Manufacturing method and manufacturing device for wheel bearing device

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of a wheel bearing which can bring an axial lip of a seal into contact with a lip abutment face by a proper fastening margin.SOLUTION: In a manufacturing method of a wheel bearing device having: an outer ring member 3 having an outside raceway 3b; an inner shaft member 4 including a shaft part having an inside raceway 7a opposing the outside raceway 3b, and a flange part 11 arranged on one side in an axial direction rather than the outside member 3, and protruding to the outside from the shaft part in a radial direction; a plurality of rolling bodies 9 arranged between the outside raceway 3b and the inside raceway 7a; a seal 30 arranged at an end part of the outer ring member 3 on one side in the radial direction, and having an axial lip 34a; and a lip abutment face 31c which is arranged at the inner shaft member 4 side, and with which the axial lip 34a is in contact. The manufacturing method includes a step for processing the outside raceway 3b in a state that a distance in the axial direction from a first reference position 3c which is set at the outer ring member 3 is managed, and a step for arranging the seal 30 at a prescribed position of the outer ring member 3 in the axial direction with the first reference position 3c as a reference.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] A hub unit (wheel bearing device) that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and supports a wheel so as to be freely rotatable includes an inner shaft member and an outer ring member that are concentrically arranged. The inner shaft member is rotatably mounted relative to the outer ring member by means of rolling elements disposed between the inner shaft member and the outer ring member. A flange portion extending radially outward is provided at the end of the inner shaft member on the vehicle outer side, and a wheel and a brake disc are attached to this flange portion. In such a hub unit, in order to prevent muddy water or the like from entering from an external space into the annular space in which the rolling elements are disposed between the inner shaft member and the outer ring member, sealing devices are attached to both axial ends of the annular space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] An example of a sealing device used on the vehicle outer side in such a hub unit is shown in Fig. 7. This sealing device has a seal 130 attached to the outer ring member 103. The seal 130 has an axial lip 134a and a radial lip 134b, and the tips of these lips contact the outer circumferential surface 101a of the inner shaft member 104 and the vehicle-inner side surface 111a of the flange portion 111, respectively (hereinafter, these surfaces are also referred to as "lip contact surfaces"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-196455 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to improve the sealing performance of a seal, it is effective to increase the interference of the lip with respect to the lip contact surface and increase the contact pressure of the lip with the lip contact surface, but if the interference of the lip is too large, it will cause the disadvantage of increasing the rotational resistance of the inner shaft member. Therefore, it is necessary to set the interference of the seal lip to an appropriate value taking into consideration both the sealing performance and the rotational resistance of the inner shaft member.

[0006] However, the interference of the axial lip is easily affected by the axial mounting position of the seal relative to the outer ring member and the axial position of the lip contact surface with which the axial lip comes into contact, making it difficult to bring the axial lip into contact with the lip contact surface with an appropriate interference. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately position the seal and / or the lip contact surface in the axial direction.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for a wheel bearing device that can bring the axial lip of the seal into contact with the lip contact surface with an appropriate interference in a sealing device on one axial side that is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A method for manufacturing a wheel bearing device of the present invention includes the steps of: a shaft portion disposed radially inward of the outer ring member and having an inner raceway facing the outer raceway, and an inner shaft portion disposed on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer raceway and the inner raceway; a seal provided at one axial end of the outer ring member and having an axial lip; and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip comes into contact, the method comprising: machining the outer raceway while controlling an axial distance from a first reference position set on the outer raceway member; and The method includes a step of providing the seal at a predetermined axial position of the outer ring member with reference to the first reference position.

[0009] This manufacturing method positions the rolling elements arranged on the outer raceway and the seal in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Meanwhile, the rolling elements on the outer raceway are also arranged on the inner raceway of the inner shaft member, so that the seal and the inner shaft member are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Therefore, the axial lip of the seal can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface on the inner shaft member side with as appropriate an interference as possible.

[0010] (2) Preferably, the manufacturing method further includes a step of machining the inner raceway while controlling an axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member; The method further includes a step of providing the lip contact surface at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the inner shaft member with the second reference position as a reference. This manufacturing method positions the rolling elements arranged on the inner raceway and the lip contact surface in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction, and therefore the lip contact surface and the seal are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction, allowing the axial lip of the seal to contact the lip contact surface with a more appropriate interference.

[0011] (3) The present invention provides a manufacturing method for a wheel bearing device having an outer ring member having an outer raceway on its inner circumference, a shaft portion arranged radially inward of the outer ring member and having an inner raceway facing the outer raceway, and an inner shaft member including a flange portion arranged on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion, a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a seal provided on one axial end of the outer ring member and having an axial lip, and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip comes into contact, the method including the steps of: machining the inner raceway while controlling the axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member; and providing the lip contact surface at a predetermined axial position of the inner shaft member based on the second reference position.

[0012] This manufacturing method positions the rolling elements arranged on the inner raceway and the lip contact surface in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Meanwhile, the rolling elements on the inner raceway are also arranged on the outer raceway of the outer ring member, so that the lip contact surface and the outer ring member are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Therefore, the axial lip of the seal provided on the outer ring member can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface with as appropriate an interference as possible.

[0013] (4) Preferably, the first reference position is an end face on one axial side of the outer ring member. With this configuration, the first reference position is set in the vicinity of the seal, and the seal can be easily provided on the end of the outer ring member using the first reference position as a reference.

[0014] (5) Preferably, the second reference position is a side surface on the other axial side of the flange portion. With this configuration, the second reference position is set in the vicinity of the lip contact surface, and the lip contact surface can be easily provided on the inner shaft member side using the second reference position as a reference.

[0015] (6) Preferably, a slinger is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, the slinger being arranged at a predetermined distance from the second reference position to the other axial side, and the lip contact surface is provided on the other axial side surface of the slinger. In this way, even if a lip contact surface is provided on a slinger that is spaced apart from the second reference position to the other axial side, the lip contact surface can be provided in an appropriate position based on the second reference position.

[0016] (7) The present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus for a wheel bearing device having an outer ring member having an outer raceway on its inner circumference, a shaft portion arranged radially inward of the outer ring member and having an inner raceway facing the outer raceway, and an inner shaft member including a flange portion arranged on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion, a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a seal provided on one axial end of the outer ring member and having an axial lip, and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip contacts, the manufacturing apparatus comprising: a first machining tool for machining the outer raceway while the axial distance from a first reference position set on the outer ring member is controlled, and a pressing jig for pressing the seal into a predetermined axial position of the end of the outer ring member based on the first reference position.

[0017] By using such a manufacturing device, the rolling elements arranged on the outer raceway and the seal are positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Meanwhile, the rolling elements on the outer raceway are also arranged on the inner raceway of the inner shaft member, so that the seal and the inner shaft member are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Therefore, the axial lip of the seal can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with as appropriate an interference as possible.

[0018] (8) Preferably, the manufacturing apparatus further includes a second machining tool for machining the inner raceway while controlling the axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member, and a second pressing tool for pressing a slinger having the lip contact surface into a predetermined axial position of the inner shaft member based on the second reference position. By using such a manufacturing device, the rolling elements arranged on the inner raceway and the lip contact surface are positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction, and therefore the lip contact surface and the seal are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction, allowing the axial lip of the seal to contact the lip contact surface with a more appropriate interference.

[0019] (9) The present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus for a wheel bearing device having an outer ring member having an outer raceway on its inner circumference, an inner shaft member including an outer shaft portion having an inner raceway arranged radially inward of the outer ring member and facing the outer raceway, and an inner shaft member including a flange portion arranged on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion, a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a seal having an axial lip provided at an end of the outer ring member on one axial side, and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip comes into contact, the manufacturing apparatus comprising: a second machining tool for machining the inner raceway while the axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member is controlled, and a second pressing jig for pressing a slinger having the lip contact surface into a predetermined axial position of the inner shaft member based on the second reference position.

[0020] By using this manufacturing device, the rolling elements arranged on the inner raceway and the lip contact surface are positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Meanwhile, the rolling elements on the inner raceway are also arranged on the outer raceway of the outer ring member, so that the lip contact surface and the outer ring member are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Therefore, the axial lip of the seal provided on the outer ring member can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface with as appropriate an interference as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the interference of the axial lip of the seal with respect to the lip contact surface can be appropriately set. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel bearing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating a machining process of an outer raceway in the outer ring member. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating a machining process of an inner raceway in an inner shaft member. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of attaching a seal to an outer ring member. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of attaching a slinger to an inner shaft member. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing device for a wheel bearing assembly according to a conventional technique. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (Configuration of wheel bearing device) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel bearing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wheel bearing device (hub unit) 1 of this embodiment supports a wheel rotatably relative to a suspension device provided on the body of an automobile. The wheel bearing device 1 includes an outer ring member 3, an inner shaft member (hub axle) 4, rolling elements 9, and a retainer 10. In the following description, the direction parallel to the center axis C of the wheel bearing device 1 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) is referred to as the axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. In addition, when the wheel bearing device 1 is provided on the body of an automobile, the left side in FIG. 1, which is the vehicle outer side, is referred to as one axial side, and the right side in FIG. 1, which is the vehicle inner side, is referred to as the other axial side.

[0024] The outer ring member 3 and the inner shaft member 4 are arranged concentrically. In this embodiment, the inner shaft member 4 is rotatable about a central axis C relative to the outer ring member 3. The wheel bearing device 1 can support the inner shaft member 4, which has a wheel or brake disc (not shown) fixed to a flange portion 11, rotatably relative to the vehicle body.

[0025] The outer ring member 3 is made of carbon steel for mechanical construction or the like. The outer ring member 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a flange 5 on its outer peripheral surface 3a. The flange 5 is fixed to a suspension device on the vehicle body side by a bolt. A double row outer raceway 3b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring member 3.

[0026] The inner shaft member 4 is composed of an inner shaft 6 and an inner ring 8. The inner shaft 6 is made of carbon steel for machine construction. The inner ring 8 is made of high carbon chromium bearing steel. The inner shaft 6 has a main body 7 extending along the axial direction, and a flange 11 protruding radially outward from the main body 7. The main body 7 and the flange 11 are integrally formed. The flange 11 is provided on one axial side of the main body 7. A wheel and a brake disc (not shown) are attached to the flange 11.

[0027] The inner ring 8 is formed in an annular shape, fitted onto the other axial end of the inner shaft 6, and fixed by crimping. The main body 7 and the inner ring 8 of the inner shaft 6 constitute a shaft portion of the present invention that is disposed radially inside the outer ring member 3. The flange portion 11 of the inner shaft 6 constitutes a flange portion of the present invention that is disposed axially on one side of the outer ring member 3.

[0028] An inner raceway 7a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 7, facing the radially inner side of the outer raceway 3b on one axial side. An inner raceway 8a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 8, facing the radially inner side of the outer raceway 3b on the other axial side. A plurality of rolling elements 9 are arranged between the outer raceway 3b and the inner raceway 7a, 8a of each row. In this embodiment, the rolling elements 9 are balls. The plurality of balls 9 in each row are held at a predetermined circumferential interval by a cage 10. The outer raceway 3b and the inner raceway 7a, 8a are each formed into a concave arc shape in cross section. The balls 9 make point contact with the outer raceway 3b and the inner raceway 7a, 8a at a contact angle.

[0029] Sealing devices 12, 13 are attached between both axial ends of the outer ring member 3 and the inner shaft member 4, more specifically, between one axial end of the outer ring member 3 and the main body 7, and between the other axial end of the outer ring member 3 and the inner ring 8. These sealing devices 12, 13 have the role of preventing foreign matter such as muddy water from entering the annular space formed between the outer ring member 3 and the inner shaft member 4, and of sealing the lubricant in the annular space so that it does not leak out.

[0030] (Configuration of sealing device 12) FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the sealing device 12 disposed on one axial side includes a seal 30 and a slinger 31. The slinger 31 is formed into an annular shape by pressing a metal plate such as stainless steel, which is a hard material that is resistant to rust.

[0031] The slinger 31 has a cylindrical portion 31a and an annular portion 31b. The cylindrical portion 31a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is fixed to the main body portion 7 of the inner shaft member 4 by being fitted onto an outer circumferential surface 7b of the main body portion 7.

[0032] The annular portion 31b is formed in an annular shape and extends radially outward from the end of the cylindrical portion 31a on one axial side (axially outer side). The annular portion 31b is disposed at a distance from the side surface 11a on the other axial side (axially inner side) of the flange portion 11. The annular portion 31b is disposed on the other axial side of the end face 3c on the one axial side of the outer ring member 3. The side surface 11a on the other axial side of the flange portion 11 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 7b of the main body portion 7 via a circular arc-shaped curved surface 11c. In this embodiment, a side surface 11b is provided on the radial outer side of the side surface 11a of the flange portion 11, located on the one axial side via a step portion. However, these side surfaces 11a and 11b may be flush with each other.

[0033] The seal 30 includes a metal ring 32 and an elastic member 33 . The metal ring 32 is formed into an annular shape by pressing a steel plate such as SPCC. The metal ring 32 is fixed to the outer ring member 3. The metal ring 32 has a cylindrical portion 32a and an annular portion 32b. The cylindrical portion 32a is formed in a cylindrical shape and is fitted to an inner circumferential surface 3d at one axial end of the outer ring member 3. The annular portion 32b is formed in an annular shape and extends radially inward from the end portion on the other axial side (axially inner side) of the cylindrical portion 32a.

[0034] The elastic member 33 is formed in an annular shape from nitrile rubber or the like. The elastic member 33 is bonded to the metal ring 32 by vulcanization. The elastic member 33 has a plurality of lips 34a, 34b. The plurality of lips 34a, 34b include an axial lip 34a and a radial lip 34b.

[0035] The axial lip 34a extends from the annular portion 32b of the metal ring 32 to one side in the axial direction. The lip tip of the axial lip 34a contacts the side surface 31c on the other axial side of the annular portion 31b of the slinger 31 with a predetermined interference. Therefore, the side surface 31c on the other axial side of the annular portion 31b of the slinger 31 becomes the lip contact surface with which the axial lip 34a contacts. The interference of the axial lip 34a is defined as the axial distance between the lip tip when the lip tip of the axial lip 34a does not contact the lip contact surface 31c and no external force is applied to the axial lip 34a, and the lip tip when the lip tip of the axial lip 34a contacts the lip contact surface 31c and defines an annular space from the external space.

[0036] The radial lip 34b extends radially inward from the radially inner end of the annular portion 32b of the metal ring 32. A lip tip of the radial lip 34b contacts the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31a of the slinger 31.

[0037] (Manufacturing method of wheel bearing device 1) (Machining process of outer raceway 3b) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a machining process of the outer raceway 3b of the outer ring member 3. As shown in FIG. The outer raceway 3b of the outer ring member 3 is polished or ground by a finishing grindstone (first processing tool) 38, and processed into a final shape as a product. The grindstone 38 rotates around a central axis O1 parallel to the central axis C of the outer ring member 3 (see FIG. 1).

[0038] In this embodiment, as described later, the end face 3c on one axial side of the outer ring member 3 is a reference surface (first reference position) for determining the axial position of the seal 30. The grindstone 38 determines the axial machining position with the reference surface 3c as a reference (origin). The grindstone 38 is moved to the machining position and machines the outer raceway 3b. Therefore, the outer raceway 3b is machined to a surface shape in a state where the axial distance from the reference surface 3c is managed, in other words, at a position a predetermined distance away from the reference surface 3c. Note that in FIG. 3, the center of the ball 9 rolling on the outer raceway 3b is indicated by the symbol 9a when the wheel bearing device 1 is assembled. Since the distance from the reference surface 3c to the outer raceway 3b is set to a predetermined value by the grindstone 38, the distance L1 between the reference surface 3c and the center 9a of the ball 9 on the outer raceway 3b is also a predetermined dimension.

[0039] (Processing of the inner raceway 7a) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a machining process of the inner raceway 7a of the inner shaft member 4. As shown in FIG. The inner raceway 7a of the main body 7 in the inner shaft member 4, the outer peripheral surface 7b of the main body 7, and the side surfaces 11a, 11b and the curved surface 11c on the other axial side of the radially inner portion (root portion) of the flange portion 11 are polished or ground by a grindstone (second processing tool) 39 for finishing processing, and processed into the final shape as a product. The grindstone 39 rotates around a central axis O2 inclined with respect to the central axis C of the inner shaft member 4.

[0040] In this embodiment, as described later, the side surface 11b on the other axial side of the flange portion 11 serves as a reference surface (second reference position) for determining the axial position of the slinger 31. The reference surface 11b and the inner raceway 7a are ground by the same grindstone 39. Therefore, the surface shape of the inner raceway 7a is processed in a state in which the axial distance from the reference surface 11b is controlled, in other words, the axial distance from the reference surface 11b is kept constant. Since the axial distance from the reference surface 11b to the inner raceway 7a is set to a predetermined value by the grindstone 39, the axial distance L4 between the reference surface 11b and the center 9a of the ball 9 on the inner raceway 7a also has a predetermined dimension.

[0041] (Seal 30 installation process) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of attaching the seal 30 to the outer race member 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the seal 30 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface 3d of the end portion on one axial side of the outer ring member 3 using a press-fitting jig (first press-fitting jig) 51. This press-fitting jig 51 is moved in the axial direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The press-fitting jig 51 has a pressing portion 51a and a positioning portion 51b. The pressing portion 51a contacts the side surface on one axial side of the seal 30. The positioning portion 51b is disposed on one axial side of the pressing portion 51a and protrudes radially outward from the pressing portion 51a. The distance between the end face on the other axial side of the pressing portion 51a and the end face on the other axial side of the positioning portion 51b is equal to the design dimension L2 between the end face 3c on one axial side of the outer ring member 3, which is the reference surface, and the side surface on one axial side of the seal 30.

[0042] Using a press-fitting jig 51, the cylindrical portion 32a of the seal 30 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface 3d of the outer ring member 3. At this time, the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 32a is positioned at one axial end of the inner peripheral surface 3d, and the one axial end of the seal 30 is pressed in the direction of arrow b by the pressing portion 51a. Then, the other axial end face of the positioning portion 51b is brought into contact with the reference surface 3c. This allows the seal 30 to be attached at an appropriate position in the axial direction.

[0043] As described above, the distance L1 from the reference surface 3c to the center 9a of the ball 9 on the outer raceway 3b is set to a predetermined dimension by finish machining using the grindstone 38 shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, when the wheel bearing device 1 is assembled, the distance L3 between one axial end face of the seal 30 and the center 9a of the ball 9 also becomes a predetermined dimension.

[0044] (Slinger 31 installation process) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of attaching the slinger 31 to the inner shaft member 4. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the slinger 31 is press-fitted into the outer circumferential surface 7b of the main body 7 of the inner shaft member 4 using a press-fitting tool (second press-fitting tool) 52. This press-fitting tool 52 is moved in the axial direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The press-fitting tool 52 has a pressing part 52a and a positioning part 52b. The pressing part 52a contacts the side surface 31c on the other axial side of the annular part 31b of the slinger 31. The positioning part 52b is disposed radially outward of the pressing part 52a and protrudes to one axial side beyond the pressing part 52a. The distance between the end face on one axial side of the pressing part 52a and the end face on one axial side of the positioning part 52b is equal to the design dimension L5 between the side surface 11b on the other axial side of the flange part 11, which is the reference surface, and the side surface (lip contact surface) 31c on the other axial side of the annular part 31b of the slinger 31.

[0045] Using a press-fitting jig 52, the cylindrical portion 31a of the slinger 31 is press-fitted into the outer peripheral surface 7b of the main body 7. At this time, the annular portion 31b of the slinger 31, which is positioned at the other axial end of the outer peripheral surface 7b of the main body 7, is pressed in the direction of arrow a by the pressing portion 52a. Then, the end face on one axial side of the positioning portion 52b is brought into contact with the reference surface 11b. This allows the slinger 31 to be attached at an appropriate position in the axial direction.

[0046] As described above, the distance L4 from the reference surface 11b to the center 9a of the ball 9 on the inner raceway 7a is set to a predetermined dimension by finishing using the grindstone 39 shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, the distance L6 between the lip contact surface 31c of the slinger 31 and the center 9a of the ball 9 is also set to a predetermined dimension.

[0047] As described above, the seal 30 attached to the outer ring member 3 and the center 9a of the ball 9 arranged on the outer raceway 3b are positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Also, the lip contact surface 31c of the slinger 31 and the center 9a of the ball 9 arranged on the inner raceway 7a of the inner shaft member 4 are positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction. Therefore, the seal 30 and the lip contact surface 31c are also positioned in a predetermined relationship in the axial direction, and the axial lip 34a of the seal 30 can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface 31c with an appropriate interference.

[0048] It is also possible to perform only one of the above-described methods for machining the outer raceway 3b and attaching the seal 30 and the above-described method for machining the inner raceway 7a and attaching the slinger 31. Even in this case, the axial lip 34a can be brought into contact with the lip contact surface 31c with an appropriate interference, compared to a case in which the above-described methods are not used for both the outer ring member 3 and the inner shaft member 4.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the reference surface (first reference position) that serves as a reference for the axial position of the seal 30 is formed by the end face 3c on one axial side of the outer ring member 3. This reduces the distance between the reference surface 3c and the seal 30, making it easy to attach the seal 30 using the reference surface 3c as a reference.

[0050] In the above embodiment, a reference surface (second reference position) that serves as a reference for the axial position of lip contact surface 31c of slinger 31 is formed by side surface 11b on the other axial side of flange portion 11. This reduces the distance between reference surface 11b and slinger 31, making it easy to attach slinger 31 using reference surface 11b as a reference.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the lip contact surface 31c is provided on the slinger 31, and the slinger 31 is provided at a distance from the reference surface 11b of the flange portion 11 to the other axial side. Therefore, for example, it is more difficult to position the slinger 31 in the axial direction than when the slinger 31 is abutted against the side surface 11a on the other axial side of the flange portion 11. However, the slinger 31 can be provided at an appropriate position relative to the seal 30 by positioning the slinger 31 at a predetermined distance from the reference surface 11b.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the slinger 31 is disposed at a distance from the side surface 11a on the other axial side of the flange portion 11 to the other axial side. However, the slinger 31 may be abutted against the side surface 11a on the other axial side of the flange portion 11.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the axial lip 34a of the seal 30 contacts the lip contact surface 31c of the slinger 31, but the slinger 31 may be omitted and the side surface 11a on the other axial side of the flange portion 11 may be used as the lip contact surface with which the axial lip 34a contacts. In this case, the lip contact surface 11a is provided at a predetermined position in the axial direction based on the reference surface 11b. Note that, in this case, the lip contact surface 11a and the reference surface 11b may be the same surface that is disposed flush with each other.

[0054] In the above embodiment, only the surface shape of the outer raceway 3b on one axial side is machined using the reference surface 3c as a reference. However, the surface shape of the outer raceway 3b on the other axial side may also be machined using the same grindstone. Moreover, the outer raceway 3b on one axial side and the end face 3c on one axial side of the outer ring member 3, which is the reference surface, may also be machined using the same grindstone. Even in this case, the surface shape of the outer raceway 3b is machined in a state in which the axial distance from the end face (reference surface) 3c is managed, in other words, in a state in which the axial distance from the reference surface 3c is kept constant.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the side surface 11b on the other axial side of the flange portion 11, which is the reference surface, and the surface shape of the inner raceway 7a on one axial side are machined simultaneously. However, the grindstone may be moved using the side surface 11b on the other axial side of the flange portion 11 as a reference surface (origin), and the surface shape of the inner raceway 7a may be machined without machining the reference surface 11b.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the outer raceway 3b and the inner raceway 7a on one axial side (vehicle outer side) are machined in a state where the distances from the reference planes 3c and 11b, respectively, are controlled. However, as long as the outer raceway and the inner raceway are on which the same rolling elements roll, they are not limited to being on one axial side (vehicle outer side). The rolling elements are not limited to balls, but may be rollers such as tapered rollers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: wheel bearing device, 3: outer ring member, 3b: outer raceway, 3c: end face (first reference position), 4: inner shaft member, 7a: inner raceway, 8a: inner raceway, 9: rolling element, 11: flange portion, 11a: side surface (lip contact surface), 11b: side surface (second reference position), 30: seal, 31: slinger, 31c: side surface (lip contact surface), 34a: axial lip, 38: grinding wheel (first processing tool), 39: grinding wheel (second processing tool), 51: press-fit jig (first press-fit jig), 52: press-fit jig (second press-fit jig)

Claims

1. a shaft portion disposed radially inward of the outer ring member and having an inner raceway facing the outer raceway, and an inner shaft portion disposed on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer raceway and the inner raceway; a seal provided at one axial end of the outer ring member and having an axial lip; and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip comes into contact, the method comprising: a step of determining a machining position in an axial direction based on a first reference position set on the outer ring member, and machining the outer raceway while controlling a distance in the axial direction from the first reference position; providing the seal at a predetermined axial position of the outer ring member with respect to the first reference position; machining the inner raceway while controlling an axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member; providing the lip contact surface at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the inner shaft member with respect to the second reference position; the first reference position is an end face on one axial side of the outer ring member, and the second reference position is a side face on the other axial side of the flange portion, A manufacturing method for a wheel bearing device, wherein a slinger is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, the slinger being arranged at a predetermined distance from the second reference position to the other axial side, and the lip contact surface is provided on the surface of the slinger on the other axial side.

2. an inner shaft member including an outer ring member having an outer raceway on an inner circumference, a shaft portion disposed radially inside the outer ring member and having an inner raceway facing the outer raceway, and a flange portion disposed on one axial side of the outer ring member and protruding radially outward from the shaft portion, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, a seal provided at one axial end of the outer ring member and having an axial lip, and a lip contact surface provided on the inner shaft member with which the axial lip comes into contact, a first machining tool for machining the outer raceway in a state in which a machining position in the axial direction is determined based on a first reference position set on the outer race member and a distance in the axial direction from the first reference position is controlled; a press-fitting tool that presses the seal into a predetermined position in the axial direction of the outer ring member based on the first reference position; a second machining tool that machines the inner raceway in a state where an axial distance from a second reference position set on the inner shaft member is controlled; and a second press-fitting jig that presses a slinger having the lip contact surface into a predetermined axial position of the inner shaft member based on the second reference position; the first reference position is an end face on one axial side of the outer ring member, and the second reference position is a side face on the other axial side of the flange portion, The press-fitting jig has a pressing portion and a positioning portion, The positioning portion is disposed on one axial side of the pressing portion and protrudes radially outward from the pressing portion, a distance between the end face on the other axial side of the pressing portion and the end face on the other axial side of the positioning portion coincides with a design dimension between the end face on one axial side of the outer ring member, which is a reference plane, and a side face on one axial side of the seal, The second press-fitting jig has a pressing portion and a positioning portion, The positioning portion of the second press-fitting jig is disposed radially outward of the pressing portion of the second press-fitting jig and protrudes toward one axial side from the pressing portion of the second press-fitting jig, The distance between the end face of the pressing portion of the second press-fitting jig on one axial side and the end face of the positioning portion of the second press-fitting jig on one axial side is consistent with the design dimension between the side face of the flange portion on the other axial side, which is a reference surface, and the side face of the annular portion of the slinger on the other axial side. Manufacturing equipment for wheel bearing assemblies.

Images