bearings

Abstract

To provide a technology which can suppress the occurrence of a malfunction at a bearing resulting from a difference of thermal expansion amounts between a slide member and a housing.SOLUTION: A bearing 10 for pivoting a shaft Ax comprises a cylindrical slide member 20 configured to slide on a shaft when the shaft is pivotally supported by the bearing, a housing 30 for accommodating the slide member therein, and at least one elastic member 40 which is constituted so as to impart energization forces to the slide member and the housing so that the slide member does not come off from the housing. At least one elastic member is constituted so as to be deformed according to the difference of the thermal expansion amounts of the slide member and the housing when the slide member and the housing are expanded due to a rise of a temperature of the bearing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a bearing for supporting a shaft has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a bearing includes a cylindrical sliding member configured to slide on the shaft when the shaft is supported, and a housing that houses the sliding member therein. Specifically, the housing described in Patent Document 1 includes a cylindrical back metal that holds the outer peripheral surface of the sliding member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of the conventional bearing as described above, when the temperature of the bearing rises and the sliding member thermally expands, the housing is not configured to thermally expand according to the amount of thermal expansion of the sliding member. Therefore, when the temperature of the bearing rises, there is a risk that, for example, a large gap may occur between the sliding member and the housing due to the difference in the amount of thermal expansion therebetween. In this case, for example, there is a risk that the sliding member may come off from the housing.

[0005] In view of the above, one object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of problems in the bearing due to the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member and the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [ (Aspect 1) To achieve the above objective, a bearing according to one aspect of the present invention is a bearing for supporting a shaft, comprising: a cylindrical sliding member configured to slide on the shaft when the bearing supports the shaft; a housing that houses the sliding member inside; and at least one elastic member configured to apply a biasing force to the sliding member and the housing so that the sliding member does not come out of the housing, wherein the at least one elastic member is configured to deform in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member and the housing when the temperature of the bearing rises and the sliding member and the housing expand due to thermal expansion.

[0007] According to this embodiment, even if the bearing temperature rises and a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the sliding member and the housing, the biasing force of the elastic member, which deforms in accordance with this difference in thermal expansion, can prevent the sliding member from coming off the housing. This makes it possible to suppress bearing malfunctions caused by differences in thermal expansion between the sliding member and the housing.

[0008] (Aspect 2) In the above embodiment 1, at least one of the elastic members may include a plurality of elastic members, the plurality of elastic members being arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member and the inner circumferential surface of the housing facing the outer circumferential surface, and also arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding member.

[0009] (Aspect 3) In the above embodiment 2, each of the elastic members may be a leaf spring having a flat plate portion.

[0010] (Aspect 4) In the above embodiment 1, the sliding member has a plurality of circumferential directions of the sliding member. sliding piece It is divided into, and at least one of the elastic members comprises a plurality of elastic members, each of which is adjacent to the other sliding piece one of the above sliding piece and the other the above sliding piece It may be placed between them.

[0011] (Aspect 5) In the above embodiment 1, the housing includes a cylindrical housing member that houses the sliding member inside, and a ring member disposed radially outward from the housing member so as to have a space between it and the housing member, wherein the housing member is divided into a plurality of housing pieces in the circumferential direction of the housing member, a slit is provided between one housing piece and the other of the adjacent housing pieces, and at least one of the elastic members includes a plurality of elastic members, each of which is disposed in the space between the housing member and the ring member, connecting each housing piece and the ring member.

[0012] (Aspect 6) In the above embodiment 5, each of the elastic members has a first end connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member and a second end connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member, and the portion of each elastic member between the first end and the second end may be bent toward the center of the housing member and connected to the housing piece.

[0013] (Aspect 7) In the above embodiment 5, the plurality of receiving pieces include a first receiving piece positioned on the first side of a first virtual plane including the axis of the receiving member, and a second receiving piece positioned on the second side of the first virtual plane, and the plurality of elastic members include a first elastic member, a second elastic member, a third elastic member, and a fourth elastic member, and the first elastic member connects the first receiving piece to a portion of the ring member that is on the first side of the second virtual plane perpendicular to the first virtual plane and on the second side of the first virtual plane, and the second elastic member The first housing piece connects to a portion of the ring member that is on the second side of the second virtual plane, the third elastic member connects to a portion of the ring member that is on the first side of the second virtual plane, and the fourth elastic member connects to a portion of the ring member that is on the second side of the second virtual plane, the fourth elastic member connects to a portion of the ring member that is on the first side of the first virtual plane. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the bearing according to Embodiment 1 supports the shaft. [Figure 2] This figure schematically shows the cross-section of the bearing along the line A1-A1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view of one of the multiple elastic members according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a bearing relating to a comparative example. [Figure 5] This figure schematically shows the cross-section of the bearing along the line A1-A1 according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] This is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the peripheral configuration of one elastic member according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] This is a schematic front view of the housing according to Embodiment 3, viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view showing the axial positional relationship between the elastic member and the housing member according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 9] It is a schematic front view that visually recognizes the housing according to a modification of Embodiment 3 from the side in the axial direction. [Figure 10] It is a schematic side view showing the axial positional relationship between the housing member and the elastic member according to a modification of Embodiment 3.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematically illustrated for easy understanding of the features of the embodiments, and the dimensional ratios of each component are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. In addition, in some drawings, X - Y - Z orthogonal coordinates are illustrated for reference. In the following embodiments, the same or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) First, the bearing 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross - sectional view showing a state in which the bearing 10 according to the present embodiment supports the shaft Ax. The bearing 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to rotatably support the shaft Ax during use. Specifically, as an example, the bearing 10 according to the present embodiment is a sliding bearing, and more specifically, a self - lubricating journal - type sliding bearing.

[0017] The specific configuration of the shaft Ax supported by the bearing 10 is not particularly limited, but as the shaft Ax, the rotating shaft of a pump or the rotating shaft of a device other than a pump (such as a machine tool) can be used. The shaft Ax to be supported according to the present embodiment is, as an example, the rotating shaft of a pump. In this case, an impeller (not shown) of the pump is connected to the shaft Ax.

[0018] Furthermore, the pump according to this embodiment is, for example, a pump for sucking up molten salt. The specific type of molten salt is not particularly limited, and various molten salts can be used, such as oxyate-based molten salts and alkali metal halogen-based molten salts. In this embodiment, an oxyate-based molten salt is used as an example of this molten salt, and as a specific example, a molten salt containing potassium nitrate (KNO3) and sodium nitrate (NaNO3) is used.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the pump is in use, the temperature of the bearing 10 becomes high, above a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature of 400°C or higher, specifically a temperature within the range of 400°C to 700°C). In other words, the bearing 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a bearing used in a high-temperature atmosphere.

[0020] Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-section of the bearing 10 along the line A1-A1. Note that the shaft Ax and the housing body 31, which will be described later, are not shown in Figure 2. Also, Figure 2 schematically shows the state of the bearing 10 when the temperature becomes high. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the bearing 10 comprises a sliding member 20, a housing 30, and at least one elastic member 40.

[0021] The axis L1 illustrated in Figure 1 is the axis of axis Ax (the line indicating the central axis), and is also the axis of the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. In other words, in the bearing 10 according to this embodiment, the axis of axis Ax, the axis of the sliding member 20, and the axis of the housing 30 coincide.

[0022] The sliding member 20 is configured to slide on the shaft Ax, which is supported by the bearing 10. Specifically, the sliding member 20 in this embodiment is made of a cylindrical member. The specific material of the sliding member 20 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as an example... Therefore, non-metallic materials such as carbon and ceramics are used.

[0023] The housing 30 is configured to house the sliding member 20 inside. In this embodiment, the housing 30 also houses the elastic member 40 inside. The specific material of the housing 30 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a metal material such as stainless steel is used as an example. In this embodiment, the thermal expansion coefficient of the sliding member 20 is smaller than that of the housing 30.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 1, the housing 30 according to this embodiment comprises a housing body 31 and a backing plate 32 disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing body 31. The housing body 31 and the backing plate 32 are composed of cylindrical members extending in the direction of the axis L1. The housing body 31 and the backing plate 32 according to this embodiment are composed of a metal material. The specific material of the metal material of the housing body 31 and the backing plate 32 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, stainless steel is used as an example.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, at least one elastic member 40 includes "multiple elastic members 40". The elastic member 40 is configured to apply a biasing force to the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 so that the sliding member 20 does not come off the housing 30. The elastic member 40 is also configured to deform in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 when the temperature of the bearing 10 rises and the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 expand due to thermal expansion.

[0026] Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 2, the multiple elastic members 40 according to this embodiment are arranged in the space 60a between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30 (specifically the backing plate 32) (the inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20). That is, the multiple elastic members 40 are arranged in the space 60a so as to be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30. Furthermore, the multiple elastic members 40 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding member 20.

[0027] Each elastic member 40 applies a biasing force to the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 in a direction that increases the gap between the outer surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner surface of the housing 30. This biasing force from the multiple elastic members 40 prevents the sliding member 20 from coming off the housing 30. Specifically, it prevents the relative position of the axis L1 of the sliding member 20 and the axis L1 of the housing 30 from shifting. Furthermore, if the temperature of the bearing 10 rises and the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 expand due to thermal expansion, the elastic members 40 can deform (specifically, expand and contract) in the radial direction of the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 according to the difference in the amount of thermal expansion of the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. In addition, the frictional force between the elastic members 40 and the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 prevents the sliding member 20 from rotating relative to the housing 30 when the axis Ax rotates.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of one of several elastic members 40. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the elastic member 40 may be composed of a leaf spring.

[0029] Specifically, the elastic member 40 illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a flat plate portion 41, a bent portion 42a that is bent outward (towards the outer circumference) in the radial direction of the sliding member 20, and a bent portion 42b that is bent inward (towards the center) in the radial direction of the sliding member 20. The flat plate portion 41 is provided to connect the bent portion 42a and the bent portion 42b. That is, the bent portion 42a is provided at one end of the elastic member 40, and the bent portion 42b is provided at the other end of the elastic member 40. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, a plurality of such elastic members 40 (for example, 10) are arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding member 20.

[0030] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the elastic members 40 consist of two adjacent elastic members 40, with the bent portion 42a (i.e., one end) of one elastic member 40 connected to the bent portion 42b (i.e., the other end) of the other elastic member 40. The bent portion 42a of the elastic member 40 is also connected to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30 (the inner circumferential surface of the backing plate 32). Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 2, when the temperature of the bearing 10 becomes high, and as a result the width of the space 60a between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 increases, the flat plate portion 41 in this embodiment contacts the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20, but does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30.

[0031] Furthermore, the bearing 10 may also include multiple elastic members 40 (referred to as the "elastic member group") arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding member 20, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in the axial direction (Z direction) of the sliding member 20. In other words, the bearing 10 may include two, three, or more of these elastic member groups in the axial direction (Z direction) of the sliding member 20.

[0032] As in this embodiment, when the bearing 10 is applied to a pump for molten salt, it is preferable to use a material for the elastic member 40 that has good heat resistance at high temperatures and corrosion resistance to molten salt. An example of a suitable material for such an elastic member 40 is a nickel-based alloy (i.e., a nickel alloy).

[0033] Specific examples of this nickel alloy include those to which at least one alloying element selected from iron, chromium, molybdenum, and niobium is added. A suitable example of such a nickel alloy is Inconel®. Specifically, examples include Inconel 600, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, and Inconel X750. However, these are merely examples of materials for the elastic member 40, and the material for the elastic member 40 is not limited to these.

[0034] In this embodiment, as described above, since the thermal expansion coefficient of the sliding member 20 is smaller than that of the housing 30, the higher the temperature of the bearing 10, the greater the width (radial length) of the space 60a between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. On the other hand, the lower the temperature of the bearing 10, the smaller the width of the space 60a between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. As a result, the elastic member 40 is deformed by being crushed between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30.

[0035] The effects and advantages of this embodiment, as described above, will now be explained in comparison with the bearing 500 of the comparative example. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bearing 500 of the comparative example. Specifically, Figure 4 schematically illustrates the bearing 500 of the comparative example at the same location as in Figure 2 (section along line A1-A1). However, Figure 4 schematically illustrates the bearing 500 of the comparative example at a low temperature (for example, 100°C or less). The bearing 500 of the comparative example differs from the bearing 10 of the embodiment mainly in that it does not have an elastic member 40. The sliding member 20 of the bearing 500 of the comparative example is shrink-fitted to the housing 30 (specifically the backing plate 32).

[0036] In the case of the bearing 500 according to this comparative example, when the temperature of the bearing 500 rises and the sliding member 20 expands due to thermal expansion, the housing 30 is not configured to expand in proportion to the amount of thermal expansion of the sliding member 20. Therefore, when the temperature of the bearing 500 rises, a large gap may be created between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 due to the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. In this case, a problem may occur, for example, in which case the sliding member 20 may come off the housing 30.

[0037] In contrast, according to this embodiment, even if the temperature of the bearing 10 rises and a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30, the elastic member 40 positioned between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 can deform in accordance with this difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 (particularly the difference in radial thermal expansion). The biasing force of the elastic member 40, which deforms in accordance with this difference in thermal expansion, prevents the sliding member 20 from coming off the housing 30. This makes it possible to suppress malfunctions in the bearing 10 caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30.

[0038] In the comparative example bearing 500, in order to prevent a large gap from forming between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 when the temperature of the bearing 500 rises, it is conceivable to, for example, increase the outer diameter of the sliding member 20 in advance (or decrease the inner diameter of the housing 30 in advance).

[0039] However, in this case, if the temperature of the bearing 500 decreases after the sliding member 20 has been fitted into the housing 30 by shrink fitting, the stress applied to the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 may exceed the yield strength of the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. In this case, plastic deformation or breakage may occur in the sliding member 20 and the housing 30. In contrast, according to this embodiment, such problems as plastic deformation or breakage of the sliding member 20 and the housing 30 are suppressed.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) Next, the bearing 10A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of the bearing 10A according to Embodiment 2 along the line A1-A1. The bearing 10A according to this embodiment differs from the bearing 10 according to Embodiment 1 described above in that it is equipped with a sliding member 20A instead of the sliding member 20, and with an elastic member 40A instead of the elastic member 40.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the peripheral configuration of one elastic member 40A. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the sliding member 20A is divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction. Each of the divided sliding members 20A is referred to as a sliding piece 21. Each elastic member 40A is positioned between two adjacent sliding pieces 21.

[0042] Specifically, each elastic member 40A is positioned in the space 60b between one sliding piece 21 and the other sliding piece 21. That is, each elastic member 40A is sandwiched between the circumferential end of one sliding piece 21 and the circumferential end of the other sliding piece 21 that is opposite to this circumferential end. More specifically, each elastic member 40A connects one sliding piece 21 and the other sliding piece 21.

[0043] Each elastic member 40A biases the sliding piece 21 such that the space 60b between adjacent sliding pieces 21 expands, causing the sliding member 20A to enlarge in diameter. The biasing force applied to the sliding piece 21 by the elastic member 40A presses the sliding piece 21 against the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30. In other words, the elastic member 40A applies a biasing force not only to the sliding piece 21 (i.e., the sliding member 20A) but also to the housing 30 via the sliding piece 21. This biasing force prevents the sliding member 20A from coming off the housing 30.

[0044] In other words, the elastic member 40A in this embodiment also applies a biasing force to the sliding member 20A and the housing 30 to prevent the sliding member 20A from coming off the housing 30. Furthermore, the elastic member 40A is responsible for preventing thermal expansion of the sliding member 20A and the housing 30 as the temperature of the bearing 10A rises. In this case, the sliding member 20A and the housing 30 can be deformed in the circumferential direction according to the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between them.

[0045] For example, a coiled spring or the like can be used as the elastic member 40A. The material of this elastic member 40A is not particularly limited, but for example, the same metal as the elastic member 40 according to Embodiment 1 described above may be used.

[0046] According to this embodiment, even if the temperature of the bearing 10A rises and a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the sliding member 20A and the housing 30, the elastic member 40A can deform in accordance with this difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20A and the housing 30. The biasing force of this elastic member 40A prevents the sliding member 20A from coming off the housing 30. This makes it possible to suppress malfunctions in the bearing 10A caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20A and the housing 30.

[0047] Specifically, according to this embodiment, even if, for example, the temperature of the bearing 10A rises and a gap is likely to form between the sliding member 20A and the housing 30 due to the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20A and the housing 30, the elastic member 40A stretches, and the biasing force of this elastic member 40A widens the space 60b of the adjacent sliding piece 21, causing the sliding member 20A to expand in diameter, thereby maintaining a close contact between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20A and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 30.

[0048] (Embodiment 3) Next, the bearing 10B according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the housing 30B of the bearing 10B according to Embodiment 3, viewed from the axial direction. The bearing 10B according to this embodiment differs from the bearing 10 according to Embodiment 1 described above in that it has a housing 30B instead of a housing 30, and an elastic member 40B instead of an elastic member 40.

[0049] The housing 30B comprises a housing member 33B and a ring member 37. The housing member 33B is cylindrical. The ring member 37 is composed of a ring-shaped member positioned radially outward of the housing member 33B, with a space 60c between it and the housing member 33B.

[0050] The sliding member 20, as described above in Embodiment 1, is housed inside the housing member 33B. Note that in Figure 7, the sliding member 20 is shown as a dashed line to make the shape of the housing 30 easier to see. In this embodiment, the backing plate 32 is not placed between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 33B. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the backing plate 32 may be placed between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 33B.

[0051] The housing member 33B is divided into a plurality of housing pieces 34 in the circumferential direction of the housing member 33B. As an example, the housing member 33B in this embodiment is divided into three housing pieces 34. A slit 35 extending in the axial direction of the housing member 33B is provided between one housing piece 34 and the other housing piece 34 that are adjacent to each other.

[0052] As illustrated in Figure 7, each receiving piece 34 may have at least one groove 36 extending in the axial direction of the receiving member 33B on its inner circumferential surface. In this embodiment, the number of grooves 36 provided on each receiving piece 34 is multiple (for example, three).

[0053] In this embodiment, the number of elastic members 40B is, for example, three. Figure 8 shows the elastic part. This is a schematic side view showing the axial positional relationship between material 40B and housing member 33B. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, each elastic member 40B is positioned in the space 60c between housing member 33B and ring member 37, connecting each housing piece 34 to the ring member 37.

[0054] Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7, each elastic member 40B has a first end 43a connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 37, and a second end 43b connected to a different location on the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 37 from where the first end 43a is located. The portion of each elastic member 40B between the first end 43a and the second end 43b is bent toward the center of the housing member 33B and is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the housing piece 34.

[0055] The elastic member 40B may be composed of, for example, a leaf spring, or a rod-shaped metal member having spring properties, or it may have any other configuration. The specific material of the elastic member 40B is not particularly limited, but for example, the same metal as the elastic member 40 in the above-described embodiment 1 may be used.

[0056] In this embodiment, the elastic member 40B biases the housing piece 34 of the housing member 33B in a direction that reduces its diameter. The biasing force applied to the housing member 33B by the elastic member 40B causes the housing piece 34 to be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20. In other words, the elastic member 40B applies a biasing force to the housing 30B and also applies a biasing force to the sliding member 20 via the housing piece 34 of the housing 30B. This biasing force prevents the sliding member 20 from coming out of the housing piece 34 of the housing 30B.

[0057] In other words, the elastic member 40B in this embodiment also applies a biasing force to the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B to prevent the sliding member 20 from coming off the housing 30B. Furthermore, when the temperature of the bearing 10B rises and the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B undergo thermal expansion, the elastic member 40B can deform radially in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B.

[0058] According to this embodiment, even if the temperature of the bearing 10B rises and a difference in thermal expansion occurs between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B, the elastic member 40B can deform in accordance with this difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B. The biasing force of this elastic member 40B prevents the sliding member 20 from coming off the housing 30B. This makes it possible to suppress malfunctions in the bearing 10B caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30B.

[0059] Specifically, according to this embodiment, for example, even if the temperature of the bearing 10B rises and a gap is likely to form between the sliding member 20 and the housing member 33B of the housing 30B due to the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing member 33B of the housing 30B, the biasing force of the elastic member 40B causes the housing piece 34 of the housing member 33B to shrink in diameter, thereby maintaining a close contact between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 33B.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the housing member 33B is divided into a plurality of housing pieces 34, and a slit 35 is provided between adjacent housing pieces 34, when the housing member 33B undergoes thermal expansion, the housing pieces 34 can be stretched by a predetermined amount in their circumferential direction. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of local stress (for example, compressive stress applied in the circumferential direction of the housing member 33B) in the housing member 33B when the housing member 33B undergoes thermal expansion, compared to the case where the housing member 33B does not have a slit 35 (when the housing member 33B is not divided into housing pieces 34).

[0061] (Modified form of Embodiment 3) Next, a modified example of the bearing 10C of Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 9 is a schematic front view of the housing 30C of the bearing 10C of the modified example of Embodiment 3, viewed from the axial direction. The bearing 10C of this modified example differs from the bearing 10B of Embodiment 3 illustrated in Figure 7 in that it has a housing 30C instead of a housing 30B, and an elastic member 40C instead of an elastic member 40B. The housing 30C of this modified example differs from the housing 30C of Embodiment 3 illustrated in Figure 7 in that it has a housing member 33C instead of a housing member 33B.

[0062] Figure 9 illustrates a first virtual plane PL1 that includes the axis L1 of the housing member 33C, and a second virtual plane PL2 that is perpendicular to the first virtual plane PL1. The second virtual plane PL2 also includes the axis L1 of the housing member 33C. The first virtual plane PL1 illustrated in Figure 9 is a plane parallel to the XZ plane, and the second virtual plane PL2 is a plane parallel to the YZ plane.

[0063] Furthermore, assuming that the bearing 10C is positioned such that the first virtual plane PL1 is a horizontal plane (in this case, the second virtual plane PL2 is a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground), when the bearing 10C is viewed from one side in the axial direction (the side in the -Z direction in Figure 9) as shown in Figure 9, the "first side of the first virtual plane PL1" corresponds to the upper side of the first virtual plane PL1, and the "first side of the second virtual plane PL2" corresponds to the right side of the second virtual plane PL2.

[0064] As illustrated in Figure 9, the storage member 33C according to this modified example is divided into two storage pieces 34. Specifically, the two storage pieces 34 are storage piece #1 34 ("first storage piece") located on the first side of the first virtual plane PL1, and storage piece #2 34 ("second storage piece") located on the second side of the first virtual plane PL1. A slit 35 extending in the axial direction of the storage member 33C is provided between the adjacent storage piece #1 34 and storage piece #2 34.

[0065] As illustrated in Figure 9, the storage member 33C in this modified example does not have a groove 36 on its inner circumferential surface. However, this configuration is not limited to this, and, as with the storage member 33B described above, a groove 36 may also be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the storage member 33C.

[0066] In this modified example, the number of elastic members 40C is, for example, four. Specifically, the elastic members 40C in this modified example are elastic member #1 ("first elastic member"), elastic member #2 ("second elastic member"), elastic member #3 ("third elastic member"), and elastic member #4 ("fourth elastic member"). Each elastic member 40C has a first end 43a connected to the outer circumferential surface of the housing member 33C and a second end 43b connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 37.

[0067] Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing the axial positional relationship between the housing member 33C and the elastic member 40C. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the elastic member 40C of #1 connects the housing piece 34 of #1 to a location on the first side of the second virtual plane PL2 and on the second side of the first virtual plane PL1 in the ring member 37. The elastic member 40C of #2 connects the housing piece 34 of #1 to a location on the second side of the second virtual plane PL2 and on the second side of the first virtual plane PL1 in the ring member 37.

[0068] Elastic member 40C #3 connects housing piece 34 #2 to a portion of ring member 37 that is on the first side of the second virtual plane PL2 and on the first side of the first virtual plane PL1. Elastic member 40C #4 connects housing piece 34 #2 to a portion of ring member 37 that is on the second side of the second virtual plane PL2 and on the first side of the first virtual plane PL1.

[0069] In reality, the multiple elastic members 40C do not intersect, but as illustrated in Figure 9, when viewed from the axial direction (Z-axis direction), elastic member #1 40C and elastic member #3 40C appear to intersect, and elastic member #2 40C and elastic member #4 40C appear to intersect.

[0070] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 10, elastic member #1 40C may be located on one side (towards the Z direction) in the axial direction than elastic member #2 40C, and elastic member #4 40C may be located on one side (towards the Z direction) in the axial direction than elastic member #3 40C. Also, the axial positions of elastic member #1 40C and elastic member #4 40C may be the same, and the axial positions of elastic member #2 40C and elastic member #3 40C may be the same.

[0071] The elastic member 40C may be composed of, for example, a leaf spring, or a rod-shaped metal member having spring properties, or it may have any other configuration. The specific material of the elastic member 40C is not particularly limited, but for example, the same metal as the elastic member 40 according to Embodiment 1 described above may be used.

[0072] The elastic member 40C in this modified example, like the elastic member 40B described above, biases the housing piece 34 of the housing member 33C in a direction that reduces its diameter. Specifically, elastic members #1 and #2 40C bias the housing piece 34 of #1 towards the second side (-Y direction side) of the first virtual plane PL1, and elastic members #3 and #4 40C bias the housing piece 34 of #2 towards the first side (Y direction side) of the first virtual plane PL1.

[0073] The biasing force applied from the elastic member 40C to the housing member 33C causes the housing piece 34 to be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 20. In other words, the elastic member 40C applies a biasing force to the housing 30C and also to the sliding member 20 via the housing piece 34 of the housing 30C. This biasing force prevents the sliding member 20 from coming out of the housing piece 34 of the housing 30C.

[0074] In other words, the elastic member 40C in this modified example also applies a biasing force to the sliding member 20 and the housing 30C to prevent the sliding member 20 from coming off the housing 30C. Furthermore, when the temperature of the bearing 10C rises and the sliding member 20 and the housing 30C expand due to thermal expansion, the elastic member 40C can deform in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30C (deforming in a direction that reduces the diameter of the housing member 33C). This allows the sliding member 20 and the housing member 33C to maintain a tightly fitted state.

[0075] In this modified example, the same effects and advantages as in Embodiment 3 described above can be achieved. That is, in this modified example as well, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in the bearing 10C caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the sliding member 20 and the housing 30C.

[0076] Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and modifications, and various further modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 10 bearings 20 Sliding member 21 Sliding piece 30 Housing 32. Slush funds 34 Packing pieces 35 slits 37 Ring component 40 Elastic members 41 Flat plate part 60a,60b,60c space Ax axis L1 axis PL1 First Virtual Plane PL2 Second Virtual Plane

Claims

1. A bearing for supporting an axis, A cylindrical sliding member configured to slide on the shaft when the bearing supports the shaft, A housing that houses the sliding member inside, The system comprises at least one elastic member configured to apply a biasing force to the sliding member and the housing so that the sliding member does not come off the housing, At least one of the elastic members is configured to deform in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member and the housing when the temperature of the bearing rises and the sliding member and the housing expand due to thermal expansion. The housing comprises a cylindrical housing member that houses the sliding member inside, and a ring member positioned radially outward from the housing member, such that there is a space between the housing member and the ring member. The aforementioned housing member is divided into a plurality of housing pieces in the circumferential direction of the housing member, A slit is provided between one of the adjacent storage pieces and the other storage piece. At least one of the elastic members includes a plurality of elastic members, A bearing in which each of the elastic members is positioned in the space between the housing member and the ring member, connecting each of the housing pieces and the ring member.

2. A bearing for supporting an axis, A cylindrical sliding member configured to slide on the shaft when the bearing supports the shaft, A housing that houses the sliding member inside, The system comprises at least one elastic member configured to apply a biasing force to the sliding member and the housing so that the sliding member does not come off the housing, At least one of the elastic members is configured to deform in accordance with the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the sliding member and the housing when the temperature of the bearing rises and the sliding member and the housing expand due to thermal expansion. At least one of the elastic members includes a plurality of elastic members, The plurality of elastic members are arranged between the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member and the inner circumferential surface of the housing facing the outer circumferential surface, and are arranged in the circumferential direction of the sliding member. Each of the aforementioned elastic members comprises a plate spring having a flat plate portion, a first bent portion that is bent outward in the radial direction of the sliding member, and a second bent portion that is bent inward in the radial direction of the sliding member, wherein the flat plate portion is provided to connect the first bent portion and the second bent portion. A bearing in which, of two adjacent elastic members, the first bent portion of one elastic member is connected to the second bent portion of the other elastic member.

3. Each of the elastic members has a first end connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member and a second end connected to the inner circumferential surface of the ring member. The bearing according to claim 1, wherein the portion of each of the elastic members between the first end and the second end is bent toward the center of the housing member and is connected to the housing piece.

4. The plurality of receiving pieces include a first receiving piece positioned on a first side of a first virtual plane containing the axis of the receiving member, and a second receiving piece positioned on a second side of the first virtual plane, The plurality of elastic members include a first elastic member, a second elastic member, a third elastic member, and a fourth elastic member. The first elastic member connects the first housing piece to a portion of the ring member that is on the first side of the second virtual plane perpendicular to the first virtual plane and on the second side of the first virtual plane. The second elastic member connects the first housing piece and a portion of the ring member that is on the second side of the second virtual plane, The third elastic member connects the second housing piece and a portion of the ring member that is on the first side of the second virtual plane and on the first side of the first virtual plane. The bearing according to claim 1, wherein the fourth elastic member connects the second housing piece to a portion of the ring member that is on the second side of the second virtual plane and on the first side of the first virtual plane.

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