JP5375160B2 - Roller bearing cage for automobile - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a retainer for use in an automobile dedicated rolling bearing, to pure car rolling bearing retainer water repellent oil repellent film formed on its surface.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, resin rolling cages that are lighter than metal ones and have excellent mechanical characteristics are frequently used for rolling bearings used in, for example, automobile transmissions. Since such a resin cage is used in high-temperature lubricating oil (gear oil), various technical measures for improving the oil resistance in such a use environment are applied. As an example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technical measure for dispersing a hydrocarbon polymer in a polyamide resin used as a base material of a resin cage. According to this, when used in a high temperature lubricating oil environment, the hydrocarbon-based polymer deteriorates (oxidizes) before the polyamide resin, thereby preventing the lubricating oil from entering (penetrating) into the cage. It is like that.

  However, since the hydrocarbon polymer dispersed in the polyamide resin is easily deteriorated (oxidized) at an early stage as described above and its oil resistance is low, the resin cage exposed to a high-temperature lubricating oil environment. There is a problem that the surface tends to deteriorate early. When the surface of the resin cage is deteriorated, depending on the degree of the deterioration, for example, a crack is generated from the deteriorated portion, and as a result, the strength of the cage can be kept constant over a long period of time. There is a risk of disappearing. If it becomes so, it will become impossible to maintain the performance (for example, rotation performance, lubrication performance, etc.) of a rolling bearing using such a cage over a long period of time.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-190069

The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and its purpose is to prevent oil from being deteriorated early in a high temperature environment, and to be oil resistant to maintain a constant strength over a long period of time. The object is to provide an excellent rolling bearing cage for automobiles .

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention revolves along the inside of the bearing together with the plurality of rolling elements while holding the plurality of rolling elements rotatably inside the bearing , and is used in a lubricating oil environment. A rolling bearing retainer for automobiles , which includes a cage body that is entirely formed of a synthetic resin material, and a water and oil repellent film that is formed on the entire surface of the cage body. The water / oil repellent film is formed by forming a metal oxide layer on the entire surface of the cage body, and forming a water / oil repellent layer on the entire surface of the metal oxide layer. The layer contains metal oxide fine particles having an average primary particle size of 1 nm or more and 200 nm or less, a metal species of an alkoxy metal salt that forms the metal oxide layer, and a metal oxide that forms the metal oxide layer. Metal species and water and oil repellent treatment All the metal species contained in the fluorine-containing organic compound to form the silicon, the average surface roughness of the surface of the holder body (Ra) is 4μm or less than 0.001 [mu] m.
In the present invention, the cage body is made of a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, or a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and diaminobutane.
In the present invention, the retainer body is formed of a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and diaminobutane.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an automotive rolling bearing retainer with excellent oil resistance capable of preventing early deterioration under a high temperature environment and maintaining a constant strength over a long period of time. .

(a) is sectional drawing which expands partially the specification of the cage for rolling bearings which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, (b) is an external appearance structure of the cage shown to the figure (a) FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a water / oil repellent film is formed on the surface of the cage body.

Hereinafter, a rolling bearing retainer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In addition, there are rolling bearings that support a rotating shaft provided in, for example, railway vehicles and automobiles, or various industrial and industrial devices, but here, as an example, they are applied to automobile transmissions. Assume a rolling bearing used in high-temperature lubricating oil (gear oil). In this case, although a radial bearing or a thrust bearing can be applied as the rolling bearing, here, as an example, a radial bearing including an inner ring 4 and an outer ring 6 disposed so as to face each other in a radial direction so as to be relatively rotatable with each other ( FIG. 1 (a)) is assumed.

  FIG. 1 (a) shows the specifications of a rolling bearing cage 2 (hereinafter referred to as cage 2) according to the present embodiment, and the cage 2 is located inside the bearing of the rolling bearing described above. The plurality of rolling elements 8 incorporated between the inner and outer rings 4 and 6 are rotatably held along with the plurality of rolling elements 8 along the inside of the bearing. Here, as the rolling element 8, for example, a roller or a ball can be applied, but here, a roller is assumed as an example. Moreover, as a kind of roller, a cylindrical roller, a needle roller, a tapered roller, a spherical roller etc. are applicable, for example. In this case, examples of the cage 2 include a cage cage, a corrugated cage, a crown cage, a rice bran cage, and a mating cage. Here, as an example, a cage Assume a shape cage.

  The rolling element (roller) 8 includes a rolling surface 8m (a raceway surface 4s formed on the outer periphery of the inner ring 4 and a raceway surface formed on the inner periphery of the outer ring 6 so as to face the raceway surface 4s. 6s) and a circular side surface 8s formed on both sides thereof, and between the rolling surface 8m and the side surface 8s along the circumferential direction. A continuous annular chamfer 8r is formed. In this case, each chamfered portion 8r is subjected to predetermined chamfering, so that when the rolling element (roller) 8 rolls between the inner and outer rings 4, 6, for example, the inner and outer rings 4, 6 It is possible to reduce wear and wear on the raceway surfaces 4s and 6s. The chamfer dimension of each chamfered portion 8r is arbitrarily set according to the shape, size or material of the raceway surfaces 4s, 6s of the inner and outer rings 4, 6 and the rolling elements (rollers) 8, for example. There is no particular numerical limitation.

  FIG. 1B shows the structure of a cage (cage-type cage) 2, which is continuous in the circumferential direction along the inside of the bearing of the rolling bearing described above and arranged opposite to each other. The annular portions 10 and 12 and the annular portions 10 and 12 extend between each other, and are arranged along the annular portions 10 and 12 at a predetermined interval (for example, at equal intervals) in the circumferential direction. A plurality of column parts 14, a plurality of ring parts 10 and 12, and a plurality of column parts 14, and a plurality of rolling elements (rollers) 8 (FIG. 1 (a)) are rotatably held one by one. Pocket 16. In the figure, as an example, the annular portions 10 and 12 having different diameters are arranged opposite to each other at a predetermined interval at the same center, and the plurality of column portions 14 are joined to the annular portions 10 and 12 at both ends. ing.

  The annular portions 10 and 12 and the plurality of column portions 14 may be integrally formed at the time of forming the cage, or the plurality of column portions 14 may be formed separately, and both ends thereof may be circular. The ring portions 10 and 12 may be retrofitted. In this case, as a method of retrofitting, various methods such as bonding, welding, and fitting, for example, the both end sides of each column portion 14 to the annular portions 10 and 12 can be applied. Not limited.

  In addition, as a material of the cage 2 including the above-described annular portions 10 and 12 and the plurality of column portions 14, for example, a commercially available general synthetic resin material can be applied. For example, a polyamide-based synthetic fiber or a synthetic resin material reinforced with a polyamide-based synthetic fiber as a base material can be used. As the polyamide-based synthetic fiber, for example, a polyamide-based resin (PA66) produced by polycondensation of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, and heat resistance, wear resistance, impact resistance, and oil resistance are superior to the PA66. In addition, a polyamide resin (PA46) produced by polycondensation of adipic acid and diaminobutane can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the rolling bearing retainer 2 of the present embodiment forms a retainer body 2a from the synthetic resin material as described above, and the surface of the retainer body 2a is water repellent and repellent. An oil film 2b is formed. Here, the water / oil repellent film 2b is formed by forming a metal oxide layer on the surface of the cage body 2a and forming a water / oil repellent layer on the surface of the metal oxide layer. In this case, as a method of forming the water / oil repellent film 2b on the surface of the cage body 2a, the following film forming method may be applied.

  In such a film forming method, a first solution containing water and at least one alkoxy metal salt as essential components, a second solution which is an alkaline solution having a pH of 11 to 13, and a solution containing a fluorine-containing organic compound. A third solution and a fourth solution that is an alkaline solution having a pH of 9 to 14 are prepared. Then, the retainer body 2a formed of the synthetic resin material as described above is sequentially brought into contact with these four solutions. In addition, pH means a hydrogen ion index or a hydrogen ion concentration index, and is a numerical value indicating the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

  That is, after bringing the cage body 2a into contact with the first solution, the metal oxide layer is formed on the surface of the cage body 2a by bringing the cage body 2a into contact with the second solution (first step). Subsequently, after the cage body 2a having the metal oxide layer formed on the surface is brought into contact with the third solution, the water- and oil-repellent layer is formed on the surface of the metal oxide layer by bringing the cage body 2a into contact with the fourth solution. Form (second step).

  Thereby, the cage | basket 2 (FIG.1 (c)) by which the surface of the cage | basket body 2a was coat | covered with the water / oil repellent film | membrane 2b is realizable. In this case, since the water / oil repellent film 2b has excellent heat resistance and oil resistance, it is used in an environment where the cage 2 is exposed to high-temperature lubricating oil (gear oil). Even in this case, the heat resistance and oil resistance can be kept constant, and there is no early deterioration. For this reason, it can prevent reliably that the said lubricating oil contacts the holder main body 2a over a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to realize the cage 2 excellent in oil resistance capable of preventing early deterioration in the use environment in the high-temperature lubricating oil and maintaining a constant strength over a long period of time. Therefore, according to the rolling bearing using the cage 2, its performance (for example, rotational performance, lubrication performance, etc.) can be kept constant over a long period of time.

Here, the specific contents of the four first to fourth solutions described above will be supplementarily described.
The above-mentioned first solution is an alkoxy metal salt that is a tetra (or tri) alkylalkoxy metal salt in which the metal species is silicon, titanium, or aluminum and the alkyl part is lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Or it is preferable to contain the tetra (or tri) halogen alkoxy metal salt.
In the case of a halogen alkoxy metal salt, chlorine is preferred as the halogen, the alkyl moiety is preferably a methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl group, and the metal species of the alkoxy metal salt are preferably silicon, titanium, or aluminum.

  The first and third solutions described above preferably further contain a lower alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Thereby, the solubility of the alkoxy metal salt having lower alkyl or halogen can be increased, and a more stable solution can be obtained. As the lower alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, butanol, hexanol, cyclohexanol and the like can be preferably used. More preferably, ethanol may be used.

  In this case, the pH of the first and third solutions described above is preferably 6 or less. Thus, by making pH into 6 or less, the hydrolysis reaction of an alkoxy metal salt is accelerated | stimulated, and it becomes easy to form a metal oxide layer on the to-be-film-formed member surface (for example, surface of the holder main body 2a). The pH is preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 2 to 4. Moreover, it is preferable to adjust pH of a 1st solution using inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and a sulfuric acid. In particular, it is preferable to use hydrochloric acid. It is also preferable to stabilize the pH using various pH buffer solutions.

  The first solution preferably contains metal oxide fine particles having an average particle size of 1 nm or more and 200 nm or less in a proportion of 0.1 or more and 5.0% by weight or less. Silicon, titanium, and aluminum can be used as the metal species of the metal oxide. That is, the first solution preferably contains fine particles made of silica, titania, or alumina having an average particle diameter of 1 nm to 200 nm in a proportion of 0.1 to 5.0% by weight.

  Further, it is particularly preferable that the metal species of the metal oxide forming the metal oxide fine particles and the metal species of the alkoxy metal salt are the same. When the metal oxide fine particles are added to the first solution, an oxide of an alkoxy metal salt is generated on the surface of the film-forming member (for example, the surface of the cage body 2a), and the film-forming member. The metal oxide particles are bonded to the surface, so that the metal oxide layer becomes dense. Further, irregularities due to the fine particles are formed on the surface of the formed metal oxide layer, and the surface area ratio is increased. When the surface area ratio of the metal oxide layer increases, the surface area ratio of the water and oil repellent layer, which is the upper layer, also increases and a dense water and oil repellent layer is formed. The oil repellency is improved and the water / oil repellency film is firmly bonded to the surface of the film forming member.

  Here, the average primary particle size of the metal oxide fine particles is preferably 2 nm to 100 nm, more preferably 2 nm to 80 nm, and still more preferably 10 nm to 50 nm. Moreover, it is also possible to mix and use metal oxide fine particles having different average primary particle sizes. When the average primary particle size is less than 1 nm, the effect of increasing the surface area ratio is small, and when it exceeds 200 nm, the film tends to fall off from the surface of the film forming member.

  The content of the metal oxide fine particles in the solution is preferably 0.1 or more and 3% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less. When the content of the metal oxide fine particles in the solution is less than 0.1% by mass, the effect of densifying the metal oxide layer is small. Deposition tends to occur in the water- and oil-repellent film due to the fine particles falling off along with the accumulation.

  The shape of the metal oxide fine particles is not particularly limited, and a spherical shape, a rectangular shape, a flat shape, a fiber shape, a whisker shape, or the like can be used. For example, if it is a fibrous thing, the length of a fiber can be 1 nm or more and 200 nm or less. Moreover, you may mix and use the thing of a different shape. Moreover, if an average primary particle diameter is 1 nm or more and 200 nm or less, a porous thing etc. can also be used.

Further, the surface of the metal oxide fine particles may be subjected to various hydrophobizing treatments and hydrophilizing treatments, but is preferably a hydrophilic surface or not subjected to chemical surface treatment. It is desirable.
An example of the composition of the first solution described above is specifically described. The alkoxy metal salt is 1% by mass to 10% by mass, the water is 1% by mass to 20% by mass, and the alcohol is 30% by mass to 95% by mass. Hereinafter, the metal oxide fine particles are 0.1 mass% or more and 5 mass% or less, and the pH is adjusted to 6 or less with hydrochloric acid.

  The first solution of this composition, in particular, when metal oxide fine particles are contained, is mixed in advance with components other than hydrochloric acid and stirred for several tens of minutes to several hours so that the metal oxide fine particles are uniform. Finally, it is preferable to adjust the pH using hydrochloric acid. Highly pure water and hydrochloric acid are preferred.

  The second and fourth solutions described above are preferably aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.), and particularly preferably aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions. Further, alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate can also be used. Various pH buffering agents may be used in combination. Moreover, you may make with the mixed solvent of C1-C6 lower alkyl alcohol and water as needed. It is desirable that water and these components have high purity.

  In this case, the pH of the second and fourth solutions is preferably pH 11 or more and pH 13 or less. When the pH is less than 11, the bonding effect of the metal oxide layer to the film-formed member surface and the bonding strength effect of the water / oil repellent layer to the metal oxide layer are small, and when the pH is 13 or more, the bonding is weakened. There is a risk that.

The fluorine-containing organic compound contained in the third solution is preferably any one of a fluorine-based surfactant, a fluorine-based coupling agent, and a fluorine-based polymer, or a mixture thereof.
The fluorine-containing organic compound contained in the third solution is preferably a fluorine-based coupling agent containing silicon, titanium, or aluminum. Furthermore, it is preferable that the metal species of the metal oxide used in the first solution described above or the same metal species as the metal species of the alkoxy metal salt used in the first solution described above.

  Specifically, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H, -perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H, -perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H, -perfluorodecyltri Chlorosilane-3-heptafluoroisopropoxypropyltrichlorosilane, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H, -perfluorododecyltriethoxysilane, 3-trifluoroacetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and the like can be used.

  In the rolling bearing cage 2 of the present embodiment, the method for forming the water / oil repellent film 2b on the surface of the film forming member (for example, the surface of the cage body 2a) includes the film forming member (holding). A step of bringing the vessel body 2a) into contact with a liquid containing a fluorine-based coupling agent containing silicon, titanium, or aluminum, water, and a lower alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and having a pH of 6 or less; After this step, a step of contacting with a solution containing an alkali metal salt and having a pH of 11 to 13 is included.

  Note that a film formation member to which such a film formation method can be applied is not particularly limited as long as it is a solid containing a resin, but the surface of the film formation member is preferably covered with an oxide-based material. Specifically, it is an inorganic substance (including metal). Among inorganic materials, glass and ceramics are preferable. Glass is mainly composed of silica, and ceramics and metals are outermost oxide layers when viewed microscopically. Among these, glass and metal are preferable. Among metals, iron-based metals are preferable. Among these, steel such as bearing steel and stainless steel is preferable. In particular, the stainless steel is preferably subjected to a passivation treatment.

  In the film forming method described above, it is preferable to perform the first step described above on the surface of the film forming member having an average surface roughness (Ra) of 0.001 μm or more and 4 μm or less. Moreover, it is preferable to perform the first step described above on the surface of the film forming member having a surface area ratio of 1.1 or more. Thereby, the water / oil repellent performance of the formed water / oil repellent film is improved as compared with the case where the average surface roughness (Ra) is less than 0.001 μm and the surface area ratio is less than 1.1. be able to. In addition, when metal fine particles are contained in the first solution, a further improvement in water and oil repellency can be expected due to a synergistic effect with the surface property effect as described above. In addition, if average surface roughness (Ra) exceeds 4 micrometers Ra, the application range as a member of various uses will be restricted.

Normally, various processing methods such as machining, chemical processing, and optical processing are performed in order to make the surface of the film-forming member within the above-mentioned range. As the mechanical processing, grinding, cutting, pressing, barrel, shot, etc. Examples include blasting. Examples of the chemical processing include electrolytic polishing, chemical polishing, various platings, various surface treatments, and the like. As optical processing, a femtosecond laser or the like can be used. Moreover, you may combine these processes.
The surface area ratio is a ratio of the surface area determined geometrically to the surface area measured including surface roughness and waviness. The surface area ratio approaches 1 as it approaches a so-called mirror surface, and the surface has innumerable minute irregularities. In some cases, it exceeds 1. The surface area ratio can be obtained by measuring the surface of the film forming member with a scanning probe microscope (SPM) or an atomic force microscope (AFM) which is a kind of SPM.

In the film forming method described above, the film forming member (cage body 2a) is brought into contact with the first solution in the first step. It is preferable to remove foreign substances adhering to the surface of the film forming member.
In this case, as a method for bringing the film formation member into contact with the first solution, a general method such as a dipping method, a spray method, or a spin coating method can be used. In the immersion method, ultrasonic waves are used to move the first solution to the depth of the surface of the film-forming member, the film-forming member is moved in the solution, or the pressure is reduced below atmospheric pressure. It is possible to use a method such as In particular, when metal fine particles are contained in the first solution, it is preferable to immerse the film forming member while stirring the first solution so that the fine particles are uniformly dispersed in the solution.

The time for which the first solution and the film forming member are in contact with each other can be appropriately adjusted depending on the shape, surface area, and the like of the film forming member. In addition, it is preferable that the temperature of the first solution at the time of bringing the first solution into contact with the deposition target member is 0 ° C. or more and 100 ° C. or less, and the change during the contact process is small. When the temperature is lower than 0 ° C., the viscosity of the first solution is increased, and the first solution is difficult to reach the depth of the roughness of the film-formed member surface. When it exceeds 100 ° C., the evaporation of the components of the first solution increases, and the component ratio may change.
In the case where a water / oil repellent film is formed on a part of the surface of the film forming member, the above-described film forming method may be carried out after previously masking the part not to be formed. In this case, various resists can be used as the mask.

  In the film forming method described above, it is preferable that the film forming member is immediately brought into contact with the second solution after the film forming member is brought into contact with the first solution for a predetermined time. Here, a step of removing the liquid adhering to the surface of the film forming member may be provided before the film forming member is brought into contact with the second solution. As a method for removing the adhered liquid, a method of draining using centrifugal force, a method of draining using clean air or inert gas, and the like can be used. In addition, a method such as wiping in which a solid material is brought into direct contact with the surface of the film forming member is not preferable.

Further, the method for bringing the film-forming member into contact with the second solution, and the contact conditions such as temperature and time are the same as in the case of contact with the first solution.
Here, the film-forming member after being brought into contact with the second solution may be brought into contact with the third solution, which is the first step of the second step described above, quickly. It is preferable to provide a drying step after contact with. A strong metal oxide layer is formed on the surface of the film forming member by contact with the second solution, so that the metal oxide layer is more firmly fixed to the surface of the film forming member by drying once. Can be made. However, it is preferable to remove the second solution adhering to the film formation member surface before drying. In addition, as a method of removing the adhering liquid, cleaning with alcohol or the like, a method of draining using centrifugal force, a method of draining using clean air or inert gas, and the like can be used. Moreover, in order to dry after removing the adhering liquid by these methods, it is also possible to heat. Preferably, it is maintained at a temperature of about 50 to 100 ° C. for several minutes to several hours.

In addition, after making a film-forming member contact with the above-mentioned 2nd solution, it is made to contact with the above-mentioned 3rd solution. In this case, the contact method such as the contact method with the third solution, the temperature, and the time are the same as those in the contact with the first solution.
Moreover, after making a film-forming member contact with the above-mentioned 3rd solution, it is made to contact with the above-mentioned 4th solution. In this case, the contact method with the third solution and the fourth solution in the second step, the transition method from the contact with the third solution to the contact with the fourth solution, conditions such as temperature, time, etc. The transition method and the conditions from the contact with the first solution to the contact with the second solution are the same.

  Then, by holding the film forming member in contact with the above-described fourth solution, the holding member having the water / oil repellent film 2b in which the water / oil repellent layer is firmly formed on the surface of the metal oxide layer on the cage body 2a. A device 2 (FIG. 1 (c)) can be realized. Thereafter, it is preferable to perform a liquid draining or washing step and a drying step. The specific method, temperature, time, and other conditions for these steps are the same as the method and conditions for transition from contact with the second solution to contact with the third solution.

2 Roller bearing cage 2a Cage body 2b Water and oil repellent film 4 Inner ring 6 Outer ring 8 Rolling element

Claims (3)

A rolling bearing retainer for exclusive use in an automobile used in a lubricating oil environment while revolving along the inside of the bearing together with the plurality of rolling elements while holding a plurality of rolling elements in the bearing.
The cage includes a cage body formed entirely of a synthetic resin material, and a water / oil repellent film formed on the entire surface of the cage body,
The water / oil repellent film is formed by forming a metal oxide layer on the entire surface of the cage body, and forming a water / oil repellent layer on the entire surface of the metal oxide layer,
The metal oxide layer contains metal oxide fine particles having an average primary particle size of 1 nm to 200 nm,
Metal species of alkoxy metal salt forming metal oxide layer, metal species of fine metal oxide particles forming metal oxide layer, metal species contained in fluorine-containing organic compound forming water / oil repellent treatment, Is all silicon,
A cage for rolling bearings for automobiles , characterized in that the average surface roughness (Ra) of the surface of the cage body is 0.001 μm or more and 4 μm or less. The cage body is formed of a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, or a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and diaminobutane. The rolling bearing retainer for automobiles according to claim 1.   3. The rolling bearing cage for automobiles according to claim 2, wherein the cage body is made of a polyamide resin made by polycondensation of adipic acid and diaminobutane.

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