JP4380177B2

JP4380177B2 - Thrust sliding bearing

Info

Publication number: JP4380177B2
Application number: JP2003054185A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和幸宮田; 亮平金子
Original assignee: Oiles Corp
Current assignee: Oiles Corp
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2003-02-28
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-28
Also published as: JP2004263771A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、スラスト滑り軸受、特に四輪自動車におけるストラット型サスペンション（マクファーソン式）の滑り軸受として組込まれて好適なスラスト滑り軸受に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、ストラット型サスペンションは、主として四輪自動車の前輪に用いられ、主軸と一体となった外筒の中に油圧式ショックアブソーバを内蔵したストラットアッセンブリにコイルばねを組合せたものである。斯かるサスペンションは、ストラットの軸線に対してコイルばねの軸線を積極的にオフセットさせ、該ストラットに内蔵されたショックアブソーバのピストンロッドの摺動を円滑に行わせる構造のものと、ストラットの軸線に対してコイルばねの軸線を一致させて配置させる構造のものとがある。いずれの構造においても、ステアリング操作によりストラットアッセンブリがコイルばねと共に回転する際、当該回転を円滑に行わせるべく車体の取付部材とコイルばねの上部ばね座との間にスラスト軸受が配されている。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−３０３８７３号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００２−２５７１４６号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このスラスト軸受には、ボール若しくはニードルを使用したころがり軸受又は合成樹脂製の滑り軸受が使用されている。しかしながら、ころがり軸受は、微少揺動及び振動荷重等によりボール若しくはニードルに疲労破壊を生ずる虞があり、円滑なステアリング操作を維持し難いという問題がある。滑り軸受は、ころがり軸受に比べて摩擦トルクが高いので、スラスト荷重が大きくなると摩擦トルクが大きくなり、ステアリング操作を重くする上に、合成樹脂の組合せによっては、スティックスリップ現象を生じ、往々にして当該スティックスリップ現象に起因する摩擦音を発生するという問題がある。
【０００５】
また滑り軸受にはグリース等の潤滑剤が適用されるのであるが、斯かる潤滑剤が摺動面に所望に介在する限りにおいては、上記のような摩擦音は殆ど生じないのであるが、長期の使用による潤滑剤の消失等で摩擦音が生じ始める場合もあり得る。
【０００６】
なお、上記の問題は、ストラット型サスペンションに組込まれるスラスト滑り軸受に限って生じるものではなく、一般のスラスト滑り軸受においても同様に生じ得るのである。
【０００７】
本発明は前記諸点に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的とするところは、グリース等の潤滑剤を長期に亘って摺動面に介在させることができる上に、斯かる潤滑剤をスラスト荷重受けにも利用でき、而して、スラスト荷重が大きくなっても摩擦トルクはほとんど変わらず、低い摩擦トルクをもって摺動面を構成できて、長期の使用でも斯かる低い摩擦係数を維持できる上に、摺動面での摩擦音の発生がなく、しかも、ストラット型サスペンションにスラスト滑り軸受として組込んでもころがり軸受と同等の滑らかなステアリング操作を確保し得るスラスト滑り軸受を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の第一の態様のスラスト滑り軸受は、環状面を有した第一の軸受体と、この第一の軸受体に当該第一の軸受体の軸心の回りで回転自在となるように重ね合わされると共に第一の軸受体の環状面に対面した環状面を有する第二の軸受体と、両環状面間に介在されている環状のスラスト滑り軸受片とを具備しており、ここで、スラスト滑り軸受片は、環状板部と、この環状板部の一方の面に一体的に形成されていると共に第一の軸受体の環状面に当該環状面に対して摺動自在であって当該環状面と協働して環状空間を形成するように接触する小径及び大径の環状突起部と、第一の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように小径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部と、第一の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように大径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部とを具備しており、環状空間には潤滑剤が充填されている。
【０００９】
第一の態様のスラスト滑り軸受によれば、小径及び大径の環状突起部により形成された環状空間に潤滑剤が充填されているために、潤滑剤を小径及び大径の環状突起部と第一の軸受体の環状面との間の摺動面に必要微小量だけ供給でき、しかも、環状空間の潤滑剤でもってもスラスト荷重を受けることができるために、第一の軸受体の環状面に接する潤滑剤の面もまた第一の軸受体に対する第二の軸受体の回転での摺動面となる上に、環状空間の密閉性を小径環状リップ部と大径環状リップ部とで確保できるために、環状空間から外部への潤滑剤の漏出を好ましく防止でき、而して、低い摩擦トルクをもって摺動面を構成できて、摺動面での摩擦音の発生がなく、ころがり軸受と同等の滑らかなステアリング操作を確保できる上に、環状空間に配された潤滑剤を長期に亘って維持できる。
【００１０】
好ましくは、本発明の第二の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、小径環状リップ部は、小径の環状突起部の外周側の角部に一体的に設けられており、大径環状リップ部は、大径の環状突起部の内周側の角部に一体的に設けられている。スラスト滑り軸受片は、小径環状リップ部及び大径環状リップ部に加えて、本発明の第三の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、第一の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように小径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた第二の小径環状リップ部と、第一の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように大径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた第二の大径環状リップ部とを更に具備していてもよく、斯かる第二の小径及び大径環状リップ部を有したスラスト滑り軸受では、本発明の第四の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、第二の小径環状リップ部は、小径の環状突起部の内周側の角部に一体的に設けられており、第二の大径環状リップ部は、大径の環状突起部の外周側の角部に一体的に設けられているとよい。
【００１１】
本発明におけるスラスト滑り軸受片は、その環状板部の他方の面で第二の軸受体の環状面に直接接触していてもよいのであるが、本発明の第五の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、環状板部の他方の面に一体的に形成されていると共に第二の軸受体の環状面に当該環状面に対して摺動自在であって当該環状面と協働して他の環状空間を形成するように接触する他の小径及び大径の環状突起部と、第二の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように他の小径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた他の小径環状リップ部と、第二の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように他の大径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた他の大径環状リップ部とを更に具備していてもよく、この場合にも、他の環状空間には潤滑剤が充填されているとよい。
【００１２】
第五の態様のスラスト滑り軸受によれば、環状板部の他方の面側においても、潤滑剤を他の小径及び大径の環状突起部と第二の軸受体の環状面との間に必要微小量だけ供給でき、しかも、他の環状空間の潤滑剤でもってもスラスト荷重を受けることができるために、第二の軸受体の環状面に接する潤滑剤の面もまた第一の軸受体に対する第二の軸受体の回転での摺動面となり得る上に、他の環状空間の密閉性を他の小径環状リップ部と大径環状リップ部とで確保できるために、他の環状空間から外部への潤滑剤の漏出を好ましく防止でき、環状板部の他方の面でも更に低い摩擦トルクをもって摺動面を構成できて、而して、斯かる摺動面での摩擦音の発生がなく、ころがり軸受と同等の滑らかなステアリング操作を確保できる上に、他の環状空間に配された潤滑剤を長期に亘って維持できる結果、環状板部の一方の面で上記の特性を有する摺動面を何らかの原因で得られない場合には、環状板部の他方の面で上記の好ましい特性を有する摺動面を得ることができ、フェールセーフなスラスト滑り軸受とし得る。
【００１３】
好ましくは、本発明の第六の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、他の小径環状リップ部は、他の小径の環状突起部の外周側の角部に一体的に設けられており、他の大径環状リップ部は、他の大径の環状突起部の内周側の角部に一体的に設けられている。スラスト滑り軸受片は、他の小径環状リップ部及び大径環状リップ部に加えて、本発明の第七の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、第二の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように他の小径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた第二の他の小径環状リップ部と、第二の軸受体の環状面に撓んで接触するように他の大径の環状突起部の角部に一体的に設けられた第二の他の大径環状リップ部とを更に具備していてもよく、斯かる他の第二の小径及び大径環状リップ部を有したスラスト滑り軸受では、本発明の第八の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、第二の他の小径環状リップ部は、他の小径の環状突起部の内周側の角部に一体的に設けられており、第二の他の大径環状リップ部は、他の大径の環状突起部の外周側の角部に一体的に設けられているとよい。
【００１４】
潤滑剤は、好ましくは本発明の第九の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、スラスト荷重下で環状空間を隙間なしに満たしており、場合により、本発明の第十の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、スラスト無荷重下で環状空間を隙間なしに満たしていてもよい。
【００１５】
潤滑剤は、本発明の第十一の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、グリース及び潤滑油のうちの少なくとも一つを含んでおり、好ましくは本発明の第十二の態様のスラスト滑り軸受のように、シリコーン系グリースからなる。
【００１６】
本発明のスラスト滑り軸受では、両軸受体及びスラスト滑り軸受片は合成樹脂製であることが好ましく、両軸受体間に収容されるスラスト滑り軸受片を構成する合成樹脂は、特に自己潤滑性を有することが好ましく、両軸受体を構成する合成樹脂は、耐摩耗性、耐衝撃性、耐クリープ性等の摺動特性及び剛性等の機械的特性に優れていることが好ましく、具体的には、本発明の第十三の態様の滑り軸受のように、両軸受体は、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、熱可塑性ポリエステル樹脂、ポリオレフィン樹脂、ポリカーボネート樹脂及びフッ素樹脂のうちの少なくとも一つを含む合成樹脂からなっているとよく、また、スラスト滑り軸受片は、本発明の第十四の態様の滑り軸受のように、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、熱可塑性ポリエステル樹脂、ポリオレフィン樹脂及びフッ素樹脂のうちの少なくとも一つを含む合成樹脂からなっているとよい。第一及び第二の軸受体の夫々には、スラスト滑り軸受片を構成する合成樹脂と同様の合成樹脂が使用され得るが、特にスラスト滑り軸受片に使用される合成樹脂と摩擦特性の良好な組合わせの合成樹脂が使用され、その望ましい組合わせについて例示すると、スラスト滑り軸受片と第一及び第二の軸受体とに対して、ポリアセタール樹脂とポリアミド樹脂との組合わせ、ポリオレフィン樹脂、特にポリエチレン樹脂とポリアセタール樹脂との組合わせ、ポリアセタール樹脂と熱可塑性ポリエステル樹脂、特にポリブチレンテレフタレート樹脂との組合わせ及びポリアセタール樹脂とポリアセタール樹脂との組合わせがある。
【００１７】
本発明のスラスト滑り軸受では、好ましくはその第十五の態様の滑り軸受のように、第一の軸受体は、その径方向の外周縁部で第二の軸受体に当該第二の軸受体の径方向の外周縁部において弾性嵌着されるようになっており、また、本発明の第十六の態様の滑り軸受のように、両軸受体のその径方向の外周縁部及び内周縁部のうちの少なくとも一方における両軸受体間にはラビリンスが形成されるようになっており、スラスト滑り軸受片を装着した第一及び第二の軸受体間の空間への塵埃、泥水等の侵入を斯かるラビリンスにより好ましく阻止できるようになる。
【００１８】
本発明の第十七の態様の滑り軸受では、第二の軸受体は、その環状面に一体的に形成された大径及び小径の環状突起を有しており、スラスト滑り軸受片は、大径の環状突起よりも径方向の内側に配されていると共に小径の環状突起よりも径方向の外側に配されており、斯かる一対の環状突起によりスラスト滑り軸受片を径方向に関して位置決めできる上に、スラスト滑り軸受片を本発明の第十八の態様の滑り軸受のように径方向の外周面及び内周面で第二の軸受体の大径及び小径の環状突起の夫々に摺動自在に接触させると、スラスト滑り軸受片の径方向に関する位置決めをより確実に行い得る。
【００１９】
次に本発明及びその実施の形態を、図に示す好ましい例を参照して説明する。なお、本発明はこれら例に何等限定されないのである。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１から図３において、本例の四輪自動車におけるストラット型サスペンションに用いるためのスラスト滑り軸受１は、環状面２を有すると共に合成樹脂製、例えばポリアセタール樹脂製の第一の軸受体としての上ケース３と、上ケース３に当該上ケース３の軸心Ｏの回りでＲ方向に回転自在となるように重ね合わされると共に上ケース３の環状面２に対面した環状面４を有する合成樹脂製、例えばポリアセタール樹脂製の第二の軸受体としての環状の下ケース５と、両環状面２及び４間に介在されている環状のスラスト滑り軸受片６とを具備している。
【００２１】
内周面１１によって規定された貫通孔１２を有する環状の上ケース３は、環状面２を有した円環状の上ケース本体部１３と、上ケース本体部１３の環状面２に一体に形成されていると共に下ケース５に向かって垂下した最内周側円筒状垂下部１４と、最内周側円筒状垂下部１４の径方向の外側に配されていると共に環状面２に一体に形成されており、しかも、下ケース５に向かって垂下した内周側円筒状垂下部１５と、上ケース本体部１３の径方向の外周縁に一体に形成された円筒状垂下係合部１６と、円筒状垂下係合部１６の径方向の内側であって内周側円筒状垂下部１５の径方向の外側に配されていると共に環状面２に一体に形成されており、しかも、下ケース５に向かって垂下した外周側円筒状垂下部１７と、円筒状垂下係合部１６の径方向の内周面に形成された係合フック部１８と、上ケース本体部１３の径方向の内周側において当該上ケース本体部１３の外面１９に一体に形成されている円筒部２０とを備えて、一体形成されている。
【００２２】
貫通孔１２と同心、同径であって内周面２１によって規定された貫通孔２２を有した環状の下ケース５は、環状面４を有した円環状の下ケース本体部２３と、下ケース本体部２３の径方向の内周縁に一体に形成されていると共に最内周側円筒状垂下部１４の径方向の内側に配されるように上ケース３に向かって突出した最内周側円筒状突出部２４と、最内周側円筒状突出部２４の径方向の外側に配されていると共に環状面４に一体に形成されており、しかも、最内周側円筒状垂下部１４及び内周側円筒状垂下部１５間に配されるように上ケース３に向かって突出した内周側円筒状突出部２５と、内周側円筒状突出部２５の径方向の外側に配されていると共に環状面４に一体に形成されており、しかも、内周側円筒状垂下部１５の径方向の外側に配されるように上ケース３に向かって突出した小径の環状突起２６と、下ケース本体部２３の径方向の外周縁に一体に形成されていると共に、円筒状垂下係合部１６及び外周側円筒状垂下部１７間に配されるように上ケース３に向かって突出した円筒状突出係合部２７と、円筒状突出係合部２７の径方向の内側であって環状突起２６の径方向の外側に配されていると共に環状面４に一体に形成されており、しかも、外周側円筒状垂下部１７の径方向の内側に配されるように上ケース３に向かって突出していると共に環状突起２６よりも大径の環状突起２８と、円筒状突出係合部２７の径方向の外周面に形成されていると共に係合フック部１８に係合する係合フック部２９とを備えて、一体形成されている。
【００２３】
上ケース３は、その径方向の外周縁部の円筒状垂下係合部１６の係合フック部１８で下ケース５における径方向の外周縁部の円筒状突出係合部２７の係合フック部２９にスナップフィット式に弾性係合して下ケース５に弾性嵌着されるようになっている。
【００２４】
上ケース３及び下ケース５のその径方向の外周縁部及び内周縁部のうちの少なくとも一方、本例では両縁部において、上ケース３及び下ケース５間には、上ケース本体部１３、最内周側円筒状垂下部１４及び内周側円筒状垂下部１５と下ケース本体部２３、最内周側円筒状突出部２４、内周側円筒状突出部２５及び環状突起２６とによりラビリンス（迷路）３１が、上ケース本体部１３、円筒状垂下係合部１６及び外周側円筒状垂下部１７と下ケース本体部２３、円筒状突出係合部２７及び環状突起２８とによりラビリンス３２が夫々形成されるようになっており、斯かる内周縁部のラビリンス３１及び外周縁部のラビリンス３２により上ケース本体部１３と下ケース本体部２３との間のスラスト滑り軸受片６を装着した環状空間３３への外部からの塵埃、泥水等の侵入が防止されている。
【００２５】
合成樹脂製、例えばポリアセタール樹脂製のスラスト滑り軸受片６は、その径方向の環状の内周面４１及び外周面４２で環状突起２６及び２８の夫々に摺動自在に接触して、環状突起２８よりも径方向の内側に配されていると共に環状突起２６よりも径方向の外側に配されている。
【００２６】
スラスト滑り軸受片６は、環状板部４５と、環状板部４５の一方の環状の面４６に径方向において離間して一体的に形成されていると共に上ケース３の環状面２に当該環状面２に対して摺動自在に接触する環状面を有しており、且つ、環状面２と協働して環状空間４７を形成する同心の小径及び大径の環状突起部４８及び４９と、スラスト荷重下で上ケース３の環状面２に径方向の外方に撓んで接触するように小径の環状突起部４８の外周側の角部５１に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部５２と、スラスト荷重下で上ケース３の環状面２に径方向の内方に撓んで接触するように大径の環状突起部４９の内周側の角部５３に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部５４と、環状板部４５の他方の環状の面５５に径方向において離間して一体的に形成されていると共に下ケース５の環状面４に当該環状面４に対して摺動自在に接触する環状面を有しており、且つ、環状面４と協働して他の環状空間５６を形成する同心の小径及び大径の環状突起部５７及び５８と、スラスト荷重下で下ケース５の環状面４に径方向の外方に撓んで接触するように小径の環状突起部５７の外側の角部５９に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部６０と、スラスト荷重下で下ケース５の環状面４に径方向の内方に撓んで接触するように大径の環状突起部５８の内側の角部６１に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部６２とを具備している。
【００２７】
小径環状リップ部５２及び６０並びに大径環状リップ部５４及び６２は、スラスト無荷重下では図３に示すように撓まないで斜立しており、スラスト荷重下では図１に示すように弾性的に撓んで環状面２及び４の夫々に接触するようになっている。
【００２８】
環状空間４７及び５６にはスラスト無荷重下でこれら環状空間４７及び５６を隙間なしに満たす量のシリコーン系グリースからなる潤滑剤６５が充填されており、斯かる量の潤滑剤６５は、スラスト荷重下でも環状空間４７及び５６を隙間なしに満たす量となり、環状空間４７及び５６に隙間なしに満たされた潤滑剤６５並びに環状突起部４８及び４９並びに環状突起部５７及び５８は、スラスト荷重下で、環状面２及び４の夫々に接触する潤滑剤６５の面、環状突起部４８及び４９並びに５７及び５８の環状面で当該スラスト荷重を受けるようになっている。
【００２９】
以上のスラスト滑り軸受１は、図４に示すようなストラット型サスペンションアセンブリにおけるコイルばね７１の上部ばね座７２と、油圧ダンパのピストンロッド７３が固着される車体側の取付部材７４との間に装着されて用いられる。この場合、貫通孔１２及び２２にピストンロッド７３の上部が上ケース３及び下ケース５に対して軸心Ｏの回りでＲ方向に回転自在になるようにして挿通される。
【００３０】
図４に示すようにスラスト滑り軸受１を介して装着されたストラット型サスペンションアセンブリでは、ステアリング操作に際してはコイルばね７１を介する上部ばね座７２の軸心Ｏの回りでの相対的なＲ方向の回転は、上ケース３の環状面２と環状突起部４８及び４９並びに環状空間４７の潤滑剤６５との間の摺動面及び下ケース５の環状面４と環状突起部５７及び５８並びに環状空間５６の潤滑剤６５との間の摺動面のうちの摩擦抵抗の少ない摺動面での同方向の相対的な回転で滑らかに行われる。
【００３１】
スラスト滑り軸受１によれば、環状突起部４８及び４９により形成された環状空間４７に潤滑剤６５が充填されているために、潤滑剤６５を環状突起部４８及び４９と上ケース３の環状面２との間の摺動面に必要微小量だけ供給でき、しかも、環状空間４７の潤滑剤６５でもってもスラスト荷重を受けることができるために、上ケース３の環状面２に接する潤滑剤６５の面もまた上ケース３に対する下ケース５の回転での摺動面となる上に、環状空間４７の密閉性を小径環状リップ部５２と大径環状リップ部５４とで確保できるために、環状空間４７から外部への潤滑剤６５の漏出を好ましく防止できる一方、環状突起部５７及び５８により形成された環状空間５６に潤滑剤６５が充填されているために、潤滑剤６５を環状突起部５７及び５８と下ケース５の環状面４との間の摺動面に必要微小量だけ供給でき、しかも、環状空間５６の潤滑剤６５でもってもスラスト荷重を受けることができるために、下ケース５の環状面４に接する潤滑剤６５の面もまた上ケース２に対する下ケース５の回転での摺動面となる上に、環状空間５６の密閉性を小径環状リップ部６０と大径環状リップ部６２とで確保できるために、環状空間５６から外部への潤滑剤６５の漏出を好ましく防止でき、而して、上ケース３の環状面２と環状突起部４８及び４９並びに環状空間４７の潤滑剤６５との間の摺動面において上ケース３に対する下ケース５の相対的な回転が行われる場合及び下ケース５の環状面４と環状突起部５７及び５８並びに環状空間５６の潤滑剤６５との間の摺動面において上ケース３に対する下ケース５の相対的な回転が行われる場合のいずれの場合にも、低い摩擦トルクをもって摺動面を構成できて、摺動面での摩擦音の発生がなく、ころがり軸受と同等の滑らかなステアリング操作を確保できる上に、環状空間４７及び５６の夫々に配された潤滑剤６５を長期に亘って維持できる。
【００３２】
またスラスト滑り軸受１によれば、スラスト滑り軸受片６を環状突起２６よりも径方向の外側であって環状突起２８よりも径方向の内側に配しているため、斯かる一対の環状突起２６及び２８によりスラスト滑り軸受片６を径方向に関して位置決めできる上に、スラスト滑り軸受片６を径方向の内周面４１及び外周面４２で環状突起２６及び２８の夫々に摺動自在に接触させているために、スラスト滑り軸受片６の径方向に関する位置決めをより確実に行い得る。
【００３３】
スラスト滑り軸受１では、環状突起部４８及び５７の外周側の角部５１及び５９の夫々に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部５２及び６０と、環状突起部４９及び５８の内周側の角部５３及び６１の夫々に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部５４及び６２とを具備してスラスト滑り軸受片６を構成したが、これらに加えて、図５に示すように、上ケース３の環状面２に径方向の内方に撓んで接触するように環状突起部４８の内周側の角部８１に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部８２と、上ケース３の環状面２に径方向の外方に撓んで接触するように環状突起部４９の外周側の角部８３に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部８４と、下ケース５の環状面４に径方向の内方に撓んで接触するように環状突起部５７の内周側の角部８５に一体的に設けられた小径環状リップ部８６と、下ケース５の環状面４に径方向の外方に撓んで接触するように環状突起部５８の外周側の角部８７に一体的に設けられた大径環状リップ部８８とを具備してスラスト滑り軸受片６を構成してもよく、スラスト荷重下で径方向の内方に撓んで上ケース３の環状面２及び下ケース５の環状面４に夫々接触する小径環状リップ部８２及び８６と、スラスト荷重下で径方向の外方に撓んで上ケース３の環状面２及び下ケース５の環状面４に夫々接触する大径環状リップ部８４及び８８とを具備したスラスト滑り軸受片６では、環状空間４７及び５６の夫々の密閉性をこれら小径環状リップ部８２及び８６並びに大径環状リップ部８４及び８８によっても確保できるために、環状空間４７及び５６の夫々から外部への潤滑剤６５の漏出を更に好ましく防止でき、環状空間４７及び５６の夫々に配された潤滑剤６５を更に長期に亘って維持できる。
【００３４】
上記のスラスト滑り軸受１では、環状面２側と環状面４側との両方に環状空間４７及び５６を形成するスラスト滑り軸受片６を用いたが、これに代えて、図６に示すように、例えば、環状面２側のみに環状空間４７を形成するスラスト滑り軸受片６を用いてもよく、図６に示すスラスト滑り軸受片６は、環状板部４５の面５５で下ケース５の環状面４に接触するようになっている。図６に示すスラスト滑り軸受片６を用いたスラスト滑り軸受１では、上ケース３の環状面２と環状突起部４８及び４９並びに環状空間４７の潤滑剤６５との間の摺動面において上ケース３に対する下ケース５の相対的なＲ方向の回転が行われることになる。
【００３５】
更に図７に示すように、環状突起部４８及び４９に加えて、径方向において環状突起部４８及び４９間であって環状板部４５の面４６に一体的に形成されていると共に上ケース３の環状面２に当該環状面２に対して摺動自在であって環状空間４７を分割して当該環状面２並びに環状突起部４８及び４９と協働して複数（本例では二つ）の互いに分離された分割環状空間９１及び９２を形成するように接触する中間環状突起部９３を具備してスラスト滑り軸受片６を構成してもよく、この場合にも上記と同様に、分割環状空間９１及び９２の夫々に隙間なしに潤滑剤６５を充填する。斯かる中間環状突起部９３にも、小径環状リップ部５２及び大径環状リップ部５４と同様の環状リップ部をその径方向の角部に一体的に設けて、分割環状空間９１及び９２相互に対する密閉性を高めるようにしてもよい。また環状空間４７に加えて環状空間５６を形成するスラスト滑り軸受片６を用いる場合（図３及び図５に示すスラスト滑り軸受片６の場合）、環状空間５６を分割して複数の分割環状空間を形成するように中間環状突起部９３と同様の中間環状突起部を環状板部４５の面５５に設けてもよい。
【００３６】
図７に示すスラスト滑り軸受１では、スラスト荷重を中間環状突起部９３でも分散して受けることになる結果、環状突起部４８及び４９自体の撓み変形の生起を確実に回避できる上に、分割環状空間９１及び９２のうちの一方の分割環状空間に充填された潤滑剤６５が多量に漏出したとしても、この漏出が他方の分割環状空間に影響することを阻止して、残る他方の分割環状空間で上記の作用を行わせることができる結果、フェールセーフなものとなる。
【００３７】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、グリース等の潤滑剤を長期に亘って摺動面に介在させることができる上に、斯かる潤滑剤をスラスト荷重受けにも利用でき、而して、スラスト荷重が大きくなっても摩擦トルクはほとんど変わらず、低い摩擦トルクをもって摺動面を構成できて、長期の使用でも斯かる低い摩擦係数を維持できる上に、摺動面での摩擦音の発生がなく、しかも、ストラット型サスペンションにスラスト滑り軸受として組込んでもころがり軸受と同等の滑らかなステアリング操作を確保し得るスラスト滑り軸受を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい一例の断面図である。
【図２】図１に示す例の下ケース及びスラスト滑り軸受片の平面図である。
【図３】図１に示す例のスラスト滑り軸受片のスラスト無荷重下における拡大断面図である。
【図４】図１に示す例をストラット型サスペンションに組込んだ例の説明図である。
【図５】本発明のスラスト滑り軸受に用いることができるスラスト滑り軸受片の他の例の断面図である。
【図６】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい他の例の一部の断面図である。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい更に他の例の一部の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１スラスト滑り軸受
２、４環状面
３上ケース
５下ケース
６スラスト滑り軸受片
４５環状板部
４６面
４７環状空間
４８、４９環状突起部
５１、５３角部
５２小径環状リップ部
５４大径環状リップ部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a thrust slide bearing, and more particularly to a thrust slide bearing that is preferably incorporated as a slide bearing of a strut suspension (McPherson type) in a four-wheeled vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a strut suspension is mainly used for a front wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle, and is a combination of a coil spring and a strut assembly in which a hydraulic shock absorber is incorporated in an outer cylinder integrated with a main shaft. Such a suspension has a structure in which the axis of the coil spring is positively offset with respect to the axis of the strut to smoothly slide the piston rod of the shock absorber built in the strut, and the axis of the strut. On the other hand, there is a structure in which the axis of the coil spring is arranged to coincide. In any structure, when the strut assembly rotates together with the coil spring by a steering operation, a thrust bearing is disposed between the mounting member of the vehicle body and the upper spring seat of the coil spring so that the rotation is smoothly performed.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-303873 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-257146
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As this thrust bearing, a rolling bearing using a ball or a needle or a synthetic resin sliding bearing is used. However, the rolling bearing has a problem that it may be difficult to maintain a smooth steering operation because the ball or needle may be damaged due to a slight swing and vibration load. Sliding bearings have higher frictional torque than rolling bearings, so when the thrust load increases, the frictional torque increases, and the steering operation becomes heavy, and depending on the combination of synthetic resins, a stick-slip phenomenon often occurs. There is a problem of generating a frictional noise caused by the stick-slip phenomenon.
[0005]
In addition, a lubricant such as grease is applied to the sliding bearing. As long as such a lubricant is present on the sliding surface as desired, the frictional noise as described above hardly occurs. There may be a case where friction noise starts to occur due to the disappearance of the lubricant due to use.
[0006]
The above-mentioned problem does not occur only in the thrust sliding bearing incorporated in the strut type suspension, and can occur in the general thrust sliding bearing as well.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. The object of the present invention is to allow a lubricant such as grease to be interposed on the sliding surface over a long period of time, and to add such a lubricant to the thrust. It can also be used as a load receiver. Thus, even if the thrust load increases, the friction torque hardly changes, and the sliding surface can be configured with a low friction torque, and such a low coefficient of friction can be maintained even during long-term use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a thrust sliding bearing that does not generate frictional noise on the sliding surface and that can ensure a smooth steering operation equivalent to a rolling bearing even if it is incorporated in a strut suspension as a thrust sliding bearing.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The thrust slide bearing according to the first aspect of the present invention has a first bearing body having an annular surface, and the first bearing body is rotatable about the axis of the first bearing body. A second bearing body having an annular surface which is superimposed and faces the annular surface of the first bearing body, and an annular thrust sliding bearing piece interposed between the annular surfaces, The thrust slide bearing piece is formed integrally with the annular plate portion and one surface of the annular plate portion, and is slidable with respect to the annular surface on the annular surface of the first bearing body. Small-diameter and large-diameter annular projections that contact to form an annular space in cooperation with the annular surface, and corners of the small-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body A small-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided with the large-diameter so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body. And comprising a large-diameter annular lip integrally provided on the corner portion of the annular projection, the annular space the lubricant is filled.
[0009]
According to the thrust slide bearing of the first aspect, since the lubricant is filled in the annular space formed by the small-diameter and large-diameter annular projections, the lubricant is separated from the small-diameter and large-diameter annular projections. Since the required minute amount can be supplied to the sliding surface between the annular surface of one bearing body and the thrust load can be received even with the lubricant in the annular space, the annular surface of the first bearing body The surface of the lubricant in contact with the first bearing body is also a sliding surface when the second bearing body rotates relative to the first bearing body, and the sealing of the annular space is ensured by the small-diameter annular lip portion and the large-diameter annular lip portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of the lubricant from the annular space to the outside, and it is possible to configure the sliding surface with a low friction torque, and there is no generation of friction noise on the sliding surface, which is equivalent to a rolling bearing. In addition to ensuring smooth steering operation, an annular space The disposed lubricant can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0010]
Preferably, as in the thrust sliding bearing of the second aspect of the present invention, the small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the outer peripheral side corner of the small-diameter annular protrusion, and the large-diameter annular lip portion is The large-diameter annular projections are integrally provided at the corners on the inner peripheral side. In addition to the small-diameter annular lip portion and the large-diameter annular lip portion, the thrust slide bearing piece flexibly contacts the annular surface of the first bearing body as in the thrust slide bearing of the third aspect of the present invention. The second small-diameter annular lip portion provided integrally with the corner portion of the small-diameter annular projection portion and the corner portion of the large-diameter annular projection portion so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body And a second large-diameter annular lip portion provided in the same manner, and in the thrust slide bearing having the second small-diameter and large-diameter annular lip portion, the fourth aspect of the present invention. Like the thrust slide bearing, the second small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the inner peripheral corner of the small-diameter annular protrusion, and the second large-diameter annular lip portion is large-diameter. It is good to provide integrally in the corner | angular part of the outer peripheral side of this annular projection part.
[0011]
The thrust slide bearing piece in the present invention may be in direct contact with the annular surface of the second bearing body on the other surface of the annular plate portion, but the thrust slide bearing of the fifth aspect of the present invention And is formed integrally with the other surface of the annular plate portion, and is slidable with respect to the annular surface of the second bearing body in cooperation with the annular surface. The other small and large-diameter annular projections that come into contact with each other so as to form an annular space, and the other small-diameter annular projection so as to come into contact with the annular surface of the second bearing body in an integral manner at the corners. The other small-diameter annular lip provided integrally with the corner of the other large-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the second bearing body. In this case, the other annular space may be filled with a lubricant.
[0012]
According to the thrust sliding bearing of the fifth aspect, the lubricant is required between the other small-diameter and large-diameter annular protrusions and the annular surface of the second bearing body also on the other surface side of the annular plate portion. Since only a minute amount can be supplied, and even a lubricant in other annular spaces can receive a thrust load, the surface of the lubricant in contact with the annular surface of the second bearing body is also in relation to the first bearing body. In addition to being a sliding surface for rotation of the second bearing body, the sealing of other annular spaces can be ensured by the other small-diameter annular lip portions and the large-diameter annular lip portions. The lubricant can be preferably prevented from leaking to the other side, and the sliding surface can be constructed with a lower friction torque on the other surface of the annular plate portion. In addition to ensuring smooth steering operation equivalent to bearings, other ring shapes If the sliding surface having the above characteristics cannot be obtained on one side of the annular plate part for some reason as a result of maintaining the lubricant disposed between them for a long period, the other side of the annular plate part Thus, a sliding surface having the above preferred characteristics can be obtained, and a fail-safe thrust sliding bearing can be obtained.
[0013]
Preferably, as in the thrust sliding bearing of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the other small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the corner on the outer peripheral side of the other small-diameter annular protrusion, The large-diameter annular lip portion is provided integrally with a corner portion on the inner peripheral side of another large-diameter annular protrusion. The thrust sliding bearing piece flexibly contacts the annular surface of the second bearing body, like the thrust sliding bearing of the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the other small-diameter annular lip and large-diameter annular lip. As described above, the second other small-diameter annular lip portion provided integrally with the corner portion of the other small-diameter annular projection portion and the other large-diameter so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the second bearing body. It may further comprise a second other large-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided at the corner of the annular projection, and has such other second small-diameter and large-diameter annular lip portions. In the thrust slide bearing, like the thrust slide bearing of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second other small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the corner on the inner peripheral side of the other small-diameter annular projection. The second other large-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the outer peripheral corner of the other large-diameter annular projection. It may have.
[0014]
The lubricant preferably fills the annular space without a gap under a thrust load, like the thrust sliding bearing of the ninth aspect of the present invention, and in some cases, the lubricant of the thrust sliding bearing of the tenth aspect of the present invention. As described above, the annular space may be filled without a gap under no thrust.
[0015]
The lubricant contains at least one of grease and lubricating oil, like the thrust sliding bearing of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, and preferably the thrust sliding bearing of the twelfth aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
[0016]
In the thrust slide bearing of the present invention, it is preferable that both the bearing body and the thrust slide bearing piece are made of a synthetic resin, and the synthetic resin constituting the thrust slide bearing piece accommodated between the both bearing bodies is particularly self-lubricating. Preferably, the synthetic resin constituting both bearing bodies is preferably excellent in sliding characteristics such as wear resistance, impact resistance and creep resistance, and mechanical characteristics such as rigidity. As in the sliding bearing of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the two bearing bodies are synthetic resins containing at least one of polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, thermoplastic polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, and fluororesin. The thrust sliding bearing piece is preferably made of a polyacetal resin, a polyamide resin, a thermoplastic resin, like the sliding bearing of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention. Polyester resins, may consist of synthetic resin including at least one of a polyolefin resin and fluorine resin. For each of the first and second bearing bodies, a synthetic resin similar to the synthetic resin constituting the thrust sliding bearing piece can be used, but in particular, the synthetic resin used for the thrust sliding bearing piece has good friction characteristics. A combination of synthetic resins is used, and an example of a desirable combination is illustrated. For a thrust slide bearing piece and first and second bearing bodies, a combination of polyacetal resin and polyamide resin, polyolefin resin, particularly polyethylene There are combinations of resins and polyacetal resins, combinations of polyacetal resins and thermoplastic polyester resins, particularly polybutylene terephthalate resins, and combinations of polyacetal resins and polyacetal resins.
[0017]
In the thrust slide bearing of the present invention, preferably, like the slide bearing of the fifteenth aspect, the first bearing body is connected to the second bearing body at the outer peripheral edge in the radial direction. The outer circumferential edge and the inner circumferential edge of both bearing bodies are elastically fitted to the outer circumferential edge of the radial direction of the two bearing bodies, as in the sliding bearing of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention. Labyrinth is formed between the bearing bodies in at least one of the sections, and dust, muddy water, etc. enter the space between the first and second bearing bodies fitted with the thrust sliding bearing pieces. Can be preferably prevented by such a labyrinth.
[0018]
In the sliding bearing of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the second bearing body has large-diameter and small-diameter annular protrusions integrally formed on the annular surface, and the thrust sliding bearing piece is a large bearing. It is arranged on the inner side in the radial direction with respect to the annular projection of the diameter and on the outer side of the radial direction with respect to the annular projection of the small diameter, and the thrust slide bearing piece can be positioned with respect to the radial direction by the pair of annular projections. In addition, the thrust slide bearing piece is slidable on each of the large-diameter and small-diameter annular projections of the second bearing body on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface in the radial direction as in the slide bearing of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention. When the contact is made, the positioning in the radial direction of the thrust slide bearing piece can be more reliably performed.
[0019]
Next, the present invention and its embodiments will be described with reference to preferred examples shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 3, a thrust slide bearing 1 for use in a strut suspension in the four-wheeled vehicle of this example has an annular surface 2 and is a first bearing body made of synthetic resin, for example, polyacetal resin. A synthetic resin having a case 3 and an upper surface 3, which is superposed on the upper case 3 so as to be rotatable in the R direction around the axis O of the upper case 3 and has an annular surface 4 facing the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3. For example, an annular lower case 5 as a second bearing body made of polyacetal resin and an annular thrust sliding bearing piece 6 interposed between the annular surfaces 2 and 4 are provided.
[0021]
An annular upper case 3 having a through hole 12 defined by the inner peripheral surface 11 is formed integrally with an annular upper case main body 13 having an annular surface 2 and an annular surface 2 of the upper case main body 13. The innermost cylindrical drooping portion 14 that hangs down toward the lower case 5 and the radially outer side of the innermost circumferential cylindrical drooping portion 14 and are formed integrally with the annular surface 2. In addition, an inner circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 15 that hangs down toward the lower case 5, a cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 that is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge in the radial direction of the upper case main body portion 13, and a cylinder It is arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the pendant engaging portion 16 and on the outer side in the radial direction of the inner cylindrical side hanging portion 15, and is formed integrally with the annular surface 2. Of the outer circumferential side cylindrical drooping portion 17 that hangs down and the cylindrical drooping engagement portion 16. Engagement hook portion 18 formed on the inner peripheral surface in the direction, and cylindrical portion 20 formed integrally with outer surface 19 of upper case main body portion 13 on the inner peripheral side in the radial direction of upper case main body portion 13. It is provided and is integrally formed.
[0022]
An annular lower case 5 having a through hole 22 that is concentric and the same diameter as the through hole 12 and is defined by the inner peripheral surface 21 includes an annular lower case body 23 having an annular surface 4, and a lower case The innermost cylinder formed integrally with the inner peripheral edge in the radial direction of the main body 23 and projecting toward the upper case 3 so as to be arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the innermost cylindrical hanging part 14. The cylindrical protrusion 24 and the innermost cylindrical protrusion 24 are arranged on the outer side in the radial direction and are formed integrally with the annular surface 4. An inner peripheral cylindrical protrusion 25 that protrudes toward the upper case 3 so as to be disposed between the peripheral cylindrical hanging parts 15, and a radially outer side of the inner peripheral cylindrical protrusion 25. And is formed integrally with the annular surface 4, and the radially outer side of the inner circumferential side cylindrical hanging portion 15. A small-diameter annular protrusion 26 projecting toward the upper case 3 and a radially outer peripheral edge of the lower case main body 23 so as to be disposed, and the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 and the outer peripheral side A cylindrical protruding engagement portion 27 protruding toward the upper case 3 so as to be disposed between the cylindrical hanging portions 17, and a radial direction of the annular protrusion 26 inside the cylindrical protruding engagement portion 27 in the radial direction. And is formed integrally with the annular surface 4, and protrudes toward the upper case 3 so as to be arranged on the radially inner side of the outer circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 17 and is annular. An annular protrusion 28 having a diameter larger than that of the protrusion 26, and an engagement hook portion 29 that is formed on the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the cylindrical protrusion engagement portion 27 and engages with the engagement hook portion 18, It is integrally formed.
[0023]
The upper case 3 has an engagement hook portion 18 of the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 at the outer peripheral edge portion in the radial direction and an engagement hook portion of the cylindrical protrusion engagement portion 27 at the outer peripheral edge portion in the radial direction in the lower case 5. 29 is elastically engaged with the lower case 5 by snap-fitting.
[0024]
At least one of the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge in the radial direction of the upper case 3 and the lower case 5, in this example, both edges, the upper case main body 13, between the upper case 3 and the lower case 5, The labyrinth is formed by the innermost cylindrical drooping portion 14 and the inner circumferential cylindrical drooping portion 15 and the lower case main body 23, the innermost circumferential cylindrical projection 24, the inner circumferential cylindrical projection 25, and the annular projection 26. The labyrinth 32 is composed of the (maze) 31 by the upper case main body portion 13, the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 and the outer circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 17, the lower case main body portion 23, the cylindrical protruding engagement portion 27 and the annular protrusion 28. Each of the annular sliding bearing pieces 6 between the upper case main body 13 and the lower case main body 23 is mounted by the labyrinth 31 at the inner peripheral edge and the labyrinth 32 at the outer peripheral edge. Outside to space 33 Dust, invasion of muddy water or the like is prevented from.
[0025]
The thrust sliding bearing piece 6 made of synthetic resin, for example, polyacetal resin, slidably contacts the annular protrusions 26 and 28 on the annular inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 in the radial direction. Further, it is arranged on the inner side in the radial direction than the annular protrusion 26 and on the outer side in the radial direction.
[0026]
The thrust slide bearing piece 6 is formed integrally with the annular plate portion 45 and one annular surface 46 of the annular plate portion 45 so as to be separated from each other in the radial direction, and on the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3. A concentric small-diameter and large-diameter annular protrusions 48 and 49 which form an annular space 47 in cooperation with the annular surface 2, and a thrust A small-diameter annular lip portion 52 provided integrally with an outer peripheral corner 51 of the small-diameter annular projection 48 so as to bend and contact the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 in the radial direction under load. A large-diameter annular lip provided integrally with the inner circumferential corner 53 of the large-diameter annular projection 49 so as to bend and contact the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 in the radial direction under a thrust load. The unit 54 and the other annular surface 55 of the annular plate part 45 are integrally separated in the radial direction. The annular surface 4 is formed and has an annular surface that is slidably in contact with the annular surface 4, and cooperates with the annular surface 4 to form another annular space 56. The concentric small-diameter and large-diameter annular protrusions 57 and 58 to be formed are arranged on the outer side of the small-diameter annular protrusion 57 so as to be bent radially in contact with the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 under a thrust load. A small-diameter annular lip portion 60 provided integrally with the corner portion 59 and an inner side of the large-diameter annular projection portion 58 so as to bend radially in contact with the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 under a thrust load. And a large-diameter annular lip portion 62 provided integrally with the corner portion 61.
[0027]
The small-diameter annular lip portions 52 and 60 and the large-diameter annular lip portions 54 and 62 are not bent and tilted as shown in FIG. 3 under no thrust load, and elastic under the thrust load as shown in FIG. Are bent to contact each of the annular surfaces 2 and 4.
[0028]
The annular spaces 47 and 56 are filled with a lubricant 65 made of silicone grease that fills the annular spaces 47 and 56 without a gap under no thrust load. The lubricant 65, the annular protrusions 48 and 49, and the annular protrusions 57 and 58 that are filled in the annular spaces 47 and 56 without a gap are filled under the thrust load. The thrust load is received by the surface of the lubricant 65 that contacts each of the annular surfaces 2 and 4 and the annular surfaces of the annular protrusions 48 and 49 and 57 and 58.
[0029]
The thrust sliding bearing 1 described above is mounted between the upper spring seat 72 of the coil spring 71 and the mounting member 74 on the vehicle body to which the piston rod 73 of the hydraulic damper is fixed in the strut type suspension assembly as shown in FIG. To be used. In this case, the upper part of the piston rod 73 is inserted into the through holes 12 and 22 so as to be rotatable in the R direction around the axis O with respect to the upper case 3 and the lower case 5.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the strut type suspension assembly mounted via the thrust slide bearing 1, the relative rotation in the R direction around the axis O of the upper spring seat 72 via the coil spring 71 is performed during the steering operation. The sliding surface between the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 and the annular protrusions 48 and 49 and the lubricant 65 in the annular space 47, the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 and the annular protrusions 57 and 58, and the annular space 56. This is smoothly performed by relative rotation in the same direction on the sliding surface having a small frictional resistance among the sliding surfaces between the first and second lubricants 65.
[0031]
According to the thrust slide bearing 1, since the lubricant 65 is filled in the annular space 47 formed by the annular protrusions 48 and 49, the lubricant 65 is removed from the annular protrusions 48 and 49 and the annular surface of the upper case 3. The lubricant 65 in contact with the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 can be supplied to the sliding surface between the upper case 3 and the lubricant 65 in the annular space 47 can receive a thrust load. Is also a sliding surface when the lower case 5 is rotated with respect to the upper case 3, and the sealing of the annular space 47 can be ensured by the small-diameter annular lip portion 52 and the large-diameter annular lip portion 54. While leakage of the lubricant 65 from the space 47 to the outside can be preferably prevented, the annular space 56 formed by the annular protrusions 57 and 58 is filled with the lubricant 65, so that the lubricant 65 is removed from the annular protrusion 57. And 5 Since only a necessary minute amount can be supplied to the sliding surface between the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 and the lubricant 65 in the annular space 56 can receive a thrust load, The surface of the lubricant 65 in contact with the surface 4 also becomes a sliding surface when the lower case 5 rotates with respect to the upper case 2, and the sealing of the annular space 56 is reduced by the small-diameter annular lip portion 60 and the large-diameter annular lip portion 62. Therefore, the leakage of the lubricant 65 from the annular space 56 to the outside can be preferably prevented. Therefore, the annular surface 2 and the annular protrusions 48 and 49 of the upper case 3 and the lubricant 65 of the annular space 47 can be prevented. When the relative rotation of the lower case 5 with respect to the upper case 3 is performed on the sliding surface between the annular surface 4 and the annular protrusions 57 and 58 and the lubricant 65 in the annular space 56 Upper case 3 on sliding surface In any case where the relative rotation of the lower case 5 is performed, the sliding surface can be configured with a low friction torque, no frictional noise is generated on the sliding surface, and it is as smooth as a rolling bearing. In addition to ensuring the steering operation, the lubricant 65 disposed in each of the annular spaces 47 and 56 can be maintained for a long period of time.
[0032]
Further, according to the thrust slide bearing 1, the thrust slide bearing piece 6 is arranged radially outside the annular protrusion 26 and radially inside than the annular protrusion 28. And 28, the thrust slide bearing piece 6 can be positioned in the radial direction, and the thrust slide bearing piece 6 can be slidably brought into contact with the annular protrusions 26 and 28 on the inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 in the radial direction. Therefore, the radial sliding bearing piece 6 can be positioned more reliably in the radial direction.
[0033]
In the thrust slide bearing 1, small-diameter annular lip portions 52 and 60 that are integrally provided on the outer peripheral side corner portions 51 and 59 of the annular projection portions 48 and 57, and the inner peripheral side of the annular projection portions 49 and 58, respectively. The thrust slide bearing piece 6 is configured by including large-diameter annular lip portions 54 and 62 provided integrally with each of the corner portions 53 and 61. In addition to these, as shown in FIG. A small-diameter annular lip portion 82 that is integrally provided on a corner portion 81 on the inner peripheral side of the annular projection 48 so as to be in contact with the annular surface 2 of the case 3 in a radially inward direction; A large-diameter annular lip portion 84 provided integrally with a corner portion 83 on the outer peripheral side of the annular projection 49 so as to bend and contact the surface 2 radially outward, and a diameter on the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 To the corner 85 on the inner peripheral side of the annular protrusion 57 so as to bend and contact inward in the direction. A small-diameter annular lip portion 86 that is physically provided and a corner portion 87 on the outer peripheral side of the annular projection portion 58 are integrally provided so as to be in contact with the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5 by bending outward in the radial direction. The thrust slide bearing piece 6 may be configured to include a large-diameter annular lip portion 88, and bend inward in the radial direction under a thrust load, so that the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 and the annular surface of the lower case 5 Small-diameter annular lip portions 82 and 86 that are in contact with each other 4 and large-diameter annular lip portions that are deflected radially outward under a thrust load and are in contact with the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 and the annular surface 4 of the lower case 5, respectively. In the thrust slide bearing piece 6 having 84 and 88, the sealing of the annular spaces 47 and 56 can be secured by the small-diameter annular lip portions 82 and 86 and the large-diameter annular lip portions 84 and 88. Each of space 47 and 56? The leakage of the lubricant 65 to the outside can be further preferably prevent, further can be maintained over a long period of time the lubricant 65 disposed in the respective annular spaces 47 and 56.
[0034]
In the thrust slide bearing 1 described above, the thrust slide bearing piece 6 that forms the annular spaces 47 and 56 on both the annular surface 2 side and the annular surface 4 side is used. Instead, as shown in FIG. For example, a thrust sliding bearing piece 6 that forms an annular space 47 only on the annular surface 2 side may be used. The thrust sliding bearing piece 6 shown in FIG. It contacts the surface 4. In the thrust sliding bearing 1 using the thrust sliding bearing piece 6 shown in FIG. 6, the upper case is formed on the sliding surface between the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3 and the annular protrusions 48 and 49 and the lubricant 65 in the annular space 47. Thus, the relative rotation of the lower case 5 with respect to 3 is performed.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the annular protrusions 48 and 49, the upper case 3 is formed integrally with the surface 46 of the annular plate part 45 between the annular protrusions 48 and 49 in the radial direction. The annular surface 2 is slidable with respect to the annular surface 2, and the annular space 47 is divided to cooperate with the annular surface 2 and the annular protrusions 48 and 49. The thrust slide bearing piece 6 may be configured to include an intermediate annular protrusion 93 that contacts so as to form divided annular spaces 91 and 92 that are separated from each other. Each of 91 and 92 is filled with the lubricant 65 without a gap. The intermediate annular protrusion 93 is also provided with an annular lip portion that is the same as the small-diameter annular lip portion 52 and the large-diameter annular lip portion 54 at the corners in the radial direction. You may make it improve sealing. When the thrust slide bearing piece 6 that forms the annular space 56 in addition to the annular space 47 is used (in the case of the thrust slide bearing piece 6 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5), the annular space 56 is divided into a plurality of divided annular spaces. An intermediate annular projection similar to the intermediate annular projection 93 may be provided on the surface 55 of the annular plate portion 45 so as to form the above.
[0036]
In the thrust slide bearing 1 shown in FIG. 7, the thrust load is also distributed and received by the intermediate annular projection 93, so that the occurrence of bending deformation of the annular projections 48 and 49 themselves can be avoided reliably, and the split annular Even if the lubricant 65 filled in one divided annular space of the spaces 91 and 92 leaks in a large amount, this leakage is prevented from affecting the other divided annular space, and the remaining divided annular space remains. As a result of being able to perform the above-described operation, it becomes fail-safe.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a lubricant such as grease can be interposed on the sliding surface for a long period of time, and such a lubricant can also be used for a thrust load receiver, thus increasing the thrust load. However, the friction torque is almost the same, and the sliding surface can be constructed with a low friction torque, so that the low friction coefficient can be maintained even after long-term use, and there is no generation of friction noise on the sliding surface. It is possible to provide a thrust sliding bearing that can ensure a smooth steering operation equivalent to that of a rolling bearing even if it is incorporated as a thrust sliding bearing in a mold suspension.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a plan view of a lower case and a thrust sliding bearing piece of the example shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the thrust sliding bearing piece of the example shown in FIG. 1 under no thrust load.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the example shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in a strut suspension.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a thrust slide bearing piece that can be used in the thrust slide bearing of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thrust slide bearing 2, 4 Annular surface 3 Upper case 5 Lower case 6 Thrust slide bearing piece 45 Annular plate part 46 Surface 47 Annular space 48, 49 Annular projection 51, 53 Corner part 52 Small diameter annular lip part 54 Large diameter annular lip Part

Claims

A first bearing body having an annular surface, and the first bearing body so as to be rotatable about the axis of the first bearing body, and overlaid on the annular surface of the first bearing body A second bearing body having an annular surface facing each other, and an annular thrust sliding bearing piece interposed between both annular surfaces, the thrust sliding bearing piece comprising an annular plate portion and the annular plate portion The first bearing body has an annular surface that is slidably in contact with the annular surface of the first bearing body, and the first bearing body. Small- and large-diameter annular projections that cooperate with the annular surface to form an annular space, and the annular surface of the small-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body under thrust load. A small-diameter annular lip part integrally provided at the corner of the shaft and bends to the annular surface of the first bearing body under thrust load A large-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided at the corner of the annular surface of the large-diameter annular projection so as to come into contact with the annular space. The lubricant is filled so as to be filled with the lubricant, and the small- and large-diameter annular protrusions and the lubricant filled in the annular space are applied to the annular surface of the first bearing body under a thrust load. A thrust slide bearing configured to receive the thrust load on the annular surface of the small-diameter and large-diameter annular projections that come into contact with the surface of the lubricant.

The small-diameter annular lip is integrally provided on the outer peripheral corner of the small-diameter annular protrusion, and the large-diameter annular lip is integrally formed on the inner peripheral corner of the large-diameter annular protrusion. The thrust sliding bearing according to claim 1 provided.

The thrust sliding bearing piece includes a second small-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided at a corner portion of the small-diameter annular protrusion so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body under a thrust load, and a thrust And a second large-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided at a corner portion of the large-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the first bearing body under load. Item 3. A thrust sliding bearing according to Item 1 or 2.

The second small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the corner portion on the inner peripheral side of the small-diameter annular projection portion, and the second large-diameter annular lip portion is provided on the outer peripheral side of the large-diameter annular projection portion. The thrust sliding bearing according to claim 3, wherein the thrust sliding bearing is provided integrally with a corner portion.

The thrust slide bearing piece is formed integrally with the other surface of the annular plate portion and is slidable with respect to the annular surface of the second bearing body in cooperation with the annular surface. Other small-diameter and large-diameter annular projections that come into contact with each other so as to form another annular space, and other small-diameter annular projections that flexibly contact the annular surface of the second bearing body under thrust load. Integrate with the other small-diameter annular lip part integrally provided at the corner of the other large-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the second bearing body under thrust load The thrust sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising another large-diameter annular lip portion that is provided in a regular manner, wherein the other annular space is filled with a lubricant.

The other small-diameter annular lip portion is integrally provided at the corner on the outer peripheral side of the other small-diameter annular projection portion, and the other large-diameter annular lip portion is the inner circumference of the other large-diameter annular projection portion. The thrust sliding bearing according to claim 5, wherein the thrust sliding bearing is integrally provided at a corner portion on the side.

The thrust sliding bearing piece is a second other small-diameter annular lip that is integrally provided at the corner of another small-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the second bearing body under a thrust load. And a second other large-diameter annular lip portion integrally provided at the corner of the other large-diameter annular projection so as to bend and contact the annular surface of the second bearing body under thrust load The thrust slide bearing according to claim 5 or 6.

The second other small-diameter annular lip portion is provided integrally with a corner portion on the inner peripheral side of the other small-diameter annular projection portion, and the second other large-diameter annular lip portion is provided with another large-diameter portion. The thrust sliding bearing according to claim 7, wherein the thrust sliding bearing is integrally provided at a corner portion on the outer peripheral side of the annular projection portion.

The thrust sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lubricant fills the annular space without a gap under no thrust.