Bearing

Abstract

To provide a bearing capable of not only giving a preload to the bearing but also shortening the length in the axial direction, reducing the number of components, and improving the assemblability.SOLUTION: A bearing 100 includes an outer ring 104, an inner ring 108, a ball 110 rolling between the outer ring and the inner ring, a circumferential groove 114 provided on an outer peripheral surface 118 of the outer ring, and an annular elastic member 116 having elasticity in an axial direction and fitted to the groove so as to protrude from the groove in a radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing having rolling elements that roll between an inner ring and an outer ring. [Background technology]

[0002] A bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements that roll between the inner and outer rings, and the rolling elements roll to rotate a shaft while supporting a load. Bearings are required to suppress, for example, axial rattle that accompanies shaft rotation, thereby suppressing vibration and noise.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a driving force transmission device including a bearing and a preload mechanism that applies a preload to the bearing. The preload mechanism has a disc spring and an abutment member that are arranged on the side of the bearing.

[0004] The disc spring has its inner peripheral end abutting against the side of the bearing's inner ring, and its outer peripheral end abutting against the abutment member. As a result, the disc spring is compressed in the axial direction between the abutment member and the inner ring, and its restoring force presses against the inner ring, displacing the inner ring relative to the outer ring. In this way, the preload mechanism applies pressure to the bearing to suppress axial rattle of the bearing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-29059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the driving force transmission device of Patent Document 1, although a preload mechanism can apply pressure to the bearing, the preload mechanism is disposed to the side of the bearing, which increases the axial length.

[0007] Furthermore, the preload mechanism requires a contact member that contacts the outer circumferential edge of the disc spring, which increases the number of parts and requires assembly so that the outer circumferential edge of the disc spring contacts the contact member, which increases the labor required for assembly.

[0008] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a bearing that not only applies pressure to the bearing but also shortens the axial length, reduces the number of parts, and improves assembly ease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a bearing according to the present invention is characterized by comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, rolling elements that roll between the outer ring and the inner ring, a circumferential groove provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring or the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring, and an annular elastic member that is elastic in the axial direction and is fitted into the groove so as to protrude radially from the groove.

[0010] The elastic member preferably has a disc spring portion that projects radially from the groove and has elasticity in the axial direction by forming a conical surface, and a plurality of teeth that fit into the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bearing that not only applies pressure to the bearing but also shortens the axial length, reduces the number of parts, and further improves assembly ease. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a bearing according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an elastic member of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a view showing a bearing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an elastic member of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of elastic members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing a bearing 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following, a ball bearing is shown as an example of bearing 100, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to appropriate bearings such as tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, and double-row bearings. Bearing 100 is a ball bearing and includes an outer ring 104 having a raceway surface 102 on its inner circumference, an inner ring 108 having a raceway surface 106 on its outer circumference, and a plurality of balls 110.

[0015] Balls 110 are rolling elements that roll between raceway surface 102 of outer ring 104 and raceway surface 106 of inner ring 108, and are held by cage 112. By holding balls 110, cage 112 serves to maintain the spacing between balls 110 and prevent balls 110 from rubbing against each other.

[0016] Furthermore, bearing 100 is provided with a groove 114 and an elastic member 116. Groove 114 is provided circumferentially on an outer peripheral surface 118 of outer ring 104. Elastic member 116 is an annular member that is elastic in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , elastic member 116 is fitted into groove 114, protrudes from groove 114 in the radial direction of outer ring 104, and is pressed against housing 120, a peripheral member arranged on the outer ring 104 side. Furthermore, on the inner ring 108 side of bearing 100, an axis (shaft 122) is arranged so as to come into contact with an inner peripheral surface 124 of inner ring 108.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the elastic member 116 of Figure 1. Figure 2(a) is a side view of the elastic member 116. Figure 2(b) is a front view of the elastic member 116. As shown, the elastic member 116 has a disc spring portion 126 and a plurality of teeth 128.

[0018] The disc spring portion 126 is a portion that protrudes radially from the groove 114 of the outer ring 104 shown in Fig. 1, and has elasticity in the axial direction due to the formation of a conical surface similar to that of a "disc spring." The multiple teeth 128 extend radially inward, similar to the teeth of a "toothed washer," and fit into the groove 114 of the outer ring 104 shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the elastic member 116 has a unique and novel shape that is a combination of a disc spring and a toothed washer.

[0019] In bearing 100, elastic member 116 is elastic in the axial direction, and teeth 128 of elastic member 116 fit into grooves 114 of outer ring 104. Therefore, in bearing 100, when disc spring portion 126 of elastic member 116 is pressed against housing 120, which is a peripheral member, elastic member 116 is elastically deformed, and teeth 128 of elastic member 116 press grooves 114 of outer ring 104 in the axial direction. As a result, outer ring 104 receives a reaction force.

[0020] As a result, a force acting in a direction that displaces the outer ring 104 and the inner ring 108 is continuously applied to the bearing 100, and this force applies the preload Fa shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the bearing 100 can suppress axial rattle that occurs with the rotation of the shaft 122, thereby suppressing vibration and noise.

[0021] Furthermore, in the bearing 100, the elastic member 116 protrudes radially from the groove 114 of the outer ring 104. In other words, the elastic member 116 is not disposed to the side (beside) of the bearing 100, but is contained within the axial width of the bearing 100. This allows the axial length of the bearing 100 to be shortened. Furthermore, in the bearing 100, the elastic member 116 is attached to the bearing 100 in advance, which reduces the number of parts required during assembly and improves ease of assembly.

[0022] 3 is a diagram showing a bearing 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Bearing 100A differs from bearing 100 in that circumferential grooves 114A are provided in inner peripheral surface 124A of inner ring 108A as shown in the figure, rather than in outer peripheral surface 118A of outer ring 104A, and bearing 100A further includes elastic member 116A.

[0023] Elastic member 116A is fitted into groove 114A of inner ring 108A, protrudes from groove 114A in the radial direction of inner ring 108A, and is pressed against shaft 122, which is a peripheral member arranged on the inner ring 108A side.

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the elastic member 116A of Figure 3. Figure 4(a) is a side view of the elastic member 116A. Figure 4(b) is a front view of the elastic member 116A. As shown, the elastic member 116A has a disc spring portion 126A and a plurality of teeth 128A.

[0025] Disc spring portion 126A is a portion that protrudes radially from groove 114A of inner ring 108A shown in Figure 3, and has axial elasticity due to the formation of a conical surface similar to that of a "disc spring." Multiple teeth 128A extend radially outward, similar to the teeth of a "toothed washer," and fit into groove 114A of inner ring 108A. In other words, elastic member 116A has a unique and novel shape that is a combination of a disc spring and a toothed washer.

[0026] In bearing 100A, elastic member 116A is elastic in the axial direction, and teeth 128A of elastic member 116A fit into grooves 114A of inner ring 108A. Therefore, in bearing 100A, when disc spring portion 126A of elastic member 116A is pressed against shaft 122, which is a peripheral member, elastic member 116A is elastically deformed, and teeth 128A of elastic member 116A press grooves 114A of inner ring 108A in the axial direction. As a result, inner ring 108A receives a reaction force.

[0027] As a result, a force acting in a direction that displaces outer ring 104A and inner ring 108A is continuously applied to bearing 100A, and this force applies preload Fb shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, bearing 100A can suppress axial rattle that occurs with the rotation of shaft 122, thereby suppressing vibration and noise.

[0028] Furthermore, in the bearing 100A, the elastic member 116A protrudes radially from the groove 114A of the inner ring 108A. In other words, the elastic member 116A is not disposed to the side (side) of the bearing 100A, but is contained within the axial width of the bearing 100A. This allows the axial length of the bearing 100A to be shortened. Furthermore, in the bearing 100A, the elastic member 116A is pre-attached to the bearing 100A, which reduces the number of parts required during assembly and improves ease of assembly.

[0029] Although the above-mentioned bearings 100, 100A are provided with elastic members 116, 116A, this is not limited to this, and any suitable elastic member may be used as long as it is an annular elastic member that has elasticity in the axial direction and can be fitted into groove 114 of outer ring 104 and groove 114A of inner ring 108A (see Figure 5).

[0030] 5 is a diagram showing another example of an elastic member. Elastic member 116B has a ring portion 129. As shown in the figure, one end 129a and the other end 129b of ring portion 129 are separated from each other and are not connected. Furthermore, ring portion 129 is formed so that upwardly convex shapes and downwardly convex shapes are alternately repeated in the circumferential direction, and has elasticity in the axial direction.

[0031] By fitting such elastic member 116B into groove 114 of outer ring 104 or groove 114A of inner ring 108A so as to protrude radially from groove 114, 114A, it is possible to shorten the axial length of bearings 100, 100A. Also, axial rattle caused by rotation of shaft 122 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing vibration and noise.

[0032] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100, 100A... bearing, 102... raceway surface of outer ring, 104, 104A... outer ring, 106... raceway surface of inner ring, 108, 108A... inner ring, 110... ball, 112... cage, 114, 114A... groove, 116, 116A, 116B... elastic member, 118, 118A... outer peripheral surface of outer ring, 120... housing, 122... shaft, 124, 124A... inner peripheral surface of inner ring, 126, 126A... disc spring portion of elastic member, 128, 128A... teeth of elastic member, 129... ring portion of elastic member, 129a... one end of ring portion, 129b... other end of ring portion

Claims

1. The outer ring and With inner circle, a rolling element that rolls between the outer ring and the inner ring; a circumferential groove provided in the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring or the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring; A bearing comprising: an annular elastic member having elasticity in the axial direction, the elastic member being fitted into the groove so as to protrude radially from the groove.

2. The elastic member is a disc spring portion that protrudes radially from the groove and has elasticity in the axial direction by forming a conical surface; 2. The bearing of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of teeth mating with said grooves.

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