Hub bearing assembly method and assembly device

Abstract

To reduce a cost of a third-generation hub bearing.SOLUTION: In second step P2 for combining a first assembly A1 composed of an outer ring 2, a hub ring 4 and a first roller cassette 9A with a first seal member 7A to obtain a second assembly A2, the outer ring 2 and the first roller cassette 9A of the first assembly A1 are supported from a lower side by a first support tool 23 as well as the hub ring 4 is supported from the lower side by a second support tool 24, and next, a cylindrical roller support face Sd disposed at the second support tool 24 is introduced inside the first roller cassette 9A in a radial direction by rise movement of the second support tool 24 by following the separation of the hub ring 4 from the first assembly A1. After that, the first seal member 7A is attached to the outer ring 2 and then the second support tool 24 is descendingly moved by following the re-insertion of a cylinder part 4a of the hub ring 4 into an internal periphery of the outer ring 2, so that a first inside raceway surface 4c is introduced inside the first roller cassette 9A in the radial direction while discharging the roller support face Sd to the lower side of the first roller cassette 9A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling a hub bearing, which supports a wheel of a vehicle such as an automobile so as to be rotatable relative to the vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various types of hub bearings, including the first generation, which uses a combination of double-row rolling bearings, the second generation, in which the outer ring of the rolling bearing is integrally equipped with a vehicle body mounting flange, and the third generation, in which an inner raceway (one of two inner raceways, the inner raceway on the wheel mounting flange side) is formed on the outer periphery of a hub ring which has a wheel mounting flange.The bearing portion of a hub bearing generally uses bearings with a large load capacity that can withstand both radial and axial loads, such as double-row ball bearings or double-row tapered roller bearings.

[0003] For example, Fig. 1 of JP 2000-65049 A (Patent Document 1) shows a third-generation hub bearing that uses a double-row tapered roller bearing in the bearing section. That is, this hub bearing includes a hub ring having an integral cylindrical portion and a flange (wheel mounting flange), an inner ring attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub ring, and an outer ring having an integral vehicle body mounting flange. The first and second outer raceway surfaces, which are conical in shape and formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, face the first inner raceway surface and the second inner raceway surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, respectively, and a plurality of tapered rollers are arranged between these raceway surfaces so as to be able to roll. The hub bearing also includes a first retainer that holds a plurality of tapered rollers arranged (in a first raceway defined between the first outer raceway surface and the first inner raceway surface), a second retainer that holds a plurality of tapered rollers arranged (in a second raceway defined between the second outer raceway surface and the second inner raceway surface), and first and second seal members that seal one end and the other end openings of the outer ring, respectively.

[0004] In a third-generation hub bearing having the above configuration, the wheel mounting flange is integrally formed with the hub ring, and one of the two inner raceways (the first inner raceway) is formed directly, so the number of parts is fewer than that of first- and second-generation hub bearings, which is considered to be advantageous in terms of cost reduction. However, it has been pointed out that the above structure, which is considered to be advantageous in terms of cost reduction, is also a cause of other problems, such as reduced ease of assembly (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below).

[0005] That is, in the hub ring of the third generation hub bearing, the wheel mounting flange and the first inner raceway surface are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction, so that it is practically impossible to attach the first seal member arranged on the flange side after inserting the cylindrical part of the hub ring into the inner circumference of the outer ring (after combining the hub ring and the outer ring). Therefore, in this case, an assembly procedure is adopted in which a roller cassette consisting of a plurality of tapered rollers arranged in the first raceway and a first cage that holds them is first attached to the first outer raceway surface of the outer ring, and then the first seal member is attached to one end of the outer ring in the axial direction, and then the cylindrical part of the hub ring is inserted into the inner circumference of the outer ring. However, when such an assembly procedure is adopted, the tapered rollers fall off the first cage (the tapered rollers move radially inward) until the insertion of the cylindrical part of the hub ring into the inner circumference of the outer ring progresses to a certain extent, and the assembly work requires a lot of effort. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 employs a dedicated first retainer having a structure that allows it to radially engage with the tapered rollers. However, this type of dedicated retainer is more expensive than general retainers (general-purpose retainers) that are widely available, and therefore the cost reduction effect obtained by employing a hub wheel having the above-mentioned structure is diminished.

[0006] Therefore, Patent Document 2 proposes an assembly method in which an assembly is made of an outer ring, a roller cassette, a first seal member, and a retaining ring that supports a number of tapered rollers contained in the roller cassette from the radially inner side, and then the hub wheel is combined with the above assembly while the retaining ring is pushed axially outward by the hub wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-65049 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4513295 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] According to the method of assembling a hub bearing described in Patent Document 2, even if a general-purpose cage is used as the first cage, it is possible to prevent the tapered rollers from falling off the first cage during assembly. However, this assembly method requires time and cost because it is necessary to precisely manufacture the retaining ring, which is a separate member from the components of the hub bearing, and to precisely incorporate this retaining ring into the assembly. In addition, it is necessary to additionally provide a recovery mechanism for recovering the retaining ring that falls off when the assembly is combined with the hub wheel, which inevitably makes the assembly device more complex and larger, and therefore more expensive. Therefore, this is insufficient as a cost reduction measure for third-generation hub bearings, and there is room for improvement.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technical means that can contribute to cost reduction of so-called third generation hub bearings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention, which has been devised to achieve the above object, is a method for assembling a hub bearing including an outer ring having a first outer raceway and a second outer raceway formed on its inner peripheral surface, an inner ring having a second inner raceway formed on its outer peripheral surface facing the second outer raceway, a tubular portion having a first inner raceway formed on its outer peripheral surface facing the first outer raceway, and a flange arranged on one axial side of the first inner raceway, a roller cassette including a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the first outer raceway and the first inner raceway and a cage that holds the plurality of tapered rollers at predetermined circumferential intervals, and a seal member that seals an end opening on one axial side of the outer ring, the method including a first step of obtaining a first assembly in which the outer ring, the hub ring, and the roller cassette are combined, and a second step of obtaining a second assembly in which the first assembly and the seal member are combined, (1) In a first assembly in a vertical position in which an outer ring is disposed below a flange of a hub wheel, the outer ring and roller cassette are supported from below by a first support, and the cylindrical portion of the hub wheel is supported from below by a second support that can be raised and lowered relative to the first support while preventing separation from the first support, and then (2) Following the separation of the hub wheel from the first assembly in the vertical position, the second support is moved upward relative to the first support, thereby introducing a cylindrical roller support surface provided on the second support into the radially inner side of the roller cassette, and then, (3) After a sealing member is attached to the outer ring, the second support is moved downward relative to the first support in response to re-insertion of the cylindrical portion of the hub wheel into the inner circumference of the outer ring, thereby ejecting the roller support surface to the underside of the roller cassette and introducing the first inner raceway surface to the radially inner side of the roller cassette.

[0011] According to the method of assembling a hub bearing (third generation hub bearing) of the present invention, even if a general-purpose retainer 8 having the structure shown in Figures 2 and 3 is used as the retainer rather than the dedicated retainer described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to carry out the assembly work of the hub bearing while preventing the tapered rollers from falling off the retainer until the second assembly is produced, which is structurally virtually free of the possibility of the tapered rollers falling off radially inward of the retainer.

[0012] To explain more specifically, first, in the first step of obtaining a first assembly in which the outer ring, hub ring, and roller cassette are combined, the tapered rollers can be prevented from falling off by the (first inner raceway surface formed on) outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub ring arranged radially inward of the roller cassette. Also, in the above work stage (1) of the second step, the tapered rollers can be prevented from falling off by the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub ring (first inner raceway surface) as in the first step, in the above work stage (2) of the second step, the tapered rollers can be prevented from falling off by the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub ring (first inner raceway surface) and the roller support surface of the second support, and further, in the above work stage (3) of the second step, the tapered rollers can be prevented from falling off by the roller support surface of the second support and the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the hub ring (first inner raceway surface). Therefore, by using a general-purpose cage for the cage, it is possible to simultaneously reduce parts costs and improve assembly workability by preventing the tapered rollers from falling off during assembly work.

[0013] Also, the supports (first and second supports) used in the second step support the first assembly, which is a combination of the outer ring, hub wheel, and roller cassette, from below, so there is no need for assembly as in the case of using the retaining ring described in Patent Document 2, and further, because the second support provided with a roller support surface moves up and down relative to the first support while being restricted from separating from the first support, there is no need to provide a retaining ring recovery process or recovery device, which are indispensable when using the above-mentioned retaining ring. For these reasons, the method of assembling a hub bearing according to the present invention can contribute to reducing the cost of the hub bearing.

[0014] In the above configuration, one possible technical means for raising and lowering the second support relative to the first support is to interpose an elastic member between the first support and the second support and to cause this elastic member to expand and contract.

[0015] It is preferable that the support from below of the roller cassette by the first support tool in the second step is performed by supporting (only) the cage, without supporting the plurality of tapered rollers.

[0016] The above object can also be achieved by employing the hub bearing assembly device according to the present invention. That is, the hub bearing assembly device according to the present invention is an assembly device for a hub bearing including the above-mentioned outer ring, inner ring, hub ring, roller cassette and seal member, comprising: The first assembly is formed by combining the outer ring, hub wheel and roller cassette in a vertical position with the outer ring positioned below the flange of the hub wheel, and includes a first support that supports the outer ring and roller cassette from below, and a second support that is arranged to be able to rise and fall relative to the first support while separation from the first support is restricted, and supports the tubular portion of the hub wheel in the vertical position from below, wherein the second support moves upward relative to the first support as the hub wheel is separated from the vertical position first assembly until a roller support surface provided on its outer peripheral surface is positioned radially inside the roller cassette, and moves downward relative to the first support as the tubular portion of the hub wheel is reinserted into the inner circumference of the outer ring so that the roller support surface is discharged to the bottom of the roller cassette.

[0017] The hub bearing assembly method of the present invention can be adopted in any hub bearing assembly device having the above-described configuration, and therefore it is possible to enjoy the same effects as when the hub bearing assembly method of the present invention is adopted. Effect of the Invention

[0018] As described above, the present invention can contribute to reducing the cost of so-called third generation hub bearings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a hub bearing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a general-purpose cage that constitutes the first roller cassette. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first roller cassette. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of an assembly process for the hub bearing shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of a first process. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the end of a first process. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the assembly device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the start stage of the second process. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of the second step. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of the second step. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a partial plan view seen from the direction of the arrow F in the same figure. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] First, an example of a hub bearing obtained by applying the assembly method according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The hub bearing 1 shown in the figure comprises an outer ring 2, an inner ring 3, a hub ring 4, a first roller cassette 9A and a second roller cassette 9B as "roller cassettes" according to the present invention, and a first seal member 7A and a second seal member 7B as "seal members" according to the present invention as main components. The annular space defined between the inner ring 3 and the hub ring 4 and the outer ring 2 is filled with a lubricant such as grease (not shown).

[0022] The outer ring 2 integrally has a cylindrical tube portion 2a and a flange 2b extending radially outward from its outer peripheral surface. The flange 2b functions as a mounting portion for mounting the outer ring 2 to a vehicle body (a knuckle extending from a suspension device of the vehicle body) not shown. A first outer raceway surface 2c and a second outer raceway surface 2d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tube portion 2a. The first outer raceway surface 2c has an inclined surface (cone surface) shape with an end portion on one axial side (outboard side) located radially outward from an end portion on the other axial side (inboard side), and the second outer raceway surface 2d has a cone surface shape with an end portion on one axial side located radially inward from an end portion on the other axial side. The above-mentioned "outboard side" and "inboard side" respectively mean the sides that are the outer side and the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the hub bearing 1 is mounted on the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the left side of the paper is the outboard side, and the right side of the paper is the inboard side.

[0023] The hub ring 4 has a cylindrical portion 4a, on whose outer circumferential surface is formed a first inner raceway surface 4c shaped like a cone, which faces the first outer raceway surface 2c of the outer ring 2, and a cylindrical inner ring mounting surface 4d, and a flange 4b ​​extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 4a. The flange 4b ​​and the inner ring mounting surface 4d are provided on one axial side and the other axial side of the first inner raceway surface 4c, respectively. A bolt mounting hole 4e into which a bolt member 10 is mounted is formed in the flange 4b, and the hub ring 4 is attached to a wheel (not shown) using the bolt member 10. Although not shown, the shaft portion of an outer joint member constituting a constant velocity universal joint is connected to the center hole of the hub ring 4 so as to be able to transmit torque.

[0024] A conical second inner raceway surface 3a facing the second outer raceway surface 2d of the outer ring 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 3 mounted on the inner ring mounting surface 4d of the hub ring 4. The inner ring 3 is fixed to the hub ring 4 by being clamped from both axial sides between a crimped portion 11 formed on the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub ring 4 and a shoulder surface 4f of the hub ring 4 (a step surface provided between the first inner raceway surface 4c and the inner ring mounting surface 4d).

[0025] The first roller cassette 9A as a "roller cassette" comprises a plurality of tapered rollers 5 interposed in a first raceway 12 between the first outer raceway surface 2c and the first inner raceway surface 4c, and a first cage 6A that holds the plurality of tapered rollers 5 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The second roller cassette 9B comprises a plurality of tapered rollers 5 interposed in a second raceway 13 between the second outer raceway surface 2d and the second inner raceway surface 3a, and a second cage 6B that holds the plurality of tapered rollers 5 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0026] For the first cage 6A and the second cage 6B, a general cage (general-purpose cage 8) that is widely distributed as a cage for tapered rollers is adopted. The general-purpose cage 8 is a cage that, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, is integrally provided with a large-diameter annular portion 8a and a small-diameter annular portion 8b that are spaced apart in the axial direction, a plurality of pillar portions 8c that connect the two annular portions 8a, 8b, and an annular rib 8d that protrudes radially inward from the radially inner end of the small-diameter annular portion 8b, and has a trapezoidal window-shaped pocket portion 8e that houses (holds) the tapered rollers 5 between two circumferentially adjacent pillar portions 8c, 8c.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the first roller cassette 9A consisting of the first cage 6A (general-purpose cage 8) and a plurality of tapered rollers 5. As shown in the figure, the column portion 8c of the general-purpose cage 8 is arranged radially outward from the circular orbit X formed by connecting the centers (rolling centers) of the tapered rollers 5 housed in the pocket portion 8e. In addition, the opening dimension of the pocket portion 8e (the distance between two column portions 8c, 8c adjacent in the circumferential direction) gradually decreases toward the radially outward, and the opening dimension W1 of the inner diameter end portion at each axial portion of the pocket portion 8e is smaller than the diameter dimension W2 at each axial portion of the corresponding tapered roller 5. With the above configuration, in the first roller cassette 9A, the tapered rollers 5 do not move radially outward (fall off), but depending on the posture of the first roller cassette 9A, the tapered rollers 5 fall off radially inward. The second roller cassette 9B is similar to the first roller cassette 9A.

[0028] The first seal member 7A seals an end opening on one axial side of the outer ring 2, and the second seal member 7B seals an end opening on the other axial side of the outer ring 2. This prevents grease filled in the annular space between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 3 and hub ring 4 from leaking out, and prevents foreign matter from entering the annular space. Either a so-called contact type or a non-contact type may be used for the first seal member 7A and the second seal member 7B, but here, the contact type is used for both seal members 7A, 7B.

[0029] The hub bearing 1 having the above configuration is as shown in FIG. A first step P1 for obtaining a first assembly A1 (see FIG. 8) in which the outer ring 2, the hub ring 4 and the first roller cassette 9A are combined; A second step P2 for obtaining a second assembly A2 (see FIG. 13) in which the first assembly A1 and a first seal member 7A for sealing an end opening on one axial side of the outer ring 2 are combined; a third step P3 for obtaining a third assembly in which the second assembly A2, the inner ring 3 and the second roller cassette 9B are combined; and The assembly is completed by going through a fourth process P4 in which the second seal member 7B is attached to the third assembly. In reality, a first grease filling process for filling the first raceway 12 with grease is carried out between the second step P2 and the third step P3, and a second grease filling process for filling the second raceway 13 with grease is carried out between the third step P3 and the fourth step P4, but both grease filling processes are omitted from illustration in FIG. 4.

[0030] Hereinafter, the first step P1 and the second step P2, which are the essence of the assembly method according to the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 5 to 13).

[0031] [1st process P1] In this first process P1, first, the first roller cassette 9A is produced. As shown in FIG. 5, the first roller cassette 9A is completed by arranging a general-purpose cage 8 as the first cage 6A in a vertical position with the small diameter annular portion 8b disposed on the lower side, and then assembling tapered rollers 5 one by one into each pocket portion 8e of the general-purpose cage 8. By producing the roller cassette 9A in this manner, it is possible to prevent the tapered rollers 5 from falling off to the radially inner side of the general-purpose cage 8. The second roller cassette 9B is also produced in the same procedure as the first roller cassette 9A.

[0032] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 is inserted into the inner circumference of the first roller cassette 9A through the upper opening of the first roller cassette 9A to prepare a subassembly 14 in which the first roller cassette 9A and the hub wheel 4 are combined. The subassembly 14 is turned upside down in a state in which disassembly (the hub wheel 4 and the first roller cassette 9A are prevented from moving apart relative to each other) is restricted (for example, in a state in which the flange 4b ​​of the hub wheel 4 and the first retainer 6A are clamped by a chuck mechanism). As a result, the subassembly 14 is placed in a state in which the flange 4b ​​of the hub wheel 4 is disposed on the lower side, as shown in FIG. 6. The above-mentioned first roller cassette 9A and the subassembly 14 are prepared in a state in which the small diameter annular portion 8b of the general-purpose retainer 8 is supported from below by the support member 15. The support member 15 may be a claw member of a chuck mechanism, or may be another member.

[0033] 6, the outer ring 2 in a vertical orientation with the first outer raceway surface 2c on the bottom is placed above the subassembly 14 in a vertical orientation with the flange 4b ​​of the hub wheel 4 on the bottom, and then the two are moved relatively close to each other to assemble the outer ring 2 and the subassembly 14 so that the first roller cassette 9A is positioned between the first outer raceway surface 2c and the first inner raceway surface 4c. This results in a first assembly A1 (see FIG. 8, etc.) in which the outer ring 2, hub wheel 4 and first roller cassette 9A are assembled.

[0034] [Second process P2] The second process P2 is performed using an assembly device 20 shown in Fig. 7. The assembly device 20 includes a base member 21, a first support 23 on a stationary side supported on the base member 21 via a spacer member 22, a second support 24 on a movable side that moves up and down relative to the first support 23, a coil spring (compression coil spring) 25 as an elastic member, and a nut member 26.

[0035] The first support 23 has a cylindrical portion 23a, a flange portion 23b extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 23a, and an engagement portion 23c extending radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 23a and capable of engaging with the nut member 26. The flange portion 23b is provided with an outer ring support surface Sa capable of supporting from below the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 2a of the outer ring 2 of the first assembly A1 (specifically, the first assembly A1 in a vertical position in which the outer ring 2 is disposed below the flange 4b ​​of the hub wheel 4 as shown in FIG. 8) set in the assembly device 20. In addition, the cylindrical portion 23a is provided with a retainer support surface Sb capable of supporting from below the other axial end of the first retainer 6A of the first roller cassette 9A constituting the first assembly A1. Note that the first support 23 is not provided with a support surface for supporting the tapered rollers 5 constituting the first roller cassette 9A. In other words, the tapered rollers 5 constituting the first assembly A1 are not supported by the first support tool 23 during the execution of the second step P2.

[0036] 11, it becomes possible to support the outer ring 2 and the first roller cassette 9A from below by the first support 23 with a gap Z interposed between the tapered rollers 5 and the first outer raceway surface 2c of the outer ring 2. For this reason, for example, when re-inserting the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 into the inner circumference of the outer ring 2 in the second step P2 (details will be described later), it is possible to effectively reduce the possibility that the tapered rollers 5 will be pressed strongly against the first outer raceway surface 2c, resulting in defects such as scratches on the tapered rollers 5 and / or the first outer raceway surface 2c.

[0037] The second support 24 has a bottomed cylindrical cup portion 24a that is open at the top and a shaft portion 24b that extends axially outward (downward) from the outer bottom surface of the cup portion 24a, and the entire second support 24 is disposed radially inside the tube portion 23a of the first support 23. The free end of the shaft portion 24b protrudes downward from the engaging portion 23c of the first support 23, and a nut member 26 is fixed to the outer periphery of this protruding portion. With this configuration, separation of the first support 23 and the second support 24 is restricted. A coil spring 25 as an elastic member is fitted onto the shaft portion 24b and is interposed between the cup portion 24a and the engaging portion 23c of the first support 23. With this configuration, the second support 24 is elastically supported by the first support 23 via the coil spring 25.

[0038] The second support 24 is provided with a hub wheel support surface Sc capable of supporting the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 constituting the first assembly A1 from below. In this embodiment, the hub wheel support surface Sc is formed by the upper end surface (opening side end surface) of the cup portion 24a, and supports the shoulder surface 4f of the hub wheel 4. In addition, the cup portion 24a is provided with a cylindrical roller support surface Sd. In this embodiment, of the outer circumferential surface of the cup portion 24a, a region that protrudes above the cage support surface Sb of the first support 23 when no vertical load is applied to the second support 24 (when the second support 24 is not supporting the hub wheel 4) functions as the roller support surface Sd.

[0039] The roller support surface Sd is a surface capable of supporting the multiple tapered rollers 5 constituting the first roller cassette 9A from the radially inner side, in other words, a surface that prevents the multiple tapered rollers 5 from falling off radially inward. For this reason, the outer diameter dimension D of the outer circumferential surface of the cup portion 24a that functions as the roller support surface Sd is set to be the same as the diameter dimension of the roller inscribed circle Y shown in Fig. 12 or to be slightly smaller than the diameter dimension of the roller inscribed circle Y. The roller inscribed circle Y is a circular orbit that connects the inner diameter end portions of each tapered roller 5 on the other axial side (small end face side).

[0040] The assembling apparatus 20 generally has the above-described configuration, and the first assembly A1 obtained in the first process P1 is combined with the first seal member 7A in the following manner.

[0041] First, as shown in FIG. 8, the first assembly A1 in a vertical position in which the outer ring 2 is disposed below the flange 4b ​​of the hub wheel 4 (more specifically, the first assembly A1 held in the above-mentioned vertical position with the relative movement away from each other of the outer ring 2 and the hub wheel 4 restricted) is placed above the assembly device 20, and then the first assembly A1 is moved downward to set the first assembly A1 on the assembly device 20.

[0042] When the first assembly A1 arranged above the assembly device 20 is moved downward, first the shoulder surface 4f of the hub wheel 4 comes into contact with the hub wheel support surface Sc of the second support 24. As described above, the second support 24 is elastically supported by the first support 23 via the coil spring 25. Therefore, after the hub wheel 4 comes into contact with the second support 24, the second support 24 moves downward relative to the first support 23 in response to the downward movement of the first assembly A1, and the coil spring 25 interposed between the first support 23 and the second support 24 is compressed (see FIG. 9). 9, the downward movement of the first assembly A1 is stopped when the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 2a of the outer ring 2 of the first assembly A1 abuts against the outer ring support surface Sa of the first support tool 23 and the other axial end of the first roller cassette 9A (first retainer 6A) abuts against the retainer support surface Sb of the first support tool 23. As a result, the first assembly A1 is set in the assembly device 20 with the outer ring 2 and the first roller cassette 9A supported from below by the first support tool 23 and the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 supported from below by the second support tool 24.

[0043] The setting work of the first assembly A1 on the assembly device 20 described above is performed in a state in which the first inner raceway surface 4c of the hub wheel 4 is disposed radially inside the first roller cassette 9A (in a state in which the first roller cassette 9A is disposed between the first outer raceway surface 2c of the outer ring 2 and the first inner raceway surface 4c of the hub wheel 4). Therefore, when this work is performed, the tapered rollers 5 do not fall off radially inside the first cage 6A made of the general-purpose cage 8.

[0044] Next, as shown in Fig. 10, the hub wheel 4 (only) of the first assembly A1 set on the assembly device 20 is moved upward to separate (remove) the hub wheel 4 from the first assembly A1 set on the assembly device 20. When the hub wheel 4 is moved upward, the vertical load applied to the second support 24, i.e., the compressive load acting on the coil spring 25, is simultaneously removed, so that the coil spring 25 elastically expands and deforms, and a force (elastic restoring force of the coil spring 25) that moves the second support 24 upward acts on the cup portion 24a of the second support 24. Therefore, when the hub wheel 4 is moved upward, the second support 24 moves upward relative to the first support 23, following the upward movement of the hub wheel 4, until it returns to the origin (the position shown in Fig. 7). Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, a cylindrical roller support surface Sd provided on the cup portion 24a of the second support tool 24 is introduced to the radially inner side of the first roller cassette 9A.

[0045] The above-described separation (removal) operation of the hub wheel 4 is first performed with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 positioned radially inside the first roller cassette 9A, and then with the roller support surface Sd of the second support 24 positioned radially inside the first roller cassette 9A. Therefore, even when this operation is performed, the tapered rollers 5 will not fall off radially inside the first cage 6A.

[0046] Although not shown in the figure, after separating the hub wheel 4 from the first assembly A1, the first seal member 7A is attached to one axial end of the outer ring 2 while maintaining the state shown in Figures 10 and 11, i.e., the cylindrical roller support surface Sd positioned radially inside the first roller cassette 9A.

[0047] Although not shown in the figures, once the work of attaching the first seal member 7A to the outer ring 2 is completed, the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 (the hub wheel 4 separated from the first assembly A1) is reinserted into the inner periphery of the outer ring 2. This results in the second assembly A2 shown in Figure 13, that is, the second assembly A2 in which the outer ring 2, hub wheel 4, first seal member 7A and first roller cassette 9A are combined.

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, the coil spring 25 is interposed between the second support 24 and the first support 23 as an elastic member, so that when a vertical load acts on the second support 24 as the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 is reinserted into the inner periphery of the outer ring 2, the second support 24 moves downward following the reinsertion of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4, similar to the case of setting the first assembly A1 in the assembly device 20 (see Figs. 8 and 9). Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 is reinserted into the inner periphery of the outer ring 2, the cylindrical roller support surface Sd provided on the second support 24 is ejected below the first roller cassette 9A, while the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 (the first inner raceway surface 4c formed thereon) is introduced to the radially inner side of the first roller cassette 9A.

[0049] The above-described installation work of the first seal member 7A and the reinsertion work of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 are first performed with the cylindrical roller support surface Sd positioned radially inside the first roller cassette 9A, and then with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub wheel 4 positioned radially inside the first roller cassette 9A. Therefore, even when these operations are performed, the tapered rollers 5 will not fall off radially inside the first cage 6A.

[0050] [3rd Process P1 and 4th Process] Although not shown in the figure, in the third step P1, the second roller cassette 9B and the inner ring 3 are assembled to the second assembly A2 obtained as described above. Specifically, first, the second assembly A2 is turned upside down, and then the second roller cassette 9B and the inner ring 3 are inserted between the second outer raceway surface 2d of the outer ring 2 and the inner ring mounting surface 4d of the hub ring 4. Next, the end of the other axial side of the cylindrical portion 4a of the hub ring 4 is bent radially outward to form the crimped portion 11. This results in a third assembly in which the second roller cassette 9B and the inner ring 3 are assembled to the second assembly A2. Then, in the fourth step P4, the second seal member 7B is assembled between the outer ring 2 and the inner ring 3 that constitute the third assembly. This completes the hub bearing 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0051] As explained above, according to the method (and apparatus) for assembling the hub bearing 1 of the present invention, even when the universal cage 8 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is used as the first cage 6A constituting the first roller cassette 9A, it is possible to carry out the assembly work of the hub bearing 1 while preventing the tapered rollers 5 from falling off the first cage 6A until the second assembly A2 is fabricated, which structurally substantially eliminates the possibility that the tapered rollers 5 constituting the first roller cassette 9A will fall off to the radially inward side of the first cage 6A. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously achieve a reduction in parts costs by using the universal cage 8 for the first cage 6A and an improvement in the ease of assembly by preventing the tapered rollers 5 from falling off during the assembly work of the hub bearing 1.

[0052] Also, the first support 23 and second support 24 used in the second process P2 support the first assembly A1, which is made up of the outer ring 2, hub wheel 4 and first roller cassette 9A, from below, so there is no need for the time and effort of assembly that is required when using the retaining ring described in Patent Document 2, and further, the second support 24, which is provided with the cylindrical roller support surface Sd, moves up and down relative to the first support 23 in a state where separation from the first support 23 is restricted, so there is no need to provide a retaining ring recovery process or recovery device, which are indispensable when using the above retaining ring. From the above, the method and apparatus for assembling the hub bearing 1 according to the present invention can greatly contribute to reducing the cost of the hub bearing 1.

[0053] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0054] For example, in the embodiment described above, the coil spring 25 is interposed between the first support 23 on the stationary side and the second support 24 on the movable side, and the second support 24 is moved up and down in accordance with the expansion and contraction deformation of the coil spring 25, but it is also possible to move the second support 24 up and down in a different manner. Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to connect the second support 24 to an output member of a linear actuator, and move the second support 24 up and down by linearly moving the output member. In addition, in the configuration of the present invention, it is essential that the second support 24 is moved down at the same time as a vertical load is applied to the second support 24, and then the second support 24 is moved up at the same time as the vertical load is removed. Therefore, when a linear actuator is used instead of an elastic member (coil spring 25), it is preferable to install, for example, a pressure sensor or a load sensor on the second support 24.

[0055] When using a linear actuator as described above to raise and lower the first support 23 and the second support 24 relative to each other, it is also possible to make the first support 23 the movable side and the second support 24 the stationary side. In other words, by connecting a linear actuator to the first support 23 and raising and lowering the first support 23 relative to the second support 24 at an appropriate timing, the hub bearing 1 (second assembly A2) can be assembled in the same manner as in the embodiment described above.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes the equivalent meanings of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Hub bearing 2 Outer ring 2c 1st outer raceway surface 2d 2nd outer raceway surface 3. Inner Circle 3a 2nd inner raceway surface 4 Hub Wheel 4a Cylindrical part 4b flange 4c 1st inner raceway surface 4f shoulder surface 5 Tapered roller 6A 1st cage (cage) 7A First sealing member (sealing member) 8 General-purpose cage 9A First Roller Cassette 20 Assembly Equipment 23 1st support 24 Second support 25 Coil spring (elastic member) A1 First Assembly A2 2nd Assembly P1 1st process P2 2nd process Sa Outer ring support surface Sb cage support surface Sc Hub support surface Sd Roller support surface Y Roller inscribed circle

Claims

1. an outer ring having a first outer raceway and a second outer raceway formed on an inner circumferential surface; an inner ring having an outer circumferential surface formed with a second inner raceway surface facing the second outer raceway surface; a hub wheel having integrally therewith a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having a first inner raceway surface formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to face the first outer raceway surface, and a flange provided on one axial side of the first inner raceway surface; a roller cassette including a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the first outer raceway surface and the first inner raceway surface, and a cage that holds the plurality of tapered rollers at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction; a seal member that seals an end opening on one axial side of the outer ring, a first step of obtaining a first assembly in which the outer ring, the hub wheel and the roller cassette are combined, and a second step of obtaining a second assembly in which the first assembly and the seal member are combined, wherein in the second step, In the first assembly in a vertical position in which the outer ring is disposed below the flange of the hub wheel, the outer ring and the roller cassette are supported from below by a first support, and a cylindrical portion of the hub wheel is supported from below by a second support that is movable up and down relative to the first support while being restricted from separating from the first support, Next, the second support is moved upward relative to the first support in accordance with the separation of the hub wheel from the first assembly in a vertical position, thereby introducing a cylindrical roller support surface provided on the second support into the radially inner side of the roller cassette; a sealing member attached to the outer ring, and then, in response to re-inserting the cylindrical portion of the hub wheel into the inner circumference of the outer ring, the second support is moved downward relative to the first support, thereby ejecting the roller support surface to the bottom side of the roller cassette while introducing the first inner raceway surface to the radially inner side of the roller cassette.

2. 2. The method for assembling a hub bearing according to claim 1, wherein the second support moves up and down relative to the first support due to expansion and contraction deformation of an elastic member interposed between the first support and the second support.

3. 2. The method for assembling a hub bearing according to claim 1, wherein the support from below of the roller cassette by the first support tool is performed by supporting the cage without supporting the plurality of tapered rollers.

4. an outer ring having a first outer raceway and a second outer raceway formed on an inner circumferential surface; an inner ring having an outer circumferential surface formed with a second inner raceway surface facing the second outer raceway surface; a hub wheel having integrally therewith a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having a first inner raceway surface formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to face the first outer raceway surface, and a flange provided on one axial side of the first inner raceway surface; a roller cassette including a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the first outer raceway surface and the first inner raceway surface, and a cage that holds the plurality of tapered rollers at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction; a seal member that seals an end opening on one axial side of the outer ring, a first support member that supports the outer ring and the roller cassette from below in a first assembly in which the outer ring, the hub wheel, and the roller cassette are combined in a vertical position with the outer ring disposed below a flange of the hub wheel; and a second support provided to be movable up and down relative to the first support in a state in which separation from the first support is restricted, and supporting a cylindrical portion of the hub wheel of the first assembly in a vertical position from a lower side, a hub bearing assembly device characterized in that the second support moves upward relative to the first support in response to the hub wheel being separated from the first assembly in a vertical position, so that a roller support surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second support is positioned radially inward of the roller cassette, and then the second support moves downward relative to the first support in response to the cylindrical portion of the hub wheel being reinserted into the inner circumference of the outer ring having the sealing member attached thereto, thereby ejecting the roller support surface to the bottom of the roller cassette while introducing the first inner raceway surface of the hub wheel to the radially inward side of the roller cassette.

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