Method for measuring axial clearance of wheel bearing assembly

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide an axial clearance measuring method for a wheel bearing device capable of measuring the axial negative clearance with high accuracy. The method comprises a press-fitting step (S02) of an inner ring (4), a first axial negative clearance measuring step (S03), a riveting step (S04), an inner ring push-in amount measuring step (S05), a first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step (S06), a second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculating step (S07), an outer diameter expansion amount difference calculating step (S08), a first axial clearance reduction amount calculating step (S09), a second axial clearance reduction amount calculating step (S10), a third axial clearance reduction amount calculating step (S11), and a second axial negative clearance calculating step (S12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for measuring an axial clearance of a wheel bearing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel in a suspension device of a motor vehicle, etc. In the wheel bearing device as described above, a preload is applied between the rolling element and the raceway ring constituting the bearing device.

[0003] By applying preload to the bearing device, the rigidity of the bearing device can be improved while suppressing vibration and noise. However, if the preload is too large, it may cause an increase in rotational torque and a decrease in life, so it is important to confirm whether the appropriate preload is applied to the bearing device.

[0004] As a method for confirming the preload applied to a bearing device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a known preload measuring method as follows: in a rolling bearing having rolling elements arranged in double rows, the preload applied to the bearing is measured by measuring the axial negative clearance between the hub ring and the inner ring pressed into the hub ring.

[0005] As described above, when measuring the axial negative clearance, the axial negative clearance changes according to how the inner ring is pushed axially when the hub ring is riveted, so the axial negative clearance is calculated based on the amount of inner ring pushed in before and after riveting of the hub ring.

[0006] Prior Art Literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-185717 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] However, the applicant has conducted in-depth research and found that when the hub ring is riveted, the outer diameter of the inner ring is expanded, and the axial negative clearance is affected and changes due to the expansion of the outer diameter of the inner ring. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the axial negative clearance with high accuracy if the change in the axial negative clearance before and after the riveting of the hub ring is calculated based only on the push-in amount of the inner ring.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an axial clearance measuring method of a wheel bearing device, which is capable of measuring the axial negative clearance in the wheel bearing device with high accuracy.

[0012] Means for solving problems

[0013] That is, the first invention is a method for measuring the axial clearance of a wheel bearing device, the wheel bearing device comprising: an outer member having a double-row outer raceway surface on its inner circumference; an inner member including a hub ring having a small-diameter step portion extending axially on its outer circumference, and an inner ring pressed into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring and having a double-row inner raceway surface opposite to the double-row outer raceway surface; and a double-row rolling element accommodated between the two raceway surfaces of the outer member and the inner member in a rolling manner, the method for measuring the axial clearance of the wheel bearing device being characterized in that it comprises: a pressing step in which the inner ring is pressed axially into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring until the inner ring and the hub ring abut against each other. a first axial negative clearance measuring step, in which the first axial negative clearance between the inner ring and the hub ring after the press-in step is measured; a riveting step, in which the inner side end of the small-diameter step portion is riveted to the inner ring after the first axial negative clearance measuring step; an inner ring push-in amount measuring step, in which the axial push-in amount of the inner ring from after the press-in step to after the riveting step, i.e., the inner ring push-in amount, is measured; a first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step, in which the expansion amount of the outer diameter of the inner ring from after the press-in step to after the riveting step, i.e., the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, is measured. a second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculation process, in which the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculation process is performed based on the inner ring push-in amount measured in the inner ring push-in amount measurement process and the relationship between the inner ring axial push-in amount and the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring, to calculate the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount; an outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation process, in which the difference between the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, i.e., the outer diameter expansion amount difference, is calculated; a first axial clearance reduction amount calculation process, in which the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation process is performed based on the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculated in the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation process, the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring and the relationship between the inner ring and the hub ring. a first axial gap reduction amount calculation step, in which a second axial gap reduction amount calculation step is performed based on the relationship between the amount of inner ring push-in, the amount of inner ring push-in in the axial direction and the amount of axial gap reduction between the inner ring and the hub ring, that is, the axial gap reduction amount; a third axial gap reduction amount calculation step, in which a third axial gap reduction amount calculation step is performed by adding the second axial gap reduction amount calculated in the second axial gap reduction amount calculation step to the first axial gap reduction amount calculation step;and a second axial negative clearance calculation step, in which a second axial negative clearance is calculated by adding the first axial negative clearance measured in the first axial clearance measurement step to the third axial clearance reduction amount. ;

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] The present invention has the following effects.

[0016] That is, according to the first invention, the axial negative clearance can be measured with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 The following is a side cross-sectional view of a wheel bearing device showing a method for measuring an axial clearance.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the flow of the axial clearance measuring method.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a side cross-sectional view of the wheel bearing device showing a state in which the inner ring is temporarily press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a side cross-sectional view of the wheel bearing device showing a state in which the inner ring is press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a side cross-sectional view of the wheel bearing device showing a state in which the hub ring is caulked to the inner ring.

[0022] FIG6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the outer diameter of the inner ring is expanded when the hub ring is riveted to the inner ring.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a side cross-sectional view of the wheel bearing device showing a state in which the hub ring is caulked to the inner ring.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the measurement position of the inner ring push-in amount and the measurement position of the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount.

[0026] Fig.10 This is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of inner ring outer diameter expansion and the amount of axial clearance reduction.

[0027] Fig.11 This is a graph showing the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the axial clearance reduction amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] [Wheel bearing device]

[0029] Below, use Figure 1 Next, a wheel bearing device 1 as one embodiment of a wheel bearing device for implementing the axial clearance measuring method of the present invention will be described.

[0030] Figure 1 The wheel bearing device 1 shown supports the wheel in a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile so that the wheel can rotate freely. The wheel bearing device 1 has a structure called the third generation, and has an outer ring 2 as an outer member, a hub ring 3 and an inner ring 4 as inner members, two inner ball rows 5 and an outer ball row 6 as rolling rows, and an inner side sealing member 9 and an outer side sealing member 10. Here, the inner side refers to the vehicle body side of the wheel bearing device 1 when installed on the vehicle body, and the outer side refers to the wheel side of the wheel bearing device 1 when installed on the vehicle body. In addition, the axial direction refers to the direction along the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1.

[0031] An inner side opening 2a into which the inner side sealing member 9 can be fitted is formed at the inner side end of the outer ring 2. An outer side opening 2b into which the outer side sealing member 10 can be fitted is formed at the outer side end of the outer ring 2. An inner side outer side track surface 2c and an outer side outer side track surface 2d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. A vehicle body mounting flange 2e for mounting the outer ring 2 to a vehicle body side member is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. Bolt holes 2g for inserting fastening members (here, bolts) for fastening the vehicle body side member to the outer ring 2 are provided in the vehicle body mounting flange 2e.

[0032] A small-diameter step portion 3a having a smaller diameter than the outer end portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface at the inner end portion of the hub 3. A shoulder portion 3e is formed at the outer end portion of the small-diameter step portion 3a in the hub 3. A wheel mounting flange 3b for mounting a wheel is integrally formed at the outer end portion of the hub 3. Bolt holes 3f are provided in the wheel mounting flange 3b for press-fitting hub bolts for fastening the hub 3 to the wheel or brake components.

[0033] The hub ring 3 is provided with an outer inner raceway surface 3c in a manner opposed to the outer outer raceway surface 2d on the outer side of the outer ring 2. A lip sliding surface 3d is formed on the base side of the wheel mounting flange 3b in the hub ring 3 for the outer side sealing member 10 to slide in contact with. The outer side sealing member 10 is fitted into the outer side opening end of the annular space formed by the outer ring 2 and the hub ring 3. The hub ring 3 has an outer side end surface 3g at the end portion on the outer side than the wheel mounting flange 3b.

[0034] The inner ring 4 is provided on the small-diameter step portion 3a of the hub ring 3. The inner ring 4 is fixed to the small-diameter step portion 3a of the hub ring 3 by press-fitting and riveting. The inner ring 4 applies preload to the inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6 as rolling rows. The inner ring 4 has an inner end face 4b at the inner end and an outer end face 4c at the outer end. A rivet portion 3h riveted to the inner end face 4b of the inner ring 4 is formed at the inner end of the hub ring 3.

[0035] An inner raceway surface 4a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner race 4 on the inner side of the hub wheel 3. The inner raceway surface 4a faces the outer raceway surface 2c on the inner side of the outer race 2.

[0036] The inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6 as rolling rows are formed by retaining a plurality of balls 7 as rolling elements by a retainer 8. The inner ball row 5 is sandwiched between the inner raceway surface 4a of the inner ring 4 and the inner outer raceway surface 2c of the outer ring 2 in a freely rolling manner. The outer ball row 6 is sandwiched between the inner raceway surface 3c of the hub ring 3 and the outer outer raceway surface 2d on the outer side of the outer ring 2 in a freely rolling manner.

[0037] In the wheel bearing device 1, a double row angular contact ball bearing is formed by the outer ring 2, the hub ring 3, the inner ring 4, the inner ball row 5, and the outer ball row 6. It should be noted that the wheel bearing device 1 may also be formed by a double row tapered roller bearing.

[0038] [Axial clearance measurement method]

[0039] Next, a method for measuring the axial clearance of the wheel bearing device 1 will be described. Figure 2 As shown, the axial clearance measuring method in this embodiment includes a temporary press-in process (S01), a press-in process (S02), a first axial negative clearance measuring process (S03), a riveting process (S04), an inner ring push-in amount measuring process (S05), a first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring process (S06), a second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculating process (S07), an outer diameter expansion amount difference calculating process (S08), a first axial clearance reduction amount calculating process (S09), a second axial clearance reduction amount calculating process (S10), a third axial clearance reduction amount calculating process (S11), and a second axial negative clearance measuring process (S12). The following describes each process of the axial clearance measuring method.

[0040] (Temporary Pressing Process)

[0041] like Figure 3As shown, the hub ring 3 is placed on the support platform 11 in a posture where the axial direction is vertical and the outer side end face 3g is located at the bottom. The outer side end face 3g of the hub ring 3 contacts the support platform 11. The outer ring 2 is assembled on the hub ring 3 placed on the support platform 11 in a manner that it can rotate via the inner side ball row 5 and the outer side ball row 6. An outer side sealing member 10 is embedded in the outer side end of the outer ring 2. Grease is filled between the hub ring 3 and the outer ring 2.

[0042] In the temporary press-in process (S01), the inner ring 4 is temporarily pressed into the small-diameter step portion 3a of the hub ring 3 placed on the support table 11. The temporary press-in of the inner ring 4 is performed as follows: the inner ring 4 is pressed into the small-diameter step portion 3a from above, and the press-in is stopped when the outer side end face 4c of the inner ring 4 is about to abut against the shoulder 3e of the hub ring 3. Here, the press-in operation of the inner ring 4 is performed under a state where a predetermined pressure is applied using a pushing device such as a hydraulic cylinder or an air cylinder. At the time point when the temporary press-in of the inner ring 4 is completed, there is an axial positive gap G0 between the outer side end face 4c of the inner ring 4 and the shoulder 3e of the hub ring 3. It should be noted that the axial positive gap G0 can be pre-set before the inner ring 4 is temporarily pressed in using the pushing device.

[0043] In the temporary press-fitting step (S01), the axial positive gap G0 and the axial dimension H0 between the outer end surface 3g of the hub ring 3 and the inner end surface 4b of the inner ring 4 after temporary press-fitting of the inner ring 4 are measured. The axial dimension H0 can be measured using a measuring instrument 12 such as a micrometer.

[0044] (Pressing process)

[0045] After the temporary pressing step (S01), the pressing step (S02) is performed. Figure 4 As shown, in the press-fitting process (S02), the inner ring 4 is pressed into the small-diameter step 3a until the outer end face 4c of the inner ring 4 abuts against the shoulder 3e of the hub ring 3. In addition, after the inner ring 4 is pressed into the small-diameter step 3a, the axial dimension H1 between the outer end face 3g of the hub ring 3 and the inner end face 4b of the inner ring 4 after the inner ring 4 is pressed is measured by the measuring device 12. Furthermore, after the inner ring 4 is pressed into the small-diameter step 3a, the outer diameter dimension D1 of the inner ring 4 is measured by the measuring device 13.

[0046] (First axial negative clearance measurement process)

[0047] After the press-fitting step (S02), a first axial negative clearance measuring step (S03) is performed. In the first axial negative clearance measuring step (S03), the first axial negative clearance G1 (G1=G0-(H0-H1)) between the inner ring 4 and the hub ring 3 after the inner ring 4 is pressed is obtained by subtracting the value obtained by subtracting the axial dimension H1 from the axial dimension H0 from the axial positive clearance G0.

[0048] (Riveting process)

[0049] After the first axial negative gap measuring step (S03), the riveting step (S04) is performed. Figure 5 As shown, in the caulking step (S04), a caulking process is performed to caulk the inner end of the small-diameter step 3a of the hub 3 to the inner end surface 4b of the inner ring 4 using a caulking tool 15. The caulking process can be performed by, for example, swing caulking.

[0050] In the case of riveting, Fig. 6A As shown in the state before the riveting process is started, the riveting tool 15 is brought into contact with the inner side end of the small-diameter step portion 3a to start the riveting process. Figure 6B As shown, the small-diameter step portion 3a is pressed toward the outer diameter side by the caulking tool 15. In addition, the outer peripheral surface 4s of the inner ring 4 press-fitted into the small-diameter step portion 3a is expanded toward the outer diameter side by the small-diameter step portion 3a.

[0051] Afterwards, when the small-diameter step portion 3a is riveted using the riveting tool 15, as shown in FIG. Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 1 , the inner ring 4 is pushed inwardly in the axial direction and further expanded in diameter in the outer diameter direction. In other words, by implementing the riveting process, the inner ring 4 is pushed inwardly in the axial direction by a predetermined amount and expanded in diameter in the outer diameter direction by a predetermined amount. In this way, when the inner ring 4 is expanded in diameter by the riveting process of the hub ring 3, even if the amount of pushing the inner ring 4 in the axial direction is the same, the axial negative clearance between the inner ring 4 and the hub ring 3 changes according to the amount of expansion of the inner ring 4.

[0052] like Figure 7 As shown, in the riveting process (S04), after the riveting process of the small-diameter step portion 3a relative to the inner ring 4 is completed, the axial dimension H2 between the outer side end face 3g of the hub ring 3 and the inner side end face 4b of the inner ring 4 after the riveting process is completed is measured by the measuring device 12. In addition, the outer diameter dimension D2 of the inner ring 4 after the riveting process is completed is measured by the measuring device 13.

[0053] (Inner ring push-in amount measurement process)

[0054] After the caulking step (S04), the inner ring push-in amount measuring step (S05) is performed. In the inner ring push-in amount measuring step (S05), the push-in amount L of the inner ring 4 in the axial direction from the press-in step (S02) after the press-in of the inner ring 4 is completed to the caulking step (S04) after the caulking process of the small-diameter step 3a is completed is measured. Specifically, the push-in amount L is obtained by subtracting the axial dimension H2 measured in the caulking step (S04) from the axial dimension H1 measured in the press-in step (S02) (L=H1-H2).

[0055] In this case, the axial dimensions H1 and H2 are measured by bringing the contact of the measuring device 12 into contact with the inner end surface 4b of the inner ring 4, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the position for measuring the push-in amount L of the inner ring 4 is the inner end surface 4 b of the inner ring 4 .

[0056] (First Inner Ring Outer Diameter Expansion Amount Measuring Step)

[0057] After the inner ring push-in amount measuring step (S05), the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step (S06) is implemented. In the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step (S06), the amount of expansion of the outer diameter of the inner ring 4 from after the press-in step (S02) to after the caulking step (S04), i.e., the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 is measured. Specifically, the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 is obtained by subtracting the outer diameter dimension D1 measured in the press-in step (S02) from the outer diameter dimension D2 measured in the caulking step (S04) (DE1=D2-D1).

[0058] In this case, the outer diameters D1 and D2 are measured by bringing the contact of the measuring device 13 into contact with the outer peripheral surface 4s of the inner ring 4, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the position for measuring the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 is the outer peripheral surface 4 s of the inner ring 4 .

[0059] In the present embodiment, in particular, the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 is measured at a position closer to the inner raceway surface 4a than the inner end surface 4b in the axial direction of the inner ring 4. Specifically, in the range R between the inner end surface 4b and the inner raceway surface 4a in the axial direction of the outer ring 4s, a portion located closer to the inner raceway surface 4a than the axial midpoint Ro is set as the measurement position of the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1.

[0060] (Step for calculating the amount of expansion of the outer diameter of the second inner ring)

[0061] After the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step (S06), a second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculating step (S07) is performed. In the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculating step (S07), the inner ring push amount L measured in the inner ring push amount measuring step (S05) and Fig. 9 The second inner ring outer diameter expansion DE2 is calculated by applying the inner ring push amount L to the relationship between the inner ring push amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount. Fig. 9 The second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE2 is calculated based on the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount shown.

[0062] It should be noted that Fig. 9 The relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount shown is obtained by actually measuring the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, etc. for a specified sample of the wheel bearing device 1. In addition, the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount can be obtained for each specification of the wheel bearing device 1.

[0063] (Outer diameter expansion difference calculation process)

[0064] After the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculation step (S07), the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation step (S08) is implemented. In the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation step (S08), if Fig. 9 As shown, the difference between the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 measured in the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step (S06) and the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE2 calculated in the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculating step (S07), that is, the outer diameter expansion amount difference ΔDE (ΔDE=DE2-DE1) is calculated.

[0065] (First axial clearance reduction calculation step)

[0066] After the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation step (S08), the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S09) is implemented. In the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S09), if Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first axial clearance reduction amount ΔGa is calculated based on the outer diameter expansion amount difference ΔDE calculated in the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation step (S08) and the relationship between the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring 4, i.e., the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, and the reduction amount of the axial clearance between the inner ring 4 and the hub ring 3, i.e., the axial clearance reduction amount. Specifically, the outer diameter expansion amount difference ΔDE is applied to Fig.10 The first axial clearance reduction amount ΔGa is calculated based on the relationship between the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount shown in FIG.

[0067] In other words, in the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S09), the Fig.10The relationship between the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the axial clearance reduction amount is used to convert the outer diameter expansion amount difference ΔDE into the first axial clearance reduction amount ΔGa.

[0068] It should be noted that Fig.10 The relationship between the inner ring outer diameter expansion and the axial clearance reduction is obtained by Fig. 9 The relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount shown is obtained by actually measuring the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the axial clearance reduction amount of the same sample of the wheel bearing device 1 used. In addition, the relationship between the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the axial clearance reduction amount can be obtained for each specification of the wheel bearing device 1.

[0069] (Second axial clearance reduction calculation step)

[0070] After the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S09), the second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S10) is implemented. In the second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S10), if Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second axial clearance reduction amount ΔGb is calculated based on the inner ring push amount L measured in the inner ring push amount measuring step (S05), the inner ring push amount, i.e., the inner ring push amount, and the axial clearance reduction amount between the inner ring 4 and the hub ring 3. Specifically, the inner ring push amount L is applied to the second axial clearance reduction amount ΔGb. Fig.11 The second axial clearance reduction amount ΔGb is calculated based on the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the axial clearance reduction amount shown in FIG.

[0071] It should be noted that Fig.11 The relationship between the inner ring push amount and the axial clearance reduction is obtained by Fig. 9 The relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount shown is obtained by actually measuring the inner ring push-in amount and the axial clearance reduction amount of the same sample of the wheel bearing device 1 used. In addition, the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the axial clearance reduction amount can be obtained for each specification of the wheel bearing device 1.

[0072] (Third Axial Clearance Reduction Calculation Step)

[0073] After the second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S10), a third axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S11) is performed. In the third axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S11), if Fig.11 As shown, the third axial clearance reduction amount ΔGc is calculated by adding the second axial clearance reduction amount ΔGb calculated in the second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step ( S10 ) to the first axial clearance reduction amount ΔGa calculated in the first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step ( S09 ) (ΔGc=ΔGb+ΔGa).

[0074] In other words, in the third axial clearance reduction calculation process (S11), the third axial clearance reduction ΔGc is obtained by correcting the second axial clearance reduction ΔGb corresponding to the inner ring push amount L measured in the inner ring push amount measurement process (S05) using the first axial clearance reduction ΔGa corresponding to the outer diameter expansion difference ΔDE.

[0075] (Second axial negative clearance calculation process)

[0076] After the third axial clearance reduction amount calculation step (S11), a second axial negative clearance calculation step (S12) is performed. In the second axial negative clearance calculation step (S12), the second axial negative clearance G2 is calculated by adding the first axial negative clearance G1 measured in the first axial negative clearance measurement step (S03) to the third axial clearance reduction amount ΔGc.

[0077] In the axial clearance measuring method, the second axial negative clearance G2 calculated in the second axial negative clearance calculating step (S12) is used as the measurement result of the axial negative clearance between the inner ring 4 and the hub ring 3 of the wheel bearing device 1 after the caulking process.

[0078] The second axial negative gap G2 which is the measurement result in the axial gap measurement method is obtained based on the push-in amount of the inner ring 4 before and after the caulking process and the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring 4 during the caulking process of the hub ring.

[0079] The axial negative clearance of the wheel bearing device 1 varies due to the influence of the outer diameter of the inner ring 4 that is expanded when the hub ring 3 is riveted, but the second axial negative clearance G2 measured in the axial clearance measurement method becomes a measured value that takes into account the outer diameter expansion of the inner ring 4 in addition to the push-in amount of the inner ring 4.

[0080] Therefore, in the axial clearance measuring method, it is possible to perform measurement with higher accuracy compared to the case where the second axial negative clearance G2 is obtained based only on the push-in amount of the inner ring 4 .

[0081] In addition, in the axial clearance measuring method, as described above, the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount DE1 is measured at a position closer to the inner raceway surface 4a where the axial negative clearance is generated than the inner raceway surface 4b in the outer peripheral surface 4s between the inner side end surface 4b and the inner raceway surface 4a in the axial direction of the inner ring 4. Therefore, the push-in amount of the inner ring 4 can be corrected with high accuracy using the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring 4, and the axial negative clearance of the wheel bearing device 1 can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0082] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the wheel bearing device 1 for a driven wheel is described, but the axial clearance measuring method can also be applied to a wheel bearing device for a driving wheel of a specification for a caulking-processed hub wheel.

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention are described above, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and is merely illustrative. It can of course be further implemented in various ways without departing from the main purpose of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is represented by the description of the technical solution, and also includes the meaning equivalent to the description of the technical solution and all changes within the scope.

[0084] Industrial Applicability

[0085] The present invention can be utilized in a method for measuring an axial clearance of a wheel bearing device.

[0086] Description of reference numerals:

[0087] 1...Wheel bearing device;

[0088] 2...Outer ring;

[0089] 2c... (inner side) outer track surface;

[0090] 2d...outer track surface (outer side);

[0091] 3...wheel hub;

[0092] 3a...Steps on the trail;

[0093] 3c...Inner track surface;

[0094] 4...Inner circle;

[0095] 4a...Inner track surface;

[0096] 5...Inner side ball row;

[0097] 6...Outer side ball row;

[0098] 7...Ball;

[0099] DE1... Expansion of the outer diameter of the first inner ring;

[0100] DE2...Extension of the outer diameter of the second inner ring;

[0101] G1...the first axial negative clearance;

[0102] G2...Second axial negative clearance;

[0103] L...Inner ring push amount;

[0104] S02...Pressing process;

[0105] S03... first axial negative clearance measuring process;

[0106] S04...Riveting process;

[0107] S05...Inner ring push amount measurement process;

[0108] S06: a first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step;

[0109] S07...a step of calculating the amount of expansion of the outer diameter of the second inner ring;

[0110] S08...Outer diameter expansion difference calculation process;

[0111] S09...a first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step;

[0112] S10...a second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step;

[0113] S11...a third axial clearance reduction amount calculation step;

[0114] S12...the second axial negative clearance calculation process;

[0115] ΔDE...Difference in outside diameter expansion;

[0116] ΔGa...reduction of the first axial clearance;

[0117] ΔGb...reduction of the second axial clearance;

[0118] ΔGc...reduction of the third axial clearance.

Claims

1. A method for measuring an axial clearance of a wheel bearing device, the wheel bearing device comprising: An outer member having a double row outer track surface on the inner periphery; an inner member including a hub ring having a small-diameter step portion extending in the axial direction on an outer circumference thereof and an inner ring pressed into the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring and having a double-row inner raceway surface facing the double-row outer raceway surface; and Double-row rolling elements are accommodated between the two track surfaces of the outer member and the inner member in a rolling manner. The method for measuring the axial clearance of a wheel bearing device is characterized by comprising: a press-fitting step in which the inner ring is press-fitted in the axial direction to the small-diameter step portion of the hub ring until the inner ring abuts against the hub ring; a first axial negative clearance measuring step, in which a first axial negative clearance between the inner ring and the hub ring after the press-fitting step is measured; a riveting step, after the first axial negative clearance measuring step, in which an inner end of the small-diameter step portion is riveted to the inner ring; an inner ring push-in amount measuring step, in which the inner ring push-in amount, i.e., the inner ring push-in amount, which is the amount of the inner ring pushed in the axial direction from after the press-in step to after the riveting step, is measured; a first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step, in which the amount of expansion of the outer diameter of the inner ring from after the press-fitting step to after the riveting step, i.e., the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, is measured; a second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount calculation step, in which the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount is calculated based on the inner ring push-in amount measured in the inner ring push-in amount measurement step and the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount in the axial direction and the inner ring outer diameter expansion amount; an outer diameter expansion difference calculation step, in which a difference between the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount and the second inner ring outer diameter expansion amount, i.e., an outer diameter expansion difference, is calculated; a first axial clearance reduction amount calculation step, in which a first axial clearance reduction amount is calculated based on the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculated in the outer diameter expansion amount difference calculation step and a relationship between the outer diameter expansion amount of the inner ring and the reduction amount of the axial clearance between the inner ring and the hub ring, i.e., the axial clearance reduction amount; a second axial clearance reduction amount calculation step, in which a second axial clearance reduction amount is calculated based on the relationship between the inner ring push-in amount and the axial clearance reduction amount between the inner ring and the hub ring, that is, the axial clearance reduction amount; a third axial gap reduction amount calculation step in which a third axial gap reduction amount is calculated by adding the second axial gap reduction amount calculated in the second axial gap reduction amount calculation step to the first axial gap reduction amount calculation step; as well as and a second axial negative clearance calculating step of calculating a second axial negative clearance by adding the third axial clearance reduction amount to the first axial negative clearance measured in the first axial clearance measuring step.

2. The method for measuring the axial clearance of a wheel bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount measuring step, The first inner ring outer diameter expansion amount is measured at a position closer to the inner raceway surface than the inner end surface in the axial direction of the inner ring, on the outer peripheral surface between the inner end surface and the inner raceway surface.

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