Wheel bearing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a wheel bearing device that improves the ease of assembly between the hub wheel and the outer joint member without using additional parts, and suppresses the occurrence of assembly defects between the hub wheel and the outer joint member. [Solution] In the wheel bearing device 1, the hub wheel 3 has a convex portion 32 that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 3e and extends along the circumferential direction, and a notched portion 32a formed by cutting out a part of the convex portion 32 in the circumferential direction. The outer joint member 21 has a locking projection 27b that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 27 and can pass through the notched portion 32a. When the shaft portion 27 is inserted through the through hole 3e and the locking projection 27b has passed through the notched portion 32a from the inner side, the locking projection 27b and the convex portion 32 can be locked together when the shaft portion 27 rotates relative to the hub wheel 3.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a wheel bearing device that rotatably supports a wheel in a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile like a passenger car and an SUV. A hub ring, which is an inner member, and an outer peripheral surface of a stem extending in the axial direction of a constant velocity joint are spline-fitted, whereby the hub ring and the constant velocity joint are coupled so as to be capable of torque transmission. The constant velocity joint includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, balls incorporated between the outer joint member and the inner joint member, and a retainer for holding the balls. The stem that is spline-fitted with the hub ring is possessed by the outer joint member.

[0003] In such a wheel bearing device, an axial end face of the hub ring and an axial end face of the outer joint member are in contact with each other. During transmission of a driving force from the outer joint member to the hub ring and during gear shifting of the vehicle, etc., relative slippage may occur between the hub ring and the outer joint member, and abnormal noises such as stick-slip sounds may be generated.

[0004] Therefore, in order to suppress the relative slippage that occurs between the hub ring and the outer joint member and prevent the generation of abnormal noises, a wheel bearing device having a configuration in which the axial end face of the hub ring and the axial end face of the outer joint member are spline-fitted has been devised (see Patent Document 1). In the wheel bearing device described in Patent Document 1, with the axial end face of the hub ring and the axial end face of the outer joint member in contact with each other, the hub ring and the outer joint member are fastened by screwing fastening bolts into the outer joint member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] The wheel bearing device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a spline seal that covers the outer circumference of the spline fitting portion between the axial end face of the hub wheel and the axial end face of the outer joint member. Therefore, the spline fitting portion cannot be visually inspected when assembling the hub wheel and the outer joint member. Consequently, it is difficult to determine the engagement position of the axial end face of the outer joint member with respect to the axial end face of the hub wheel, and there is a risk of improper engagement between the axial end face of the hub wheel and the axial end face of the outer joint member.

[0007] Furthermore, in the wheel bearing device described in Patent Document 1, when assembling the hub wheel and the outer joint member, it is not possible to temporarily fasten the outer joint member by the stem inserted into the inner diameter of the hub wheel, unlike a wheel bearing device in which the inner diameter of the hub wheel and the stem of the outer joint member are spline-fitted. Therefore, when assembling the hub wheel and the outer joint member, it is necessary to screw in the fastening bolts while supporting the outer joint member to prevent it from falling off, which worsens the ease of assembly.

[0008] To address this problem, Patent Document 2 describes a method in which a snap ring is attached to the outer joint member, and when assembling the outer joint member to the hub wheel, the snap ring is hooked onto a step formed on the inner diameter of the hub wheel, thereby preventing the outer joint member from falling off.

[0009] However, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to add a snap ring to prevent the outer joint member from falling off, which increases the number of parts that make up the wheel bearing device.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wheel bearing device that improves the ease of assembly between the hub wheel and the outer joint member without using additional parts, and suppresses the occurrence of assembly defects between the hub wheel and the outer joint member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] That is, the wheel bearing device comprises an outer member having a double row of outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumference, an inner member consisting of a hub ring having a through hole that penetrates axially through its inner diameter and having an inner raceway surface on one axial side opposite to the outer raceway surface on one axial side, and an inner ring fitted to the hub ring and having an inner raceway surface on the other axial side opposite to the outer raceway surface on the other axial side, a double row of rolling elements rotatably housed between the two raceway surfaces of the outer member and the inner member, a mouth portion that is rotatably connected to a shaft, and an outer coupling member having a shaft portion that protrudes axially from the mouth portion and is inserted into the through hole of the hub ring, and formed on the other axial end face of the hub ring A wheel bearing device in which a spline fitting is possible between a hub ring-side spline and a joint-side spline formed on one axial end face of the mouse portion, wherein the hub ring has a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and extends along the circumferential direction, and a notch portion formed by cutting out a part of the convex portion in the circumferential direction, and the outer joint member has a locking projection that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and is passable through the notch portion, and the locking projection and the convex portion can be locked together when the shaft portion is inserted through the through hole and the locking projection passes through the notch portion from the other axial side, and the shaft portion rotates relative to the hub ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the ease of assembly between the hub wheel and the outer joint member can be improved without using additional parts, and the occurrence of assembly defects between the hub wheel and the outer joint member can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]It is a side cross-sectional view showing a wheel bearing device. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a hub ring. [Figure 3] It is a view of the hub ring seen from the inner side in the axial direction. [Figure 4] It is a side cross-sectional view showing a hub ring. [Figure 5] It is a view showing the interval P1 between the hub ring side splines and the circumferential length D of the notch portion. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. [Figure 7] It is a view of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint seen from the outer side in the axial direction. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. [Figure 9] It is a side cross-sectional view showing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. [Figure 10] It is a view showing the interval P2 between the joint side splines and the circumferential length W of the locking projection. [Figure 11] It is a plan view showing the locking projection of the shaft portion. [Figure 12] It is a side view showing the locking projection of the shaft portion. [Figure 13] It is a view showing the procedure when assembling the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint to the hub ring. [Figure 14] It is a plan view showing a modified example of the locking projection.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] [Wheel Bearing Device] The wheel bearing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the wheel bearing device according to the present invention, and rotatably supports a wheel in a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0016] In the following description, "axial direction" refers to the direction along the rotation axis X of the wheel bearing device 1, "radial direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X of the wheel bearing device 1, and "circumferential direction" refers to the direction along the arc centered on the rotation axis X of the wheel bearing device 1. Furthermore, "outer side" refers to one side in the axial direction, which is the wheel side of the wheel bearing device 1 when mounted on the vehicle body, and "inner side" refers to the other side in the axial direction, which is the vehicle body side of the wheel bearing device 1 when mounted on the vehicle body.

[0017] The wheel bearing device 1 comprises an outer ring 2 which is an outer member, a hub ring 3 and an inner ring 4 which are inner members, two rows of inner ball rows 5 and outer ball rows 6 which are rolling rows, an inner sealing member 9, an outer sealing member 10, and an outer joint member 21 of a constant velocity universal joint 20.

[0018] An inner side opening 2a is formed at the inner side end of the outer ring 2, into which the inner side sealing member 9 can be fitted. An outer side opening 2b is formed at the outer side end of the outer ring 2, into which the outer side sealing member 10 can be fitted.

[0019] The annular space S formed by the outer ring 2 and the hub ring 3 is sealed by fitting the inner side sealing member 9 into the inner side opening 2a, which is the inner side opening end of the annular space S, and by fitting the outer side sealing member 10 into the outer side opening 2b, which is the outer side opening end of the annular space S.

[0020] The inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 2 has an inner outer raceway surface 2c and an outer outer raceway surface 2d. The outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 2 has a vehicle body mounting flange 2e integrally formed thereon for attaching the outer ring 2 to the vehicle body side member. The vehicle body mounting flange 2e is provided with bolt holes into which fastening members (in this case, bolts) that fasten the vehicle body side member and the outer ring 2 are inserted.

[0021] A small-diameter stepped portion 3a is formed on the inner end of the outer circumferential surface of the hub wheel 3, which is smaller in diameter than the outer end. A wheel mounting flange 3b for attaching a wheel is integrally formed on the outer end of the hub wheel 3. Multiple bolt holes 3f are formed in the wheel mounting flange 3b. Hub bolts for fastening the hub wheel 3 to a wheel or brake component can be press-fitted into the bolt holes 3f.

[0022] The outer surface of the hub wheel 3 is provided with an inner raceway surface 3c on the outer side, facing the outer raceway surface 2d of the outer ring 2. In other words, the inner raceway surface 3c is formed on the outer side of the inner member by the hub wheel 3. A seal land portion 3d is formed on the base side of the wheel mounting flange 3b of the hub wheel 3, with which the seal lip of the outer side seal member 10 slides.

[0023] A through hole 3e is formed in the inner diameter portion of the hub wheel 3, extending axially. The through hole 3e penetrates the hub wheel 3 in the axial direction.

[0024] An inner ring 4 is provided on the small-diameter stepped portion 3a of the hub wheel 3. The inner ring 4 is fixed to the small-diameter stepped portion 3a of the hub wheel 3 by press-fitting and crimping. The inner ring 4 applies preload to the rolling rows, which consist of the inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6.

[0025] The inner ring 4 has an inner end face 4b at its inner end. A crimped portion 3h is formed at the inner end of the small-diameter stepped portion 3a of the hub ring 3, crimped to the inner end face 4b of the inner ring 4. The inner ring 4 is fixed in the axial direction by the crimped portion 3h.

[0026] The crimped portion 3h is formed by plastically deforming the inner end, which is the axial end of the small-diameter stepped portion 3a, toward the outer diameter. The crimped portion 3h has an inner end face 31 that faces the inner side in the axial direction. A hub wheel side spline 31a is formed on the inner end face 31. The inner end face 31 of the crimped portion 3h is an example of the axial end face of the inner member.

[0027] The outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 4 is provided with an inner raceway surface 4a that faces the outer raceway surface 2c on the inner side of the outer ring 2. In other words, the inner raceway surface 4a is formed on the inner side of the inner member by the inner ring 4.

[0028] The inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6, which are rolling elements, are composed of multiple balls 7, which are rolling elements, held by a retainer 8.

[0029] The inner ball row 5 is rotatably sandwiched between the inner raceway surface 4a of the inner ring 4 and the outer raceway surface 2c on the inner side of the outer ring 2. The outer ball row 6 is rotatably sandwiched between the inner raceway surface 3c of the hub ring 3 and the outer raceway surface 2d on the outer side of the outer ring 2.

[0030] In other words, the inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6 are rotatably housed between the raceway surfaces of the outer and inner members. The inner ring 4 applies preload to the rolling rows, the inner ball row 5 and the outer ball row 6.

[0031] In the wheel bearing device 1, a double-row angular contact ball bearing is constructed from an outer ring 2, a hub ring 3 and an inner ring 4, an inner ball row 5, and an outer ball row 6. Alternatively, the wheel bearing device 1 may be configured with a double-row tapered roller bearing instead of the double-row angular contact ball bearing.

[0032] The constant velocity universal joint 20 comprises an outer joint member 21 having a track groove 25 formed on its inner circumferential surface, an inner joint member 22 having a track groove 22a formed on its outer circumferential surface opposite to the track groove 25, a ball 23 incorporated between the track groove 25 and the track groove 22a, and a cage 24 interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the outer joint member 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner joint member 22 to hold the ball 23. The cage 24 is a retainer for holding the ball 23.

[0033] The outer joint member 21 has a mouth portion 26 that houses the internal components consisting of the inner joint member 22, the ball 23, and the cage 24, and a shaft portion 27 that protrudes from the mouth portion 26 toward the outer side in the axial direction. The track groove 25 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mouth portion 26.

[0034] The shaft end of the shaft 50, which receives driving force from a drive source such as an engine or motor, is press-fitted into the inner coupling member 22. The inner coupling member 22 and the shaft 50 are connected in a manner that allows for torque transmission by spline fitting.

[0035] The mouth portion 26 of the outer joint member 21 supports the shaft 50 so that it can rotate around the rotation axis X via the inner joint member 22, the ball 23, and the cage 24. In other words, the outer joint member 21 is rotationally connected to the shaft 50. The shaft 50 is rotatable around the rotation center P in the mouth portion 26.

[0036] The mouse portion 26 has an outer peripheral surface 261 and an outer end surface 262 located on the outer side of the outer peripheral surface 261. The outer end surface 262 is located at the outer end of the mouse portion 26 and is an end surface that faces the outer side in the axial direction. The outer end surface 262 is an example of an axial one-sided end surface of the mouse portion.

[0037] A joint-side spline 262a is formed on the outer end face 262. The joint-side spline 262a can be spline-fitted with the hub wheel-side spline 31a of the crimped portion 3h on the hub wheel 3. The spline-fitting of the joint-side spline 262a and the hub wheel-side spline 31a allows the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21 to rotate as a single unit.

[0038] The shaft portion 27 is inserted into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3 from the inner side. The shaft portion 27 has a threaded hole 27a that penetrates axially. A female thread is formed in the threaded hole 27a. With the shaft portion 27 inserted into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3, the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21 are fastened together by screwing a bolt 30 into the threaded hole 27a.

[0039] The bolt 30 is inserted into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3 from the outer side, and the head 30a of the bolt 30 engages with the stepped surface 3g formed at the outer end of the through hole 3e. The bolt 30 has a threaded portion 30b at its inner end. A male thread is formed on the threaded portion 30b, and the threaded portion 30b is screwed into the threaded hole 27a of the shaft portion 27.

[0040] In the wheel bearing device 1, when assembling the outer joint member 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 with the hub wheel 3, the shaft portion 27 is inserted into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3 from the inner side, and then a bolt 30 is screwed into the threaded hole 27a to pull the shaft portion 27 to the outer side of the through hole 3e, thereby completing the fastening of the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21.

[0041] The wheel bearing device 1 includes a spline seal 15 that covers the outer circumference of the spline fitting portion between the coupling-side spline 262a and the hub-ring-side spline 31a. The spline seal is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 4 and extends from the inner ring 4 toward the inner side. The inner end of the spline seal is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 261 of the mouth portion 26.

[0042] [Lock-in structure between the through-hole of the hub wheel and the shaft portion of the outer joint member] The shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is configured to be able to lock into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the hub wheel 3 has a protrusion 32 that projects inward from the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 3e and extends along the circumferential direction. The protrusion 32 is located at the inner end of the through hole 3e.

[0044] A portion of the convex portion 32 in the circumferential direction is cut out, and the cut-out portion of the convex portion 32 is formed as a notch portion 32a. In other words, the hub wheel 3 has a notch portion 32a formed by cutting out a portion of the convex portion 32 in the circumferential direction. The circumferential length of the notch portion 32a is D.

[0045] The hub wheel-side spline 31a has a plurality of concave teeth 311 and a plurality of convex teeth 312 formed along the circumferential direction. The concave teeth 311 and convex teeth 312 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0046] In the circumferential direction, the distance between adjacent concave teeth 311 with respect to a convex tooth 312 is P1. The distance P1 can be, for example, the distance between the central parts of the concave teeth 311 in the radial direction. Similarly, the distance between adjacent convex teeth 312 with respect to a concave tooth 311 in the circumferential direction is also P1. In this case, the distance P1 can be, for example, the distance between the central parts of the convex teeth 312 in the radial direction. The distance P1 is an example of the meshing period between the hub wheel side spline and the coupling side spline. The circumferential length D of the notch 32a is formed to be larger than the distance P1.

[0047] As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the outer joint member 21 of the constant velocity universal joint 20 has a locking projection 27b that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 27. The locking projection 27b is located at the outer end of the shaft portion 27.

[0048] The spline 262a on the joint side has a plurality of concave teeth 2621 and a plurality of convex teeth 2622 formed along the circumferential direction. The concave teeth 2621 and convex teeth 2622 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0049] In the circumferential direction, the spacing between adjacent convex teeth 2622 with respect to a concave tooth 2621 is P2. Spacing P2 can be, for example, the spacing between the central parts of the convex teeth 2622 in the radial direction. Similarly, the spacing between adjacent concave teeth 2621 with respect to a convex tooth 2622 in the circumferential direction is also P2. In this case, spacing P2 can be, for example, the spacing between the central parts of the concave teeth 2621 in the radial direction. Spacing P2 and spacing P1 are the same size. Spacing P2 is an example of the meshing period between the hub wheel-side spline and the coupling-side spline. The circumferential length W of the locking projection 27b is formed to be larger than the spacing P2.

[0050] Furthermore, the circumferential length D of the notch 32a in the hub wheel 3 is larger than the circumferential length W of the locking projection 27b in the outer joint member 21. Therefore, in the axial direction, the locking projection 27b can pass through the notch 32a.

[0051] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the locking projection 27b has an inner side surface 271, a large end surface 272, and a small end surface 273. The inner side surface 271 is the inner end surface of the locking projection 27b and faces the inner side. The inner side surface 271 is an example of the other axial side surface of the locking projection.

[0052] The large end face 272 is the surface located at the upstream end of the locking projection 27b in the clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, and faces the upstream side in the clockwise direction. The small end face 273 is the surface located at the downstream end of the locking projection 27b in the clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, and faces the downstream side in the clockwise direction. The axial length L1 of the large end face 272 is formed to be greater than the axial length L2 of the small end face 273 (L1 > L2).

[0053] The inner side surface 271 has an inclined surface 271a, a large end side surface 271b, and a small end side surface 271c. The inclined surface 271a is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction, that is, an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0054] The inclined surface 271a is inclined toward the outer side from the upstream side to the downstream side in a clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction of the locking projection 27b. The large end side surface 271b is located between the large end surface 272 and the inclined surface 271a and is a surface aligned perpendicular to the axial direction. The small end side surface 271c is located between the small end surface 273 and the inclined surface 271a and is a surface aligned perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0055] In the outer joint member 21 and the hub wheel 3, the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is inserted through the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3, and with the locking projection 27b of the shaft portion 27 passing through the notch 32a of the through hole 3e from the inner side to the outer side, the shaft portion 27 rotates circumferentially relative to the hub wheel 3, thereby enabling the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32 of the through hole 3e to be locked together.

[0056] As a result, when assembling the outer joint member 21 and the hub wheel 3, the locking projection 27b of the outer joint member 21 can be locked onto the protrusion 32 of the hub wheel 3, allowing the outer joint member 21 to be temporarily fixed to the hub wheel 3, thereby improving ease of assembly without the use of additional parts.

[0057] [Procedure for assembling the outer joint component to the hub wheel] Next, the procedure for assembling the outer joint member 21 to the hub wheel 3 while engaging the locking projection 27b of the outer joint member 21 with the protrusion 32 of the hub wheel 3 will be described in detail.

[0058] As shown in Figure 13(a), when assembling the outer joint member 21 to the hub wheel 3, first, with the circumferential phase of the notch 32a of the hub wheel 3 and the locking projection 27b of the outer joint member 21 aligned, the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is inserted through the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3, and the locking projection 27b is passed through the notch 32a from the inner side.

[0059] In this case, the circumferential length D of the notch 32a is larger than the circumferential length W of the locking projection 27b on the outer joint member 21, and there are gaps Da between the large end face 272 of the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32, and between the small end face 273 of the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32. Therefore, the locking projection 27b can easily pass through the notch 32a.

[0060] Furthermore, when the locking projection 27b is in a phase that allows it to pass through the notch 32a, the hub-side spline 31a and the joint-side spline 262a are in a state where their phases are aligned, allowing the convex teeth 312 and 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a to come into contact.

[0061] Therefore, when passing the locking projection 27b through the notch 32a, for example, the phase of the convex teeth 312 of the hub wheel side spline 31a and the convex teeth 2622 of the joint side spline 262a must be aligned before the locking projection 27b can be passed through the notch 32a.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13(b), with the small end face 273 of the locking projection 27b passing through the notch 32a, the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is rotated toward the small end face 273, which is in a clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, thereby locking the small end surface 271c of the inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b with the protrusion 32.

[0063] When the small end side surface 271c is engaged with the protrusion 32, the protrusion 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a is positioned in phase with the tooth surface between the protrusion 312 of the hub-side spline 31a and the recessed tooth 311 adjacent to the protrusion 312 in a clockwise direction, and the protrusion 2622 and the tooth surface between the protrusion 312 and the recessed tooth 311 can come into contact.

[0064] The inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b engages with the protrusion 32, thereby holding the outer joint member 21 to the hub wheel 3 and allowing the outer joint member 21 to be temporarily fastened to the hub wheel 3. This improves the workability when screwing the bolt 30 into the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21.

[0065] Furthermore, if the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is rotated toward the large end surface 272, which is in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, while the small end surface 273 of the locking projection 27b has passed through the notch portion 32a, the large end surface 272 of the locking projection 27b will interfere with the protrusion 32, making it impossible to lock the locking projection 27b to the protrusion 32.

[0066] When the small end side surface 271c of the locking projection 27b is locked to the protrusion 32, and the bolt 30 is screwed into the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21, an axial force directed toward the outer side is applied to the shaft portion 27.

[0067] For example, when the small end side surface 271c of the locking projection 27b is locked to the protrusion 32, and the protruding tooth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a is positioned in phase with the tooth surface between the protruding tooth 312 of the hub-side spline 31a and the recessed tooth 311 adjacent to the protruding tooth 312 in a clockwise direction, an axial force is applied to the shaft portion 27, as shown in Figure 13(c), while the inclined surface 271a on the inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b contacts the protrusion 32, the shaft portion 27 rotates in a clockwise direction. In addition, the protruding tooth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a that is in contact with the tooth surface between the protruding tooth 312 and the recessed tooth 311 moves toward the recessed tooth 311 along that tooth surface.

[0068] The shaft portion 27 rotates according to the amount of tightening applied to the bolt 30. When the phases of the convex teeth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a and the concave teeth 311 of the hub-side spline 31a align and the joint-side spline 262a and the hub-side spline 31a engage, the rotation of the shaft portion 27 stops.

[0069] In this way, by screwing the bolt 30 onto the shaft portion 27, the shaft portion 27 rotates until the phases of the convex teeth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a and the concave teeth 311 of the hub-side spline 31a align, and the joint-side spline 262a and the hub-side spline 31a engage. This prevents assembly defects such as poor engagement between the joint-side spline 262a and the hub-side spline 31a.

[0070] Furthermore, since the circumferential length W of the locking projection 27b is larger than the spacing P1 of the hub wheel side splines 31a and the spacing P2 of the joint side splines 262a, the inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b can maintain contact with the protrusion 32 when the shaft portion 27 rotates, and the shaft portion 27 can rotate smoothly until the joint side splines 262a and the hub wheel side splines 31a engage.

[0071] Furthermore, since the inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b has an inclined surface 271a, it is possible to guide the rotation of the shaft portion 27 toward the side where the joint-side spline 262a and the hub wheel-side spline 31a engage, depending on the amount of tightening of the bolt 30 toward the shaft portion 27.

[0072] As shown in Figure 13(d), when the bolt 30 is further tightened against the shaft portion 27, the shaft portion 27 is pulled outward by the bolt 30, completing the fastening of the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21. In the state where the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21 are fastened together by the bolt 30, the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32 are separated in the axial direction.

[0073] In this way, after the hub wheel 3 and the outer joint member 21 are fastened together, the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32 are separated, so that interference between the locking projection 27b and the protrusion 32 during use of the wheel bearing device 1 can be suppressed, preventing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0074] In this embodiment, the notch 32a of the protrusion 32 on the hub wheel 3 is formed in only one location, but the notch 32a can also be formed in multiple locations along the circumferential direction. By forming the notch 32a in multiple locations, it is possible to easily align the phase of the locking projection 27b of the shaft portion 27 and the notch 32a of the protrusion 32 in the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3 when inserting the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 into the through hole 3e of the hub wheel 3.

[0075] Furthermore, if multiple notches 32a are formed in the hub wheel 3, the locking projections 27b of the outer joint member 21 can also be formed in multiple locations corresponding to the locations where the notches 32a are formed. By forming the locking projections 27b in multiple locations in this way, when the bolt 30 is screwed into the shaft portion 27, the locking projections 27b can be brought into contact with multiple locations on the protrusions 32, making it possible to rotate the shaft portion 27 smoothly relative to the hub wheel 3.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner side surface 271 of the locking projection 27b has an inclined surface 271a, a large end side surface 271b, and a small end side surface 271c. However, it is also possible to configure the inner side surface 271 to be formed only by the inclined surface 271a. In this case, when locking the inner side surface 271 to the protrusion 32, the end of the inclined surface 271a on the small end side 273 will be locked to the protrusion 32.

[0077] [Modified examples of locking projections] The locking projection 27b formed on the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 can be formed as shown in Figure 14, as shown in the locking projection 127b. The locking projection 127b differs from the locking projection 27b having one inclined surface 271a in that it has a first inclined surface 1271a and a second inclined surface 1271b with different inclination directions.

[0078] The locking projection 127b has an inner side surface 1271, a first circumferential end surface 1272, and a second circumferential end surface 1273. The inner side surface 1271 is the inner end surface of the locking projection 127b and faces the inner side. The inner side surface 1271 is an example of the axial other side surface of the locking projection.

[0079] The first circumferential end face 1272 is the surface located at the upstream end of the locking projection 127b in the clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, and faces the upstream side in the clockwise direction. The second circumferential end face 1273 is the surface located at the downstream end of the locking projection 127b in the clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, and faces the downstream side in the clockwise direction. The axial length of the first circumferential end face 1272 and the axial length of the second circumferential end face 1273 are formed to be the same.

[0080] The inner side surface 1271 has a first inclined surface 1271a, a second inclined surface 1271b, a central side surface 1271c, a first circumferential end side surface 1271d, and a second circumferential end side surface 1271e. The first inclined surface 1271a and the second inclined surface 1271b are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction, that is, inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0081] The first inclined surface 1271a is inclined towards the outer side as it moves from the downstream side to the upstream side in a clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction of the locking projection 127b. The second inclined surface 1271b is inclined towards the outer side as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in a clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction of the locking projection 127b. The first inclined surface 1271a is located upstream of the second inclined surface 1271b in a clockwise direction.

[0082] The central side surface 1271c is located between the first inclined surface 1271a and the second inclined surface 1271b, and is a surface aligned perpendicular to the axial direction. The first circumferential end side surface 1271d is located between the first circumferential end surface 1272 and the first inclined surface 1271a, and is a surface aligned perpendicular to the axial direction. The second circumferential end side surface 1271e is located between the second circumferential end surface 1273 and the second inclined surface 1271b, and is a surface aligned perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0083] In the case of the locking projection 127b, when the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 is rotated in the circumferential direction to lock the locking projection 27b that has passed through the notch portion 32a of the hub wheel 3 onto the protrusion 32, it is possible to lock both the first circumferential end surface 1271d and the second circumferential end surface 1271e of the inner side surface 1271 onto the protrusion 32.

[0084] In other words, when the second circumferential end surface 1273 of the locking projection 27b has passed through the notch 32a, the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 can be rotated toward the second circumferential end surface 1273, which is in a clockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, thereby locking the second circumferential end surface 1271e of the inner side surface 1271 to the protrusion 32.

[0085] For example, when the second circumferential end surface 1271e is engaged with the protrusion 32, and the protruding tooth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a is positioned in phase with the tooth surface between the protruding tooth 312 of the hub-wheel-side spline 31a and the recessed tooth 311 adjacent to the protruding tooth 312 in a clockwise direction, when a bolt 30 is screwed into the shaft portion 27 and an axial force is applied to the shaft portion 27, the second inclined surface 1271b on the inner side surface 1271 of the locking projection 127b comes into contact with the protrusion 32, and the shaft portion 27 rotates in a clockwise direction. The shaft portion 27 rotates until the joint-side spline 262a and the hub-wheel-side spline 31a are engaged.

[0086] Furthermore, when the first circumferential end surface 1272 of the locking projection 127b has passed through the notch 32a, the shaft portion 27 of the outer joint member 21 can be rotated toward the first circumferential end surface 1272, which is in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the inner side in the axial direction, thereby locking the first circumferential end surface 1271d of the inner side surface 1271 to the protrusion 32.

[0087] For example, when the first circumferential end surface 1271d is engaged with the protrusion 32, and the protruding tooth 2622 of the joint-side spline 262a is positioned in phase with the tooth surface between the protruding tooth 312 of the hub-wheel-side spline 31a and the concave tooth 311 adjacent to the protruding tooth 312 in a counterclockwise direction, when a bolt 30 is screwed into the shaft portion 27 and an axial force is applied to the shaft portion 27, the first inclined surface 1271a on the inner side surface 1271 of the locking projection 127b comes into contact with the protrusion 32, and the shaft portion 27 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The shaft portion 27 rotates until the joint-side spline 262a and the hub-wheel-side spline 31a are engaged.

[0088] Thus, since the locking projection 127b has a first inclined surface 1271a and a second inclined surface 1271b with different inclination directions, the shaft portion 27 can be rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions to engage the spline 262a on the joint side and the spline 31a on the hub wheel side, thereby improving the ease of assembly between the outer joint member 21 and the hub wheel 3.

[0089] In this modified example, the inner side surface 1271 of the locking projection 127b has a first inclined surface 1271a, a second inclined surface 1271b, a central side surface 1271c, a first circumferential end side surface 1271d, and a second circumferential end side surface 1271e. However, it is also possible to configure the inner side surface 1271 to be formed by the first inclined surface 1271a and the second inclined surface 1271b. In this case, when locking the inner side surface 1271 to the protrusion 32, the end of the second inclined surface 1271b on the second circumferential end surface 1273 side, or the end of the first inclined surface 1271a on the first circumferential end surface 1272 side, will be locked to the protrusion 32.

[0090] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, but is merely illustrative. It can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1. Wheel bearing device 2 Outer ring 2c (Inner side) outer raceway surface 2d (Outer side) outer raceway surface 3 Hub wheels 3c Inner raceway surface 3e Through hole 4. Inner Ring 4a Inner raceway surface 5. Inner ball row 6 Outer ball rows 20. Constant velocity universal joint 21 Outer joint member 26 Mouse section 27 Shaft 27b, 127b Locking protrusion 31 Inner end face (of the crimped portion) 31a Hub wheel side spline 32 Convex part 32a Notch 262 (Outer end face of the mouse part) 262a Spline on the joint side 271a Slope 1271a 1st slope 1271b 2nd slope D (Circumferential length of the notch) W (Circumferential length of the locking projection) P1 (Spacing of the splines on the hub wheel side) P2 (Spacing of splines on the joint side)

Claims

1. An outer member having double rows of outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumference, An inner member comprising a hub ring having a through hole that penetrates axially through its inner diameter and having an inner raceway surface on one axial side that is opposite to the outer raceway surface on one axial side, and an inner ring fitted to the hub ring and having an inner raceway surface on the other axial side that is opposite to the outer raceway surface on the other axial side, A double row of rolling elements is rotatably housed between the raceway surfaces of the outer member and the inner member, The device comprises a mouth portion that is rotatably connected to the shaft, and an outer coupling member having a shaft portion that protrudes axially from the mouth portion and is inserted into the through hole of the hub wheel, A wheel bearing device in which a hub wheel-side spline formed on the axial end face of the hub wheel and a coupling-side spline formed on the axial end face of the mouse portion are capable of spline fitting, The hub ring has a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the through hole and extends along the circumferential direction, and a notched portion formed by cutting out a part of the convex portion in the circumferential direction. The outer joint member has a locking projection that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and is capable of passing through the notch portion. A wheel bearing device in which the shaft portion is inserted through the through hole, the locking projection passes through the notch portion from the other axial side, and the shaft portion rotates relative to the hub ring, thereby enabling the locking projection and the protrusion to lock together.

2. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the other axial side of the locking projection has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the shaft portion.

3. The wheel bearing device according to claim 2, wherein the inclined surface comprises a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface having different inclination directions with respect to the circumferential direction of the shaft portion.

4. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential length of the locking projection is greater than the distance between the radial centers of adjacent convex teeth with a concave tooth in the joint-side spline, and the distance between the radial centers of adjacent concave teeth with a convex tooth in the joint-side spline.

5. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential length of the notch is greater than the circumferential length of the locking projection.

6. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the notches of the hub ring are formed at multiple locations along the circumferential direction.

7. The wheel bearing device according to claim 6, wherein the locking projections of the outer joint member are formed at multiple locations corresponding to the locations where the notches are formed.

8. The hub wheel-side spline and the coupling-side spline are, When the locking projection is in a phase that allows it to pass through the notch, the phases of the convex teeth of the hub wheel-side spline and the convex teeth of the joint-side spline can be aligned. The wheel bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking projection and the projection can be locked together when the convex tooth of the joint-side spline is located in phase with the tooth surface between the convex tooth of the hub-wheel-side spline and the concave tooth adjacent to the convex tooth, or when it is located in phase with the concave tooth of the hub-wheel-side spline.

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