Roller with double row thrust holder

Abstract

To enable grease to be supplied into a holder even after a roller with a double row thrust holder is assembled.SOLUTION: A roller 10 with a double row thrust holder comprises a plurality of first rollers 11, a plurality of second rollers 12, and a holder 13 that holds the first rollers 11 and the second rollers 12. The holder 13 has an inner annular body 14, an outer annular body 15, a plurality of first pillars 23, and a plurality of second pillars 33. The first pillar 23 located on a first circumferential side of a pocket 16 has: a first surface 41 that can come into contact with an outer circumferential surface 11c of the first roller 11 on the second circumferential side and radially inner side of the first pillar 23; a second surface 42 that can come into contact with an outer circumferential surface 12c of the second roller 12 on the second circumferential side and radially outer side of the first pillar 23; and a first notch 43 that is recessed toward the first circumferential side with respect to the first surface 41 and the second surface 42 between the first surface 41 and the second surface 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a double row thrust roller and cage assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a single-row thrust roller and cage assembly. The thrust roller and cage assembly includes a plurality of rollers and a cage. The rollers are arranged in a single row. The cage holds the rollers so that they can roll.

[0003] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional double row thrust roller and cage assembly. The double row thrust roller and cage assembly comprises a plurality of first rollers 81, a plurality of second rollers 82, and a cage 90. The cage 90 has a first cage member 91 and a second cage member 92 that is combined with the first cage member 91.

[0004] The first retainer member 91 has a first inner annular body 93, a first outer annular body 94, and a plurality of first pillars 95. The first pillars 95 connect the first inner annular body 93 and the first outer annular body 94. A space surrounded by the first inner annular body 93, the first outer annular body 94, and two first pillars 95 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is a first pocket 96.

[0005] The second retainer member 92 has a second inner annular body 97, a second outer annular body 98, and a plurality of second pillars 99. The second pillars 99 connect the second inner annular body 97 and the second outer annular body 98. A space surrounded by the second inner annular body 97, the second outer annular body 98, and two second pillars 99 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is a second pocket 100.

[0006] One first pocket 96 and one second pocket 100 that are present at the same position in the circumferential direction form one pocket 101. One pocket 101 holds the first rollers 81 and the second rollers 82 that are aligned in the radial direction of the cage 90. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-002449 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Grease lubrication may be adopted as a lubrication method for thrust roller and cage assemblies. In this case, grease is filled inside the cage during the manufacturing process of the thrust roller and cage assemblies. In the case of the double row thrust roller and cage assemblies shown in FIG. 5, the manufacturing method includes a step of obtaining a first inner annular body 93 and a first outer annular body 94 by plastic deformation. This step is a crimping process in which a second inner annular body 97 and a second outer annular body 98 are crimped. The first cage member 91 and the second cage member 92 are united by the crimping process. Grease is applied between the first cage member 91 and the second cage member 92 before the crimping process.

[0009] In the case of the single-row thrust roller and cage assembly of Patent Document 1, the hole for injecting grease is provided radially inward of the pocket in the cage. In this case, grease can be filled into the inside of the cage after the crimping process, that is, after the thrust roller and cage assembly are assembled. In the case of the double-row thrust roller and cage assembly shown in Figure 5, the pocket 101 is formed long over the entire radial direction of the cage, so there is no space in the cage 90 to provide a hole for injecting grease.

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to supply grease to the inside of the cage even after the double row thrust roller and cage assembly has been assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A double row thrust roller and cage assembly according to the present disclosure is a double row thrust roller and cage assembly comprising a plurality of first rollers, a plurality of second rollers, and a cage that holds the first rollers and the second rollers, the cage having an inner annular body, an outer annular body arranged radially outward of the inner annular body, a plurality of first pillars, and a plurality of second pillars, the plurality of first pillars are spaced apart in the circumferential direction and connect the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a first axial side, a space surrounded by two adjacent first pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body is a first pocket, the plurality of second pillars are spaced apart in the circumferential direction and connect the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a second axial side, a space surrounded by two adjacent second pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body is a second pocket, the first pocket and the second pocket constitute a pocket, the first roller is arranged radially inside the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to a first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, and the second roller is arranged radially outside the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to the first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, and the first pillar located on the first circumferential side of the pocket has: a first surface, on the second circumferential side and radially inside of the first pillar, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the first roller; a second surface, on the second circumferential side and radially outside of the first pillar, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the second roller; and a first notch, between the first surface and the second surface, recessed towards the first circumferential side with respect to the first surface and the second surface. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to supply grease to the inside of the cage even after the double row thrust roller and cage assembly has been assembled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the double row thrust roller and cage assembly according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the double row thrust roller and cage assembly shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the periphery of the pocket in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional double row thrust roller and cage assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] First, the contents of the embodiment will be listed and described. <Overview of the embodiment> (1) A double row thrust roller and cage assembly disclosed herein is a double row thrust roller and cage assembly including a plurality of first rollers, a plurality of second rollers, and a cage that holds the first rollers and the second rollers, the cage having an inner annular body, an outer annular body arranged radially outward of the inner annular body, a plurality of first pillars, and a plurality of second pillars, the plurality of first pillars being spaced apart in the circumferential direction and connecting the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a first axial side, a space surrounded by two adjacent first pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body being a first pocket, the plurality of second pillars being spaced apart in the circumferential direction and connecting the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a second axial side, a space surrounded by two adjacent second pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body being a second pocket, and the plurality of second pillars being located at the same position in the circumferential direction the first pocket and the second pocket constitute a pocket, the first roller is arranged radially inside the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to a first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, and the second roller is arranged radially outside the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to the first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, and the first pillar located on the first circumferential side of the pocket has: a first surface, on the second circumferential side and radially inside of the first pillar, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the first roller; a second surface, on the second circumferential side and radially outside of the first pillar, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the second roller; and a first notch, between the first surface and the second surface, recessed towards the first circumferential side with respect to the first surface and the second surface.

[0015] In the double row thrust roller and cage assembly, a first pillar on a first axial side of the cage has a first notch recessed toward the first circumferential side. Grease is disposed on the first axial side of the cage in a portion exposed from a pocket of at least one of the first rollers and the second rollers. When the first rollers and the second rollers each rotate from this state, the grease is supplied from the first notch to the inside of the cage. This makes it possible to supply grease to the inside of the cage even after the double row thrust roller and cage assembly has been assembled.

[0016] (2) In the double row thrust roller and cage assembly of (1), the first notch has a third surface extending circumferentially on the radially inner side, a fourth surface extending circumferentially on the radially outer side, and a fifth surface connecting the third surface and the fourth surface, and the first pillar located on a first circumferential side of the pocket further has a first chamfer formed in an arc shape between the first surface and the third surface, and a second chamfer formed in an arc shape between the second surface and the fourth surface, and it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the first chamfer is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second chamfer.

[0017] In this case, the radius of curvature of the first chamfer is relatively small, so that the first face of the first pillar is elongated in the radial direction. This increases the contact area between the outer peripheral surface of the first roller and the first face. As a result, when the first roller revolves around the central axis of the cage inside the radial direction of the pocket, the revolution motion of the first roller can be reliably transmitted to the cage. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral surface of the first roller comes into contact with the first face of the first pillar, so that the first pillar is tilted with respect to the second roller arranged outside the pocket in the radial direction. When the first pillar is tilted, the second chamfer of the first pillar comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second roller. However, the radius of curvature of the second chamfer is relatively large, so that the contact surface pressure between the second chamfer and the outer peripheral surface of the second roller can be suppressed from increasing.

[0018] (3) In the double row thrust roller and cage assembly of (1) or (2), the first roller has a third chamfer formed between the end face on the second roller side and the outer peripheral surface, and the second roller has a fourth chamfer formed between the end face on the first roller side and the outer peripheral surface, and when the maximum gap dimension between the first roller and the second roller is S, the radial dimension of the cage at the third chamfer is E1, the radial dimension of the cage at the fourth chamfer is E2, and the radial dimension of the opening of the first notch on the pocket side is L1, it is preferable that L1>S+E1+E2.

[0019] In this case, the third chamfer of the first roller and the fourth chamfer of the second roller are disposed at positions corresponding to the opening of the first notch on the pocket side, thereby making it possible to suppress wear of the third chamfer of the first roller and the fourth chamfer of the second roller due to contact with the first chamfer and the second chamfer located on both radial sides of the opening of the first notch.

[0020] (4) In any of the double row thrust roller and cage assemblies (1) to (3), it is preferable that the first post located on the second circumferential side of the pocket has a sixth surface on the first circumferential side and radially inner side of the first post, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the first roller, a seventh surface on the first circumferential side and radially outer side of the first post, capable of contacting an outer circumferential surface of the second roller, and a second notch between the sixth surface and the seventh surface, recessed towards the second circumferential side with respect to the sixth surface and the seventh surface.

[0021] In this case, as the first rollers and the second rollers rotate about their axes, the grease is supplied to the inside of the cage from both the first notch and the second notch, making it possible to reliably supply the grease to the inside of the cage.

[0022] <Details of the embodiment> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. [Double row thrust roller and cage assembly] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a double-row thrust roller and cage assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the double-row thrust roller and cage assembly shown in Fig. 1. Double-row thrust roller and cage assembly 10 comprises a plurality of first rollers 11, a plurality of second rollers 12, and a cage 13 that holds the plurality of first rollers 11 and the plurality of second rollers 12.

[0023] The directions of the double-row thrust roller and cage assembly 10 are defined below. The direction along the central axis C0 of the cage 13 and the direction parallel to that central axis C0 are the "axial direction". The direction perpendicular to the central axis C0 is the "radial direction". The direction along a circle centered on the central axis C0 is the "circumferential direction". The clockwise side centered on the central axis C0 in FIG. 1 is the "first circumferential side". The counterclockwise side centered on the central axis C0 in FIG. 1 is the "second circumferential side". The "upper side" in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is the "first axial side". The "lower side" in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is the "second axial side".

[0024] The cage 13 is annular. The cage 13 has a first cage member 20 arranged on the upper side and a second cage member 30 arranged on the lower side. The first cage member 20 has one first inner annular body 21, one first outer annular body 22, and a plurality of first pillars 23. The first inner annular body 21 and the first outer annular body 22 are cylindrical. The first outer annular body 22 is arranged radially outward from the first inner annular body 21. The first pillar 23 has a shape elongated in the radial direction. The first pillar 23 connects the first inner annular body 21 and the first outer annular body 22. A space surrounded by the first inner annular body 21, the first outer annular body 22, and two first pillars 23 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is a first pocket 24.

[0025] The second retainer member 30 has one second inner annular body 31, one second outer annular body 32, and a plurality of second pillars 33. The second inner annular body 31 and the second outer annular body 32 are cylindrical in shape. The second outer annular body 32 is disposed radially outward from the second inner annular body 31. The second pillars 33 are elongated in the radial direction. The second pillars 33 connect the second inner annular body 31 and the second outer annular body 32. A space surrounded by the second inner annular body 31, the second outer annular body 32, and two second pillars 33 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is a second pocket 34.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in Fig. 1. One first pillar 23 and one second pillar 33 are located at the same position in the circumferential direction. One first pocket 24 and one second pocket 34 are located at the same position in the circumferential direction. One first pocket 24 and one second pocket 34 located at the same position in the circumferential direction constitute one pocket 16.

[0027] Each pocket 16 holds one first roller 11 and one second roller 12. The first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are arranged side by side in the radial direction in the pocket 16. The first roller 11 and the second roller 12 have the same shape (same diameter). The first roller 11 is arranged on the radial inside of the pocket 16. The first roller 11 arranged in the pocket 16 is partially exposed below the first pocket 24 and above the second pocket 34. The second roller 12 is arranged on the radial outside of the pocket 16. The second roller 12 arranged in the pocket 16 is partially exposed below the first pocket 24 and above the second pocket 34.

[0028] The cage 13 has a portion where the spacing W1 (see also FIG. 4) between two circumferentially adjacent first posts 23 is smaller than the diameter D of the first rollers 11 (second rollers 12). The cage 13 has a portion where the spacing W2 between two circumferentially adjacent second posts 33 is smaller than the diameter D of the first rollers 11 (second rollers 12). In this embodiment, spacing W1 and spacing W2 are the same. With this configuration, the first rollers 11 and second rollers 12 do not fall out of the pockets 16 in the axial direction of the cage 13.

[0029] The multiple first rollers 11, while held by the cage 13, rotate about the central axis C1 of the first rollers 11 while revolving around the central axis C0 of the cage 13. Similarly, the multiple second rollers 12, while held by the cage 13, revolve in the circumferential direction around the central axis C0 of the cage 13 while rotating about the central axis C2 of the second rollers 12.

[0030] Each of the first cage member 20 and the second cage member 30 has a bent shape as shown in Fig. 2, which is formed by plastically deforming an annular plate-like member. With the plurality of first rollers 11 and the plurality of second rollers 12 placed on the first cage member 20, the second cage member 30 is press-fitted into the first cage member 20, and the edge of the outer circumferential portion and the edge of the inner circumferential portion of the second cage member 30 are plastically deformed. The outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion become the second outer annular body 32 and the second inner annular body 31, respectively. By performing crimping through this plastic deformation, the first cage member 20 and the second cage member 30 become one body.

[0031] The cage 13 assembled as described above has an inner annular body 14, an outer annular body 15, a plurality of first pillars 23, and a plurality of second pillars 33. The inner annular body 14 is composed of a first inner annular body 21 and a second inner annular body 31. The outer annular body 15 is composed of a first outer annular body 22 and a second outer annular body 32. The outer annular body 15 is disposed radially outward from the inner annular body 14. The second inner annular body 31 is located radially inward from the first inner annular body 21. The second outer annular body 32 is located radially outward from the first outer annular body 22.

[0032] The first pillars 23 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The first pillars 23 connect the inner annular body 14 and the outer annular body 15 at their upper sides. The space surrounded by the two adjacent first pillars 23, the inner annular body 14, and the outer annular body 15 is the first pocket 24. The second pillars 33 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The first pillars 23 connect the inner annular body 14 and the outer annular body 15 at their lower sides. The space surrounded by the two adjacent second pillars 33, the inner annular body 14, and the outer annular body 15 is the second pocket 34.

[0033] Through the assembly process including the crimping process as described above, a double row thrust roller and cage assembly 10 is obtained as an assembled product (see FIG. 2). Grease G is then filled inside the cage 13 of the assembled product. The inside of the cage 13 surrounded by the inner annular body 14, the outer annular body 15, the first pillar 23, and the second pillar 33 is a substantially closed space except for the first pocket 24 and the second pocket 34. The first pillar 23 of the cage 13 has a configuration that allows grease G to be filled inside the cage 13, which is a closed space. The configuration will be described in detail below.

[0034] [First pillar of the cage] As shown in Fig. 1, the first pillar 23 of the cage 13 has a first inner side surface 40 and a second inner side surface 50. The first inner side surface 40 is an inner side surface on a second circumferential side of the first pillar 23. The first inner side surface 40 faces a first circumferential side of the pocket 16. The second inner side surface 50 is an inner side surface on the first circumferential side of the first pillar 23. The second inner side surface 50 faces the second circumferential side of the pocket 16.

[0035] 4 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the pocket 16 in FIG. 1. The first inner side surface 40 has a first surface 41, a second surface 42, and a first notch 43. The first surface 41 extends in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16 on the radial inner side of the first inner side surface 40. The first surface 41 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 11c of the first roller 11. The second surface 42 extends in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16 on the radial outer side of the first inner side surface 40. The second surface 42 is on the same plane as the first surface 41. The second surface 42 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 12c of the second roller 12.

[0036] The first cutout 43 is between the first surface 41 and the second surface 42 and is recessed toward a first circumferential side with respect to the first surface 41 and the second surface 42. The first cutout 43 has a concave shape in a plan view. The first cutout 43 has a third surface 44, a fourth surface 45, and a fifth surface 46.

[0037] The third surface 44 extends in the circumferential direction (the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16) radially outward from the first surface 41. The fourth surface 45 extends in the circumferential direction (the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16) radially inward from the second surface 42. The fourth surface 45 is parallel to the third surface 44. The fifth surface 46 connects the end of the third surface 44 on the first circumferential side and the end of the fourth surface 45 on the first circumferential side. The fifth surface 46 extends in the radial direction. The fifth surface 46 is parallel to the first surface 41 and the second surface 42.

[0038] The first inner surface 40 further has a first chamfer 47 and a second chamfer 48. The first chamfer 47 is provided between the first surface 41 and the third surface 44. The first chamfer 47 has an arc shape. The second chamfer 48 is provided between the second surface 42 and the fourth surface 45. The second chamfer 48 has an arc shape. The radius of curvature r1 of the first chamfer 47 is smaller than the radius of curvature r2 of the second chamfer 48.

[0039] The first roller 11 has a third chamfer 11a. The third chamfer 11a is formed between an end face 11b of the first roller 11 on the second roller 12 side and the outer circumferential surface 11c. The third chamfer 11a is also formed between an end face 11d of the first roller 11 on the inner annular body 14 side and the outer circumferential surface 11c. The second roller 12 has a fourth chamfer 12a. The fourth chamfer 12a is formed between an end face 12b of the second roller 12 on the first roller 11 side and an outer circumferential surface 12c. The fourth chamfer 12a is also formed between an end face 12d of the second roller 12 on the outer annular body 15 side and the outer circumferential surface 12c.

[0040] E1 is the radial dimension of the cage 13 at the third chamfer 11a. E2 is the radial dimension of the cage 13 at the fourth chamfer 12a. S is the maximum gap dimension between the end face 11b of the first roller 11 and the end face 12b of the second roller 12. The maximum gap dimension S is the radial gap dimension between the end face 11b and the end face 12b when the first roller 11 is biased most radially inward and the second roller 12 is biased most radially outward. When the first roller 11 is biased most radially inward, the end face 11d of the first roller 11 contacts the inner annular body 14. When the second roller 12 is biased most radially outward, the end face 12d of the second roller 12 contacts the outer annular body 15.

[0041] L1 is the radial dimension of the opening on the second circumferential side (pocket 16 side) of the first cutout 43. The dimension L1 of the first cutout 43, the dimension S of the maximum gap, the dimension E1 of the third chamfer 11a, and the dimension E2 of the fourth chamfer 12a satisfy the following relational expression (1). L1>S+E1+E2 (1) Furthermore, when the first roller 11 is biased furthest radially inward and the second roller 12 is biased furthest radially outward, the maximum gap dimension S, the dimension E1 of the third chamfer 11a, and the dimension E2 of the fourth chamfer 12a are located outside the third surface 44 and inside the fourth surface 45 in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16.

[0042] The second inner surface 50 has a sixth surface 51, a seventh surface 52, and a second notch 53. The sixth surface 51 extends in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16 on the radially inner side of the second inner surface 50. The sixth surface 51 is capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface 11c of the first roller 11. The seventh surface 52 extends in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16 on the radially outer side of the second inner surface 50. The seventh surface 52 is on the same plane as the sixth surface 51. The seventh surface 52 is capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface 12c of the second roller 12.

[0043] The second cutout 53 is between the sixth surface 51 and the seventh surface 52 and is recessed toward a second circumferential side relative to the sixth surface 51 and the seventh surface 52. In a plan view, the second cutout 53 has a concave shape that is circumferentially symmetrical to the first cutout 43. The second cutout 53 has an eighth surface 54, a ninth surface 55, and a tenth surface 56.

[0044] The eighth surface 54 extends in the circumferential direction (the tangent direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16) radially outward from the sixth surface 51. The ninth surface 55 extends in the circumferential direction (the tangent direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16) radially inward from the seventh surface 52. The ninth surface 55 is parallel to the eighth surface 54. The tenth surface 56 connects the end of the eighth surface 54 on the second circumferential side and the end of the ninth surface 55 on the second circumferential side. The tenth surface 56 extends in the radial direction. The tenth surface 56 is parallel to the sixth surface 51 and the seventh surface 52.

[0045] The second inner surface 50 further includes a fifth chamfer 57 and a sixth chamfer 58. The fifth chamfer 57 is provided between the sixth surface 51 and the eighth surface 54. The fifth chamfer 57 is in the shape of a circular arc. The sixth chamfer 58 is provided between the seventh surface 52 and the ninth surface 55. The sixth chamfer 58 is in the shape of a circular arc. The radius of curvature r5 of the fifth chamfer 57 is smaller than the radius of curvature r6 of the sixth chamfer 58. The radius of curvature r5 of the fifth chamfer 57 is equal to the radius of curvature r1 of the first chamfer 47. The radius of curvature r6 of the sixth chamfer 58 is equal to the radius of curvature r2 of the second chamfer 48.

[0046] L2 is the radial dimension of the opening on the first circumferential side (pocket 16 side) of second cutout 53. The dimension L2 of second cutout 53, the dimension S of the maximum gap, the dimension E1 of third chamfer 11a, and the dimension E2 of fourth chamfer 12a satisfy the following relational expression (2). L2>S+E1+E2 (2) In addition, when the first roller 11 is biased furthest radially inward and the second roller 12 is biased furthest radially outward, the maximum gap dimension S, the dimension E1 of the third chamfer 11a, and the dimension E2 of the fourth chamfer 12a are located outside the eighth surface 54 and inside the ninth surface 55 in a direction parallel to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16.

[0047] W3 is the distance from the fifth surface 46 of the first cutout 43 to the tenth surface 56 of the second cutout 53 in the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16. The distance W3 is larger than the distance W1 between two adjacent first pillars 23 in the circumferential direction (the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16). The distance W3 is larger than the diameter D of the first roller 11 (second roller 12). The distance W1 is the distance between the first surface 41 and the sixth surface 51, and the distance between the second surface 42 and the seventh surface 52, of two adjacent first pillars 23 in the circumferential direction (the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16).

[0048] When the first rollers 11 revolve while rotating on their axes, the central axis C1 of the first rollers 11 may be inclined with respect to the radial direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16 of the cage 13. In that case, before the first rollers 11 come into contact with the first chamfer 47 or the fifth chamfer 57, both end portions of the first rollers 11 in the direction of the central axis C1 come into contact with the end face 12b of the second rollers 12 and the surface of the inner annular body 14 on the pocket 16 side. One of the conditions for the first rollers 11 to come into contact in this way is that the maximum gap dimensions S and F satisfy the relationship S<2F.

[0049] Dimension F is the sum of the first gap f1 and the second gap f2 shown in Fig. 3. The first gap f1 is a circumferential gap generated between the outer peripheral surface 11c of the first roller 11 and the first pillar 23 (second pillar 33) on the first circumferential side of the pocket 16. The second gap f2 is a circumferential gap generated between the outer peripheral surface 11c of the first roller 11 and the first pillar 23 (second pillar 33) on the second circumferential side of the pocket 16.

[0050] [Second pillar of retainer] The second pillar 33 of the cage 13 is disposed at the same position in the circumferential direction as the first pillar 23 of the cage 13. The shape of the second pillar 33 of the cage 13 is the same except that the face corresponding to the fifth face 46 of the first pillar 23 in the circumferential direction (the tangential direction at the circumferential center of the pocket 16) is located at a position where the distance between the first face 41, the second face 42 and the fifth face 46 is smaller, and the face corresponding to the tenth face 56 of the first pillar 23 is located at a position where the distance between the sixth face 51, the seventh face 52 and the tenth face 56 is smaller.

[0051] [Grease supply] Grease G is disposed on the upper side of the cage 13 in a portion that is exposed upward from the pocket 16 of at least one of the first rollers 11 and the second rollers 12. For example, as shown in FIG 4, grease G is disposed across the portion of the first rollers 11 that is exposed upward from the pocket 16 and the portion of the second rollers 12 that is exposed upward from the pocket 16.

[0052] The grease G is placed in the exposed portion of at least one of the multiple pockets 16 formed in the circumferential direction of the retainer 13. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the grease G is placed in a predetermined number of pockets 16 (five in Fig. 1) at intervals between two pockets 16 in the circumferential direction out of all the pockets 16. From this state, the first rollers 11 and second rollers 12 in which the grease G is placed each rotate on their own axes, and the grease G passes through the first notch 43 and the second notch 53 and is supplied to the inside of the retainer 13.

[0053] [Effects of the embodiment] In the double row thrust roller and cage assembly 10 of this embodiment, the first pillar 23 located on a first circumferential side of the pocket 16 has a first notch 43 recessed toward the first circumferential side. Grease G is disposed on the upper side of the cage 13 in the portions of the first rollers 11 and second rollers 12 exposed from the pocket 16. As the first rollers 11 and second rollers 12 each rotate from this state, grease G is supplied from the first notch 43 to the inside of the cage 13. This makes it possible to supply grease G to the inside of the cage 13 even after the double row thrust roller and cage assembly 10 has been assembled.

[0054] In the first pillar 23, the radius of curvature r1 of the first chamfer 47 is smaller than the radius of curvature r2 of the second chamfer 48, so that the first face 41 of the first pillar 23 is longer in the radial direction. This increases the contact area between the outer peripheral face 11c of the first roller 11 and the first face 41. As a result, when the first roller 11 revolves around the central axis C0 of the cage 13 on the radial inside of the pocket 16, the revolving motion of the first roller 11 can be reliably transmitted to the cage 13. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral face 11c of the first roller 11 comes into contact with the first face 41 of the first pillar 23, so that the first pillar 23 is tilted with respect to the second roller 12 arranged on the radial outside of the pocket 16. When the first pillar 23 is tilted, the second chamfer 48 of the first pillar 23 comes into contact with the outer peripheral face 12c of the second roller 12. However, since the radius of curvature r2 of the second chamfer 48 is relatively large, the contact surface pressure between the second chamfer 48 and the outer circumferential surface 12c of the second roller 12 can be prevented from becoming high.

[0055] The dimension S of the maximum gap between the first roller 11 and the second roller 12, the dimension E1 of the third chamfer 11a, the dimension E2 of the fourth chamfer 12a, and the dimension L1 of the first notch 43 satisfy the relational expression L1>S+E1+E2. For this reason, the third chamfer 11a of the first roller 11 and the fourth chamfer 12a of the second roller 12 are disposed in a position corresponding to the opening of the first notch 43 on the pocket 16 side. This makes it possible to prevent the third chamfer 11a of the first roller 11 and the fourth chamfer 12a of the second roller 12 from being worn down by hitting the first chamfer 47 and the second chamfer 48 located on either side of the opening of the first notch 43 in the radial direction.

[0056] The first pillar 23 located on the second circumferential side of the pocket 16 has a second notch 53 recessed toward the second circumferential side. Therefore, as the first rollers 11 and the second rollers 12 each rotate on their own axes, the grease G is supplied to the inside of the cage 13 from both the first notch 43 and the second notch 53. This makes it possible to reliably supply the grease G to the inside of the cage 13.

[0057] [others] The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. For example, the first notch 43 and the second notch 53 are provided on all first pillars 23 in the circumferential direction, but it is sufficient that they are provided on at least one first pillar 23. Also, the first pillar 23 has the first notch 43 and the second notch 53 on both sides in the circumferential direction, but it is sufficient that at least the first notch 43 is provided.

[0058] The term "first" in the first retainer member 20 and its components 21, 22, 23, 24 and the term "second" in the second retainer member 30 and its components 31, 32, 33, 34 are used to distinguish between the terms to which they are attached. Thus, the terms "first" and "second" may be used interchangeably. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Double row thrust roller and cage assembly 11 First Round 11a Third chamfer 11b End face 11c Outer surface 12 Second Roller 12a Fourth chamfer 12b End face 12c Outer surface 13 Cage 14 Inner Annulus 15 Outer annular body 16 Pockets 23 Pillar 1 24 First Pocket 33 Pillar 2 34 Second Pocket 41 Front page 42 Second side 43 First notch 44 Third side 45 Fourth side 46 Fifth side 47 First chamfer 48 Second chamfer 51 Sixth side 52 Page 7 53 Second notch r1 radius of curvature r2 radius of curvature

Claims

1. A double row thrust roller and cage assembly including a plurality of first rollers, a plurality of second rollers, and a cage that holds the first rollers and the second rollers, The cage includes an inner annular body, an outer annular body disposed radially outward from the inner annular body, a plurality of first posts, and a plurality of second posts. the first pillars are spaced apart in a circumferential direction and connect the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a first axial side, and a space surrounded by two adjacent first pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body is a first pocket; the second pillars are spaced apart in a circumferential direction and connect the inner annular body and the outer annular body on a second axial side, and a space surrounded by two adjacent second pillars, the inner annular body, and the outer annular body is a second pocket; The first pocket and the second pocket that are present at the same position in the circumferential direction constitute a pocket, the first roller is disposed radially inside the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to a first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, the second roller is disposed radially outward of the pocket and is partially exposed from the first pocket to a first axial side and from the second pocket to a second axial side, The first pillar located on a first circumferential side of the pocket is a first surface that is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first roller on a second circumferential side and a radially inner side of the first post; a second surface that is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the second roller on a second circumferential side and a radially outer side of the first column; a first notch recessed between the first surface and the second surface toward a first side in a circumferential direction relative to the first surface and the second surface,

2. The first cutout is a third surface extending in a circumferential direction on a radially inner side; a fourth surface extending in the circumferential direction on the radially outer side; a fifth surface connecting the third surface and the fourth surface, The first pillar located on a first circumferential side of the pocket is a first chamfer formed in an arc shape between the first surface and the third surface; a second chamfer formed in an arc shape between the second surface and the fourth surface, 2. The double row thrust roller and cage assembly according to claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of said first chamfer is smaller than a radius of curvature of said second chamfer.

3. the first roller has a third chamfer formed between an end face on the second roller side and an outer circumferential surface, the second roller has a fourth chamfer formed between an end face on the first roller side and an outer circumferential surface, 3. A double-row thrust roller and cage assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when a maximum gap dimension between said first rollers and said second rollers is S, a radial dimension of said cage at said third chamfer is E1, a radial dimension of said cage at said fourth chamfer is E2, and a radial dimension of said first notch at an opening on said pocket side is L1, L1 > S + E1 + E2.

4. The first pillar located on the second circumferential side of the pocket is a sixth surface that is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first roller on a first circumferential side and a radially inner side of the first post; a seventh surface that is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the second roller on the first circumferential side and on the radially outer side of the first post; 3. The double-row thrust roller and cage assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a second notch recessed between the sixth surface and the seventh surface toward a second circumferential side relative to the sixth surface and the seventh surface.

Images