JP4019650B2

JP4019650B2 - Manufacturing method of wheel bearing unit

Info

Publication number: JP4019650B2
Application number: JP2001149873A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 英男大内; 潤是坂本
Original assignee: NSK Ltd
Current assignee: NSK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-05-18
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2007-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-18
Also published as: JP2002337502A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、自動車の車輪並びにロータ或はドラム等の制動用回転体を支持する車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法の改良に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車の車輪を構成するホイール１及び制動装置であるディスクブレーキを構成するロータ２は、例えば図７に示す様な構造により、懸架装置を構成するナックル３に回転自在に支承している。即ち、このナックル３に形成した円形の支持孔４部分に、本発明の製造方法により製造する対象となる車輪用軸受ユニット５を構成する外輪６を、複数本のボルト７により固定している。一方、上記車輪用軸受ユニット５を構成するハブ８に上記ホイール１及びロータ２を、複数本のスタッド９とナット１０とにより結合固定している。
【０００３】
上記外輪６の内周面には複列の外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂを、外周面には固定側フランジ１２を、それぞれ形成している。この様な外輪６は、この固定側フランジ１２を上記ナックル３に、上記各ボルト７で結合する事により、このナックル３に対し固定している。
【０００４】
これに対して、上記ハブ８の外周面の一部で、上記外輪６の外端開口（外とは、自動車への組み付け状態で幅方向外側となる部分を言い、図３を除く各図の左側。反対に、自動車への組み付け状態で幅方向中央側となる、図３を除く各図の右側を内と言う。）から突出した部分には、回転側フランジ１３を形成している。上記ホイール１及びロータ２はこの回転側フランジ１３の片側面（図示の例では外側面）に、上記各スタッド９とナット１０とにより、結合固定している。又、上記ハブ８の中間部外周面で、上記複列の外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂのうちの外側の外輪軌道１１ａに対向する部分には、内輪軌道１４ａを形成している。更に、上記ハブ８の内端部外周面に形成した小径段部１５に、上記ハブ８と共に回転部材２３を構成する、内輪１６を外嵌固定している。そして、この内輪１６の外周面に形成した内輪軌道１４ｂを、上記複列の外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂのうちの内側の外輪軌道１１ｂに対向させている。
【０００５】
これら各外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂと各内輪軌道１４ａ、１４ｂとの間には、それぞれが転動体である玉１７、１７を複数個ずつ、それぞれ保持器１８、１８により保持した状態で転動自在に設けている。この構成により、背面組み合わせである複列アンギュラ型の玉軸受を構成し、上記外輪６の内側に回転部材２３を、回転自在に、且つ、ラジアル荷重及びスラスト荷重を支承自在に支持している。尚、上記外輪６の両端部内周面と、上記ハブ８の中間部外周面及び上記内輪１６の内端部外周面との間には、それぞれシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを設けて、上記各玉１７、１７を設けた内部空間と外部とを遮断している。更に、図示の例は、駆動輪（ＦＲ車及びＲＲ車の後輪、ＦＦ車の前輪、４ＷＤ車の全輪）用の車輪用軸受ユニット５である為、上記ハブ８の中心部に、スプライン孔２０を形成している。そして、このスプライン孔２０に、等速ジョイント２１のスプライン軸２２を挿入している。
【０００６】
上述の様な車輪用転がり軸受ユニット５の使用時には、図７に示す様に、外輪６をナックル３に固定すると共に、ハブ８の回転側フランジ１３に、図示しないタイヤを組み合わせたホイール１及びロータ２を固定する。又、このうちのロータ２と、上記ナックル３に固定した、図示しないサポート及びキャリパとを組み合わせて、制動用のディスクブレーキを構成する。制動時には、上記ロータ２を挟んで設けた１対のパッドをこのロータ２の制動用摩擦面である両側面に押し付ける。尚、本明細書中で制動用摩擦面とは、制動用回転体がロータである場合には、このロータの軸方向両側面を言い、制動用回転体がドラムである場合には、このドラムの内周面を言う。
【０００７】
一方、自動車の制動時にしばしば、ジャダーと呼ばれる、不快な騒音を伴う振動が発生する事が知られている。この様な振動の原因としては、ロータ２の側面とパッドのライニングとの摩擦状態の不均一等、各種の原因が知られているが、上記ロータ２の振れも、大きな原因となる事が知られている。即ち、このロータ２の側面はこのロータ２の回転中心に対して、本来直角となるべきものであるが、不可避な製造誤差等により、完全に直角にする事は難しい。この結果、自動車の走行時に上記ロータ２の側面は、多少とは言え、回転軸方向（図７の左右方向）に振れる事が避けられない。この様な振れ（図７の左右方向への変位量）が大きくなると、制動の為に１対のパッドのライニングを上記ロータ２の両側面に押し付けた場合に、上記ジャダーが発生する。又、上記回転側フランジ１３の側面にドラムブレーキを構成するドラムを固定した場合に、このドラムの内周面がドラムの回転中心に対して完全に平行でなければ、シューをこの内周面に押し付けた場合にやはりジャダーの如き振動が発生する。
【０００８】
この様な原因で発生するジャダーを抑える為には、上記ロータ２の側面の軸方向の振れ（アキシアル振れ）、又はドラムの内周面の径方向の振れを抑える（向上させる）事が重要となる。そして、この振れを抑える為には、上記ハブ８の回転中心に対する回転側フランジ１３の取付面（上記回転側フランジ１３の片側面）の直角度を向上させる事が重要となる。米国特許明細書第６，０７１，１８０号には、この回転側フランジ１３の取付面の直角度を向上させる為の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法が記載されている。この明細書に記載された車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法の場合、ハブの外周面に設けた回転側フランジの片側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する際に、先ず、この片側面を加工する前のハブを含む、車輪用軸受ユニットの各構成部材を組み立てる。次いで、外輪の外周面に設けた固定側フランジを加工装置の一部に固定してから、スピンドルにより上記ハブを回転させつつ、このハブの外周面に設けた回転側フランジの片側面に研削加工工具を突き当てて、この片側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる。この様な方法により車輪用軸受ユニットを製造した場合には、各構成部材の製造上不可避な寸法誤差や組み付け誤差に拘らず、上記ハブの回転中心に対する回転側フランジの片側面の直角度を向上させる事ができて、この片側面に固定するロータ等の制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面の振れを抑える事ができる。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述した米国特許明細書第６，０７１，１８０号に記載された車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法の場合、上記回転側フランジの片側面に研削加工を施す際の、車輪用軸受ユニットの内部空間への異物進入防止に就いては、特に考慮していない。この為、上記回転側フランジの片側面を研削加工する際に、研削液、砥粒、切り粉等の異物が上記内部空間に進入する可能性がある。又、仮に上記内部空間の両端開口部に、軸受ユニットとして一般的な構造の如くシールリングを装着したとしても、上記砥粒、切り粉は硬い異物である為、シールリングがこの様な異物を噛み込んで損傷したり、このシールリングの損耗が促進される可能性がある。又、シールリングを装着しても、上記異物の上記内部空間への進入を十分に防止できない可能性もある。
本発明の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、この様な事情に鑑みて発明したものである。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明のうち、請求項１〜７に記載した製造方法の対象となる車輪用軸受ユニットは、何れも前述した従来の車輪用軸受ユニットと同様に、外周面に車体に固定する為の固定側フランジを、内周面に外輪軌道を、それぞれ有し、使用時にも回転しない外輪と、外周面に内輪軌道を有し、使用時に回転する回転部材と、上記外輪軌道と内輪軌道との間に設けられた複数個の転動体と、上記回転部材の外端部外周面に設けられて、使用状態でその側面に制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する回転側フランジとを備える。
【００１１】
特に、請求項１に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後、上記回転側フランジの外周面の外径側の周囲をカバーにより覆う事により、上記制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面と、この回転側フランジよりも上記複数個の転動体側の空間との間を遮断した状態で、上記制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
又、請求項２に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上述の請求項１に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法で、上記回転側フランジの外周面で外径が最も大きくなる部分に、その外径が上記固定側フランジの外接円の直径よりも大きい円筒面部を全周に亙り設けると共に、上記カバーを円筒状としており、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後、この外輪の軸方向に関し、上記円筒面部からこの外輪の内端に亙る部分の外径側を、全周に亙って上記カバーにより覆った状態で、制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
【００１２】
更に、請求項３に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上述の請求項２に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法で、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後、この外輪の軸方向に関し、上記円筒面部からこの外輪の内端に亙る部分の外径側を、全周に亙って円筒状のカバーにより覆った状態で、上記回転部材を上記外輪に対し回転させつつ、上記制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
又、請求項４に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上述の請求項３に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法で、上記外輪の内端部に塞ぎ部材を固定した状態で、上記回転部材を上記外輪に対し回転させつつ、上記制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
【００１３】
又、請求項５に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上記回転側フランジの片側面に上記制動用回転体を固定すると共に、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後、上記外輪の内周面と上記回転部材の外周面との間部分で、上記各転動体が存在する内部空間、及び、上記外輪の両端部内周面と、これら両端部内周面と対向する上記回転部材の外周面との間部分を、上記回転部材又は制動用回転体と、外端部をこれら回転部材又は制動用回転体に接触若しくは近接対向させた状態で、上記外輪の軸方向に配置したカバーとにより外部から遮断した状態で、上記制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
【００１４】
又、請求項６に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上述の請求項５に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法で、上記回転側フランジの片側面に上記制動用回転体を固定すると共に、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後、上記外輪の内周面と上記回転部材の外周面との間部分で、上記各転動体が存在する内部空間、及び、上記外輪の両端部内周面と、これら両端部内周面と対向する上記回転部材の外周面との間部分を、上記回転部材又は制動用回転体と、上記カバーとにより外部から遮断した状態で、上記回転部材を上記外輪に対し回転させつつ、上記制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
又、請求項７に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上述の請求項６に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法で、上記カバーの基端寄り部分の内側から空気を送り込んで、上記制動用回転体とカバーとの間を通じて空気をこのカバーの内側から外側に流出させながら、上記回転部材を上記外輪に対し回転させつつ、上記制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
更に、請求項８に記載した製造方法の対象となる車輪用軸受ユニットは、内周面に外輪軌道を有し、使用時にも回転しない外輪と、外周面に内輪軌道を有し、使用時に回転する回転部材と、これら外輪軌道と内輪軌道と間に設けられた複数個の転動体と、上記回転部材の外端部外周面に設けられて、使用状態でその側面に制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する回転側フランジと、上記回転部材の内端部に固定された永久磁石製のエンコーダとを備える。
特に、請求項８に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、上記外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けると共に、上記外輪の内端部に塞ぎ部材を固定して、上記エンコーダを設置した空間を外部から遮断した後、上記回転部材を上記外輪に対し回転させつつ、上記回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。
【００１５】
【作用】
上述の様に構成する本発明の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法のうち、請求項１〜４に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法の場合、外輪と回転部材と複数の転動体とを組み付けた後に、上記回転部材の外周面に設けた、制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面を所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。この為、各構成部材の製造上不可避な寸法誤差や組み付け誤差に拘らず、上記回転部材の回転中心に対する、上記回転側フランジの側面の直角度を高くして、この回転側フランジに固定した制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面の振れを抑える事ができる。しかも、本発明の場合には、上記回転側フランジの側面を加工する際に、この回転側フランジの外周面の外径側の周囲をカバーにより覆う事により、上記制動用回転体及び車輪を結合固定する為の回転側フランジの側面と、この回転側フランジよりも上記複数個の転動体側の空間との間を遮断している。この為、この回転側フランジの側面の加工時に、この回転側フランジの側面の加工時に生じる異物が、複数の転動体を設けた車輪用軸受ユニットの内部空間に進入したり、この内部空間を外部から密封する為に設けた密封部材が上記異物により傷付けられるのを十分に防止できて、車輪用軸受ユニットの耐久性を十分に確保できる。
又、請求項８に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法によれば、上述の請求項１〜４に記載した発明と同様に、寸法誤差や組み付け誤差に拘らず、回転側フランジの側面の直角度を高くできる。しかも、回転側フランジの側面の加工時に、この回転側フランジの側面の加工時に生じる異物が、複数の転動体を設けた車輪用軸受ユニットの内部空間内に進入する事を防止できる。そして、永久磁石であるエンコーダに磁性体の切り粉等の異物が付着するのを防止して、車輪の回転速度検出の精度向上を図れる。
【００１６】
更に、請求項５〜７に記載した車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法によれば、ハブの外周面に設けた回転側フランジと制動用回転体との取付部に存在する、製造上不可避な組み付け誤差が、この制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面の直角度又は平行度の悪化に結び付く事がなくなる。従って、この制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面の振れを十分に抑える事ができる。又、この制動用回転体と上記回転側フランジとの取付部の形状精度を特に向上させる必要がなくなって、上記制動用回転体の振れを抑える為に要するコストを、十分に低く抑える事ができる。しかも、この制動用回転体の制動用摩擦面の加工時に、この加工時に生じる異物が、複数の転動体を設けた車輪用軸受ユニットの内部空間に進入したり、この内部空間を外部から密封する為に設けた密封部材が上記異物により傷付けられるのを十分に防止できて、車輪用軸受ユニットの耐久性を十分に確保できる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１〜３は、請求項１〜４、８に対応する、本発明の実施の形態の第１例を示している。本例の製造方法により造る車輪用軸受ユニット５ａは、外輪６の中間部外周面に、この外輪６をナックル３（図７）に結合固定する為の固定側フランジ１２を設けている。又、上記外輪６の内周面には、複列の外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂを形成している。
【００１８】
又、回転部材２３ａを構成するハブ８ａ及び内輪１６の外周面で、上記各外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂに対向する部分に内輪軌道１４ａ、１４ｂを、それぞれ設けている。即ち、上記ハブ８ａの中間部外周面に直接内輪軌道１４ａを形成すると共に、このハブ８ａの内端寄り部分に形成した小径段部１５に、その外周面に内輪軌道１４ｂを形成した内輪１６を外嵌している。そして、この内輪１６が上記小径段部１５から抜け出るのを防止する為に、上記ハブ８ａの内端部にかしめ部２４を形成している。即ち、上記小径段部１５に上記内輪１６を外嵌した後、上記ハブ８ａの内端部でこの内輪１６の内端面から突出した部分を径方向外方に塑性変形させて上記かしめ部２４を形成し、このかしめ部２４により上記内輪１６の内端面を抑え付けている。この構成により、この内輪１６は、上記ハブ８ａの内端部に外嵌固定される。
【００１９】
又、このハブ８ａの外周面の外端寄り部分で、上記外輪６の外端開口から突出した部分には、車輪を構成するホイール１及び制動用回転体であるロータ２（図５）或はドラムを固定する為の回転側フランジ１３ａを設けている。この回転側フランジ１３ａの円周方向複数個所で、上記ハブ８ａの回転中心をその中心とする同一円周上には、それぞれ取付孔２５を形成し、これら各取付孔２５の内側に複数のスタッド２６の基端部を、それぞれ圧入固定している。
【００２０】
又、上記各外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂと内輪軌道１４ａ、１４ｂとの間には、それぞれが転動体である複数個の玉１７、１７を、それぞれ保持器１８、１８により保持した状態で、転動自在に設けている。尚、上記外輪６の両端部内周面と、上記ハブ８ａの中間部外周面及び上記内輪１６の内端部外周面との間には、１対のシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを設けて、上記各玉１７、１７を設けた内部空間２７と外部とを遮断し、この内部空間２７内に封入したグリースの漏洩防止と、この内部空間２７内への異物の進入防止とを図っている。
【００２１】
更に、本例の場合には、上記１対のシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂのうちの内側のシールリング１９ｂを構成し、前記内輪１６の内端部に外嵌固定した芯金２８の側面に、エンコーダ２９を固定している。このエンコーダ２９は、円周方向に亙ってＳ極とＮ極とを交互に配置したゴム磁石製である。即ち、このエンコーダ２９は、ゴム中にフェライト粉末を混入したゴム磁石を円輪状に形成したもので、軸方向に着磁している。着磁方向は、円周方向に亙って交互に且つ等間隔で変化させている。従って、このエンコーダ２９の内側面には、Ｓ極とＮ極とが、円周方向に亙って交互に且つ等間隔で配置されている。車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの使用時には、上記エンコーダ２９の内側面に、懸架装置の一部等、固定の部分に支持した図示しないセンサの検出部を、微小隙間を介して対向させる。そして、上記エンコーダ２９の回転速度に応じて変化する、上記センサの出力信号を取り出し自在とする。この様なエンコーダ２９とセンサとは、前記ハブ８ａに固定した車輪の回転速度を検出する為の回転速度検出装置を構成する。
【００２２】
そして、本例の場合には、上記ハブ８ａに設けた回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面で、外径が最も大きくなる部分に単一の円筒面部３０を、全周に亙り設けている。又、この円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀を、前記固定側フランジ１２の外接円の直径Ｄ₁₂（図２）よりも大きくしている（Ｄ₃₀＞Ｄ₁₂）。そして、前記ホイール１及びロータ２等を結合固定する為の上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に、所定の状態で旋削加工を施して、この外側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げている。
【００２３】
即ち、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施す場合、先ず、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの各構成部材の各部を、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面を除いて、所定の形状及び寸法に加工する。又、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面は、おおまかな形状及び寸法に加工する。尚、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面に設けた円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀は、上記固定側フランジ１２の外接円の直径Ｄ₁₂よりも大きくする（Ｄ₃₀＞Ｄ₁₂）。次いで、上記車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの各構成部材を、図１に示す状態に組み立てる。即ち、前記外輪６の内周面に設けた外輪軌道１１ａ、１１ｂと上記ハブ８ａ及び内輪１６の外周面に設けた内輪軌道１４ａ、１４ｂとの間に、複数の玉１７、１７を設けた状態で、上記外輪６とハブ８ａと内輪１６と複数の玉１７、１７とを組み立てる。又、上記外輪６の両端部内周面と上記ハブ８ａ及び内輪１６の端部外周面との間に、１対のシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを設ける。又、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに複数のスタッド２６の基端部を固定する。
【００２４】
そして、この状態で、上記外輪６の内端部に塞ぎ部材３１を外嵌固定する。この塞ぎ部材３１は、合成樹脂を射出成形する事により、全体を有底円筒状に造ったものである。即ち、この塞ぎ部材３１は、筒部３２と、この筒部３２の内端（図１、２の右端）を塞ぐ底板部３３とから成る。又、この底板部３３のうち、上記筒部３２と反対側の側面の中心部に、摘み部３４を突設している。又、上記筒部３２は、互いに同心である小径円筒部３５と大径円筒部３６とを、段部３７により連結して成る。この様な塞ぎ部材３１は、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の旋削加工時に、上記小径段部３８に締り嵌めにより外嵌固定する。又、上記筒部３２の中間部に設けた段部３７の外側面を、上記外輪６の内端面に突き当てる。
【００２５】
そして、この状態で、回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施すべき車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを、旋削加工装置３９に設置する。この場合、上記外輪６の外周面の、前記固定側フランジ１２の内側面よりも軸方向内側で、上記小径段部３８の外端よりも軸方向外側に設けた円筒面部４９を、上記旋削加工装置３９を構成するチャック４０の先端部により掴む。又、このチャック４０の先端面（図１、２の左端面）を、上記固定側フランジ１２の内側面の内径寄り部分に突き当てる。尚、本例の場合には、上記チャック４０の先端部内周面を、合成樹脂、アルミニウム、銅等の比較的軟らかい材料から成るスリーブ４１により構成している。そして、上記外輪６の外周面に設けた円筒面部４９を上記チャック４０により掴んだ状態で、この円筒面部４９の外周面が上記スリーブ４０の内周面のみに接触し、この円筒面部４９が傷付けられない様にしている。
【００２６】
更に、本例の場合には、鋼板等の金属板製又は合成樹脂製で、内外両周面が単なる円筒面である円筒状のカバー４２の基端部を、上記旋削加工装置３９の一部に固定している。又、このカバー４２の内径ｄ₄₂（図２）を、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに設けた円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀よりも僅かに大きくしている（ｄ₄₂＞Ｄ₃₀）。上記車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを上記旋削加工装置３９に設置する場合には、前記外輪６の内端部に前記塞ぎ部材３１を固定した上記車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを、上記カバー４２の内側に、上記塞ぎ部材３１を先にした状態で挿入する。そして、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに設けた円筒面部３０の軸方向中間部の外径側から上記塞ぎ部材３１の内端の外径側に亙る部分の周囲を、上記カバー４２により覆う。言い換えれば、上記外輪６の軸方向に関し、上記円筒面部３０からこの外輪６の内端に亙る部分の外径側を、全周に亙って上記カバー４２により覆う。上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外端寄り部分及び前記ハブ８ａの外端寄り部分は、上記カバー４２の内側に挿入せず、このカバー４２の外端から突出させる。
【００２７】
又、本例の場合には、特願２０００−４５４７９号に開示されている車輪用軸受ユニットの場合と同様に、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに前記各スタッド２６を固定した状態で、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に容易に旋削加工を施すべく、工夫している。即ち、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の径方向中間部に、全周に亙る環状の凹部４６を形成している。そして、上記各スタッド２６の基端部を固定する為の複数の取付孔２５の軸方向一端（図１、２の左端）を、上記凹部４６内に開口させている。この凹部４６の径方向に関する幅Ｗ₄₆は、上記各取り付け孔２５の内径ｄ₂₅（図２）よりも大きくしている（Ｗ₄₆＞ｄ₂₅）。上記各スタッド２６の基端部を上記回転側フランジ１３ａに固定した状態で、これら各スタッド２６のうちで上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面から突出した部分（鍔部５０を除く部分）は、図１に鎖線αで示す、上記凹部４６の外周縁を含む仮想円筒面と、同じく鎖線βで示す、内周縁を含む仮想円筒面との間に存在する、（図３の白抜き部分をその断面とする）円筒状の仮想空間内に存在する。
【００２８】
そして、上記ハブ８ａの中心部に設けたスプライン孔２０の内側に上記旋削加工装置３９のスピンドル４３の先端部を、上記ハブ８ａの外端側から挿入し、このスピンドル４３の先端部外周面に設けた雄スプライン部４４と上記スプライン孔２０とをスプライン係合させる。次いで、上記スピンドル４３を回転駆動する事により、上記ハブ８ａをその中心軸を中心に回転させつつ、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面で上記凹部４６を径方向両側から挟む部分（図３の斜格子部分）に、２本の精密加工バイト４５ａ、４５ｂを突き当てて、これら各部分に旋削加工を施す。そして、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる。
【００２９】
上述の様に構成する本例の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法とこの製造方法により得た車輪用軸受ユニットの場合、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの各構成部材を組み付けた後に、ハブ８ａの外周面に設けた、ホイール１及びロータ２を結合固定する為の回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施して、所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる。この為、上記各構成部材の製造上不可避な寸法誤差や組み付け誤差に拘らず、上記ハブ８ａの回転中心に対する、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの側面の直角度を高くして、この回転側フランジ１３ａに固定したロータ２の制動用摩擦面である両側面の振れを抑える事ができる。
【００３０】
しかも、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの側面を加工する際に、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面の外径側の周囲をカバー４２により覆う事により、上記ロータ２及びホイール１を結合固定する為の回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面と、この回転側フランジ１３ａよりも複数個の玉１７、１７側の空間５８との間を遮断している。より具体的には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの側面を加工する際に、軸方向に関し、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面に設けた円筒面部３０から上記外輪６の内端に亙る部分の外径側を、全周に亙って円筒状のカバー４２により覆っている。又、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面で、外径が最も大きくなる部分に、単一の円筒面部３０を設けると共に、この円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀を、固定側フランジ１２の外接円の直径Ｄ₁₂よりも大きくしている（Ｄ₃₀＞Ｄ₁₂）。この為、上記所定の部分の周囲を上記円筒状のカバー４２により覆っても、このカバー４２と上記固定側フランジ１２とが干渉する事を防止できる。しかも、このカバー４２の内周面と上記回転側フランジ１３ａの円筒面部３０の外周面との間の隙間を十分に小さくできる。従って、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の旋削加工時に、旋削加工に伴って生じる切り粉等の異物が、上記複数の玉１７、１７を設けた内部空間２７内に進入したり、各シールリング１９ａ、１９ｂが上記異物により傷付けられるのを、十分に防止できる。従って、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの耐久性を十分に確保できると共に、永久磁石である前記エンコーダ２９に磁性体の切り粉等の異物が付着するのを防止して、上記ハブ８ａに固定した車輪の回転速度検出の精度向上を図れる。尚、上記円筒面部３０に動圧溝を形成し、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの回転に伴ってこの円筒面部３０と上記カバー４２の内周面との間に、このカバー４２の内から外に向かう流れを惹起させれば、上記内部空間２７内への異物進入をより確実に防止できる。
【００３１】
更に、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の旋削加工時に、上記外輪６の内端部に塞ぎ部材３１を外嵌固定している。この為、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの一部周囲を円筒状のカバー３１で覆う事と相俟って、上記外輪６及びハブ８ａの内端側から上記内部空間２７内に異物が進入する事を、より確実に防止できる。又、旋削加工が終了した場合には、旋削加工装置３９から車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを取り外し、更に、上記外輪６の内端部から上記塞ぎ部材３１を取り外す。この様に塞ぎ部材３１を取り外す作業は、作業者がこの塞ぎ部材３１に設けた摘み部３４を引っ張る事により容易に行なえる。しかも、この塞ぎ部材３１を上記外輪６に着脱する作業は、上記旋削加工装置３９から十分に離れた場所で行なえる為、上記内部空間２７内への異物の進入を、十分に防止できる。
【００３２】
尚、本例の場合と異なり、上記塞ぎ部材３１を省略する代わりに、上記旋削加工装置３９の一部に図示しない円筒状の第二のカバーの基端部を固定して、旋削加工を行なう際に、この第二のカバーの先端部を上記外輪６の内端部に外嵌する事もできる。この様にした場合でも、上記塞ぎ部材３１を用いる本例の場合と同様に、上記外輪６及びハブ８ａの内端側から前記内部空間２７内に異物が進入するのを十分に防止できる。尚、この様に第二のカバーを外輪６の内端部に外嵌する場合には、この第二のカバーの外嵌作業を容易に行なえる様にする為に、この第二のカバーを上記外輪６の内端部に隙間嵌めで嵌合する事が好ましい。この様に第二のカバーを外輪に隙間嵌めで嵌合させた場合でも、上記第二のカバーの基端部は上記旋削加工装置３９の一部に固定されている為、作業時に、この第二のカバーが上記外輪６の内端部から外れる事はない。
【００３３】
更に、本例の場合には、上記外輪６の外周面に設けた円筒面部４９を旋削加工装置３９のチャック４０により掴んだ状態で、この円筒面部４９の外周面が、比較的軟らかい材料から成るスリーブ４１の内周面のみに接触する様にしている。上記チャック４０を構成する比較的硬い金属製の部分は、上記円筒面部４９の外周面に接触させない。この為、上記チャック４０を構成する金属製の部分により、上記円筒面部４９が傷付けられるのを防止できて、この円筒面部４９の形状精度を十分に確保できる。この円筒面部４９は、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの使用時に、前記ナックル３の支持孔４（図７）の内側に内嵌する部分であり、この円筒面部４９の形状精度を十分に確保できる事で、上記外輪６の一部を上記支持孔４の内側にがたつきなく内嵌固定する事ができる。従って、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに固定したロータ２の振れを、十分に抑える事ができる。
【００３４】
又、本例の場合には、前記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の径方向中間部に環状の凹部４６を形成し、前記複数のスタッド２６を固定する為の複数の取付孔２５の軸方向一端を、この凹部４６内に開口させている。この為、各精密加工バイト４５ａ、４５ｂによる旋削加工時に、これら各精密加工バイト４５ａ、４５ｂと、上記各取付孔２５に固定したスタッド２６とが干渉する事を防止できる。従って、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに前記複数のスタッド２６を固定した状態で、この回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に施す旋削加工作業を容易に行なえる。しかも、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面で、上記凹部４６を径方向両側から挟む部分のほぼ総てに旋削加工を施す事ができる。この為、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面の一部に、上記旋削加工を施した部分よりも軸方向外側に突出する突部が形成される事をなくせる。従って、上記外側面で上記凹部４６から外れたほぼ総ての部分を平坦面とする事ができて、この外側面に固定したロータ２の振れを十分に抑える事ができる。
【００３５】
次に、図４は、請求項１〜３に対応する、本発明の実施の形態の第２例を示している。本例の場合には、ハブ８ａの中間部外周面に１対の内輪１６、１６を外嵌固定すると共に、これら各内輪１６、１６の外周面に内輪軌道１４ａ、１４ｂを形成している。又、複数の玉１７、１７を設けた内部空間２７を外部から密封する為の１対のシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを、上記各内輪１６、１６の端部外周面と外輪６の両端部内周面との間に設けている。更に、本例の場合には、上記ハブ８ａに設けた回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施す際に、旋削加工を施すべき車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを旋削加工装置３９に装着すると共に、この車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの一部を、鋼板等の金属板製で、全体を円筒状に形成したカバー４２ａにより覆っている。又、このカバー４２ａの先端部に、全周に亙り内径側に突出する内向鍔部４７を形成している。この内向鍔部４７の内径ｄ₄₇は、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面に設けた円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀よりも僅かに大きい（ｄ₄₇＞Ｄ₃₀）。
【００３６】
そして、この内向鍔部４７の内側面（図４の右側面）と上記カバー４２ａの先端部内周面とに、ゴム等の弾性材製のシールリング４８の基端部を、全周に亙り結合している。このシールリング４８の自由状態での内径ｄ₄₈は、上記円筒面部３０の外径Ｄ₃₀よりも僅かに小さくしている（ｄ₄₈＜Ｄ₃₀）。従って、旋削加工を施すべき車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを、上記旋削加工装置３９に設置した状態で、上記シールリング４８の先端縁は上記円筒面部３０の外周面に、全周に亙り弾性的に当接する。
【００３７】
又、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａにスタッド２６（図１〜３参照）を固定しない状態のまま、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施す。又、この旋削加工の際には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの円周方向複数個所にスタッド２６の基端部を固定すべく設けた、取付孔２５の内端開口部に、図示しない適宜の蓋部材を装着して、この取付孔２５を塞ぐ。そして、上記外側面の全体に、１個の精密加工バイト４５ｂにより旋削加工を施して、この外側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる。尚、本例の場合には、次述する様に、上記シールリング４８によりカバー４２ａの内外のシール性を十分に確保できる為、上記旋削加工を行なう際に、外輪６の内端部に塞ぎ部材３１（図１、２参照）を外嵌固定しない。
【００３８】
この様な本例の場合には、旋削加工の際に、上記シールリング４８の先端縁が上記円筒面部３０の外周面に、全周に亙り摺接する為、上記カバー４２ａの先端部内周面と上記円筒面部３０の外周面との間を十分に密封できる。この為、上記旋削加工の際に生じる異物が、複数の玉１７、１７を設けた内部空間２７内に進入する事を、より防止できる。又、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに上記複数のスタッド２６を固定しない状態のまま、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施す為、この旋削加工の際に、上記スタッド２６と上記精密加工バイト４５ｂとの干渉防止を考慮する必要がなくなる。この為、１本の精密加工バイト４５ｂで上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施す事ができると共に、この外側面の径方向中間部に環状の凹部４６（図１〜３参照）を形成する必要がなくなる。
その他の構成及び作用に就いては、上述した第１例の場合と同様である為、重複する説明は省略する。
【００３９】
次に、図５は、請求項５〜７に対応する、本発明の実施の形態の第３例を示している。本例の場合には、ハブ８ａの外周面に設けた回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施した後、この回転側フランジ１３ａの片側面にロータ２を固定した状態で、上記ハブ８ａを回転させつつ、上記ロータ２の制動用摩擦面である軸方向両側面に旋削加工を施して、この両側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げている。即ち、本例の場合には、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面に旋削加工を施して、この外側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げた後、この外側面に上記ロータ２を、複数ずつのスタッド２６とナット５１とにより結合している。この際、このナット５１の基端部外周面に形成した鍔部５２の端面を、上記ロータ２の外側面に押し付けている。又、このロータ２の外周寄り部分の両側面は、このロータ２を製造する過程で、所望の形状に加工している。即ち、これら両側面は、互いに平行にすると共に、上記回転側フランジ１３ａに結合固定する為に、内周寄り部分に設けた結合フランジ部５３の両側面に対しても平行にしている。但し、この結合フランジ部５３の両側面と上記ロータ２の外周寄り部分の両側面との平行度は、あまり厳密でなくても良い。
【００４０】
そして、このロータ２の両側面に旋削加工を施すべき、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの各構成部材を組み立ててから旋削加工装置３９に装着して、上記ロータ２の外周寄り部分の両側面に旋削加工を施して、この両側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げている。特に、本例の場合には、上記旋削加工装置３９の一部に円筒状のカバー４２ｂの基端部を固定している。又、このカバー４２ｂの先端（外端）面にシールリング５４の基端部を、全周に亙り装着している。そして、上記旋削加工時に、上記カバー４２ｂの先端寄り部分の内側に上記車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの一部を挿入すると共に、上記シールリング５４の先端縁を上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外周寄り部分の内側面に、全周に亙り摺接させている。そして、上記外輪６の外端部内周面と外側（図５の左側）の内輪１６の外端部外周面との間部分から、上記外輪６の内端部内周面と内側（図５の右側）の内輪１６の内端部外周面との間部分に亙る部分を、上記ロータ２とカバー４２ｂとにより外部から遮断している。即ち、上記外輪６の内周面と両側の内輪１６、１６の外周面との間部分で、玉１７、１７が存在する内部空間２７、及び、上記外輪６の両端部内周面と上記両内輪１６、１６のそれぞれの端部外周面との間で、シールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを設置した部分を、上記ロータ２と、上記外輪６の軸方向に配置した上記カバー４２ｂとにより外部から遮断している。
【００４１】
又、本例の場合には、上記旋削加工装置３９の一部に、図示しない給気装置を設けると共に、この給気装置に設けたやはり図示しない給気口を、上記カバー４２ｂの基端寄り部分の内側に開口させている。そして、この給気口から上記カバーの内側に、ゲージ圧で（０．５〜４）×１０⁵ Pa程度の空気を送り込んでいる。従って、上記ロータ２の内側面と上記カバー４２ｂに設けたシールリング５４の先端縁との間から空気が外部に流出する為、外部に存在する異物が上記ロータ２の内側面とシールリング５４との間から上記カバー４２ｂの内部に進入する事を確実に防止できる。
【００４２】
そして、上記ハブ８ａの内側にスプライン係合させたスピンドル４３を回転駆動する事により、このハブ８ａを回転させた状態で、上記ロータ２の両側面に精密加工バイト４５ｂ、４５ｂを突き当てて、この両側面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げている。この両側面の旋削加工が終了したならば、前記スタッド２６からナット５１を取り外す。車輪用軸受ユニットの部品メーカーから自動車の完成品メーカーへは、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを、上記スタッド２６から上記ナット５１を取り外した状態で搬送する。従って、上記完成品メーカーでは、上記スタッド２６から上記ナット５１を取り外す手間を要する事なく、上記ロータ２の片側面にホイール１（図７参照）を、容易に取り付ける事ができる。
【００４３】
上述の様に構成する本例の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法とこの製造方法により得た車輪用軸受ユニットによれば、ハブ８ａの外周面に設けた回転側フランジ１３ａとロータ２との取付部に存在する、製造上不可避な組み付け誤差が、このロータ２の被制動面である両側面の直角度の悪化に結び付く事がなくなる。従って、本例の場合には、上述した各例の場合よりも、ロータ２の両側面の振れを、より十分に抑える事ができる。又、このロータ２の結合フランジ部５３及び上記回転側フランジ１３ａの形状精度を特に向上させる必要がなくなって、上記ロータ２の両側面の振れを抑える為に要するコストを、十分に低く抑える事ができる。しかも、本例の場合には、上記ロータ２の両側面の旋削加工時に、外輪６の外端部内周面と外側の内輪１６の外端部外周面との間部分から、上記外輪６の内端部内周面と内側の内輪１６の内端部外周面との間部分に亙る部分、即ち、内部空間２７及びシールリング１９ａ、１９ｂを設置した部分を、上記ロータ２とカバー４２ｂとにより外部から遮断している。この為、上記旋削加工時に生じる異物が、複数の玉１７、１７を設けた車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの上記内部空間２７内に進入したり、この内部空間２７を外部から遮断する為に設けた上記両シールリング１９ａ、１９ｂが上記異物により傷付けられるのを十分に防止できて、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの耐久性を十分に確保できる。
【００４４】
尚、本例の場合には、上記ロータ２の旋削加工時に、上記カバー４２ｂの先端面に結合したシールリング５４の先端縁を、上記ロータ２の内側面に摺接させている。但し、このシールリング５４の先端縁は、回転側フランジ１３ａの側面等、上記ハブ８ａの一部に摺接させる事により、上記所定の部分を外部から遮断する事もできる。又、上記シールリング５４を省略すると共に、上記ロータ２の内側面等に上記カバー４２ｂの先端面を、微小隙間を介して近接対向させた状態で、上記旋削加工を行なう事もできる。この場合でも、上記微小隙間を通じて空気が上記カバー４２ｂの内側から外側に流出する為、この微小隙間を通じて、外部から異物が進入する事を防止できる。
その他の構成及び作用に就いては、上述の図４に示した第２例の場合と同様である為、重複する説明は省略する。
【００４５】
次に、図６は、やはり請求項５〜７に対応する、本発明の実施の形態の第４例を示している。上述した第１〜第３例が、何れも自動車の駆動輪を支持する為の車輪用軸受ユニットに本発明を適用しているのに対して、本例の場合には、自動車の従動輪を支持する為の車輪用軸受ユニットに本発明を適用している。この為、本例の場合には、上述した各例の場合と異なり、ハブ８ｂの中心部に、等速ジョイント２１のスプライン軸２２（図７参照）を挿入する為のスプライン孔２０（図１等参照）を形成していない。
【００４６】
そして、上記ハブ８ｂの外周面に設けた回転側フランジ１３ａの片側面にロータ２を固定した状態で、このロータ２の外周寄り部分の両側面に旋削加工を施している。この際、このロータ２の両側面に旋削加工を施すべき車輪用軸受ユニット５ａを旋削加工装置３９の一部に設置した状態で、外輪６の内端部外周面をチャック４０により掴むと共に、上記ハブ８ｂの外端部外周面を第二のチャック５７により掴む。又、上記ロータ２の内周寄り部分と外周寄り部分との連続部に設けた段部５５の内周面と、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外周面との間に形成した環状空間５６内に、上記旋削加工装置３９の一部にその基端部を固定した、円筒状のカバー４２の先端部を挿入している。そして、上記ロータ２の外径寄り部分及び段部５５の内周面に、上記カバー４２の先端部外周面を、微小隙間を介して近接対向させている。そして、この状態で、上記ハブ８ａを上記第二のチャック５７により回転させつつ、上記ロータ２の両側面に旋削加工を施している。
【００４７】
又、本例の場合には、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの一部を懸架装置の一部に支持すべく、この懸架装置を構成する図示しないナックルの一部に、一端を塞いだ支持孔を設けている。そして、この支持孔の内側に外輪６の内端部を内嵌自在としている。又、上記ナックルの一部にセンサを挿入する為の挿入孔を、一端が上記ナックルの外周面に、他端が上記支持孔の内周面に、それぞれ開口する状態で形成している。そして、車輪用軸受ユニット５ａの使用時には、上記支持孔の内側に上記外輪６の内端部を内嵌固定した状態で、上記挿入孔の内側にセンサを挿入すると共に、このセンサの検出部をエンコーダ２９の内側面に、微小隙間を介して近接対向させる。この状態でこのエンコーダ２９を設けた部分は、外部と遮断される為、使用時に、上記エンコーダ２９の内側面に磁性体である異物が付着したり、複数の玉１７、１７が存在する内部空間２７内に異物が進入する事を防止する為に、上記ハブ８ａの内端部に外嵌固定した内側の内輪１６の内端部外周面と、上記外輪６の内端部内周面との間にシールリング１９ｂ（図１等参照）を設ける必要がなくなる。
【００４８】
上述の様に構成する本例の場合には、カバー４２の一部をロータ２の一部に、微小隙間を介して近接対向させている為、旋削加工時に生じる異物が、上記内部空間２７内に進入する事を防止できると共に、上記カバー４２の一部にシールリング５４（図５参照）を設けて、このシールリング５４の一部を上記ロータ２やハブ８ｂの一部に当接させる必要がなくなる。
その他の構成及び作用に就いては、上述の図５に示した第３例の場合と同様である為、重複する説明は省略する。尚、上述した第３例又は本例の場合に於いて、回転側フランジ１３ａの側面にドラムブレーキを構成するドラムを固定した状態で、このドラムの制動用摩擦面である内周面に旋削加工を施して、この内周面を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる事もできる。そして、この場合には、この内周面の振れを十分に抑える事ができる。
【００４９】
尚、上述した各例に於いては、回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面又はロータ２の両側面等に旋削加工を施して、この外側面等を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる場合に就いて説明したが、本発明は、この様な場合に限定するものではない。本発明は、上記回転側フランジ１３ａの外側面又はロータ２の両側面等に、砥石を用いた研削加工等により、この外側面等を所定の形状及び寸法に仕上げる場合でも実施できる。
【００５０】
【発明の効果】
本発明の車輪用軸受ユニットの製造方法は、以上に述べた通り構成され作用するので、制動時に発生する不快な騒音や振動を十分に抑制できると共に、十分な耐久性の確保を図れる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の第１例の製造方法で、回転側フランジの側面に旋削加工を施す状態を示す断面図。
【図２】図１の部分拡大断面図。
【図３】ハブ及び複数のスタッドを、図１の左方から見た図。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態の第２例を示す、図１に相当する図。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態の第３例を示す、図１に相当する図。
【図６】同じく第４例を示す、図１に相当する図。
【図７】本発明の製造方法により製造する対象となる車輪用軸受ユニットの組み付け状態の１例を示す断面図。
【符号の説明】
１ホイール
２ロータ
３ナックル
４支持孔
５、５ａ車輪用軸受ユニット
６外輪
７ボルト
８、８ａ、８ｂハブ
９スタッド
１０ナット
１１ａ、１１ｂ外輪軌道
１２固定側フランジ
１３、１３ａ回転側フランジ
１４ａ、１４ｂ内輪軌道
１５小径段部
１６内輪
１７玉
１８保持器
１９ａ、１９ｂシールリング
２０スプライン孔
２１等速ジョイント
２２スプライン軸
２３、２３ａ回転部材
２４かしめ部
２５取付孔
２６スタッド
２７内部空間
２８芯金
２９エンコーダ
３０円筒面部
３１塞ぎ部材
３２筒部
３３底板部
３４摘み部
３５小径円筒部
３６大径円筒部
３７段部
３８小径段部
３９旋削加工装置
４０チャック
４１スリーブ
４２、４２ａ、４２ｂカバー
４３スピンドル
４４雄スプライン部
４５ａ、４５ｂ精密加工バイト
４６凹部
４７内向鍔部
４８シールリング
４９円筒面部
５０鍔部
５１ナット
５２鍔部
５３結合フランジ部
５４シールリング
５５段部
５６環状空間
５７第二のチャック
５８空間 [0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a wheel bearing unit for supporting a vehicle wheel and a braking rotator such as a rotor or a drum.Manufacturing methodRegarding improvements.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  A wheel 1 constituting a wheel of an automobile and a rotor 2 constituting a disc brake as a braking device are rotatably supported on a knuckle 3 constituting a suspension device, for example, by a structure as shown in FIG. That is, the circular support hole 4 formed on the knuckle 3Manufacture by manufacturing methodAn outer ring 6 constituting the wheel bearing unit 5 as a target is fixed by a plurality of bolts 7. On the other hand, the wheel 1 and the rotor 2 are coupled and fixed to a hub 8 constituting the wheel bearing unit 5 by a plurality of studs 9 and nuts 10.
[0003]
Double row outer ring raceways 11a and 11b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 6, and a fixed flange 12 is formed on the outer peripheral surface. Such an outer ring 6 is fixed to the knuckle 3 by connecting the fixed flange 12 to the knuckle 3 with the bolts 7.
[0004]
On the other hand, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8 is the outer end opening of the outer ring 6 (outside means a portion that is outside in the width direction when assembled to the automobile, On the contrary, the rotation side flange 13 is formed in a portion protruding from the right side of each drawing excluding FIG. The wheel 1 and the rotor 2 are coupled and fixed to one side surface (outer surface in the illustrated example) of the rotation side flange 13 by the studs 9 and the nuts 10. Further, an inner ring raceway 14a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the hub 8 at a portion of the double row outer ring raceways 11a and 11b that faces the outer outer raceway 11a. Further, an inner ring 16 that constitutes a rotating member 23 together with the hub 8 is externally fitted and fixed to a small diameter step portion 15 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner end portion of the hub 8. The inner ring raceway 14b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 16 is opposed to the inner outer ring raceway 11b of the double row outer ring raceways 11a and 11b.
[0005]
Between each of the outer ring raceways 11a and 11b and each of the inner ring raceways 14a and 14b, a plurality of balls 17 and 17 each serving as a rolling element can be rolled while being held by cages 18 and 18, respectively. Provided. With this configuration, a double-row angular ball bearing that is a combination of the rear surfaces is configured, and the rotating member 23 is rotatably supported on the inner side of the outer ring 6 and can support a radial load and a thrust load. Seal rings 19a and 19b are provided between the inner peripheral surface of both ends of the outer ring 6, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate part of the hub 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner end of the inner ring 16, respectively. , 17 is isolated from the internal space and the outside. Further, since the illustrated example is a wheel bearing unit 5 for driving wheels (rear wheels of FR and RR vehicles, front wheels of FF vehicles, all wheels of 4WD vehicles), a spline is provided at the center of the hub 8. A hole 20 is formed. The spline shaft 22 of the constant velocity joint 21 is inserted into the spline hole 20.
[0006]
When the wheel rolling bearing unit 5 as described above is used, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer ring 6 is fixed to the knuckle 3, and the wheel 1 and the rotor are combined with a rotation side flange 13 of the hub 8 and a tire (not shown). 2 is fixed. A brake disc brake is configured by combining the rotor 2 and the support and caliper (not shown) fixed to the knuckle 3. At the time of braking, a pair of pads provided with the rotor 2 interposed therebetween are pressed against both side surfaces, which are friction surfaces for braking of the rotor 2. In this specification, the braking friction surface means both axial surfaces of the rotor when the braking rotator is a rotor, and this drum when the braking rotator is a drum. Say the inner surface.
[0007]
On the other hand, it is known that vibration with unpleasant noise, called judder, is often generated when a vehicle is braked. There are various known causes of such vibration, such as uneven friction between the side surface of the rotor 2 and the lining of the pad. However, it is known that the vibration of the rotor 2 is also a major cause. It has been. That is, the side surface of the rotor 2 should be perpendicular to the rotation center of the rotor 2, but it is difficult to make it completely perpendicular due to inevitable manufacturing errors. As a result, it is inevitable that the side surface of the rotor 2 swings in the direction of the rotation axis (left-right direction in FIG. 7), although it is somewhat, when the automobile is running. When such deflection (the amount of displacement in the left-right direction in FIG. 7) increases, the judder occurs when the lining of a pair of pads is pressed against both side surfaces of the rotor 2 for braking. Further, when the drum constituting the drum brake is fixed to the side surface of the rotation side flange 13, if the inner peripheral surface of the drum is not completely parallel to the rotation center of the drum, the shoe is attached to the inner peripheral surface. When pressed, vibration like judder is generated.
[0008]
  In order to suppress judder caused by such a cause, it is important to suppress (improve) axial runout (axial runout) of the side surface of the rotor 2 or radial runout of the inner peripheral surface of the drum. Become. In order to suppress this deflection, it is important to improve the perpendicularity of the mounting surface of the rotation side flange 13 (one side surface of the rotation side flange 13) with respect to the rotation center of the hub 8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,180 describes a method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit for improving the perpendicularity of the mounting surface of the rotating flange 13. In the case of the wheel bearing unit manufacturing method described in this specification, when processing one side surface of the rotation side flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub into a predetermined shape and size, first, this one side surface is processed. Assemble each component of the wheel bearing unit including the front hub. Next, the fixed flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring is fixed to a part of the processing apparatus, and then the hub is rotated by the spindle, and grinding is performed on one side of the rotary flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub. The tool is abutted and the one side surface is finished to a predetermined shape and size. When a wheel bearing unit is manufactured by such a method, the perpendicularity of one side surface of the rotation side flange with respect to the rotation center of the hub is improved regardless of the dimensional errors and assembly errors that are unavoidable in manufacturing each component. Such as a rotor fixed to one sideRotating body for brakingThe vibration of the braking friction surface can be suppressed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  In the case of the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 6,071,180, to the inner space of the wheel bearing unit when grinding is performed on one side surface of the rotation side flange. No particular consideration is given to preventing foreign objects from entering. For this reason, when grinding one side of the rotation side flange, foreign substances such as grinding fluid, abrasive grains, and chips may enter the internal space. Even if a seal ring is installed at both end openings of the internal space as in a general structure as a bearing unit, the abrasive grains and chips are hard foreign matters. There is a possibility that it may be bitten and damaged, or wear of this seal ring may be promoted. Moreover, even if a seal ring is attached, there is a possibility that the foreign matter cannot be sufficiently prevented from entering the internal space.
  Wheel bearing unit of the present inventionManufacturing methodWas invented in view of such circumstances.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Of the present inventionAmong these, it becomes the object of the manufacturing method described in claims 1-7.Wheel bearingUnit isThese are the same as the conventional wheel bearing unit described above.InA fixed-side flange for fixing to the vehicle body on the outer peripheral surface, an outer ring raceway on the inner peripheral surface, and an outer ring that does not rotate even when used, and a rotating member that has an inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface and rotates during use And a plurality of rolling elements provided between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway, and provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the rotating member, and a braking rotator and a wheel are coupled to the side surface in use. The rotating flange to be fixedPrepare.
[0011]
  In particular, in the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 1, after assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements, the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating side flange is covered with a cover. Thus, in the state where the side surface of the rotation side flange for coupling and fixing the brake rotating body and the wheel and the space on the plurality of rolling elements side with respect to the rotation side flange is blocked, The side surface of the rotation side flange for coupling and fixing the rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size.
  A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 2 is the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 1 described above, wherein the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating flange is the largest. A cylindrical surface portion having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the fixed-side flange is provided over the entire circumference, and the cover is cylindrical, and the outer ring, the rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements are assembled. ,Regarding the axial direction of this outer ring,Cylindrical surface partFrom the outer diameter side of the outer ring to the inner end of the outer ringIn the state covered with the cover, the side surface of the rotation side flange for coupling and fixing the brake rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size.
[0012]
  Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the wheel bearing unit described in claim 3 is the manufacturing method of the wheel bearing unit described in claim 2 described above, and after assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and the plurality of rolling elements,Regarding the axial direction of this outer ring,Cylindrical surface partFrom the outer diameter side of the outer ring to the inner end of the outer ringWhile the rotary member is rotated with respect to the outer ring while being covered with a cylindrical cover, the side surface of the rotation side flange for coupling and fixing the braking rotator and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size.
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to the third aspect, in which the closing member is fixed to the inner end of the outer ring. While rotating the rotating member with respect to the outer ring, the side surface of the rotating side flange for coupling and fixing the braking rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size.
[0013]
  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wheel bearing unit manufacturing method, after the braking rotator is fixed to one side surface of the rotating side flange, the outer ring, the rotating member, and the plurality of rolling elements are assembled. , Outer ringInner peripheral surfaceAnd the rotating memberOuter peripheral surfaceThe part betweenThe inner space where the rolling elements are present, and the portion between the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring and the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating members facing the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends.A rotating member or a braking rotator,These are the outer edgesTouching or approaching the rotating member or rotating body for brakingLetIn state, Arranged in the axial direction of the outer ringWith coverBlocked from outsideIn this state, the braking friction surface of the braking rotor is processed into a predetermined shape and size.
[0014]
  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to the fifth aspect, wherein the brake rotor is fixed to one side surface of the rotation side flange. And after assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and the plurality of rolling elements, the outer ringInner peripheral surfaceAnd the rotating memberOuter peripheral surfaceThe part betweenThe inner space where the rolling elements are present, and the portion between the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring and the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating members facing the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends.By the rotating member or the rotating body for braking and the cover.Blocked from outsideIn this state, the braking friction surface of the braking rotating body is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member relative to the outer ring.
  A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 7 is the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 6 described above, in which air is fed from the inside of the base end portion of the cover, While rotating the rotating member relative to the outer ring while allowing air to flow from the inside to the outside of the cover through between the brake rotating body and the cover, the braking friction surface of the brake rotating body has a predetermined shape and Process to dimensions.
  Furthermore, the wheel bearing unit that is the object of the manufacturing method according to claim 8 has an outer ring raceway on the inner peripheral surface and an outer ring that does not rotate even when used, and an inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface, and rotates when used. A rotating member, a plurality of rolling elements provided between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway, an outer end outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and a braking rotator and a wheel on the side surface in use. A rotation-side flange for coupling and fixing, and an encoder made of a permanent magnet fixed to the inner end of the rotation member.
  In particular, in the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 8, the encoder is installed by assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements, and fixing a closing member to the inner end of the outer ring. After blocking the space from the outside, the side surface of the rotation side flange is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member with respect to the outer ring.
[0015]
[Action]
  Among the manufacturing methods of the wheel bearing unit of the present invention configured as described above, in the case of the manufacturing method of the wheel bearing unit according to claims 1 to 4, the outer ring, the rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements are assembled. After that, the side surface of the rotation side flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member for connecting and fixing the brake rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size. For this reason, regardless of dimensional errors and assembly errors that are unavoidable in manufacturing each component member, the perpendicularity of the side surface of the rotation side flange with respect to the rotation center of the rotation member is increased, and the brake fixed to the rotation side flange is fixed. The vibration of the braking friction surface of the rotating body can be suppressed. In addition, in the case of the present invention, when processing the side surface of the rotating side flange, the outer periphery of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating side flange is covered with a cover so that the brake rotating body and the wheel are coupled. The space | interval between the side surface of the rotation side flange for fixing and the space of the above-mentioned plurality of rolling elements rather than this rotation side flange is intercepted. For this reason, when processing the side surface of the rotation side flange, foreign matter generated during the processing of the side surface of the rotation side flange enters the internal space of the wheel bearing unit provided with a plurality of rolling elements, or passes this internal space to the outside. It is possible to sufficiently prevent the sealing member provided for sealing from being damaged by the foreign matter, and to sufficiently ensure the durability of the wheel bearing unit.
  Further, according to the method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit described in claim 8, as in the case of the invention described in claims 1 to 4, the side surface of the rotation side flange is directly adjusted regardless of dimensional errors and assembly errors. The angle can be increased. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter generated during processing of the side surface of the rotation side flange from entering the internal space of the wheel bearing unit provided with a plurality of rolling elements when processing the side surface of the rotation side flange. Further, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter such as the magnetic chips from adhering to the encoder, which is a permanent magnet, and improve the accuracy of detecting the rotational speed of the wheel.
[0016]
  Furthermore,Claims 5-7Wheel bearing unit described inManufacturing methodAccording to the present invention, an assembly error that is unavoidable in manufacturing, which is present in the attachment portion between the rotation side flange provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub and the braking rotator, is perpendicular to or parallel to the braking friction surface of the braking rotator. It will not lead to worsening of the degree. Therefore, the vibration of the braking friction surface of the braking rotor can be sufficiently suppressed. Further, it is not necessary to particularly improve the shape accuracy of the mounting portion between the braking rotator and the rotation-side flange, and the cost required to suppress the vibration of the braking rotator can be sufficiently reduced. . In addition, when processing the braking friction surface of the braking rotating body, foreign matter generated during the processing enters the internal space of the wheel bearing unit provided with a plurality of rolling elements or seals the internal space from the outside. Therefore, the sealing member provided for this purpose can be sufficiently prevented from being damaged by the foreign matter, and the durability of the wheel bearing unit can be sufficiently ensured.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  1 to 3 are claims 1 to 4., 8The 1st example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to is shown. The wheel bearing unit 5a manufactured by the manufacturing method of this example is configured such that the outer ring 6 is attached to the knuckle 3 (FIG.) Is provided with a fixed-side flange 12 for coupling and fixing. Further, double-row outer ring raceways 11 a and 11 b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 6.
[0018]
Further, inner ring raceways 14a and 14b are respectively provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the hub 8a and the inner ring 16 constituting the rotating member 23a at portions facing the outer ring raceways 11a and 11b. That is, the inner ring raceway 14a is directly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the hub 8a, and the inner ring 16 having the inner ring raceway 14b formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof is formed on the small diameter step portion 15 formed near the inner end of the hub 8a. It is fitted. In order to prevent the inner ring 16 from coming out of the small diameter step portion 15, a caulking portion 24 is formed at the inner end portion of the hub 8a. That is, after the inner ring 16 is externally fitted to the small-diameter step portion 15, the portion protruding from the inner end surface of the inner ring 16 at the inner end portion of the hub 8a is plastically deformed radially outward to form the caulking portion 24. The inner end surface of the inner ring 16 is held down by the caulking portion 24. With this configuration, the inner ring 16 is externally fitted and fixed to the inner end portion of the hub 8a.
[0019]
Further, a portion near the outer end of the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8a and a portion protruding from the outer end opening of the outer ring 6 includes a wheel 1 constituting a wheel and a rotor 2 (FIG. 5) that is a rotating body for braking. A rotation side flange 13a for fixing the drum is provided. At a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the rotation side flange 13a, mounting holes 25 are formed on the same circumference centered on the rotation center of the hub 8a, and a plurality of studs are formed inside the mounting holes 25. The base end portions of 26 are press-fitted and fixed, respectively.
[0020]
Further, between the outer ring raceways 11a and 11b and the inner ring raceways 14a and 14b, a plurality of balls 17 and 17 each of which is a rolling element are rolled while being held by cages 18 and 18, respectively. It is provided freely. A pair of seal rings 19a and 19b are provided between the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring 6, the intermediate outer peripheral surface of the hub 8a and the inner end outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 16, and The internal space 27 provided with the balls 17 and 17 is shut off from the outside to prevent leakage of grease sealed in the internal space 27 and to prevent foreign matters from entering the internal space 27.
[0021]
Further, in the case of this example, an inner seal ring 19b of the pair of seal rings 19a and 19b is configured, and an encoder is attached to the side surface of the cored bar 28 fitted and fixed to the inner end portion of the inner ring 16. 29 is fixed. The encoder 29 is made of a rubber magnet in which S poles and N poles are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. That is, the encoder 29 is a rubber magnet in which ferrite powder is mixed in rubber and formed in a ring shape, and is magnetized in the axial direction. The magnetization direction is changed alternately and at equal intervals over the circumferential direction. Accordingly, on the inner surface of the encoder 29, the S poles and the N poles are alternately arranged at equal intervals over the circumferential direction. When the wheel bearing unit 5a is used, a detection unit of a sensor (not shown) supported by a fixed part such as a part of a suspension device is opposed to the inner surface of the encoder 29 via a minute gap. Then, the output signal of the sensor, which changes according to the rotation speed of the encoder 29, can be taken out freely. Such an encoder 29 and sensor constitute a rotational speed detection device for detecting the rotational speed of the wheel fixed to the hub 8a.
[0022]
  AndThis exampleIn this case, a single cylindrical surface portion 30 is provided over the entire periphery of the outer peripheral surface of the rotation-side flange 13a provided in the hub 8a at a portion where the outer diameter is the largest. Also, the outer diameter D of this cylindrical surface portion 30₃₀The diameter D of the circumscribed circle of the fixed flange 12₁₂It is larger than (Fig. 2) (D₃₀> D₁₂). Then, the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a for connecting and fixing the wheel 1 and the rotor 2 and the like is turned in a predetermined state, and the outer surface is finished into a predetermined shape and size.
[0023]
That is, when turning the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a, first, each part of each component of the wheel bearing unit 5a is formed into a predetermined shape and size except for the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a. Process. Further, the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a is processed into a rough shape and size. In addition, the outer diameter D of the cylindrical surface part 30 provided in the outer peripheral surface of the said rotation side flange 13a₃₀Is the diameter D of the circumscribed circle of the fixed flange 12₁₂Larger than (D₃₀> D₁₂). Next, the components of the wheel bearing unit 5a are assembled in the state shown in FIG. That is, a state in which a plurality of balls 17, 17 are provided between the outer ring raceways 11 a, 11 b provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 and the inner ring raceways 14 a, 14 b provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the hub 8 a and the inner ring 16. Then, the outer ring 6, the hub 8a, the inner ring 16, and the plurality of balls 17, 17 are assembled. A pair of seal rings 19a and 19b are provided between the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring 6 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the hub 8a and the inner ring 16. Further, the base end portions of the plurality of studs 26 are fixed to the rotation side flange 13a.
[0024]
In this state, the closing member 31 is fitted and fixed to the inner end of the outer ring 6. The closing member 31 is formed as a whole with a bottomed cylinder by injection molding a synthetic resin. That is, the closing member 31 includes a cylindrical portion 32 and a bottom plate portion 33 that closes an inner end (right end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the cylindrical portion 32. Further, a knob portion 34 is projected from the bottom plate portion 33 at the center of the side surface opposite to the cylindrical portion 32. The cylindrical portion 32 is formed by connecting a small diameter cylindrical portion 35 and a large diameter cylindrical portion 36 which are concentric with each other by a step portion 37. Such a closing member 31 is externally fixed to the small-diameter step portion 38 by an interference fit during turning of the outer surface of the rotation-side flange 13a. Further, the outer surface of the stepped portion 37 provided at the intermediate portion of the cylindrical portion 32 is abutted against the inner end surface of the outer ring 6.
[0025]
In this state, the wheel bearing unit 5a to be turned on the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a is installed in the turning device 39. In this case, a cylindrical surface portion 49 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 on the inner side in the axial direction with respect to the inner surface of the fixed flange 12 and on the outer side in the axial direction with respect to the outer end of the small-diameter stepped portion 38. It is gripped by the tip of the chuck 40 constituting the device 39. Further, the front end surface of the chuck 40 (the left end surface in FIGS. 1 and 2) is abutted against a portion closer to the inner diameter of the inner surface of the fixed flange 12. In the case of this example, the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the chuck 40 is constituted by a sleeve 41 made of a relatively soft material such as synthetic resin, aluminum, or copper. Then, with the cylindrical surface portion 49 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 gripped by the chuck 40, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 49 contacts only the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 40, and the cylindrical surface portion 49 is damaged. I try not to do it.
[0026]
  Further, in the case of this example, a base end portion of a cylindrical cover 42 made of a metal plate such as a steel plate or a synthetic resin and having both inner and outer peripheral surfaces being simply cylindrical surfaces is used as a part of the turning device 39. It is fixed to. The inner diameter d of the cover 42₄₂(FIG. 2), the outer diameter D of the cylindrical surface portion 30 provided on the rotation side flange 13a.₃₀Slightly larger than (d₄₂> D₃₀). When the wheel bearing unit 5a is installed in the turning device 39, the wheel bearing unit 5a in which the closing member 31 is fixed to the inner end of the outer ring 6 is placed inside the cover 42. The closing member 31 is inserted in the first state. The cover 42 covers the periphery of the portion extending from the outer diameter side of the axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical surface portion 30 provided on the rotation side flange 13a to the outer diameter side of the inner end of the closing member 31.In other words, with respect to the axial direction of the outer ring 6, the outer diameter side of the portion extending from the cylindrical surface portion 30 to the inner end of the outer ring 6 is covered with the cover 42 over the entire circumference.The portion near the outer end of the rotation side flange 13a and the portion near the outer end of the hub 8a are not inserted inside the cover 42 but protrude from the outer end of the cover 42.
[0027]
In the case of this example, as in the case of the wheel bearing unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-45479, the rotation side flange is fixed with the studs 26 fixed to the rotation side flange 13a. It is devised to easily turn the outer surface of 13a. That is, in the case of this example, an annular recess 46 is formed over the entire circumference in the radially intermediate portion of the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a. And the axial direction one end (left end of FIG. 1, 2) of the some attachment hole 25 for fixing the base end part of each said stud 26 is opened in the said recessed part 46. As shown in FIG. Width W in the radial direction of the recess 46₄₆Is the inner diameter d of each mounting hole 25_{twenty five}Larger than (Fig. 2) (W₄₆> D_{twenty five}). In a state where the base end portion of each stud 26 is fixed to the rotation side flange 13a, a portion (a portion excluding the flange portion 50) protruding from the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a in each of the studs 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1 exists between a virtual cylindrical surface including the outer peripheral edge of the concave portion 46 indicated by a chain line α and a virtual cylindrical surface including the inner peripheral edge, also indicated by a chain line β (the white portion in FIG. It exists in a cylindrical virtual space.
[0028]
Then, the tip end of the spindle 43 of the turning device 39 is inserted from the outer end side of the hub 8a inside the spline hole 20 provided at the center of the hub 8a. The provided male spline portion 44 and the spline hole 20 are spline-engaged. Next, by rotating the spindle 43, the hub 8a is rotated about its central axis while the recess 46 is sandwiched from both sides in the radial direction on the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a (slanted in FIG. 3). Two precision machining tools 45a and 45b are abutted against the grid portion), and each of these parts is turned. Then, the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a is finished to a predetermined shape and size.
[0029]
  Configure as aboveThis exampleIn the case of the wheel bearing unit manufacturing method and the wheel bearing unit obtained by this manufacturing method, the wheel 1 and the rotor 2 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8a after assembling the constituent members of the wheel bearing unit 5a. The outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a for coupling and fixing is turned to finish it in a predetermined shape and size. For this reason, regardless of dimensional errors and assembly errors that are unavoidable in manufacturing the respective components, the squareness of the side surface of the rotation side flange 13a with respect to the rotation center of the hub 8a is increased, and the rotation side flange 13a It is possible to suppress the shake of both side surfaces which are the friction surfaces for braking the fixed rotor 2.
[0030]
  In addition, in the case of this example, when the side surface of the rotation side flange 13a is processed, the periphery of the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange 13a is covered with a cover 42, whereby the rotor 2 and the wheel 1 are covered. Between the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a for fixing and fixing the plurality of balls 17 and the space 58 on the side of the rotation side flange 13a. More specifically, when processing the side surface of the rotation side flange 13a,Regarding the axial direction,Cylindrical surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange 13aFrom 30Of the outer ring 6On the inner edgeOf the scolding partOuter diameter sideThe, All aroundCovered by a cylindrical cover 42. In addition, a single cylindrical surface portion 30 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange 13a at a portion where the outer diameter is the largest, and the outer diameter D of the cylindrical surface portion 30 is provided.₃₀The diameter D of the circumscribed circle of the fixed flange 12₁₂Larger than (D₃₀> D₁₂). For this reason, even if the periphery of the predetermined portion is covered with the cylindrical cover 42, it is possible to prevent the cover 42 and the fixed flange 12 from interfering with each other. In addition, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the cover 42 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 30 of the rotation-side flange 13a can be made sufficiently small. Accordingly, when turning the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a, foreign matter such as chips generated in the turning process enters into the internal space 27 provided with the plurality of balls 17, 17, and each seal ring. It can fully prevent 19a, 19b being damaged by the said foreign material. Accordingly, the durability of the wheel bearing unit 5a can be sufficiently ensured, and the encoder 29, which is a permanent magnet, can be prevented from adhering foreign matter such as magnetic chips to the encoder 8 which is fixed to the hub 8a. The accuracy of rotation speed detection can be improved. In addition, a dynamic pressure groove is formed in the cylindrical surface portion 30, and the inside of the cover 42 is directed outwardly between the cylindrical surface portion 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover 42 as the rotation-side flange 13 a rotates. If you trigger the flow,Above spaceIt is possible to more reliably prevent the entry of foreign matter into 27.
[0031]
  Furthermore,This exampleIn this case, the closing member 31 is externally fitted and fixed to the inner end portion of the outer ring 6 during the turning process of the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a. For this reason, in combination with covering a part of the periphery of the wheel bearing unit 5a with the cylindrical cover 31, foreign matter enters the inner space 27 from the inner end side of the outer ring 6 and the hub 8a. Can be prevented more reliably. When the turning process is completed, the wheel bearing unit 5 a is removed from the turning apparatus 39, and the closing member 31 is removed from the inner end of the outer ring 6. The operation of removing the closing member 31 in this way can be easily performed by the operator pulling the knob 34 provided on the closing member 31. In addition, since the work of attaching / detaching the closing member 31 to / from the outer ring 6 can be performed at a location sufficiently away from the turning device 39, entry of foreign matters into the internal space 27 can be sufficiently prevented.
[0032]
Unlike the case of this example, instead of omitting the closing member 31, a base end portion of a cylindrical second cover (not shown) is fixed to a part of the turning device 39 to perform turning. In this case, the tip end portion of the second cover can be externally fitted to the inner end portion of the outer ring 6. Even in this case, it is possible to sufficiently prevent foreign matter from entering the inner space 27 from the inner end side of the outer ring 6 and the hub 8a as in the case of this example using the closing member 31. When the second cover is externally fitted to the inner end portion of the outer ring 6, the second cover is attached so that the external cover can be easily fitted. It is preferable to fit the inner end of the outer ring 6 with a clearance fit. Even when the second cover is fitted to the outer ring with a clearance fit in this way, the base end portion of the second cover is fixed to a part of the turning device 39. The second cover does not come off from the inner end of the outer ring 6.
[0033]
  Further, in the case of this example, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 49 is made of a relatively soft material in a state where the cylindrical surface portion 49 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 is gripped by the chuck 40 of the turning device 39. Only the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 41 is brought into contact. The relatively hard metal portion constituting the chuck 40 is not brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 49. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical surface portion 49 from being damaged by the metal portion that constitutes the chuck 40, and the shape accuracy of the cylindrical surface portion 49 can be sufficiently secured. The cylindrical surface portion 49 is formed on the support hole 4 (the knuckle 3) when the wheel bearing unit 5a is used.FIG.), And the cylindrical surface portion 49 can have sufficient shape accuracy so that a part of the outer ring 6 can be fitted and fixed inside the support hole 4 without rattling. it can. Therefore, the runout of the rotor 2 fixed to the rotation side flange 13a can be sufficiently suppressed.
[0034]
In the case of this example, an annular recess 46 is formed in the radially intermediate portion of the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a, and one end in the axial direction of the plurality of mounting holes 25 for fixing the plurality of studs 26. Is opened in the recess 46. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the precision machining tools 45a and 45b from interfering with the studs 26 fixed to the mounting holes 25 when turning with the precision machining tools 45a and 45b. Therefore, in a state where the plurality of studs 26 are fixed to the rotation side flange 13a, the turning work applied to the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a can be easily performed. In addition, it is possible to perform turning on almost all the portions sandwiching the concave portion 46 from both radial sides on the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the formation of a protrusion that protrudes outward in the axial direction from the portion subjected to the turning process on a part of the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a. Therefore, almost all portions of the outer surface that are out of the recess 46 can be made flat, and the vibration of the rotor 2 fixed to the outer surface can be sufficiently suppressed.
[0035]
  Next, FIG.Claims 1-3The 2nd example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to is shown. In the case of this example, a pair of inner rings 16, 16 are fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the hub 8a, and inner ring raceways 14a, 14b are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of these inner rings 16, 16. Also, a pair of seal rings 19a and 19b for sealing the internal space 27 provided with the plurality of balls 17 and 17 from the outside are provided with outer peripheral surfaces at the ends of the inner rings 16 and 16 and inner peripheral surfaces at both ends of the outer ring 6. Between. Further, in the case of this example, when turning the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a provided in the hub 8a, the wheel bearing unit 5a to be turned is mounted on the turning device 39, and A part of the wheel bearing unit 5a is covered with a cover 42a made of a metal plate such as a steel plate and formed entirely in a cylindrical shape. In addition, an inward flange portion 47 is formed at the tip end portion of the cover 42a so as to protrude to the inner diameter side over the entire circumference. The inner diameter d of the inward flange 47₄₇Is the outer diameter D of the cylindrical surface portion 30 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange 13a.₃₀Slightly larger than (d₄₇> D₃₀).
[0036]
Then, the base end portion of the seal ring 48 made of an elastic material such as rubber is joined to the entire inner periphery of the inner side surface (right side surface in FIG. 4) of the inward flange portion 47 and the inner peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the cover 42a. is doing. The inner diameter d of the seal ring 48 in a free state₄₈Is the outer diameter D of the cylindrical surface portion 30₃₀Slightly smaller than (d₄₈<D₃₀). Accordingly, with the wheel bearing unit 5a to be turned installed in the turning device 39, the tip edge of the seal ring 48 is elastically applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 30 over the entire circumference. Touch.
[0037]
In the case of this example, the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a is turned while the stud 26 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is not fixed to the rotation side flange 13a. In this turning process, an appropriate lid (not shown) is provided at the inner end opening of the mounting hole 25 provided to fix the base end of the stud 26 at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the rotation side flange 13a. A member is mounted to close the mounting hole 25. Then, the entire outer surface is turned with one precision cutting tool 45b, and the outer surface is finished to a predetermined shape and size. In the case of this example, as will be described below, the sealing ring 48 can sufficiently secure the sealing performance inside and outside the cover 42a, so that the inner end portion of the outer ring 6 is closed when the turning process is performed. The member 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is not externally fixed.
[0038]
In the case of this example, the tip edge of the seal ring 48 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical surface portion 30 over the entire circumference during turning, so that the tip end inner peripheral surface of the cover 42a and The space between the cylindrical surface portion 30 and the outer peripheral surface can be sufficiently sealed. For this reason, it can prevent more that the foreign material produced in the said turning process approachs into the internal space 27 which provided the some balls 17 and 17. FIG. In the case of this example, the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a is turned while the plurality of studs 26 are not fixed to the rotation side flange 13a. There is no need to consider interference between the stud 26 and the precision machining tool 45b. For this reason, it is possible to turn the outer surface of the rotating side flange 13a with a single precision machining tool 45b, and an annular recess 46 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) in the radially intermediate portion of the outer surface. No need to form.
Since other configurations and operations are the same as in the case of the first example described above, a duplicate description is omitted.
[0039]
  Next, FIG.Claims 5-7The 3rd example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to is shown. In the case of this example, after turning the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8a, the hub 8a is fixed with the rotor 2 fixed to one side surface of the rotation side flange 13a. , While turning, both side surfaces in the axial direction, which are braking friction surfaces of the rotor 2, are turned into a predetermined shape and dimensions. That is, in the case of this example, after turning the outer surface of the rotation side flange 13a and finishing the outer surface to a predetermined shape and size, the rotor 2 is placed on the outer surface. The stud 26 and the nut 51 are connected. At this time, the end surface of the flange portion 52 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion of the nut 51 is pressed against the outer surface of the rotor 2. Further, both side surfaces of the portion near the outer periphery of the rotor 2 are processed into a desired shape in the process of manufacturing the rotor 2. That is, these both side surfaces are made parallel to each other, and are also made parallel to both side surfaces of the coupling flange portion 53 provided on the inner peripheral portion in order to be coupled and fixed to the rotation side flange 13a. However, the parallelism between the both side surfaces of the coupling flange portion 53 and the both side surfaces of the outer peripheral portion of the rotor 2 may not be very strict.
[0040]
  Then, each component of the wheel bearing unit 5a to be turned on both sides of the rotor 2 is assembled and then mounted on the turning device 39, and turning is performed on both sides near the outer periphery of the rotor 2. Thus, both side surfaces are finished to a predetermined shape and size. In particular, in the case of this example, the base end portion of the cylindrical cover 42 b is fixed to a part of the turning device 39. The tip of the cover 42b(Outer end)The base end portion of the seal ring 54 is attached to the surface over the entire circumference. During the turning process, a part of the wheel bearing unit 5a is inserted inside the portion near the tip of the cover 42b, and the tip edge of the seal ring 54 is placed inside the portion near the outer periphery of the rotation side flange 13a. It is in sliding contact with the entire side. Then, from the portion between the inner peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the outer ring 6 and the outer peripheral portion of the outer end portion of the inner ring 16 on the outer side (left side in FIG. 5), the inner end portion inner peripheral surface and the inner side (right side in FIG. 5). ) Between the inner ring 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 16 is blocked from the outside by the rotor 2 and the cover 42b.That is, the inner space 27 where the balls 17, 17 exist between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the inner rings 16, 16 on both sides, and the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring 6 and the both inner rings. The portions where the seal rings 19a and 19b are installed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the end portions of 16 and 16 are cut off from the outside by the rotor 2 and the cover 42b arranged in the axial direction of the outer ring 6. Yes.
[0041]
  In the case of this example, a part of the turning device 39 is not shown.Air supply deviceAnd provide thisAir supply deviceAn air supply port (not shown) provided on the inside of the cover 42b is opened inside the portion near the base end of the cover 42b. And, from this air inlet to the inside of the cover, the gauge pressure is (0.5-4) × 10^Five Air of about Pa is sent. Accordingly, since air flows out from between the inner surface of the rotor 2 and the tip edge of the seal ring 54 provided on the cover 42b, foreign matter existing outside the inner surface of the rotor 2 and the seal ring 54 It is possible to reliably prevent the inside of the cover 42b from entering between.
[0042]
Then, by rotating the spindle 43 that is spline-engaged with the inside of the hub 8a, the precision machining tools 45b and 45b are abutted against both side surfaces of the rotor 2 while the hub 8a is rotated. Both side surfaces are finished to a predetermined shape and size. When the turning of both side surfaces is completed, the nut 51 is removed from the stud 26. From the wheel bearing unit parts manufacturer to the finished vehicle manufacturer, the wheel bearing unit 5a is conveyed with the nut 51 removed from the stud 26. Therefore, the finished product manufacturer can easily attach the wheel 1 (see FIG. 7) to one side of the rotor 2 without the need to remove the nut 51 from the stud 26.
[0043]
  According to the manufacturing method of the wheel bearing unit of the present example configured as described above and the wheel bearing unit obtained by this manufacturing method, the mounting portion between the rotation side flange 13a and the rotor 2 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8a. The assembly error that is unavoidable in manufacturing does not lead to the deterioration of the squareness of both side surfaces that are the braked surfaces of the rotor 2. Therefore, in the case of this example, it is possible to more sufficiently suppress the shake of both side surfaces of the rotor 2 than in the case of each example described above. In addition, it is not necessary to particularly improve the shape accuracy of the coupling flange portion 53 of the rotor 2 and the rotation side flange 13a, and the cost required to suppress the deflection of both side surfaces of the rotor 2 can be suppressed sufficiently low. it can. In addition, in the case of this example, during the turning of both side surfaces of the rotor 2, the inner ring of the outer ring 6 is formed from the portion between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 16 of the outer ring 6. A portion extending between the inner peripheral surface of the end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the inner end portion of the inner inner ring 16That is, the portion where the internal space 27 and the seal rings 19a and 19b are installedIs blocked from the outside by the rotor 2 and the cover 42b. For this reason, the foreign matter generated at the time of the turning process of the wheel bearing unit 5 a provided with the plurality of balls 17, 17 isthe aboveProvided to enter the internal space 27 or to block the internal space 27 from the outsideBoth aboveThe seal rings 19a and 19b can be sufficiently prevented from being damaged by the foreign matter, and the durability of the wheel bearing unit 5a can be sufficiently ensured.
[0044]
In the case of this example, the tip edge of the seal ring 54 coupled to the tip surface of the cover 42b is brought into sliding contact with the inner surface of the rotor 2 when the rotor 2 is turned. However, the predetermined edge of the seal ring 54 can be blocked from the outside by being brought into sliding contact with a part of the hub 8a such as the side surface of the rotation side flange 13a. Further, while the seal ring 54 is omitted, the turning process can be performed in a state where the front end surface of the cover 42b is closely opposed to the inner surface of the rotor 2 through a minute gap. Even in this case, air flows out from the inside to the outside of the cover 42b through the minute gap, so that foreign matters can be prevented from entering through the minute gap.
Since other configurations and operations are the same as in the case of the second example shown in FIG. 4 described above, a duplicate description is omitted.
[0045]
  Next, FIG.Claims 5-7The 4th example of an embodiment of the invention corresponding to is shown. In the first to third examples described above, the present invention is applied to a wheel bearing unit for supporting a driving wheel of an automobile, whereas in the case of this example, a driven wheel of an automobile is used. The present invention is applied to a wheel bearing unit for supporting. For this reason, in the case of this example, unlike the case of each example described above, the spline hole 20 (FIG. 1) for inserting the spline shaft 22 (see FIG. 7) of the constant velocity joint 21 into the center of the hub 8b. Etc.) is not formed.
[0046]
Then, in a state where the rotor 2 is fixed to one side surface of the rotation side flange 13a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hub 8b, turning is performed on both side surfaces near the outer periphery of the rotor 2. At this time, with the wheel bearing unit 5a to be turned on both sides of the rotor 2 being installed in a part of the turning device 39, the outer peripheral surface of the inner end of the outer ring 6 is gripped by the chuck 40, and The outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the hub 8 b is gripped by the second chuck 57. Further, in the annular space 56 formed between the inner peripheral surface of the step portion 55 provided in the continuous portion between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the rotor 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange 13a, A distal end portion of a cylindrical cover 42 having a proximal end portion fixed to a part of the turning device 39 is inserted. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the cover 42 is placed close to and opposed to the portion near the outer diameter of the rotor 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the step portion 55 via a minute gap. In this state, the hub 8a is rotated by the second chuck 57, and the both sides of the rotor 2 are turned.
[0047]
In the case of this example, in order to support a part of the wheel bearing unit 5a on a part of the suspension device, a support hole with one end closed is provided in a part of a knuckle (not shown) constituting the suspension device. ing. The inner end of the outer ring 6 can be fitted inside the support hole. An insertion hole for inserting a sensor into a part of the knuckle is formed in a state where one end is opened on the outer peripheral surface of the knuckle and the other end is opened on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole. When the wheel bearing unit 5a is used, a sensor is inserted into the insertion hole with the inner end of the outer ring 6 fitted and fixed inside the support hole, and the detection portion of the sensor is The inner surface of the encoder 29 is brought close to and opposed to each other through a minute gap. In this state, the portion where the encoder 29 is provided is cut off from the outside, so that when used, a foreign substance that is a magnetic substance adheres to the inner surface of the encoder 29 or an internal space where a plurality of balls 17 and 17 are present. In order to prevent foreign matter from entering the inner ring 27, the outer peripheral surface of the inner end 16 of the inner ring 16 fitted and fixed to the inner end of the hub 8a and the inner peripheral surface of the inner end of the outer ring 6 are separated. There is no need to provide a seal ring 19b (see FIG. 1).
[0048]
In the case of this example configured as described above, a part of the cover 42 is made to face and oppose a part of the rotor 2 via a minute gap, so that foreign matter generated during the turning process is generated in the internal space 27. It is necessary to provide a seal ring 54 (see FIG. 5) on a part of the cover 42 and to bring a part of the seal ring 54 into contact with a part of the rotor 2 and the hub 8b. Disappears.
Other configurations and operations are the same as in the case of the third example shown in FIG. 5 described above, and a duplicate description is omitted. In the case of the third example or the present example described above, the inner peripheral surface, which is a frictional surface for braking the drum, is turned while the drum constituting the drum brake is fixed to the side surface of the rotation side flange 13a. The inner peripheral surface can be finished to a predetermined shape and size. In this case, the fluctuation of the inner peripheral surface can be sufficiently suppressed.
[0049]
In each of the above-described examples, the case where the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a or both side surfaces of the rotor 2 is turned to finish the outer side surface to a predetermined shape and size has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. The present invention can be carried out even when the outer side surface of the rotation side flange 13a or the both side surfaces of the rotor 2 is finished to a predetermined shape and size by grinding using a grindstone.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
  Wheel bearing unit of the present inventionManufacturing methodSince it is configured and operates as described above, unpleasant noise and vibration generated during braking can be sufficiently suppressed, and sufficient durability can be ensured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a first example of an embodiment of the present invention;In the manufacturing method, Turning the side of the rotating flangeTheFIG.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view of a hub and a plurality of studs as viewed from the left in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing a second example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing a third example of the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 6]Fourth exampleThe figure corresponding to FIG.
[Fig. 7] of the present invention.Manufacture by manufacturing methodSectional drawing which shows one example of the assembly | attachment state of the wheel bearing unit used as object.
[Explanation of symbols]
    1 wheel
    2 Rotor
    3 Knuckles
    4 Support holes
    5, 5a Wheel bearing unit
    6 Outer ring
    7 volts
    8, 8a, 8b hub
    9 Stud
  10 nuts
  11a, 11b Outer ring raceway
  12 Fixed flange
  13, 13a Rotation side flange
  14a, 14b Inner ring raceway
  15 Small diameter step
  16 Inner ring
  17 balls
  18 Cage
  19a, 19b Seal ring
  20 Spline hole
  21 Constant velocity joint
  22 Spline shaft
  23, 23a Rotating member
  24 Caulking part
  25 Mounting hole
  26 Stud
  27 Internal space
  28 cored bar
  29 Encoder
  30 Cylindrical surface
  31 Blocking member
  32 Tube
  33 Bottom plate
  34 Picking section
  35 Small diameter cylindrical part
  36 Large diameter cylindrical part
  37 steps
  38 Small diameter step
  39 Turning equipment
  40 chuck
  41 sleeve
  42, 42a, 42b Cover
  43 spindle
  44 Male spline section
  45a, 45b Precision machining tool
  46 recess
  47 Inward head
  48 seal ring
  49 Cylindrical surface
  50 buttocks
  51 nuts
  52 Buttocks
  53 Connecting flange
  54 Seal ring
  55 steps
  56 Annular space
  57 Second chuck
  58 space

Claims

A fixed flange for fixing to the vehicle body on the outer peripheral surface, an outer ring raceway on the inner peripheral surface, and an outer ring that does not rotate during use, and a rotating member that has an inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface and rotates during use. A plurality of rolling elements provided between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway, and provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the rotating member, and the braking rotator and the wheel are fixedly coupled to the side surface in use. A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit including a rotating flange that covers the outer diameter side of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating flange after assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements. In the state where the space between the side surface of the rotating side flange for coupling and fixing the braking rotating body and the wheel and the space on the plurality of rolling elements side with respect to the rotating side flange is shut off, Coupling and fixing the brake rotor and wheels Method of manufacturing a wheel bearing unit for processing the side surface of the rotation-side flange for a predetermined shape and dimensions.

A cylindrical surface portion (30) having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the fixed side flange (12) is provided over the entire circumference at the portion having the largest outer diameter on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation side flange (13a) . The cover (42, 42a) has a cylindrical shape. After the outer ring (6) , the rotating member (23a), and the plurality of rolling elements (17) are assembled , the cylindrical surface portion ( 30) to the inner end of the outer ring (6), the outer diameter side of the outer ring (6) is covered with the cover (42, 42a) over the entire circumference, and the braking rotator (2) and the wheel are combined. The method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 1, wherein the side surface of the rotation side flange (13a) for fixing is processed into a predetermined shape and size.

After assembling the outer ring, the rotating member, and the plurality of rolling elements, with respect to the axial direction of the outer ring, the outer diameter side of the portion extending from the cylindrical surface portion to the inner end of the outer ring is covered with a cylindrical cover over the entire circumference. The side surface of the rotating side flange for coupling and fixing the braking rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member with respect to the outer ring in a covered state. Manufacturing method of wheel bearing unit.

While the closing member is fixed to the inner end of the outer ring, the side surface of the rotation side flange for connecting and fixing the brake rotating body and the wheel is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member with respect to the outer ring. A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit according to claim 3.

The outer ring (6) has a fixed flange (12) for fixing to the vehicle body on the outer peripheral surface, the outer ring raceway (11a, 11b) on the inner peripheral surface, and does not rotate during use, and the inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface. (14a, 14b) , a rotating member (23a) that rotates during use , and a plurality of rolling elements (17 ) provided between the outer ring raceways (11a, 1b) and the inner ring raceways (14a, 14b). ) And a rotating side flange (13a) that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the rotating member (23a) and that has a rotating rotor (2) and a rotating side flange (13a) that couples and fixes the wheel to the side surface in use. A method of manufacturing a bearing unit for a vehicle, wherein the brake rotating body (2) is fixed to one side surface of the rotating side flange (13a) , the outer ring (6) , the rotating member (23a), and a plurality of rolling elements. (17) after assembling the said outer ring (6) Between portions of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the rotating member (23a), the internal space of the rolling elements (17) are present (27), and, both end portions in the circumferential surface of the outer ring (6), these The part between the inner peripheral surface of both end portions and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member (23a) is the rotating member (23a) or the braking rotator (2), and the outer end is the rotating member (23a) or the braking member. The braking rotator (2) in a state of being in contact with or in close proximity to the rotating body (2) and shut off from the outside by a cover (42, 42b) disposed in the axial direction of the outer ring (6 ). A wheel bearing unit manufacturing method for processing a braking friction surface of a wheel into a predetermined shape and size.

The braking rotator (2) is fixed to one side surface of the rotation side flange (13a) , and the outer ring (6) , the rotating member (23a), and the plurality of rolling elements (17) are assembled, and then the outer ring (6 ) And the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member (23a), the inner space (27) where the rolling elements (17) are present, and the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer ring (6) , between portions of the outer peripheral surface of the rotary member opposed to these end portions in the peripheral surface (23a), the rotating member (23a) or the braking rotor and (2), from the outside by a cover (42,42B) 6. The braking friction surface of the braking rotating body (2) is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member (23a) with respect to the outer ring (6) in a shut-off state. A method of manufacturing the described wheel bearing unit.

While sending air from the inside of the portion near the base end of the cover and allowing the air to flow out from the inside of the cover to the outside through the space between the braking rotator and the cover, the rotating member is rotated with respect to the outer ring, The manufacturing method of the wheel bearing unit according to claim 6, wherein the braking friction surface of the rotating body is processed into a predetermined shape and size.

An outer ring having an outer ring raceway on the inner peripheral surface and not rotating during use, a rotating member having an inner ring raceway on the outer peripheral surface and rotating during use, and a plurality of members provided between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway. A rolling element, a rotating flange that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the rotating member, and that couples and fixes the braking rotating body and wheels to the side surface in use, and is fixed to the inner end portion of the rotating member. A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit including an encoder made of a permanent magnet, wherein the outer ring, a rotating member, and a plurality of rolling elements are assembled, and a closing member is fixed to an inner end portion of the outer ring, A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing unit in which a space where an encoder is installed is cut off from the outside, and a side surface of the rotating flange is processed into a predetermined shape and size while rotating the rotating member with respect to the outer ring.