Thrust bearing arrangement and macpherson suspension for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a thrust bearing device that reliably performs axial retention of a spring support member and a lower side housing while preventing wear of a contact surface of the lower side housing made of synthetic resin and the spring support member made of steel. An upper spring seat (14) made of steel has a cylindrical portion (14A) and a disc-shaped portion (14B), and the cylindrical portion (14A) has an engagement hole (B) passing through in a radial direction at an upper portion thereof. A lower side housing (3) of a thrust bearing (1) has a cylindrical body (17) along an inner peripheral surface of an upper portion of the cylindrical portion (14A), and the cylindrical body (17) has an engagement protrusion (D) engaging with the engagement hole (B) at an outer peripheral surface (17A) thereof. In a state where the engagement protrusion (D) engages with the engagement hole (B), relative movement of the upper spring seat (14) and the lower side housing (3) is restricted in an axial direction (J) and a circumferential direction (E).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a thrust bearing assembly for a MacPherson strut suspension used in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] As a suspension system that uses coil springs to support the wheels relative to the vehicle body and incorporates shock absorbers to absorb vertical vibrations, there exists a type called the MacPherson strut suspension, which consists of a telescopic column (support rod) with built-in shock absorbers fixed to the axle. MacPherson strut suspensions are primarily used on the front wheels of passenger cars.

[0003] As a thrust bearing device for the upper part of a MacPherson strut suspension, there exists a thrust bearing device that holds in the axial direction a spring support member (e.g., bottom retainer 7 of Patent Document 1, bottom cup 16 of Patent Document 2) that supports the upper end of a coil spring (e.g., coil spring 2 of Patent Document 1, coil spring 17 of Patent Document 2) and a lower housing made of synthetic resin for the thrust bearing (e.g., bottom cover 5 of Patent Document 1, bottom cap 15 of Patent Document 2).

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the axial holding is achieved by contacting the resin component with the metal component in an elastically deformed state, thereby utilizing the frictional force generated by the elastic deformation force. Specifically, the spring 15 provided on the axial surface 11c of the synthetic resin body 11 of the bottom cover 5 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the axial portion 17a of the steel support rod 17 of the bottom retainer 7. Figure 1 -2). Alternatively, the flange 20 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the axial portion 17a may be brought into contact with the axial surface 11c of the body 11. Figure 3-4 ).

[0005] In Patent Document 2, the axial retention is achieved by providing a plurality of hooks 15f extending axially downward on the bottom cap 15 made of synthetic resin. That is, the ends 15g of the hooks 15f interfere with the small-diameter free end of the radial portion 16c of the steel bottom cup 16, thus the bottom cap 15 and the bottom cup 16 are axially fastened together. Figure 1 -2、 Figure 5-6 ).

[0006] Existing technical documents:

[0007] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 8,496,383

[0008] Patent Document 2: U.S. Patent No. 6,814,496 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] In the method of Patent Document 1, which axially holds the aforementioned spring support member and the aforementioned lower housing, the compressive force between the bottom retainer 7 and the bottom cover plate 5 decreases due to the aging (creep) of the resin component over time. As a result, the ability to prevent separation between the bottom retainer 7 and the bottom cover plate 5 may decrease or disappear.

[0011] In the method described in Patent Document 2, which axially holds the aforementioned spring support member and the aforementioned lower housing, the relative movement of the bottom cap 15 and the bottom cup 16 in the circumferential direction is not restricted, thus the bottom cap 15 and the bottom cup 16 slide in the circumferential direction. As a result, the contact surface between the synthetic resin bottom cap 15 and the steel bottom cup 16 will wear.

[0012] The object of this invention is to provide a thrust bearing device capable of reliably maintaining the axial position of the spring support member and the lower housing. Furthermore, this invention provides a thrust bearing device in which the contact surface between the synthetic resin lower housing and the steel spring support member does not experience wear.

[0013] Technical solutions to solve technical problems

[0014] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the thrust bearing device involved in this invention includes:

[0015] A thrust bearing; and an upper spring seat, which is a spring support component that supports the upper end of the helical spring.

[0016] The aforementioned thrust bearing comprises:

[0017] Upper shell and lower shell;

[0018] The upper track wheel is held in the aforementioned upper housing;

[0019] The lower track wheel is held in the aforementioned lower housing; and

[0020] The rolling element rolls between the upper track wheel and the lower track wheel.

[0021] The aforementioned upper and lower shells are primarily made of synthetic resin.

[0022] The aforementioned upper spring seat is mainly made of steel.

[0023] The aforementioned upper spring seat has a cylindrical portion and a disc-shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion has a radially penetrating engaging hole or an engaging recess formed by a recess on its inner circumferential surface.

[0024] The lower housing has a cylindrical body along the upper inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical body has a engaging protrusion on its outer circumferential surface that engages with the engaging hole or the engaging recess.

[0025] When the aforementioned engaging protrusion engages with the aforementioned engaging hole or the aforementioned engaging recess, the relative movement between the aforementioned upper spring seat and the aforementioned lower housing in the axial and circumferential directions is restricted.

[0026] According to the thrust bearing device of the present invention, the engaging protrusion of the cylindrical body of the lower housing engages with the engaging hole or engaging recess of the cylindrical portion of the upper spring seat, thereby restricting the axial relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing. Therefore, axial separation between the upper spring seat and the lower housing, which serve as spring support members, can be prevented, and their axial holding can be reliably maintained.

[0027] According to the thrust bearing device of the present invention, the engaging protrusion of the cylindrical body of the lower housing engages with the engaging hole or engaging recess of the cylindrical portion of the upper spring seat, thereby restricting the relative circumferential movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing. Therefore, the lower housing can be positioned circumferentially relative to the upper spring seat, preventing circumferential slippage between the upper spring seat and the lower housing, and thus preventing wear on the contact surfaces of the synthetic resin lower housing and the steel upper spring seat.

[0028] Based on this, a better implementation is that the upper surface of the engaging protrusion of the lower housing is a generally horizontal plane or the side surface of a cylinder extending in a generally horizontal direction, and the lower surface of the engaging protrusion is an inclined surface that narrows as it tends downward.

[0029] According to the thrust bearing device of the present invention, the lower housing can be easily lowered relative to the upper spring seat while elastically deforming from the upper part of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the upper spring seat made of steel along the inclined surface of the lower surface of the engaging protrusion of the lower housing made of synthetic resin. Therefore, the engaging protrusion of the lower housing can be easily engaged with the engaging hole or engaging recess of the upper spring seat.

[0030] Furthermore, when the aforementioned engaging protrusion engages with the engaging hole or engaging recess, the upper surface of the engaging protrusion, which is a generally horizontal plane or a cylindrical side extending in a generally horizontal direction, is abutted by the upper wall of the engaging hole or engaging recess. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the upper spring seat, which serves as a spring support member, from separating from the lower housing in the axial direction.

[0031] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the thrust bearing device involved in this invention includes:

[0032] A thrust bearing; and an upper spring seat, which is a spring support component that supports the upper end of the helical spring.

[0033] The aforementioned thrust bearing comprises:

[0034] Upper shell and lower shell;

[0035] The upper track wheel is held in the aforementioned upper housing;

[0036] The lower track wheel is held in the aforementioned lower housing; and

[0037] The rolling element rolls between the upper track wheel and the lower track wheel.

[0038] The aforementioned upper and lower shells are primarily made of synthetic resin.

[0039] The aforementioned upper spring seat is mainly made of steel.

[0040] The aforementioned upper spring seat has a cylindrical portion and a disc-shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion has a locking protrusion that protrudes radially inward on its upper part.

[0041] The lower housing has a cylindrical body along the upper inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical body has a radially penetrating engagement hole that engages with the engagement protrusion, or an engagement recess formed on the outer circumferential surface that engages with the engagement protrusion.

[0042] When the aforementioned engaging protrusion engages with the aforementioned engaging hole or the aforementioned engaging recess, the relative movement between the aforementioned upper spring seat and the aforementioned lower housing in the axial and circumferential directions is restricted.

[0043] According to the thrust bearing device of the present invention, the engaging hole or engaging recess of the cylindrical body of the lower housing engages with the engaging protrusion of the cylindrical portion of the upper spring seat, thereby restricting the axial relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing. Therefore, axial separation between the upper spring seat and the lower housing, which serve as spring support members, can be prevented, and their axial holding can be reliably maintained.

[0044] According to the thrust bearing device of the present invention, the engaging hole or engaging recess of the cylindrical body of the lower housing engages with the engaging protrusion of the cylindrical portion of the upper spring seat, thereby restricting the relative circumferential movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing. Therefore, the lower housing can be positioned circumferentially relative to the upper spring seat, preventing circumferential slippage between the upper spring seat and the lower housing, and thus preventing wear on the contact surfaces of the synthetic resin lower housing and the steel upper spring seat.

[0045] The MacPherson strut suspension involved in this invention includes the aforementioned thrust bearing device.

[0046] Invention Effects

[0047] As described above, the thrust bearing device and the MacPherson strut suspension of the vehicle involved in this invention can reliably maintain the axial position of the upper spring seat, which serves as a spring support component, and the contact surface between the lower spring seat made of synthetic resin and the upper spring seat made of steel does not wear. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a MacPherson strut suspension in a vehicle equipped with the thrust bearing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2A This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the main parts of the aforementioned thrust bearing assembly, spring isolator, and helical spring.

[0050] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Enlarged view of the framed part a.

[0051] Figure 3 This is a perspective view from below, showing the state of the lower housing and upper spring seat removed and separated.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the state in which the lower housing and upper spring seat have been removed and separated.

[0053] Figure 5 This represents a modified example of the engaging protrusion and engaging hole. Figure 4 Same main view.

[0054] Figure 6 This is another variation of the engagement protrusion and engagement hole. Figure 4 Same main view.

[0055] Figure 7A This refers to an example where the engagement hole is used as the engagement recess. Figure 2A Enlarged longitudinal section view of the same main part.

[0056] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Enlarged view of part b (highlighted by the frame).

[0057] Figure 8 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part of a modified example in which a locking protrusion is provided on the upper spring seat and a locking hole is provided on the lower housing.

[0058] Symbol Explanation

[0059] 1. Thrust bearing; 2. Upper housing; 3. Lower housing

[0060] 4. Upper track wheel; 5. Lower track wheel; 6. Rolling element

[0061] 7. Retainer; 8. Inner diameter side seal; 9. Outer diameter side seal

[0062] 10 Support rod 11 Coil spring 12 Dust cover

[0063] 13 Spring support component 14 Upper spring seat 14A Cylindrical part

[0064] 14B Disc-shaped part; 15 Spring isolator; 16 Upper fixing part

[0065] 17 Cylindrical body 17A Outer peripheral surface 18 Square convex plate

[0066] 19. Oblong convex plate; 20. Circular convex plate; 21. Square hole

[0067] 22 oblong hole 23 round hole

[0068] A. Thrust bearing assembly; B. Engaging hole extending radially.

[0069] C. Engaging recess formed by the indentation on the inner circumference; D. Engaging protrusion.

[0070] E-circumferential inclined surface F

[0071] The height H1 of the G-clamping protrusion is approximately horizontal.

[0072] The side of the cylinder H2 extending in a generally horizontal direction

[0073] I is the radial distance from the front end of the engaging protrusion to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical part.

[0074] J-axis

[0075] K. Upper wall of the engagement hole or engagement recess; L. Radial depth of the engagement recess.

[0076] M engages with a protrusion, and N engages with a radially penetrating hole.

[0077] O Rotation axis R radial

[0078] RI radial inner side RO radial outer side

[0079] S MacPherson suspension T cylindrical section wall thickness Detailed Implementation

[0080] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] In this specification, the rotating shaft O of the thrust bearing assembly A (refer to...) Figure 1 The direction parallel to the axis is called the "axial direction" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1Arrow J), the direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation O is called "radial" (for example, refer to...). Figure 1 The arrow R), will be viewed from the radial direction of R (the diagram). Figures 4 to 6 (This is used as the main view.)

[0082] In this specification, the radial direction approaching the axis of rotation O is referred to as the "radial inner side" (for example, see reference). Figure 1 The arrow RI, pointing away from the axis of rotation O, is called the "radial outward" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1 (arrow RO). Furthermore, when the axis of rotation O is set as vertical, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the radial direction centered on the axis of rotation O is called the "circumferential direction" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 3 Arrow E).

[0083] MacPherson strut suspension

[0084] Figure 1 The partial cross-sectional schematic diagram shows that the MacPherson strut suspension S of the vehicle is used with the telescopic support rod 10 with built-in shock absorbers fixed to an axle (not shown) and the upper fastener 16 fixed to the vehicle body.

[0085] A thrust bearing 1 is provided on the upper part of the MacPherson strut suspension S. The thrust bearing 1 supports the vehicle body while swinging and rotating. The amount of swinging and rotation corresponds to the amount of change in direction of the steering wheel as a result of steering operation. The swing angle of the thrust bearing 1 is determined according to the permissible steering angle of the wheel, for example, it is set in the range of 40° to 50°.

[0086] On the radially outer side RO of the support rod 10, there is a coil spring 11 serving as a suspension spring and a dust cover 12 to protect the oil seal of the shock absorber from the intrusion of foreign objects such as sand. The MacPherson strut suspension S has a spring support member 13 that supports the upper end of the coil spring 11. As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG2, the spring support member 13 consists of an upper spring seat 14 and a spring isolator 15.

[0087] <Thrust bearing assembly>

[0088] like Figure 1 Schematic diagram and Figure 2A As shown in the longitudinal sectional view, the thrust bearing assembly A includes a thrust bearing 1 and an upper spring seat 14 that supports the upper end of the helical spring 11 as a spring support member 13.

[0089] The thrust bearing 1 has an upper housing 2 and a lower housing 3, an upper track wheel 4 and a lower track wheel 5, rolling elements 6, a retainer 7, and an inner diameter side seal 8 and an outer diameter side seal 9, etc.

[0090] The upper housing 2 is fixed to the upper end of the support rod 10, and the lower housing 3 supports the upper spring seat 14 from above. The upper track wheel 4 is held in the upper housing 2, and the lower track wheel 5 is held in the lower housing 3. The rolling element 6 rolls between the upper track wheel 4 and the lower track wheel 5, and the retainer 7 holds it so that adjacent rolling elements do not contact each other.

[0091] The inner diameter side seal 8 is located on the radial inner side RI of the rolling element 6, and the outer diameter side seal 9 is located on the radial outer side RO of the rolling element 6.

[0092] The upper track wheel 4, the lower track wheel 5, and the upper spring seat 14 are made of steel, formed by stamping steel plates and then hardened by quenching. The upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3 are made of synthetic resin, and the inner diameter side seal 8 and the outer diameter side seal 9 are made of elastic material.

[0093] The synthetic resin used for the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 is, for example, a polyamide (PA66, PA46, PA612, PA6, PA9T, PA10T, etc.), and the reinforcing fiber contains, for example, 20 to 60% by weight of glass fiber (GF).

[0094] For the elastic materials used in the inner diameter side seal 8 and the outer diameter side seal 9, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) include TPS (styrene-based), TPO (olefin-based), TPU (urethane-based), TPA (amine-based), TPEE (ester-based), etc., while rubber materials include nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), acrylate rubber (ACM), ethylene acrylate rubber (AEM), fluororubber (FKM, FPM), silicone rubber (VQM), etc. One or more types of rubber can be appropriately blended for use.

[0095] <Molding of the upper and lower shells>

[0096] The upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 are formed by injection molding. That is, the upper shell 2 is formed by injecting molten synthetic resin into the cavity of a mold having a cavity for forming the upper shell 2 through a gate. Similarly, the lower shell 3 is formed by injecting molten synthetic resin into the cavity of a mold having a cavity for forming the lower shell 3 through a gate.

[0097] <Upper Spring Seat>

[0098] like Figure 2A Longitudinal sectional view, as Figure 2A Enlarged view of the framed part a Figure 2B , Figure 3 3D diagram and Figure 4As shown in the front view, the upper spring seat 14 has a cylindrical portion 14A and a disc-shaped portion 14B, with the disc-shaped portion 14B extending radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 14A. The upper part of the cylindrical portion 14A has a square hole 21 as an engaging hole B that passes through radially R.

[0099] <Lower case>

[0100] The lower housing 3 has a cylindrical body 17 along the upper inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 14A of the upper spring seat 14. The cylindrical body 17 has a square protrusion 18 on its outer circumferential surface 17A, which serves as a locking protrusion D and engages with a square hole 21 that serves as a locking hole B of the upper spring seat 14.

[0101] The upper surface of the square protrusion 18 is a roughly horizontal plane H1, and the lower surface of the square protrusion 18 is an inclined plane F that narrows towards the bottom. For example... Figure 3 3D diagram and Figure 4 As shown in the front view, by bringing the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3 close together, the lower housing 3 can be easily lowered relative to the upper spring seat 14 while elastically deforming from the upper part of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 14A of the upper spring seat 14 made of steel along the inclined surface F of the lower surface of the square protrusion 18 of the lower housing 3 made of synthetic resin, which serves as the engaging protrusion D.

[0102] Therefore, as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown in the longitudinal sectional view, the square protrusion 18, which serves as the engaging protrusion D of the lower housing 3, can be easily engaged with the square hole 21, which serves as the engaging hole B of the upper spring seat 14. For example... Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, with the square protrusion 18 engaged with the square hole 21, the relative movement of the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3 in the axial direction J is restricted. Moreover, the upper surface of the approximately horizontal plane H1 of the square protrusion 18 is abutted by the upper wall portion K of the square hole 21, thus reliably preventing the upper spring seat 14, which serves as the spring support member 13, from separating from the lower housing 3 in the axial direction J.

[0103] like Figure 2B As shown in the longitudinal sectional view, the relationship between the radial height G of the square protrusion 18, which is the square protrusion 18 that serves as the engaging protrusion D, the radial distance I from the front end of the square protrusion 18 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 14A, and the wall thickness T of the cylindrical portion 14A is G+I=T. When T is, for example, 2mm, the radial height G of the square protrusion 18 can be, for example, about 0.5-1.0mm.

[0104] like Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown in the longitudinal sectional view, with the square protrusion 18 of the lower housing 3 engaged with the square hole 21 of the upper spring seat 14, the square protrusion 18 and... Figure 3 3D diagram and Figure 4 The square hole 21, as shown in the front view, engages with the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3. Figure 3 The relative movement of the circumferential direction E shown is restricted.

[0105] For the assembly of the thrust bearing 1 and the upper spring seat 14, its mounting position relative to the circumferential direction E of the vehicle is fixed. In the thrust bearing device A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement of the lower housing 3 of the thrust bearing 1 with the upper spring seat 14 in the circumferential direction E is restricted as described above.

[0106] Therefore, the lower housing 3 can be positioned relative to the upper spring seat 14 in the circumferential direction E, so that the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3 do not slide in the circumferential direction E, and thus the contact surface between the lower housing 3 made of synthetic resin and the upper spring seat 14 made of steel does not wear.

[0107] <Variation Example>

[0108] The engaging hole B of the upper spring seat 14 and the engaging protrusion D of the lower housing 3 can be respectively Figure 5 The elongated hole 22 and the elongated protrusion 19 shown in the front view can also be respectively... Figure 6 The front view shows the circular hole 23 and the circular protrusion 20. Figure 6 The upper surface of the circular protrusion 20 is not a roughly horizontal plane H1, but rather the side surface H2 of a cylinder extending in a roughly horizontal direction.

[0109] like Figure 7A The main part enlarged longitudinal section view, and as Figure 7A Enlarged view of the framed area b. Figure 7B As shown, the cylindrical portion 14A of the upper spring seat 14 may also have a locking recess C formed by an inner circumferential surface, instead of a locking hole B. In such a structure, when the locking protrusion D and the locking recess C are engaged, the relative movement of the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3 in the axial direction J and circumferential direction E is also restricted. Figure 7B The symbol K represents the upper wall portion of the engaging recess C.

[0110] like Figure 7BAs shown in the longitudinal sectional view, the relationship among the protruding height (i.e., the radial height G) of the engaging convex portion D toward the radially outer side RO, the radial depth L of the engaging concave portion C, and the wall thickness T of the cylindrical portion 14A is G < L < T. When T is, for example, 2 mm, L is, for example, about 1.0 - 1.5 mm, and it is sufficient that G is less than L and, for example, about 0.5 - 1.0 mm. In addition, when machining the engaging concave portion C on the cylindrical portion 14A of the upper spring seat 14 causes the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 14A to protrude toward the radially outer side RO and results in a defective condition where the protruding portion interferes with peripheral components, it may be formed as an engaging hole B that penetrates along the radial direction R instead of the engaging concave portion C.

[0111] In the above description, it is sufficient to provide one or more portions of the engaging hole B and the engaging convex portion D, or the engaging concave portion C and the engaging convex portion D in the circumferential direction.

[0112] As Figure 8 As shown in the enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part, an engaging convex portion M that protrudes toward the radially inner side RI may be provided at the upper part of the cylindrical portion 14A of the upper spring seat 14, and an engaging hole N that engages with the engaging convex portion M and penetrates along the radial direction R may be provided on the cylindrical body 17 of the lower housing 3. In such a structure, the relative movement of the upper spring seat 14 and the lower housing 3 in the axial direction J and the circumferential direction E is restricted in the state where the engaging hole N engages with the engaging convex portion M. Alternatively, it may be formed into a structure in which an engaging concave portion with a recessed outer peripheral surface 17A is provided on the cylindrical body 17 of the lower housing 3, and the engaging concave portion engages with the engaging convex portion M.

[0113] In the above description, it is sufficient to provide one or more portions of the engaging convex portion M and the engaging hole N, or the engaging convex portion M and the engaging concave portion in the circumferential direction.

[0114] All descriptions of the above embodiments are illustrative, and the invention is not limited thereto. Various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thrust bearing device, comprising: Thrust bearing; and The upper spring seat is a spring support component that supports the upper end of the helical spring. The aforementioned thrust bearing device is characterized in that, The aforementioned thrust bearing has the following features: Upper shell and lower shell; The upper track wheel is held in the aforementioned upper housing; The lower track wheel is held in the aforementioned lower housing; and The rolling element rolls between the upper track wheel and the lower track wheel. The aforementioned upper and lower shells are primarily made of synthetic resin. The aforementioned upper spring seat is mainly made of steel. The aforementioned upper spring seat has a cylindrical portion and a disc-shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion has a radially penetrating engaging hole or an engaging recess formed by a recess on its inner circumferential surface. The lower housing has a cylindrical body along the upper inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical body has a engaging protrusion on its outer circumferential surface that engages with the engaging hole or the engaging recess. The aforementioned engaging hole and engaging protrusion, or the aforementioned engaging recess and engaging protrusion, are provided in one or more locations in the circumferential direction. The structure does not utilize the frictional force generated by the elastic deformation of the lower housing to reduce the relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing by making the lower housing contact the upper spring seat in an elastically deformed state. Instead, by engaging the engagement protrusion with the engagement hole or the engagement recess, the relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing in the axial and circumferential directions is restricted, so that the upper spring seat and the lower housing do not slide in the circumferential direction.

2. The thrust bearing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the engaging protrusion of the lower housing is either a generally horizontal plane or the side surface of a cylinder extending in a generally horizontal direction. The lower surface of the aforementioned engaging protrusion is an inclined surface that narrows as it moves downwards.

3. A thrust bearing device, comprising: Thrust bearing; and The upper spring seat is a spring support component that supports the upper end of the helical spring. The aforementioned thrust bearing device is characterized in that, The aforementioned thrust bearing has the following features: Upper shell and lower shell; The upper track wheel is held in the aforementioned upper housing; The lower track wheel is held in the aforementioned lower housing; and The rolling element rolls between the upper track wheel and the lower track wheel. The aforementioned upper and lower shells are primarily made of synthetic resin. The aforementioned upper spring seat is mainly made of steel. The aforementioned upper spring seat has a cylindrical portion and a disc-shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion has a locking protrusion that protrudes radially inward on its upper part. The lower housing has a cylindrical body along the upper inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical body has a radially penetrating engagement hole that engages with the engagement protrusion, or an engagement recess formed on the outer circumferential surface that engages with the engagement protrusion. The aforementioned engaging protrusion and engaging hole, or the aforementioned engaging protrusion and engaging recess, are provided in one or more locations in the circumferential direction. The structure does not utilize the frictional force generated by the elastic deformation of the lower housing to reduce the relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing by making the lower housing contact the upper spring seat in an elastically deformed state. Instead, by engaging the engagement protrusion with the engagement hole or the engagement recess, the relative movement between the upper spring seat and the lower housing in the axial and circumferential directions is restricted, so that the upper spring seat and the lower housing do not slide in the circumferential direction.

4. A MacPherson strut suspension for a vehicle, characterized in that, A thrust bearing device comprising any one of claims 1-3.

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