JP4670456B2 - Method for manufacturing cage for radial needle bearing - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a manufacturing method of a radial needle bearing retainer, and realizes a manufacturing method capable of stably obtaining a high-quality retainer.

  A radial needle bearing is incorporated in a portion to which a large radial load is applied in a rotation support portion of an automobile transmission or various mechanical devices. For example, a planetary gear type transmission that constitutes an automatic transmission of an automobile supports a planetary gear rotatably with respect to a carrier by a radial needle bearing as described in Patent Document 1 and the like. FIG. 12 shows an example of a planetary gear rotation support device that rotatably supports the planetary gear with respect to such a carrier. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 12, both ends of the support shaft 3 are supported and fixed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of a pair of support plates 2 a and 2 b that are parallel to each other that constitute the carrier 1. A planetary gear 4 is rotatably supported by a radial needle bearing 5 around an intermediate portion of the support shaft 3.

  The radial needle bearing 5 holds a plurality of needles 6 and 6 by a cage 7 which is a radial needle bearing cage so as to be able to roll, and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the support shaft 3 is a cylindrical inner ring. The inner peripheral surface of the planetary gear 4 is a cylindrical outer ring raceway 9, and the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and 6 are in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9. Further, floating washers 10a and 10b are disposed between the both axial end surfaces of the planetary gear 4 and the inner side surfaces of the two support plates 2a and 2b, respectively. The frictional force acting between the inner surfaces of the support plates 2a and 2b is reduced.

  The cage 7 constituting the radial needle bearing 5 is arranged in a ring-like manner in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 12 to 14), for example, as shown in detail in FIGS. A pair of rim portions 11, 11 and a plurality of column portions 12, 12. These column parts 12 and 12 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction, and both end parts thereof are made to be continuous with the outer diameter portions of the inner side surfaces of the rim parts 11 and 11 facing each other. . Moreover, each said pillar part 12 and 12 has the shape where the axial direction intermediate part bent in the trapezoid shape toward radial inside. And the space part surrounded by the circumferential direction both sides edge of these pillar parts 12 and 12 adjacent to the circumference direction and the inner side surface where both the above-mentioned rim parts 11 and 11 mutually oppose is made into pockets 13 and 13, respectively. The needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely.

  The cage 7 configured as described above is formed by rolling a strip-shaped metal plate (generally a steel plate or a stainless steel plate) into a cylindrical shape as described in Patent Document 2 and the like, as is well known. That is, although not shown in the drawing, a first stage intermediate material having a basic cross-sectional shape as a cage is formed by pressing a band-shaped metal plate, and then the first stage intermediate material is sheared. As a result, the pockets 13 and 13 for holding the needles 6 and 6 so as to be freely rollable are punched to form an intermediate material in the second stage. Further, the intermediate material in the second stage is cut into a predetermined length to obtain a third stage intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the intermediate material 14 in the third stage is rounded into a cylindrical shape, and both end portions are butt welded to form a cage 7 as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, in order to regulate the radial position of the retainer 7, the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 7 is brought close to and opposed to the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 12). During operation, the outer circumferential surface of the cage 7 that is closely opposed in this way is guided to the outer ring raceway 9 (outer ring guidance), thereby positioning the cage 7 in the radial direction, and vibration and noise are generated. I try to prevent it from occurring.

  Further, the cage 7 protrudes the locking projections 15 and 15 in the circumferential direction from the respective side surfaces at positions aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of both side edges of the pillars 12 and 12. It is provided in the state to do. These locking projections 15 and 15 prevent the needles 6 and 6 that are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely from coming out of the pockets 13 and 13 radially outward. belongs to. That is, when assembling the needles 6 and 6 together with the cage 7 between the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 12), the needles 6 and 6 are placed in the pockets 13 and 13, respectively. It is necessary to hold in a state in which it is prevented from coming out in the radial direction.

For this purpose, the locking projections 15 and 15 are provided on the outer diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6 and 6 at the openings of the pockets 13 and 13 so as to face each other. The distance D ₁₅ (see FIG. 13) between the leading edges of the locking projections 15 and 15 is made smaller than the outer diameter D ₆ (see FIG. 12) of the needles 6 and 6 (D ₆ > D). ₁₅ ). At the same time, the distance D between the side edges facing each other of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, 16 located on the inner diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6, 6 at the intermediate portion of the column parts 12, 12. ₁₆ (see FIG. 13) is also smaller than the outer diameter D ₆ of the needles _{6,6 (D 6> D 16)} .

In order to hold the needles 6 and 6 in the pockets 13 and 13, the needles 6 and 6 are pushed into the pockets 13 and 13 from the inner diameter side of the cage 7. At this time, the interval D ₁₆ between the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, ₁₆ is elastically expanded by the needles 6, 6, and the needles 6, 6 are passed between the side edges. . In the state where the needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 in this way, the needles 6 and 6 are respectively connected to the outer sides of the cage 7 by the locking protrusions 15 and 15. In addition, the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16 of the column portions 12 and 12 are prevented from coming out in the same radial inward direction. Although not shown, each needle may be incorporated into each pocket from the outer diameter side of the cage. There are also cages that do not have the locking projections 15 and 15 and the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16.

In the case of a radial needle bearing retainer made of a metal plate having the above-described structure, which has been conventionally known, it is difficult to improve the shape accuracy, and it is difficult to obtain good performance. The reason is that the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 15 is rounded into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded to form the cage 7 as shown in FIGS. This is because the shape deteriorates for the reason (5).
(1) It is difficult to match the curvature of the portion where the intermediate material 14 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded with the curvature of the other intermediate portion. The degree gets worse.
(2) Since the rigidity of the continuous part with the column parts 12 and 12 and the rigidity of the part between these continuous parts are also different with respect to the intermediate part in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 15) of the intermediate material 14. It is difficult to make both the rim parts 11 and 11 into a correct circle. Specifically, each of the continuous portions has a substantially polygonal shape in which each of the continuous portions has a linear shape and each of the portions between the continuous portions has an arc shape.
(3) Even if the intermediate material 14 is rounded, the cross-sectional shape of the portions that become the pillars 12 and 12 remains linear.
(4) The intervals between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are likely to be slightly different, and if they are different, the width dimensions of the pockets 13 are not the same.
(5) When the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 is substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, in the process of rounding the intermediate material 14, the column parts are affected by the rim parts 11 and 11. 12 and 12 are easily distorted slightly.

In the case of a conventionally known radial needle bearing retainer and its manufacturing method, the shape may deteriorate due to the reasons (1) to (5) described above. , 13 may make it difficult to incorporate the needles 6 and 6, or the incorporated needles 6 and 6 may fall off accidentally. Of course, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be prevented by applying a treatment for correcting the shape to the cage 7 assembled as shown in FIG. 13, but this is not preferable because the cost increases accordingly. Further, in order to obtain the cage 7 having a substantially M-shaped cross section as described above, the work of making the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 15 from the belt-like metal plate is troublesome, which causes an increase in cost.
Patent Document 3 describes an invention related to a radial needle bearing retainer that is divided into two parts in the axial direction, but is a structure that is not joined while being divided into two parts, and is a structure targeted by the manufacturing method of the present invention. Is fundamentally different.

JP 2002-235841 A JP-A-8-270658 JP 2004-28134 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention was invented to realize a method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer that can stably obtain a high-quality retainer.

  The method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer according to the present invention includes a plurality of annular rim portions and a plurality of base end portions each made continuous with the rim portion by first bending and punching a metal plate. A cage element provided with a book column. Thereafter, the rim portions of the pair of cage elements are arranged concentrically with each other, and the distal end portions of the above-mentioned respective columnar portions are joined together.

For this reason, in the case of this example, first, a first intermediate material is made by punching a part of the base plate. This first intermediate material has a non-circular pilot hole having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the portion to be the rim portion in the central portion in the radial direction, and the portion to be the rim portion and each pillar portion in the radial intermediate portion. The surplus portions that exist in the portion that should be the space between the base halves of the tongue are the first half of the tongue piece that should be the first half of each of the above-mentioned columnar portions at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the radially outer end. Each part is formed.
After that, the radial intermediate portion of the first intermediate material is further bent over the entire circumference at the radial intermediate position, and the portion is formed into an L-shaped cross section composed of an annular portion and a cylindrical portion. As a result, the second intermediate material is used.
Next, in the part of the cylindrical portion provided in the second intermediate material, the surplus portions existing in a portion to be a space between the base halves of the elementary pillar portions are radially outward. Push out. Then, by separating the circumferential both ends of each of the surplus portions and the circumferential both ends of the base half of each of the columnar portions, a plurality of tongue pieces to be the respective columnar portions can be obtained. Form a third intermediate material.
Next, while pressing and extending each surplus portion of the third intermediate material radially outward, the surface exposed between the tongue pieces at the edge of the cylindrical portion is subjected to surface pressing, The radius of curvature of the continuous portion between the cylindrical portion and the circular ring portion is reduced to obtain the fourth intermediate material.
Next, each surplus portion is cut off from the end edge of the cylindrical portion, and a circular hole corresponding to the inner diameter of the portion to be the rim portion is punched out in the center portion to form a fifth intermediate material.
Furthermore, each said tongue piece of this 5th intermediate material is bend-processed, and it is set as the holder | retainer element which has each said element pillar part.

According to the method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention configured as described above, the shape accuracy of the pair of rim portions and each column portion can be accurately adjusted without requiring particularly troublesome processing such as correction work. Can be regulated. In addition, it is possible to sufficiently facilitate the incorporation of the needle into each pocket and prevent the needle once assembled from falling off.
Moreover, according to the method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention, the properties of the surface of the retainer that contacts the rolling surface or the axial end surface of the needle can be improved, and the cylindrical portion constituting the rim portion. And the radius of curvature of the continuous portion between the ring portion and the ring portion can be reduced. For this reason, it is difficult to cause damage such as harmful scratches on the surface of the needle, and the axial dimension of the cage can be kept small.

In the case of carrying out the radial needle bearing retainer manufacturing method of the present invention, preferably, when the first intermediate material is the second intermediate material, as in the invention described in claim 2 , A step portion in the circumferential direction is formed at a position where both ends in the circumferential direction of each element column portion are substantially extended in a part of the circumferential direction. Then, due to the presence of the stepped portion, the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion that extends the base half portion of each of the columnar portions has a diameter larger than the outer peripheral surface of the other portion of the cylindrical portion. Position inward direction.
With this configuration, the portion adjacent to the annular portion of the rim portion at both axial end portions of each column portion constituted by each elementary column portion is brought close to (sliding contact) with the rolling surface of each needle. Can do. And the attitude | position of these needles can be stabilized (a skew is prevented), and the performance improvement of a radial needle bearing can be aimed at.

Further, when carrying out the invention described in claims 1 and 2 as described above, more preferably, each tongue piece is formed at the edge of the cylindrical portion of the third intermediate material as in the invention described in claim 3. In the state where the surface exposed between the two is subjected to surface pressing to form a fourth intermediate material, and each surplus portion is cut off from the tip edge of the cylindrical portion to form a fifth intermediate material, The cylindrical part is extinguished at the part exposed between the two. And the part which the axial direction end surface of each needle contact | abuts is located on the same plane as the inner surface of a ring part.
If comprised in this way, it will become possible to displace the axial direction end surface of each said needle to the inner surface position of the said annular ring part. In other words, it is possible to prevent an extra space from being interposed between the axial end face of each needle and the inner surface of the annular portion, and to reduce the size and weight by reducing the axial dimension of the radial needle bearing. .

1 and 2 show a first example of a reference example related to the present invention . In addition, the shape in the completed state of the radial needle bearing retainer manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present reference example is substantially the same as the conventional structure shown in FIGS. The difference in shape in the completed state is only the cross-sectional shape of each of the column parts 12 and 12 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) related to a virtual plane orthogonal to the central axis. The radial needle bearing cage produced by the manufacturing method of the present reference example is characterized in that each of the column portions 12 and 12 is abutted against the tip edges of the pair of elementary column portions 17 and 17, respectively. It is in the point constructed by welding. By adopting such a configuration, the shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy of each part including the roundness of the pair of rim parts 11 and 11 are improved, and each column part 12 related to the virtual plane is also improved. , 12 has an arc shape.

For this reason, in the case of the manufacturing method of this reference example, a pair of cage elements 18 and 18 are formed by bending and punching a metal plate. Each of the cage elements 18, 18 includes an annular rim portion 11, and the plurality of element pillar portions 17, 17 in which the respective base end portions are connected to the rim portion 11. In the case of this reference example , such a cage element 18 is manufactured as shown in FIG. First, a method for manufacturing the cage element 18 will be described. In FIG. 2 (and FIGS. 7 and 8 to be described later), the pitches in the circumferential direction of the elementary pillars 17 and 17 and the tongue pieces 22 and 22 for making the elementary pillars 17 and 17 are shown. Is drawn shorter than actual.

First, a blank plate 19 as shown in FIG. 2A is obtained by punching a steel plate or a stainless steel plate as a raw material.
Next, a first intermediate material 20 as shown in FIG. 2B is obtained by punching a part of the base plate 19. That is, the center portion of the base plate 19 is punched in a circular shape, and the portion reaching the outer peripheral edge portion from the radial intermediate portion is punched into a notch shape, whereby the annular portion 21 to be the rim portion 11 is formed in the center portion. At the same time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 to be the above-mentioned columnar portions 17 and 17 are formed to extend radially outward from a plurality of equally spaced locations on the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 21. Each tongue piece 22, 22 is formed with a projection that becomes a locking projection 15, 15 (see FIGS. 1, 13-14) in a state in which each of the column portions 12, 12 is assembled.

  Next, the first intermediate material 20 is subjected to a stepping process as shown in FIG. The second intermediate material 23 is formed by bending the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape at a part of the first intermediate material 20. Such processing is performed in response to the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 as a finished product being substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. At this time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are also pressed, and the cross-sectional shapes of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are arcuate. The radius of curvature of the arc shape is such that each of the pillars 12 and 12 exists in a single virtual cylindrical space in a state where the pillars 12 and 12 are assembled from the tongues 22 and 22. regulate. Thus, the process of obtaining the second intermediate material 23 from the first intermediate material 20 is performed by pressing the first intermediate material 20 between a pair of upper and lower molds set in a press machine. Easy and highly accurate.

  Next, the second intermediate material 23 is subjected to drawing and bending as shown in FIG. In this drawing / bending process, a portion of the annular portion 21 closer to the outer diameter together with the tongue pieces 22 and 22 is arranged in the axial direction of the annular portion 21 (above the lower drawing in FIG. 2). This is done by bending at right angles over the entire circumference until the two are parallel to each other. By such drawing / bending process, the second intermediate material 23 becomes the cage element 18, and the tongue pieces 22, 22 become the elementary column parts 17, 17.

In order to manufacture a cage by the manufacturing method of the present reference example , each pair of cage elements 18 and 18 obtained as described above are connected to each other as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions concentrically and arrange | positions in the state to which the phase of the circumferential direction of mutual element | column part 17 and 17 mutually corresponded. This operation is performed in a state where both the cage elements 18 and 18 are gripped by a pair of gripping portions (finger) provided in the assembling apparatus. Since these two gripping portions are provided concentrically with each other and the phase in the rotational direction can be adjusted, the rim portions 11, 11 of the two retainer elements 18, 18 are arranged concentrically with each other. The operation of matching the phases of the portions 17 and 17 can be easily performed with high accuracy.

  If both the cage elements 18 and 18 are arranged as described above, the two cage elements 18 and 18 are brought close to each other, the tip portions of the elementary column portions 17 and 17 are butted together, and this butted portion Are welded together to fix the both cage elements 18 and 18 together. For this welding operation, a groove (chamfering) can be formed at the leading edge of each of the elementary column portions 17 and 17. The above-mentioned elementary column portions 17 and 17 that are welded with each other end-to-end portions become the respective column portions 12 and 12. And the part enclosed by each pillar part 12 and 12 and the said rim | limb parts 11 and 11 adjacent to the circumferential direction becomes the pockets 13 and 13 (refer FIGS. 12-14), respectively.

  It should be noted that there is a possibility that a minute step may be formed in the butt weld portion between the end portions of each of the columnar portions 17, 17. It is necessary to finish the film to make it completely smooth. However, it is not preferable to perform such finishing because the manufacturing cost of the cage increases. On the other hand, both circumferential edges of the pillars 12 and 12 are engaged with the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and 6 (see FIG. 12) held in the pockets 13 and 13 over their entire length. There is no need to (contact). Therefore, the width of the distal end portion is narrower than that of the base end portion to the intermediate portion of each of the columnar portions 17 and 17, and welding is performed on the outer peripheral surface side not facing the needles 6 and 6, for example. It is preferable that the welded portion does not come into contact with the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and 6. If comprised in this way, even if it does not give a finishing process to the said butt weld part, a part of rolling surface of each said needle 6, 6 and the micro projection part which exists in this butt weld part will rub against each other, This rolling surface can be prevented from being damaged.

In the case of the radial needle bearing retainer manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present reference example configured as described above, it is easy to improve the shape accuracy, and the performance of the radial needle bearing incorporating this retainer is excellent. Can be. The reason for this is as follows (1) to (5).
(1) Since the annular portions 21 of the retainer elements 18 and 18 to be the both rim portions 11 and 11 are formed by punching the flat plate 19, the annular portion 21 is formed from the annular portion 21. The roundness of both rim parts 11 and 11 can be made favorable.
(2) In order to manufacture the cage element 18 from the second intermediate material 23, the work of bending the outer circumferential portion of the annular portion 21 at a right angle over the entire circumference is performed using a press machine or the like. And you can do it with great power. For this reason, it is easy to correctly form both the rim portions 11, 11, and the entire cage element 18 obtained can be formed into an accurate circle, not a polygonal shape.
(3) Since the cross-sectional shape of each of the elementary column portions 17 and 17 to be the respective column portions 12 and 12 can be curved in advance, the cross-sectional shape of each of the column portions 12 and 12 can also be an arc shape.
(4) The interval between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be made to exactly match, and the width dimensions of the pockets 13 formed between these column portions 12 and 12 can be exactly matched. You can make it.
(5) Even when the cage 7 has a substantially M-shaped cross-section, the shape of each of the columnar portions 17 and 17 is not distorted when the rim portion 11 is processed. The shape of each of the column parts 12 and 12 made by 17 is not distorted.
In the case of a cage manufactured by the manufacturing method of this reference example , excellent shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy can be obtained for the reasons (1) to (5) described above. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the needles 6 and 6 from being incorporated into the pockets 13 and 13 or to prevent the needles 6 and 6 from being inadvertently dropped.

FIG. 3 shows a second example of a reference example relating to the present invention . In the case of this reference example , one of the tip edges of each of the columnar portions 17a and 17b that joins the tip portions to each other is a concave curved edge 24 and the other is engaged with the concave curved edge 24. A convex curved edge 25 is provided. These concave curved edges 24 and convex curved edges 25 have the same curvature so that the curved edges 24 and 25 are closely engaged with each other. And these each pillar part 17a, the state which match | combined the phase of each said pillar part 17a, 17b regarding the circumferential direction of the rim | limb parts 11 and 11 (refer FIG. 1) of a pair of retainer elements 18 and 18; The leading edges of 17b are butted together, and the butted portions of these elementary column portions 17a and 17b are welded together.
In the case of the present reference example , by configuring as described above, it is easy to properly match the phases of the elementary column portions 17a and 17b, and a high-quality cage can be easily obtained. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example of the reference example described above.

FIG. 4 shows a third example of the reference example related to the present invention . In the case of this reference example , the leading edge of each of the columnar parts 17c and 17d constituting each cage element 18 and 18 is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the rim parts 11 and 11 (see FIG. 1), respectively. The inclined edges 26a and 26b are used. These inclined edges 26a and 26b are alternately inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the rim portions 11 and 11 in the opposite direction and at the same angle. Then, by matching the tip edges inclined in the same direction, the tip edges of each of the columnar portions 17c and 17d are in a state in which the phases of the columnar portions 17c and 17d in the circumferential direction are matched. The butted part is welded.
Also in the case of this reference example , by configuring as described above, it is easy to correctly match the phases of the elementary column portions 17c and 17d, and a high-quality cage can be easily obtained. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example of the reference example described above.

5-6 has shown the 4th example of the reference example regarding this invention . In the case of this reference example, the element pillar portions 17e and 17f are coupled by engaging the tips of the element pillar portions 17e and 17f constituting the cage elements 18 and 18 with each other. . For this reason, in the case of this reference example , the engagement concave portion 27 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of one element column portion 17e, and the engagement convex portion 28 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the other element column portion 17f. is doing. The engagement recess 27 and the engagement projection 28 are each formed of raw materials when forming the cage elements 18 and 18 {for example, when forming the second intermediate material 23 shown in FIG. 2C}. A part of the metal plate to be formed is formed by plastic deformation.

The pair of retainer elements 18 and 18 having the element pillars 17e and 17f formed with the engagement recesses 27 or the engagement protrusions 28 at their respective distal ends are close to each other in the axial direction. The engagement concave portion 27 and the engagement convex portion 28 are coupled to each other by engaging the concave and convex portions. Each of the engagement concave portion 27 and the engagement convex portion 28 has an arc shape when viewed from the radial direction. Therefore, in a state where the engaging recess 27 and the engaging protrusion 28 are engaged with each other, the above-mentioned columnar portions 17e and 17f are connected so as not to be separated in the axial direction, and at the same time, shifted in the circumferential direction. It is also prevented from moving.
If such a configuration is adopted, for example, when the rotational speed of use is low and the centrifugal force acting on each of the columnar portions 17e and 17f is limited, the ends of the respective columnar portions 17e and 17f are welded to each other. Can be omitted. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example of the reference example described above .

FIG. 7 shows a fifth example of the reference example relating to the present invention . In addition, regarding the shape and structure of the cage element 18 to be manufactured by the production method of the present reference example and the sixth example of the reference example described below and Example 1 , and the method for coupling and fixing the obtained cage element 18, reference Any of the first to fourth examples may be used.
Also in the case of this reference example , first, a first intermediate material 20 as shown in FIG. 7B is made by punching a part of a circular base plate 19 as shown in FIG. The steps until the first intermediate material is manufactured are the same as those in the first example of the reference example described above.
In the case of the present reference example , by drawing the first intermediate material 20, the radially intermediate portion closer to the inner diameter of the first intermediate material 20 (the portion closer to the outer diameter in the radial direction of the annular portion 21). A second intermediate material 29 as shown in FIG. 7C is formed by bending at a right angle over the entire circumference. Then, the second intermediate material 29 is subjected to an undercut molding for bending the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape to form the base column portions 17 and 17, and FIG. The cage element 18 as shown is used.

FIG. 8 shows a sixth example of the reference example related to the present invention .
In the case of this reference example, a portion to be a rim portion is first formed by punching a part of a circular base plate 19 as shown in FIG. The first intermediate material 32 is formed by forming a circular hole 30 on the inner diameter side and a plurality of lower hole portions 31, 31 arranged around the circular hole 30 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
Thereafter, by drawing the first intermediate material 32, the portion between the circular hole 30 and the lower hole portions 31, 31 should be bent at a right angle in one direction over the entire circumference to become the rim portion. A cylindrical portion 33 having a base end portion continuous with the portion is formed to form a second intermediate material 34 as shown in FIG.
Next, a part of the cylindrical portion 33 whose phase in the circumferential direction coincides with each of the lower hole portions 31, 31 extends from the lower hole portions 31, 31 to the tip edge of the cylindrical portion 33. In addition to the removal, the intermediate portion between the removed portions in the circumferential direction is bent into a crank shape to form the individual pillar portions 17 and 17, thereby forming a cage element 18 as shown in FIG.

9 to 10 show a first embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claim 1 .
In the case of the present embodiment, first, in the first step, a part of the base plate 35 indicated by a chain line in FIG. The material 36 is made. The first intermediate material 36 has a non-circular pilot hole 37 such as a square, a triangle, or a non-circular shape at the center in the radial direction. The reason for making it non-circular is to facilitate positioning (indexing) in the rotation direction in the subsequent process. The inner diameter (diameter of the circumscribed circle) of the lower hole 37 is smaller than the inner diameter of the portion to be the rim portion 38 (see FIG. 10F). Further, the radial intermediate portion of the first intermediate material 36 includes a portion to be the rim portion 38 and a base half portion of each of the elementary column portions 17g and 17g {refer to FIG. The surplus portions 39 and 39 {portions surrounded on three sides by a chain line in FIG. 9A} are provided in a portion to be a space between the half portions on the portion 38 side. Further, at the plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the radially outer end portion of the first intermediate material 36, the first half portions of the elementary column portions 17g and 17g (half portions on the side opposite to the rim portion 38) should be provided. The first half portions 40, 40 of the tongue pieces are formed respectively.

  In the second step performed after the first step, the radial intermediate portion of the first intermediate material 36 is further drawn all around the radial intermediate position by drawing or the like, and perpendicular to the same direction. Bend to form. And the said part is made into the 2nd intermediate material 43 as shown to (B) of FIG. 9 by making the cross-sectional shape L shape which consists of the annular ring part 41 and the cylindrical part 42 into. In a state where the second intermediate material 43 is formed, the first half portions 40, 40 of the tongue pieces are parallel to each other.

  In the third step subsequent to the second step, each of the remainders to be between the base halves of the elementary column portions 17g and 17g in a part of the cylindrical portion 42 provided in the second intermediate material 43. The meat portions 39, 39 are spread outward in the radial direction, and both circumferential edge portions of the surplus portions 39, 39 and both circumferential edge portions of the base half portions of the element pillar portions 17g, 17g. And tearing off. In this cutting process, the outer peripheral surface of the second intermediate material 43 is brought into contact with a die (receiving die) having a recess corresponding to each of the surplus portions 39, 39, and the inner peripheral surface is also made to each of the surplus portions. It is performed by pressing strongly outward in the radial direction by a punch (pressing die) having convex portions corresponding to 39 and 39. By such a tearing process, both circumferential edges of the surplus portions 39 and 39 and both circumferential edges of the base half portions of the base column portions 17g and 17g are cut (sheared). A third intermediate material 44 as shown in FIG. The third intermediate material 44 is formed with a plurality of tongue pieces 45, 45 which are to be the elementary column portions 17g, 17g and are parallel to each other.

  In a fourth step performed following the third step, a plurality of pressing portions provided, for example, in a comb-like pressing jig are provided between the tongue pieces 45, 45 provided in the third intermediate material 44. Plug in. And by these each press part, the part between each said tongue pieces 45 and 45 adjacent to the circumferential direction in a part of said cylindrical part 42 is pressed toward the said ring part 41. As shown in FIG. By the pressing operation, the surplus portions 39, 39 are pushed outward in the radial direction. At the same time, a surface pressing process is performed on a portion exposed between the tongue pieces 45, 45 at the edge of the cylindrical portion 42, and the surface accuracy of this portion is improved. Further, by pressing the cylindrical portion 42 toward the annular portion 41 in the axial direction, the radius of curvature of the continuous portion between the cylindrical portion 42 and the annular portion 41 becomes small (the bent portion becomes angular). As a result, a fourth intermediate material 46 as shown in FIG.

  In a fifth step subsequent to the fourth step, the surplus portions 39, 39 still remaining on the outer peripheral surface portion of the fourth intermediate material 46 are trimmed from the leading edge of the cylindrical portion 42 by trimming. To do. Also, before or after (or simultaneously with) the trimming process, a circular hole 47 corresponding to the inner diameter of the part to be the rim part 38 is punched out at the center of the annular part 41 by piercing or the like. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10E, a fifth intermediate material 48 in which a plurality of tongue pieces 45, 45 parallel to each other are extended from the tip edge of the cylindrical portion 42 constituting the rim portion 38. Get.

In a sixth step that follows the fifth step, the tongue pieces 45, 45 of the fifth intermediate material 48 are bent to form the elementary column portions 17g, 17g. That is, undercut molding is performed to bend the intermediate portion of each tongue piece 45, 45 into a crank shape, and each tongue piece 45, 45 is made into each of the above-mentioned element pillar portions 17g, 17g. A cage element 18 as shown in FIG. The cage element 18 obtained in this manner is arranged in such a manner that the rim portions 38 of the pair of cage elements 18 are arranged concentrically with each other, as in the case of the above-described respective reference examples , and each of the above-mentioned columnar portions 17g, 17g. The tip portions of the two are joined together to form a cage for a radial needle bearing.

  In particular, according to the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, among the cages obtained by combining the cage elements 18, the surface that contacts the rolling surface of the needle or the axial end surface is the fourth step, Since the pressing is performed by the pressing portion of the pressing jig (surface pressing), the properties of this surface can be improved. For this reason, it is difficult to cause damage such as harmful scratches on the surface of the needle. In the fourth step, since the radius of curvature of the continuous portion of the cylindrical portion 42 and the annular portion 41 constituting the rim portion 38 can be reduced, the axial dimension of the cage can be kept small. As a result, not only the performance (durability and low torque) of the radial needle bearing incorporating this cage can be improved, but also the size and weight can be reduced.

FIG. 11 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 2 . In the case of the present embodiment, in the implementation process of the first embodiment described above, the flat plate-like first intermediate material 36 shown in FIG. 9A is subjected to drawing processing, and FIG. When the second intermediate material 43 shown in FIG. 4 is used, step portions 49 a and 49 b are formed in a part of the cylindrical portion 42 in the circumferential direction. Each of these stepped portions 49a and 49b is a set of stepped portions 49a and 49b bent in opposite directions to displace the base end portion of each columnar portion 17g radially inward of the rim portion 38. . That is, the step portions 49a and 49b are formed at positions substantially extending from both ends in the circumferential direction of the elementary column portions 17g. Then, due to the presence of these stepped portions 49a and 49b, the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 that extends the base half portion of each elementary pillar portion 17g is the other of the cylindrical portion 42. It is located radially inward from the partial outer peripheral surface by approximately the thickness of the cylindrical portion 42.

  In the case of the present embodiment, with such a configuration, the portions adjacent to the annular portion 41 of the rim portion 38 at the both axial ends of each column portion constituted by the respective elementary column portions 17g, that is, the respective steps. The inclined surfaces 50a and 50b formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 42 by the portions 49a and 49b are made to approach (slidably contact) the rolling surfaces of the needles. Therefore, the posture of each needle can be stabilized (skew can be prevented) and the performance of the radial needle bearing can be improved.

Although not shown, when the first embodiment as described above or the second embodiment as described above is performed, the fifth intermediate material 48 shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 42 can be eliminated at a portion exposed between the tongue pieces 45, 45 (invention according to claim 3 ). When the cylindrical portion 42 is extinguished at this portion, the portion with which the axial end surface of each needle abuts is positioned on the same plane as the inner surface of the annular portion 41 in the assembled state as a cage. In addition, in order to make the said cylindrical part 42 disappear in the said part, the part exposed between each tongue pieces 45 and 45 in the edge of the cylindrical part 42 of the 3rd intermediate material 44 shown to (C) of FIG. When the surface pressing process is performed, the above-mentioned part is completely crushed or the surplus portions 39, 39 are cut out from the fourth intermediate material 46 shown in FIG. In the fifth intermediate material 48 shown in FIG.

  If comprised as mentioned above, it will become possible to displace the axial direction end surface of each said needle to the inner surface position of the said annular ring part 41. FIG. In other words, it is possible to prevent an extra space from being interposed between the axial end surface of each needle and the inner side surface of the annular ring portion 41, and to reduce the size and weight by reducing the axial dimension of the radial needle bearing. Can be planned.

The perspective view which shows the 1st example of the reference example regarding this invention in the state before couple | bonding a pair of retainer element. The top view and sectional drawing which show the manufacturing method of a cage | basket element in order of a process. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the 2nd example of the reference example regarding this invention . The fragmentary perspective view which shows the 3rd example . The fragmentary perspective view which shows the 4th example . FIG. 6 is an A arrow view of FIG. 5. The top view and sectional drawing which show the manufacturing method of the retainer element of the 5th example of the reference example regarding this invention in order of a process. The top view and sectional drawing which show the manufacturing method of the retainer element of the said 6th example in order of a process. The top view and sectional drawing which show the first half of the manufacturing method of the holder | retainer element of Example 1 of this invention in order of a process. The top view and sectional drawing which similarly show the latter half in order of a process. FIG. 7 shows a part of a cage element manufactured by the manufacturing method of Example 2 , wherein (a) is a perspective view seen from the radially inner side, (b) is also seen from the outer side, and (c) is (a). BB sectional drawing of). The fragmentary sectional view which shows one example of the rotation support apparatus of the planetary gear conventionally known. The perspective view which shows one example of the radial needle bearing retainer used as the object of the present invention. CC sectional drawing of FIG. The figure seen from the side used as an outer peripheral surface, when the intermediate material before forming in a cylindrical shape is made into a cylindrical shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carrier 2a, 2b Support plate 3 Support shaft 4 Planetary gear 5 Radial needle bearing 6 Needle 7 Cage 8 Inner ring track 9 Outer ring track 10a, 10b Floating washer 11 Rim part 12 Column part 13 Pocket 14 Intermediate material 15 Locking protrusion 16 Inner diameter side locking portion 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g Elementary column portion 18 Cage element 19 Base plate 20 First intermediate material 21 Ring portion 22 Tongue piece 23 Second intermediate material 24 Concave curve Edge 25 Convex curved edge 26a, 26b Inclined edge 27 Engaging recess 28 Engaging projection 29 Second intermediate material 30 Circular hole 31 Lower hole 32 First intermediate material 33 Cylindrical part 34 Second intermediate material 35 Base plate 36 First Intermediate material 37 Pilot hole 38 Rim part 39 Surplus part 40 First half part 41 Circular part 42 Cylindrical part 43 Second intermediate material 44 Third intermediate material 45 Piece 46 fourth intermediate material 47 circular hole 48 fifth intermediate material 49a, 49b stepped portions 50a, 50b inclined surfaces

Claims (3)

By performing bending and punching processing on the metal plate, after making a cage element comprising an annular rim portion and a plurality of elemental column portions in which the respective base end portions are continuous with the rim portion, A method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer, wherein the rim portions of a pair of retainer elements are arranged concentrically with each other and the tip portions of each of the element pillar portions are coupled to each other .
By punching a part of the base plate, a non-circular pilot hole having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the portion that should be the rim portion is formed in the radial center portion, and this rim portion should be the radial intermediate portion. The surplus part that exists in the part to be the space between the part and the base half part of each element pillar part becomes the first half part of each element pillar part at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the radially outer end part. After forming the first half of each tongue piece to be the first intermediate material,
The radial intermediate portion of the first intermediate material is further bent over the entire circumference at the radial intermediate position, and the portion is formed into an L-shaped cross section composed of an annular portion and a cylindrical portion. As a second intermediate material,
Next, each of the surplus portions existing in a portion to be a space between the base halves of each of the columnar portions is pushed radially outward in a part of the cylindrical portion provided in the second intermediate material. By spreading and separating the circumferential edge portions of each of the surplus portions and the circumferential edge portions of the base half portions of the respective pillar portions, a plurality of tongue pieces to be the respective pillar portions are formed. Forming a third intermediate material,
Next, while pressing and extending each surplus portion of the third intermediate material radially outward, the surface exposed between the tongue pieces at the edge of the cylindrical portion is subjected to surface pressing, Decreasing the radius of curvature of the continuous part between the cylindrical part and the above-mentioned annular part to make the fourth intermediate material,
Next, each surplus portion is cut off from the tip edge of the cylindrical portion, and a fifth hole is formed by punching out a circular hole corresponding to the inner diameter of the portion to be the rim portion at the center,
The manufacturing method of the radial needle bearing retainer which bends each said tongue piece of this 5th intermediate material, and makes it a retainer element which has each said element | base_column part . When the first intermediate material is used as the second intermediate material, by forming a step portion in the circumferential direction at a position where the circumferential edge of each columnar part is substantially extended in a part of the cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction. the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface portion in extending the base half portion of each Motobashira portions portion of the cylindrical portion, is positioned in the radial direction side than the outer peripheral surface of the other portion of the cylindrical portion, wherein Item 2. A method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer according to Item 1 . The part exposed between the tongue pieces at the edge of the cylindrical portion of the third intermediate material is subjected to surface pressing to form a fourth intermediate material, and each surplus portion is further cut off from the tip edge of the cylindrical portion. In a state where the fifth intermediate material is used, the cylindrical portion disappears at the portion exposed between the tongue pieces, and the portion where the axial end surface of each needle contacts is flush with the inner surface of the annular portion. The manufacturing method of the retainer for radial needle bearings described in any one of Claims 1-2 to be located.

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