Tapered roller bearings and cages

Abstract

Provided is a tapered roller bearing 1 including an inner ring 2, an outer ring 3, a plurality of tapered rollers 4 that roll on an inner ring track 21 and an outer ring track 31 while being in contact with these tracks, and a ring-like retainer 5B having a plurality of pockets 9 that accommodate the tapered rollers 4. The retainer 5B has: a plurality of first side faces 8a that respectively face outer peripheral surfaces 43 of the tapered rollers 4, which are accommodated in the plurality of pockets 9, from one side in the circumferential direction of the retainer 5B; and a plurality of second side faces 8b that respectively face the outer peripheral surfaces 43 of the tapered rollers 4 from the other side in the circumferential direction of the retainer 5B. The plurality of pockets 9 include: first pockets 9C in each of which the angle formed by the first side face 8a and the second side face 8b is a first angle θ1; and second pockets 9D in each of which the angle formed by the first side face 8a and the second side face 8b is a second angle θ2 that is smaller than the first angle θ1.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tapered roller bearing and a cage. This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2020-169083, filed on October 6, 2020, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a tapered roller bearing. The tapered roller bearing comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, multiple tapered rollers, and an annular cage. The cage has multiple pockets that house the tapered rollers, and holds the tapered rollers at intervals in the circumferential direction. When assembling the tapered roller bearing, each pocket has a retaining portion that can come into contact with the tapered roller from the radially outward direction to prevent the tapered rollers housed in the pockets from falling out radially outward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-221592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A tapered roller bearing is assembled as follows. As shown in Figure 15A, tapered rollers 109 are placed in each pocket 102 of a cage 101 to obtain a set 100 of a plurality of tapered rollers 109 and cage 101. Set 100 is then brought axially close to an inner ring 108, and set 100 and inner ring 108 are assembled together. In set 100, the diameter Di of the inscribed circle of small diameter portions 109a of the plurality of tapered rollers 109 is smaller than the outer diameter Dc of a small rib portion 107 of inner ring 108. For this reason, during the process of assembling set 100 and inner ring 108 (see Figure 15B), small diameter portions 109a of tapered rollers 109 must move over small rib portion 107, and are therefore displaced radially outward. However, the displacement is restricted by the retaining portion 103 of the pocket 102, and the work of assembling the set 100 and the inner ring 108 is not easy.

[0005] Therefore, the inner ring 108 is pressed axially against the retainer 101 of the set 100 with a large force using a press or the like, forcing the small diameter side portions 109a of the tapered rollers 109 to climb over the small flange portions 107. At this time, the tapered rollers 109 press the retaining portions 103, causing the retainer 101 to elastically deform in the diameter expansion direction. The above assembly method provides an inner ring unit that integrates the inner ring 108, cage 101, and tapered rollers 109. An outer ring is assembled to the inner ring unit to complete the tapered roller bearing.

[0006] When the small diameter side portion 109a of the tapered roller 109 passes over the small flange portion 107, an excessive force acts on the cage 101. Therefore, if the deformation of the cage 101 exceeds the allowable range, the cage 101 may be whitened or plastically deformed, or may crack.

[0007] One possible solution is to make the retaining portion 103 smaller or to reduce the protruding height of the retaining portion 103. This increases the allowable displacement of the tapered rollers 109, making it easier to assemble the set 100 and the inner ring 108. However, in this case, when the inner ring unit is formed by assembling the set 100 and the inner ring 108, the tapered rollers 109 are allowed to displace significantly, and at the same time, the cage 101 is also allowed to displace significantly. As a result, the tapered rollers 109 of the inner ring unit will climb over the small rib portion 107 and fall out of the pocket 102, increasing the possibility that the inner ring 108, tapered rollers 109, and cage 101 will come apart.

[0008] As described above, if the work of assembling the set 100 and the inner ring 108 is made easier by, for example, making the retaining portion 103 smaller, the inner ring unit consisting of the inner ring 108, tapered rollers 109, and cage 101 becomes more likely to come apart. Conversely, if the inner ring unit is made more difficult to come apart by, for example, making the retaining portion 103 larger, the work of assembling the set 100 and the inner ring 108 becomes more difficult.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a tapered roller bearing and retainer that can easily assemble a set of a retainer and multiple tapered rollers with an inner ring, while making it difficult for the inner ring unit obtained by assembling the set with the inner ring to come apart. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The tapered roller bearing of the present disclosure is a tapered roller bearing comprising: an inner ring having, on its outer peripheral side, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner peripheral side; a plurality of tapered rollers that roll in contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; and an annular retainer having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers, wherein the retainer has a plurality of first side faces that face the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets from one circumferential side of the retainer and a plurality of second side faces that face the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets, and the plurality of pockets include first pockets where the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a first angle, and second pockets where the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

[0011] The retainer disclosed herein is a retainer for a tapered roller bearing comprising an inner ring having, on its outer circumferential side, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway, an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner circumferential side, and a plurality of tapered rollers in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, the retainer having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers, a plurality of first side faces each facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets from one circumferential side of the retainer, and a plurality of second side faces each facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets from the other circumferential side of the retainer, and the plurality of pockets including first pockets in which the angle formed between the first side face and the second side face is a first angle, and second pockets in which the angle formed between the first side face and the second side face is a second angle smaller than the first angle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve both an easier process of assembling an inner ring with a set of a cage and multiple tapered rollers, and a less likely inner ring unit obtained by assembling the set with the inner ring to come apart. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including a first pocket showing an example of a tapered roller bearing. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including a first pocket showing an example of a tapered roller bearing. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including a second pocket showing an example of a tapered roller bearing. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including a second pocket showing an example of a tapered roller bearing. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cage according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a first pocket of the cage according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a second pocket of the cage according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cage according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a first pocket, as viewed along the roller axial direction. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second pocket, as viewed along the roller axial direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cage according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 3 is an image diagram of the cage and tapered rollers as viewed from one axial side. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a state in which a tapered roller is displaced when viewed from one axial side. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is an image diagram of the cage and tapered rollers as viewed from one axial side. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly procedure for the tapered roller bearing. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly procedure for the tapered roller bearing. [Figure 11A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly procedure for the tapered roller bearing. [Figure 11B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly procedure for the tapered roller bearing. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is an image diagram illustrating the positions of tapered rollers in a first pocket and a second pocket. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a first pocket of a cage according to a modified example. [Figure 13B] FIG. 10 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a second pocket of a cage according to a modified example. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a first pocket of a cage according to a modified example. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a centerline cross-sectional view including a second pocket of a cage according to a modified example. [Figure 15A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for a conventional tapered roller bearing. [Figure 15B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for a conventional tapered roller bearing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The gist of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least the following content.

[0015] (1) A tapered roller bearing of the present disclosure comprises an inner ring having, on its outer periphery, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner periphery; a plurality of tapered rollers that roll in contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; and an annular retainer having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers, wherein the retainer has a plurality of first side faces that face the outer peripheries of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets from one circumferential side of the retainer and a plurality of second side faces that face the outer peripheries of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets from the other circumferential side of the retainer, and the plurality of pockets include first pockets in which the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a first angle, and second pockets in which the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

[0016] With this tapered roller bearing, it is possible to increase the tolerance for displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers housed in the second pockets compared to the tapered rollers housed in the first pockets. Therefore, when assembling a set of a cage and multiple tapered rollers with the inner ring, the tapered rollers in the second pockets easily climb over the small rib portion of the inner ring. As a result, assembling the set with the inner ring is easier compared to when all pockets are first pockets.

[0017] Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the allowable amount of displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers housed in the first pockets compared to the tapered rollers housed in the second pockets. Therefore, when the set and the inner ring are assembled to obtain an inner ring unit, the tapered rollers in the first pockets and the cage are less likely to displace relative to each other. As a result, compared to when all pockets are second pockets, the tapered rollers housed in each pocket are less likely to fall out of the inner ring unit, and the inner ring unit is less likely to come apart.

[0018] (2) Furthermore, the first side surface and the second side surface of the second pocket have recessed portions on one axial side that enlarge the gap between the tapered roller accommodated in the second pocket and the first side surface and the second side surface.

[0019] According to this configuration, by providing the recessed portion, when assembling the set and the inner ring, if the tapered rollers in the second pocket come into contact with the small rib portion of the inner ring and the small diameter side portions of the tapered rollers displace radially outward, the displacement of the tapered rollers is not hindered, so the allowable amount of displacement, including radial displacement of the tapered rollers in the second pocket, can be further increased. Also, by providing the recessed portion, it is possible to deform the pillars that make up the first side surface and the second side surface with less force than if there were no recessed portion, making the task of assembling the set and the inner ring even easier.

[0020] Furthermore, by forming the recessed portions on one axial side of the first side surface and the second side surface, when the tapered rollers in the second pocket are tilted, the positions at which the tilted tapered rollers come into contact with the first side surface and the second side surface can be shifted from the ends of the respective side surfaces toward the center. This makes it possible to deform the pillars with a smaller force, making it even easier to assemble the set and inner ring.

[0021] (3) Preferably, the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged with a first gap between them and the tapered rollers housed in the first pocket in the radial direction of the retainer, and with a second gap between them and the tapered rollers housed in the second pocket, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

[0022] According to this configuration, the allowable amount of displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers in the second pocket can be made larger than that in the first pocket.

[0023] (4) Preferably, the retainer has a plurality of small diameter side surfaces that face the small diameter side end faces of the tapered rollers housed in the plurality of pockets, respectively, and a plurality of large diameter side surfaces that face the large diameter side end faces of the tapered rollers housed in the plurality of pockets, respectively, and when the distance between the small diameter side surface and the large diameter side surface in the first pocket is defined as a first distance, the distance between the small diameter side surface and the large diameter side surface in the second pocket is a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

[0024] According to this configuration, by further adjusting the first angle of the first pocket and the second angle of the second pocket, the allowable amount of displacement of the tapered rollers housed in each pocket can be finely adjusted.

[0025] (5) Preferably, the retainer has a plurality of small diameter side surfaces facing the small diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in the plurality of pockets, and the small diameter side surfaces have a small diameter first side surface located radially inward of the retainer and a small diameter second side surface located radially outward of the retainer than the small diameter first side surface, and when the distance between the small diameter first side surface and the small diameter side end face in the first pocket is a third distance, the distance between the small diameter first side surface and the small diameter side end face in the second pocket is a fourth distance greater than the third distance, and the distance between the small diameter second side surface and the small diameter side end face in the second pocket is a fifth distance smaller than the fourth distance.

[0026] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the tapered roller housed in the second pocket from displacing in an unintended direction, while increasing the allowable amount of displacement of the tapered roller in a specified displacement direction required for assembly.

[0027] (6) Preferably, the retainer has a plurality of large diameter side surfaces facing the large diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in the plurality of pockets, and the large diameter side surfaces have a large diameter first side surface located radially outward of the retainer and a large diameter second side surface located radially inward of the retainer than the large diameter first side surface, and when the distance between the large diameter first side surface and the large diameter side end face in the first pocket is a sixth distance, the distance between the radially outer end of the large diameter first side surface in the second pocket and the large diameter side end face is a seventh distance greater than the sixth distance, and the distance between the large diameter second side surface and the large diameter side end face in the second pocket is an eighth distance smaller than the seventh distance.

[0028] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the tapered roller housed in the second pocket from displacing in an unintended direction, while increasing the allowable amount of displacement of the tapered roller in a specified displacement direction required for assembly.

[0029] (7) Preferably, the second pockets are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction with the first pocket sandwiched therebetween.

[0030] With this configuration, when the set of the cage and tapered rollers is assembled with the inner ring, it is possible to suppress the circumferential variation of the force acting on the cage. As a result, when the set and the inner ring are assembled, the force is not concentrated on one part of the cage, and damage to the cage can be suppressed.

[0031] (8) The present disclosure provides a retainer for a tapered roller bearing comprising an inner ring having, on its outer periphery, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner periphery; and a plurality of tapered rollers in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, the retainer having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers, a plurality of first side faces each facing, from one circumferential side of the retainer, to the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets, and a plurality of second side faces each facing, from the other circumferential side of the retainer, to the outer peripheral surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in each of the plurality of pockets, and the plurality of pockets including first pockets in which the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a first angle, and second pockets in which the angle between the first side face and the second side face is a second angle smaller than the first angle.

[0032] According to the cage, it is possible to increase the tolerance for displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers housed in the second pockets compared to the tapered rollers housed in the first pockets. Therefore, when assembling a set of a cage and multiple tapered rollers with an inner ring, the tapered rollers in the second pockets easily climb over the small rib portion of the inner ring. As a result, the work of assembling the set with the inner ring is easier compared to when all pockets are first pockets.

[0033] Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the allowable amount of displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers housed in the first pockets compared to the tapered rollers housed in the second pockets. Therefore, when the set and the inner ring are assembled to obtain an inner ring unit, the tapered rollers in the first pockets and the cage are less likely to displace relative to each other. As a result, compared to when all pockets are second pockets, the tapered rollers housed in each pocket are less likely to fall out of the inner ring unit, and the inner ring unit is less likely to come apart.

[0034] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] [Tapered roller bearing configuration] Here, the configuration of the tapered roller bearing 1 of the present disclosure will be described based on the tapered roller bearing 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B and 2A and 2B. The tapered roller bearing 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B and 2A and 2B is equipped with a retainer 5A which is a first embodiment of the retainer 5. In the following description, when describing a configuration common to retainer 5A and retainers 5 according to other embodiments described later (retainers 5B to 5E described later), the term "retainer 5" will be used simply.

[0036] The tapered roller bearing 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B and Figures 2A and 2B comprises an inner ring 2, an outer ring 3 arranged radially outward of the inner ring 2, a plurality of tapered rollers 4 arranged between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3, and an annular cage 5 that holds these tapered rollers 4.

[0037] The terms "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" used in the explanations of the inner ring 2, outer ring 3, and cage 5 are defined below. The "axial direction" is the direction along the center line of each of the inner ring 2, outer ring 3, and cage 5. The axial direction also includes a direction parallel to the center line. The "radial direction" is the direction perpendicular to the center line. The "circumferential direction" is the direction along a circle centered on the center line. In each figure, the center line of the inner ring 2, outer ring 3, and cage 5 when they are aligned is designated "C0."

[0038] The terms "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" used in the description of the tapered rollers 4 are defined below. The "axial direction" of the tapered rollers 4 is the direction along the center line C1 of the tapered rollers 4. To distinguish it from the axial directions of the inner ring 2, outer ring 3, and cage 5, the axial direction of the cage 5, etc. is sometimes simply referred to as the "axial direction," and the axial direction of the tapered rollers 4 is sometimes referred to as the "roller axial direction." Note that the roller axial direction also includes a direction parallel to the center line C1. The "radial direction" is the direction perpendicular to the center line C1 of the tapered rollers 4, and is sometimes referred to as the "roller radial direction." The "circumferential direction" is the direction along a circle centered on the center line C1 of the tapered rollers 4, and can be referred to as the "roller circumferential direction."

[0039] The inner ring 2 is an annular member formed using bearing steel, machine structural steel, or the like. The inner ring 2 has a tapered inner ring raceway 21 on its outer periphery. The inner ring 2 has a small rib portion 22 provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway 21 (the left side in FIGS. 1A and 2A, and the right side in FIGS. 1B and 2B), and a large rib portion 23 provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway 21 (the right side in FIGS. 1A and 2A, and the left side in FIGS. 1B and 2B). The small rib portion 22 and the large rib portion 23 each protrude radially outward. With multiple tapered rollers 4 held in a cage 5 and interposed between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3, the diameter Di of the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portions 4a of these multiple tapered rollers 4 is smaller than the outer diameter Dc of the small rib portion 22.

[0040] The outer ring 3 is an annular member formed using bearing steel, steel for machine structures, etc. The outer ring 3 has a tapered outer ring raceway 31 on its inner circumferential side.

[0041] The tapered rollers 4 are truncated tapered members formed from bearing steel or the like. Each tapered roller 4 has a small-diameter circular end face 41 on one side in the axial direction of the roller (the left side in Figures 1A and 2A, and the right side in Figures 1B and 2B), and a large-diameter circular end face 42 on the other side in the axial direction of the roller (the right side in Figures 1A and 2A, and the left side in Figures 1B and 2B). The tapered rollers 4 are in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway 21 and the outer ring raceway 31. The large-diameter end face 42 is in sliding contact with the side surface (rib surface) 24 of the large rib portion 23.

[0042] The cage 5 has a small-diameter annular body 6 on one axial side, a large-diameter annular body 7 on the other axial side that has an outer diameter larger than that of the small-diameter annular body 6, and a plurality of pillars 8 spaced apart in the circumferential direction (see Figure 3). The small-diameter annular body 6 and the large-diameter annular body 7 are annular and spaced apart in the axial direction. The pillars 8 connect the small-diameter annular body 6 and the large-diameter annular body 7. The space formed between two pillars 8, 8 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction between the small-diameter annular body 6 and the large-diameter annular body 7 forms a pocket 9. Each pocket 9 houses one tapered roller 4.

[0043] The cage 5 has a plurality of pockets 9 that accommodate the tapered rollers 4, and holds the tapered rollers 4 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As will be explained later, the cage 5 has two types of pockets 9 ("first pockets" and "second pockets") that differ in shape.

[0044] The side surfaces of the two pillars 8, 8 face each other inside the pocket 9. Of the two pillars 8, 8, the side surface of one pillar 8 is a first side surface 8a that faces the outer peripheral surfaces 43 of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pocket 9 from one circumferential side, and the side surface of the other pillar 8 is a second side surface 8b that faces the outer peripheral surfaces 43 of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pocket 9 from the other circumferential side. The first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b form a predetermined angle such that the distance between them becomes smaller toward the radially outward direction of the cage 5. The first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b serve as stoppers that prevent the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pocket 9 from falling out radially outward.

[0045] A small diameter side surface 6a is formed on the small diameter annular body 6. The small diameter side surface 6a is a portion that faces the small diameter side end surface 41 of the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9. As will be explained later, when the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 tilts, the small diameter side surface 6a has the role of restricting the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 from being displaced radially outward.

[0046] A large diameter side surface 7a is formed on the large diameter annular body 7. The large diameter side surface 7a is a portion that faces the large diameter side end surface 42 of the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9. As will be explained later, when the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 tilts, the large diameter side surface 7a has the role of restricting the large diameter side portion 4b of the tapered roller 4 from being displaced radially inward.

[0047] A space surrounded by the first side surface 8a, the second side surface 8b, the small diameter side surface 6a, and the large diameter side surface 7a is formed inside the pocket 9. The tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 has a cone-shaped outer peripheral surface 43 facing the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b. Furthermore, the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 has a small diameter side end surface 41 facing the small diameter side surface 6a and a large diameter side end surface 42 facing the large diameter side surface 7a.

[0048] The cage 5 is made of synthetic resin and is formed by injection molding. The cage 5 of this embodiment is made of, for example, polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS). The cage 5 is resistant to lubricating oil (oil resistance), is relatively hard, and is not easily elastically deformed. The cage 5 may be manufactured using a 3D printer.

[0049] In the present disclosure, the cage 5 is capable of sliding contact with part of the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 3, whereby the rotation of the cage 5 is guided by the outer ring 3. In other words, the tapered roller bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an outer ring guide type bearing in which the cage 5 is guided by the outer ring 3.

[0050] 1A and 1B and 2A and 2B, the state in which the center line of the cage 5 coincides with the center line of the inner ring 2 and the multiple tapered rollers 4 held by the cage 5 are in proper contact with the inner ring raceway 21 and the side surface 24 of the large rib portion 23 is defined as the "reference state." In the reference state in which the tapered rollers 4 are in contact with the outer ring raceway 31, the tapered rollers 4 are unable to displace in the roller radial and axial directions. In the reference state, a gap is provided between the small-diameter end face 41 of the tapered roller 4 and the small-diameter annular body 6, and a gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface 43 of the tapered roller 4 and each side surface 8a, 8b of the column 8. Therefore, the cage 5 can be slightly displaced in the radial and axial directions relative to the tapered rollers 4. In addition, the tapered rollers 4 can be slightly displaced in the axial and radial directions from the reference state in which the outer ring 3 is removed (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0051] In the standard state, an imaginary circle connecting the centers of the small diameter side end faces 41 of each of the multiple tapered rollers 4 is defined as the pitch circle of the (design) small diameter side of the tapered rollers 4, and an imaginary circle connecting the centers of the large diameter side end faces 42 of each of the multiple tapered rollers 4 is defined as the pitch circle of the (design) large diameter side of the tapered rollers 4. An assembly in which the tapered rollers 4 are housed in the pockets 9 of the cage 5 (see Figure 10A) is a "set 10" of the cage 5 and tapered rollers 4. An assembly in which this set 10 is combined with the inner ring 2 (see Figure 11B) is an "inner ring unit 11."

[0052] In each of the set 10 and the inner ring unit 11, unless otherwise specified, the multiple tapered rollers 4 are arranged along the pitch circle on the small diameter side and the pitch circle on the large diameter side. In the present disclosure, this state may be simply described as the tapered rollers 4 being arranged "along the pitch circle." Each tapered roller 4 can be slightly displaced radially outward from the state where it is arranged along the pitch circle until it comes into contact with each side surface 8a, 8b of the pillar 8.

[0053] [Recessed part] When assembling the tapered roller bearing 1, it is necessary to cause deflection in the pillar 8. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B and 2A and 2B, in the cage 5, a recessed portion 8c is formed on each of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b of the pillar 8. The circumferential thickness of the pillar 8 at the recessed portion 8c is smaller than the circumferential thickness of the pillar 8 in parts other than the recessed portion 8c. For this reason, the force required to cause a certain amount of deflection in the circumferential and radial directions is smaller for the pillar 8 than for a pillar without the recessed portion 8c.

[0054] The recessed portion 8c is provided on one axial side of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b, and is adjacent to the small diameter annular body 6. When the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pockets 9 tilt so that their small diameter side portions 4a are displaced radially outward of the cage 5, the recessed portion 8c forms part of the space into which the small diameter side portions 4a enter. Furthermore, by providing the recessed portion 8c, the cage 5 does not prevent the tapered rollers 4 from displacing radially outward when the tapered rollers 4 in the pockets 9 come into contact with the small rib portions 22 of the inner ring 2 during assembly of the set 10 and the inner ring 2. Therefore, by providing the recessed portion 8c, the pockets 9 have a greater tolerance for radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a of the cage 5 compared to when the recessed portion 8c is not provided.

[0055] The pillar 8 has a ridge line formed at the boundary between each of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b and the recessed portion 8c. In this description, the portion where this ridge line is formed is referred to as the boundary portion 8d. When the tapered roller bearing 1 is assembled, the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pockets 9 tilt such that their small diameter side portions 4a are displaced radially outward of the cage 5. At this time, the tapered rollers 4 come into contact with the boundary portion 8d. The boundary portion 8d comes into contact with the tapered rollers 4 and serves as a fulcrum when the tapered rollers 4 tilt.

[0056] In a configuration in which the recessed portion 8c is formed on one axial side of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b, the boundary portion 8d can be positioned closer to the center from the end of each of the side surfaces 8a, 8b in the longitudinal direction of the pillar 8. As a result, when the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 is tilted and comes into contact with the boundary portion 8d of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b, the tapered roller 4 presses against a position closer to the center of the pillar 8 in the longitudinal direction.

[0057] [Small diameter side and large diameter side] When the tapered rollers 4 housed in the pockets 9 tilt with the boundary portions 8d as the fulcrum so that the small diameter side portions 4a are displaced radially outward of the cage 5, if the tapered rollers 4 tilt by a predetermined amount or more, the small diameter side end faces 41 come into contact with the small diameter side faces 6a and the large diameter side end faces 42 come into contact with the large diameter side faces 7a. The small diameter side faces 6a restrict the radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a, and the large diameter side faces 7a restrict the radially inward displacement of the large diameter side portions 4b.

[0058] In this way, in the retainer 5, the allowable amount of displacement when the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 housed in the pocket 9 displaces radially outward of the retainer 5 is increased by the recessed portion 8c, and the displacement is regulated by the small diameter side surface 6a and the large diameter side surface 7a.

[0059] [First form of cage] From here, a cage 5A according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the "first pocket" in the cage 5A will be referred to as a first pocket 9A, and the "second pocket" in the cage 5A will be referred to as a second pocket 9B, to distinguish them from the "first pocket" and "second pocket" in the cages 5 of other embodiments.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the cage 5A has two types of pockets 9 that are different in shape, that is, a first pocket 9A and a second pocket 9B.

[0061] 4A and 4B are partial views of a cross section including the center line of the cage 5. FIG. 4A is a view showing a cross section including the first pocket 9A, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a cross section including the second pocket 9B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the first pocket 9A, the distance from the small diameter side surface 6a to the large diameter side surface 7a is a first distance L1, and in the second pocket 9B, the distance from the small diameter side surface 6a to the large diameter side surface 7a is a second distance L2. In the cage 5A, the second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1 (L2 > L1). Therefore, in the cage 5A, when the dimensions of the gap between the small diameter side surface 6a and the small diameter side end face 41 are the same in the first pocket 9A and the second pocket 9B, the gap between the large diameter side end face 42 and the large diameter side surface 7a is larger in the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the second pocket 9B than in the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the first pocket 9A.

[0062] Due to the presence of the gap between the large diameter side end face 42 and the large diameter side surface 7a, the tapered rollers 4 housed in each pocket 9A, 9B are allowed to displace (tilt) in the axial or radial direction, with the large diameter side portions 4b being displaced radially inward of the cage 5. When the tapered rollers 4 tilt in this way, the greater the axial displacement of the large diameter side portions 4b, the greater the radially inward displacement of the large diameter side portions 4b.

[0063] Due to the relationship L2>L1 described above, the tapered roller 4 accommodated in the second pocket 9B has a larger gap between the large diameter side end face 42 and the large diameter side surface 7a compared to the tapered roller 4 accommodated in the first pocket 9A. For this reason, the second pocket 9B has a larger allowable amount of radially inward displacement accompanying axial displacement of the large diameter side portion 4b compared to the first pocket 9A.

[0064] When the tapered rollers 4 housed in each pocket 9A, 9B tilt such that the large diameter side portions 4b are displaced radially inward, the small diameter side portions 4a located on the opposite axial side are displaced radially outward while also displacing axially. As the radially inward displacement of the large diameter side portions 4b increases, the radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a also increases. For this reason, the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9B have a greater tolerance for radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a than the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9A.

[0065] Here, the allowable amount of radial outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9A is defined as the "first displacement amount X1" (see FIG. 4A), and the allowable amount of radial outward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9B is defined as the "second displacement amount Y1" (see FIG. 4B). The "first displacement amount X1" and the "second displacement amount Y1" can also be said to be the amounts by which the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle can be displaced radially outward.

[0066] In the cage 5A of the present disclosure, the second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1 (L2>L1). Therefore, the "second displacement amount Y1" is greater than the "first displacement amount X1" (Y1>X1). As a result, in the cage 5A, the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9B can have a larger diameter Di of the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portion 4a than the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9A.

[0067] In the retainer 5A exemplified in this description, the large diameter annular body 7 in the second pocket 9B is recessed to form the large diameter side surface 7a, thereby achieving a configuration in which the above-mentioned L2>L1 relationship is satisfied. However, the small diameter annular body 6 in the second pocket 9B may also be recessed to form the small diameter side surface 6a, thereby achieving a configuration in which the above-mentioned L2>L1 relationship is satisfied.

[0068] In the cage 5A, when the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9B tilt so that the small diameter side portions 4a are displaced radially outward, the fulcrum (point of contact with the boundary portion 4d) of the tapered rollers 4 is biased toward the small diameter side end face 41. At this time, the distance from the fulcrum to the large diameter side portion 4b is greater than the distance from the fulcrum to the small diameter side portion 4a, so when the tapered rollers 4 tilt, the displacement of the radially outer portion of the large diameter side portion 4b toward the other axial side is greater than the displacement of the radially inner portion of the small diameter side portion 4a toward one axial side. For this reason, increasing the gap on the large diameter side portion 4b side allows the tapered rollers 4 to tilt more than increasing the gap on the small diameter side portion 4a side. Therefore, in order to increase the "second displacement amount Y1" of the second pocket 9B, it is preferable to recess the large diameter annular body 7 in the second pocket 9B to form the large diameter side surface 7a, rather than recessing the small diameter annular body 6 in the second pocket 9B to form the small diameter side surface 6a, thereby obtaining a configuration in which the above-mentioned relationship L2>L1 is satisfied.

[0069] [Second form of cage] Next, a cage 5B according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the "first pocket" in the cage 5B will be referred to as a first pocket 9C, and the "second pocket" in the cage 5B will be referred to as a second pocket 9D, to distinguish them from the first pocket and second pocket in the cages 5 of other embodiments.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the cage 5B has two types of pockets 9 that are different in shape, that is, a first pocket 9C and a second pocket 9D.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, in the cage 5B, the angle between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b of the first pocket 9C is a first angle θ1, and the angle between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b of the second pocket 9D is a second angle θ2. In the cage 5B, the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1 (θ2<θ1). The angles θ1 and θ2 are the angles between a line passing through the upper and lower ends of the first side surface 8a and a line passing through the upper and lower ends of the second side surface 8b in a cross section of the cage 5B taken along a plane perpendicular to the roller axial direction (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The angles θ1 and θ2 are constant along the roller axial direction on the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b, excluding the recessed portion 8c.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 6A , in the first pocket 9C, a gap D1 is provided between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b and the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle in the radial direction of the tapered rollers 4. In the first pocket 9C, a first gap K1 is provided between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b and the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle in the radial direction of the cage 5B. The first gap K1 is a gap at a position where the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b can come into contact with the tapered rollers 4. The first gap K1 allows the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9C to be displaced with a radial component. Here, the allowable amount of displacement is defined as a "first displacement amount X2." The "first displacement amount X2" can also be said to be the amount of radial outward displacement of the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6B , in the second pocket 9D, a gap D2 is provided between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b and the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle in the radial direction of the tapered rollers 4. In the second pocket 9D, a second gap K2 is provided between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b and the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle in the radial direction of the cage 5B. The second gap K2 is a gap at a position where the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b can come into contact with the tapered rollers 4. The second gap K2 allows the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9D to be displaced with a radial component. Here, the allowable amount of displacement is defined as a "second displacement amount Y2." The "second displacement amount Y2" can also be considered the amount of radial outward displacement of the tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle. The gap D1 in the first pocket 9C and the gap D2 in the second pocket 9D are substantially equal.

[0074] In the cage 5B of the present disclosure, the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1 (θ2<θ1), and therefore the second gap K2 is larger than the first gap K1 (K2>K1), and therefore the "second displacement amount Y2" is larger than the "first displacement amount X2" (Y2>X2). As a result, in the cage 5B, the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9D can have a larger diameter Di of the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portion 4a than the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9C.

[0075] [Third form of cage] From here, a cage 5C according to the third embodiment will be described. In the following description, the "first pocket" in cage 5C will be referred to as first pocket 9E, and the "second pocket" in cage 5C will be referred to as second pocket 9F, to distinguish them from the "first pocket" and "second pocket" in cages 5 of other embodiments. In the following description, among the parts constituting cage 5C, parts that are common to each of the above-mentioned cages 5A and 5B will be designated by the same reference numerals used in the description of each of the cages 5A and 5B, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 7, the cage 5C has two types of pockets 9 that are different in shape, that is, a first pocket 9E and a second pocket 9F.

[0077] Although not shown in FIG. 7, the retainer 5C has The configuration in common with the cage 5A, in which the second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1; The configuration in common with the cage 5B, in which the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1 and the second gap K2 is larger than the first gap K1; It has both.

[0078] In the first pocket 9E, the distance from the small-diameter side surface 6a to the large-diameter side surface 7a is a first distance L1 (see FIG. 4A), and the angle formed between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b is a first angle θ1 (see FIG. 6A). In the second pocket 9F, the distance from the small-diameter side surface 6a to the large-diameter side surface 7a is a second distance L2 (see FIG. 4B), and the angle formed between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b is a second angle θ2 (see FIG. 6B). In the cage 5C, the second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1. In the cage 5C, the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1, and the second gap K2 is greater than the first gap K1.

[0079] In the cage 5C of the present disclosure, the second distance L2 is larger than the first distance L1 (L2>L1), and the second gap K2 is larger than the first gap K1 (K2>K1). For this reason, in the cage 5C, like the cages 5A and 5B, the "second displacement amount" is larger than the "first displacement amount." As a result, in the cage 5C, the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9F can have a larger diameter Di of the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portion 4a than the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9E.

[0080] In the cage 5C of the present disclosure, the relationship between the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 and the relationship between the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 can be adjusted, and therefore the "first displacement amount" and the "second displacement amount" can be adjusted more precisely. Note that in the cage 5C of the present disclosure, both a configuration in which the second distance L2 is larger than the first distance L1 and a configuration in which the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1 and the second gap K2 is larger than the first gap K1 are configured for each pocket. 9E , 9F are provided with all of the above features, but a configuration in which pockets 9E, 9F provided with only one of the above features are evenly mixed may also be used.

[0081] In this way, in retainers 5A, 5B, and 5C of the present disclosure, pockets 9 consisting of a "first pocket" and a "second pocket" have different allowable amounts of radial displacement of the tapered rollers 4 accommodated therein. Specifically, retainers 5A, 5B, and 5C each have a "first pocket" whose allowable amount of displacement is a "first displacement amount" and a "second pocket" whose allowable amount of displacement is a "second displacement amount" that is larger than the "first displacement amount."

[0082] [Displacement of tapered roller 4] As described above, FIG. 8A shows a state in which multiple tapered rollers 4 are arranged along the pitch circle. In contrast, FIG. 8B shows a state in which multiple tapered rollers 4 are not arranged along the pitch circle, and each tapered roller 4 is displaced by the "first displacement amount" or the "second displacement amount." In other words, FIG. 8B shows a state in which each tapered roller 4 is in contact with the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b. Note that in FIG. 8B, the cage 5A is omitted, and the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9A and the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9B are shown with hatching, and further, the roughness of the hatching is different to distinguish them. In FIG. 8B, the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 housed in the first pocket 9A and in contact with the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b is designated Q1. The inscribed circle of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9B and in contact with the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b is designated as Q2.

[0083] As described above, in the cage 5A, the "first displacement amount" and the "second displacement amount" are different, and therefore the diameter of the first inscribed circle Q1 and the diameter of the second inscribed circle Q2 are different (the diameter of the inscribed circle Q2 > the diameter of the inscribed circle Q1). Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer diameter (maximum outer diameter) Dc of the small rib portion 22 of the inner ring 2 may be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the second inscribed circle Q2 and equal to or larger than the diameter of the first inscribed circle Q1, but in the present disclosure, the outer diameter (maximum outer diameter) Dc is equal to or larger than the diameter of the first inscribed circle Q1 and equal to or larger than the diameter of the second inscribed circle Q2. Note that while the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the first pocket 9A and the second pocket 9B of the cage 5A have been described as an example here, the displacement of the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the first pocket 9C and the second pocket 9D of the cage 5B and the first pocket 9E and the second pocket 9F of the cage 5C can also be described in a similar manner.

[0084] [Pocket circumferential arrangement] In Fig. 8A, the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9A and the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9B are shown with hatching, and the hatching is further distinguished by different roughnesses. The cage 5A shown in Fig. 8A has a total of 17 pockets 9, of which 8 (i.e., second pockets 9B) and the remaining 9 (i.e., first pockets 9A). The second pockets 9B are arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cage 5A, with one or more first pockets 9A sandwiched between them. The pockets 9A, 9B in the cage 5A may also be arranged as shown in Fig. 9.

[0085] The cage 5A shown in FIG. 9 has a total of 16 pockets 9, half of which (8) are second pockets 9B, and the remaining half (8) are first pockets 9A. The second pockets 9B are spaced evenly apart in the circumferential direction of the cage 5A, with one first pocket 9A sandwiched between them. In the cage 5A, it is preferable that the first pockets 9A and second pockets 9B are arranged as evenly as possible in the circumferential direction, but they do not have to be arranged completely evenly as in the cage 5A shown in FIG. 9. For example, in the cage 5A shown in FIG. 8A, there is one location where two consecutive first pockets 9A exist between second pockets 9B, and this level of variation can be said to result in the pockets being arranged evenly in the circumferential direction.

[0086] In the cage 5A, the multiple second pockets 9B are spaced apart in the circumferential direction with the first pocket 9A sandwiched between them. With this configuration, the first pockets 9A and the second pockets 9B are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the cage 5. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the set 10 and the inner ring 2 are assembled, the circumferential variation of the force acting on the cage 5A can be suppressed. This prevents the force from being concentrated on a part of the cage 5 when the set 10 and the inner ring 2 are assembled. If the force were to be concentrated on a part of the cage 5, the part to which the force was applied could be whitened or plastically deformed, or cracks could occur in the cage 5. However, with this cage 5, defects such as cracks can be suppressed. Note that while the arrangement of the first pockets 9A and the second pockets 9B of the cage 5A has been described above as an example, the same explanation can be applied to the first pockets 9C and the second pockets 9D of the cage 5B and the first pockets 9E and the second pockets 9F of the cage 5C.

[0087] [Number of first and second pockets] In the cage 5A shown in FIG. 8A, the number of first pockets 9A is greater than the number of second pockets 9B, and in the cage 5A shown in FIG. 9, the number of first pockets 9A and the number of second pockets 9B are the same. However, in the cage 5A of the present disclosure, the number of second pockets 9B may be greater than the number of first pockets 9A. For example, by making the number of second pockets 9B less than the number of first pockets 9A as shown in FIG. 8A, a configuration is obtained in which the cage 5 is more resistant to displacement relative to the inner ring 2. On the other hand, by making the number of second pockets 9B greater than the number of first pockets 9A, a configuration is obtained in which the work of assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2 is more easily performed. Note that while the number of first pockets 9A and second pockets 9B in the cage 5A has been described as an example, the same explanation can be applied to the number of first pockets 9C and second pockets 9D in the cage 5B and the number of first pockets 9E and second pockets 9F in the cage 5C.

[0088] [Assembly of tapered roller bearing 1] The tapered roller bearing 1 having the above configuration is assembled as follows: In this disclosure, the assembly procedure for the tapered roller bearing 1 will be explained based on the tapered roller bearing 1 having the retainer 5A, but the tapered roller bearing 1 having the retainers 5B and 5C can also be assembled using the same procedure as explained here.

[0089] As shown in Figure 10A, tapered rollers 4 are placed in each of the pockets 9A, 9B from the inner peripheral side of the cage 5A, and the cage 5A and tapered rollers 4 are then assembled together. This results in a set 10 of multiple tapered rollers 4 and cage 5A. Set 10 is brought axially close to the inner ring 2 (see Figure 10B), and set 10 is assembled to the inner ring 2. In the state of set 10, and during the assembly process, the tapered rollers 4 placed in each of the pockets 9A, 9B are prevented from falling out radially outward by the first side surface 8a and second side surface 8b of the pillars 8 in each of the pockets 9A, 9B.

[0090] 12 is an image diagram illustrating the positions of the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9A and the second pocket 9B. As shown in Fig. 10A and Fig. 12, in the set 10, the diameter Di of the inscribed circle of the small diameter side portions 4a of the plurality of tapered rollers 4 positioned along the pitch circle is smaller than the outer diameter Dc of the small rib portion 22 of the inner ring 2.

[0091] Furthermore, the diameter Dj1 (see FIG. 12) of the inscribed circle Q1 of the small diameter side portion 4a when the tapered roller 4 housed in the first pocket 9A is displaced radially outward, and the diameter Dj2 (see FIG. 12) of the inscribed circle Q2 of the small diameter side portion 4a when the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9B is displaced radially outward are smaller than the outer diameter Dc of the small rib portion 22 of the inner ring 2. For this reason, during the process of assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2 (see FIG. 10B), the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 must get over the small rib portion 22, and is therefore displaced radially outward. In order for the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 to get over the small rib portion 22, the inner ring 2 is pressed axially against the cage 5A, causing part of the cage 5A to elastically deform.

[0092] 11A, each tapered roller 4 oscillates clockwise in FIG. 11A with the contact point with the boundary portion 8d as a fulcrum. In other words, the tapered roller 4 oscillates so that the small diameter side portion 4a faces radially outward. This displacement of the tapered roller 4 with the oscillation makes it easier for the small diameter side portion 4a to climb over the small rib portion 22.

[0093] Furthermore, as described above, the cage 5A has two types of pockets 9A and 9B. In the second pocket 9B, as described above, the allowable amount of displacement having a radial component is the second displacement amount Y1, which is larger than the allowable amount of displacement (first displacement amount X1) in the first pocket 9A. In other words, compared to the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9A, the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9B have a larger allowable amount of displacement having a radial component. Therefore, when assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2, the "elastic deformation amount (see the left diagram in FIG. 12 )" of a portion of the cage 5A in the second pocket 9B is small, and the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9B can easily overcome the small rib portion 22. As a result, assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2 is easier. Even if the axial pressing force of the inner ring 2 is small, the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 can easily overcome the small rib portion 22.

[0094] Each pocket 9A, 9B has a recessed portion 8c on the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b. The force required to cause a certain amount of circumferential deflection in a pillar 8 having a recessed portion 8c is smaller than that required in a pillar without a recessed portion 8c, and less force is required to elastically deform a portion of the cage 5A. Therefore, the tapered rollers 4 in each pocket 9A, 9B overcome the small rib portion 22 with less force than in a pocket without a recessed portion 8c. As a result, even if the axial pressing force of the inner ring 2 is small, the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 can easily overcome the small rib portion 22. This further simplifies the process of assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2.

[0095] In each pocket 9A, 9B, the recessed portion 8c is formed on one axial side of the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b. With this configuration, when the tapered rollers 4 housed in each pocket 9A, 9B are tilted and contact the boundary portion 8d between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b, the tapered rollers 4 can press against a position near the longitudinal center of the pillar 8. The force required to cause a certain degree of circumferential and radial deflection of the cage 5A in the pillar 8 is smaller when pressing against the longitudinal center than when pressing against the longitudinal ends of the pillar 8. This allows the cage 5A to be elastically deformed with a smaller force. As a result, even if the axial pressing force of the inner ring 2 is small, the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered rollers 4 can easily overcome the small flange portion 22. This further simplifies the process of assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the set 10 and the inner ring 2 are assembled to obtain the inner ring unit 11, the tapered rollers 4 in the first pocket 9A and the cage 5A are less likely to displace relative to each other. This is because, as shown in FIG. 12, in the first pocket 9A, the allowable amount of displacement having a radial component of the tapered rollers 4 is the "first displacement amount" which is smaller than the "second displacement amount." Because the cage 5A is less likely to displace relative to the inner ring 2, the tapered rollers 4 held in the first pocket 9A of the cage 5A, as well as the tapered rollers 4 held in the second pocket 9B, are less likely to displace radially as a whole. Note that in the state of the inner ring unit 11, for the tapered rollers 4 to get over the small rib portion 22 in the first pocket 9A, a large external force is required that is large enough to cause a large "elastic deformation amount (see the diagram on the right side of FIG. 12)" in part of the cage 5A, making it difficult for the tapered rollers 4 to get over the small rib portion 22.

[0097] 11B, when the tapered rollers 4 in the pockets 9 tilt as they attempt to displace radially, the displacement is restricted by the small diameter side surface 6a. Therefore, the inner ring unit 11 is less likely to come apart.

[0098] The above assembly method provides an inner ring unit 11 that integrates the inner ring 2, cage 5A, and multiple tapered rollers 4. By assembling the outer ring 3 to the inner ring unit 11, the tapered roller bearing 1 is completed.

[0099] If all the pockets 9 of the cage 5A were the first pockets 9A, which have a smaller displacement tolerance than the second pockets 9B, a large force (load) would be required when assembling the set 10 and the inner ring 2, making the assembly difficult. Also, if all the pockets 9 of the cage 5A were the second pockets 9B, which have a larger displacement tolerance than the first pockets 9A, the tapered rollers 4 and cage 5A would be more likely to come apart from the inner ring 2 in the state of the inner ring unit 11.

[0100] However, the multiple pockets 9 of the cage 5A of the present disclosure include a first pocket 9A whose allowable amount of displacement is a "first displacement amount X1," and a second pocket 9B whose allowable amount of displacement is a "second displacement amount Y1" that is larger than the "first displacement amount X1." This makes it possible to both facilitate the work of assembling the inner ring 2 with the set 10 of the cage 5A and multiple tapered rollers 4, and make it difficult for the inner ring unit 11 obtained by assembling the set 10 with the inner ring 2 to come apart.

[0101] [Modification 1 of the cage] A cage 5D according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figures 13A and 13B. In the following description, the "first pocket" in cage 5D will be referred to as first pocket 9G, and the "second pocket" in cage 5D will be referred to as second pocket 9H, to distinguish them from the "first pocket" and "second pocket" in cages 5 of other forms. In the following description, among the parts constituting cage 5D, parts that are common to each of the above-mentioned cages 5A to 5C will be assigned the same reference numerals used in the description of each of the cages 5A to 5C, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

[0102] 13A and 13B are partial cross-sectional views of the retainer 5D taken along a line C0. Fig. 13A shows a cross-section including the first pocket 9G, and Fig. 13B shows a cross-section including the second pocket 9H. Similar to the second pocket 9B of the first embodiment (Fig. 8A or 9), the second pockets 9H are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the retainer 5D, with one or more first pockets 9G sandwiched therebetween.

[0103] The cage 5D has a small diameter annular body 60 on one axial side, a large diameter annular body 7 on the other axial side, and a plurality of pillars 8 connecting the small diameter annular body 60 and the large diameter annular body 7. In this modification, the shape of the small diameter annular body 60 differs from that of the small diameter annular body 6 of the cage 5A. The small diameter annular body 60 has a plurality of small diameter side surfaces 61 that respectively face the small diameter side end faces 41 of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the plurality of pockets 9.

[0104] The multiple small diameter side side surfaces 61 each have a small diameter first side surface 61a located radially inward of the retainer 5D and a small diameter second side surface 61b located radially outward of the retainer 5D relative to the small diameter first side surface 61a. A recess 62 is provided between the small diameter first side surface 61a and the small diameter second side surface 61b in the radial direction of the retainer 5D. The recess 62 is provided to reduce the rigidity of the small diameter annular body 60 and to reduce the force required to deflect the pillar 8 beyond a certain level when assembling the tapered roller bearing 1.

[0105] It is not essential to provide the recess 62, and the recess 62 does not have to be provided between the small diameter side first side surface 61 a and the small diameter side second side surface 61 b. In other words, the small diameter side first side surface 61 a and the small diameter side second side surface 61 b ​​may be directly connected in the radial direction.

[0106] 13A, the distance W1 (the "third distance" of the present invention) between the small diameter first side surface 61a facing the first pocket 9G and the small diameter side end surface 41 is equal to the distance W2 (W1 = W2) between the small diameter second side surface 61b facing the first pocket 9G and the small diameter side end surface 41. Therefore, the small diameter first side surface 61a and the small diameter second side surface 61b facing the first pocket 9G are located on the same plane. Note that the distance W1 may be greater than the distance W2.

[0107] 13A and 13B, the distance W3 (the "fourth distance" of the present invention) between the small diameter first side surface 61a facing the second pocket 9H and the small diameter side end surface 41 is greater than the distance W1 between the small diameter first side surface 61a facing the first pocket 9G and the small diameter side end surface 41 (W3>W1). The distance W3 is also greater than the distance W4 (the "fifth distance" of the present invention) between the small diameter second side surface 61b facing the second pocket 9H and the small diameter side end surface 41 (W3>W4). The distance W4 is equal to the distance W2 (W4=W2).

[0108] Therefore, when comparing the small diameter side surface 61 facing the first pocket 9G with the small diameter side surface 61 facing the second pocket 9H, the position of the small diameter side second side surface 61b relative to the small diameter side end surface 41 is the same in both cases, while the small diameter side first side surface 61a facing the second pocket 9H has a larger gap relative to the small diameter side end surface 41 than the small diameter side first side surface 61a facing the first pocket 9G.

[0109] Because there is a larger gap between the small diameter side first side surface 61a facing the second pocket 9H and the small diameter side end face 41, the allowable radial outward displacement of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 accommodated in the second pocket 9H (second displacement amount Y3) is larger than the allowable radial outward displacement of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 accommodated in the first pocket 9G (first displacement amount X3) (Y3>X3).

[0110] As described above, according to the cage 5D of this modified example, the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the second pockets 9H have a larger tolerance for displacement than the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the first pockets 9G, and therefore, compared to a cage in which all pockets 9 are constituted by the first pockets 9G, it is easier to assemble the set 10 in which the cage 5D and multiple tapered rollers 4 are integrated with the inner ring 2. Also, compared to a cage in which all pockets 9 are constituted by the second pockets 9H, the inner ring unit 11 in which the inner ring 2, the cage 5D and multiple tapered rollers 4 are integrated is less likely to come apart.

[0111] Furthermore, in the first pocket 9G and the second pocket 9H of this modified example, the distances W2 and W4 between the small diameter side second side surface 61b and the small diameter side end face 41 are the same, and the distances W2 and W4 are shorter than the distance W3. With this configuration, the allowable amount of radially inward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9H is hardly changed from the allowable radially inward displacement of the small diameter side portions 4a of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the first pocket 9G. Therefore, it is possible to increase the allowable amount of displacement (i.e., the second displacement amount Y3) in a predetermined displacement direction required for assembly (a direction in which the small diameter side portions 4a are inclined radially outward) while suppressing displacement of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the second pocket 9H in an unintended direction (for example, a direction in which the small diameter side portions 4a are inclined radially inward).

[0112] [Modification 2 of the cage] A cage 5E according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figures 14A and 14B. In the following description, the "first pocket" in cage 5E will be referred to as first pocket 9I, and the "second pocket" in cage 5E will be referred to as second pocket 9J, to distinguish them from the "first pocket" and "second pocket" in cages 5 of other forms. In the following description, among the parts constituting cage 5E, parts that are common to each of the above-mentioned cages 5A to 5D will be assigned the same reference numerals used in the description of each of the cages 5A to 5D, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

[0113] 14A and 14B are partial cross-sectional views including the center line C0 of the cage 5E. Fig. 14A shows a cross-section including the first pocket 9I, and Fig. 14B shows a cross-section including the second pocket 9J. Similar to the second pocket 9B of the first embodiment (Fig. 8A or 9), the second pockets 9J are arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cage 5E with one or more first pockets 9I sandwiched therebetween.

[0114] The cage 5E has a small diameter annular body 60 on one axial side, a large diameter annular body 70 on the other axial side, and a plurality of pillars 8 connecting the small diameter annular body 60 and the large diameter annular body 70. In this modification, the shapes of the small diameter annular body 60 and the large diameter annular body 70 differ from those of the small diameter annular body 6 and the large diameter annular body 7 of the cage 5A.

[0115] The shape of the small diameter side surface 61 included in the small diameter annular body 60 of the cage 5E, both in the portion facing the first pocket 9I and in the portion facing the second pocket 9J, has the same shape as the small diameter side surface 61 facing the first pocket 9G of the cage 5D. In other words, in this modified example, there is no difference in shape of the small diameter annular body 60 between the first pocket 9I and the second pocket 9J.

[0116] The large diameter annular body 70 has a plurality of large diameter side surfaces 71 that respectively face the large diameter side end surfaces 42 of the tapered rollers 4 housed in the plurality of pockets 9 of the cage 5E. Each of the plurality of large diameter side surfaces 71 has a large diameter first side surface 71a located radially outward of the cage 5E and a large diameter second side surface 71b located radially inward of the cage 5E with respect to the large diameter first side surface 71a. A recess 72 is provided radially of the cage 5E between the large diameter first side surface 71a and the large diameter second side surface 71b. The recess 72 is provided as an oil groove for retaining lubricating oil that lubricates various parts of the rolling bearing 1.

[0117] It is not essential to provide the recess 72, and the recess 72 does not necessarily have to be provided between the large-diameter-side first side surface 71a and the large-diameter-side second side surface 71b. In other words, the large-diameter-side first side surface 71a and the large-diameter-side second side surface 71b may be directly connected in the radial direction.

[0118] 14A, the distance W5 (the "sixth distance" of the present invention) between the large diameter side first side surface 71a facing the first pocket 9I and the large diameter side end surface 42 is equal to the distance W6 between the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the first pocket 9I and the large diameter side end surface 42 (W5 = W6). Therefore, the large diameter side first side surface 71a and the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the first pocket 9I are located on the same plane. Note that the distance W5 may be greater than the distance W6.

[0119] 14B, the large-diameter-side first side surface 71a facing the second pocket 9J is inclined toward the other axial side by an angle θ3 compared to the large-diameter-side second side surface 71b facing the second pocket 9J. Therefore, a distance W7 (the "seventh distance" of the present invention) between the radially outer end 73 of the large-diameter-side first side surface 71a facing the second pocket 9J and the large-diameter-side end surface 42 is greater than the distance W5 (W7 > W5). Furthermore, the distance W7 is greater than a distance W8 (the "eighth distance" of the present invention) between the large-diameter-side second side surface 71b facing the second pocket 9J and the large-diameter-side end surface 42 (W7 > W8). The distance W8 is equal to the distance W6 (W8 = W6).

[0120] Therefore, when comparing the large diameter side surface 71 facing the first pocket 9I with the large diameter side surface 71 facing the second pocket 9J, the position of the large diameter side second side surface 71b relative to the large diameter side end surface 42 is the same in both cases, while the large diameter side first side surface 71a facing the second pocket 9J has a larger gap relative to the large diameter side end surface 42 than the large diameter side first side surface 71a facing the first pocket 9I.

[0121] Because there is a larger gap between the large diameter side first side surface 71a facing the second pocket 9J and the large diameter side end face 42, the allowable amount of radially inward displacement of the large diameter side portion 4b of the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9J is larger than the allowable radially inward displacement of the large diameter side portion 4b of the tapered roller 4 housed in the first pocket 9I. As a result, the allowable radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9J (second displacement amount Y4) is larger than the allowable radially outward displacement of the small diameter side portion 4a of the tapered roller 4 housed in the first pocket 9I (first displacement amount X4) (Y4>X4).

[0122] As described above, according to the cage 5E of this modified example, the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the second pockets 9J have a larger tolerance for displacement than the tapered rollers 4 accommodated in the first pockets 9I, and therefore, compared to a cage in which all pockets 9 are constituted by the first pockets 9I, it is easier to assemble the set 10 in which the cage 5E and multiple tapered rollers 4 are integrated with the inner ring 2. Also, compared to a cage in which all pockets 9 are constituted by the second pockets 9J, the inner ring unit 11 in which the inner ring 2, the cage 5E and multiple tapered rollers 4 are integrated is less likely to come apart.

[0123] Furthermore, in the first pocket 9I and the second pocket 9J of this modified example, the distances W6 and W8 between the large diameter side second side surface 71b and the large diameter side end face 42 are the same, and the distances W6 and W8 are shorter than the distance W7. By configuring in this manner, the allowable amount of radially outward displacement of the large diameter side portion 4b of the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9J changes little from the allowable radially outward displacement of the large diameter side portion 4b of the tapered roller 4 housed in the first pocket 9I. For this reason, it is possible to increase the allowable amount of displacement (i.e., the second displacement amount Y4) in a predetermined displacement direction required for assembly (a direction in which the large diameter side portion 4b tilts radially inward) while suppressing displacement of the tapered roller 4 housed in the second pocket 9J in an unintended direction (for example, a direction in which the large diameter side portion 4b tilts radially outward).

[0124] In the cage 5A of the first embodiment, the large diameter side surface 7a facing the second pocket 9B is generally located on the other axial side compared to the large diameter side surface 7a facing the first pocket 9A. Therefore, when the tapered rollers 4 rotate, the large diameter side surface 7a facing the first pocket 9A is likely to come into contact with the large diameter side end surface 42, but the large diameter side surface 7a facing the second pocket 9B is less likely to come into contact with the large diameter side end surface 42 because of the large gap between them. As a result, the number of large diameter side surfaces 7a that come into contact with the tapered rollers 4 is reduced by the amount of the second pocket 9B provided, and the contact surface pressure between the large diameter side surface 7a facing the first pocket 9A and the large diameter side end surface 42 tends to increase. If the contact surface pressure between the large diameter side surface 7a and the large diameter side end surface 42 increases, the cage may become more susceptible to wear.

[0125] In contrast, in the cage 5E of this modified example, the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the second pocket 9J is in the same position as the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the first pocket 9I. Therefore, when the tapered rollers 4 rotate, the ease of contact between the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the first pocket 9I and the large diameter side end face 42 is about the same as the ease of contact between the large diameter side second side surface 71b facing the second pocket 9J and the large diameter side end face 42. As a result, even if the second displacement amount Y4 of the tapered rollers 4 in the second pocket 9J is increased, the large diameter side surface that comes into contact with the tapered rollers 4 71 The number of pockets 71 and 42 is approximately the same as the number of pockets 9, which can prevent the contact pressure between the large diameter side surface 71 and the large diameter side end surface 42 from increasing. This can prevent the retainer 5E from wearing out.

[0126] The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined. For example, the modified cages 5D and 5E may be combined with the second embodiment. Specifically, in the cage 5D (or 5E), the angle θ2 between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b in the second pocket 9H (or 9J) may be smaller than the angle θ1 between the first side surface 8a and the second side surface 8b in the first pocket 9G (or 9I).

[0127] [Other variations] In the above disclosure, a single-row tapered roller bearing 1 in which a plurality of tapered rollers 4 are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction has been described. Although not shown, the cage of a double-row tapered roller bearing may have the above-described configuration. In another embodiment, when a part of a wheel bearing device (also called a hub unit) that supports an automobile wheel is configured with a tapered roller bearing, that is, when the wheel bearing device has tapered rollers as rolling elements in part, the cage that holds the tapered rollers may have the above-described configuration.

[0128] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all modifications within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1. Tapered roller bearings 2. Inner circle 21 Inner raceway 22 Small tsuba 23 Otsubabe 24 Side (Tsuba side) 3 outer ring 31 Outer raceway 4a Small diameter side 4b Large diameter side 4d border 41 Small diameter side end face 42 Large diameter side end face 43 Outer surface 5,5A,5B,5C,5D,5E retainer 6 Small diameter annular body 60 Small diameter annular body 6a Small diameter side 61 Small diameter side 61a Small diameter side first side 61b Small diameter side second side 62 recess 7 Large diameter annular body 70 Large diameter annular body 7a Large diameter side 71 Large diameter side 71a Large diameter first side 71b Second side of large diameter 72 recess 73 End 8 pillars 8a First aspect 8b Second aspect 8c Recessed part 8d border 9 pockets 9A First Pocket 9B Second pocket 9C First pocket 9D Second pocket 9E First pocket 9F Second Pocket 9G First Pocket 9H Second Pocket 9I First pocket 9J Second pocket 10 sets 11 Inner ring unit 100 sets 101 Cage 102 Pocket 103 Retaining part 107 Small tsuba 108 Inner Circle 109 Tapered roller 109a Small diameter side part C1 center line L1 first distance L2 second distance W1 distance W2 distance (third distance) W3 Distance (Fourth Distance) W4 Distance (Fifth Distance) W5 Distance (Sixth Distance) W6 distance W7 Distance (Seventh Distance) W8 Distance (eighth distance) θ1 First angle θ2 Second angle θ3 angle D1 Gap D2 Gap K1 Gap K2 gap Q1 yen Q2 yen Dj1 diameter Dj2 diameter X1 First displacement X2 First displacement X3 First displacement X4 First displacement Y1 Second displacement Y2 Second displacement Y3 Second displacement Y4 Second displacement

Claims

1. an inner ring having, on its outer periphery, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner circumferential side; a plurality of tapered rollers in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; an annular cage having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers; the cage has a plurality of first side surfaces that respectively face, from one circumferential side of the cage, outer circumferential surfaces of the tapered rollers accommodated in the plurality of pockets, and a plurality of second side surfaces that respectively face, from the other circumferential side of the cage, The plurality of pockets include a first pocket in which the angle formed between the first side surface and the second side surface is a first angle, and a second pocket in which the angle formed between the first side surface and the second side surface is a second angle smaller than the first angle, a tapered roller bearing, wherein the first angle and the second angle are angles formed by a first line passing through the radial inner end and the radial outer end of the first side surface and a second line passing through the radial inner end and the radial outer end of the second side surface intersecting radially outward in a cross section of the retainer when cut along a specified plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tapered roller.

2. 2. The tapered roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the second pocket have a recessed portion on one axial side that enlarges a gap between the tapered roller accommodated in the second pocket and the first side surface and the second side surface.

3. 3. A tapered roller bearing as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged with a first gap between them and the tapered rollers accommodated in the first pockets in the radial direction of the retainer, and a second gap between them and the tapered rollers accommodated in the second pockets that is larger than the first gap.

4. the cage has a plurality of small diameter side surfaces respectively facing small diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers respectively housed in the plurality of pockets, and a plurality of large diameter side surfaces respectively facing large diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers respectively housed in the plurality of pockets, 4. The tapered roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein, when a distance between the small diameter side surface and the large diameter side surface in the first pocket is defined as a first distance, a distance between the small diameter side surface and the large diameter side surface in the second pocket is defined as a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

5. the cage has a plurality of small diameter side surfaces respectively facing small diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers housed in the plurality of pockets, the small diameter side surface has a small diameter side first side surface located radially inward of the cage and a small diameter side second side surface located radially outward of the cage relative to the small diameter side first side surface, when a distance between the small diameter side first side surface and the small diameter side end surface of the first pocket is a third distance, a distance between the small diameter side first side surface and the small diameter side end surface of the second pocket is a fourth distance that is greater than the third distance, a distance between the second small diameter side surface and the small diameter side end surface of the second pocket is a fifth distance that is smaller than the fourth distance; The tapered roller bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the cage has a plurality of large diameter side surfaces that face the large diameter side end surfaces of the tapered rollers that are housed in the plurality of pockets, respectively; the large diameter side surface has a large diameter side first side surface located radially outward of the cage and a large diameter side second side surface located radially inward of the cage relative to the large diameter side first side surface, when a distance between the large diameter side first side surface and the large diameter side end surface of the first pocket is a sixth distance, a distance between a radially outer end of the large diameter side first side surface of the second pocket and the large diameter side end surface is a seventh distance that is greater than the sixth distance, a distance between the large diameter side second side surface and the large diameter side end surface of the second pocket is an eighth distance that is smaller than the seventh distance; The tapered roller bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The tapered roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the second pockets are arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction with the first pocket sandwiched therebetween.

8. an inner ring having, on its outer periphery, an inner ring raceway, a small rib portion provided on one axial side of the inner ring raceway, and a large rib portion provided on the other axial side of the inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on its inner circumferential side; a plurality of tapered rollers in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, a plurality of pockets for accommodating the tapered rollers; a plurality of first side surfaces respectively facing, from one circumferential side of the cage, outer circumferential surfaces of the tapered rollers respectively accommodated in the plurality of pockets; a plurality of second side surfaces respectively facing outer circumferential surfaces of the tapered rollers housed in the plurality of pockets from the other circumferential side of the cage; and The plurality of pockets include a first pocket in which the angle formed between the first side surface and the second side surface is a first angle, and a second pocket in which the angle formed between the first side surface and the second side surface is a second angle smaller than the first angle, The first angle and the second angle are angles formed by a first line passing through the radial inner end and the radial outer end of the first side surface and a second line passing through the radial inner end and the radial outer end of the second side surface intersecting radially outward in a cross section of the retainer when cut along a predetermined plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tapered roller.

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