JP2011027162A - Bearing of universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve durability and prolong a service life with a simple constitution, by allowing lubrication oil to smoothly spread over the entirety of roller shafts, preventing relative movement at every row in the plurality of rows of roller shafts, preventing the occurrence of seizure and abrasion of the roller shafts and maintaining stable operation for a long period. <P>SOLUTION: All the roller shafts 5 in bearings of a cross shaft are formed to have the same diameter. In the roller shaft row 5-1 of an upper column, the short roller shafts 50 and the long roller shafts 51 are alternately arranged. In the roller shaft row 5-2 of a lower column, the long roller shafts 51 are arranged correspondently to the short roller shafts 50 of the roller shaft row 5-1 of the upper column and the short roller shafts 50 are arranged correspondently to the long roller shafts 51 of the roller shaft row 5-1 of the upper column. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a universal joint bearing, and more particularly to the structure of a cross shaft roller bearing.

  Conventional cross joints of universal joints are provided with bearings having a structure in which rollers are arranged in parallel in a plurality of rows on shafts protruding in four directions, and oil holes are formed in the respective shafts. Thus, lubricating oil for bearing lubrication, for example, grease is supplied to all the oil holes (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cross shaft of a conventional universal joint.

  In FIG. 3, the cross shaft 100 is provided with four shaft portions 102 protruding from a base portion 101 in directions perpendicular to each other, and a bearing 103 is provided at the tip portion of each shaft portion 102. Between the inner side of the bearing 103 and the outer side of the shaft portion 102, roller shafts 104 in a plurality of upper and lower rows (in this example, two upper and lower rows are shown) are interposed. 103 can be rotated in the circumferential direction.

  Each shaft 102 has an oil hole 105 passing through the base 101 in a cross-shaped cross section. The oil hole 105 is formed so as to pass through the central portion of the base portion 101 and extend from one shaft portion 102 to the other shaft portion 102.

  Oil supply portions 106 are provided on the bearing 103 side of each oil hole 105 so that a part of the oil hole 105 protrudes outside the bearing 103. Lubricating oil is supplied from the oil supply section 106 to the corresponding oil hole 105.

  In the cross shaft 100 configured as described above, after the lubricating oil is supplied from the oil supply portions 106 to the oil holes 105, the openings of the oil supply portions 106 are closed.

  During the operation of the universal joint, the lubricating oil in each oil hole 105 passes through the top plate portion 103a portion of the bearing 103 and reaches each roller shaft 104 portion, so that a smooth joint operation is performed. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional general cross shaft bearing 103 has a plurality of upper and lower rows between the inside of the bearing 103 and the outside of the shaft portion 102 (in this example, the upper and lower rows are shown). The roller shafts 104 are arranged, and a plurality of the roller shafts 104 are in close contact with each other around the inside of the bearing 103 and the outside of the shaft portion 102 as shown in the plan sectional view of the bearing portion shown in FIG. It is the thing of the structure arranged side by side.

JP 2005-1114017 A Utility Model Registration No. 3131221

  The cross shaft of the universal joint is provided in various devices and receives a load from various directions due to its structure. For this reason, the bearing 103 is subjected to intense rotational movement and sliding movement, and is liable to cause a reduction in lubrication due to lack of lubricating oil such as grease supplied to the roller shaft, or seizure of the roller shaft. It is a problem to cope with a decrease in durability.

  Therefore, the present inventors have studied the bearings on this type of cross shaft and conducted extensive research, and as a result, have found the following technical problems.

  FIG. 5 is an array diagram showing the developed roller shafts of the conventional cross shaft. The roller shafts 104 have the same axial length, and the roller shafts 104 are arranged side by side. Then, the arrangement position of the end surface 104 a of the roller shaft 104 matches in the radial direction (circumferential direction) of the roller shaft 104, and the position of the chamfered portion 104 b formed at the end of the roller shaft 104 also matches.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the positions of the chamfered portions 104b in the adjacent roller shafts 104 coincide with each other, and this portion becomes a gap (oil reservoir) A in which the lubricating oil is accumulated.

  Normally, the lubricating oil flows from the end surface 104a side of the roller shaft 104 to the side surface between the roller shafts 104, accumulates in the oil reservoir A between the roller shafts 104, and further to the end surface 104a and the side surface of the adjacent roller shaft 104. The lubricating action is performed in such a way that the lubricating oil flows and spreads over the entire roller shaft 104.

  However, conventionally, the oil reservoir A exists at the same position in the vertical direction of the roller shaft 104. Therefore, the lubricating oil flows from the oil reservoir A to the side surface of the roller shaft 104, but the distance from the oil reservoir A to the entire side surface of the roller shaft 104 is long, and sometimes the lubricating oil does not reach the entire side surface of the roller shaft 104. This causes a shortage of lubricating oil, which causes the roller bearing to be seized.

  In addition, when an eccentric load is applied in the sliding direction of the cross shaft portion and the load on the upper and lower roller shaft rows is different, the position of the end surface 104a of the roller shaft 104 is the same in the circumferential direction of the roller shaft 104. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a relative sliding movement occurs between the upper roller shaft row 104-1 and the lower roller shaft row 104-2, and the upper and lower roller shaft rows 104-1 and 104-2 move to each other. Operational bias occurs.

  This is because the arrangement position of the end surface 104a of the roller shaft 104 coincides in the horizontal direction, so that the lubricating oil easily flows from the side surface of the roller shaft 104 to the end surface 104a of the roller shaft 104, and the end surface of the roller shaft 104 to be joined vertically. This occurs when relative sliding is likely to occur between 104a.

  This causes a difference in wear between the upper and lower roller shafts 104, which decreases the operational stability and shortens the bearing life.

  Furthermore, when relative sliding occurs between the end surfaces 104a of the roller shafts 104 that are vertically joined as described above, the movement amounts in the roller shafts 104 are not all the same, and if there is a difference in movement resistance, the same row A gap C is generated between the adjacent roller shafts 104. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the roller shaft 104 'may be tilted by the gap.

  These phenomena cause a malfunction of the bearing 103, which is a problem in the stability of the bearing operation, and overload is applied to some roller shafts, which shortens the bearing life.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and with a simple configuration, the lubricating oil spreads smoothly over the entire roller shaft, preventing relative movement for each row in the plurality of roller shafts. An object of the present invention is to provide a universal joint bearing that prevents the occurrence of wear and maintains a stable operation over a long period of time, thereby improving durability and extending the service life.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided at a tip portion of a shaft portion protruding in four directions with respect to a base portion, and through an oil hole provided in each shaft portion with respect to each bearing. In a universal joint bearing configured to be supplied with lubricating oil, roller shafts are arranged in a plurality of upper and lower rows between the inner peripheral portion of the bearing body and the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion, and the roller shafts are arranged inside the bearing main body. The roller shafts are arranged in close proximity to each other between the peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion, and roller rollers having the same diameter and different axial lengths are arranged in combination in adjacent roller shafts. With this configuration, the end surface positions of the upper and lower roller shafts in each adjacent roller shaft are different, and a gap (oil reservoir) formed in the peripheral portion of the end surface is located in the middle of the side portion of the adjacent roller shaft. As a result, the adjacent roller shafts regulate the movement of each other. . Furthermore, since the oil reservoir is located in the middle of the side portion of each roller shaft, the lubricating oil easily flows around the entire roller shaft.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the universal joint bearing according to the first aspect, the roller shafts having different lengths are alternately arranged. With this configuration, the roller shafts are arranged in the axial direction and the axial direction. The end face position of the roller shaft and the oil reservoir position are alternately arranged in the orthogonal direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the universal joint bearing according to the first or second aspect, the combination of the roller shafts having different lengths is a combination of the long shaft and the short shaft in the vertical direction, and the long shaft and the short shaft. It is characterized in that the lengths are the same for each shaft, and a combination of roller shafts having different lengths can be realized without increasing the types of roller shafts.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the universal joint bearing according to any one of the first to third aspects, the roller shaft has a chamfered portion formed around the end surface. An oil sump is reliably formed between the catches.

  According to the universal joint bearing of the present invention, the positions of the end surfaces of the upper and lower roller shafts of the adjacent roller shafts are different, and the gap (oil reservoir) formed in the peripheral portion of the end surface is changed between the adjacent roller shafts. Since it can be positioned at the center of the side, the distance that the lubricant reaches the side of the roller shaft is shorter than before, making it easier for the lubricant to wrap around the entire roller shaft. It becomes easy to spread smoothly. In addition, since the end face positions of the roller shafts do not coincide with each other and the adjacent roller shafts restrict the movement of each other, the relative movement of each row in the roller shafts is eliminated.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, a universal joint bearing that prevents seizure of the roller shaft and occurrence of wear, maintains a stable operation for a long period of time, improves durability, and extends the service life. Is realized.

Partial sectional drawing of embodiment of the cross shaft in the universal joint which concerns on this invention Arrangement drawing showing the roller shaft of the bearing in the cross shaft of this embodiment in an expanded manner Partial cross-sectional view of a conventional universal joint cross shaft Plan sectional view showing the arrangement of roller shafts of a general bearing Arrangement diagram showing roller shafts of conventional cross shafts Explanatory drawing of the failure state in the conventional cross shaft Explanatory drawing of other trouble states in the conventional cross shaft

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cruciform shaft in a universal joint according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an arrangement view showing a roller shaft of a bearing in the cruciform shaft of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the cross shaft 1 is provided with four shaft portions 3 projecting from a base portion 2 in directions perpendicular to each other, and a bearing 4 is provided at a tip portion of each shaft portion 3. Between the inner side of the bearing 4 and the outer side of the shaft portion 3, roller shafts 5 in a plurality of upper and lower rows (in this example, two upper and lower rows are shown) are interposed. 4 can be rotated in the circumferential direction.

  Each shaft portion 3 has an oil hole 6 passing through the base portion 2 in a cross-shaped cross section. The oil hole 6 passes through the center of the base 2 and is formed so as to extend from one shaft portion 3 to the other shaft portion 3.

  An oil supply portion 7 is provided on each bearing 4 side of each oil hole 6 so that a part of the oil hole 6 protrudes outside the bearing 4. Lubricating oil is supplied from the oil supply portion 7 to the corresponding oil hole 6.

  In the cross shaft 1 configured as described above, after the lubricating oil is supplied from the oil supply portions 7 to the oil holes 6, the oil supply portions 7 are closed. During the operation of the universal joint, the lubricating oil in each oil hole 6 passes through the top plate portion 4a portion of the bearing 4 and reaches each roller shaft 5 portion, whereby a smooth joint operation is performed. ing.

  In the bearing 4, a plurality of upper and lower roller shafts 5 (in this example, two upper and lower rows are shown) are arranged between the inner side of the bearing 4 and the outer side of the shaft portion 3. As shown in FIG. 4, in a planar state, the configuration is such that the inner periphery of the bearing 4 and the outer periphery of the shaft portion 3 are arranged side by side so as to be in close contact with each other.

  The configuration of the present embodiment is basically the same as the universal joint shown in FIG. 3, but the internal configuration of the bearing 4 is different.

  That is, in this embodiment, all the roller shafts 5 of the bearing 4 have the same diameter, but the roller shafts 5 that are different from each other in the upper and lower and adjacent roller shafts 5 are arranged in combination. This is different from the configuration of the bearing 103 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, short roller shafts 50 and long roller shafts 51 are alternately arranged in the upper roller shaft row 5-1, and the lower roller shaft row 5-5 corresponds to these long and short roller shafts 50 and 51. 2, short roller shafts 50 and long roller shafts 51 are alternately arranged.

  That is, in this example, in the lower roller shaft row 5-2, a long roller shaft 51 is arranged corresponding to the short roller shaft 50 of the upper roller shaft row 5-1, and the upper roller shaft row 5-1. A short roller shaft 50 is arranged corresponding to the long roller shaft 51.

  For this reason, in each adjacent roller shaft 50 and 51, the joining position of the end surfaces 50a and 51a in the vertical and horizontal roller shafts 50 and 51 is different, and the chamfered portion is formed in the peripheral portion of the end surfaces 50a and 51a. The gap (oil reservoir) A formed by 50b and 51b is located in the middle of the side of the adjacent long roller shaft 51 (substantially intermediate position in this example).

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the joining positions of the end faces 50a and 51a on the roller shafts 50 and 51 are different and are not in a straight line as in the conventional example, so that the rollers adjacent to each other in the radial direction (circumferential direction) of the roller shafts 50 and 51. The shafts 50 and 51 restrict movement of each other. Furthermore, since the oil reservoir A is located at the middle portion of each long roller shaft 51, the lubricating oil easily flows around the entire roller shaft 51.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in the bearing 4, the roller shafts 50 and 51 having a difference in length are used, and the roller shafts 50 and 51 are alternately arranged as described above alternately. As a result, the gap that becomes the oil reservoir A formed by the peripheral portions of the end surfaces 50a and 51a in the roller shafts 50 and 51 is larger than that in the conventional structure shown in FIG. It will be in the state supplied and the lubricity by lubricating oil will improve rather than before.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the slippage unlike the conventional case shown in FIG. 6 does not occur on the end surfaces of the upper roller shaft row 5-1 and the lower roller shaft row 5-2, and as shown in FIG. There is no gap in the movement between the roller shafts, such as a gap between them and the roller shafts falling down. Therefore, each roller shaft operates smoothly, and a specific roller shaft does not wear. Therefore, the bearing life can be improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lubricity and the motion of the roller shaft are improved due to the increase in the oil sump A and the elimination of the motion bias in the upper and lower roller shafts. Occurrence of defects such as seizure of the rolling surface and bearing of the cross shaft joint and peeling of the rolling surface of the cross shaft joint can be prevented.

  The length of the roller shafts 50 and 51 and the number in the axial direction are not specified as long as the total length obtained by adding the lengths of all the roller shafts in the axial direction is the same. The length and the number of roller shafts in the axial direction may be arbitrarily set.

  However, by setting all the lengths of the short roller shafts 50 to be constant and also setting all the lengths of the long roller shafts 51 to be constant, it is possible to make the arrangement configuration most easily without increasing the types of the roller shafts. Can do.

  Further, in this embodiment, the example of the roller shaft row having two upper and lower stages in the axial direction is shown, but the number of roller shaft rows is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more.

  The present invention is applicable to all universal joints used in various devices such as vehicles and rolling mills, and is a cross shaft having a bearing that operates stably and has durability. It can be applied to the joint part.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cross shaft 2 Base part 3 Shaft part 4 Bearing 5 Roller shaft 5-1 Upper roller shaft row 5-2 Lower roller shaft row 50 Short roller shaft 51 Long roller shaft 50a, 51a End surface 50b, 51b Chamfer 6 Oil hole 7 Oil supply section A Clearance (oil reservoir)

Claims (4)

In a universal joint bearing provided at a tip portion of a shaft portion projecting in four directions with respect to a base portion and configured to supply lubricating oil to each bearing through an oil hole provided in each shaft portion,
Roller shafts are arranged in upper and lower rows between the inner peripheral part of the bearing body and the outer peripheral part of the shaft part, and the roller shafts are mutually connected between the inner peripheral part of the bearing body and the outer peripheral part of the shaft part. A universal joint bearing comprising a plurality of roller shafts arranged in close contact with each other and having the same diameter and different axial lengths in adjacent roller shafts.   2. The universal joint bearing according to claim 1, wherein the roller shafts having different lengths are alternately arranged.   The combination of the roller shafts having different lengths is a combination of a major axis and a minor axis in the upper and lower sides, and the length is the same for each major axis and minor axis. Universal joint bearing.   The universal roller bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the roller shaft has a chamfered portion formed around an end surface thereof.

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