Cap attachment method and bearing cap

Abstract

To provide a cap attachment method and a bearing cap capable of reducing damage while enabling effective reduction in pressure difference between an internal space of a bearing and the outside of the bearing.SOLUTION: A cap attaching method attaches a bearing cap 10 to one axial end part of an outer ring 2 of a bearing device 1, the bearing cap comprising a cap body 11 fitted onto the outer ring, and a flexible film-shaped body 17 provided to close an opening 11a on an inner diameter side of the cap body. The cap body is fitted onto the outer ring while the film-shaped body is deformed so that it is convex toward an internal space of the bearing, which is the other axial end side of the bearing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap mounting method for mounting a bearing cap to one axial end of an outer ring of a bearing device, and to a bearing cap. [Background technology]

[0002] A bearing cap is attached to one axial end of the outer ring of a bearing device to seal the one axial end. In such a bearing device, both axial ends are sealed by a sealing member on the other axial end and the bearing cap, preventing leakage of grease and the like from inside the bearing and the intrusion of foreign matter into the bearing. However, there is a concern that the sealing ability may be reduced if a pressure difference occurs between the space inside the bearing and the outside of the bearing due to temperature changes or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a rolling bearing in which the internal pressure adjustment means is composed of a through hole provided in a sealing lid that closes the opening of the gap between the inner ring and the outer ring, which connects the internal space of the bearing with the outside of the bearing, and a deformable member made of a flexible material that is attached so as to close this through hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-226826 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the rolling bearing described in Patent Document 1, when the sealing lid is fitted to the outer ring, the sealing lid moves from outside the bearing to inside the bearing space, increasing the pressure in the bearing space, which raises concerns that the deformable member may be deformed so that it protrudes outside the bearing when the sealing lid is attached, making it more susceptible to damage. Furthermore, when the pressure in the bearing space increases due to a rise in temperature or the like with the sealing lid attached in this way, there is a concern that the deformable member may be less likely to deform outside the bearing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a cap mounting method and a bearing cap that can effectively reduce the pressure difference between the internal space of the bearing and the outside of the bearing while also reducing damage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cap mounting method of the present invention is a cap mounting method for mounting a bearing cap to one axial end of the outer ring of a bearing device, the cap comprising a cap body that fits onto the outer ring and a flexible film-like body that is arranged to block the opening on the inner diameter side of the cap body, and is characterized in that the cap body is fitted onto the outer ring in a state in which the film-like body is deformed so as to be convex toward the bearing internal space, which is the other axial end side of the bearing device.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, configuration 1 of the bearing cap of the present invention is a bearing cap that is attached to one axial end of an outer ring in a bearing device, and is characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical portion that fits onto the outer ring, an annular portion provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion, and a flexible film-like body that is provided so as to cover the opening on the inner diameter side of the annular portion, and is characterized in that the fitting surface of the cylindrical portion is provided with a groove portion that extends in the axial direction and that connects the internal space of the bearing with the outside of the bearing when fitted onto the outer ring, and a seal portion that abuts against the outer ring when fitted onto the outer ring. Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, configuration 2 of the bearing cap of the present invention is a bearing cap attached to one axial end of the outer ring of a bearing device, and is characterized by comprising a cylindrical portion that fits onto the outer ring, an annular portion provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion, a recess partitioning portion that is provided on the inner diameter side of the annular portion and partitions a recess that is recessed toward the bearing internal space that is the other axial end side of the bearing device, and a flexible film-like body that is provided so as to cover the opening on the inner diameter side of the recess partitioning portion.

[0008] The following description of the embodiments will disclose that the bearing cap according to the present invention may have the following subsidiary configurations. <Configuration 3> In configuration 1, a recess partitioning portion is provided on the inner diameter side of the annular portion, which partitions a recess that is recessed toward the bearing internal space that is the other axial end side of the bearing device, and the film-like body may be provided so as to block the opening on the inner diameter side of the recess partitioning portion. <Configuration 4> In the configuration 2 or 3, a protective member may be provided which is attached to the recessed section so as to cover the film-like body from one axial side, and which has an air hole passing through in the axial direction. <Configuration 5> In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the film body may have a corrugated cross section with annular concave and convex portions arranged in the radial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The cap mounting method and bearing cap of the present invention are configured as described above, and therefore can effectively reduce the pressure difference between the interior space of the bearing and the exterior of the bearing while also reducing damage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a bearing device to which a bearing cap according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 2] 2(a) is an enlarged view of the X portion in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic rear view of the main part of the bearing cap. [Figure 3] 1A is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a process of a cap mounting method according to the present embodiment for mounting the bearing cap, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1A. [Figure 4] 1A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the steps of the cap mounting method, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1A. [Figure 5] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic vertical cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the bearing cap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of a cap mounting method and a bearing cap according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in some drawings, some of the detailed reference numerals used in other drawings are omitted.

[0012] 1 to 5, a cap attachment method according to this embodiment attaches a bearing cap 10 to one axial end of an outer ring 2 of a bearing device 1, the bearing cap 10 comprising a cap main body 11 that fits onto the outer ring 2 and a flexible film 17 that is arranged to close an opening 11a on the inner diameter side of the cap main body 11. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cap attachment method involves fitting the cap main body 11 onto the outer ring 2 with the film 17 deformed so that it is convex toward the bearing interior space. With this configuration, even if the pressure in the bearing interior space increases when the bearing cap 10 is fitted onto the outer ring 2, the film 17 that is convex toward the bearing interior space deforms so that it returns to its original shape toward the outside of the bearing, thereby absorbing the increase in pressure in the bearing interior space when the bearing cap 10 is attached. This prevents the film-like body 17 from deforming so that it protrudes excessively outside the bearing when the bearing cap 10 is attached, and makes it easier for the film-like body 17 to deform outside the bearing even when the pressure in the bearing internal space increases due to a rise in temperature caused by rotation of the bearing device 1, etc., thereby effectively reducing the pressure difference between the bearing internal space and the outside of the bearing.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a bearing cap 10 according to this embodiment is attached to one axial end of the outer ring 2 of a bearing device 1. The bearing cap 10 comprises a cylindrical portion 12 that fits onto the outer ring 2, an annular portion 15 provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion 12, and a flexible film 17 that is provided to close an opening 11a on the inner diameter side of the annular portion 15. With this configuration, when a pressure difference occurs between the interior space of the bearing and the exterior of the bearing, the film 17 deforms, thereby reducing the pressure difference. The fitting surface of the cylindrical portion 12 is provided with a groove 12a that extends in the axial direction and connects the interior space of the bearing to the exterior of the bearing when the bearing cap 10 is fitted onto the outer ring 2. With this configuration, air can be exhausted from the interior space of the bearing when the bearing cap 10 is fitted onto the outer ring 2. This prevents the film 17 from deforming so that it protrudes excessively outside the bearing when the bearing cap 10 is attached, thereby preventing damage, and also makes it easier for the film 17 to deform outside the bearing when the pressure in the space inside the bearing increases due to a rise in temperature, etc., effectively reducing the pressure difference between the space inside the bearing and the outside of the bearing. The bearing cap 10 is provided with a seal portion 13 that abuts against the outer ring 2 when fitted onto the outer ring 2. With this configuration, the seal portion 13 provides an effective seal.

[0014] 1 to 5, the bearing cap 10 according to this embodiment comprises a recess partitioning portion 16 provided on the inner diameter side of the annular portion 15 and defining a recess recessed toward the bearing internal space, which is the other axial end side of the bearing device 1, and a flexible film-like body 17 provided to close the opening 11a on the inner diameter side of this recess partitioning portion 16. This configuration can reduce damage to the film-like body 17 due to contact with foreign matter from outside the bearing. An example of a specific configuration will be described below. In the following description, one axial side of the bearing cap 10 will be referred to as the bearing external side, and the other axial side will be referred to as the bearing internal space side.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of a bearing device 1 that rotatably supports a driven wheel (not shown) of an automobile or the like. The bearing device 1 includes an outer ring 2, an inner ring 5, and two rows of rolling elements (balls) 6 interposed between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 5. The inner ring 5 is made up of a hub ring 3 and an inner ring member 4, which is fitted integrally with the vehicle body, which is one axial side of the hub ring 3. The inner ring 5 (hub ring 3 and inner ring member 4) is rotatable around axis L relative to the outer ring 2, and the outer ring 2 and inner ring 5 form two relatively rotatable members. The hub ring 3 has a hub flange 3b, to which a driven wheel (not shown) is attached with bolts 8. The hub ring 3 has an annular crimped portion 3c, where the cylindrical end facing the vehicle body is expanded and crimped to the side surface of the inner ring member 4. The vehicle body side surface and crimped portion 3c of the inner ring member 4 are positioned closer to the vehicle body than the vehicle body side surface of the outer ring 2. On the inner diameter side of the crimped portion 3c, a bottomed open hole 3d is provided, which is defined by the vehicle body side end of the hub ring 3 and opens to the vehicle body side. An annular space S is formed between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 5. Two rows of rolling elements 6 are held by retainers 6a, and the raceways 2a of the outer ring 2, the hub ring 3, and the raceways 3a, 4a of the inner ring member 4 are interposed therein so as to be able to roll. A lubricant such as grease is filled into the annular space S to smooth the rolling of the rolling elements 6. An annular sealing device 7 is attached to the wheel side end, which is the other axial side of the annular space S, by sliding contact with the hub wheel 3 to seal the gap between the outer ring 2 and the hub wheel 3, and a bearing cap 10 is attached to the vehicle body side end, which is one axial side of the annular space S, so as to close the opening of the bearing device 1 on the vehicle body side. In other words, both ends of the annular space S are sealed by the sealing device 7 and the bearing cap 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the bearing cap 10 is attached by fitting the cylindrical portion 12 onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. The cap body 11 is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 12 and the annular portion 15. The cap body 11 is provided with an opening 11a penetrating in the axial direction at the radial center. The opening 11a is formed in a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction. The cap body 11 may be formed by pressing a steel plate such as SPCC or SUS.

[0017] The seal portion 13 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and when the bearing cap 10 is attached to the outer ring 2, it comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2, preventing communication between the interior space of the bearing and the exterior space, and preventing foreign matter such as muddy water from the exterior space from entering the bearing device 1. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the seal portion 13 has an annular ridge portion 13a that protrudes outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 and elastically deforms so as to be compressed when in contact with the outer ring 2 (see FIG. 4(b)). The seal portion 13 is provided on the cylindrical portion 12 on the exterior side of the bearing.

[0018] The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 serves as a fitting surface that fits into the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. The cylindrical portion 12 extends parallel to the axial direction and has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the vehicle body-side end of the outer ring 2. The groove 12a of the cylindrical portion 12 is located closer to the bearing internal space than the seal portion 13. The groove 12a is formed so as to block communication between the bearing internal space and the outside of the bearing when the seal portion 13 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. The groove 12a opens to the bearing internal space and the outer peripheral side and extends outside the bearing. The groove 12a may have a length that is approximately half or more of the axial dimension of the cylindrical portion 12, and the groove terminal may be located near the seal portion 13. The groove 12a may also be formed so as to open to the outside of the bearing of the cylindrical portion 12. In such a case, it is preferable that the opening of the groove 12a on the outside of the bearing is blocked by the seal portion 13. In the illustrated example, the groove length dimension of groove portion 12a is approximately 7 / 10 to 9 / 10 of the axial dimension of cylindrical portion 12. Groove portion 12a is provided so that when bearing cap 10 is attached to bearing device 1, the internal space of the bearing communicates with the outside of the bearing, thereby suppressing an increase in pressure within the internal space of the bearing. The groove length, width, and depth dimensions of groove portion 12a may be set appropriately taking into consideration the amount of air to be discharged to the outside of the bearing, the strength of cylindrical portion 12, and the like. A plurality of groove portions 12a may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of cylindrical portion 12, or only one groove portion 12a may be provided. A tapered portion 12b that slopes inward toward the outer side of the bearing is provided on the outer side of the bearing of the cylindrical portion 12. The seal portion 13 is fixed so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the tapered portion 12b.

[0019] A connecting portion 14 that connects the cylindrical portion 12 and the annular portion 15 is provided on the inner diameter side of the tapered portion 12b of the cylindrical portion 12. As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the connecting portion 14 is formed so as to be in a non-contact state with the bearing device 1 when the bearing cap 10 is attached to the bearing device 1. The connecting portion 14 has an outer diameter side annular portion 14a that extends inward from the inner diameter side end of the tapered portion 12b. The connecting portion 14 has an inner diameter side cylindrical portion 14b that extends from the outer diameter side annular portion 14a to the outside of the bearing. When attached to the bearing device 1, this inner diameter side cylindrical portion 14b is disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring member 4 on the vehicle body side. The connecting portion 14 has an inner diameter side tapered portion 14c that slopes inward from the outside-of-bearing end of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 14b toward the outside of the bearing. When attached to the bearing device 1, the inner diameter side tapered portion 14c is arranged so that its inner diameter side end overlaps with the crimped portion 3c of the hub wheel 3 in the axial direction and is located closer to the outside of the bearing than the crimped portion 3c. The connecting portion 14 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration as long as it can connect the cylindrical portion 12 and the annular portion 15. Also, the cylindrical portion 12 and the annular portion 15 may be connected without the connecting portion 14.

[0020] The annular portion 15 is provided so as to be located on the outer periphery of the opening 11a of the bearing cap 10 and at the outermost side of the bearing in the bearing cap 10. The annular portion 15 extends radially inward from the inner diameter side end of the connecting portion 14 (inner diameter side tapered portion 14c) in parallel with the radial direction, and the outer bearing side surface is formed into an annular flat surface.

[0021] The recessed portion partitioning portion 16 is formed so as to be recessed toward the bearing internal space side relative to the annular portion 15. The recessed portion partitioning portion 16 includes a peripheral wall portion 16a that slopes inward as it extends from the inner diameter side end of the annular portion 15 toward the bearing internal space side, and a bottom portion 16b having an annular flat surface that extends inward from the peripheral wall portion 16a. A recess is defined by the peripheral wall portion 16a and the bottom portion 16b of the recessed portion partitioning portion 16 and opens to the outside in the axial direction. The opening 11a of the cap body 11 is defined by the inner peripheral edge of the bottom portion 16b. The recessed portion partitioning portion 16 is preferably positioned inward relative to the crimped portion 3c of the hub wheel 3 when the bearing cap 10 is attached to the bearing device 1.

[0022] The membrane 17 is configured to be deformable in response to external forces. The membrane 17 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 11a of the cap body 11, and in this embodiment, is formed circular when viewed in the axial direction. This configuration allows for more stable deformation toward the bearing interior space when pressed by a jig 9 (described later), compared to a membrane 17 that is rectangular when viewed in the axial direction. The membrane 17 is fixed to the inner peripheral end of the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16. The diameter of the membrane 17 is appropriately set depending on the size of the opening 11a of the cap body 11, but is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the crimped portion 3c of the hub wheel 3. This configuration prevents the membrane 17 from contacting the crimped portion 3c when deformed toward the bearing interior space. The membrane 17 may be made of any flexible material, including an elastic material such as rubber.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2( a), the film 17 has a corrugated cross section with annular concave and convex portions 17a arranged in the radial direction. This configuration makes it easier to deform in the axial direction compared to a flat sheet-like film 17. As shown in FIG. 2( b), the concave and convex portions 17a are formed so as to define a recess 17b that opens to the outside of the bearing at the radial center of the film 17 when viewed from the outside of the bearing. Furthermore, the concave and convex portions 17a are formed so as to protrude to the outside of the bearing, and are formed so as to radially alternately continue annular ridge portions 17c that are concentric with the recess 17b when viewed from the outside of the bearing, and annular groove portions 17d that are concentric with the recess 17b and are arranged on the outer periphery of the ridge portions 17c, open to the outside of the bearing, and are concentric with the recess 17b. The concave and convex portions 17a are formed so that their axial ends do not protrude axially beyond the cap body 11 in a natural state. The uneven portion 17a is arranged so that the axial tip of the convex streak portion 17c is located closer to the outside of the bearing than the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16, and the axial tip of the portion that partitions the recess 17b and the groove portion 17d is located closer to the internal space of the bearing than the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16.

[0024] Next, an example of a cap mounting method according to this embodiment using the bearing cap 10 configured as described above will be described.

[0025] When attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1, a jig 9 may be used that has a body pressing portion 9a that presses the cap body 11 and a film-like body pressing portion 9b that deforms the film-like body 17 so that it is convex toward the interior space of the bearing. With this configuration, the cap body 11 can be easily fitted to the outer ring 2 by pressing the cap body 11 with the body pressing portion 9a of the jig 9 while the film-like body 17 is deformed by the film-like body pressing portion 9b of the jig 9.

[0026] When attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1, it is preferable to fit the cap body 11 onto the outer ring 2 with the center of the film-like body 17 pressed toward the bearing internal space as viewed in the axial direction. This configuration allows the film-like body 17 to be deformed toward the bearing internal space more stably than a configuration in which the outer peripheral portion of the film-like body 17 is pressed. The film-like body 17 is pressed by the film-like body pressing portion 9b and deforms so that the uneven portion 17a expands toward the bearing internal space.

[0027] When attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1, it is preferable to fit the cap body 11 onto the outer ring 2 while pressing the central part of the film-like body 17 toward the internal space of the bearing using the film-like body pressing part 9b of the jig 9 when viewed in the axial direction. 3 and 4 show the process of attaching the bearing cap 10 to one axial end of the outer ring 2. As shown in Fig. 3(a), with the outer peripheral surface of the end of the cylindrical portion 12 facing the bearing internal space abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2, the film-like body 17 is pressed and deformed by the film-like body pressing portion 9b of the jig 9 so that the film-like body 17 is convex toward the bearing internal space side.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3( a), the body pressing portion 9a of the jig 9 is configured to be able to abut against the outer side of the bearing of the cylindrical portion 12 when attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1. This configuration allows the bearing cap 10 to be stably fitted to the bearing device 1 by pressing the cylindrical portion 12, which is the fitting portion with the bearing device 1. In the illustrated example, the body pressing portion 9a is configured to abut against the outer end of the tapered portion 12b of the cylindrical portion 12, the outer side of the bearing of the seal portion 13, and a portion of the outer peripheral side of the outer side of the bearing of the outer diameter annular portion 14a of the connection portion 14. The body pressing portion 9a is configured to protrude into the bearing interior space from the outer diameter end of the base portion 9c of the jig 9, which is configured to have a radial dimension larger than the cylindrical portion 12. In other words, the body pressing portion 9a is configured to be able to abut against the vehicle body side (outer bearing side) of the outer ring 2 when the entire cylindrical portion 12 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. With this configuration, when the cylindrical portion 12 is pressed until the main body pressing portion 9a abuts against the vehicle body side surface of the outer ring 2, the main body pressing portion 9a abuts against the vehicle body side surface of the outer ring 2, preventing further displacement of the cylindrical portion 12 toward the bearing internal space. This allows the bearing cap 10 to be positioned relative to the bearing device 1. The main body pressing portion 9a is configured to have a flat surface parallel to the radial direction at the tip of the protruding direction. This positions the outer diameter side annular portion 14a of the connecting portion 14 so that the bearing exterior side surface is substantially flush with the vehicle body side surface of the outer ring 2 (see FIG. 4(a)). The main body pressing portion 9a may be configured to be able to abut over the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 12 on the bearing exterior side, or may be configured to abut intermittently along the circumferential direction of the bearing exterior side of the cylindrical portion 12. The portion of the cap body 11 that the body pressing portion 9a abuts against is not limited to the cylindrical portion 12 and its vicinity, and may be configured to abut against, for example, the annular portion 14 instead of or in addition to the cylindrical portion 12. In short, it is sufficient that the cap body 11 can be stably pressed when attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1.

[0029] The film-like body pressing portion 9b is formed to protrude from the center of the base portion 9c of the jig 9 as viewed in the axial direction toward the bearing internal space. In other words, the main body pressing portion 9a is provided on the outer periphery of the film-like body pressing portion 9b. The film-like body pressing portion 9b may be configured to be able to press the center of the film-like body 17 when attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1. In addition, in such a configuration, it is preferable that the radial dimension of the film-like body pressing portion 9b is configured to be smaller than the radial dimension of the film-like body 17. Furthermore, the protruding dimension of the film-like body pressing portion 9b may be appropriately set depending on the degree to which the film-like body 17 is expanded (deformed) toward the bearing internal space. In the illustrated example, the protruding dimension of the film-like body pressing portion 9b is smaller than that of the main body pressing portion 9a. The film-like body pressing portion 9b may have a chamfered tip periphery to prevent damage to the film-like body 17, or the tip may be hemispherical, etc. Furthermore, the film-like body pressing portion 9b may be configured so as not to excessively deform the film-like body 17 toward the bearing internal space when attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1, or so as to deform the film-like body 17 toward the bearing internal space to an extent that the film-like body 17 does not come into contact with the bearing device 1. Furthermore, when attaching the bearing cap 10 to the bearing device 1, if one jig 9 is used to press the cap body 11 and the membrane-like body 17 at the same time, excessive deformation of the membrane-like body 17 can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which separate jigs are used to press the cap body 11 and the membrane-like body 17, respectively.

[0030] When the body pressing portion 9a presses the cap body 11 while the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 is aligned with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2, the bearing cap 10 is displaced toward the bearing internal space. During the process of fitting the cylindrical portion 12 to the outer ring 2, the groove 12a communicates the bearing internal space with the outside of the bearing (see FIG. 3(b)) until the outer peripheral opening of the groove 12a is blocked by the outer ring 2 (see FIG. 4(b)). This prevents the air in the bearing internal space from being compressed, thereby suppressing a rise in temperature within the bearing internal space. The seal portion 13 then abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2, and the cap body 11 is pressed until the annular protrusion 13a is deformed. This allows the bearing cap 10 to be attached to the bearing device 1 with the opening on one axial side of the bearing device 1 blocked and sealed. In this embodiment, as described above, the bearing cap 10 is attached in an axially positioned state relative to the bearing device 1 by pressing the cap body 11 until the body pressing portion 9a abuts against the vehicle body side surface of the outer ring 2.

[0031] Next, bearing caps according to modifications of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In each of the modifications below, differences from the previously described examples will be mainly described, and similar configurations and configurations that perform similar functions will be omitted or described briefly.

[0032] 5(a) shows a schematic diagram of a bearing cap 10A according to a first modified example. In this modified example, the configuration of the recessed portion 16A is different from the previous example. The recessed portion 16A has a peripheral wall 16a formed substantially parallel to the axial direction.

[0033] The bearing cap 10A also includes a protective member 18 that is attached to the recessed section 16A so as to cover the membrane 17 from one axial side and has an air vent 18c that penetrates in the axial direction. This configuration more effectively prevents foreign matter from coming into contact with the membrane 17. When the membrane 17 deforms, air flows through the air vent 18c, and deformation of the membrane 17 is not hindered when a pressure difference occurs between the interior space of the bearing and the exterior of the bearing. Furthermore, because the protective member 18 is attached to the recessed section 16A, the protective member 18 is less likely to interfere with surrounding components. The protective member 18 includes a disk portion 18a that covers the film body 17, and a cylindrical mounting portion 18b that extends from the outer diameter end of the disk portion 18a toward the bearing internal space and fits into the peripheral wall portion 16a of the recessed portion defining portion 16A. The ventilation hole 18c is provided so as to pass through the disk portion 18a in the axial direction. The protective member 18 is attached so that the outer bearing surface of the disc portion 18a is flush with the outer bearing surface of the annular portion 15. This makes it less likely that the protective member 18 will interfere with peripheral members provided on the vehicle body, etc.

[0034] 5(b) shows a schematic diagram of a bearing cap 10B according to a second modified example. In this modified example, the structure of the film-like body 17A is different from the previous example. The film-like body 17A is formed so that the uneven portion 17a does not protrude further into the bearing internal space than the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16. In other words, the uneven portion 17a is provided on the outer side of the bearing of the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16. With this configuration, the volume of the bearing internal space can be increased compared to a configuration in which the uneven portion 17a protrudes further into the bearing internal space than the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16. It is preferable that the uneven portion 17a is provided so as not to protrude further into the bearing externally than the annular portion 15.

[0035] 5(c) shows a schematic diagram of a bearing cap 10C according to a third modified example. In this modified example, the structure of the film-like body 17B is different from the previous example. The film-like body 17B is provided such that the uneven portion 17a is located closer to the bearing internal space than the bottom 16b of the recess partitioning portion 16. This configuration more effectively prevents damage to the film-like body 17B caused by foreign matter from outside the bearing. The uneven portion 17a is formed such that, when viewed from the outside of the bearing, the recess 17b provided at the radial center of the film-like body 17B is located closer to the bearing internal space than the multiple ridge portions 17c (two in the illustrated example) and multiple groove portions 17d (two in the illustrated example) provided on the outer periphery. Furthermore, the inner groove portion 17d adjacent to the recess 17b via the ridge portion 17c is formed to be located closer to the bearing internal space than the outer groove portion 17d. Furthermore, the inner ridge portion 17c adjacent to the recess 17b is formed to be located closer to the bearing internal space than the outer ridge portion 17c.

[0036] The different bearing cap configurations described in the above embodiment and each modified example may be modified, rearranged, or combined as needed. For example, the recessed portion of the second and third modified examples is formed substantially similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in the illustrated example, but may also be formed similarly to the first modified example shown in FIG. 5(a). Also, as with the first modified example, a protective member may be provided. The bearing cap is not limited to the above configuration. For example, it may have a cylindrical portion, an annular portion, a recessed portion, and a film-like body, but may not have a sealing portion as described above. The cylindrical portion may also be configured to fit onto the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring. In such cases, a groove or sealing portion is provided on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion. Similarly, the cap mounting method is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the bearing cap may be mounted to the bearing device without using a jig. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Bearing device 2 outer ring 9 Jig 9a Main body pressing part 9b Membrane pressing part 10, 10A~10C Bearing Cap 11 Cap body 12 Cylindrical part 12a Groove 13 Seal part 15 Annular part 16,16A Recessed section 17,17A,17B membranous body 17a Uneven part 18 Protective materials 18c ventilation holes

Claims

1. A cap mounting method for mounting a bearing cap to one axial end of an outer ring of a bearing device, the cap comprising a cap body that fits onto the outer ring and a flexible film-like body that is provided so as to close an opening on the inner diameter side of the cap body, A cap mounting method characterized by fitting the cap body to the outer ring while deforming the film-like body so that it is convex toward the bearing internal space, which is the other axial end side of the bearing device.

2. In claim 1, A cap mounting method characterized in that the cap body is fitted onto the outer ring while the central portion of the film-like body is pressed toward the bearing internal space as viewed in the axial direction.

3. In claim 1 or claim 2, A cap mounting method characterized by using a jig having a body pressing portion that presses the cap body and a film-like body pressing portion that deforms the film-like body so that it becomes convex toward the bearing internal space, and fitting the cap body to the outer ring.

4. A bearing cap attached to one axial end of an outer ring in a bearing device, the bearing includes a cylindrical portion that fits into the outer ring, an annular portion that is provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion, and a flexible film-like body that is provided so as to close an opening on the inner diameter side of the annular portion, a groove portion extending in the axial direction that connects the internal space of the bearing with the outside of the bearing when the cylindrical portion is fitted onto the outer ring, and a seal portion that abuts against the outer ring when the cylindrical portion is fitted onto the outer ring, on the fitting surface of the cylindrical portion.

5. In claim 4, A bearing cap characterized in that a recess partitioning portion is provided on the inner diameter side of the annular portion, which partitions a recess that is recessed toward the bearing internal space at the other axial end side of the bearing device, and the film-like body is provided to cover the opening on the inner diameter side of the recess partitioning portion.

6. A bearing cap attached to one axial end of an outer ring in a bearing device, A bearing cap comprising: a cylindrical portion that fits onto the outer ring; an annular portion provided on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical portion; a recess partitioning portion provided on the inner diameter side of the annular portion and partitioning a recess that is recessed toward the bearing internal space that is the other axial end side of the bearing device; and a flexible film-like body provided so as to cover the opening on the inner diameter side of the recess partitioning portion.

7. In claim 5 or claim 6, A bearing cap characterized in that it is provided with a protective member attached to the recess partition so as to cover the film-like body from one axial side, and having an air vent hole passing through in the axial direction.

8. In any one of claims 4 to 6, The bearing cap is characterized in that the film-like body has a corrugated cross section with annular concave and convex portions arranged in the radial direction.

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