JP2004028342A - Thrust roller bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of a thrust roller bearing assemblable only in the normal direction to a retaining part of a casing, and to assemble to the retaining part with large dimension in the axial direction. <P>SOLUTION: In assembling, a folded vertical wall 6b formed on the outer circumferential edge of a lace 4b is internally fitted in a retaining part which is a circular recessed part. A plurality of extending pieces 17 are extended from the edge of this folded vertical wall 6b, and a projecting part 18 projected outward in the radial direction is formed on the tip part of each extending piece 17. When assembling in the opposite direction, this projecting part 18 interferes with the circumferential edge part of the retaining part to make the assembly impossible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
A thrust roller bearing (including a needle bearing) according to the present invention is used to support a thrust load by being mounted on a rotating part of a transmission of an automobile or a compressor for a car cooler.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Thrust roller bearings are mounted on the rotating part of the transmission or car cooler compressor to support the thrust load applied to the rotating shaft and the like. FIG. 9 shows an example of a thrust roller bearing used for such a rotating part. The thrust roller bearing 1 includes a plurality of rollers 2 arranged in a radial direction, a retainer 3 for holding the rollers 2, and a plurality of rollers 2 arranged vertically (up and down are shown in the drawing. (It is not shown. The same applies to the entire specification.) A pair of races 4a and 4b sandwiched from both sides. The retainer 3 is formed by combining metal plates, each of which has a U-shaped cross section and is formed in a ring shape as a whole, in the middle, and has the same number of pockets 5 as the rollers 2.
[0003]
Each of the races 4a and 4b is made of a metal plate having a sufficient hardness in an annular shape. The inner peripheral edge of one race 4a generally referred to as an inner ring (upper in FIG. 9) and the outer peripheral edge of the other race 4b generally referred to as an outer ring (lower in FIG. 9) are each provided with a short cylindrical folded wall. 6a and 6b are formed. A plurality of distal end portions of the folded wall 6a are bent outward in the diametric direction, and a plurality of distal end portions of the folded wall 6b are bent inward in the diametric direction, thereby forming locking portions 7a and 7b. Each of the locking portions 7a and 7b and the inner peripheral edge or the outer peripheral edge of the cage 3 are engaged with each other, so that the components of the thrust roller bearing 1 are inseparably coupled to each other.
[0004]
In the thrust roller bearing 1 configured as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a folded wall 6 b formed on an outer peripheral edge of a race 4 b called the outer ring is formed as a holding portion which is a circular recess formed in a casing 8. 9 and attached to a rotating part where a thrust load is generated. In this state, the lower surface of the race 4b comes into contact with the inner surface 9a of the holding portion 9, and the upper surface of another race 4a comes into contact with the end surface 10a of the mating member 10. As a result, the mating member 10 is rotatably supported by the casing 8, and a thrust load acting between the two members 10, 8 is supported. During operation of such a rotation supporting device, lubricating oil is allowed to flow through the rolling elements 2 inside the thrust roller bearing 1. This lubricating oil passes through a gap 11a between the outer peripheral edge of the race 4a and the leading edge of the folded wall 6b and a gap 11b between the inner peripheral edge of the race 4b and the leading edge of the folded wall 6a. It flows in the diameter direction of the thrust roller bearing 1.
[0005]
Such a thrust roller bearing 1 has no particular problem if it is assembled in a normal direction as shown in FIG. 9, but if it is assembled in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. Cannot supply a sufficient amount of lubricating oil. Further, the race 4a or 4b and the casing 8 or the mating member 10 slide, and abrasion, seizure and the like occur. In order to solve such inconveniences, various structures for preventing the thrust roller bearing from being mounted on the holding portion of the casing in the reverse direction have been proposed, and some of the structures have been actually used.
[0006]
First, FIGS. 11 to 12 show a structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-67328 as a first example of a conventionally known structure for preventing a thrust roller bearing from being incorrectly assembled. In the case of this structure of the first example, as compared with the diameter L ₀ of the holding portion 9, slightly the outer diameter L ₁ of the folding stand wall 6b formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the race 4b reduced, the outer diameter of the race 4a L ₂ sufficiently large are _{(L 1 <L 0 <L} 2). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, if the thrust roller bearing 1a is in the normal orientation, the folded wall 6b can be fitted to the holding portion 9, but as shown in FIG. In the case of a fraud, the folded wall 6b cannot be fitted to the holding portion 9. As a result, the thrust roller bearing 1a is not assembled to the holding portion 9 in the wrong direction.
[0007]
Next, FIGS. 13 to 17 show a structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-87332 as a second to fourth examples of a conventionally known erroneous assembly prevention structure. First, in the case of the structure of the second example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the retaining ring 12 is fixedly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the folded wall 6b formed on the outer peripheral edge of the race 4b called the outer ring. . The upper edge of the holding ring 12 is bent inward in the diameter direction to form a bent edge 13, and the inner diameter d of the bent edge 13 is made smaller than the outer diameter D of the retainer 3 (d <D). 2 is prevented from falling out of the inside of the race 4b.
[0008]
The inner diameter R of the holding portion 9 of the casing 8 constituting the above-described thrust roller bearing 1b is slightly larger (R> r) than the outer diameter r of the holding ring 12 excluding an elastic piece 14 described later. . Therefore, the thrust roller bearing 1b having the holding ring 12 mounted on its outer periphery can be freely fitted into the holding portion 9 without play. Inverted U-shaped cuts 15 having an open upper part are formed at a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface of the holding ring 12 made thinner than the race 4b by a thin plate material having elasticity. Then, a rectangular portion surrounded on three sides by the cut 15 is bent slightly outward in the diametric direction with the lower side portion as a center, so that it is inclined only in one direction so that it goes diametrically outward as it goes upward. The elastic piece 14 is used. The amount H by which the distal end of the elastic piece 14 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring 12 is determined by the difference between the inner diameter R of the retaining portion 9 and the outer diameter r of the retaining ring 12. It is larger (H> (R−r) / 2) than the width of the gap formed between the portion 9 and the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, unless the elastic piece 14 is elastically deformed in a direction to reduce the amount of protrusion H, the thrust roller bearing having the holding ring 12 mounted on the outer peripheral surface cannot be fitted into the holding portion 9.
[0009]
In the case of the thrust roller bearing 1b of the second example configured in this manner, when the thrust roller bearing 1b is correctly mounted on the holding portion 9 provided in the casing 8, the mounting operation is not performed unless the front and back directions of the thrust roller bearing 1b are properly regulated. However, the mounting operation of pushing the thrust roller bearing 1b into the holding portion 9 cannot be performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, if the mounting operation is performed with the thrust roller bearing 1b facing the holder 9 in the correct direction, the elastic piece 14 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding ring 12 is elastically deformed. While entering the holding portion 9. Therefore, regardless of the amount of protrusion H of the elastic piece 14 in the free state, a bearing having the holding ring 12 mounted on the outer periphery can be fitted to the holding portion 9. On the other hand, when the thrust roller bearing 1 b is to be fitted to the holding portion 9 from the opposite direction, the tip edge of the elastic piece 14 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the holding ring 12 is It abuts against the open edge and prevents further lowering of the bearing. For this reason, the holding ring 12 and the holding portion 9 on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing do not fit each other, and the thrust roller bearing 1b cannot be mounted on the holding portion 9 in the opposite direction.
[0010]
Next, in the case of the third example shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a short columnar convex portion is formed on a part of the casing 8 a, and this convex portion is used as a holding portion 16 for fitting the thrust roller bearing 1 c. And Then, a retaining ring 12a is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a folded wall 6a formed on the inner peripheral edge of a race 4a called an inner ring, and the upper edge of the retaining ring 12a is bent outward in the diameter direction to form a bent edge 13a. I have. The outer diameter of the bent edge 13a is larger than the inner diameter of the retainer 3 to prevent the retainer 3 from separating from the race 4a. The inner diameter of the holding ring 12a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the holding portion 16. An elastic piece 14a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holding ring 12a and is inclined inward in the diametrical direction toward the leading edge. In the case of such a structure of the third example, the holding ring 12a cannot be fitted onto the holding portion 16 unless the thrust roller bearing 1c is oriented in a normal direction. Therefore, the thrust roller bearing 1c is not assembled to the casing 8 in the opposite direction.
[0011]
Further, in the case of the fourth example shown in FIG. 17, races 4a and 4b are provided on both sides of the rollers 2 and 2 to constitute a thrust roller bearing 1d. When the races 4a and 4b are provided on both sides of the rollers 2 and 2 in this manner, the retaining rings 12 and 12a are provided on both the races 4a and 4b, and the retainer 3 and the races 4a and 4a are provided by the both retaining rings 12 and 12a. 4b is prevented. Also, elastic pieces 14, 14a for preventing reverse assembly are formed on at least one (both in the illustrated example) of the holding rings 12, 12a.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional thrust roller bearing configured as described above has the following disadvantages. First, in the case of the first example shown in FIGS. 11 to 12, the mounting portion is limited, and depending on the depth of the holding portion 9, mounting may not be possible unless another component such as a spacer is used. That is, if the holding portion 9 is deep as shown in FIG. 18, a portion closer to the outer periphery of another race 4 a contacts the peripheral portion of the holding portion 9 before the race 4 b contacts the inner surface 9 a of the holding portion 9. I will touch you. As a result, a gap is formed between the race 4b and the back surface 9a, and the thrust roller bearing 1a cannot support rotation.
[0013]
Further, in the case of the second to fourth examples shown in FIGS. 13 to 17, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased due to an increase in the number of parts instead of the above-described inconvenience. That is, in the case of the structures of the second to fourth examples, the holding rings 12 and 12a are all required, and the manufacturing cost increases accordingly.
[0014]
The thrust roller bearing of the present invention has been invented in order to eliminate any of the above disadvantages.
[0015]
[Means to solve the problem]
The thrust roller bearing of the present invention, like the conventional thrust roller bearing described above, retains a plurality of rollers arranged in a radial direction, and is provided to face the retainer, and the plurality of rollers are provided. The race includes at least one race to be brought into contact with the race and a cylindrical folded wall formed on a peripheral surface of the race. By preventing the race from being separated from the retainer based on the engagement between the edge of the folded wall and the peripheral edge of the cage, the folded wall is fitted to the holding portion of the casing. It is mounted on this casing.
[0016]
In particular, the thrust roller bearing of the present invention includes an extending piece extending in the axial direction from the edge of the folded wall, and a projecting portion formed at a tip end of the extending piece. I have. The protruding portion is bent from the tip end of the extension piece in the diameter direction and in a direction that interferes with the holding portion.
[0017]
[Action]
The bearing operation itself of the thrust roller bearing of the present invention configured as described above is the same as that of the conventional thrust roller bearing. Also, in the case of the thrust roller bearing of the present invention, similarly to the case of the conventional structure described above, when the casing is mounted on the holding portion, unless the mounting operation is performed after correctly regulating the front and back directions, the thrust roller bearing is not used. It cannot be mounted on the above holding part. As a result, the thrust roller bearing is not mounted in the reverse direction. That is, when the thrust roller bearing is fitted to the holding portion in the correct direction, the protruding portion of the distal end of the extension piece does not interfere with the peripheral portion of the holding portion, and the folded wall and the holding portion are separated from each other. It is allowed to fit each other. If the thrust roller bearing is to be fitted to the holding portion from the opposite direction, the protrusion interferes with the peripheral edge of the holding portion and prevents the folded wall and the holding portion from fitting with each other. . For this reason, the thrust roller bearing cannot be mounted in the opposite direction.
[0018]
In particular, in the case of the thrust roller bearing of the present invention, the race can be brought into contact with the mating surface regardless of the axial dimension of the holding portion. For this reason, it becomes possible to mount the same type of thrust rolling bearing on holding portions having different dimensions. Also, in order to prevent erroneous assembly, parts other than those required by the thrust rolling bearing are not used, so that the production cost is not increased due to an increase in the number of parts.
[0019]
【Example】
1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the thrust roller bearing 1A of the present invention lies in the structure of a portion that can be assembled to the casing holding portion only in a normal direction. Since the structure and operation of the other parts are the same as those of the conventional thrust roller bearing 1 shown in FIG. 9, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The description focuses on the parts.
[0020]
At a plurality of edges (four in the illustrated example) of the folded wall 6b formed on the outer peripheral edge of the race 4b called an outer ring, four axially extending from this edge (vertical direction in FIG. 1, FIG. 2) Extension pieces 17, 17 extending in the front-back direction are formed. Projections 18, 18 are formed at the tips of the extending pieces 17, 17, respectively. These projecting portions 18, 18 project diametrically outward from the outer peripheral surfaces of the distal ends of the extending pieces 17, 17, respectively. That is, each of the projecting portions 18 is formed by plastically deforming the widthwise central portion of the distal end of each of the extending pieces 17, outward in the diametrical direction. 17 is bent in a direction that interferes with the peripheral edge of the opening of the holding portion 9 of the casing 8 from the distal end portion. Locking portions 7b, 7b for preventing the race 4b from being separated from the retainer 3 are formed in the intermediate portions of the extending pieces 17, 17, respectively. The angle at which the protruding portions 18, 18 are bent (plastically deformed) with respect to the extending pieces 17, 17 is less than 90 degrees. Therefore, the intersection angle between the outer peripheral side surfaces of the respective projecting portions 18 and 18 and the extending pieces 17 and 17 is an obtuse angle.
[0021]
In addition, as shown in the figure, the tip of each of the extending pieces 17 may protrude above the upper surface of the race 4a called an inner ring. However, if it does not protrude, a usable thrust roller bearing 1A can be configured irrespective of the shape of the mating member 10 (FIGS. 9 to 10), and versatility can be improved. In other words, if the mounting surface of the mating member 10 has a shape in which only the portion facing the upper surface of the race 4a protrudes downward, the tip of each of the extending pieces 17, 17 protrudes from the upper surface of the race 4a. Is not a problem. On the other hand, when the mounting surface is a single plane extending from the upper surface of the race 4a to a portion facing the tip of each of the extension pieces 17, 17, the extension pieces 17, 17 are provided. Must not protrude from the upper surface of the race 4a. Therefore, regardless of the shape of the mounting surface of the mating member 10, in order to enable the use of the thrust roller bearing 1A, the distal ends of the extending pieces 17, 17 must not project beyond the upper surface of the race 4a. preferable.
[0022]
In the case of the bearing of the thrust roller bearing 1A of the present invention configured as described above, when the casing 8 is mounted on the holding portion 9, the mounting operation cannot be performed unless the mounting operation is performed after correctly regulating the front and back directions. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), when the thrust roller bearing 1A is fitted in the holding portion 9 in the correct direction, the projecting portion 18 formed at the tip of each of the extending pieces 17 has There is no interference with the peripheral edge of the opening of the holding portion 9. Accordingly, the folded wall 6b of the race 4b can be fitted inside the holding portion 9, and the thrust roller bearing 1A can be assembled to the rotation supporting portion. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the thrust roller bearing 1 </ b> A is to be fitted to the holding portion 9 from the opposite direction, each of the protrusions 18 causes the periphery of the opening of the holding portion 9. Abutting on the holding portion 9 to prevent the folded wall 6b from fitting into the holding portion 9. For this reason, the thrust roller bearing 1A cannot be mounted in the opposite direction.
[0023]
In particular, in the case of the thrust roller bearing 1A of the present invention, regardless of the dimension of the holding portion 9 in the axial direction (in the present embodiment, the depth of the holding portion 9), each of the extension pieces 17, The race 4b having the projection 17 and the projections 18 can be brought into contact with the back surface 9a of the holding portion 9 as the mating surface. That is, when the holding portion 9 is deeper in the state of FIG. 4A, the protruding portions 18 are pushed by the opening edges of the holding portion 9 so that the extending pieces 17 17 elastically deforms inward in the diameter direction. Therefore, irrespective of the presence of the respective projecting portions 18, 18, the thrust bearing 1A can be pushed deep into the holding portion 9 to bring the race 4b into contact with the inner surface 9a. For this reason, it becomes possible to attach the same type of thrust rolling bearing 1A to the holding portions 9 having different depth dimensions. In order to prevent erroneous assembly, parts other than those originally required by the thrust rolling bearing 1A, such as the retaining rings 12, 12a (FIGS. 13, 15, 17), are not used. Also does not increase
[0024]
The shape of the extension piece 17 shown in FIG. 3 is such that the edge of the folded wall 6b and the band-shaped part are continuous with each other by a quarter-arc part as shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to adopt a shape in which a quarter-arc portion is omitted as shown in FIG. 7B or a shape of a mountain shape shown in FIG. 7C. Also, as for the shape of the protruding portion 18 formed at the distal end of each extension piece 17, instead of plastically deforming only the widthwise intermediate portion of each extension piece 17, as shown in FIG. The entire distal end portion of each extension piece 17 may be plastically deformed to form the protruding portion 18a.
[0025]
Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The thrust roller bearing 1B of the present embodiment has a structure to be mounted on a short cylindrical holding portion 16 (FIGS. 15 and 17) formed on the casing 8a. For this reason, in the case of the present embodiment, extending pieces 17 are formed at the edge of the folded wall 6a formed on the inner peripheral edge of the race 4a called the inner ring, and these extending pieces 17 are formed. Protrusions 18b, 18b, which are each bent inward in the diameter direction, are formed at the distal end.
[0026]
In the case of this embodiment, when the thrust roller bearing 1 </ b> B is fitted in the correct direction with respect to the holding portion 16, the projecting portion 18 b formed at the front end of each of the extending pieces 17 is provided at the front end surface of the holding portion 16. Does not interfere with the outer part. Therefore, the folded wall 6a of the race 4a can be externally fitted to the holding portion 16, and the thrust roller bearing 1B can be assembled to the rotation supporting portion. On the other hand, when the thrust roller bearing 1B is to be fitted to the holding portion 16 from the opposite direction, the respective projecting portions 18b abut against the outer peripheral portion of the tip end surface of the holding portion 16 and the folding is performed. The holding portion 16 is prevented from being externally fitted 9 to the upright wall 6a. For this reason, the thrust roller bearing 1B cannot be mounted in the opposite direction.
[0027]
In the case of the present embodiment, even if the height of the holding portion 16 is large, the races 4a and the casing 8a are brought into contact with each other by elastically deforming the extending pieces 17, 17 outward in the diameter direction. Becomes possible. Note that the points to be considered regarding the relationship between the tip edge position of the protruding portion 18b and the upper surface position of the race 4b are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
Since the thrust roller bearing of the present invention is configured and operates as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the bearing from being assembled in the reverse direction with respect to the casing, and to perform operation failure and durability due to the reverse assembly. The fall can be prevented reliably. Further, the race can be brought into contact with the mating surface irrespective of the axial dimension of the holding portion, and the same type of thrust rolling bearing can be assembled to the holding portions having different sizes. Moreover, in order to prevent erroneous assembly, no parts other than those originally required by the thrust rolling bearing are used, so that the production cost is not increased due to an increase in the number of parts. For this reason, by improving the versatility and reducing the number of parts, costs can be reduced in terms of manufacturing costs, parts management, and product management.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a race used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the lace.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional views showing a mounting state of a casing to a holding portion, in which FIG. 4A shows a state where the casing is mounted in a normal direction, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. 3, showing three examples of the shape of the extension piece.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing another example of the shape of the protrusion.
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a race used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a conventionally known thrust roller bearing is assembled in a proper direction with respect to a casing.
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state of being assembled in the same reverse direction.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a first example of a conventional structure in which erroneous assembly prevention is taken into consideration, in a state where assembly is to be performed from a regular direction.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where it is about to be assembled from the opposite direction.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a second example of the conventional structure in which erroneous assembly prevention is taken into consideration, in a state where the assembly is to be performed from a normal direction.
FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a third example of a conventional structure in which prevention of erroneous assembly is taken into consideration in a state where assembly is to be performed from a normal direction.
FIG. 16 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a fourth example of a conventional structure in which prevention of erroneous assembly is taken into consideration in a state where the assembly is to be performed from a normal direction.
FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the thrust roller bearing having the structure of the first example is about to be assembled to a holding portion having a large depth dimension.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1A, 1B Thrust roller bearing 2 Roller 3 Cage 4a, 4b Race 5 Pocket 6a, 6b Folding wall 7a, 7b Locking portion 8, 8a Casing 9 Holding portion 9a Back surface 10 Mating member 10a End faces 11a, 11b Gap 12, 12a Holding ring 13, 13a Bending edge 14, 14a Elastic piece 15 Cut 16 Holding section 17 Extension piece 18, 18a, 18b Projection

Claims (1)

A cage that holds a plurality of rollers arranged in a radial direction, at least one race that is provided to face the cage and that abuts the plurality of rollers, and that is formed on a peripheral edge of the race; A cylindrical upright wall; preventing the race from being separated from the retainer based on engagement between an edge of the upright wall and a peripheral edge of the retainer; In the thrust roller bearing attached to the casing by being fitted to the holding portion, an extension piece extending in the axial direction from the edge of the folded wall and a tip end of the extension piece are formed. A thrust roller bearing, characterized in that the protruding portion is bent from the distal end portion of the extension piece in a direction diametrically interfering with the holding portion.

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