JP4969980B2 - Assembly method for wheel bearing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of assembling a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel of an automobile or the like, and more particularly, to a wheel bearing device having a first and second generation structure in which a preload is applied and a predetermined negative clearance is set. The present invention relates to an assembling method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel of an automobile or the like is provided with a predetermined bearing preload in order to ensure a desired bearing rigidity. For example, a structure called a first generation in which a wheel bearing composed of a double-row angular ball bearing or the like is fitted between a knuckle and a hub wheel constituting a suspension device, or a vehicle body directly on the outer periphery of an outer member In the second-generation wheel bearing device in which the mounting flange or the wheel mounting flange is formed, a wheel bearing unit whose bearing clearance is controlled by a bearing manufacturer is delivered to an automobile manufacturer or the like. Manufacturers assemble them into hub wheels, knuckles, etc., and manage the preload amount of bearings in the vehicle assembly line.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a conventional wheel bearing device 50 referred to as a first generation includes a hub wheel 51 that fixes a wheel (not shown) together with a brake rotor 57, and the hub wheel 51 is rotatable. The wheel bearing 54 having an outer ring 52 and a pair of inner rings 53, a knuckle 55 for supporting the wheel bearing 54 on a vehicle body (suspension device), and a hub wheel 51 are connected to a drive shaft (not shown). The constant velocity universal joint 56 that transmits the power of) to the hub wheel 51 is a main part.

  In such a wheel bearing 54, the bearing manufacturer sets a bearing internal clearance in anticipation of a clearance reduction amount when it is press-fitted into the hub wheel 51 and the knuckle 55 in advance. In the assembly line of the automobile manufacturer, the wheel bearing 54 is press-fitted into the hub wheel 51 and the knuckle 55, and the constant velocity universal joint 56 is fitted into the hub wheel 51 to fix the fixing nut 58 with a predetermined tightening torque. The predetermined amount of bearing preload was controlled by fastening at. Note that there is no prior art document information to be described because the prior art is not related to a known literature invention.

  However, in such a conventional wheel bearing device, the amount of preload of the bearing is not only the variation in the bearing clearance of the wheel bearing 54 alone, but also the variation in the squeezing between the hub wheel 51 and the knuckle 55, and further the fixing nut 58. Since variations in tightening torque and the like are accumulated, it is necessary to keep the bearing clearance range of the wheel bearing 54 in the bearing maker as narrow as possible. In addition, the maker and the fixing nut of the hub wheel 51 and the knuckle 55 are required by the automobile manufacturer. 58 tightening torques had to be strictly regulated and managed. As a result, the assembly workability is remarkably deteriorated, the work efficiency is deteriorated, the cost is increased, and it is difficult to accurately control whether or not the bearing preload amount is within a predetermined range. was there.

  Naturally, the bearing preload amount has a close influence on the bearing life, but this bearing preload amount is greatly related to environmental problems such as safe driving of the vehicle and improvement of fuel consumption. That is, the bearing preload amount is proportional to the rotational torque of the bearing, and if the preload amount is reduced, the rotational torque can be reduced and the fuel consumption can be improved. On the other hand, since the relationship between the bearing inclination angle, which is the main factor of bearing rigidity, and the bearing preload amount is inversely proportional, increasing the preload amount improves the bearing rigidity and decreases the bearing inclination angle. The occurrence of brake judder due to the inclination of the brake rotor can be suppressed. Therefore, by setting the preload amount of such a bearing optimally, it becomes an important factor in terms of not only the life of the bearing but also the safety and fuel consumption of the vehicle. In a wheel bearing device, there has been a demand for a bearing assembling method capable of improving assembling workability and accurately managing a bearing preload amount.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in the first and second generation wheel bearing devices of the first and second generation structures in which preload is applied and set to a predetermined negative clearance, the bearing preload amount is accurately determined. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for assembling a wheel bearing device that can be stably managed.

In order to achieve such an object, the method invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end, and a small diameter step extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange on the outer periphery. A hub wheel formed with a portion and a wheel bearing fitted to a small diameter step portion of the hub wheel, and the wheel bearing is an outer side in which a double row outer rolling surface is formed on the inner periphery. Members, a pair of inner rings formed on the outer periphery with inner rolling surfaces opposed to these double-row outer rolling surfaces, and press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion through a predetermined shimoshiro, these inner rings and the outer member In a method for assembling a wheel bearing device comprising a double row rolling element group that is slidably accommodated between the rolling surfaces of the inner ring through a cage, an outer ring is previously selected from the pair of inner rings of the wheel bearing. The inner ring on the side is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring, and the outer portion Of a step of the rolling element groups of the double row outer raceway run surface double row are fitted in, in this state, the rolling element groups of the outer member in fitted been outer side to the inner ring of the outer side comprises the steps that will be fitted, and a step of axial clearance is measured in a bearing in the course of the inner ring of the inner side is pressed.

As described above, the wheel mounting flange is integrally formed at one end portion, and a hub wheel having a small diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange is formed on the outer periphery, and the hub wheel is fitted to the small diameter step portion of the hub wheel. The wheel bearing comprises an outer member having a double row outer rolling surface formed on the inner periphery, and an inner rolling surface facing the outer surface of the double row on the outer periphery. A pair of inner rings that are formed and press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion through a predetermined shimiro, and a double-row rolling element that is rotatably accommodated via a cage between the rolling surfaces of the inner ring and the outer member. In a method for assembling a wheel bearing device having a first or second generation structure provided with a group, a step in which an inner ring on the outer side is previously press-fitted into a small-diameter step portion of a hub ring among a pair of inner rings of the wheel bearing ; a step of rolling elements group double row outwardly rolling run surfaces of the double row outer member is fitted in, in this state A step of rolling element groups of the outer member in fitted been outer side Ru fitted on the inner ring of the outer side, and a step of the axial clearance of the bearing is measured in the course of the inner ring of the inner side is pressed This eliminates the need for bearing manufacturers to reduce the clearance range of wheel bearings, and allows automakers to manage bearing clearances without strict control of hub rings and knuckles. As a result, the working efficiency is improved and the cost can be reduced.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 2, when the inner ring on the inner side is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring, the press-fitting operation is temporarily stopped while the axial clearance of the bearing is positive. Then, after measuring the axial dimension T0 and the initial axial clearance δ0 between the hub wheel and the reference surface of the inner ring on the inner side in this state, and continuing the press-fitting operation to complete the press-fitting, If the axial dimension T1 between the reference surfaces of the inner ring on the inner side is measured and the axial clearance δ1 in this state is obtained based on the formula δ1 = δ0− (T0−T1), for example, the bearing clearance Even if is set to be negative, the bearing clearance can be measured accurately and stably.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, if the rolling elements are fitted into the outer rolling surfaces of the double rows of the outer members in a state where the rolling elements are prevented from falling off by the cage, assembly work is performed. It can be simplified and work efficiency is improved.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 4, if the rolling element is made of a ball and the outer diameter of the counter portion of the inner ring is formed to be smaller than the inscribed circle diameter of the ball, It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a scratch on the ball at the time of assembling, simplify the dimensional management of the counter portion, reduce the cost, and improve the reliability of the quality.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 5, the protruding amount of the counter portion is set to 0.1 mm or less in diameter in a state where the groove bottom of the inner raceway surface of the inner ring is secured. For example, the groove diameter of the inner rolling surface can be accurately and easily measured.

The wheel bearing device assembly method according to the present invention is a hub wheel in which a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel is integrally formed at one end, and a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange is formed on the outer periphery. And a wheel bearing fitted to the small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel. The wheel bearing includes an outer member having a double row outer raceway formed on the inner periphery, and a plurality of An inner rolling surface that is opposed to the outer rolling surface of the row is formed, and a pair of inner rings that are press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion via a predetermined shimoshiro, and held between the rolling surfaces of the inner ring and the outer member In a method for assembling a wheel bearing device including a double row rolling element group that is housed so as to be freely rollable via a vessel, an inner ring on the outer side of the pair of inner rings of the wheel bearing is the hub ring in advance. a step is pressed into the cylindrical portion of the outer raceway surfaces of the double row of the outer member A step of rolling element groups of the double row is internally fitted, in this state, a step of rolling element groups of the outer member in fitted been outer side Ru fitted on the inner ring of the outer side, the inner A process in which the axial clearance of the bearing is measured while the inner ring on the side is being press-fitted, so that it is not necessary for the bearing manufacturer to reduce the clearance range of the wheel bearing and Since the bearing clearance can be managed without strictly regulating the dimensional accuracy of the knuckle or the like, the assembly workability is improved, the work efficiency is improved, and the cost can be reduced.

A hub wheel having a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel at one end, and a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange on the outer periphery, and a small-diameter step portion of the hub wheel are fitted. The wheel bearing comprises an outer member having a double-row outer rolling surface formed on the inner periphery, and an inner rolling surface facing the double-row outer rolling surface on the outer periphery. A pair of inner rings that are press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion via a predetermined shimiro, and a double row that is rotatably accommodated via a cage between the inner ring and the rolling surface of the outer member In the method of assembling the wheel bearing device including the ball group, a step in which an inner ring on the outer side of the pair of inner rings of the wheel bearing is previously press-fitted into a small-diameter step portion of the hub ring; a step of ball group of the double row outer raceway run surface double row are fitted in the member, In the state, and a step of the step of ball group of the outer member in fitted been outer side Ru fitted on the inner ring of the outer side, the inner ring of the inner side is press-fitted, the wheel hub In the process in which the inner inner ring is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion, the press-fitting operation is temporarily stopped in a state where the axial clearance of the bearing is positive, and in this state, between the reference surface of the hub ring and the inner inner ring The axial dimension T0 and the initial axial clearance δ0 are measured, and after the press-fitting operation is continued and the press-fitting is completed, the axial dimension T1 between the reference surface of the hub ring and the inner ring on the inner side is measured, The axial clearance δ1 in this state is obtained based on the formula δ1 = δ0− (T0−T1).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a wheel bearing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an assembly method of the wheel bearing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a bearing clearance measuring method.

  The wheel bearing device includes a hub wheel 1 and a wheel bearing 2 that is press-fitted into the hub wheel 1 through a predetermined shimiro and rotatably supports the hub wheel 1 with respect to the knuckle N. It has a configuration called a generation. The hub wheel 1 is made of medium and high carbon steel containing 0.40 to 0.80 wt% of carbon such as S53C, and a wheel mounting flange 3 for mounting a brake rotor B and a wheel (not shown) on the outer end. A cylindrical small diameter step 4 extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange 3 is formed. Hub bolts (not shown) that fasten the wheels and the brake rotor B are planted in the wheel mounting flange 3 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, a serration (or spline) 5 for torque transmission is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hub wheel 1, and a wheel bearing 2 described later is press-fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter step portion 4. The wheel bearing 2 press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 4 of the hub wheel 1 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between an outer joint member (not shown) constituting the constant velocity universal joint and the hub wheel 1.

  The wheel bearing 2 includes an outer member (outer ring) 6, a pair of inner rings 7 and 7 inserted in the outer member 6, and a double row accommodated between the inner rings 7 and 7 and the outer member 6. It is comprised with the double row angular contact ball bearing provided with these balls 8 and 8 groups. The outer member 6, the inner ring 7 and the rolling element 8 are made of high carbon chrome bearing steel such as SUJ2, and are hardened in the range of 58 to 64HRC to the core part by quenching.

  The outer member 6 is integrally formed with double row outer rolling surfaces 6a, 6a on the inner periphery. On the other hand, the inner race 7 has an inner raceway surface 7a facing the double row outer raceway surfaces 6a, 6a on the outer periphery. The double-row balls 8 and 8 are accommodated between the rolling surfaces 7a and 6a, respectively, and are held by the cages 9 and 9 so that they can roll. Further, seals 10 and 10 are attached to the end portion of the wheel bearing 2 to prevent leakage of lubricating grease sealed inside the bearing and intrusion of rainwater and dust from the outside into the bearing.

Here, the assembly method of the wheel bearing apparatus in this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.
As shown in (a), first, the inner ring 7 on the outer side is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 4 of the hub ring 1 through a predetermined squeeze. Here, the counter portion 7b in the pair of inner rings 7, 7 protrudes in a state in which the outer diameter of the counter portion 7b is smaller than the ball inscribed circle diameter, so that there is no so-called ball knitting margin and the groove bottom is secured. The amount is set to 0.1 mm or less in diameter. In this way, the wheel bearing 2 is not delivered to the automobile manufacturer alone, but the wheel bearing 2 is assembled to the hub wheel 1 by the bearing manufacturer, so that the inner ring 7 does not fall off during transportation. Therefore, since the pair of inner rings 7 and 7 having no ball knitting allowance can be used, it is possible to prevent the ball 8 from being scratched during assembly. Thereby, the dimensional management of the counter unit 7b can be simplified, the cost can be reduced, and the reliability of the quality can be improved.

  Next, as shown in (b), a ball cassette (the ball 8 held by the cage 9) is fitted inside the double row outer rolling surfaces 6a, 6a of the outer member 6, and a seal 10 and 10 are press-fitted into the end of the outer member 6. In this state, the outer side balls 8 are externally fitted to the inner raceway surface 7 a of the inner ring 7 press-fitted into the hub ring 1 in advance. The inner ring 7 on the inner side is finally fixed to the small diameter step 4.

  In such an assembly process, as shown in FIG. 3A, the small end surface 11 of the inner side inner ring 7 is temporarily stopped before coming into contact with the small end surface 11 of the outer side inner ring 7. That is, at this time, a predetermined interval S remains between the small end surfaces 11 of the pair of inner rings 7 and 7, and the axial clearance of the bearing is positive. In this state, the axial dimension T0 from the reference surface (large end surface) 12 of the inner ring 7 on the inner side to the reference surface (flange side surface) 13 of the hub wheel 1 is measured. In this state, the axial movement amount of the outer member 6 relative to the hub wheel 1, that is, the initial axial clearance δ0 of the bearing is measured.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3B, the small end surface 11 of the inner ring 7 on the inner side is press-fitted until it abuts the small end surface 11 of the inner ring 7 on the outer side, and from the reference surface 12 of the inner ring 7 on the inner side. The axial dimension T1 to the reference surface 13 of the hub wheel 1 is measured. Then, the axial clearance (negative clearance) δ1 of the bearing after the pair of inner rings 7 and 7 are press-fitted into the hub wheel 1 is obtained from the formula δ1 = δ0− (T0−T1). It has been found that there is a high correlation between the axial clearance δ1 of the bearing and the amount of preload of the bearing. Therefore, the preload amount of the bearing can be accurately obtained from the actually measured axial clearance δ1 of the bearing by using a relational expression between the preset axial clearance of the bearing and the preload amount of the bearing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, of the pair of inner rings 7, 7, the inner ring 7 on the outer side is pre-pressed into the small-diameter step portion 4 of the hub wheel 1, and the double-row balls 8, 8 group and the cage are used. The outer member 6 in which 9, 9 and the pair of seals 10, 10 are fitted is fitted on the outer ring 7 on the outer side. Thereafter, the initial axial clearance of the bearing is measured in a state where the inner side inner ring 7 is temporarily press-fitted, and the inner side inner ring 7 is further press-fitted, so that the small end faces 11 and 11 of the pair of inner rings 7 and 7 are brought into contact with each other. Since the axial clearance δ1 of the bearing is obtained in the combined state, the bearing clearance can be managed accurately and stably based on the actually measured values.

  Further, since the bearing manufacturer can manage the preload amount of the bearing without reducing the initial bearing clearance range of the wheel bearing 2, the assembly workability is improved, the working efficiency is improved, and the cost can be reduced. it can. Moreover, it is not necessary for an automobile manufacturer to strictly regulate at least the dimensional accuracy of the hub wheel 1. Of course, in this embodiment, the bearing clearance can be standardized and the bearing clearance management can be performed accurately, efficiently, and simply without damaging the characteristics of the first generation structure, which is said to be suitable for mass production.

  Although the first generation structure has been described in detail here, the assembly method in the wheel bearing device according to the present invention can also be applied to the second generation structure shown in FIG. In addition, the same site | part, the same component as the embodiment mentioned above, the part which has the same function, and a site | part are attached | subjected with the same code | symbol, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The wheel bearing device includes a hub wheel 1 and a wheel bearing 14 that is press-fitted into the hub wheel 1 via a predetermined shimiro and rotatably supports the hub wheel 1 with respect to a knuckle (not shown). It has a configuration called the second generation. The wheel bearing 14 includes an outer member 15, a pair of inner rings 7, 7 inserted in the outer member 15, and double row balls 8 accommodated between the inner rings 7, 7 and the outer member 15. , And a double row angular contact ball bearing provided with 8 groups.

  The outer member 15 integrally has a vehicle body mounting flange 15a to be attached to a knuckle (not shown) on the outer periphery, and double row outer rolling surfaces 6a and 6a are integrally formed on the inner periphery. The outer member 15 is made of medium and high carbon steel containing 0.40 to 0.80 wt% of carbon such as S53C, and the double row outer rolling surfaces 6a and 6a have a surface hardness of 58 to 64HRC by induction hardening. It has been cured to the extent of.

  Also in this embodiment, the assembly of the wheel bearing device is carried out in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, in which the inner ring 7 on the outer side is previously press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 4 of the hub wheel 1 and held with the double row balls 8 and 8 groups. The outer member 15 in which the containers 9, 9 and the pair of seals 10, 10 are fitted is fitted on the inner ring 7, and the inner ring 7 on the inner side is finally press-fitted. The axial clearances δ0 and δ1 of the bearing are measured in the press-fitting process of the inner ring 7 on the inner side. Thereby, the bearing clearance can be managed accurately and stably based on the actually measured values. Here, the double-row angular contact ball bearing using the balls 8 as the wheel bearings 2 and 14 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a double-row tapered roller bearing using a tapered roller as a rolling element may be used. Of course, not only the driving wheel side but also the driven wheel side may be used.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further, the equivalent meanings described in the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope of the scope of the present invention are included. Including.

  The method for assembling a wheel bearing device according to the present invention can be applied to a wheel bearing device having a first or second generation structure.

It is a longitudinal section showing a 1st embodiment of a bearing device for wheels concerning the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views showing a method of assembling the wheel bearing device of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where an outer inner ring is press-fitted into a hub wheel, and FIG. Indicates the state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the measuring method of the bearing clearance in an assembly process, (a) shows the method of measuring the axial clearance of a bearing in the press-fitting process of the inner ring | wheel of an inner side, (b) is the same as the above after an assembly. A method for measuring the axial clearance of a bearing is shown. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the wheel bearing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional wheel bearing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 ··················································· Wheel Bearing 3 ·············· Wheel Mount Flange・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Small diameter step 5 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Serrations 6 and 15 ・ ・ ・ External member 6a ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ External rolling surface 7 ... Inner ring 7a ... Inner rolling surface 7b ... Counter unit 8 ... ... Ball 9 ... Cage 10 ... Seal 11 ... Small end face 12 ...・ ・ ・ ・ Inner ring reference surface 13 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Hub wheel reference surface 15a ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Car body mounting flange 50 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ For wheels Bearing device 51 ... Hub wheel 52 ... Outer part 53 ... Inner ring 54 ... Wheel bearing 55 ... Knuckle 56 ... etc. Fast universal joint 57 ... Brake rotor 58 ... Fixing nut B ... Brake rotor N ... ... Knuckle S ... Axial clearance T0, T1 between the small end faces of the inner ring ... Axial dimensions δ0, δ1 between the reference faces .... Axial clearance of bearing

Claims (5)

A hub wheel integrally having a wheel mounting flange for mounting a wheel on one end, and having a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction from the wheel mounting flange on the outer periphery;
It consists of a wheel bearing fitted to the small diameter step of this hub wheel,
This wheel bearing is an outer member having a double row outer raceway formed on the inner periphery,
A pair of inner rings formed on the outer periphery is formed with an inner rolling surface facing the outer rolling surfaces of these double rows, and are press-fitted into the small diameter step portion through a predetermined shimeshiro,
In a method of assembling a wheel bearing device including a double row rolling element group that is rotatably accommodated between a rolling surface of the inner ring and the outer member via a cage,
Of the pair of inner rings of the wheel bearing, a step in which an outer ring on the outer side is previously press-fitted into a small-diameter step portion of the hub ring;
A step of internally fitting the double row rolling element group on the double row outer rolling surface of the outer member;
In this state, a step of rolling element groups are fitted in the outer member outer side Ru fitted on the inner ring of the outer side,
And a step of measuring an axial clearance of the bearing in a process in which the inner ring on the inner side is press-fitted.   When the inner ring on the inner side is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring, the press-fitting operation is temporarily stopped in a state where the axial clearance of the bearing is positive, and in this state, the hub ring and the inner ring on the inner side are stopped. After measuring the axial dimension T0 between the reference surfaces and the initial axial clearance δ0 and continuing the press-fitting operation to complete the press-fitting, the axial dimension T1 between the reference surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner ring on the inner side is measured. The method for assembling a wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the axial clearance δ1 in this state is obtained based on the equation δ1 = δ0- (T0-T1).   The method of assembling the wheel bearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rolling element is fitted into a double row outer rolling surface of the outer member in a state in which the rolling element is prevented from falling off by the cage.   4. The method of assembling a wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element is a ball, and the outer diameter of the counter portion of the inner ring is smaller than the inscribed circle diameter of the ball. The wheel bearing device assembly method according to claim 4, wherein the protruding amount of the counter portion is set to 0.1 mm or less in diameter in a state where the groove bottom of the inner rolling surface of the inner ring is secured.

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