JP5212519B2 - Plain bearing - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sliding bearing, and more particularly to a sliding bearing made of a synthetic resin suitable as a thrust sliding bearing for a strut suspension (McPherson type) in a four-wheeled vehicle.

  Generally, a strut suspension is mainly used for a front wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle, and is a combination of a coil spring and a strut assembly in which a hydraulic shock absorber is incorporated in an outer cylinder integrated with a main shaft. Such a suspension has (1) a structure in which the axis of the coil spring is positively offset with respect to the axis of the strut, and the piston rod of the shock absorber built in the strut smoothly slides. 2) There is a structure in which the axis of the coil spring is arranged so as to coincide with the axis of the strut. In any structure, when the strut assembly rotates together with the coil spring by the steering operation, a thrust bearing is disposed between the mounting member of the vehicle body and the upper spring seat of the coil spring so as to allow the rotation smoothly.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-303873 JP 2002-257146 A

  As this thrust bearing, a rolling bearing using a ball or a needle or a synthetic resin sliding bearing is used. However, the rolling bearing has a problem that it may be difficult to maintain a smooth steering operation because the ball or needle may be damaged due to a slight swing and vibration load. Sliding bearings have higher frictional torque than rolling bearings, so when the thrust load increases, the frictional torque increases, and the steering operation becomes heavy, and depending on the combination of synthetic resins, a stick-slip phenomenon often occurs. There is a problem of generating a frictional noise caused by the stick-slip phenomenon.

  In addition, a lubricant such as grease is applied to the slide bearing. As long as such a lubricant is present on the sliding surface as desired, the frictional noise as described above hardly occurs. There may be a case where frictional noise starts to occur due to disappearance of the lubricant or the like due to the use of.

  In addition, since the plain bearing is usually configured to include two bearing bodies that are superposed on each other, when the required frictional characteristics cannot be obtained between the two bearing bodies, these two bearings are used. There are problems such as having to redesign or manufacture the body.

  The above-mentioned problem does not occur only in the thrust sliding bearing incorporated in the strut type suspension, and can occur in the general sliding bearing as well.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. The purpose of the present invention is that the friction torque hardly changes even when the thrust load is increased, and the sliding surface can be configured with a low friction torque. This low friction coefficient can be maintained even when used, and there is no generation of friction noise on the sliding surface.Furthermore, the friction coefficient can be easily adjusted to obtain the optimum friction coefficient. To provide a sliding bearing that can be adjusted to an optimum coefficient of friction so that a smooth steering operation equivalent to that of a rolling bearing can be ensured even when incorporated as a bearing and the flutter phenomenon of the steering handle can be eliminated. is there.

  The sliding bearing according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first bearing body having an annular surface, and the first bearing body so as to be rotatable around an axis of the first bearing body. And a second bearing body having an annular surface facing the annular surface of the first bearing body, and being interposed between both annular surfaces, and slidable on at least one of the two bearing bodies. And an annular sheet made of synthetic resin in contact therewith.

  According to the slide bearing of the first aspect, since the annular sheet made of synthetic resin that is slidably in contact with at least one of the both bearing bodies is interposed between the annular surfaces, By simply changing the seat, the friction coefficient between the first bearing body and the second bearing body can be easily adjusted to obtain the optimum friction coefficient, and it is incorporated into the strut suspension as a thrust slide bearing. However, a smooth steering operation equivalent to that of a rolling bearing can be ensured, and the optimum friction coefficient can be easily adjusted so as to eliminate the flutter phenomenon of the steering handle.

  The annular sheet is preferably made of a synthetic resin containing at least one of a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluororesin, as in the sliding bearing of the second aspect of the present invention, Further, it preferably has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm as in the sliding bearing of the third aspect of the present invention.

  In the sliding bearing of the present invention, the both bearing bodies are preferably made of synthetic resin, like the sliding bearing of the fourth aspect, specifically, like the sliding bearing of the fifth aspect, It may be made of a synthetic resin containing at least one of a polyacetal resin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluorine resin, and more preferably, like the sliding bearing of the sixth aspect, The first bearing body is made of polyacetal resin, and the second bearing body is made of synthetic resin containing at least one of polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, polyolefin resin, and fluororesin.

  In the sliding bearing of the present invention, preferably, like the sliding bearing of the seventh aspect, the first bearing body has a diameter of the second bearing body at the outer peripheral edge in the radial direction. It is designed to be elastically fitted at the outer peripheral edge in the direction, and, like the sliding bearing of the eighth aspect of the present invention, out of the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge in the radial direction of both bearing bodies. A labyrinth is formed between the two bearing bodies in at least one of the two, and the labyrinth causes dust, muddy water, etc. on the sliding surface between the first bearing body and the second bearing body. It is possible to prevent the intrusion of the image.

  In the sliding bearing of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the second bearing body has a protrusion integrally formed on the annular surface, and the sheet includes the protrusion and the annular surface of the first bearing body. And a sliding bearing comprising a second bearing body having such a protrusion, which is slidably in contact with at least one of the protrusion and the annular surface of the first bearing body. Then, as in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the annular surface of the second bearing body is formed with a closed recess surrounded by a protrusion, and the annular recess corresponding to the closed recess and the closed recess is formed. At least one of the annular closed spaces between the seat and the annular surface of the first bearing body is filled with fluid.

  According to the sliding bearing of the tenth aspect, the fluid filled in at least one of the closed recess and the closed space can share and receive the thrust load. The sliding surface of the second bearing body can be configured with a fluid surface filled in at least one of the closed recess and the closed space, and has a very low coefficient of friction due to the fluid contact surface. The relative rotation of the second bearing body about the axis of the first bearing body with respect to the first bearing body can be performed with extremely low frictional resistance even under a thrust load, Since such a fluid is filled in at least one of a closed recess and a closed space sealed with a sheet that can also function as a sealing body, the low friction coefficient can be maintained even in long-term use. , Obtained without the occurrence of frictional noise in the sliding surface, it can ensure a smooth steering operation equivalent to even rolling bearing incorporated in the strut-type suspension.

  Therefore, as in the sliding bearing according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the fluid filled in at least one of the closed recess and the closed space may receive a thrust load.

  The protrusion preferably bends and deforms to reduce the fluid filling volume of at least one of the closed recess and the closed space under a thrust load, like the sliding bearing of the twelfth aspect of the present invention. More specifically, as in the sliding bearing of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, under a thrust load, the fluid filling volume of at least one of the closed recess and the closed space is reduced to reduce the closed recess. And at least one of the closed space and the closed space are bent and deformed so as to generate an internal pressure.

  The fluid filled in at least one of the closed recess and the closed space contains at least one of grease and lubricating oil, as in the sliding bearing of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, and more preferably. Is made of silicone grease as in the sliding bearing of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention.

  In a preferred example, the projection is an inner annular projection on the inner peripheral side, and is substantially the same as the inner annular projection on the radially outer side of the inner annular projection, like the sliding bearing of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention. At least an outer annular protrusion concentrically arranged, and in another preferred example, an inner annular protrusion on the inner peripheral side and the inner circular protrusion as in the sliding bearing of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention. An outer annular projection arranged radially concentrically with the inner annular projection, and radially extending radially connected to each of the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection. And at least a directional protrusion.

  In the sliding bearing of the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, the protrusion is between the inner annular protrusion and the outer annular protrusion in the radial direction as in the sliding bearing of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention. In addition to the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection, the intermediate annular projection may further include at least one intermediate annular projection arranged substantially concentrically with the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection. When the protrusion is provided with the protrusion, the uneven deflection of the inner annular protrusion and the outer annular protrusion can be reduced even if a biased load in the thrust direction is applied to the slide bearing. The closed state (sealed state) can be preferably maintained, and the acceptance of the thrust load by the fluid can be maintained for a long time without causing the fluid to leak from the closed recess or the closed space.

  In the present invention, the second bearing body may be composed of one integrated member, but instead of this, like the sliding bearing of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, An annular piece disposed between the bearing member and the first bearing body so as to be rotatable with respect to at least one of the first bearing body and the bearing member around an axis of the first bearing body; Here, the annular piece includes the annular surface facing the synthetic resin annular surface of the first bearing body, and the annular piece integrally formed on the annular surface. And a protrusion. In addition, you may comprise the 2nd bearing body which concerns on this invention with the annular piece which does not have a bearing member and protrusion.

  In the second bearing body comprising two members of the bearing member and the annular piece, the bearing member is preferably made of polyacetal resin, like the sliding bearing of the twentieth aspect of the present invention, and is annular. The piece is made of a synthetic resin containing at least one of a polyamide resin, a polyolefin resin, and a fluororesin.

  As in the slide bearing according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the annular piece includes another annular surface disposed opposite to the annular surface facing the annular surface of the first bearing body, and The bearing member is made of a synthetic resin that faces the other annular surface of the annular piece and slidably contacts the other projection. It is preferable to have an annular surface, but instead, the second bearing body according to the present invention may be constituted by a bearing member and an annular piece having no projection.

  When the second bearing body according to the present invention is constituted by the bearing member and the annular piece having no protrusion, the annular surface of the bearing member may be brought into direct contact with the other annular surface of the annular piece. Instead of this, another annular sheet may be interposed between the annular surface of the bearing member and the other annular surface of the annular piece, and when the annular piece has other projections, the present invention As in the sliding bearing of the twentieth aspect, another annular sheet made of synthetic resin is interposed between another projection and the annular surface of the bearing member, and the other annular sheet You may contact | abut to at least one of the protrusion and the annular surface of a bearing member so that sliding is possible.

  As with the sliding bearing of the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the other annular sheet is at least one of a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluororesin, similar to the above-described sheet. In addition, like the sliding bearing of the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, it may have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm.

  As in the sliding bearing according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, another closing recess surrounded by another protrusion is formed on the other annular surface of the annular piece. It is preferable that at least one of the other annular closed spaces between the other annular seat corresponding to the other closed recesses and the annular surface of the bearing member is filled with another fluid. And, preferably, other fluids filled in other enclosed recesses and other enclosed spaces, such as the sliding bearing of the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, are adapted to receive thrust loads; More preferably, as in the sliding bearing of the 27th aspect of the present invention, the other protrusion reduces the fluid filling volume of at least one of the other closed recess and the other closed space under a thrust load. The sliding bearing according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention. As described above, under a thrust load, the fluid filling volume of at least one of the other closed recesses and the other closed spaces is reduced to reduce the other fluid of at least one of the other closed recesses and the other closed spaces. It is preferable to bend and deform so as to generate an internal pressure.

  The other fluid also preferably includes at least one of grease and lubricating oil, more preferably the sliding bearing of the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, more preferably the thirty-third aspect of the present invention. Like a plain bearing, it consists of silicone grease.

  As in the slide bearing according to the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the other protrusions are, similarly to the above-described protrusions, the other inner annular protrusions on the inner peripheral side and the radial direction of the other inner annular protrusions. At least other outer annular projections that are arranged substantially concentrically with the other inner annular projections, as in the sliding bearing of the thirty-second aspect of the present invention, Other inner annular projections on the circumferential side, other outer annular projections arranged radially concentrically with the other inner annular projections, and other inner sides of the other inner annular projections It may have at least another radial projection that is integrally connected to each of the annular projection and the other outer annular projection and extends in the radial direction.

  In the sliding bearing according to the thirty-first or thirty-second aspect, the other protrusions are different from the other inner annular protrusions in the radial direction and the other protrusions, like the sliding bearing according to the thirty-third aspect of the present invention. It may further include at least one other intermediate annular protrusion disposed between the outer annular protrusion and substantially concentric with the other inner annular protrusion and the other outer annular protrusion. In addition to the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection, when the other projection has another intermediate annular projection, the other inner annular projection can be applied even if a biased load in the thrust direction is applied to the slide bearing. In addition, it is possible to reduce uneven deflection of other outer annular projections, and it is possible to preferably hold the closed state (sealed state) of other closed recesses or other closed spaces, and to close other closed recesses or other closed spaces. Long-term acceptance of thrust load by other fluids without leaking other fluids from Over and it can be maintained.

  In the present invention, each of the first and second bearing bodies may have cylindrical surfaces facing each other like the sliding bearing of the thirty-fourth aspect. A cylindrical sheet made of synthetic resin may be interposed between the cylindrical surfaces, and the cylindrical sheet may be slidably brought into contact with at least one of the cylindrical surfaces.

  Like the slide bearing according to the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical sheet is preferably made of a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluororesin, as in the above-described sheet. It is made of a synthetic resin containing at least one and preferably has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm as in the sliding bearing of the thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention.

  The sliding bearing of the present invention is preferably used for a thrust sliding bearing of a strut type suspension in a four-wheeled vehicle, like the sliding bearing of the thirty-seventh aspect, but is not limited to this. It may be used for the above.

  The slide bearing of the present invention is preferably used for a strut-type suspension in a four-wheeled vehicle like the slide bearing of the thirty-seventh aspect, wherein the first bearing body is an upper case or A lower case, even if the second bearing body is a lower case or an upper case, the first bearing body is an upper case, the second bearing body is composed of a bearing piece and a lower case, and The first bearing body may be a lower case, and the second bearing body may be a bearing piece and an upper case.

  According to the present invention, the friction torque is hardly changed even when the thrust load is increased, and the sliding surface can be configured with a low friction torque, and such a low friction coefficient can be maintained even in long-term use. There is no generation of friction noise, and the friction coefficient can be easily adjusted to obtain the optimum friction coefficient. Even if it is incorporated as a thrust slide bearing in a strut suspension, the same smooth steering operation as a rolling bearing is ensured. In addition, it is possible to provide a synthetic resin sliding bearing that can be easily adjusted to an optimum coefficient of friction so as to eliminate the flutter phenomenon of the steering wheel.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the annular piece of the example shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the example sheet shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the example shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in a strut suspension. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the radial bearing body and seat of the example of FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view of another example of the annular piece according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a plan view of still another example of the annular piece according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the annular piece of the example shown in FIG.

  Next, the present invention and its embodiments will be described with reference to preferred examples shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

  1 to 3, the sliding bearing 1 for use in the strut suspension in the four-wheeled vehicle of this example is an upper case 3 as a first bearing body having an annular surface 2 made of synthetic resin and made of polyacetal resin. And the upper case 3 so as to be rotatable in the R direction around the axis O of the upper case 3 and have an annular surface 4 made of a synthetic resin facing the annular surface 2 of the upper case 3. The second bearing body 5 is interposed between the annular surfaces 2 and 4, and slides on at least one of the upper case 3 and the bearing body 5, both the upper case 3 and the bearing body 5 in this example. And an annular sheet 6 made of a synthetic resin, which is in free contact.

  The upper case 3 made of synthetic resin has an inner peripheral surface 12 that defines a circular hole 11 at the center and an annular upper case main body 13 having an annular surface 2, and the radial direction of the upper case main body 13. The innermost peripheral cylindrical drooping portion 14 that is formed integrally with the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral edge and the outermost circumferential cylindrical drooping portion 14. A cylindrical shape that is formed integrally with the annular surface 2 and that is formed integrally with the inner peripheral side cylindrical hanging portion 15 that hangs down toward the bearing body 5 and the outer peripheral edge of the upper case main body portion 13 in the radial direction. The hanging engagement portion 16 and the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 are arranged on the inner side in the radial direction and on the outer side in the radial direction of the inner cylindrical side hanging portion 15, and are formed integrally with the annular surface 2. Formed on the outer peripheral side cylindrical hanging portion 17 and the radially inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16. And and an engaging hook portion 18 are integrally formed.

  An inner annular projection 19 on the inner peripheral side and an outer annular projection 20 arranged radially concentrically with the inner annular projection 19 on the outer side of the inner annular projection 19 are integrated with the annular surface 4. A bearing body 5 having protrusions formed on the upper case 3 is a lower case 21 made of polyacetal resin as a bearing member, and between the lower case 21 and the upper case 3 around the axis O of the upper case 3. 3 and the lower case 21, and in this example, a synthetic resin that is rotatably arranged with respect to both and is made of synthetic resin, preferably including at least one of polyamide resin, polyolefin resin, and fluororesin And an annular piece 22 made of

  The lower case 21 made of synthetic resin has an inner peripheral surface 30 and is formed integrally with an annular lower case main body 32 having an annular surface 31 and an inner peripheral edge in the radial direction of the lower case main body 32. And an innermost cylindrical projection 33 projecting toward the upper case 3 so as to be disposed between the innermost cylindrical droop 14 and the inner cylindrical droop 15, and an innermost cylinder An outer circumferential cylindrical projection 34 that is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction of the cylindrical projection 33 and is formed integrally with the annular surface 31 and projects toward the upper case 3, and a lower case main body portion A cylindrical projecting member that is formed integrally with the outer circumferential edge of the radial direction 32 and projects toward the upper case 3 so as to be disposed between the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 and the outer circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 17. The inner side in the radial direction of the joint portion 35 and the cylindrical protruding engagement portion 35 An outer circumferential cylindrical projection 36 which is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction of the cylindrical projection 34 and is integrally formed with the annular surface 31 and projects toward the upper case 3, and a cylindrical projection An engaging hook portion 37 that is formed on the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the joint portion 35 and engages with the engaging hook portion 18, and the lower case main body portion on the radially inner peripheral side of the lower case main body portion 32. The cylindrical portion 40 is formed integrally with the outer peripheral surface 38 of the 32 and has an inner peripheral surface 39 continuous with the inner peripheral surface 30 and projecting downward. A circular hole 41 at the center of the lower case main body portion 32 substantially concentric with the circular hole 11 is defined by the inner peripheral surface 39.

  The innermost cylindrical projection 33 is formed such that its height H1 from the annular surface 31 is lower than the height H2 of the inner cylindrical projection 34 from the annular surface 31, The cylindrical protrusion engaging portion 35 is also formed so that its height H3 from the annular surface 31 is lower than the height H4 of the outer cylindrical protrusion 36 from the annular surface 31 (FIG. 5). reference). The present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the innermost cylindrical projection 33 and the inner cylindrical projection 34 may have the same height (H1 = H2). The joint portion 35 and the outer peripheral cylindrical protrusion 36 may have the same height (H3 = H4).

  The annular piece 22 is disposed to face the annular surface 4 in addition to the annular surface 4 facing the annular surface 2, the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 formed integrally with the annular surface 4. The other annular surface 55 and the inner annular projection 56 on the inner peripheral side and the outer annular projection 57 arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the inner annular projection 56 and substantially concentrically with the inner annular projection 56. And the other annular projection 55 formed integrally with the annular surface 55. The synthetic resin annular surface 31 of the lower case 21 facing the annular surface 55 of the annular piece 22 is formed on the inner annular projection 19. The inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 formed in the same manner as the outer annular projection 20 are slidably contacted.

  An annular closing recess 58 surrounded by the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 is formed on the annular surface 4, and the inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57 are surrounded on the annular surface 55. An annular closed recess 59 is formed, and the closed recesses 58 and 59 are filled with fluids 60 and 61 made of at least one of grease and lubricating oil, preferably silicone grease. Yes.

  Made of synthetic resin, preferably made of synthetic resin including at least one of polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin and fluororesin, and having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm The sheet 6 is interposed between the projection formed by the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20 and the annular surface 2, and the projection formed by the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20 and the annular surface. In this example, both are slidably in contact with each other.

  The closing recess 58 is formed so that the area facing the sheet 6 is larger than the total area of the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 slidably contacting the sheet 6 and the outer annular protrusion 19 and Surrounded by the outer annular protrusion 20, in other words, the closing recess 58 includes the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion in which the area of the fluid 60 that contacts the sheet 6 is slidably abutted on the sheet 6. 20 is surrounded by the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 so as to be larger than the total area, and the closed recess 59 has its area facing the annular surface 31 slidable on the annular surface 31. Is surrounded by the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 so that the total area of the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 is larger. , Annular surface 31 In the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57, the area of the fluid 61 that comes into contact with the annular surface 56 is larger than the total area of the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 that slidably contact the annular surface 31. being surrounded.

  The inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20 are bent and deformed so that the fluid filling volume of the closed recess 58 is reduced and an internal pressure is generated in the fluid 60 of the closed recess 58 under the thrust load. The inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57 also reduce the fluid filling volume of the closing recess 59 under the thrust load, and apply an internal pressure to the fluid 61 of the closing recess 59. It is deformed so as to be brought into contact with the annular surface 31.

  The upper case 3 has an engagement hook portion 18 of the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 at the outer peripheral edge portion in the radial direction and an engagement hook portion of the cylindrical projecting engagement portion 35 at the outer peripheral edge portion in the radial direction in the lower case 21. 37 is elastically engaged with the lower case 21 in a snap-fit manner.

  In at least one of the outer peripheral edge portion and the inner peripheral edge portion in the radial direction of the upper case 3 and the lower case 21, in this example, both edge portions, the upper case main body portion 13, between the upper case 3 and the lower case 21, A labyrinth (maze) 65 is formed by the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16 and the outer circumferential side cylindrical hanging portion 17, the lower case main body portion 32, the cylindrical projecting engagement portion 35, and the outer circumferential side cylindrical projection portion 36. The upper case main body 13, the innermost circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 14, the inner circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 15, the lower case main body 32, the innermost circumferential cylindrical protrusion 33, and the inner circumferential cylindrical shape A labyrinth 66 is formed by the projecting portion 34, and dust, muddy water, etc., enter the closed recesses 58 and 59 from the labyrinth 65 at the outer peripheral edge and the labyrinth 66 at the inner peripheral edge. Is prevented.

  The above plain bearing 1 is mounted between the upper spring seat 72 of the coil spring 71 and the mounting member 74 on the vehicle body side to which the piston rod 73 of the hydraulic damper is fixed in the strut type suspension assembly as shown in FIG. Used. In this case, the upper part of the piston rod 73 is inserted into the circular holes 11 and 41 so as to be rotatable in the R direction around the axis O with respect to the upper case 3 and the lower case 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the strut type suspension assembly mounted via the slide bearing 1, the relative rotation in the R direction around the axis O of the upper spring seat 72 via the coil spring 71 is performed during the steering operation. The rotation is smoothly performed by the relative rotation of the lower case 21 with respect to the upper case 3 in the same direction.

  According to the sliding bearing 1, the synthetic resin annular sheet is slidably in contact with the upper case main body 13 of the upper case 3 and the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 of the annular piece 22. 6 is interposed between the annular surfaces 2 and 4, the friction coefficient between the upper case 3 and the annular piece 22 can be easily adjusted by simply exchanging the sheet 6, and the optimum friction coefficient can be obtained. Even if it is incorporated as a thrust sliding bearing in a strut type suspension, it can ensure smooth steering operation equivalent to that of a rolling bearing and can be easily adjusted to the optimum friction coefficient so that the flutter phenomenon of the steering wheel can be eliminated. can do.

  In addition, according to the sliding bearing 1, the closing recess 58 surrounded by the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 slidably contacting the seat 6 is formed in the annular surface 4. The recess 58 is filled with a fluid 60 made of silicone grease, and the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 reduce the fluid filling volume of the closed recess 58 under a thrust load. As a result, the fluid 60 in the closing recess 58 is bent and deformed so as to generate an internal pressure and comes into contact with the seat 6. As a result, the fluid 60 filled in the closing recess 58 also shares and receives the thrust load. In other words, the sliding surface of the lower case 21 with respect to the sheet 6 is filled in the surface of the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 that contact the sheet 6 and the closed recess 58 to the sheet 6. Touch That is the element of the surface of fluid 60.

  Further, according to the sliding bearing 1, the area of the surface of the fluid 60 that fills the closed recess 58 and contacts the sheet 6 is such that the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 are slidably contacted with the sheet 6. Since it is set to be larger than the total area, the thrust load borne by the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 is greatly reduced, and the inner annular protrusion 19, the outer annular protrusion 20 and the seat 6 are reduced. The frictional resistance due to the surface of the fluid 60 in contact with the sheet 6 is very small, so that a very low frictional resistance is obtained as a whole. Therefore, relative rotation in the R direction of the lower case 21 around the axis O of the upper case 3 with respect to the upper case 3 can be performed with extremely low frictional resistance even under a thrust load. Since the fluid 60 is filled in the closed recess 58 sealed with the sheet 6 that can also function as a sealing body, a low coefficient of friction can be maintained even during long-term use, and generation of frictional noise on the sliding surface can be achieved. Even if it is incorporated in a strut type suspension, smooth steering operation equivalent to that of a rolling bearing can be ensured.

  In the slide bearing 1, the closing recess 59 is also filled with the fluid 61, and the inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57 reduce the fluid filling volume of the closing recess 59 under a thrust load. Since the fluid 61 is bent and deformed so as to generate an internal pressure and is brought into contact with the annular surface 31, the frictional resistance between the sheet 6 and the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 is Even if it becomes large due to the cause, it is possible to ensure sliding with extremely low frictional resistance between the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 and the annular surface 31 in the same manner as described above, and thus the upper case 3 The relative rotation in the R direction of the lower case 21 around the axis O of the upper case 3 can be performed with extremely low frictional resistance even in the case of a thrust load, which is fail-safe.

  In the above, the sheet 6 is placed along the annular surface 2 between the annular surface 2 and the projection formed by the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20, but instead of this, FIG. As shown, the inner annular protrusion 19 is placed along the annular surface 4 so that the annular closed space 81 corresponding to the closed recess 58 is formed between the sheet 6 and the annular surface 2. And the outer annular projection 20 and the annular surface 2 may be interposed. In this case, the closed space 81 is filled with the fluid 60 and the closed space 81 is filled with the fluid 60. Therefore, the thrust load may be received in the same manner as described above. Further, the sheet 6 is bent so that both of the closed recess 58 and the closed space 81 are formed between the annular surface 2 and the annular surface 4 instead of fitting the sheet 6 along the annular surface 2 or 4. Moreover, both the closed recess 58 and the closed space 81 may be fully filled with the fluid 60.

  In the slide bearing 1 described above, the annular piece 22 having the inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57 on the annular surface 55 is used. Instead, as shown in FIG. The annular piece 22 having the flat annular surface 55 is used without providing the 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57, and the annular surface 55 is slidably brought into contact with the flat annular surface 31 of the lower case main body 32. The slide bearing 1 may be configured. Further, instead of configuring the bearing body 5 with the lower case 21 and the separate annular piece 22 as described above, it is equivalent to the annular piece 22 as shown in FIG. Is formed integrally with the lower case main body portion 32, and a protrusion composed of the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20 is integrally formed on the annular surface 4 of the annular central protrusion 82. A projection comprising an inner annular projection 19 and an outer annular projection 20. The sheet 6 may be slidably contacted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner cylindrical protrusion 34 and the outer cylindrical protrusion 36 are integrated with the annular central protrusion 82. Alternatively, instead of this, a radial gap is formed between the inner cylindrical projection 34 and the outer cylindrical projection 36 so that the annular central projection 82 is integrated with the lower case main body 32. Alternatively, the annular central projection 82 may be formed integrally with the lower case main body 32 by omitting the inner circumferential cylindrical projection 34 and the outer circumferential cylindrical projection 36.

  In the slide bearing 1 described above, the seat 6 is interposed between the annular surfaces 2 and 4, but instead, the seat 6 is interposed between the annular surface 31 and the annular surface 55 as shown in FIGS. The sheet 6 may be slidably brought into contact with both the annular surface 31 and the projection formed by the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57, as shown in FIG. The projection formed by the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20 of the annular piece 22 may be slidably brought into contact with the annular surface 2, and as shown in FIG. 9, the flat annular surface 4 of the annular piece 22. 10 may be slidably brought into contact with the annular surface 2 and, as shown in FIG. 10, is formed integrally with the upper case body 13 and is equivalent to the annular piece 22 and has an annular central protrusion. The upper case 3 may be configured with an annular central protrusion 83 similar to 82, In this case, the closed recess 59 may be filled with a fluid 61 made of silicone grease, and a closed space equivalent to the closed space 81 may be formed between the annular surface 31 and the annular surface 55. The closed space may be filled with a fluid 61 such as silicone grease in the same manner as described above.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet 6 may be interposed between the annular surface 2 and the annular surface 4, and another sheet 6 may be interposed between the annular surface 31 and the annular surface 55. The sheet 6 is slidably brought into contact with the annular surface 2, the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20, and the annular surface 31, the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 are made of synthetic resin. 11 may be slidably brought into contact with each other. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the annular pieces 22 having the flat annular surfaces 4 and 55 are used to attach the two sheets 6 to the flat annular surfaces 4 and 55. Each of 55 may be slidably contacted. The other sheet 6 made of synthetic resin is also made of synthetic resin including at least one of polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin and fluororesin, and has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. It is good to have.

  By the way, in the above-described sliding bearing 1, the upper case 3 is configured by integrally forming the innermost circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 14 and the inner circumferential cylindrical hanging portion 15 on the annular surface 2 of the upper case body 13. The lower case 21 is formed by integrally forming the innermost cylindrical projection 33 and the inner cylindrical projection 34 on the annular surface 31 of the lower case main body 32. As shown in FIG. 12, a cylindrical portion 91 formed integrally with the annular outer surface 90 of the upper case body portion 13, an annular portion 92 formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 91, and the annular portion 92 The upper case 3 is formed by including the integrally formed cylindrical hanging portion 93, is integrally formed on the annular surface 31 of the lower case main body 32, and is substantially concentric with the cylindrical portion 91. A cylindrical portion 95 disposed radially inward of the cylindrical portion 91, and the lower case body 3 The annular projection 31 formed integrally with the cylindrical outer surface 96 and the cylindrical outer surface 96 of the cylindrical portion 95, and the annular end surface 98 of the cylindrical portion 95. The lower case 21 may be configured by including a cylindrical protrusion 99 disposed between the portion 91 and the cylindrical hanging portion 93.

  In the plain bearing 1 shown in FIG. 12, a labyrinth 66 is provided between the upper case 3 and the lower case 21 with a cylindrical portion 91, an annular portion 92, a cylindrical hanging portion 93, a cylindrical portion 95, and a cylindrical protrusion 99. In the circular hole 102 defined by the cylindrical inner surface 101 of the cylindrical portion 95, the upper portion of the piston rod 73 rotates around the axis O with respect to the upper case 3 and the lower case 21. In this way, it is inserted so as to be rotatable in the R direction. In the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 12, similarly to the above, between the upper case 3 and the lower case 21, the upper case main body portion 13, the cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16, and the outer circumferential side cylindrical hanging portion 17 and the lower case are provided. A labyrinth 65 is formed by the case main body 32, the cylindrical protruding engagement portion 35, and the outer peripheral cylindrical protruding portion 36, and the sheet 6 is interposed between the annular surfaces 2 and 4, for example.

  The upper case 3 and the lower case 21 may be further configured as shown in FIG. In the plain bearing 1 shown in FIG. 13, the upper case 3 includes an upper case main body 13, a cylindrical hanging engagement portion 16, an outer peripheral cylindrical hanging portion 17, and an engagement hook portion 18. A hanging cylindrical portion 111 integrally formed on the annular surface 2 of the portion 13, and a pair of hanging annular portions 113 and 114 substantially concentrically formed integrally on the end surface 112 of the hanging cylindrical portion 111, A cylindrical portion 116 formed integrally with the annular surface 2 of the upper case main body 13 and the cylindrical surface 115 on the outer side in the radial direction of the drooping cylindrical portion 111. In addition to the lower case main body 32, the inner peripheral cylindrical protrusion 34, the cylindrical protrusion engaging portion 35, the outer peripheral cylindrical protrusion 36 and the engagement hook portion 37, One on the outer surface 38 of the lower case main body 32 on the inner peripheral side. Formed on the end surface of the cylindrical portion 121 and formed on the end surface of the cylindrical portion 121, and the inner peripheral surface of the truncated cone portion 122. An annular portion 123 formed integrally, and a cylindrical projection 125 formed integrally with the annular surface 124 of the annular portion 123 and disposed between the pair of hanging annular portions 113 and 114 are provided. .

  In the plain bearing 1 shown in FIG. 13, between the upper case 3 and the lower case 21, in addition to the same labyrinth 65 as described above, a hanging cylindrical portion 111, a pair of hanging annular portions 113 and 114, an annular portion 123 and A labyrinth 66 is formed by the cylindrical projection 125, and the sheet 6 is interposed between both annular surfaces 2 and 4 and between both annular surfaces 31 and 55, and the cylindrical shape of the hanging cylindrical portion 111 is The upper part of the piston rod 73 is inserted into the circular hole 132 defined by the inner surface 131 so as to be rotatable in the R direction around the axis O with respect to the upper case 3 and the lower case 21. Yes.

  By the way, as in the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 13, the radially outer cylindrical surface 115 of the hanging cylindrical portion 111 and the radially inner cylindrical surface 142 of the cylindrical portion 121 facing the cylindrical surface 115, A cylindrical radial bearing body 145 and a cylindrical sheet 146 may be interposed between the cylindrical bearing 140 and the radial bearing body 145, as shown in FIG. A plurality of protrusions 148 extending from the annular end surface 149 to the other annular end surface 150 of the cylindrical portion 140 and integrally formed on the cylindrical inner surface 147 of the cylindrical portion 140; The sheet 146 is made of a synthetic resin containing at least one of a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluororesin, like the sheet 6. Both have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, and are disposed in the radial bearing body 145, and the cylindrical outer surface 161 slidably contacts the top surfaces 162 of the plurality of protrusions 148. The cylindrical inner surface 163 is slidably in contact with the cylindrical surface 115 of the hanging cylindrical portion 111.

  The upper case 3 having the cylindrical surfaces 115 and 142 facing each other and the bearing body 5 are provided, and a cylindrical sheet 146 made of synthetic resin is interposed between the cylindrical surfaces 115 and 142. A cylindrical sheet 146 slidably contacts at least one of the cylindrical surfaces 115 and 142, in this example, the cylindrical surface 115, and a cylindrical outer surface 165 of the cylindrical portion 140 contacts the cylindrical surface 142. In the sliding bearing 1 that is slidably contacted, the radial (radial) load of the bearing body 5 with respect to the upper case 3 can be received via the radial bearing body 145 and the cylindrical sheet 146, and thus the radial Even under load, relative rotation in the R direction of the lower case 21 around the axis O of the upper case 3 with respect to the upper case 3 can be performed with extremely low frictional resistance.

  The radial bearing body 145 may be configured by only the cylindrical portion 140 without providing the plurality of projections 148, or may be formed integrally with the outer surface 165 of the cylindrical portion 140. In such a case, the sheet 146 may be disposed on the radially outer side of the radial bearing body 145, and a plurality of protrusions 148 may be integrally formed on both the inner surface 147 and the outer surface 165 of the cylindrical portion 140. In any such aspect of the radial bearing body 145, the seat 146 may be disposed on both the radially outer side and the inner side of the radial bearing body 145.

  As the annular piece 22, in addition to at least one of the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20, and the inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57, as shown in FIG. ) And the outer annular projections 20 (57) are integrally connected to each other and extend in the radial direction, and have a plurality of radial projections 151 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the annular surface 4 ( 55) may be configured with an integrally formed protrusion. In the case of the annular piece 22 shown in FIG. 15, the inner annular protrusion 19 (56) and the outer annular protrusion 20 (57) and a plurality of radiations are provided. A plurality of closed recesses 152 surrounded by the directional protrusion 151 and independent of each other may be filled with the fluid 60 (61) made of the same silicone grease as described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the annular piece 22 is formed of the annular surfaces 4 and 55, as shown in FIG. 16, instead of having a projection having an inner annular projection 19 (56) and an outer annular projection 20 (57). A plurality of radial protrusions 171 formed integrally with at least one and arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction may be provided, and a plurality of protrusions may be formed on both annular surfaces 4 and 55. When the radial protrusions 171 are formed, the plurality of radial protrusions 171 on the annular surface 4 and the plurality of radial protrusions 171 on the annular surface 55 may be arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the circumferential direction.

  Further, in addition to at least one of the inner annular protrusion 19 and the outer annular protrusion 20, and the inner annular protrusion 56 and the outer annular protrusion 57, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the inner annular protrusion 19 in the radial direction is used. An intermediate annular projection 181 that is disposed between the outer annular projection 20 and the inner annular projection 19 and the outer annular projection 20 substantially concentrically and is formed integrally with the annular surface 4 is further provided. And the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 in the radial direction, are arranged substantially concentrically with the inner annular projection 56 and the outer annular projection 57 and are integrated with the annular surface 55. Alternatively, the annular piece 22 may be configured to include at least one of the other intermediate annular protrusions 182 and the other protrusions.

  In the sliding bearing 1 in which the annular piece 22 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is used for the upper case 3, the seat 6 and the lower case 21 shown in FIG. 1, the closing recess 58 includes the inner annular protrusion 19 and the intermediate annular ring. An annular inner closing recess 185 surrounded by a protrusion 181 and an annular outer closing recess 186 surrounded by an intermediate annular protrusion 181 and an outer annular protrusion 20, and the closing recess 59 is an inner annular protrusion. 56 and an annular inner closing recess 187 surrounded by an intermediate annular protrusion 182 and an annular outer closing recess 188 surrounded by an intermediate annular protrusion 182 and an outer annular protrusion 57.

  A sliding bearing 1 using the annular piece 22 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 provided with a projection having intermediate annular projections 181 and 182 in addition to the inner annular projections 19 and 56 and the outer annular projections 20 and 57. Then, even if a biased load in the thrust direction is applied to the slide bearing 1, uneven bending of the inner annular projections 19 and 56 and the outer annular projections 20 and 57 can be reduced, and the inner closing recess 185 and the outer The closed state (sealed state) of the closed recess 58 consisting of the closed recess 186 and the closed recess 59 consisting of the inner closed recess 187 and the outer closed recess 188 can be preferably maintained. The acceptance of the thrust load by the fluids 60 and 61 can be maintained over a long period of time without leaking the 60 and 61.

  Such intermediate annular protrusions 181 and 182 are applied to the annular piece 22 and the sliding bearing 1 of each aspect shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, 12, 13, and 15 as necessary in the same manner as described above. In addition, each of the intermediate annular protrusions 181 and 182 is not limited to one, and may include a plurality of intermediate annular protrusions 181 and 182 that are arranged substantially concentrically with each other. Any of these may be omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sliding bearing 2 Annular surface 3 Upper case 4 Annular surface 5 Bearing body 6 Sheet

Claims (16)

A first bearing body having an annular surface, and an annular surface of the first bearing body that is superimposed on the first bearing body so as to be rotatable around the axis of the first bearing body. A second bearing body having an annular surface facing the inner surface, and a synthetic resin annular sheet interposed between the annular surfaces and slidably in contact with at least one of the two bearing bodies. The second bearing body is integrally formed on the annular surface, and the inner annular projection on the inner peripheral side and the outer annular projection arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the inner annular projection. And the sheet is interposed between the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection and the annular surface of the first bearing body, and the inner annular projection and the outer At least one of the annular protrusion and the annular surface of the first bearing body slides on itself. A closed recess that is surrounded by the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection and is covered with a sheet is formed on the annular surface of the second bearing body. Is filled with a fluid adapted to receive a thrust load, and under the thrust load, the protrusion reduces the fluid filling volume of the closed recess to generate an internal pressure in the fluid of the closed recess. A plain bearing that is designed to bend and deform .   The sliding bearing according to claim 1, wherein the annular sheet is made of a synthetic resin including at least one of a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polycarbonate resin, and a fluororesin.   The sliding bearing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the annular sheet has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid includes at least one of grease and lubricating oil. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid is made of silicone grease. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protrusion includes a radial protrusion that is integrally connected to each of the inner annular protrusion and the outer annular protrusion and extends in the radial direction. The projection further includes at least one intermediate annular projection disposed between the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection in the radial direction and substantially concentric with the inner annular projection and the outer annular projection. The plain bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the both bearing bodies are made of a synthetic resin. The sliding according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the both bearing bodies are made of a synthetic resin including at least one of polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, and fluororesin. bearing. The first bearing body is made of a polyacetal resin, and the second bearing body is made of a synthetic resin containing at least one of a polyacetal resin, a polyamide resin, a polyolefin resin, and a fluororesin. The plain bearing according to any one of 9.   The first bearing body is elastically fitted to the second bearing body at the outer peripheral edge in the radial direction at the outer peripheral edge in the radial direction of the second bearing body. The sliding bearing as described in any one of these. The labyrinth is formed between both bearing bodies in at least one of the outer peripheral edge part and the inner peripheral edge part in the radial direction of both bearing bodies. Of plain bearings. Each of the first and second bearing bodies has a cylindrical surface facing each other, and a cylindrical sheet made of synthetic resin is interposed between both cylindrical surfaces, and the cylindrical sheet is The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sliding bearing abuts slidably on at least one of the two cylindrical surfaces. The sliding bearing according to claim 13, wherein the cylindrical sheet is made of a synthetic resin including at least one of polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, and fluororesin. The plain bearing according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cylindrical sheet has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which is used for a thrust sliding bearing of a strut suspension in a four-wheeled vehicle.

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