JP2022154167A - rolling bearing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize a structure of a rolling bearing device capable of improving workability for mounting a connection ring, and capable of easily removing the connection ring even after assembly of the rolling bearing device.SOLUTION: A connection ring 21 has a pair of locking part bodies 34a, 34b, and a joint part 35, and is formed in a segmental annular shape as a whole. Each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the locking part bodies 34a, 34b has a cylindrical surface part 39 having an outer diameter larger than that of the joint part 35 and having the largest outer diameter among the locking part bodies 34a, 34b, and an outside slope part 40 and a central slope part 41 arranged on both sides in an axial direction of the cylindrical surface part 39. Each of the outer slope part 40 and the central slope part 41 is a conical cylindrical surface or a convex curved surface that is inclined radially inward as a distance from the cylindrical surface part 39 in the axial direction increases.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to rolling bearing devices.

Rolling bearing devices called hub unit bearings are used to rotatably support automobile wheels. 9 and 10 show an example of a rolling bearing device used to rotatably support and rotationally drive wheels (driving wheels) of heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. 1 shows a structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-200012.

Rolling bearing device 100 rotatably supports hub wheel 102 around axle tube 101 . A drive shaft 103 is inserted through the inside of the axle tube 101 . A flange 104 is provided at the end of the drive shaft 103, and the hub wheel 102 is fixed to the flange 104. As shown in FIG. A driving wheel 105 and a braking rotor 106 are fixed to the hub wheel 102 . With such a configuration, the drive wheels 105 and the braking rotor 106 are rotatably supported with respect to the axle tube 101, and the torque from the drive shaft 103 can be transmitted to the drive wheels 105 and the braking rotor 106. there is

As shown in FIG. 10, the rolling bearing device 100 is a double-row tapered roller bearing comprising an outer ring 107 that rotates in use, a pair of inner rings 108a and 108b that do not rotate in use, and a plurality of rolling elements 109a. , 109 b , a sealing member 110 and a connecting ring 111 .
Regarding the rolling bearing device 100, the axially outer side is the left side in FIG. is the right side of FIG.

The outer ring 107 has double-row outer ring raceways 112a and 112b on its inner peripheral surface. The outer ring 107 is internally fitted to the hub ring 102 with an interference fit.

Each of the pair of inner rings 108a, 108b has a single-row inner ring raceway 113a, 113b on its outer peripheral surface. The pair of inner rings 108a and 108b are fitted onto the axle tube 101 with their opposing small-diameter end surfaces facing each other.

The rolling elements 109a and 109b are tapered rollers, and a plurality of rolling elements are arranged for each row between the outer ring raceways 112a and 112b and the inner ring raceways 113a and 113b so as to be free to roll.

The seal member 110 is arranged radially inward of the butted portion 114 of the pair of inner rings 108a and 108b. Foreign matter such as differential oil, contamination (oxidized wear powder generated from the differential gear), muddy water, etc. existing inside the axle tube 101 enters the internal space of the rolling bearing device 100 through the abutting portion 114 of the seal member 110 . to prevent

In the rolling bearing device 100 for rotatably supporting the hub wheel 102 around the axle tube 101, a pair of inner rings 108a and 108b are provided so that the rolling bearing device 100 can be attached to and detached from the axle tube 101. is fitted onto the axle tube 101 with a clearance fit. In addition, since the inner space of axle tube 101 communicates with the inner space of a differential case (not shown), the differential oil is present in the gap between the inner peripheral surfaces of inner rings 108 a and 108 b and the outer peripheral surface of axle tube 101 . intrusion is possible. Moreover, muddy water may flow into the gap between the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 108 a and 108 b and the outer peripheral surface of the axle tube 101 from the outside. Therefore, the seal member 110 is arranged radially inward of the butted portion 114 to prevent foreign matter such as differential oil, contamination, and muddy water from entering the internal space of the rolling bearing device 100 .

The connecting ring 111 is circular as a whole and has a U-shaped cross section. The connecting ring 111 has a pair of outward flange-shaped locking portions 115 and a substantially cylindrical connecting portion 116 connecting the pair of locking portions 115 . The connecting ring 111 is provided with a pair of locking portions 115 on the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of inner rings 108a and 108b, respectively, while the connecting portion 116 covers the sealing member 110 from the inside in the radial direction. It is locked to the locking concave grooves 117a and 117b. Thus, the connecting ring 111 axially connects the pair of inner rings 108a and 108b. When the rolling bearing device 100 with the hub ring 102 externally fitted is assembled to the axle tube 101, the pair of inner rings 108a and 108b may separate from each other due to friction acting on the inner rings 108a and 108b, or may be arranged axially outward. This prevents the inner ring 108a from slipping out of the axle tube 101 in the axial direction due to the collision between the inner ring 108a and the axle tube 101. - 特許庁

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-75832 discloses a structure in which the rolling bearing device 100 rotatably supports the driving wheel 105 with respect to the axle tube 101. The structure of a driven wheel support device that rotatably supports a driven wheel with respect to a spindle is also conventionally known.

JP 2008-75832 A

The rolling bearing device 100 having the conventional structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-75832 has room for further improvement in the following aspects.

In the rolling bearing device 100 having a conventional structure, the connecting ring 111 is formed in an annular shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter of the connecting portion 116 that constitutes the connecting ring 111 is set to the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 108a and 108b. Among them, the inner diameter of the portion axially deviating from the portion to which the connecting portion 116 is fitted is made larger than the inner diameter. For this reason, in the rolling bearing device 100 having the conventional structure, after performing the work of engaging one locking portion 115 with the locking recessed groove 117a of the one inner ring 18a, the other locking portion 115 is moved to the other side. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out an operation to engage the engaging concave groove 117b of the inner ring 18b. Therefore, the mounting work of the connecting ring 111 is troublesome, and the workability of the mounting work is lowered.

On the other hand, the rolling bearing device 100 may require measurement of the axial clearance after assembly. In this case, it is necessary to remove the connecting ring 111 after mounting. The reason for this is that the seal member 110 for ensuring the sealing performance of the butted portion 114 interferes with the measurement of the axial clearance (preload) of the rolling bearing device 100 . In order to explain why the sealing member 110 interferes with the measurement of the axial clearance, first, the method of measuring the axial clearance will be explained.

It is known to measure the axial clearance of a double-row rolling bearing by a method as shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a pair of inner rings 108x and 108y are abutted against each other on the small diameter side, and rolling elements 109x and 109y are arranged around the pair of inner rings 108x and 108y. , one inner ring 108x (or 108y) facing downward and the other inner ring 108y (or 108x) facing upward. Then, the axial height from the reference surface 118 to the large-diameter side end surface of the inner ring 108y (or 108x) arranged on the upper side is measured by a displacement meter 119 such as a dial gauge, and the measured value is used as a reference value ( dial to 0).

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the rolling elements 109x of one side row and the inner ring 108x are assembled to the bearing ring of one side row of the outer ring 107x. be placed on. Then, the displacement meter 119 measures the axial height (Hout) from the reference surface 118 to the large-diameter side end surface of the inner ring 108x. Similarly, although not shown, the rolling elements 109y of the other side row and the inner ring 108y are attached to the outer ring 107x, which is turned upside down, on the bearing ring of the other side row. be placed on. A displacement meter 119 measures the axial height (Hin) from the reference surface 118 to the large-diameter side end face of the inner ring 108y. Finally, the two axial dimensions (Hin, Hout) are totaled, and the total value [-(Hin+Hout)] is taken as the axial clearance.

In the method for measuring the axial clearance as described above, as shown in FIG. The axial height to the large-diameter side end surface of the inner ring 108y (or 108x) is used as a reference value. Therefore, if the seal member 110 is still attached to the rolling bearing device 100, the contact state between the small-diameter side end faces of the pair of inner rings 108x and 108y may change, making it impossible to accurately measure the axial clearance.

Therefore, if it is necessary to measure the axial clearance after assembling the rolling bearing device 100, it is necessary to remove the connecting ring 111 and the seal member 110. FIG. However, in the rolling bearing device 100 having the conventional structure, the connecting ring 111 is formed in a ring shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter of the connecting portion 116 is equal to the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 108a and 108b. Since the inner diameter of the connecting portion 116 is larger than the inner diameter of the portion axially deviated from the portion to be internally fitted, it is difficult to remove the connecting ring 111 after mounting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a rolling bearing capable of improving the workability of attaching a connecting ring and facilitating the removal of the connecting ring. The purpose is to provide an apparatus.

A rolling bearing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an outer ring, a pair of inner rings, a plurality of rolling elements, and a connecting ring.
The outer ring has a double-row outer ring raceway on its inner peripheral surface.
Each of the pair of inner rings has a single-row inner ring raceway on its outer peripheral surface and a locking groove on its inner peripheral surface.
The rolling elements are arranged between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway.
The connecting ring has a pair of locking portion bodies respectively locked in the locking recessed grooves, and a connecting portion connecting the pair of locking portion bodies, and connects the pair of inner rings.
In the rolling bearing device of the present invention, the connecting ring has a partial annular shape having a discontinuous portion at one circumferential location.
Each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of locking portion main bodies has a larger outer diameter than the connecting portion, and has the largest outer diameter among the locking portion main bodies. a surface portion, an outer inclined surface portion arranged on a side farther from the connecting portion than the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction, and a central inclined surface portion arranged on a side closer to the connecting portion than the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction; have
Each of the outer slope portion and the central slope portion is a conical cylindrical surface or a convex curved surface that is inclined radially inward with increasing distance from the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction.

In one aspect of the rolling bearing device of the present invention, it is possible to further include a sealing member that seals the abutted portion of the pair of inner rings.

In one aspect of the rolling bearing device of the present invention, at least one of the pair of locking portion main bodies is mounted on an end face farther from the connecting portion than the outer slope portion in the axial direction, It may have a flat surface existing on a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting ring.

In one aspect of the rolling bearing device of the present invention, the connecting ring is made of a metal plate, and each of the locking portion main bodies is composed of a large-diameter tubular portion arranged in an axially intermediate portion and the large-diameter tubular portion in the axial direction. and a center-side bent portion located closer to the connecting portion than the large-diameter cylindrical portion in the axial direction. can do.
The cylindrical surface portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion, the outer slope portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer bent portion, and the central side is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the central side bent portion. A ramp can be provided.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a rolling bearing device that can improve the workability of attaching the connecting ring and that can easily remove the connecting ring even after the rolling bearing device is assembled. can.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving wheel support device incorporating a rolling bearing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the rolling bearing device according to the first embodiment. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a connecting ring taken out from the rolling bearing device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4A being a perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the attachment work of the connecting ring in relation to the first example of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a second example of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a second example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a third example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving wheel support device incorporating a conventional rolling bearing device. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional rolling bearing device. 11(A) and 11(B) are cross-sectional views for explaining a conventionally known method for measuring an axial clearance in order of steps.

[First example of embodiment]
A first example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. In this example, the rolling bearing device of the present invention is applied to a driving wheel support device for a heavy heavy vehicle such as a truck or a bus.

[Overall Configuration of Driving Wheel Support Device]
The drive wheel support device 1 includes a rolling bearing device 2, an axle tube 3, a hub wheel 4, and a drive shaft 5, as shown in FIG. The driving wheel support device 1 rotatably supports a driving wheel 6 such as a rear wheel of a truck and a braking rotor 7, and transmits driving torque to the driving wheel 6 and the braking rotor 7. It has a floating configuration.

Regarding the driving wheel support device 1, the axially outer side is the left side in FIG. It is the right side of FIG. 1, which is the center side.

The rolling bearing device 2 rotatably supports the wheel hub 4 around the outer end in the axial direction of the axle tube 3 . The rolling bearing device 2 is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the axle tube 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the hub wheel 4 .

The axle tube 3 is also called an axle housing, has a cylindrical shape, and has an axially inner end connected to a differential case (not shown). Therefore, the axle tube 3 does not rotate during use. The internal space of the axle tube 3 communicates with the internal space of the differential case. The axle tube 3 has a cylindrical surface portion 8 on the axially outer portion of the outer peripheral surface. Further, the axle tube 3 has a stepped surface 9 facing axially outward at a portion of the outer peripheral surface adjacent to the axially inner side of the cylindrical surface portion 8, and a portion adjacent to the axially outwardly of the cylindrical surface portion 8, It has a male screw portion 10 having a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical surface portion 8 . A nut 11 for applying preload to the rolling bearing device 2 is screwed onto the male threaded portion 10 .

The drive shaft 5 , also called an axle shaft, is solid and passes through the inside of the axle tube 3 . The drive shaft 5 is arranged coaxially with the axle tube 3 . An axially inner end of the drive shaft 5 is connected to a differential gear (not shown). Therefore, the drive shaft 5 rotates during use. The drive shaft 5 has an outward flange-like flange 12 at its axially outer end projecting from the axle tube 3 . A hub wheel 4 is fixed to the flange 12 with a plurality of bolts 13 .

The hub wheel 4 has an annular shape. The hub wheel 4 has a cylindrical fitting surface 14 on its inner peripheral surface, and a rotary flange 15 on an axially intermediate portion of its outer peripheral surface. A driving wheel 6 is fixed to the rotating flange 15 by a connecting member 16 such as a hub bolt or a stud. A braking rotor 7 is fixed to the inner side of the hub wheel 4 in the axial direction by bolts 13 .

The driving wheel support device 1 rotatably supports the driving wheels 6 and the braking rotating body 7 with respect to the axle tube 3, and transmits torque from the driving shaft 5 to the driving wheels 6 and the braking rotating body. 7 can be transmitted. Further, in the fully floating drive wheel support device 1 , the load of the vehicle is supported not by the drive shaft 5 but by the axle tube 3 . The drive shaft 5 only bears the transmission of torque.

A specific structure of the rolling bearing device 2 of this example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.
Regarding the rolling bearing device 2, the axially outer side is the left side in FIGS. It is the right side of FIG.2 and FIG.3 which becomes the width direction center side.

<Rolling bearing device>
The rolling bearing device 2 is a back-to-back type double-row tapered roller bearing, and is of a rotating outer ring type. The rolling bearing device 2 includes an outer ring 17 that rotates in use, a pair of inner rings 18a and 18b that do not rotate in use, a plurality of rolling elements 19a and 19b, a seal member 20, and a connecting ring 21. .

《Outer ring》
The outer ring 17 is made of bearing steel, for example, and has an annular shape. The outer ring 17 has a cylindrical surface on its outer peripheral surface, and has outer ring raceways 22a and 22b in a conical concave double-row shape on its inner peripheral surface. The outer ring 17 is internally fitted and fixed to the fitting surface 14 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hub wheel 4 by an interference fit when the rolling bearing device 2 is assembled to the vehicle. Therefore, the outer ring 17 rotates together with the hub wheel 4 .

《Inner ring》
Each of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b is made of, for example, bearing steel and has an annular shape. Each of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b has a conical convex single-row inner ring raceway 23a, 23b in the axially intermediate portion of the outer peripheral surface. The pair of inner rings 18a, 18b has large flanges 24a, 24b and small flanges 25a, 25b on both axial sides of the inner ring raceways 23a, 23b, respectively. For this reason, each of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b has an outer diameter at the large-diameter end provided with the large flanges 24a, 24b larger than the outer diameter at the small-diameter end provided with the small flanges 25a, 25b. is also getting bigger.

Each of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b has engaging recessed grooves 26a, 26b having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape on the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter end. The locking recessed grooves 26a, 26b are opened only on the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 18a, 18b, respectively, and are provided over the entire circumferences of the inner rings 18a, 18b. The inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 18a and 18b have cylindrical small-diameter surface portions 27a and 27b at portions axially deviating from the locking grooves 26a and 26b toward the large-diameter end surfaces. Cylindrical large-diameter surface portions 28a and 28b having an inner diameter larger than that of the small-diameter surface portions 27a and 27b are provided at portions off the locking grooves 26a and 26b toward the small-diameter side end surfaces. Each of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b has chamfered portions (R chamfers) 29a, 29b having an arcuate generatrix shape between the small diameter surface portions 27a, 27b and the large diameter side end surface. The chamfered portions 29a and 29b function as guide surfaces when the connecting ring 21 is attached.

The pair of inner rings 18a and 18b are arranged coaxially with the outer ring 17 radially inward of the outer ring 17 with their small diameter side end surfaces facing each other. The pair of inner ring raceways 23a and 23b are arranged in double rows at positions facing the double row outer ring raceways 22a and 22b in the radial direction. A butting portion 30 is formed by abutting the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b so that the small-diameter side end faces of the inner rings 18a and 18b are in surface contact with each other.

The pair of inner rings 18a and 18b are loosely fitted to the cylindrical surface portion 8 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the axle tube 3 when the rolling bearing device 2 is assembled to the vehicle. The pair of inner rings 18 a and 18 b are axially sandwiched between a stepped surface 9 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the axle tube 3 and a nut 11 . Thereby, a predetermined preload is applied to the rolling bearing device 2 . For example, the screwing amount (screwing position) of the nut 11 is set so that the internal clearance in the axial direction of the rolling bearing device 2 is zero or a slightly positive or negative value.

In this example, the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b are made of the same member and arranged in opposite directions with respect to the axial direction. For this reason, the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b have the same shape and dimensions, except that they are oriented in the opposite axial direction. However, when carrying out the present invention, it is also possible to use members having different shapes and sizes for each part as a pair of inner rings.

《Rolling element》
Each of the plurality of rolling elements 19a, 19b is a tapered roller made of bearing steel or ceramic, for example. Each of the plurality of rolling elements 19a, 19b is arranged between the outer ring raceways 22a, 22b and the inner ring raceways 23a, 23b so as to be rollably held by cages 31a, 31b. In addition, each of the rolling elements 19a in the axially outer row has a portion of the axially outer end surface that contacts and faces the large flange portion 24a, and a portion of the axially inner end surface that closely faces the small flange portion 25a. I am letting Each of the rolling elements 19b in the axially inner row has a portion of the axially inner end surface that contacts and faces the large flange portion 24b, and a portion of the axially outer end surface that closely faces the small flange portion 25b. there is

《Seal member》
The seal member 20 is for sealing the butted portion 30 of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b, and is arranged in the internal space 32 of the rolling bearing device 2 located radially outside the butted portion 30. As shown in FIG.

The seal member 20 is made of an elastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The seal member 20 is externally fitted (press-fitted) to the small flange portions 25a and 25b of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b so as to straddle the butted portion 30 in the axial direction. In addition, when carrying out the present invention, the sealing member can also be composed of a sealing portion made of an elastic material and a metal core. Also, the seal member can be arranged radially inward of the butted portion.

《Connecting ring》
The connecting ring 21 is for axially connecting the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b, and is made of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the connecting ring 21 has a discontinuous portion 33 at one place in the circumferential direction, and is configured in a partially annular shape. Therefore, the connecting ring 21 has a C-shaped end face shape, and can be elastically contracted by reducing the circumferential width of the discontinuous portion 33 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting ring 21 has a substantially M-shaped cross-sectional shape, and has a cross-sectional shape that is symmetrical (line-symmetrical) with respect to the axial direction.

The connecting ring 21 includes a pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b and a connecting portion 35 that connects the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b. The connecting ring 21 has a connecting portion 35 at an axially intermediate portion, and locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b at both ends in the axial direction.

The connecting ring 21 is internally fitted in the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b so as to straddle the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b in the axial direction. The connecting ring 21 locks the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a, 34b respectively to locking grooves 26a, 26b provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b. ing. Thereby, the connecting ring 21 axially connects the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b. Therefore, according to the rolling bearing device 2 of the present embodiment, the friction acting on the inner rings 18a and 18b when the rolling bearing device 2 is assembled to the axle tube 3 causes the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b to separate from each other or to separate in the axial direction. It is possible to prevent the axially outer inner ring 18a from slipping out of the axle tube 3 due to collision between the outer inner ring 18a and the axle tube 3.

The connecting portion 35 has a cylindrical shape, and has a constant outer diameter and inner diameter along the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 35 is in contact with the large diameter surface portions 28a and 28b in a state in which the connecting ring 21 is fitted (internally fitted) to the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b, or is in contact with the large diameter surface portions 28a and 28b. facing through a gap.

Each of the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 arranged in an intermediate portion in the axial direction, and a large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction. It consists of an outer bent portion 37 arranged farther from the connecting portion 35 and a central bent portion 38 arranged closer to the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction.

The large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 has a cylindrical shape, and has a constant outer diameter and inner diameter along the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 is composed of a cylindrical surface portion 39 having a cylindrical surface shape. The cylindrical surface portion 39 has an outer diameter larger than that of the connecting portion 35 and has the largest outer diameter among the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical surface portion 39 is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter surface portions 27a, 27b of the inner rings 18a, 18b in a free state where no force is applied to the connecting ring 21 in the direction of reducing the diameter, and the inner rings 18a, 18b are chamfered. smaller than the diameter of the radially outer edges of the portions 29a, 29b. In addition, the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface portion 39 is slightly larger than the diameter of the groove bottoms of the engaging grooves 26a and 26b when the connecting ring 21 is in a free state. Therefore, when the connecting ring 21 is attached to the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b, the cylindrical surface portion 39 is in surface contact with the groove bottoms of the locking grooves 26a and 26b. This stabilizes the posture of the connecting ring 21 when it is attached.

The surface roughness of the cylindrical surface portion 39 is adjusted to reduce the frictional resistance against the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 18a and 18b during the mounting operation of the connecting ring 21, which will be described later. It is the smallest of the faces. When carrying out the present invention, the cylindrical surface portion may be surface-treated to reduce frictional resistance. As the surface treatment, for example, ion nitriding treatment, DLC coating treatment, TiN coating treatment, phosphate coating, specular lapping treatment, and polishing treatment can be employed.

The outer bent portion 37 has a conical cylindrical shape, and extends radially inward as it moves away from the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the outer bent portion 37 is composed of an outer slope portion 40 which is a conical cylindrical surface (tapered surface) having a linear generatrix shape. When carrying out the present invention, the outer slope portion can also be a convex curved surface having a convex arc-shaped generatrix.

The center-side bent portion 38 has a conical tubular shape, and extends radially inward as it moves away from the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the center-side bent portion 38 is composed of a center-side slope portion 41 that is a conical cylindrical surface (tapered surface) having a linear generatrix shape. When carrying out the present invention, the central slope portion can also be a convex curved surface having a convex arc-shaped generatrix.

Therefore, the outer peripheral surfaces of the locking portion main bodies 34 a and 34 b are composed of a cylindrical surface portion 39 , an outer inclined surface portion 40 arranged farther from the connecting portion 35 than the cylindrical surface portion 39 , and and a center side slope portion 41 arranged on the side close to the side. Moreover, the cylindrical surface portion 39 and the outer slope portion 40 are smoothly continuous, and the cylindrical surface portion 39 and the central side slope portion 41 are smoothly continuous.

In this example, the inclination angles of the outer slope portion 40 and the central slope portion 41 with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 are the same. However, when carrying out the present invention, the inclination angle of the outer slope portion and the inclination angle of the central side slope portion may be different from each other.

In the connecting ring 21 of this example, each of the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b is composed of a large-diameter tubular portion 36, and an outer bent portion 37 and a central bent portion arranged on both axial sides of the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction. 38, the axial width of the cylindrical surface portion 39 forming part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 is reduced. Specifically, the axial width of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the axial width of the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b.

The connecting ring 21 of this example has opening windows 42 at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the axially intermediate portion. The plurality of open windows 42 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each penetrates the connecting ring 21 in the radial direction. Each of the opening windows 42 has a substantially rectangular opening shape. Each of the opening windows 42 is provided in a range extending over the connecting portion 35 and a pair of center-side bent portions 38 arranged on both sides of the connecting portion 35 in the axial direction.

In this example, by forming a plurality of opening windows 42 in the connecting ring 21, the connecting force between the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b by the connecting ring 21 and the force required to reduce the diameter of the connecting ring 21 can be increased. (Diameter contraction force) is adjusted. However, when implementing the present invention, the opening window may be omitted. Further, when a configuration is adopted in which a seal member for sealing the butted portion is arranged radially inward of the butted portion, it is possible to check the mounting state of the seal member through an opening window formed in the connecting ring. . Furthermore, as will be described later, the opening window 42 is formed by elastically reducing the diameter of the connecting ring 21 to remove the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b from the locking concave grooves 26a and 26b, respectively. It can also be used to insert parts.

《Sealing device》
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rolling bearing device 2 of the present embodiment has two axially spaced inner spaces 32 existing between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 17 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b. A pair of sealing devices 43a, 43b are further provided to close the opening. One sealing device 43a is arranged between the axially outer portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the large flange portion 24a that constitutes the inner ring 18a. The other sealing device 43b is arranged between the axially inner portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the large flange portion 24b that constitutes the inner ring 18b. Such sealing devices 43a and 43b prevent the grease sealed in the internal space 32 from leaking to the external space, and prevent foreign matter such as muddy water existing in the external space from entering the internal space 32. there is

Next, the mounting work of the connecting ring 21 will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the connecting ring 21 can be attached by applying a lubricant to the outer peripheral surfaces (particularly the cylindrical surface portion 39) of the engaging portion main bodies 34a and 34b.

In this example, the connection ring 21 is attached to the inner ring 18b of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b while the small diameter side end surfaces of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b are butted against each other. Insert from the large diameter side end face inside. For this purpose, first, the connecting ring 21 is arranged coaxially with the inner ring 18b on the large diameter side end face side (axially inner side) of the inner ring 18b.
Although not shown, the connecting ring 21 may be attached by inserting the connecting ring 21 into the other inner ring 18a of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b from the large-diameter end face side. can. Moreover, the connecting ring 21 can be mounted by directing the central axes of the connecting ring 21 and the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b in a direction other than the horizontal direction (for example, the vertical direction).

As shown in FIG. 5A, the connecting ring 21 is axially moved relative to the inner ring 18b so that the outer slope portion 40 forming part of the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34a is moved to the inner ring 18b. is brought into contact with the chamfered portion 29b provided in the . In this state, the inclination angle α of the common tangent line at the contact portion between the outer slope portion 40 and the chamfered portion 29b with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is 45° or less.

Then, by moving the outer slope portion 40 along the chamfered portion 29b, the diameter of the front portion of the connecting ring 21 in the insertion direction (the portion including the locking portion main body 34a) is reduced, and the connecting ring 21 is moved to the inner ring 18b. Push inward axially. In this example, the inclination angle of the outer slope portion 40 is regulated so that the inclination angle α of the common tangent line at the contact portion between the outer slope portion 40 and the chamfered portion 29b with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is 45° or less. Therefore, the outer slope portion 40 can be smoothly moved with respect to the chamfered portion 29b. Also, the force required to push the connecting ring 21 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the connecting ring 21 is pushed inside the inner ring 18b, the cylindrical surface portion 39 forming part of the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34a is pushed into the small diameter surface portion 27b of the inner ring 18b. A central inclined surface portion 41 that contacts and forms a part of the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34b contacts the chamfered portion 29b of the inner ring 18b. In this state, the inclination angle β of the common tangent line at the contact portion between the central slope portion 41 and the chamfered portion 29b with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is 45° or less.

As a result, by moving the central inclined surface portion 41 along the chamfered portion 29b, the connecting ring 21 is moved while reducing the diameter of the rear portion of the connecting ring 21 in the insertion direction (the portion including the locking portion main body 34b). It is pushed axially inside the inner ring 18b. In this example, the inclination angle of the central slope portion 41 is such that the inclination angle β of the common tangent line at the contact portion between the central slope portion 41 and the chamfered portion 29b with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is 45° or less. is restricted, the central slope portion 41 can be smoothly moved with respect to the chamfered portion 29b. Also, the force required to push the connecting ring 21 can be reduced.

Then, when the connecting ring 21 is pushed further inside the inner ring 18b, as shown in FIG. It is in sliding contact with the small-diameter surface portion 27b of the inner ring 18b. In this example, since the surface roughness of the cylindrical surface portion 39 is made smaller than the surface roughness of other portions of the outer peripheral surfaces of the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b, the surface roughness between the cylindrical surface portion 39 and the small diameter surface portion 27b is reduced. can reduce the frictional force acting on Therefore, the force required to push the connecting ring 21 in the axial direction can be reduced.

Finally, the connecting ring 21 is pivoted until the axially outer end of the connecting ring 21 is positioned inside the axially inner end (small diameter side end) of the inner ring 18a arranged axially outside. push in the direction The locking portion main body 34a and the locking concave groove 26a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 18a are aligned in the axial direction, and the locking portion main body 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 18b are provided with The axial position is aligned with the locking recessed groove 26b. As a result, the connecting ring 21 is elastically expanded in diameter, and as shown in FIG. 26b at the same time. In this example, the connecting ring 21 can be mounted on the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b by the mounting work performed by pushing the connecting ring 21 in the axial direction.

According to the rolling bearing device 2 of the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to improve the workability of mounting the connecting ring 21, and the connecting ring 21 can be easily attached even after the rolling bearing device 2 is assembled. can be removed.
That is, in the present example, the connecting ring 21 is configured in the shape of an annular ring, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b constituting the connecting ring 21 are respectively formed into a cylindrical surface portion 39 and a cylindrical surface portion 39. It is composed of an outer sloped portion 40 and a central sloped portion 41 arranged on both sides in the axial direction. For this reason, the connecting ring 21 is axially pushed into one inner ring 18b (18a) of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b while the small diameter end surfaces of the pair of inner rings 18a and 18b are butted against each other. Only by performing the work, the diameter of the connecting ring 21 can be efficiently reduced, and the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b can be simultaneously locked to the locking concave grooves 26a and 26b, respectively. Therefore, the mounting work of the connecting ring 21 can be simplified, and the workability of the mounting work of the connecting ring 21 can be improved. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of automating the attachment work of the connecting ring 21 .

Further, when the outer slope portion 40 and the chamfered portion 29b are in contact with each other, the inclination angle α of the common tangent line at the contact portion with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is restricted to 45° or less. Therefore, the outer slope portion 40 can be smoothly moved with respect to the chamfered portion 29b. Also, the force required to push the connecting ring 21 can be reduced.

Further, in a state where the central slope portion 41 and the chamfered portion 29b are in contact with each other, the inclination angle β of the common tangent line at the contact portion with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21 is restricted to 45° or less. Therefore, the central slope portion 41 can be smoothly moved with respect to the chamfered portion 29b. Also, the force required to push the connecting ring 21 can be reduced.

Further, the connecting ring 21 of the present example has a partial ring shape having a discontinuous portion 33 at one place in the circumferential direction, and can be elastically contracted. Therefore, by reducing the circumferential width of the discontinuous portion 33 and elastically reducing the diameter of the connecting ring 21, the locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b can be removed from the locking grooves 26a and 26b, respectively. can. Therefore, the attached connecting ring 21 can be easily removed from the pair of inner rings 18a, 18b. As a result, even when measuring the axial clearance as shown in FIG. 11 after the rolling bearing device 2 is assembled, the axial clearance can be measured by removing the connecting ring 21 .

Incidentally, in the connecting ring 21 of this embodiment, the pair of locking portion main bodies 34a and 34b are sequentially attached to the locking recessed grooves 26a and 26b in the same manner as the connecting ring of the conventional structure shown in FIG. It can also be locked.

[Second example of embodiment]
A second example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

A rolling bearing device 2a of this example differs from the structure of the first example of the embodiment only in the structure of a connecting ring 21a for axially connecting a pair of inner rings 18a and 18b. The connecting ring 21a of this example has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape with respect to the axial direction.

The connecting ring 21a is composed of a pair of locking portion main bodies 34c and 34d and a connecting portion 35 that connects the pair of locking portion main bodies 34c and 34d. The structure of the connecting portion 35 is the same as the structure of the first example of the embodiment.

The locking portion main body 34c arranged on the axially outer side includes the large-diameter tubular portion 36 arranged in the axially intermediate portion, and the side farther from the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction (axially outward). and a center-side bent portion 38 arranged closer to the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction.

The structures of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 and the center-side bent portion 38 that constitute the locking portion main body 34c are the same as the structures of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 and the center-side bent portion 38 of the first example of the embodiment. is the same as That is, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 has a cylindrical shape, and has a constant outer diameter and inner diameter along the axial direction. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 is formed of a cylindrical surface portion 39 having a cylindrical surface shape. The center-side bent portion 38 has a conical tubular shape, and extends radially inward as it moves away from the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the center-side bent portion 38 is composed of a center-side slope portion 41 which is a conical cylindrical surface with a straight generatrix.

The outer bent portion 37a has a curved cylindrical shape with a radially outward convexity, and extends radially inward as it moves away from the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the outer bent portion 37a is formed of an outer slope portion 40a, which is a convex curved surface having a convex arc-shaped generatrix. Also in the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the connecting ring 21a is mounted, the outer side portion forming a part of the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34c arranged axially outside is mounted. With the sloped portion 40a in contact with the chamfered portion 29b provided on the inner ring 18b, the common tangent line at the contact portion between the outer sloped portion 40a and the chamfered portion 29b is inclined at an angle α with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21a. is restricted to 45° or less.

The locking portion main body 34d arranged axially inward includes a large-diameter tubular portion 36 arranged in an axially intermediate portion, and a side farther from the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction (inward in the axial direction). and a center-side bent portion 38 arranged closer to the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction.

The structures of the large-diameter tubular portion 36 and the center-side bent portion 38 that constitute the locking portion main body 34d are the same as the structures of the large-diameter tubular portion 36 and the central-side bent portion 38 that constitute the locking portion main body 34c. is the same as

The outer bent portion 37b has a substantially J-shaped cross section. The outer bent portion 37b is composed of a bent tubular portion 44 arranged radially outward and a flat plate portion 45 .

The bent tubular portion 44 connects the axially inner end portion of the large-diameter tubular portion 36 and the radially outer end portion of the flat plate portion 45 . The bent tubular portion 44 has a curved tubular shape with a radially outward convexity, and extends radially inward as it moves away from the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the bending tube portion 44 is formed of an outer slope portion 40b, which is a convex curved surface having a convex arc-shaped generatrix.

The flat plate portion 45 has an annular flat plate shape. The axially inner side surface of the flat plate portion 45 consists of a flat surface 46 existing on a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting ring 21a.

Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34c is composed of the cylindrical surface portion 39, and the outer sloped portion 40a and the central side sloped portion 41 which are arranged on both sides of the cylindrical surface portion 39 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34d is composed of a cylindrical surface portion 39, and an outer inclined surface portion 40b and a central inclined surface portion 41 which are arranged on both sides of the cylindrical surface portion 39 in the axial direction. Further, the locking portion main body 34d has a flat surface 46 on an axially inner end surface farther from the connecting portion 35 than the outer slope portion 40b in the axial direction.

In this example having the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when mounting the connecting ring 21a, the flat surface 46 directed inward in the axial direction is attached to the distal end of the jig 47. By pressing with the surface, the connecting ring 21a can be pushed in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the workability of mounting the connecting ring 21a.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third example of embodiment]
A third example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A rolling bearing device 2b of this example differs from the structures of the first and second examples of the embodiment only in the structure of a connecting ring 21b for axially connecting a pair of inner rings 18a and 18b. The connecting ring 21b of this example has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape with respect to the axial direction.

The connecting ring 21b includes a pair of locking portion main bodies 34e and 34f and a connecting portion 35 that connects the pair of locking portion main bodies 34e and 34f. The structure of each of the locking portion main body 34f and the connecting portion 35 arranged axially inward is the same as the structure of each of the locking portion main body 34d and the connecting portion 35 of the second example of the embodiment.

The locking portion main body 34e arranged on the axially outer side includes the large-diameter tubular portion 36 arranged in the axially intermediate portion, and the side farther from the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter tubular portion 36 in the axial direction (axially outward). and a center-side bent portion 38 arranged closer to the connecting portion 35 than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 in the axial direction.

The structures of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 36 and the center-side bent portion 38 that constitute the locking portion main body 34e are the same as in the first and second examples of the embodiment. The structure of the outer bent portion 37b that constitutes the locking portion main body 34e is similar to that of the outer bent portion 37b that constitutes the locking portion main body 34d of the second example of the embodiment, except that the direction with respect to the axial direction is opposite. is the same as the structure of That is, the outer bent portion 37b has a substantially J-shaped cross-sectional shape, and includes a bent tubular portion 44 having an outer slope portion 40b on the outer peripheral surface and a flat plate portion 45 having a flat surface 46 on the axial outer surface. consists of

In this example, when attaching the connecting ring 21b, the outer slope portion 40b forming a part of the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion main body 34e (34f) located on the front side in the insertion direction is placed against the chamfered portion 29b (29a). Then, the outer slope portion 40b is moved along the chamfered portion 29b (29a). Further, the inclination angle of the outer slope portion 40b is regulated so that the angle of inclination of the common tangent line at the contact portion between the outer slope portion 40b and the chamfered portion 29b (29a) with respect to the central axis of the connecting ring 21b is 45° or less. is doing

The connecting ring 21b of this example having the above configuration has a symmetrical shape with respect to the axial direction, and has flat surfaces 46 on both end surfaces in the axial direction. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the workability of mounting the connecting ring 21b.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first and second examples of the embodiment.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical idea of the invention. In addition, the structures of the respective examples of the embodiments can be implemented in combination as appropriate as long as there is no contradiction.

When carrying out the present invention, the seal member for sealing the abutting portion may be omitted. When the sealing member is provided, the structure, arrangement position, etc. of the sealing member are not limited to those described in each example of the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. When carrying out the present invention, the dimensions and inclination angles of the parts constituting the connecting ring are not limited to those described in each example of the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. The rolling bearing device of the present invention is not limited to the drive wheel support device, and can be used by being incorporated in the rotation support portion of various mechanical devices including the driven wheel support device.

Reference Signs List 1 drive wheel support device 2, 2a, 2b rolling bearing device 3 axle tube 4 hub wheel 5 drive shaft 6 drive wheel 7 braking rotor 8 cylindrical surface portion 9 step surface 10 male thread portion 11 nut 12 flange 13 bolt 14 fitting surface 15 Rotary flange 16 Coupling member 17 Outer rings 18a, 18b Inner rings 19a, 19b Rolling elements 20, 20a Seal members 21, 21a Connecting rings 22a, 22b Outer ring raceways 23a, 23b Inner ring raceways 24a, 24b Large flanges 25a, 25b Small flanges 26a, 26b Locking concave grooves 27a, 27b Small diameter surface portions 28a, 28b Large diameter surface portions 29a, 29b Chamfered portions 30 Butt portions 31a, 31b Cage 32 Internal space 33 Discontinuous portions 34a to 34f Locking portion body 35 Connecting portion 36 Large diameter tube Part 37, 37a, 37b Outer bent part 38 Center side bent part 39 Cylindrical surface part 40, 40a, 40b Outer sloped part 41 Central side sloped part 42 Opening window 43a, 43b Sealing device 44 Bent cylinder part 45 Flat plate part 46 Flat surface 47 jig 100 rolling bearing device 101 axle tube 102 hub ring 103 drive shaft 104 flange 105 drive wheel 106 braking rotor 107, 107x outer ring 108a, 108b, 108x, 108y inner ring 109a, 109b, 109x, 109y rolling element 110 sealing member 111 connecting ring 112a, 112b outer ring raceway 113a, 113b inner ring raceway 114 matching portion 115 locking portion 116 connecting portion 117a, 117b locking groove 118 reference surface 119 displacement gauge

Claims (3)

an outer ring having a double-row outer ring raceway on its inner peripheral surface;
a pair of inner rings each having a single-row inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface and a locking groove on the inner peripheral surface;
a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway;
a connecting ring for connecting the pair of inner rings, having a pair of locking portion bodies respectively locked to the locking grooves; and a connecting portion connecting the pair of locking portion bodies. ,
The connecting ring has a partial annular shape with a discontinuous portion at one place in the circumferential direction,
Each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of locking portion main bodies has a larger outer diameter than the connecting portion, and has the largest outer diameter among the locking portion main bodies. a surface portion, an outer inclined surface portion arranged on a side farther from the connecting portion than the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction, and a central inclined surface portion arranged on a side closer to the connecting portion than the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction; has
Each of the outer slope portion and the central slope portion is a conical cylindrical surface or a convex curved surface that is inclined radially inward as it moves away from the cylindrical surface portion in the axial direction.
Rolling bearing device. Further comprising a sealing member that seals the butted portions of the pair of inner rings,
A rolling bearing device according to claim 1. At least one of the pair of locking portion main bodies has an end surface farther from the connecting portion than the outer slant portion in the axial direction and is orthogonal to the central axis of the connecting ring. having a flat surface lying on an imaginary plane,
A rolling bearing device according to any one of claims 1 and 2.

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