a specification, for example, as shown in FIG. 5C, each pocket P has the same size and shape. Thus, the rollers 4 may be held in succession in each pocket P. In FIG. 5 (c), as an example, a pocket in which one roller 4 is erroneously held (hereinafter referred to as misassembly) is indicated by a reference symbol Pa. Thus, for example, three rollers 4 are continuously connected to the pocket. P, Pa, and P are held.

Then, during rotation of the bearing, it becomes difficult for the cage 2 in which the rollers 4 are misassembled to revolve stably and smoothly along the rollers 4 (not shown) between the inner and outer rings. There is a possibility that the bearing cannot be smoothly rotated. Furthermore, various loads such as a radial load and a thrust load act during the rotation of the bearing. However, in the cage 2 in which the rollers 4 are misassembled, it is difficult to apply the load uniformly and stably. Therefore, there is a possibility that the bearing cannot be used stably over a long period of time.
JP-A-7-269573

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of distortion and to maintain a constant dimensional accuracy, and to prevent erroneous assembly of rollers. An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost roller bearing retainer that can be used.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention comprises an annular retainer body that can be incorporated into a roller bearing, and a roller as a rolling element, which is configured at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction along the retainer body. A plurality of pockets that are rotatably held one by one, and each pocket has a shape along the contour of the roller and the same shape as each other, and is configured to penetrate the cage body. In the cage body, a dummy pocket having a size different from each pocket is formed through the cage body between pockets adjacent in the circumferential direction in the cage body.
In this invention, the cage main body has a hollow cylindrical shape that can extend along the bearing internal space, and an annular portion that is disposed opposite to each other at both ends thereof, and the annular portions are mutually connected. A plurality of pillars arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction and connected to each other, and each pocket has a pillar part adjacent in the circumferential direction and the pillars adjacent to each other. Each of the dummy pockets is configured to penetrate through each of the column portions.
In this case, each dummy pocket may be set smaller than the roller, or each dummy pocket may be set larger than the roller. The cage body can be formed of a resin material or a metal material.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a low-cost roller bearing retainer capable of preventing the occurrence of distortion, maintaining a constant dimensional accuracy, and preventing erroneous assembly of rollers. be able to.

Hereinafter, a roller bearing retainer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the present embodiment, the roller bearing is not particularly illustrated as a roller bearing, but is assumed to be a needle roller bearing, for example, a shell-type bearing whose outer ring is made of a special alloy steel plate, a solid-type bearing of a machined race ring, a race ring Cages and rollers without cams, cam follower type bearings, etc. are applicable. In addition, as a use application of the cage incorporated in the needle roller bearing, although not particularly illustrated, for example, a cage is provided in a needle roller bearing configured to include an inner ring and an outer ring that are opposed to each other so as to be relatively rotatable. It is possible to envisage a use application to be incorporated, a use application to incorporate a cage between the shaft and the housing instead of the inner and outer rings. In addition, the use application of such a roller bearing and a cage is an example to the last, and the technical scope of this invention is not limited by this.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c), a roller bearing retainer 2 of the present embodiment includes an annular retainer body 6 that can be incorporated into a roller bearing (not shown), and a retainer body. 6 is provided with a plurality of pockets P that are configured at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and that rotatably hold the rollers 4 as rolling elements one by one. It is the shape which followed and comprised the mutually same shape, and is comprised through the holder main body 6. As shown in FIG. In addition, as a kind of the roller 4, for example, a needle roller (not particularly shown) having an elongated cylindrical shape several times the diameter (for example, about 3 to 10 times) can be applied.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the cage body 6 is configured such that dummy pockets dP having a size different from each pocket P pass through the cage body 6 between the pockets P adjacent in the circumferential direction. Has been. That is, in the cage body 6, the pockets P and the dummy pockets dP are alternately arranged one by one along the circumferential direction. In the drawing, as an example, a pocket P and a dummy pocket dP that are rectangular with respect to each other are shown.

  In this case, each pocket P has its width W1 set to a dimension along the radial dimension of the roller 4 and its length H1 set to a dimension along the length dimension of the roller 4. On the other hand, each dummy pocket dP has its width W2 set to be larger than the diameter of the roller 4 and its length H2 set to be larger than the length of the roller 4. Yes. Thereby, dummy pockets dP larger than the pockets P (rollers 4) are alternately arranged one by one along the circumferential direction. That is, comparing the size of each pocket P and each dummy pocket dP, the width W2 of the dummy pocket dP is set larger than the width W1 of the pocket P (W1 <W2). The length H2 is set larger than the length H1 of the pocket P (H1 <H2).

  More specifically, the cage body 6 has a hollow cylindrical shape that can extend along the bearing internal space, and an annular portion 6a that forms an annular shape that is opposed to each other at both ends thereof. A plurality of column portions 6b that are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction between the annular portions 6a and are connected to each other. The bearing internal space refers to a hollow cylindrical space (not shown) configured continuously in the circumferential direction between an inner ring and an outer ring in a needle roller bearing, for example.

  Here, each pocket P is configured as a space defined by a column portion 6b adjacent in the circumferential direction and an annular portion 6a interposed between the adjacent column portions 6b. That is, the space is formed in the retainer body 6 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and each space is configured as a pocket P for retaining the roller 4, whereby the roller bearing retainer 2. The plurality of pockets P are configured at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction.

  On the other hand, each dummy pocket dP is configured to penetrate each column portion 6b described above through the column portion 6b. In the drawing, as an example, one dummy pocket dP is formed in each of the pillar portions 6b. In this case, the size of each dummy pocket dP should be set to such an extent that the strength of the roller bearing cage 2 (cage body 6) is not lowered while satisfying the relationship of W1 <W2 and H1 <H2. Is preferred. For example, when the width W2 of the dummy pocket dP is increased, the thickness of each pillar portion 6b is reduced by that amount, and when the length H2 of the dummy pocket dP is increased, the thickness of each annular portion 6a is increased by that amount. Since the thickness is reduced, the size of each dummy pocket dP (in other words, the thinning amount of each annular portion 6a and each column portion 6b) is such that the strength of the roller bearing cage 2 (cage body 6) is not reduced. Should be set. The thinning amount is set to an optimum value according to, for example, the size of the cage body 6 and the size and number of the pockets P, and is not specifically limited here.

  Moreover, the above-described cage body 6 can be formed of a resin material or a metal material. In this case, as the resin material, for example, any resin material is applied depending on the purpose and environment of use of the roller bearing cage 2, and therefore, there is no particular limitation here. For example, polyamide 66 is reinforced with glass fiber. It is possible to apply a thermoplastic resin configured as described above, other thermosetting resins, and the like. On the other hand, as the metal material, for example, any metal material is applied according to the purpose of use or the environment of use of the roller bearing retainer 2, and is not particularly limited here. For example, iron or steel may be applied. it can.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the dummy pockets dP are formed in the respective column portions 6b of the cage body 6, the width dimension of each column portion 6b is reduced (in other words, the volume of each column portion 6b is reduced). Can be reduced). For this reason, when the material of the cage body 6 is made of iron, the difference in rigidity between each column portion 6b and each pocket P is reduced. For example, heat treatment in the manufacturing process of the roller bearing cage 2 (cage body 6). At this time, the cage body 6 is not deformed by heat treatment. As a result, it is possible to realize the cage 2 having no distortion over the whole.

  In addition, the volume of each column portion 6b can be reduced by the amount that the width dimension of each column portion 6b is reduced (in other words, the volume of each column portion 6b is reduced). For this reason, when the material of the cage main body 6 is made of resin, the amount of resin can be reduced by the amount by which the volume of each column portion 6b is reduced. As a result, since the material cost can be kept low, the manufacturing cost of the entire cage 2 can be reduced by the material cost.

  Furthermore, the resin cage 2 is molded by injecting a predetermined amount of resin material. In this case, as described above, the width dimension of each column portion 6b is reduced (in other words, the volume of each column portion 6b). The difference in the curing rate of the resin from the vicinity of the injection portion (near) to the corners of each column portion 6b can be eliminated. That is, the resin curing rate can be kept constant from around the vicinity (near) of the injection portion to every corner of each column portion 6b. As a result, it is possible to realize the cage 2 excellent in dimensional stability in which the dimensional accuracy throughout is maintained constant.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the dummy pockets dP larger than the pockets P having a shape along the contour of the roller 4 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction one by one, and thus inserted into each dummy pocket dP. The roller 4 can be removed from the dummy pocket dP, and the roller 4 can be held only in each pocket P. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous assembly of the rollers 4 as in the prior art. As a result, the rollers 4 can be securely held in the pockets P one by one in every dummy pocket dP. A cage 2 can be realized (FIG. 1 (c)). In this case, the number of rollers held by the cage 2 can be reduced, and overspec can be avoided.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described cage 2 without distortion, in which the dimensional accuracy is maintained constant, the roller 4 revolves stably and smoothly along the roller 4 along the space between the inner and outer rings (not shown). Therefore, the bearing can be smoothly rotated. Further, various loads such as radial load and thrust load are applied during the rotation of the bearing, but the rollers 4 are rotatably held in the pocket P one by one in the dummy pocket dP as described above. In the cage 2, the load can be applied uniformly and stably, so that the bearing can be used stably over a long period of time.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
As a first modified example, FIGS. 2A to 2C show a roller bearing cage 2 in which each dummy pocket dP is set smaller than the roller 4. In this case, each dummy pocket dP has its width W2 set to be smaller than the diameter of the roller 4 and its length H2 set to be smaller than the length of the roller 4. Yes. In this case, comparing the size of each pocket P and each dummy pocket dP, the width W2 of the dummy pocket dP is set smaller than the width W1 of the pocket P (W1> W2), and the dummy pocket dP Is set to be smaller than the length H1 of the pocket P (H1> H2). Since other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to this modification, the dummy pockets dP smaller than the pockets P having the shape along the outline of the rollers 4 are alternately arranged one by one along the circumferential direction, so that the rollers 4 are placed in the respective dummy pockets dP. The roller 4 cannot be inserted, and the roller 4 can be held only in each pocket P. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous assembly of the rollers 4 as in the prior art. As a result, the rollers 4 can be securely held in the pockets P one by one in every dummy pocket dP. A cage 2 can be realized (FIG. 2C). Since other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As a second modification, FIGS. 3A to 3C show a roller bearing cage 2 in which each dummy pocket dP is set larger than the roller 4. In this case, each of the dummy pockets dP has an oval shape, the major axis W2 is set to be larger than the diameter of the roller 4, and the minor axis H2 is larger than the length of the roller 4. Set to dimensions. In this case, comparing the size of each pocket P and each dummy pocket dP, the major axis W2 of the dummy pocket dP is set to be larger than the width W1 of the pocket P (W1 <W2), and the dummy pocket dP Is set to be larger than the length H1 of the pocket P (H1 <H2). Since other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to this modification, the dummy pockets dP larger than the pockets P having the shape along the outline of the rollers 4 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction one by one, so that the rollers inserted into the dummy pockets dP. 4 can be removed from the dummy pocket dP, and the roller 4 can be held only in each pocket P. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous assembly of the rollers 4 as in the prior art. As a result, the rollers 4 can be securely held in the pockets P one by one in every dummy pocket dP. A cage 2 can be realized (FIG. 3C). Since other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Further, the dummy pocket dP is not limited to an oval shape, and may be configured to be a circle larger than the pocket P, for example. Further, the dummy pocket dP may be configured in an elliptical shape or a circular shape smaller than the pocket P, for example.

Further, in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 1) and each modified example (FIGS. 2 and 3), a cage constructed by alternately arranging pockets P and dummy pockets dP one by one along the circumferential direction. Although the main body 6 is assumed, the present invention is not limited to this, and one dummy pocket dP may be alternately arranged for a plurality of pockets P.
4A and 4B show a roller bearing cage 2 in which one dummy pocket dP is alternately arranged every two pockets P as a third modification.

  In this case, each dummy pocket dP can be arbitrarily set to either a size larger than or smaller than the pocket P having a shape along the contour of the roller 4, and the shape is also arbitrarily set. In the drawing, a rectangular dummy pocket dP having a size larger than the pocket P is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rectangular dummy pocket dP having a size smaller than the pocket P may be used. Further, for example, an elliptical or circular dummy pocket dP having a size larger than the pocket P may be used, and conversely, an elliptical or circular dummy pocket dP having a size smaller than the pocket P may be used. Furthermore, as an example, the drawing shows the case where one dummy pocket dP is alternately arranged in every two pockets P. However, one dummy pocket dP is alternately arranged in every three or more pockets P. You may comprise. Since other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the present modification, in the case of the dummy pocket dP larger than the pocket P, the roller 4 inserted into each dummy pocket dP falls off the dummy pocket dP and holds the roller 4 only in each pocket P. Conversely, in the case of a dummy pocket dP smaller than the pocket P, the roller 4 cannot be inserted into each dummy pocket dP, and the roller 4 can be held only in each pocket P. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly of the rollers 4 as in the prior art. As a result, it is possible to securely hold the plurality of rollers 4 rotatably in each pocket P every other dummy pocket dP. A cage 2 can be realized (FIG. 4B). Since other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment (FIG. 1) and modifications (FIGS. 2 to 4), the roller bearing cage 2 (cage body 6) having a dummy pocket dP smaller than the pocket P is On the contrary, the roller bearing cage 2 (cage body 6) whose dummy pockets dP are larger than the pockets P is an oil pool in which each dummy pocket dP can sufficiently hold the lubricant. By functioning, as a result, the lubrication performance of the bearing can be kept constant over a long period of time. That is, the size and shape of the dummy pocket dP are arbitrarily selected according to the shape of the cage 2, the diameter size of the roller 4, or the purpose and environment of use of the bearing, and the cage 2 of the selected specification. By applying, a needle roller bearing that exhibits performance according to needs can be provided.

(a) is a perspective view showing a configuration of a roller bearing cage according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a partially enlarged view of the configuration of the pocket of the cage of FIG. The top view and (c) are the top views which expand partially and show the structure of the holder | retainer of the figure (a) by which the roller was hold | maintained at the pocket. (a) is a perspective view showing a configuration of a roller bearing retainer according to a first modification of the present invention, (b) is a retainer of FIG. The top view of (c) is a top view which partially enlarges and shows the structure of the holder | retainer of the same figure (a) by which the roller was hold | maintained at the pocket. (a) is a perspective view showing a configuration of a roller bearing retainer according to a second modification of the present invention, (b) is a retainer of FIG. The top view of (c) is a top view which partially enlarges and shows the structure of the holder | retainer of the same figure (a) by which the roller was hold | maintained at the pocket. (a) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the roller bearing retainer which concerns on the 3rd modification of this invention, (b) is a retainer of the same figure (a) which shows the structure of a pocket partially expanded. The top view of (c) is a top view which partially enlarges and shows the structure of the holder | retainer of the figure (a) with which the roller was hold | maintained at the pocket. (a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional roller bearing cage, (b) is a plan view of the cage of FIG. The top view which expands and partially shows the structure of the holder | retainer of the same figure (a) by which the roller was misassembled in the pocket.

Explanation of symbols

2 Roller Bearing Cage 4 Roller 6 Cage Body P Pocket dP Dummy Pocket

Claims (5)

An annular retainer body that can be incorporated into a roller bearing;
A plurality of pockets that are configured at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction along the cage body, and that rotatably hold the rollers as the rolling elements one by one,
Each pocket is a roller bearing retainer that is formed along the contour of the roller and has the same shape as each other and penetrates the retainer body,
A cage for roller bearings, wherein a dummy pocket having a size different from each pocket passes through the cage body between pockets adjacent in the circumferential direction in the cage body. . The cage main body has a hollow cylindrical shape that can extend along the bearing internal space, and an annular ring portion that is disposed opposite to each other at both ends thereof, and a circumference extending between the annular portions. A plurality of pillars arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals along the direction and connected to each other.
Each pocket is configured as a space partitioned by column portions adjacent along the circumferential direction and an annular portion interposed between the adjacent column portions,
The roller bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein each dummy pocket is configured to penetrate each column portion through the column portion.   The roller bearing retainer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each dummy pocket is set smaller than a roller.   The roller bearing cage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each dummy pocket is set larger than the roller.   The roller bearing cage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cage body is formed of a resin material or a metal material.

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