JP3205636U - Encoder and sealing device with encoder - Google Patents

Abstract

An encoder capable of reducing the space in the axial direction and reducing the weight of a bearing device while ensuring the required signal generating force, and a sealing device including the encoder. A cylindrical part 12 fitted to a rotating member 5 of a bearing device 1, a connecting ring part 13 extending from one end of the cylindrical part to one side in a radial direction, and a peripheral edge of the connecting ring part An encoder 10 including a reinforcing ring 11 including an annular portion 14 that is folded back and extended toward the other side in the radial direction, and an encoder body 15 that is integrally attached to one surface of the annular portion. The annular portion includes a folded portion 14a that overlaps the connecting annular portion, and an extending portion 14b that extends in a radial direction from the folded portion, and the extending portion is more axial than the folded portion. The encoder body includes a base portion 16 attached to the folded portion and a signal generating portion 17 attached to the extension portion. It is characterized by that. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an encoder used in a bearing device of an automobile or the like, and a sealing device with an encoder.

Recently, ABS (anti-lock brake system) that detects the number of rotations of a wheel and performs traveling control has been widely adopted for automobiles. As such a rotational speed detection mechanism, an annular encoder having an annular magnet magnetized with a number of N poles and S poles in the circumferential direction is fixed to the inner ring (rotating member) of the bearing device, and the outer ring (fixing member). In addition, there is a mechanism in which a magnetic sensor is installed on the vehicle body and the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic change accompanying rotation of the annular magnet. Such an annular encoder has a configuration in which an annular magnet is integrally attached to a reinforcing ring fitted and fixed to an inner ring.
Here, a bearing sealing device is proposed in which an annular encoder fixed to the inner ring and a seal lip member fixed to the outer ring are axially opposed to prevent intrusion of muddy water or the like into the bearing space. Has been.
As described above, when the annular encoder and the seal lip member are combined, it is difficult to increase the radial dimension of the reinforcing ring of the annular encoder between the outer ring and the inner ring due to the presence of the cylindrical portion of the seal lip member fitted inside the outer ring. . As a result, it has become difficult to increase the radial dimension of the annular magnet serving as the signal generation unit, leading to a decrease in detection accuracy and sensitivity of the number of rotations of wheels and the like.
In order to prevent intrusion of muddy water or the like into the bearing space, a configuration has been proposed in which a cap is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the end opening of the outer ring to close the end opening. Even in this case, it is difficult to increase the radial dimension of the reinforcing ring of the annular encoder between the outer ring and the inner ring due to the presence of the cylindrical portion that is a portion where the cap is fitted to the outer ring.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the radial dimension of only the annular portion, which is the part where the annular magnet is attached to the reinforcing ring, is increased, and when the reinforcing ring is fitted to the inner ring, the annular portion becomes the inner ring end. A configuration in which the edge is positioned on the detection sensor side has been proposed.
For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes an encoder in which an encoder body is attached to a support ring formed by bending a metal plate so that a cross-sectional shape is substantially T-shaped. By adopting such a structure for the support ring, the radial dimension of the support ring can be ensured to be large, and in the state where the encoder is fitted and fixed to the inner ring, a large area of the signal generating surface of the encoder body can be ensured It is possible to improve the detection accuracy and sensitivity of the rotational speed of wheels and the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-234928

However, recently, as one aspect of attaching the cap to the end opening of the fixing member, the disc portion of the cap is interposed between the annular magnet attached to the rotating member and the detection sensor attached to the fixing member. Thus, a configuration in which a cap is attached has been proposed. In this case, the presence of the disc portion of the cap causes space limitations in the axial direction, and it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the annular magnet. Therefore, while maintaining a sufficient signal generation force, the annular magnet is maintained. Whether the thickness of the metal can be reduced, that is, space saving in the axial direction is an issue.
In order to reduce the weight of the bearing device, it is also required to reduce the size of the bearing device, and for this purpose, there is a demand to reduce the space in the axial direction of the encoder as much as possible.
In view of such a situation, the encoder of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of space saving in the axial direction and weight reduction of the bearing device.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an encoder that can save space in the axial direction and reduce the weight of the bearing device while ensuring the required signal generating force, And providing a sealing device including an encoder.

In order to achieve the above object, an encoder according to the present invention includes a cylindrical portion that is fitted to a rotating member of a bearing device, a connecting ring portion that extends from one end of the cylindrical portion to one radial direction, and A reinforcing ring including a circular ring portion that is folded and extended from the peripheral edge of the connecting circular ring portion toward the other side in the radial direction, and an encoder body that is integrally attached to one surface of the circular ring portion. The annular portion includes a folded portion that overlaps the connecting annular portion, and an extending portion that extends in a radial direction from the folded portion, and the extending portion is more axial than the folded portion. The encoder body has a base part that is attached to the folded part and a signal generation part that is attached to the extension part. It is characterized by.
In the encoder, when the encoder main body is attached to the reinforcing ring folded back so as to partially overlap, the encoder main body can be formed while ensuring a large axial thickness dimension of the signal generating portion. Accordingly, the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed and the like can be increased by the increase in the axial thickness dimension of the signal generation unit. Furthermore, by ensuring a large axial thickness dimension of the signal generator in this way, it is possible to increase the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed, etc., so it is necessary to increase the axial thickness dimension of the entire encoder body. Thus, space saving in the axial direction can be achieved. Further, if space saving in the axial direction of the encoder is achieved, it is possible to reduce the size of the bearing device, thereby contributing to the weight reduction of the bearing device.

In the present invention, the signal generator may be formed thicker than the base.
Thus, by forming the signal generating part of the encoder body to be thicker than the base part, it is possible to increase the accuracy and sensitivity of the rotational speed detected by the encoder.

In order to achieve the above object, a sealing device with an encoder according to the present invention is a sealing device with an encoder including the encoder according to the above device, and is a cylinder fitted to a fixing member constituting the bearing device. A seal lip member comprising: a core metal including a flange portion connected to one end of the cylindrical portion; and a seal lip that is integrally fixed to the metal core and elastically slidably contacts the reinforcing ring; A ring portion of the reinforcing ring and a flange portion of the core metal are combined so as to face each other.
The sealing device with an encoder includes an encoder in which an encoder main body is attached to a reinforcing ring that is folded back so as to partially overlap, and a seal lip member that includes a seal lip that elastically contacts the reinforcing ring.
In addition, the annular portion constituting the reinforcing ring includes a folded portion that overlaps the connecting annular portion and an extending portion that extends in the radial direction from the folded portion, and the extending portion is a cylindrical portion that is axial in the direction of the folded portion. The encoder main body includes a base that is attached to the folded portion and a signal generator that is attached to the extending portion.
Therefore, the encoder configured as described above can increase the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed and the like, and can achieve space saving and weight reduction in the axial direction. Furthermore, since the seal lip member is in elastic sliding contact with the reinforcing ring, intrusion of muddy water or the like into the bearing space is prevented.

  According to the encoder of the present invention and the sealing device including the encoder, it is possible to achieve space saving in the axial direction and weight reduction of the bearing device while ensuring the required signal generating force.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a bearing device to which an encoder according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied and an enlarged view of a main part. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the encoder. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing device with an encoder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the bearing device 1 in which the encoder 10 according to the present invention is assembled will be described.
A bearing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows a hub bearing as an example of a bearing device that rotatably supports a driven wheel of an automobile. The illustrated bearing device (hub bearing) 1 includes a hub wheel 4 and an inner ring via two rows of rolling elements (balls) 3... On an inner diameter portion of an outer ring 2 as a fixing member fixed to a vehicle body (not shown). The member 4a is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis L. The hub wheel 4 has a hub flange 40, and a driven wheel (tire wheel) (not shown) is attached to the hub flange 40 by a bolt 40a. The hub ring 4 and the inner ring member 4a constitute an inner ring 5 as a rotating member, and the rolling elements 3 are interposed between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 5 while being held by a retainer 3a. . A bearing space S is between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 5 including the interposed portions of the rolling elements 3.
In the following, the left side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the wheel side, and the right side is referred to as the vehicle body side.
A seal ring 6 is mounted between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 5 (hub ring 4) in the wheel side space along the axis L direction of the bearing space S. The bearing space S is filled with a lubricant (for example, grease) for smooth rolling of the rolling elements 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, an encoder 10 according to the present invention is attached to an outer diameter portion 4aa of the end of the inner ring 5 (inner ring member 4a) on the vehicle body side. It is configured to rotate. The encoder 10 is integrally attached to a vehicle body side surface of a reinforcing ring 11 having a substantially T-shaped cross section fitted to the outer diameter portion 4aa of the inner ring 5 and an annular portion 14 constituting the reinforcing ring 11. And an encoder body 15.
As shown in FIG. 2, the encoder body 15 is formed by kneading magnetic powder into a rubber material or a resin material and vulcanizing and molding it in an annular shape, on the vehicle body side (the side opposite to the bearing space S). This is an annular multipolar magnet in which N and S poles are alternately magnetized along the circumferential direction.
The detailed configuration of the encoder 10 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bearing cap 7 is attached to the vehicle body side opening 2 a of the outer ring 2 so as to close the opening. The bearing cap 7 is mounted so as to be close to the encoder 10 and cover the encoder 10. The bearing cap 7 prevents intrusion of muddy water, dust and the like into the bearing space S from the vehicle body side, and prevents the encoder 10 from being damaged.
On the vehicle body side of the encoder 10 (on the side opposite to the bearing space S), the magnetic sensor 8 is installed so as to face the encoder 10 via the bearing cap 7. The magnetic sensor 8 and the encoder 10 constitute a rotation detection device for a wheel (driven wheel) attached to the hub wheel 4.

The bearing cap 7 is provided so as to be connected to the cylindrical portion 7c fitted to the inner diameter portion 2b of the opening end portion constituting the vehicle body side opening 2a, and to be connected to the vehicle body side of the cylindrical portion 7c via the connecting portion 7b. Disc part 7a to be provided. The disk portion 7 a is configured to be positioned between the encoder 10 and the magnetic sensor 8 when the bearing cap 7 is attached to the vehicle body side opening 2 a of the outer ring 2.
The bearing cap 7 may be made of a nonmagnetic metal plate such as an austenitic stainless steel plate, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the encoder 10 includes a reinforcing ring 11 and an encoder body 15 that is integrally attached to the reinforcing ring 11.
The reinforcing ring 11 is made of metal and has a substantially T-shaped cross section. The reinforcing ring 11 includes a cylindrical portion 12 that is fitted to the inner ring 5 (inner ring member 4a) of the bearing device 1, a connecting annular portion 13 that extends from one end of the cylindrical portion 12 to one side in the radial direction, And an annular portion 14 that is folded and extended from the peripheral edge of the connecting annular portion 13 toward the other radial side.
In the present embodiment, the reinforcing ring 11 is fitted (externally fitted) to the outer diameter portion 4aa of the inner ring member 4a, and the vehicle body side of the cylindrical portion 12 (the side opposite to the bearing space S). The connecting ring part 13 extended from one end of the connecting ring part radially inward (inner diameter side), and the circle extended from the peripheral edge of the connecting ring part 13 to the outer side in the radial direction (outer diameter side) And an annular portion 14. In addition, the encoder 10 is fitted to the inner ring 5 so that the connecting ring portion 13 abuts the surface 4ab of the inner ring member 4a on the vehicle body side (opposite the bearing space S).

The annular portion 14 includes a folded portion 14a that overlaps the connecting annular portion 13 in the axis L direction, and an extending portion 14b that extends in the radial direction from the folded portion 14a.
In the present embodiment, the extending portion 14b extends from the folded portion 14a to the outer diameter side. Further, the width dimension (dimension from the outer diameter end to the inner diameter end) of the folded portion 14a and the connecting ring portion 13 is substantially the same. Further, the width dimension (dimension from the outer diameter end to the inner diameter end) of the extension part 14b is larger than the width dimension of the folded part 14a, and is approximately twice the width dimension of the folded part 14a.
Moreover, the cylindrical part 12, the connection ring part 13, the folding | returning part 14a, and the thickness dimension of the extension part 14b are made into the substantially same dimension.

Moreover, in this embodiment, it is set as the structure where the extension part 14b is located in the cylindrical part 12 side of the axis L direction rather than the folding | returning part 14a. With this configuration, a stepped portion is formed at the connection portion between the extending portion 14b and the folded portion 14a.
In the present embodiment, the extending portion 14b is configured to be positioned closer to the cylindrical portion 12 in the axis L direction than the turned-up portion 14a by a dimension that is approximately ½ of the thickness dimension of the extending portion 14b.

The encoder body 15 is integrally attached to one surface of the annular ring portion 14 of the reinforcing ring 11 on the vehicle body side (the side opposite to the bearing space S). The encoder body 15 includes a base portion 16 that is attached to the surface of the folded portion 14a on the vehicle body side, and a signal generator 17 that is attached to the surface of the extension portion 14b on the vehicle body side.
The signal generator 17 is attached to substantially the entire surface of the extension 14b on the vehicle body side.
The end portion on the outer diameter side of the signal generating portion 17 is made of a rubber material that is integrally attached to the outer peripheral edge portion so as to cover the wheel side surface around the outer peripheral edge portion of the extending portion 14b. One cylindrical rubber portion 17a is provided.

In the present embodiment, the base portion 16 is provided so as to continue to the signal generating portion 17 and is attached to substantially the entire surface of the folded portion 14a on the vehicle body side.
Further, the signal generator 17 is formed thicker than the base 16. Thereby, the precision and sensitivity, such as the rotation speed detected by the encoder 10, can be increased.
In addition, the vehicle body side surfaces of the base portion 16 and the signal generation portion 17 are substantially flush with each other.
In the example shown in the figure, the thickness of the base portion 16 is set to about half the size of the signal generating portion 17.
Further, a second cylindrical rubber portion made of a rubber material that is integrally bonded to the connecting portion so as to cover the connecting portion between the connecting ring portion 13 and the folded portion 14a is provided at the inner diameter end of the base portion 16. 16a is provided.

The entire encoder body 15 (including the base portion 16, the second cylindrical rubber portion 16a, the signal generating portion 17, and the first cylindrical rubber portion 17a) is made of a rubber material or a resin material containing magnetic powder, and includes a reinforcing ring. 11 is vulcanized integrally by insert molding.
As shown in FIG. 2, N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized in the circumferential direction on the entire surface of the signal generator 17 on the vehicle body side.
The dimensions of each part constituting the encoder 10 are such dimensions that the encoder 10 does not interfere with each part constituting the bearing cap 7 in a state where the bearing cap 7 is fitted to the outer ring 2. .

  In the encoder 10 according to the present embodiment, the annular portion 14 of the reinforcing ring 11 includes a folded portion 14a that overlaps the connecting annular portion 13 and an extending portion 14b that extends from the folded portion 14a to the outer diameter side. The part 14b is structured to be positioned closer to the cylindrical part 12 in the axial direction than the folded part 14a. The encoder body 15 includes a base portion 16 attached to the folded portion 14a and a signal generating portion 17 attached to the extending portion 14b.

  Therefore, when the encoder main body 15 is attached to the reinforcing ring 11 that is folded back so as to partially overlap, the encoder main body 15 can be formed with a large axial thickness dimension of the signal generator 17. As a result, the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed and the like can be increased. Furthermore, by ensuring a large axial thickness dimension of the signal generator 17 in this way, the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed and the like can be increased, so the axial thickness dimension of the entire encoder body 15 is increased. Therefore, it is possible to save space in the axial direction. Further, if the space saving in the axial direction of the encoder 10 is achieved, the hub bearing 1 can be reduced in size, which can contribute to the weight reduction of the hub bearing 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the encoder-equipped sealing device 30 according to the present invention includes the encoder 10 according to the present invention fitted to the rotating member 5 and the seal lip member 20 fitted to the fixed member 2. These are combined and configured so as to face each other along the direction of the axis L.

The seal lip member 20 is made of rubber that is fixed to and integrated with a core metal 21 that is fitted to an outer ring 2 as a fixing member that constitutes the bearing device 1, and that is elastically contacted with the reinforcing ring 11 of the encoder 10. The elastic member 24 is provided.
The metal core 21 is connected to one end of the cylindrical portion 22 that is fitted (internally fitted) to the inner diameter portion 2b of the outer ring 2 and the wheel side (side toward the bearing space S) of the cylindrical portion 22, and is connected to the inner diameter side. And a flange portion 23 that extends, and has a substantially L-shaped cross section.
The sealing device 30 with the encoder is configured such that the flange portion 23 of the core metal 21 and the annular portion 14b of the reinforcing ring 11 of the encoder 10 are combined so as to face each other along the axis L direction.
Moreover, the magnetic sensor 8 is installed on the vehicle body side of the sealing device 30 with an encoder so as to face the sealing device 30 with an encoder. The magnetic sensor 8 and the sealing device 30 with an encoder constitute a rotation detection device for a wheel (driven wheel) attached to the hub wheel 4.

The elastic member 24 is made of a rubber material, and a seal lip base portion 27 that is fixed and integrated with the core metal 21 by vulcanization molding, and a seal lip (axial lip 25, radial lip 26) extended from the seal lip base portion 27. And.
These seal lips 25 and 26 are configured to be in elastic sliding contact with the reinforcing ring 11 of the encoder 10. In the present embodiment, the axial lip 25 is in elastic sliding contact with the extending portion 14 b of the annular ring portion 14 of the reinforcing ring 11, and the radial lip 26 is in elastic sliding contact with the cylindrical portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 11.

The seal lip base portion 27 wraps around the inner peripheral edge portion 23b from a part of the wheel-side surface 23a (the side facing the bearing space S) of the flange portion 23 of the metal core 21, and covers the entire surface 23c on the vehicle body side of the flange portion 23. It is integrally attached to the cored bar 21 so as to cover it. The seal lip base portion 27 further covers the entire inner diameter surface 22a of the cylindrical portion 22 so as to go around the end portion 22b on the vehicle body side (the side opposite to the bearing space S) and reach the outer diameter surface 22c of the cylindrical portion 22. Further, it is integrally fixed to the cored bar 21.
A portion of the seal lip base portion 27 that reaches the outer diameter surface 22c of the cylindrical portion 22 is an annular protrusion 28 that protrudes toward the outer diameter side. The annular protrusion 28 is configured to be interposed in a compressed state between the inner diameter portion 2 b of the outer ring 2 and the outer diameter surface 22 c of the cylindrical portion 22 in a state where the core metal 21 is fitted in the outer ring 2. .
As described above, the annular protrusion 28 is interposed between the outer ring 2 and the cylindrical part 22 in a compressed state, so that intrusion of muddy water or the like from the outside into the fitting part between the outer ring 2 and the cylindrical part 22 is prevented. The occurrence of rust in this fitting portion is prevented. In FIG. 3, the original shape of the annular protrusion 28 before compression is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In the bearing device 1 equipped with the encoder-equipped sealing device 30 configured as described above, when the driven wheel rotates about the axis L, the inner ring 5 rotates coaxially with the outer ring 2. At this time, the axial lip 25 and the radial lip 26 are in elastic sliding contact with the extended portion 14 b of the annular portion 14 of the reinforcing ring 11 and the cylindrical portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 11, respectively. Thereby, the penetration | invasion in the bearing space S, such as muddy water from the outside, is prevented. Further, leakage of the lubricant filled in the bearing space S is prevented.

The sealing device 30 with an encoder according to the present embodiment includes an encoder 10 in which an encoder body 15 is attached to a reinforcing ring 11 that is folded back so as to partially overlap, and a sealing lip 25 that elastically contacts the reinforcing ring 11. A seal lip member 20 having 26 is provided.
The annular portion 14 constituting the reinforcing ring 11 includes a folded portion 14a that overlaps the connecting annular portion 13 and an extending portion 14b that extends from the folded portion 14a to the outer diameter side. The extending part 14b is structured to be positioned closer to the cylindrical part 12 in the axial direction than the folded part 14a, and the encoder body 15 is stuck to the base part 16 and the extending part 14b that are stuck to the folded part 14a. The signal generator 17 is provided.
Therefore, the encoder 10 having the above-described configuration can increase the accuracy and sensitivity of detection of the rotational speed and the like, and achieve space saving and weight reduction in the axial direction. Further, since the seal lip member 20 is in elastic sliding contact with the reinforcing ring 11, entry of muddy water or the like into the bearing space S is prevented.

In this embodiment, the reinforcing ring 11 includes a cylindrical portion 12 that is externally fitted to the rotating member 5, a connecting ring portion 13 that extends from one end of the cylindrical portion 12 on the vehicle body side toward the inner diameter side, Although it is assumed that the annular ring part 14 is provided by being folded back and extended from the peripheral edge of the connecting annular ring part 13 toward the outer diameter side, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the connecting ring portion 13 extends from one end of the cylindrical portion 12 on the vehicle body side to the outer diameter side, and extends from the peripheral edge of the connecting ring portion 13 toward the inner diameter side so as to be folded back. May be provided to form the reinforcing ring 11.
Further, the shape and dimensions of the constituent parts of the encoder 10 and the seal lip member 20 constituting the sealing device 30 with the encoder, and the shape and dimensions of the bearing cap 7 and the like are limited to those of this embodiment. Instead, various configurations may be used.

1 Bearing device (hub bearing)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Encoder 11 Reinforcement ring 12 Cylindrical part 13 Connection ring part 14 Ring part 14a Folding part 14b Extension part 15 Encoder main body 16 Base part 17 Signal generation part 2 Fixing member (outer ring)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Seal lip member 21 Core metal 22 Cylindrical part 23 Flange part 25,26 Seal lip 30 Sealing device with an encoder 5 Rotating member (inner ring)

Claims (3)

A cylindrical part fitted to the rotating member of the bearing device, a connecting ring part extending from one end of the cylindrical part to one side in the radial direction, and a peripheral edge of the connecting ring part toward the other side in the radial direction An encoder comprising: a reinforcing ring including an annular part that is folded and extended; and an encoder body that is integrally attached to one surface of the annular part,
The annular portion includes a folded portion that overlaps the connecting annular portion and an extending portion that extends in a radial direction from the folded portion, and the extending portion is closer to the cylindrical portion in the axial direction than the folded portion. The encoder is configured to be positioned, and the encoder main body includes a base portion attached to the folded portion and a signal generation portion attached to the extension portion. The encoder according to claim 1, wherein
The encoder is characterized in that the signal generator is formed thicker than the base. A sealing device with an encoder comprising the encoder according to claim 1 or 2,
A cylindrical part fitted to a fixing member constituting the bearing device, a cored bar provided with a flange part connected to one end of the cylindrical part, and an elastic slide on the reinforcing ring integrally fixed to the cored bar. A sealing device with an encoder, comprising: a sealing lip member including a sealing lip, and a ring portion of the reinforcing ring and a flange portion of the core metal facing each other.

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