JP2012197043A - Bearing device for wheel, and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bearing device for a wheel and a method of manufacturing same, such that costs are reduced by minimizing the cutting allowance, strength at high load portions is increased, and the contradicting problems of achieving lighter weight and achieving high rigidness are solved to extend the life of the bearing.SOLUTION: A hub wheel 4 is formed by a hot forging step and a cold forging step which is partially applied after the hot forging step such that there is a predetermined hardness difference or greater for the surface hardness. A wheel attachment flange 6 is configured from a plurality of partial flanges 6a, which are divided in the circumferential direction. A pilot part 12 is provided with cutouts at multiple locations in the circumferential direction thereof and formed into a shape of intermittent projections by hot forging. This pilot part 12 is disposed between the partial flanges 6a, and the base portion of the wheel attachment flange 6 is formed to be thicker than the leading end parts thereof in the hot forging step, then made thinner by the cold forging step such that thickness is substantially uniform.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel of an automobile or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a reduction in cost by reducing a cutting allowance and an increase in the strength of a high load portion, thereby reducing the weight and increasing the weight. The present invention relates to a wheel bearing device that solves the conflicting problem of increasing rigidity and extends the life of the bearing, and a method of manufacturing the same.

  The wheel bearing device has a structure called a first generation in which a wheel bearing composed of a double-row angular ball bearing or the like is fitted between a knuckle and a hub wheel constituting a suspension device. Second generation structure with body mounting flange or wheel mounting flange formed directly on the outer periphery, third generation structure with one inner rolling surface formed directly on the outer periphery of the hub wheel, or constant velocity with the hub wheel It is roughly classified into a fourth generation structure in which the inner rolling surface is directly formed on the outer periphery of the outer joint member of the joint.

  In recent years, demands for improving fuel efficiency have been severe from the viewpoint of resource saving or pollution. In automobile parts, the weight reduction of wheel bearing devices has been attracting attention as a factor to meet such demands and has been strongly desired for a long time. In particular, it has been a challenge to reduce weight while maintaining strength and rigidity. In order to solve such a problem, a wheel bearing device 50 shown in FIG. 9 has been proposed.

  The wheel bearing device 50 is called a third generation on the driven wheel side, and includes an inner member 51, an outer member 52, and double rows of balls 53, 53. The inner member 51 includes a hub ring 55 including a solid shaft portion 54 and an inner ring 56 fitted to the hub ring 55.

  The hub wheel 55 integrally has a wheel mounting flange 57 for mounting a wheel (not shown) at one end thereof, an inner rolling surface 55a on the outer periphery, and a small diameter extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface 55a. A step portion 55b is formed. Further, hub bolts 57 a for fixing the wheels are planted at equal circumferential positions of the wheel mounting flanges 57. On the side opposite to the shaft portion 54 with the wheel mounting flange 57 interposed therebetween, a positioning cylinder portion 58 for positioning the wheel is provided concentrically with the shaft portion 54.

  An inner ring 56 having an inner rolling surface 56a formed on the outer periphery is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 55b of the hub wheel 55. The inner ring 56 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction with respect to the hub wheel 55 by a crimped portion 55c formed by plastically deforming the end portion of the small diameter step portion 55b of the hub wheel 55 radially outward. .

  The outer member 52 includes a hollow shaft portion 59, and integrally includes a vehicle body attachment flange 52b for attachment to a suspension device (not shown) on the outer periphery, and double row outer rolling on the inner periphery. Surfaces 52a and 52a are formed. Between the inner rolling surfaces 55a and 56a facing the double-row outer rolling surfaces 52a and 52a, double-row balls 53 and 53 are accommodated via a cage 61 so as to roll freely. Further, a positioning cylinder portion 60 for positioning the vehicle body is formed concentrically with the shaft portion 59 on the opposite side of the shaft portion 59 with the vehicle body mounting flange 52b interposed therebetween.

  Here, in the hub wheel 55, a wheel mounting flange 57 extending radially in a direction orthogonal to the shaft portion 54 is formed integrally with the shaft portion 54 by cold side extrusion, and is also extruded during molding. The positioning cylinder portion 58 constituted by the remaining portion is also formed integrally with the shaft portion 54.

  On the other hand, in the outer member 52, a vehicle body mounting flange 52b extending radially in a direction orthogonal to the shaft portion 59 is formed integrally with the shaft portion 59 by cold side extrusion, and is also extruded during molding. The positioning cylinder part 60 constituted by the remaining part is also formed integrally with the shaft part 59.

  Thereby, compared with the case where the wheel mounting flange 57 and the vehicle body mounting flange 52b are compression-molded, it can be molded with a relatively small equipment using cold forging, and the machining cost in the subsequent process is reduced. The hub wheel 55 and the outer member 52 that are reduced and inexpensive can be obtained.

  In addition, the cylindrical positioning cylinders 58, 60 that are continuous in the circumferential direction can be easily cold formed integrally with the shafts 54, 59 with high accuracy, so that the thickness of the necessary part is secured. Thus, the material yield can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-111070 A

  In the conventional wheel bearing device described above, when the wheel mounting flange 57 of the hub wheel 55 and the vehicle body mounting flange 52b of the outer member 52 are formed by cold forging, a processing load is applied to satisfy the material up to the tip portion. It must be enlarged, and the equipment itself inevitably increases in size. In addition, it is necessary to perform a bond treatment for improving the slippage between the material and the mold before cold forging, resulting in an increase in cost. Here, the bonde process refers to a process of applying a phosphate film (lubricant film) in order to eliminate the frictional resistance between the molded product and the mold during the cold forging process.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reduces the cutting cost to reduce the cost, while increasing the strength of the high-load portion, solving the conflicting problem of weight reduction and high rigidity. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel bearing device and a method for manufacturing the same that extend the life of the bearing.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention has a vehicle body mounting flange integrally attached to the vehicle body on the outer periphery via a fixing bolt, and has a double row outer roll on the inner periphery. The outer member integrally formed with the running surface, the wheel attachment flange for attaching the wheel to one end, and the cylindrical pilot part extending from the wheel attachment flange to the outer side are integrally provided, and the above-mentioned compound is provided on the outer periphery. Fitted to an inner rolling surface facing one of the outer rolling surfaces of the row, a hub wheel formed with a small diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small diameter step portion of the hub wheel, An inner member formed of an inner ring having an inner race surface formed on the outer periphery and facing the other of the outer rows of the double-row outer race surface, and is freely rollable between the inner member and the outer member via a cage. In a wheel bearing device having a double row rolling element housed therein, The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, and the hub wheel is formed by hot forging and cold forging, and the cold forging is partially performed. The hardness difference between the cold forged portion and the non-cold forged portion is set to 6 points on the HRC scale or 47 points or more on the HV scale.

  Thus, in the wheel bearing device of the third generation structure including the wheel mounting flange for mounting the wheel at one end portion and the hub wheel integrally including the cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side. The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, and the pilot part is formed in an intermittent projecting piece shape with notches provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. The part is formed between the partial flanges, the hub wheel is formed by hot forging and cold forging, the cold forging is partially applied, and the cold forged part is cold forged. Since the hardness difference from the unexposed part is set to 6 points on the HRC scale or 47 points or more on the HV scale, the strength of high load parts is increased by work hardening by cold forging. , It is possible to provide a wheel bearing apparatus which aimed to extend the life of the bearings to resolve conflicting problem weight and high rigidity. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing force by partial cold forging, to make the forging equipment compact, as well as to oil lubrication without needing to be bonded as in the past, reducing cutting cost and low cost. Can be achieved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pilot portion is provided with notches at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and is formed in the shape of intermittent protrusions. The pilot portion is interposed between the partial flanges. If arranged, the weight can be reduced without reducing the rigidity of the hub wheel.

  If the cold forging is applied to the base of the wheel mounting flange as in the invention described in claim 3, the wheel mounting flange can be effectively applied even if a large moment load is applied to the wheel mounting flange. It is possible to increase the strength and improve the durability.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 4, the cold forging may be applied to the pilot portion.

  Further, as in the invention according to claim 5, a recess extending in a mortar shape from the outer end surface of the hub wheel toward the inner side is formed, and a through hole that opens from the recess to the inner end surface Is formed by punching, and the recess is tapered from the inner diameter portion of the pilot portion by the cold forging, and the outer end of the hub wheel is substantially the same as the thickness of the wheel mounting flange. If they are formed to have the same uniform thickness, the conflicting problems of weight reduction and high rigidity can be solved simultaneously.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the outer member is formed of medium-high carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 to 0.80 wt%, and the cold forging is applied to the base portion of the vehicle body mounting flange. If so, even if a large moment load is applied to the wheel mounting flange, the strength of the wheel mounting flange can be effectively increased and the durability can be improved.

  Moreover, like the invention of Claim 7, the said hub ring may be formed with the medium and high carbon steel containing carbon 0.40-0.80 wt%.

  In the method invention according to claim 8 of the present invention, a vehicle body mounting flange for being attached to the vehicle body via a fixing bolt is integrally provided on the outer periphery, and a double row outer rolling surface is integrally formed on the inner periphery. An outer member formed on the outer surface, a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end, and a cylindrical pilot portion extending outward from the wheel mounting flange. An inner rolling surface facing one of the running surfaces, a hub ring formed with a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub ring are fitted to the outer periphery, and An inner member composed of an inner ring formed with an inner rolling surface facing the other of the outer rolling surfaces of the row, and a plurality of rolls accommodated between the inner member and the outer member via a cage. In a method of manufacturing a wheel bearing device including a rolling element in a row, The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, and the hub wheel is partially applied after the hot forging process and the hot forging process, and the surface hardness is A cold forging step having a predetermined hardness difference or more, wherein the base portion of the wheel mounting flange is formed thicker than the tip portion by the hot forging, and is thinned by the cold forging to be substantially uniform. It is thick.

  Thus, in the wheel bearing device of the third generation structure including the wheel mounting flange for mounting the wheel at one end portion and the hub wheel integrally including the cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side. The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, and the hub wheel is partially applied after the hot forging process and the hot forging process, and the surface hardness is A cold forging process with a predetermined hardness difference or more is provided, and the base part of the wheel mounting flange is formed thicker than the tip part by hot forging, and is thinned by cold forging to a substantially uniform thickness. Since it is formed, even if a large moment load is applied to the wheel mounting flange by work hardening by cold forging, the strength of the wheel mounting flange can be effectively increased and the durability can be improved. In addition, the cutting allowance can be reduced by partial cold forging, the processing force can be reduced, and the forging equipment can be made compact.

  Further, as in the invention according to claim 9, the pilot portion is provided with notches at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and is formed by hot forging into an intermittent protruding piece, the pilot portion being While arrange | positioning between partial flanges, the base part of the said pilot part may be formed by cold forging.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 10, if the root portion of the wheel mounting flange is thinned by at least 10% by the cold forging, the strength and rigidity are increased by work hardening of the cold forging. It is possible to reduce the weight of the strengthened portion by reducing the thickness.

  In addition, as in the invention described in claim 11, a base portion is formed in a shape narrower than a tip portion by the hot forging of the side surface in the circumferential direction of the partial flange, and the cold forging If the base is formed in a smooth arc shape that gradually spreads from the tip while the tip is constrained by a mold, the plastic flow of the material can be made smooth, and the wheel mounting flange can be made thin. In addition, it is possible to accurately form the pilot part, the base part on the inner side of the wheel mounting flange, the inner rolling surface, and the like by the remaining extrusion part at the time of molding.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 12, a recess extending in a mortar shape from the outer end surface of the hub wheel toward the inner side is formed by hot forging, and this recess is an inner diameter of the pilot portion. If it is formed into a convex arc shape from the surface and the recess is tapered and thinned by cold forging, the strength and rigidity of the hub wheel will be increased by work hardening by cold forging. Thus, the hollowing can be realized and the weight can be reduced.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 13, the hub bolt insertion hole of the wheel mounting flange is punched by the hot forging, and then formed into a predetermined inner diameter by the cold forging. If the hardness increase after cold forging is set to be less than 5% of the surface hardness of the inner peripheral surface after hot forging of the hub bolt insertion hole, the difference in hardness between the hub bolt and the hub bolt insertion hole Can be set to 10 HRC or more, the inner peripheral surface of the hub bolt insertion hole is plastically deformed, and the hub bolt knurl sufficiently bites into the hub bolt insertion hole, increasing the slip torque of the hub bolt without hindering assembly workability and Can be stabilized.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 14, if the cold forging is performed by oil lubrication, the cost can be reduced.

  The wheel bearing device according to the present invention has a vehicle body mounting flange that is integrally attached to the vehicle body on the outer periphery via a fixing bolt, and an outer side in which a double row outer rolling surface is integrally formed on the inner periphery. A member, a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end, and a cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side are integrally formed and opposed to one of the outer rolling surfaces of the double row on the outer periphery. An inner rolling surface, a hub wheel formed with a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel, and the outer circumferential surface of the double row on the outer periphery. An inner member formed of an inner ring formed with an inner rolling surface facing the other, and a double row rolling element housed between the inner member and the outer member via a cage so as to be freely rollable. In the wheel bearing device provided, the wheel mounting flange is circumferential. The hub ring is formed by hot forging and cold forging, the cold forging is partially applied, and the cold forged portion is configured with a plurality of partial flanges divided into numbers The hardness difference from the part that is not cold forged is set to 6 points on the HRC scale or 47 points or more on the HV scale, so work hardening by cold forging increases the strength of the high load part and reduces the weight. Thus, it is possible to provide a wheel bearing device that solves the conflicting problems of increasing rigidity and extending the life of the bearing. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing force by partial cold forging, to make the forging equipment compact, as well as to oil lubrication without needing to be bonded as in the past, reducing cutting cost and low cost. Can be achieved.

  Further, the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to the present invention has a vehicle body mounting flange integrally attached to the vehicle body on the outer periphery via a fixing bolt, and a double row outer rolling surface is integrated on the inner periphery. The formed outer member, a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end, and a cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side are integrally formed, and the double row outer rolling is performed on the outer periphery. An inner rolling surface facing one of the surfaces, a hub wheel formed with a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel, and the double row on the outer periphery An inner member formed of an inner ring formed with an inner rolling surface facing the other of the outer rolling surfaces of the outer ring, and a double row accommodated between the inner member and the outer member via a cage so as to be freely rollable In a method of manufacturing a wheel bearing device including a rolling element of the above, The ring mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, and the pilot portion is formed in an intermittent protruding piece shape with notches provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. Cold forging in which a portion is formed between the partial flanges, and the hub wheel is partially applied after the hot forging step and the hot forging step so that the surface hardness is equal to or greater than a predetermined hardness difference. A base portion of the wheel mounting flange is formed thicker than the tip portion by the hot forging, and is thinned by the cold forging to have a substantially uniform thickness. Even if a large moment load is applied to the wheel mounting flange by work hardening by inter-forging, the strength of the wheel mounting flange can be effectively increased and the durability can be improved. In addition, the cutting allowance can be reduced by partial cold forging, the processing force can be reduced, and the forging equipment can be made compact.

It is a longitudinal section showing one embodiment of a wheel bearing device concerning the present invention. It is a front view of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the manufacturing process of the wheel bearing apparatus which concerns on this invention. (A) is a front view which shows after hot forging of the hub wheel of FIG. 1, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the IV-IV line of (a). (A) is a front view which shows after the cold forging of the hub wheel of FIG. 1, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the VV line of (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the cold forging method of the hub wheel of FIG. (A) is a top view which shows the state which set the molded article to the die | dye for cold forging, (b) is sectional drawing along the VII-VII line of (a). It is a graph which shows the surface hardness of the site | part after the hot forging of the hub ring which concerns on this invention, and the site | part after cold forging. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional wheel bearing apparatus.

  An outer member that integrally has a vehicle body mounting flange that is attached to the vehicle body via a fixing bolt on the outer periphery, and that has a double-row outer rolling surface formed integrally on the inner periphery, and for attaching a wheel to one end. The wheel mounting flange, a cylindrical pilot portion extending outward from the wheel mounting flange, and an inner rolling surface facing one of the double-row outer rolling surfaces on the outer periphery, and the inner rolling surface. A hub wheel formed with a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the running surface, and an inner rolling surface that is fitted to the small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel and that faces the other of the outer rolling surfaces of the double row on the outer periphery. In a method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device, comprising: an inner member formed of an inner ring formed; and a double-row rolling element that is rotatably accommodated between the inner member and the outer member via a cage. The hub wheel is in a hot forging process and after this hot forging process. Partially applied, comprising a cold forging process in which the surface hardness is equal to or greater than a predetermined hardness difference, the wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions, the pilot portion, Notches are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and are formed by the hot forging in the shape of intermittent protrusions. The pilot portion is disposed between the partial flanges, and the wheels are formed by the hot forging. The base portion of the mounting flange is formed to be thicker than the tip portion, and is thinned by the cold forging to have a substantially uniform thickness.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a wheel bearing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a manufacturing process of the wheel bearing device according to the present invention. 4A is a front view showing the hub wheel of FIG. 1 after hot forging, FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5A, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the hub wheel of FIG. 1 after cold forging, FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1A, and FIG. FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a state where a molded product is set on a die for cold forging, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 8 is a graph showing the surface hardness of the hub wheel according to the present invention after hot forging and after cold forging. In the following description, the side closer to the outer side of the vehicle when assembled to the vehicle is referred to as the outer side (left side in FIG. 1), and the side closer to the center is referred to as the inner side (right side in FIG. 1).

  This wheel bearing device is for a driven wheel called a third generation, and includes an inner member 1 and an outer member 2, and a double row rolling element housed between the inner member 1 and the outer member 2. (Balls) 3 and 3. Here, the inner member 1 indicates a hub ring 4 and an inner ring 5 press-fitted into the hub ring 4.

  The hub wheel 4 integrally has a wheel mounting flange 6 divided into a plurality (in this case, five) in the circumferential direction at the outer end of the outer periphery, and a wheel (not shown) is fastened to the outer periphery. Hub bolts 7 are installed for the purpose. As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel mounting flange 6 is cut out at a portion other than the vicinity of the hub bolt insertion hole 8, and has a width substantially the same as the portion where each bolt insertion hole 8 is formed, and protrudes radially from the annular base portion. It is formed as follows. That is, the wheel mounting flange 6 is formed by being divided into a plurality of partial flanges 6a separated in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical brake pilot portion 10 extending outward is formed on the base portion 9 of the wheel mounting flange 6 of the hub wheel 4 to guide the inner diameter surface of the brake rotor 11. Further, a wheel pilot portion 12 extending from the brake pilot portion 10 to the outer side is formed. The wheel pilot portion 12 guides the inner diameter surface of the wheel hub 13 mounted on the brake rotor 11 so as to be smaller in diameter than the brake pilot portion 10. And the notch is provided in the multiple places of the circumferential direction, and it forms in the shape of the intermittent protrusion. Here, the intermittent wheel pilot portion 12 is formed between a plurality of partial flanges 6a (see FIG. 2). Thereby, weight reduction can be achieved without reducing the rigidity of the hub wheel 4.

  An inner rolling surface 4a and a cylindrical small-diameter step portion 4b extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface 4a are formed on the outer periphery of the hub wheel 4 on the inner side from the wheel mounting flange 6. Then, the inner ring 5 having the inner raceway surface 5a formed on the outer periphery is press-fitted into the small diameter step portion 4b, and the crimping portion 4c formed by plastically deforming the end portion of the small diameter step portion 4b radially outwardly, The inner ring 5 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction with respect to the hub ring 4. In this embodiment, by adopting such a self-retain structure, it is not necessary to manage the preload by tightening firmly with a nut or the like as in the prior art, so that the ease of incorporation into the vehicle is simplified. In addition, the preload amount can be maintained for a long time.

  The hub wheel 4 is made of medium and high carbon steel containing 0.40 to 0.80 wt% of carbon, such as S53C, and includes a base 9 on which an outer side seal 19 (to be described later) is mounted, including the outer side inner rolling surface 4a. The surface hardness is set in the range of 58 to 64 HRC by induction hardening over the small diameter step 4b. Note that the caulking portion 4c is an unquenched portion having a surface hardness of 30 HRC or less after forging. As a result, the rigidity of the hub wheel 4 is improved and fretting wear on the fitting surface with the inner ring 5 can be prevented, and the durability of the hub wheel 4 is improved. In addition, the workability when plastically deforming the caulking portion 4c is improved, and the occurrence of cracks and the like during the processing is prevented, and the reliability of the quality is improved. Further, the inner ring 5 and the rolling element 3 are made of high carbon chrome bearing steel such as SUJ2, and are hardened in the range of 58 to 64 HRC to the core part by quenching.

  In the present embodiment, the wheel mounting flange 6 is cut out at a portion other than the vicinity of the bolt insertion hole 8 and protrudes radially from the annular base portion with substantially the same width as the formation portion of each bolt insertion hole 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but it is not illustrated, but between the bolt insertion holes while avoiding the periphery of the bolt insertion holes, the R shape is deeper from the pitch circle diameter of the bolt insertion holes to the inner diameter side. It may be a wheel mounting flange having a flower shape in which a notch is formed.

  The outer member 2 integrally has a vehicle body attachment flange 14 attached to a knuckle (not shown) constituting a suspension device on the outer periphery, and a bolt insertion hole 15 is formed in the outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body mounting flange 14 has an R-shaped notch 16 that is deeper from the periphery of the bolt insertion hole 15 to the inner diameter side than the pitch circle diameter of the bolt insertion hole 15. Is formed. That is, the vehicle body mounting flange 14 is divided into a plurality (here, four) of partial flanges 14a that are separated in the circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical knuckle pilot portion 17 extending in the axial direction from the vehicle body mounting flange 14 is formed at the inner end of the outer member 2, and the outer diameter of the knuckle pilot portion 17 is formed. A knuckle is fitted to the surface.

  The outer member 2 is formed of medium and high carbon steel containing 0.40 to 0.80 wt% of carbon such as S53C, and the inner periphery thereof is a composite facing the double row inner rolling surfaces 4a and 5a of the inner member 1. The outer rolling surfaces 2a, 2a of the rows are formed. And at least these double row outer raceway surfaces 2a, 2a are hardened by induction hardening to a surface hardness in the range of 58 to 64HRC, and are held between the respective raceway surfaces of the inner member 1 and the outer member 2. The double-row rolling elements 3 and 3 are accommodated by the vessels 18 and 18 so as to roll freely. Seals 19 and 20 are attached to both ends of the outer member 2 to seal the annular space between the outer member 2 and the inner member 1. These seals 19 and 20 prevent leakage of the lubricating grease sealed inside the bearing and intrusion of rainwater, dust and the like from the outside into the bearing.

  In the present embodiment, the wheel mounting flange 6 of the hub wheel 4 is cut out at a portion other than the vicinity of the bolt insertion hole 8, and only the portion where each bolt insertion hole 8 is formed has substantially the same width from the annular base to the outer diameter side. Since it is formed so as to protrude, the knuckle bolt can be easily fastened with a tool without being obstructed by the wheel mounting flange 6 when the outer member 2 is fastened to the knuckle. Work can be simplified.

  Further, the hub wheel 4 and the outer member 2 are significantly thinned, and the wheel mounting flange 6 and the vehicle body mounting flange 14 are formed by being divided into a plurality of partial flanges 6a and 14a, which are completely different from conventional disk-shaped flanges. Therefore, the lightest weight can be achieved while ensuring the strength and durability.

  Here, the wheel bearing device referred to as the third generation in which the inner raceway surface 4a is formed directly on the outer periphery of the hub wheel 4 is illustrated, but the wheel bearing device according to the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, although not shown, a wheel bearing device having a first generation or second generation structure in which a pair of inner rings are press-fitted into a small-diameter step portion of a hub ring may be used. In addition, although the wheel bearing apparatus comprised by the double row angular contact ball bearing which used the rolling elements 3 and 3 as a ball | bowl was illustrated, it is not only this but is comprised by the double row tapered roller bearing which uses a tapered roller for a rolling element. May be.

In the wheel bearing device according to the present invention, the hub wheel 4 and the outer member 2 are formed by hot forging, subsequent cold forging, and two forging processes.
Next, the manufacturing method of the hub wheel 4 according to the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the hub wheel 4 is hot forged from a bar material as a raw material and then partially cold forged. And it heat-processes through a turning process, and is completed by an assembly process after a grinding process and a super finishing process.
First, a predetermined forging shape as shown in FIG. 4 is formed by hot forging. Specifically, in addition to the end faces 21 'and 22', both side faces 23 'and 24' of the wheel mounting flange 6 'and the pilot portion 12, the base 9' of the wheel mounting flange 6 ', the inner rolling surface 4a', the counter Forging is performed in a state in which the part 25 'and the small diameter step part 4b' are left with a machining allowance such as a predetermined turning machining allowance. In the present embodiment, a recess 26 ′ extending in a mortar shape from the outer end surface 21 ′ toward the inner side is formed, and a through hole 27 opening from the recess 26 ′ to the inner end surface 2 ′ is formed. The hub wheel 4 'is formed into a hollow shaft by punching.

  Here, the thickness of the base portion of the plurality of partial flanges 6a ′ and 6a ′ constituting the wheel mounting flange 6 ′ is formed thicker than the tip portion, and the circumference of the plurality of partial flanges 6a ′ and 6a ′. A side surface 28 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) 28 is formed in a shape in which a root portion 28a is narrower than a tip portion 28b. The recess 26 ′ is formed in a convex arc shape from the inner diameter surface of the pilot portion 12, and the hollow hub wheel 4 ′ is formed with a uniform thickness substantially the same as the thickness of the wheel mounting flange 6 ′. ing.

  And it is formed in the predetermined forge shape as shown in FIG. 5 by the cold forging process. Specifically, forging is performed in a state where both side surfaces 23 and 24 of the wheel mounting flange 6 and the mortar-shaped recess 26 leave a predetermined turning allowance (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the die for cold forging includes an outer end surface 21 ′, an outer side surface 23 ′ of the wheel mounting flange 6 ′, a punch 29 that forms an inner peripheral portion, and a wheel. It is constituted by a die 30 that forms an inner side surface 24 ′, a base portion 9 ′, an inner rolling surface 4a ′, a counter portion 25 ′, and a small-diameter step portion 4b ′ of the mounting flange 6 ′.

  In particular, in this cold forging process, the base portions of the plurality of partial flanges 6a ′ and 6a ′ constituting the wheel mounting flange 6 ′ are thinned to be uniformly formed in the same manner as the tip portion, and are shown in FIG. Thus, the shape and dimensions of the side surfaces 28 in the circumferential direction of the plurality of partial flanges 6a ′ and 6a ′ constituting the wheel mounting flange 6 ′ are greatly changed. That is, the constricted root portion 28a is formed in a smooth arc shape gradually spreading from the tip portion 28b by cold forging while the tip portion 28b is constrained by a die, and the wheel mounting flange is formed by smooth plastic flow of the material. 6 'is thinned by at least 10%, and the root portion 28a is formed in a die shape by the remaining extrusion portion at the time of molding. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the recess 26 is tapered from the outer side surface 24 of the wheel mounting flange 6 to reduce the thickness, and the hollow hub wheel 4 is replaced with the wheel mounting flange 6. It is formed to have a uniform wall thickness that is substantially the same as the wall thickness.

  As described above, since the hub wheel 4 is cold forged at a site where strength is required after hot forging, the work hardening by cold forging, specifically, the surface hardness after forging is achieved. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the Hv (Vickers hardness) scale has a hardness difference of 47 at the minimum (ΔHvmin.) And 99 at the maximum (ΔHvmax.), And the minimum at the HRC (Rockwell hardness) scale. It was found that a hardness difference of 6 was obtained at (ΔHRC min.) And 12.5 at the maximum (ΔHRCmax.). With this increase in hardness, it is possible to provide a wheel bearing device that increases the strength of the high load portion, solves the conflicting problems of weight reduction and rigidity, and extends the life of the bearing. In addition, it is possible to reduce the processing force by partial cold forging, to make the forging equipment compact, as well as to oil lubrication without needing to be bonded as in the past, reducing cutting cost and low cost. Can be achieved.

  The hub bolt insertion hole 8 of the wheel mounting flange 6 is punched by hot forging, and then formed into a predetermined inner diameter by cold forging and the hub bolt 7 is press-fitted. In this embodiment, the hub bolt insertion is performed. The hardness increase after cold forging is set to be less than 5% with respect to the surface hardness of the inner peripheral surface of the hole 8 after hot forging. As a result, the hardness difference between the hub bolt 7 and the hub bolt insertion hole 8 can be easily set to 10 HRC or more. The slip torque of the hub bolt 7 can be increased and stabilized without impeding biting and assembly workability.

  Further, the outer member 2 is hot forged from a bar material as a raw material, and then partially cold forged, like the hub wheel 4. And it heat-processes through a turning process, and is completed by an assembly process after a grinding process and a super finishing process. Here, by forging, although not shown, both end surfaces, both side surfaces of the partial flange 14a constituting the vehicle body mounting flange 14, the knuckle pilot portion 17 on which the knuckle is fitted, and the seals 19 and 20 are attached. The seal fitting surface, the double-row outer rolling surfaces 2a, 2a, and the inner diameter surface are forged with a predetermined turning allowance left by hot forging and partial cold forging.

  In particular, in the cold forging process, the partial flange 14a is thinned, and the outer side surface of the partial flange 14a and the corners of the outer peripheral surface are formed in an arc shape having a predetermined radius of curvature by the remaining extruded portion at the time of molding. In addition, like the wheel mounting flange 6 of the hub wheel 4, the circumferential side surfaces of the plurality of partial flanges 14a, 14a are formed in a smooth arc shape that gradually spreads from the tip portion toward the root portion. Thereby, by work hardening by cold forging, the strength of the high load portion can be increased, and the conflicting problems of weight reduction and rigidity can be solved, and the life of the bearing can be extended.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further, the equivalent meanings described in the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope of the scope of the present invention are included. Including.

  The present invention can be applied to a wheel bearing device having a first to third generation structure including a hub wheel integrally having a wheel mounting flange.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner member 2 Outer member 2a Outer rolling surface 3 Rolling body 4, 4 'Hub wheel 4a, 4a', 5a Inner rolling surface 4b, 4b 'Small diameter step part 4c Clamping part 5 Inner ring 6, 6' Wheel Mounting flanges 6a, 6a ', 14a Partial flange 7 Hub bolts 8, 15 Bolt insertion holes 9, 9' Base 10 on the inner side of the wheel mounting flange Brake pilot part 11 Brake rotor 12 Wheel pilot part 13 Wheel hub 14 Car body mounting flange 16 Cutting Notch portion 17 Knuckle pilot portion 18 Cage 19, 20 Seal 21, 21 ', 22, 22' End surface 23, 23 ', 24, 24' Side surface 25, 25 'Counter portion 26, 26' Recess 27 of wheel mounting flange Through-hole 28 Partial flange side surface 28a Partial flange root 28b Partial flange tip 29 Punch 30 Die 50 Wheel bearing device 51 Inner member 52 Outer member 52a Outer rolling surface 52b Car body mounting flange 53 Balls 54, 59 Shaft 55 Hub wheel 55a, 56a Inner rolling surface 55b Small diameter step 55c Caulking portion 56 Inner ring 57 Wheel mounting flange 57a Hub bolt 58, 60 Positioning cylinder 61 Cage ΔHvmax. Hardness difference at the Vickers scale maximum ΔHvmin. Hardness difference minimum ΔHRCmax. Hardness difference at Rockwell scale maximum ΔHRC min. Minimum hardness difference on Rockwell scale

Claims (14)

An outer member integrally having a vehicle body mounting flange for being attached to the vehicle body via a fixing bolt on the outer periphery, and a double row outer rolling surface formed integrally on the inner periphery;
A wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end and a cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side are integrally formed, and an inner rolling facing one of the outer rolling surfaces of the double row on the outer periphery. A hub ring formed with a running surface and a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel are fitted to the other outer surface of the double row outer rolling surface. An inner member composed of an inner ring formed with opposing inner rolling surfaces;
In the wheel bearing device comprising a double row rolling element accommodated so as to be freely rollable between the inner member and the outer member via a cage,
The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions,
The hub wheel is formed by hot forging and cold forging, the cold forging is partially applied, and the hardness difference between the cold forged portion and the non-cold forged portion is HRC scale. A bearing device for a wheel, characterized in that it is set to 6 points or 47 points or more on the HV scale.   2. The wheel bearing according to claim 1, wherein the pilot portion is provided with notches at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction thereof, is formed in an intermittent protruding piece shape, and the pilot portion is disposed between the partial flanges. apparatus.   The wheel bearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cold forging is applied to a root portion of the wheel mounting flange.   The wheel bearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cold forging is applied to the pilot portion.   A recess extending in a mortar shape from the end surface on the outer side of the hub wheel toward the inner side is formed, and a through hole that opens from the recess to the end surface on the inner side is formed by punching, and the recess is The cold forging is formed in a tapered shape from an inner diameter portion of the pilot portion, and an outer end portion of the hub wheel is formed to have a uniform thickness substantially the same as a thickness of the wheel mounting flange. The wheel bearing apparatus in any one of 1 thru | or 5.   2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer member is made of medium-high carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 to 0.80 wt%, and the cold forging is applied to a root portion of the vehicle body mounting flange. .   The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the hub wheel is made of medium-high carbon steel containing carbon of 0.40 to 0.80 wt%. An outer member integrally having a vehicle body mounting flange for being attached to the vehicle body via a fixing bolt on the outer periphery, and a double row outer rolling surface formed integrally on the inner periphery;
A wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end and a cylindrical pilot portion extending from the wheel mounting flange to the outer side are integrally formed, and an inner rolling facing one of the outer rolling surfaces of the double row on the outer periphery. A hub ring formed with a running surface and a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the inner rolling surface, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel are fitted to the other outer surface of the double row outer rolling surface. An inner member composed of an inner ring formed with opposing inner rolling surfaces;
In the manufacturing method of the wheel bearing device comprising the double row rolling elements accommodated so as to be freely rollable between the inner member and the outer member via a cage,
The wheel mounting flange is composed of a plurality of partial flanges divided into a plurality of circumferential directions,
The hub wheel includes a hot forging step and a cold forging step that is partially applied after the hot forging step and the surface hardness is equal to or greater than a predetermined hardness difference.
In the hot forging, the base part of the wheel mounting flange is formed thicker than the tip part, and is thinned by the cold forging to have a substantially uniform thickness. Manufacturing method of bearing device.   The pilot portion is provided with notches at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and is formed by hot forging into an intermittent projecting piece, the pilot portion is disposed between the partial flanges, and the pilot portion The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to claim 8, wherein the root portion is formed by cold forging.   The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a base portion of the wheel mounting flange is thinned by at least 10% by the cold forging.   Of the circumferential side surfaces of the partial flange, a base portion is formed in a shape narrower than a tip portion by the hot forging, and the tip portion is constrained by a mold by the cold forging, The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the root portion is formed in a smooth arc shape that gradually spreads from the tip portion.   A recess extending in a mortar shape from the end surface on the outer side of the hub wheel toward the inner side is formed by hot forging, and this recess is formed in a convex arc shape from the inner diameter surface of the pilot portion, and The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to claim 8, wherein the recess is formed into a tapered shape by cold forging to reduce the thickness.   The hub bolt insertion hole of the wheel mounting flange is punched by the hot forging, and then formed into a predetermined inner diameter by the cold forging, and the inner peripheral surface of the hub bolt insertion hole after the hot forging is formed. The manufacturing method of the wheel bearing apparatus of Claim 8 set so that the hardness increase after the said cold forging may be less than 5% with respect to surface hardness.   The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the cold forging is performed by oil lubrication.

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