Bearing device for wheel

Abstract

To provide a bearing device for a wheel capable of preventing a first inner member and a second inner member from separating in the axial direction.SOLUTION: The first inner member 31 has a first engaging portion 31b that engages with the coupling ring 8, and the second inner member 32 has a second engaging portion 32b that engages with the coupling ring 8, the coupling ring 8 includes an elastic member 9 having a first engaging piece 81 that engages with the first engaging portion 31b from one side in the axial direction, a second engaging piece 82 that engages with the second engaging portion 32b from the other side in the axial direction, and a coupling portion 83 that couples the first engaging piece 81 and the second engaging piece 82, and including a first elastic portion 91 that fills a gap between the first engaging piece 81 and the first engaging portion 31b, and a second elastic portion 92 that fills a gap between the second engaging piece 82 and the second engaging portion 32b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel bearing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel in a suspension system of an automobile or the like has been known. A known wheel bearing device includes an outer member having an outer raceway surface, a pair of inner members each having an inner raceway surface facing the outer raceway surface and arranged side by side in the axial direction, rolling elements arranged to roll between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, a connecting ring that engages and connects the pair of inner members, and a seal member that seals an opening of a bearing space between the outer and inner members (see Patent Document 1). The pair of inner members are butted against each other. Each of the pair of inner members has an engaging portion that engages with the connecting ring, and the connecting ring has a pair of engaging pieces that respectively engage with the engaging portions of the pair of inner members.

[0003] The seal member includes a seal plate and an elastic seal member. The seal plate has a cylindrical portion that fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the inner member and a standing portion that extends radially outward from the axial end of the cylindrical portion, and is configured in an annular shape with an L-shaped cross section. The elastic seal member is configured by fastening an elastic body to an annular core metal. The elastic body of the elastic seal member includes a side lip and a grease lip. The tip of the side lip of the elastic body is in contact with the standing portion of the seal plate to prevent the intrusion of muddy water, dust, etc. The tip of the grease lip of the elastic body is in contact with the cylindrical portion of the seal plate to prevent grease leakage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-25216 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the wheel bearing device, the axial distance between the pair of engagement pieces of the connecting ring is configured to be larger than the axial distance between the axially outer surfaces of the engagement portions of the pair of inner members (the outer surface of the engagement portion of the outer-side inner member and the inner surface of the engagement portion of the inner-side inner member). Therefore, for example, when the wheel bearing device is pulled out of the axle during maintenance, the pair of inner members may move away from their abutted state in the axial direction. This axial movement of the pair of inner members may cause the elastic seal member of the seal member to shift axially relative to the seal plate. In such a case, the pressing force of the side lip of the elastic seal member of the seal member against the upright portion of the seal plate may weaken, and the grease lip may fall off the cylindrical portion of the seal plate. In such a state, the side lip may not function properly, allowing muddy water, dust, and the like to enter, and the grease lip may not function properly, allowing grease to leak.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wheel bearing device that can prevent a pair of inner members from separating from each other in the axial direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, a wheel bearing device comprising: an outer member having double-row outer raceway surfaces formed thereon; a first inner member having a first inner raceway surface formed thereon that faces the outer raceway surface on one axial side; a second inner member arranged axially alongside the first inner member and having a second inner raceway surface formed thereon that faces the outer raceway surface on the other axial side; rolling elements arranged to be rollable between the double-row outer raceway surfaces and the first and second inner raceway surfaces; connecting rings engaged with the first and second inner members to connect the first and second inner members; and a seal member that seals an opening of a bearing space between the outer member and the inner member, wherein the first inner member is The connecting ring has a first engagement portion that engages with the connecting ring, the second inner member has a second engagement portion that engages with the connecting ring, the connecting ring has a first engagement piece that engages with the first engagement portion from one axial side, a second engagement piece that engages with the second engagement portion from the other axial side, and a connecting portion that connects the first engagement piece and the second engagement piece, the axial distance between the first engagement piece and the second engagement piece is greater than the axial distance between one axial side surface of the first engagement piece and the other axial side surface of the second engagement piece, and the connecting ring is provided with an elastic member including a first elastic portion that fills the gap between the first engagement piece and the first engagement portion, and a second elastic portion that fills the gap between the second engagement piece and the second engagement portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention has the following effects.

[0009] That is, according to the present invention, the pair of inner members can be prevented from being separated from each other in the axial direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a wheel bearing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the outer member, the first inner member, the second inner member, and the connecting ring of the wheel bearing device. [Figure 3]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the outer member, the first inner member, and the inner seal member of the wheel bearing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the outer member, the first inner member, and the inner seal member of the wheel bearing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting ring and an elastic member of the wheel bearing device. [Figure 6] 4 is a view showing the connecting ring and the elastic member of the wheel bearing device as viewed from the axial direction. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connecting ring and an elastic member of the wheel bearing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A wheel bearing device 1, which is one embodiment of the wheel bearing device according to the present invention, will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0012] The wheel bearing device 1 is a double-row tapered roller bearing type wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel in the suspension of a vehicle such as an automobile. The wheel bearing device 1 is used in large vehicles such as trucks, buses, and commercial vans that are relatively heavy, such as ordinary freight vehicles, ordinary passenger buses, special-purpose vehicles, large special-purpose vehicles, and large special-purpose vehicle construction machinery.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1 or 2, the wheel bearing device 1 includes an outer member 2, an inner member 3, double row rolling elements 4, an inner seal member 6 which is a sealing member, an outer seal member 7 which is also a sealing member, a connecting ring 8, and an elastic member 9.

[0014] In the following explanation, the inner side refers to the vehicle body side of the wheel bearing device 1 when the wheel bearing device 1 is attached to the vehicle body, and the outer side refers to the wheel side of the wheel bearing device 1 when the wheel bearing device 1 is attached to the vehicle body, with the right side in the drawing being the inner side (one axial side) and the left side in the drawing being the outer side (the other axial side). Also, the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1 is referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1 is referred to as the "radial direction," and the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis of the wheel bearing device 1 is referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0015] Tapered double-row outer raceway surfaces 2a·2a are formed on the radially inner side of the outer member 2. The outer member 2 constitutes an outer ring and is configured as a fixed-side member.

[0016] The inner member 3 constitutes the inner ring and is configured as a rotating-side member. The inner member 3 is composed of a first inner member 31 and a second inner member 32. The first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. The first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are arranged with their opposing surfaces (axial side surfaces) abutting and in contact with each other. The first inner member 31 is arranged on the inner side, and the second inner member 32 is arranged on the outer side.

[0017] A first inner raceway surface 31a is formed on the radially outer side of the first inner member 31 so as to face the outer raceway surface 2a on the inner side (one axial side) of the outer member 2. A first annular engagement portion 31b that connects to the connecting ring 8 is formed on the radially inner circumferential surface of the first inner member 31. The first engagement portion 31b is configured as a groove that is recessed radially inward. A second inner raceway surface 32a is formed on the radially outer side of the second inner member 32 so as to face the outer raceway surface 2a on the outer side (the other axial side) of the outer member 2. A second annular engagement portion 32b that connects to the connecting ring 8 is formed on the radially inner circumferential surface of the second inner member 32. The second engagement portion 32b is configured as a groove that is recessed radially inward.

[0018] The rolling elements 4 are tapered rollers and are disposed so as to roll freely between the outer raceway surfaces 2a and 2a and the first inner raceway surface 31a and second inner raceway surface 32a.

[0019] The openings at both ends of the bearing space between the outer member 2 and the inner member 3 are each sealed by a seal member (an inner seal member 6 and an outer seal member 7). The inner seal member 6 is disposed at the inner opening (an opening on one axial side) of the bearing space between the outer member 2 and the first inner member 31. The inner seal member 6 prevents the intrusion of muddy water, dust, etc., and also prevents the leakage of grease. The outer seal member 7 is disposed at the outer opening (an opening on the other axial side) of the bearing space between the outer member 2 and the second inner member 32. The outer seal member 7 prevents the intrusion of muddy water, dust, etc., and also prevents the leakage of grease.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner seal member 6 includes a seal plate 61 and an elastic seal member 62.

[0021] The seal plate 61 of the inner seal member 6 is a metal member that serves as a ring-shaped slinger. The seal plate 61 has a cylindrical portion 61a that fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the first inner member 31, and a standing portion 61b that extends radially outward from one axial end (inner end) of the cylindrical portion 61a, and is configured to have an L-shaped cross section.

[0022] The elastic seal member 62 of the inner seal member 6 includes a core metal 63 and an elastic body 64, and is configured by fixing the elastic body 64 to the core metal 63. The core metal 63 is configured in an annular shape with an inverted L-shaped cross section that faces the seal plate 61. The elastic body 64 is provided to cover the inside of the core metal 63, and includes side lips 64a, a radial lip 64b, a grease lip 64c, and a spring 64d.

[0023] The side lips 64a of the elastic body 64 of the inner seal member 6 are arranged side by side in the radial direction and extend obliquely radially outward from the core metal 63 toward the extending side of the standing portion 61b of the seal plate 61. The side lip 64a is configured so that its tip contacts the standing portion 61b (the outer side surface of the standing portion 61b) of the seal plate 61 to prevent the intrusion of muddy water, dust, etc. The elastic body 64 may be configured to have three or more side lips 64a or just one side lip 64a.

[0024] The radial lip 64b of the elastic body 64 of the inner-side seal member 6 is positioned radially inward relative to the side lip 64a. The radial lip 64b extends obliquely radially inward from the core metal 63 toward the upright portion 61b of the seal plate 61. The radial lip 64b is configured so that its tip contacts the cylindrical portion 61a of the seal plate 61 (one axial side surface of the cylindrical portion 61a) to prevent the intrusion of muddy water, dust, and the like.

[0025] The grease lip 64c of the elastic body 64 of the inner seal member 6 is disposed on the outer side of the radial lip 64b. The grease lip 64c extends obliquely radially inward from the core metal 63 to the side opposite (outer side) of the standing plate portion 61b of the seal plate 61. The tip of the grease lip 64c is in contact with the cylindrical portion 61a (outer surface of the cylindrical portion 61a) of the seal plate 61 on the outer side of the radial lip 64b, thereby preventing grease leakage. The tip of the grease lip 64c is in contact with the cylindrical portion 61a of the seal plate 61 near the extending end of the cylindrical portion 61a of the seal plate 61.

[0026] The spring 64d of the elastic body 64 of the inner seal member 6 is an annular spring member provided on the radial lip 64b. The spring 64d biases the radial lip 64b, increasing the degree of contact between the radial lip 64b and the cylindrical portion 61a of the seal plate 61 and also increasing the lip followability of the radial lip 64b to the cylindrical portion 61a of the seal plate 61. Note that the elastic body 64 may also be configured without the spring 64d.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer seal member 7 includes a seal plate 71 and an elastic seal member 72.

[0028] The seal plate 71 of the outer seal member 7 is a metal member that serves as a ring-shaped slinger. The seal plate 71 has a cylindrical portion 71a that fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the second inner member 32, and a standing portion 71b that extends radially outward from the other axial end (outer end) of the cylindrical portion 71a, and is configured to have an L-shaped cross section.

[0029] The elastic seal member 72 of the outer seal member 7 includes a core metal 73 and an elastic body 74, and is configured by fixing the elastic body 74 to the core metal 73. The core metal 73 is configured in an annular shape with an inverted L-shaped cross section that faces the seal plate 71. The elastic body 74 is provided to cover the inside of the core metal 73, and includes side lips 74a, 74a, a radial lip 74b, a grease lip 74c, and a spring 74d.

[0030] The side lips 74a of the elastic body 74 of the outer seal member 7 are arranged side by side in the radial direction and extend obliquely radially outward from the core metal 73 toward the extending side of the standing portion 71b of the seal plate 71. The side lip 74a is configured so that its tip contacts the standing portion 71b of the seal plate 71 (the inner side surface of the standing portion 71b) to prevent the intrusion of muddy water, dust, etc. The elastic body 74 may be configured to have three or more side lips 74a or just one side lip 74a.

[0031] The radial lip 74b of the elastic body 74 of the outer seal member 7 is positioned radially inward relative to the side lip 74a. The radial lip 74b extends obliquely radially inward from the core metal 73 toward the upright portion 71b of the seal plate 71. The radial lip 74b is configured so that its tip contacts the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71 (the outer side surface of the cylindrical portion 71a) to prevent the intrusion of muddy water, dust, and the like.

[0032] The grease lip 74c of the elastic body 74 of the outer seal member 7 is positioned more inward than the radial lip 74b. The grease lip 74c extends obliquely radially inward from the core metal 73 toward the opposite side (inner side) from the upright portion 71b of the seal plate 71. The tip of the grease lip 74c is in contact with the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71 (the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 71a) on the inner side of the radial lip 74b, thereby preventing grease leakage. The tip of the grease lip 74c is in contact with the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71 near the extending end of the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71.

[0033] The spring 74d of the elastic body 74 of the outer seal member 7 is an annular spring member provided on the radial lip 74b. The spring 74d biases the radial lip 74b, increasing the degree of contact between the radial lip 74b and the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71 and also increasing the lip followability of the radial lip 74b to the cylindrical portion 71a of the seal plate 71. Note that the elastic body 74 may also be configured without the spring 74d.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2 or 5, the connecting ring 8 engages with the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 to connect the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32. The connecting ring 8 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The connecting ring 8 includes a first engagement piece 81, a second engagement piece 82, and a connecting portion 83. The first engagement piece 81 protrudes radially outward from the inner end of the connecting portion 83. The second engagement piece 82 protrudes radially outward from the outer end of the connecting portion 83. The connecting portion 83 connects the first engagement piece 81 and the second engagement piece 82. The connecting ring 8 is ring-shaped with a substantially U-shaped cross section.

[0035] The first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8 fits into and locks onto the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31, and is connected to the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31 from one axial side (inner side). The second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 fits into and locks onto the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32, and is connected to the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32 from the other axial side (outer side).

[0036] In this way, the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8 is locked to the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31, and the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 is locked to the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32, so that the connecting ring 8 connects the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 with a predetermined pull-out resistance. Furthermore, because the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are connected by the connecting ring 8, when the wheel bearing device 1 is to be pulled out from the axle during maintenance, for example, the first inner member 31 (the inner-side inner member 3) can also be pulled out by pulling out the second inner member 32 (the outer-side inner member 3), which simplifies the work of pulling out the inner member 3 from the axle.

[0037] Here, the axial distance a between the first engagement piece 81 and the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 is configured to be larger than the axial distance b between one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32 (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 5). That is, the axial distance a between the first engagement piece 81 and the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 and the axial distance b between one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32 satisfy the relationship a>b. The axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31 refers to a portion of the surface constituting the first engagement portion 31b that faces the outer surface of the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8. The other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32 refers to a portion of the surfaces constituting the second engagement portion 32b that faces the inner side surface of the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8. When the connecting ring 8 connects the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32, axial gaps may be generated between the first engagement piece 81 and one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b, and between the second engagement piece 81 and the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b.

[0038] The elastic member 9 is made of synthetic rubber and is elastically deformable. The elastic member 9 is made of a material that is highly resistant to differential oil (for example, a fluororubber material, an acrylic rubber material, or a nitrile rubber material). The elastic member 9 is integrally attached to the connecting ring 8 by vulcanization bonding or the like. Note that instead of being integrally attached to the connecting ring 8, the elastic member 9 may be attached to the connecting ring 8 by being fitted thereto. The elastic member 9 includes a first elastic portion 91, a second elastic portion 92, and a third elastic portion 93.

[0039] The first elastic portion 91 of the elastic member 9 fills the gap between the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the first engagement piece 81 and one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b. The first elastic portion 91 is provided on the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8. The first elastic portion 91 is arranged on a surface (outer side surface) of the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8 that faces one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b of the first inner member 31. The second elastic portion 92 fills the gap between one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the second engagement piece 82 and the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b. The second elastic portion 92 is provided on the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8. The second elastic portion 92 is arranged on a surface (inner side surface) of the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 that faces the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b of the second inner member 32. When the connecting ring 8 connects the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32, the first elastic portion 91 and the second elastic portion 92 are pressed against the first engaging portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the second engaging portion 32b of the second inner member 32, and are elastically deformed.

[0040] As described above, the elastic member 9 includes the first elastic portion 91 that fills the gap between the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the first engagement piece 81 and one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the first engagement portion 31b, and the second elastic portion 92 that fills the gap between the one axial side surface (inner side surface) of the second engagement piece 82 and the other axial side surface (outer side surface) of the second engagement portion 32b. With this configuration, the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are maintained in an abutted state, and the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 can be prevented from separating from each other in the axial direction. Furthermore, by preventing the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 from separating in the axial direction, the elastic seal members 62 and 72 of the seal members 6 and 7 are prevented from shifting axially relative to the seal plates 61 and 71, thereby preventing a state in which the side lips 64a and 74a do not function properly, allowing muddy water, dust, and the like to easily enter, and a state in which the grease lips 64c and 74c do not function properly, allowing grease to easily leak. Note that the first elastic portion 91 or the second elastic portion 92 of the elastic member 9 may be provided on the first engaging portion 31b or the second engaging portion 32b, respectively, instead of being provided on the connecting ring 8.

[0041] In the elastic member 9 in the natural state where no force is acting, the distance c in the axial direction between the first elastic portion 91 and the second elastic portion 92 can be configured to be smaller than the axial distance b between the axial one-side surface (inner side surface) of the first engaging portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the axial other-side surface (outer side surface) of the second engaging portion 32b of the second inner member 32 (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 5). That is, the distance c in the axial direction between the first elastic portion 91 and the second elastic portion 92 and the axial distance b between the axial one-side surface (inner side surface) of the first engaging portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the axial other-side surface (outer side surface) of the second engaging portion 32b of the second inner member 32 can be configured to satisfy the relationship c < b. By being configured in this way, when the connecting ring 8 connects the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32, the pressing force of the first engaging portion 31b of the first inner member 31 and the second engaging portion 32b of the second inner member 32 on the first elastic portion 91 and the second elastic portion 92 increases. For this reason, the state where the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are abutted can be more reliably held, and the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 can be more reliably prevented from being separated in the axial direction.

[0042] The third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 covers the abutting portion between the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32. The third elastic portion 93 is provided at the connecting portion 83 of the connecting ring 8. The third elastic portion 93 is disposed on the surface (radial outer side surface) of the connecting portion 83 of the connecting ring 8 that faces the radial inner side surfaces of the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32.

[0043] As described above, since the third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 covers the abutting portion between the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as defoiling from entering the wheel bearing device 1 from the abutting portion between the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6 , the connecting ring 8 is formed in a circular shape with a notch in a circumferential direction. The notch in the connecting ring 8 is configured as a notch portion 84. The connecting ring 8 is configured to be elastically deformable. The connecting ring 8 is deformed to reduce its diameter by being pressed so that the circumferential spacing of the notch portions 84 becomes closer, and is deformed to return to its original state by releasing the pressure. Therefore, when the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are engaged with the connecting ring 8, the connecting ring 8 is pressed to reduce its diameter, and when the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32 are positioned in a predetermined position, the pressure can be released to deform the connecting ring 8 to return to its original state. This facilitates the operation of engaging the connecting ring 8 with the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32.

[0045] The elastic member 9 is formed in a continuous annular shape over the entire circumferential area of ​​the connecting ring 8. The elastic member 9 is also arranged in the cutout portion 84 of the connecting ring 8. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter such as differential oil from entering the wheel bearing device 1 through the butt joint portion between the first inner member 31 and the second inner member 32.

[0046] The elastic member 9 is configured so that the thickness of the portion located at the position of the notch 84 of the connecting ring 8 (a position that does not overlap with the connecting ring 8 in the circumferential direction) is thicker than the thickness of the portion located at the position that overlaps with the connecting ring 8 in the circumferential direction. When the elastic member 9 located at the position of the notch 84 of the connecting ring 8 includes a first elastic portion 91, a second elastic portion 92, and a third elastic portion 93, the thicknesses of the first elastic portion 91, the second elastic portion 92, and the third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 located at the position that overlaps with the corresponding connecting ring 8 in the circumferential direction are compared. That is, the thickness of the first elastic portion 91 of the elastic member 9 arranged at the position of the notch 84 of the connecting ring 8 is configured to be thicker than the thickness of the first elastic portion 91 of the elastic member 9 arranged at a position circumferentially overlapping with the connecting ring 8, the thickness of the second elastic portion 92 of the elastic member 9 arranged at the position of the notch 84 of the connecting ring 8 is configured to be thicker than the thickness of the second elastic portion 92 of the elastic member 9 arranged at a position circumferentially overlapping with the connecting ring 8, and the thickness of the third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 arranged at the position of the notch 84 of the connecting ring 8 is configured to be thicker than the thickness of the third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 arranged at a position circumferentially overlapping with the connecting ring 8. Here, the first elastic portion 91 and the second elastic portion 92 are compared in terms of their axial thickness, and the third elastic portion 93 is compared in terms of their radial thickness. As described above, by making the thickness of the elastic member 9 arranged at the position of the cutout portion 84 of the connecting ring 8 relatively thick, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the portion of the elastic member 9 arranged at the cutout portion 84 of the connecting ring 8, even if the connecting ring 8 is configured to have the cutout portion 84. It is most preferable that the elastic member 9 arranged at the position of the cutout portion 84 of the connecting ring 8 is configured to have all of the first elastic portion 91, second elastic portion 92, and third elastic portion 93, but in order to prevent foreign matter such as differential oil from entering the wheel bearing device 1, it is also possible to have only the third elastic member 93.

[0047] The first elastic portion 91, the second elastic portion 92, and the third elastic portion 93 of the elastic member 9 are integrally configured. The first elastic portion 91 is disposed over the entire axially inner surface of the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8. The second elastic portion 92 is disposed over the entire axially inner surface of the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8. The third elastic portion 93 is disposed over the entire radially outer surface of the connecting portion 83 of the connecting ring 8. This increases the rigidity of the elastic member 9.

[0048] 7, the first elastic portion 91, the second elastic portion 92, and the third elastic portion 93 may be configured as separate bodies instead of being integrally formed. In this case, the first elastic portion 91 may be configured to be partially or intermittently arranged on the other axial side surface of the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8 instead of being arranged over the entirety of the other axial side surface of the first engagement piece 81 of the connecting ring 8. Furthermore, the second elastic portion 92 may be configured to be partially or intermittently arranged on one axial side surface of the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8 instead of being arranged over the entirety of one axial side surface of the second engagement piece 82 of the connecting ring 8. Furthermore, the third elastic portion 93 may be configured to be partially or intermittently arranged on the radially outer side surface of the connecting portion 83 of the connecting ring 8 instead of being arranged over the entirety of the radially outer side surface of the connecting portion 83 of the connecting ring 8.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, which are merely illustrative, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the equivalent meanings set forth in the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Wheel bearing device 2 Outer member 2a Outside raceway 3 Inner member 3a Inner raceway 3b Groove 4 rolling elements 6 Inner seal member 7 Outer seal member 8 Connecting ring 81 First engagement piece 82 Second engagement piece 83 Connecting part 84 Notch 9 Elastic member 91 First elastic part 92 Second elastic part 93 Third elastic part a) Axial distance between the first engaging piece and the second engaging piece of the connecting portion b) the axial distance between one axial side surface of the first engagement portion of the first inner member and the other axial side surface of the second engagement portion of the second inner member c) Axial distance between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion of the elastic member

Claims

1. an outer member having a double-row outer rolling surface formed thereon; a first inner member having a first inner raceway surface formed thereon that faces the outer raceway surface on one axial side, and a second inner member arranged alongside the first inner member in the axial direction and having a second inner raceway surface formed thereon that faces the outer raceway surface on the other axial side; rolling elements arranged to roll freely between the double row outer raceway surface and the first inner raceway surface and the second inner raceway surface; a connecting ring that is engaged with the first inner member and the second inner member to connect the first inner member and the second inner member; a seal member that seals an opening of a bearing space between the outer member and the inner member; A wheel bearing device comprising: the first inner member has a first engaging portion that engages with the connecting ring, the second inner member has a second engaging portion that engages with the connecting ring, the connecting ring has a first engaging piece that engages with the first engaging portion from one axial side, a second engaging piece that engages with the second engaging portion from the other axial side, and a connecting portion that connects the first engaging piece and the second engaging piece, an axial distance between the first engagement piece and the second engagement piece is greater than an axial distance between one axial side surface of the first engagement portion and the other axial side surface of the second engagement portion; A wheel bearing device in which the connecting ring is provided with an elastic member including a first elastic portion that fills the gap between the first engagement piece and the first engagement portion, and a second elastic portion that fills the gap between the second engagement piece and the second engagement portion.

2. 2. A wheel bearing device as described in claim 1, wherein, in the elastic member in a natural state where no force is applied, the axial distance between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion is smaller than the axial distance between one axial side surface of the first engagement portion and the other axial side surface of the second engagement portion.

3. 2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has a third elastic portion that is arranged on a surface of the connecting portion of the connecting ring that faces radially inner surfaces of the first inner member and the second inner member and covers an abutting portion between the first inner member and the second inner member.

4. The connecting ring is formed in a circular shape with ends and a notch in a part of the circumferential direction, 4. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is formed in a circular ring shape that is continuous over the entire circumferential direction.

5. 5. The wheel bearing device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is configured so that a thickness of a portion positioned at the position of the cutout portion of the connecting ring is thicker than a thickness of a portion positioned at a position circumferentially overlapping with the connecting ring.

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