Ball arrangement method for ball bearing, manufacturing method and manufacturing device for ball bearing, and manufacturing method for machine and vehicle

Abstract

A ball arrangement method for a ball bearing sequentially implements: a ball loading step in which a plurality of balls are loaded in one region in the circumferential direction of an annular space formed between an inner ring and an outer ring; a flow-stopping step in which a flow-stopping jig is disposed on the outside in the circumferential direction of one region of the annular space so that the plurality of balls to be loaded are left within the one region; a partitioning step in which a partitioning jig is arranged so as to group the plurality of balls in the annular space; and a ball separation step in which the tip ends of a plurality of work rockets, which are provided so as to protrude in accordance with the number of the balls, are sequentially inserted between the plurality of balls in the axial direction while the flow-stopping jig and the block jig are pulled out from the annular space in a state in which the flow-stopping jig and the block jig are disposed in the annular space. The plurality of balls are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball arrangement method of a ball bearing, a method and a manufacturing device for a ball bearing, and a method for manufacturing a machine and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As one of the methods for producing (assembling) products composed of multiple components such as bearings, there is a production technology such as a continuous automatic machine tool that has a large number of processing positions, reduces the processing (assembly work) performed at one processing position, and transports them one by one to the downstream processing position. As an example of such a production technology, there is a method of arranging multiple balls at equal intervals between the inner and outer rings of a ball bearing.

[0003] In the above-mentioned ball arrangement technology, between the ball installation process of placing the balls between the inner and outer rings and the ball separation process of arranging the balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, a ball concentration process of concentrating the plurality of balls accommodated between the inner and outer rings in one area in the circumferential direction is performed. Therefore, the ball friction generated during the ball concentration process causes damage to the balls.

[0004] In contrast, Patent Document 1 discloses a ball bearing manufacturing technology in which the balls after the ball loading process are kept in an area between the inner and outer rings without dispersion to eliminate the ball concentration process. In addition, by changing the overall inclination of the equipment, it is possible to switch from the ball loading process to the ball separation process at the same position.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-209475 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] In the structure of the above-mentioned patent document 1, there is provided a function of controlling the tilting action of the tilt angle of the entire manufacturing device. As a result, the ball loading process and the ball separation process with different tilt angles of the conveying surface can be processed at one location. Therefore, after the ball loading process, after the balls are kept in an area between the inner and outer rings without dispersion, the front ends of a plurality of working arrows corresponding to the number of balls can be inserted in sequence along the axial direction, and the plurality of balls can be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. However, in the case of a ball bearing with a large number of balls, the working arrows for ball separation become slender, the rigidity is reduced, and it becomes easy to bend, so there is a problem that friction and deformation caused by friction between components are easy to occur.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a ball arrangement method for ball bearings, a manufacturing method and manufacturing device for ball bearings, and a manufacturing method for machinery and vehicles that can suppress component friction, deformation, etc., suppress ball damage, can cope with ball bearings with a large number of balls, and can shorten the production cycle.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The ball arrangement method of the ball bearing of the present invention is composed of the following structure. The following steps are implemented in sequence:

[0013] (1) a ball loading step of loading a plurality of balls into a region along the circumferential direction of an annular space formed between the inner ring and the outer ring;

[0014] a flow stopping step of disposing a flow stopping fixture on the outer side of the one area of ​​the annular space in the circumferential direction so as to keep the plurality of balls loaded in the one area;

[0015] A dividing step of disposing a dividing jig in the annular space to group the plurality of balls; and

[0016] The ball separation process comprises the following steps: removing the flow stop clamp and the block dividing clamp from the annular space from a state where the flow stop clamp and the block dividing clamp are arranged in the annular space, and inserting the front ends of a plurality of working arrows protrudingly arranged corresponding to the number of the balls in sequence along the axial direction between the plurality of balls, so as to arrange the plurality of balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0017] (2) The ball arrangement method of a ball bearing according to (1), wherein the ball loading step moves the inner ring relative to the outer ring to the opposite side of the one region, and the balls are loaded while the annular space is radially widened in the one region.

[0018] (3) A ball arrangement method for a ball bearing according to (1) or (2), wherein the flow stopping step inserts the flow stopping fixture into the annular space along the axial direction of the inner ring and the outer ring, and the block dividing step inserts the block dividing fixture into the annular space along the axial direction of the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0019] (4) The ball arrangement method for a ball bearing according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein in the ball arrangement step, the inner ring and the outer ring are tilted from a horizontal plane so that the one region faces upward.

[0020] (5) The ball arrangement method for a ball bearing according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the ball arranging step to the ball separating step are continuously performed without horizontally conveying the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0021] (6) A method for manufacturing a ball bearing, wherein the ball bearing is manufactured by the ball arrangement method described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the balls are arranged at equal intervals in the annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0022] (7) A ball bearing manufacturing device, comprising:

[0023] a workpiece holding table that holds the inner ring and the outer ring in such a manner that an annular space is formed between the inner ring and the outer ring;

[0024] a ball loading portion for loading a plurality of balls in a region along the circumferential direction of an annular space formed between the inner ring and the outer ring held on the workpiece holding table;

[0025] a flow-stopping / blocking mechanism, wherein a flow-stopping fixture for retaining the plurality of loaded balls in the one area and a block-dividing fixture for grouping the plurality of balls are movably arranged outside the one area in the circumferential direction of the annular space; and

[0026] A ball separator, which, when the flow stop clamp and the block clamp are pulled out of the annular space from the state in which the flow stop clamp and the block clamp are arranged in the annular space, inserts the front ends of a plurality of working arrows protrudingly arranged corresponding to the number of the balls in sequence along the axial direction between the plurality of balls, and arranges the plurality of balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0027] (8) The ball bearing manufacturing device according to (7), further comprising an inner ring moving mechanism that moves the inner ring relative to the outer ring to the opposite side of the one region to expand the annular space in the radial direction in the one region.

[0028] (9) The ball bearing manufacturing device according to (7) or (8), further comprising a tilting mechanism for tilting the axially perpendicular surfaces of the inner ring and the outer ring held on the workpiece holding table.

[0029] (10) A ball bearing manufacturing device according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the flow stop fixture and the block fixture are formed into a plate shape that is curved along the circumferential direction of the annular space and narrows along the insertion direction into the annular space.

[0030] (11) A manufacturing device for a ball bearing according to any one of (7) to (10), wherein the ball separator has a base portion formed in an annular shape and a plurality of working arrows upright on the base portion and arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of working arrows are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship along the circumferential direction.

[0031] (12) A ball bearing manufacturing device according to (11), wherein the plurality of working arrows include a reference working arrow arranged at the center of the symmetry, and the working arrows other than the reference working arrow have an axial length that gradually increases as they move away from the reference working arrow within a range close to the reference working arrow along the circumferential direction, and have an axial length that gradually decreases as they move away from the reference working arrow within a range exceeding the range.

[0032] (13) The ball bearing manufacturing device according to (11) or (12), wherein the flow stop jig has a notch for accommodating the reference operation arrow when the flow stop jig is arranged at a position overlapping with the reference operation arrow in the axial direction.

[0033] (14) A method for manufacturing a machine using the method for manufacturing a ball bearing described in (6).

[0034] (15) A method for manufacturing a vehicle, using the method for manufacturing a ball bearing described in (6).

[0035] Effects of the Invention

[0036] According to the present invention, the arrangement of the balls of the ball bearing can suppress friction and deformation of the components and suppress the occurrence of ball damage, and can also cope with ball bearings with a large number of balls and shorten the production cycle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic side view showing the structure of the ball bearing manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0038] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic side view showing the operation of the ball bearing manufacturing apparatus shown.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a workpiece serving as a ball bearing.

[0040] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a flow stopper.

[0041] Figure 5A This is the front view of the block fixture.

[0042] Figure 5B is a side view of the block fixture.

[0043] Figure 5C This is a bottom view of the block fixture.

[0044] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the ball separator.

[0045] Figure 7It is a flowchart explaining the ball arrangement operation.

[0046] Fig. 8A This is a diagram for explaining the ball installation process, and is a three-dimensional view of the workpiece before the ball is inserted.

[0047] Figure 8B This is a diagram for explaining the ball installation process, and is a three-dimensional view of the workpiece after the ball is installed.

[0048] Fig.9A 1 is a diagram showing a state where the balls are accommodated in the annular space, and is a plan view of a workpiece in which there is no deformation amount between the inner ring and the outer ring to hold the balls.

[0049] Fig. 9B 1 is a diagram showing a state where balls are accommodated in an annular space, and is a plan view of a workpiece having an annular space for retaining balls between an inner ring and an outer ring.

[0050] Fig. 10A This is a three-dimensional view of a workpiece, a flow-stopping jig, and a block jig for explaining a flow-stopping process.

[0051] Fig. 10B This is a three-dimensional view of a workpiece, a flow-stopping jig, and a block jig for explaining a flow-stopping process.

[0052] Fig. 10C This is a three-dimensional view of a workpiece, a flow-stopping jig, and a block jig for explaining a flow-stopping process.

[0053] Fig.11 This is a schematic development diagram illustrating the state in which the balls are arranged in the ball separation step.

[0054] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the motor structure to which the bearing is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 It is a schematic side view showing the structure of the ball bearing manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic side view showing the operation of the ball bearing manufacturing apparatus shown.

[0057] The ball bearing manufacturing device 100 of the present embodiment has a ball arrangement unit 15 installed on a base 13 via a rotating shaft 14. The ball arrangement unit 15 includes a workpiece holding table 17, an inner ring moving mechanism 18, a ball mounting portion 19, a tilting mechanism 21, a flow stop / blocking mechanism 23, and a ball partitioning portion 25.

[0058] The ball arrangement unit 15 is in a horizontal state where the workpiece holding table 17 provided on the upper portion thereof is horizontally arranged. Figure 1 The state of the workpiece holding table 17 being inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to the horizontal plane ( Figure 2 state), and swings through the tilting action mechanism 21.

[0059] The workpiece holding table 17 holds the workpiece W on the upper part of the ball arrangement unit 15. The workpiece holding table 17 has a holding portion 41. The workpiece W is embedded in the holding portion 41 from above. In addition, a locking member 43 is provided on the workpiece holding table 17, which moves in a direction of approaching and separating from the holding portion 41. The workpiece W is pressed against and fixed to the workpiece holding table 17 by the locking member 43 in a state of being embedded in the holding portion 41.

[0060] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of a workpiece as a ball bearing. The workpiece W has an inner ring 1, an outer ring 3, and a plurality of (13 in this example) balls 7 as rolling elements. The plurality of balls 7 are arranged in an annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The balls 7 are retained by a retainer (not shown). That is, a ball bearing 9 is formed by assembling the workpiece W. According to the ball bearing manufacturing device 100 of this structure, a plurality of balls 7 can be inserted into the annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3, and the plurality of balls 7 can be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0061] Figure 1 , Figure 2 The inner ring moving mechanism 18 shown has an inner ring support shaft 39. The inner ring support shaft 39 is inserted from below into the inner ring 1 of the workpiece W held by the holding portion 41 of the workpiece holding table 17. The inner ring support shaft 39 tilts along with the tilting action of the ball arrangement unit 15 and is always coaxial with the axis of the workpiece W.

[0062] The ball loading portion 19 is supported by a support portion 45 provided on the upper surface of the ball arrangement unit 15. The support portion 45 includes a column portion 47 provided upright on the upper surface of the ball arrangement unit 15 and an arm portion 49 extending from the upper end of the column portion 47 toward the workpiece holding table 17. The ball loading portion 19 is supported by the front end of the arm portion 49. The ball loading portion 19 is used to insert a plurality of balls 7 into the annular space 5 (see FIG. 5 ) between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 in the workpiece W held by the holding portion 41 of the workpiece holding table 17. Figure 3 ).

[0063] The flow stop / blocking mechanism 23 is supported by the front end of the arm portion 49 of the support portion 45. The flow stop / blocking mechanism 23 includes a flow stop fixture 51 and a block fixture 52 that are raised and lowered relative to the workpiece holding table 17. The flow stop fixture 51 and the block fixture 52 are inserted into the annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 in the workpiece W whose front end is held by the holding portion 41 of the workpiece holding table 17 by being driven downward (see Figure 3 ).

[0064] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the flow stop fixture 51. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the flow stopper 51 constitutes a part of a circular tube shape bent along the circumferential direction of the annular space 5, and is formed along the insertion direction ( Figure 4 The lower part of the body is narrowed into a plate-like shape.

[0065] Specifically, the flow stopper 51 is formed by a partially cylindrical main body 51a and a tapered portion 51b which are continuously provided. The tapered portion 51b is connected to the lower end of the main body 51a with the same curvature and becomes narrower from the main body 51a toward the bottom. A notch 51c is formed which extends straight from the lower end of the tapered portion 51b toward the main body 51a.

[0066] Figure 5A It is a front view of the block fixture 52. Figure 5B is a side view of the dividing jig 52 . Figure 5C 4 is a bottom view of the block fixture 52.

[0067] like Figure 5A to Figure 5C As shown, the block clamp 52 is also bent along the circumferential direction of the annular space 5, and is formed to be inserted into the annular space 5 in the direction ( Figure 5A , Figure 5B It is a plate-like shape that becomes narrower as it is below the surface of the body.

[0068] The block clamp 52 is composed of a partially cylindrical main body 52a and a tapered portion 52b which are continuously arranged. The tapered portion 52b extends toward the lower end (front end in the insertion direction) of the main body 52a with the same curvature as the main body 52a, and its width becomes narrower as it approaches the lower end.

[0069] It is preferable that the length of the flow stopping clamp 51 in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the dividing clamp 52 in the vertical direction.

[0070] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the ball separator 25 .

[0071] The ball separator 25 is formed by continuously setting a base portion 61 formed into an annular shape and a plurality of working arrows 63 of different lengths. The working arrows 63 are uprightly arranged on the base portion 61 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The ball separator 25 has working arrows 63 of the same number as the number of balls 7 (13 in this example). The plurality of working arrows 63 includes a reference working arrow 63A. The other working arrows 63 are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship along the circumferential direction with reference to the reference working arrow 63A. That is, with the reference working arrow 63A as the center, working arrows 63 of the same shape and height are arranged at corresponding circumferential positions (circumferential positions with equal distances from the reference working arrow 63A) on one side and the other side of the circumference. The reference working arrow 63A is longer than the working arrows 63 adjacent to it on both sides. The work arrows 63 arranged at symmetrical positions on both sides of the circumference of the reference work arrow 63A have their axial lengths gradually increase as they move away from the reference work arrow 63A within a range of ±90 degrees from the center angle of the reference work arrow 63A. When the range of the center angle of the reference work arrow 63A exceeds ±90 degrees, the axial lengths gradually decrease as they move away from the reference work arrow 63A.

[0072] The front end of the reference working arrow 63A is a plane shape that is substantially perpendicular to the protruding direction from the base portion 61. The front end of the working arrow 63 arranged within ±90 degrees from the reference working arrow 63A at the center angle is an inclined surface toward the reference working arrow 63A side along the circumferential direction, and the front end of the working arrow 63 arranged at a center angle exceeding ±90 degrees from the reference working arrow 63A is an inclined surface toward the opposite side of the reference working arrow 63A side along the circumferential direction.

[0073] The operation arrows 63 that are in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the reference operation arrow 63A preferably have mirror-image shapes with respect to a plane passing through the center of the reference operation arrow 63A and the axis of the ball partitioning portion 25, but they are not necessarily the same.

[0074] The flow stopper 51 and the block dividing jig 52 of the flow stopper / block dividing mechanism 23 are arranged vertically with the ball separator 25 sandwiching the workpiece W held by the holding portion 41 of the workpiece holding table 17. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example of , the flow stop fixture 51 and the block fixture 52 are arranged above the workpiece W, and the ball separator 25 is arranged below the workpiece W. In addition, in the inclined state ( Figure 2 In the state), the reference operation arrow 63A of the ball separator 25 is arranged on the inclined lower side of the workpiece W. It should be noted that the ball separator 25 can also be arranged above the workpiece W, and the flow stop fixture 51 and the block fixture 52 can be arranged below the workpiece W.

[0075] Next, according to Figure 7The flowchart shown in the figure explains, step by step, the process of manufacturing a ball bearing by attaching balls to a workpiece W using the ball bearing manufacturing apparatus 100 described above.

[0076] (Workpiece fixing process)

[0077] The ball arrangement unit 15 in the horizontal state causes the holder 41 of the workpiece holder 17 to hold the workpiece W being transported (step S1 ). At this time, the inner ring support shaft 39 is inserted and supported in the inner circumference of the inner ring 1 , and the outer ring 3 is fixed to the holder 41 by the locking member 43 .

[0078] (Tilt action process 1)

[0079] The ball arrangement unit 15 is set to an inclined state in which the workpiece holding table 17 is inclined at an inclination angle θ relative to the horizontal plane by the inclination mechanism 21 (step S2). At this time, the inner ring support shaft 39 of the inner ring moving mechanism 18 is tilted together with the tilting action of the ball arrangement unit 15. In addition, the center axis of the inner ring support shaft 39 of the inner ring moving mechanism 18 is arranged on the lower side of the inclination at an orthogonal plane to the center axis of the workpiece W (step S2). Figure 2 As a result, the center of the inner ring 1 is eccentric to the inclined downward side relative to the center of the outer ring 3. As a result, the annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 becomes narrower on the inclined downward side and widens in the radial direction in a region on the inclined upward side (see Fig. 8A ).

[0080] (Ball Installation Process)

[0081] Fig. 8A This is a diagram for explaining the ball installation process, and is a three-dimensional view of the workpiece before the ball is inserted. Figure 8B This is a diagram for explaining the ball installation process, and is a three-dimensional view of the workpiece after the ball is installed.

[0082] like Fig. 8A As shown, the ball 7 is placed from the ball loading portion 19 into the workpiece holding table 17 (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) to form an annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 (step S3). At this time, the inclined upper side of the annular space 5 becomes widened, and the balls 7 can be easily and smoothly loaded into the annular space 5 through the ball loading portion 19. In addition, the balls 7 roll to the left and right due to their own weight and do not stay at the loading position. Therefore, when loading the balls 7, the balls 7 that have already been loaded will not become an obstacle. And, if Figure 8B As shown, the balls 7 put into the annular space 5 are accommodated in a state concentrated in a region widened on the inclined upper side. That is, the balls 7 loaded in the annular space 5 are accommodated in a state concentrated in one region of the annular space 5 along the circumferential direction.

[0083] (Horizontal motion process)

[0084] The ball arrangement unit 15 is returned to a horizontal state where the workpiece holding table 17 is horizontal by the tilting mechanism 21. Figure 1 At this time, the center axis of the inner ring support shaft 39 is moved to a position coaxial with the axis of the workpiece W. As a result, the centers of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 1 coincide with each other, and the annular space 5 becomes a uniform gap in the circumferential direction.

[0085] Fig.9A 1 is a diagram showing a state where the balls are accommodated in the annular space, and is a plan view of a workpiece in which there is no deformation amount between the inner ring and the outer ring to hold the balls. Fig. 9B 1 is a diagram showing a state where balls are accommodated in an annular space, and is a plan view of a workpiece having an annular space for retaining balls between an inner ring and an outer ring.

[0086] like Fig.9A As shown in FIG. 1 , in the annular space 5 where the gap in the circumferential direction becomes uniform, the balls 7 are concentrated in one area, and the outer side of the one area in the circumferential direction becomes a space portion without balls 7. In a workpiece without deformation between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 to retain the balls 7, the area (center angle) α of the space portion becomes a range of more than 180°. It should be noted that in the case where the grooves of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 of the workpiece W have deformation to retain the balls 7, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9B As shown in FIG. 1 , the region (central angle) α of the space portion without the balls 7 on the outer side in the circumferential direction of one region is within a range of less than 180°.

[0087] (Flow stopping process and block separation process)

[0088] Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig. 10C This is a perspective view showing the workpiece W, the flow stopping jig 51 , and the block dividing jig 52 for explaining the flow stopping step and the block dividing step.

[0089] First, the flow stop / blocking mechanism 23 (see Figure 1 ) is inserted from above along the axial direction of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 into the space without the balls 7 in the annular space 5 of the workpiece W (step S5). Here, when the centers of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 1 are aligned, the balls 7 concentrated in one area can roll toward the space without the balls 7. However, by inserting the flow stopper 51 into the annular space 5, Fig. 10A As shown, the movement of the loaded balls 7 can be restricted, and the balls 7 are retained in one area.

[0090] Then, if Fig. 10BAs shown, the block fixture 52 is inserted into the annular space 5 of the workpiece W on the radially opposite side to the flow-stop fixture 51 (step S6). At this time, while the block fixture 52 is inserted, the flow-stop fixture 51 is moved in the removal direction (anti-insertion direction). As a result, the circumference occupied by the tapered portion 52b of the block fixture 52 in the annular space 5 becomes longer, and the circumference occupied by the tapered portion 51b of the flow-stop fixture 51 in the annular space 5 becomes shorter. As a result, the block fixture 52 is allowed to be inserted into the annular space 5, and the ball 7 is moved circumferentially while being sandwiched between the flow-stop fixture 51 and the block fixture 52. In this way, the ball 7 is divided into two groups in the annular space 5 by the flow-stop fixture 51 and the block fixture 52.

[0091] The insertion of the flow stopper 51 and the block clamp 52 into the annular space 5 restores the ball arrangement unit 15 to a horizontal position and moves the inner ring 1, and is performed in coordination with the horizontal position of aligning the centers of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 1. Alternatively, the insertion may be performed after the ball arrangement unit 15 is horizontal.

[0092] (Ball separation process)

[0093] like Fig. 10C As shown, while the flow stopping fixture 51 and the block dividing fixture 52 are pulled out from the annular space 5 from the state where the flow stopping fixture 51 and the block dividing fixture 52 are arranged in the annular space 5, the ball separator 25 is raised relative to the workpiece W, and a plurality of working arrows 63 are inserted into the annular space 5.

[0094] At this time, the longest operation arrow 63 other than the reference operation arrow 63A enters between the flow stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52. The flow stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52 have the tapered portions 51b and 52b, so that the upper end of the longest operation arrow 63 can be prevented from interfering with the flow stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52. On the other hand, the reference operation arrow 63A enters and is accommodated in the notch 51c of the flow stopping jig 51, so that the reference operation arrow 63A does not interfere with the flow stopping jig 51.

[0095] The ball separator 25 rises, and the front ends of multiple working arrows 63 protruding corresponding to the number of balls 7 are inserted in sequence along the axial direction between the balls 7 arranged in the annular space 5 and divided into two groups, so that the multiple balls 7 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (step S7).

[0096] The flow-stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52 have substantially the same rising speed as the ball partition 25. Therefore, when the flow-stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52 and the ball partition 25 rise, the relative position of the flow-stopping jig 51 and the ball partition 25 remains almost unchanged. That is, the relative positions of the flow-stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52, the ball partition 25, and the balls 7 change. That is, the ball partition 25 moves in response to the flow-stopping jig 51 and the block jig 52 retreating, allowing the operation arrow 63 to enter between the balls 7.

[0097] Finally Fig.11 As shown, the operation arrows 63 of the ball partitioning portion 25 enter between the balls 7 accommodated in the annular space 5, respectively, and the plurality of balls 7 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0098] Then, by fitting a retainer (not shown) for retaining the balls 7 into the annular space 5, a ball bearing is formed in which the balls 7 are evenly arranged and retainable in a rolling manner.

[0099] As described above, the ball arrangement method of the ball bearing according to the present embodiment includes the "tilting action" of changing the tilt angle of the entire device, the "flow stopping step" of preventing the balls from being scattered when the balls are installed, the "blocking step" of distributing the balls from the state where the balls are concentrated in a part of the area between the inner and outer rings to two areas after the balls are installed, and the "block ball separation step" of inserting the operation arrows into the plurality of balls distributed in each area in sequence and arranging them at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Since the balls flowing into the inner and outer rings can be transferred to the ball separation step without being dispersed by the flow stopping step and can be kept in one place, the conventional ball concentration step is not required.

[0100] According to the present embodiment, by executing a tilting operation process for controlling the tilt angle of the entire device, it is possible to process the ball loading process and the ball separation process with different tilt angles of the conveying surface at one position without moving the inner ring and the outer ring horizontally. In addition, the balls held in one position can be distributed to two areas for ball separation, so that ball bearings with a large number of balls can also be handled. This is achieved by implementing a flow-stopping process to prevent the balls from being scattered when loading the balls, without dispersing the balls loaded between the inner ring and the outer ring, and by implementing a block division process to concentrate the balls in the two areas. Then, it is possible to transfer to the ball separation process, so that the existing ball concentration process is not required.

[0101] In addition, the occurrence of ball damage is reduced by eliminating the ball friction action based on the ball concentration process, and the ball loading process to the ball separation process are performed at one location, eliminating the need to transport ball bearings between processes.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in the case of a ball bearing having a large number of balls, the problem that the working arrow becomes thin and long, has low rigidity, and is prone to friction and deformation can be solved, and a workpiece without deformation can also be assembled in the same way. In addition, the balls 7 are distributed to two areas, and the front ends of a plurality of working arrows 63 protruding and arranged corresponding to the number of balls 7 in each area are inserted in sequence along the axial direction, and the plurality of balls 7 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In this way, the friction and deformation of the ball partition 25 and the damage to the balls 7 can be suppressed, and the operation time can be shortened.

[0103] According to the present embodiment, the ball friction action based on the ball concentration process is eliminated, so that the occurrence of ball damage can be reduced. In addition, by the block division process and the block ball separation process, even if the number of balls is large, the operation arrow 63 can be made short and high in rigidity, and friction and deformation can be suppressed. In addition, by distributing the balls 7 to two areas, the insertion load of the operation arrow 63 can be reduced, the damage of the balls 7 and the deformation of the ball separation part 25 can be suppressed, and the ball separation time can be shortened.

[0104] According to this embodiment, the man-hours for the ball arrangement operation in the ball bearing can be reduced and the workability can be improved. In addition, the risk of ball damage can be reduced by eliminating the ball friction action in the ball concentration process. Moreover, by continuously performing the ball installation process to the ball separation process, even a ball bearing that does not maintain the deformation amount of the ball 7 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 can be easily assembled.

[0105] In the ball loading step, the inner ring 1 is moved to the opposite side of the outer ring 3 by one region, and the balls 7 are loaded after the annular space 5 is radially expanded in one region. Therefore, the balls can be loaded into the annular space 5 smoothly.

[0106] In addition, in the flow stopping step, the flow stopping fixture 51 is inserted into the annular space 5 along the axial direction of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3. Therefore, the flow stopping fixture 51 can limit the movement of the balls 7 concentrated in one area, and suppress the scattering of the balls 7. As a result, the plurality of balls 7 inserted into the annular space 5 can be separated in a state of being kept in one place without being dispersed.

[0107] In addition, after the flow stop jig 51 is inserted, the dividing jig 52 is inserted into the annular space 5 along the axial direction of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3. As a result, the plurality of balls 7 can be divided into two groups, and the length of the working arrow 63 can be shortened. In addition, by using the flow stop jig 51 and the dividing jig 52 at the same time, for example, compared with the structure in which the balls are distributed to a plurality of areas and a plurality of working arrows are inserted into each area (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-200789), the device structure such as the driving mechanism of the working arrow can be greatly simplified, and the dividing operation (work) can be greatly simplified.

[0108] In addition, in the ball loading process, the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 are tilted from the horizontal plane so that one area is upward. Therefore, the balls 7 that have entered one area of ​​the annular space 5 are arranged in order downward due to their own weight. Thus, the ball loading process can be carried out smoothly.

[0109] In addition, the ball loading step to the ball separation step can be continuously performed without horizontally conveying the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3. Therefore, the balls 7 can be prevented from being scattered during horizontal conveyance, thereby improving workability.

[0110] Furthermore, through the above-mentioned ball arrangement method, according to the method for manufacturing a ball bearing in which balls 7 are evenly arranged in the annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3, it is possible to easily manufacture a ball bearing in which balls 7 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction in the annular space 5 between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3.

[0111] In addition, according to the manufacturing device 100 of the ball bearing of the present embodiment, it is possible to continuously implement the ball loading process of loading a plurality of balls 7 in one area along the circumferential direction of the annular space 5 by the ball loading section 19, and the ball separation process of arranging the balls 7 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction by the operation arrow 63 of the ball separation section 25. As a result, the ball concentration process of concentrating the balls 7 placed in the annular space 5 by the ball loading process to one part can be omitted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the man-hours of the ball arrangement operation in the ball bearing and improve the workability. In addition, by eliminating the ball friction action in the ball concentration process, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of ball damage. Moreover, by continuously implementing the ball loading process to the ball separation process, even a ball bearing that does not maintain the deformation amount of the balls between the inner ring and the outer ring can be easily assembled.

[0112] In addition, the inner ring moving mechanism 18 moves the inner ring 1 to the opposite side of the outer ring 3 in one area, thereby expanding the annular space 5 in the radial direction in one area, thereby making it easy to load the balls into the annular space 5, and further improving the workability.

[0113] Furthermore, by using the tilting mechanism 21 to tilt the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 held by the workpiece holding table 17 in the axial direction perpendicular plane, the balls 7 entering one area of ​​the annular space 5 move downward due to their own weight and are arranged in sequence. As a result, the ball loading operation based on the ball loading portion 19 can be smoothly performed.

[0114] The flow stopper 51 and the block jig 52 are formed into a plate shape that is curved along the circumferential direction of the annular space 5 and narrows along the insertion direction into the annular space 5. Thus, the flow stopper 51 and the block jig 52 can well restrict the movement of the ball 7 in the annular space 5.

[0115] In addition, when the flow-stopping clamp 51 and the block clamp 52 are inserted into and removed from the annular space 5, the tapered portions 51b and 52b smoothly contact the balls 7 in the annular space 5, thereby suppressing damage to the balls caused by contact between the flow-stopping clamp 51 and the block clamp 52 and the balls 7.

[0116] As such, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and technical solutions that combine the various configurations of the embodiments with each other and are changed and applied by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and known technologies are also intended to belong to the present invention and are included in the scope of the protection requested.

[0117] The manufacturing method of the rolling bearing can also be applied to the manufacture of various machines (including manual power of the equipment, etc.) equipped with rolling bearings. For example, it can be applied to translation guide devices such as rails and slides, ball screw devices such as screw shafts and nuts, screw devices, devices combining translation guide bearings with ball screws, and translation devices such as actuators such as XY tables. In addition, it can be applied to steering devices such as steering columns, universal joints, intermediate gears, rack gears, electric power steering devices, worm reducers, and torque sensors. Moreover, it can be widely used in vehicles, machine tools, residential equipment, etc. that include the above-mentioned machines, steering devices, etc. As a result, according to the obtained machines, vehicles, etc., a high-quality structure can be achieved at a low cost compared with the past.

[0118] In addition, the bearing obtained by the above-mentioned rolling bearing manufacturing method can also be used for supporting Fig.12 The motor 71 shown in the figure has bearings 200A, 200B and the like for the rotating shaft 73. The motor 71 is a brushless motor, and has a cylindrical central housing 75 and a substantially disk-shaped front housing 77 that closes one open end of the central housing 75. The rotating shaft 73 is rotatably supported on the inner side of the central housing 75 along its axis by means of bearings 200A, 200B disposed at the bottom of the front housing 77 and the central housing 75. A rotor 79 for driving the motor is provided around the rotating shaft 73, and a stator 81 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the central housing 75. The motor 71 having the above-mentioned structure is usually mounted on a machine or a vehicle, and the rotating shaft 73 supported by the bearings 200A, 200B is driven to rotate.

[0119] The above example is just an example of application of the bearing. If the bearing is a relatively rotating part, the bearing of this structure can be appropriately applied, and the product quality can be improved.

[0120] It should be noted that the present application is based on the Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-098114) filed on June 17, 2022, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

[0121] Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1Inner circle

[0123] 3 Outer ring

[0124] 5 Ring Space

[0125] 7 Ball

[0126] 9 ball bearings

[0127] 17 Workpiece holding table

[0128] 18 Inner ring moving mechanism

[0129] 19 ball bearings

[0130] 21 Tilt action mechanism

[0131] 23. Stop flow / block mechanism

[0132] 25 ball separator

[0133] 51 stop clamp

[0134] 52 block fixture

[0135] 63 Assignment Arrow

[0136] 71 Motor

[0137] 100 Ball bearing manufacturing device

[0138] 200A, 200B bearings

Claims

1. A method for arranging balls of a ball bearing, characterized in that: Carry out the following steps in sequence: a ball loading step of loading a plurality of balls into a region along the circumferential direction of an annular space formed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a flow stopping step of disposing a flow stopping fixture on the outer side of the one area of ​​the annular space in the circumferential direction so as to keep the plurality of balls loaded in the one area; A dividing step of disposing a dividing fixture in the annular space to group the plurality of balls; and The ball separation process comprises the following steps: removing the flow stop clamp and the block dividing clamp from the annular space from a state where the flow stop clamp and the block dividing clamp are arranged in the annular space, and inserting the front ends of a plurality of working arrows protrudingly arranged corresponding to the number of the balls in sequence along the axial direction between the plurality of balls, so as to arrange the plurality of balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

2. The ball arrangement method of a ball bearing according to claim 1, wherein: In the ball loading step, the inner ring is moved relative to the outer ring to the opposite side of the one region, and the balls are loaded while the annular space is radially expanded in the one region.

3. The ball arrangement method of a ball bearing according to claim 1, wherein: The flow stopping step inserts the flow stopping fixture into the annular space along the axial direction of the inner ring and the outer ring, and the segmentation step inserts the segmentation fixture into the annular space along the axial direction of the inner ring and the outer ring.

4. The ball arrangement method of a ball bearing according to claim 1, wherein: The ball loading step causes the inner ring and the outer ring to be tilted from a horizontal plane so that the one region faces upward.

5. The ball arrangement method of a ball bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The ball loading step to the ball separating step are continuously performed without horizontally conveying the inner ring and the outer ring.

6. A method for manufacturing a ball bearing, wherein: The ball bearing in which the balls are arranged at equal intervals in the annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring is manufactured by the ball arrangement method described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A method for manufacturing a ball bearing, wherein: The ball bearing in which the balls are arranged at equal intervals in the annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring is manufactured by the ball arrangement method described in claim 5 .

8. A ball bearing manufacturing device, characterized in that: include: a workpiece holding table that holds the inner ring and the outer ring in such a manner that an annular space is formed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a ball loading portion for loading a plurality of balls in a region along the circumferential direction of an annular space formed between the inner ring and the outer ring held on the workpiece holding table; a flow-stopping / blocking mechanism, wherein a flow-stopping fixture for retaining the plurality of loaded balls in the one area and a block-dividing fixture for grouping the plurality of balls are movably arranged outside the one area in the circumferential direction of the annular space; and A ball separator, which, when the flow stop clamp and the block clamp are pulled out of the annular space from the state in which the flow stop clamp and the block clamp are arranged in the annular space, inserts the front ends of a plurality of working arrows protrudingly arranged corresponding to the number of the balls in sequence along the axial direction between the plurality of balls, and arranges the plurality of balls at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

9. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein: An inner ring moving mechanism is provided for moving the inner ring relative to the outer ring to the opposite side of the one region, thereby expanding the annular space in the one region in the radial direction.

10. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein: A tilting mechanism is provided for tilting the axially perpendicular surfaces of the inner ring and the outer ring held on the workpiece holding table.

11. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein: The flow stopping jig and the dividing jig are formed in a plate shape that is curved along the circumferential direction of the annular space and narrows along an insertion direction into the annular space.

12. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The ball separator has a base portion formed in an annular shape and a plurality of operating arrows erected on the base portion and arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. The plurality of operating arrows are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship along the circumferential direction.

13. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to claim 12, wherein: The multiple working arrows include a reference working arrow arranged at the center of the symmetry, and the working arrows other than the reference working arrow have an axial length that gradually increases as they move away from the reference working arrow within a range close to the reference working arrow along the circumferential direction, and have an axial length that gradually decreases as they move away from the reference working arrow within a range exceeding the range.

14. The ball bearing manufacturing device according to claim 13, wherein: The flow stopping jig has a notch for accommodating the reference operation arrow when the flow stopping jig is arranged at a position overlapping with the reference operation arrow in the axial direction.

15. A method for manufacturing a machine, wherein: A method for manufacturing a ball bearing according to claim 6 is used.

16. A method for manufacturing a machine, wherein: A method for manufacturing a ball bearing according to claim 7 is used.

17. A method for manufacturing a vehicle, wherein: A method for manufacturing a ball bearing according to claim 6 is used.

18. A method for manufacturing a vehicle, wherein: A method for manufacturing a ball bearing according to claim 7 is used.

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