Sliding members and rolling bearings

Abstract

This sliding member comprises a seat, rubber and a metal ring. The seat is formed of electroconductive fibres and is in slidable contact with a second member comprising steel material, said second member being fixed in a state in contact with a first member comprising steel material. From among a first rubber portion, which is fixed to a surface of the metal ring towards a first side in the axial direction, and a second rubber portion, which is fixed to a surface of the metal ring towards a second side in the axial direction, the rubber comprises at least the second rubber portion. The seat comprises a seat portion which is fixed to the second rubber portion. A first surface towards the first side in the axial direction is the surface of the metal ring towards the first side in the axial direction or the surface of the first rubber portion towards the first side in the axial direction. A second surface towards the second side in the axial direction is the surface of the second rubber portion and / or the seat portion towards the second side in the axial direction. The first surface and the second surface are arranged in positions overlapping one another in the radial direction and the circumferential direction. Regarding the sliding member, a first thickness is the thickness from the surface of the metal ring towards the first side in the axial direction to the first surface, and a second thickness is the thickness from the surface of the metal ring towards the second side in the axial direction to the second surface. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sliding member and a rolling bearing.

Background Art

[0002] A rolling bearing having an anti-electric corrosion function is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The rolling bearing described in Patent Document 1 is a bearing that supports the rotating shaft of an electric motor mounted on an electric vehicle or the like. This rolling bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and an annular seal (sliding member) that closes the end opening of the bearing internal space between the outer ring and the inner ring. The seal includes an elastic material such as rubber having conductivity. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of this elastic material are in contact with the inner ring and the outer ring, respectively. When the elastic material contacts the inner ring and the outer ring, the inner ring is electrically connected to the outer ring through the elastic material, and the flow of current between the inner ring and the balls and between the outer ring and the balls is suppressed, and the electrical erosion of the inner ring raceway, the outer ring raceway, and the balls is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The elastic material of the seal (sliding member) in Patent Document 1 has a certain degree of conductivity by kneading carbon fiber into rubber. On the other hand, in order to further suppress the electrical erosion of the raceway, it is required to further increase the conductivity of the seal. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to increase the conductivity of the sliding member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) The sliding member of the present disclosure includes a sheet, rubber, and a metal ring. The sheet is made of conductive fibers, is fixed in contact with a first member made of steel, and is slidably in contact with a second member made of steel. The aforementioned rubber is A first rubber portion fixed to the surface of the first side of the metal ring in the axial direction, A second rubber portion fixed to the surface of the second side of the metal ring in the axial direction, and at least the second rubber portion is provided. The aforementioned sheet is The sheet portion is fixed to the second rubber portion, The first surface on the first axial side is the first axial side surface of the metal ring, or the first axial side surface of the first rubber portion. The second surface on the second axial side is the second axial side surface of the second rubber portion and / or the sheet portion. The first surface and the second surface are arranged in positions that overlap each other in the radial and circumferential directions. The first thickness is the thickness from the surface of the first side of the metal ring in the axial direction to the first surface. The second thickness is the thickness from the second side surface in the axial direction of the metal ring to the second surface, The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

[0006] (2) The rolling bearing of the present disclosure comprises an inner ring having an inner ring raceway, An outer ring having an outer ring raceway arranged radially outside the inner ring raceway, A plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be rotatable between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, The sliding member described in (1) above is disposed radially between the axial end of the inner ring and the axial end of the outer ring, The inner ring and the outer ring are the first member, The other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The sliding member of the present disclosure includes a sheet made of a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric formed of conductive fibers, and this sheet can reduce the electrical resistance and enhance the conductivity compared to an elastic material in which carbon fibers are kneaded into rubber. Therefore, the sliding member can electrically connect the first member and the second member by the sheet, and a current can flow from one of the first member and the second member to the other through this sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a rolling bearing according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the radially outer portion of the sliding member in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the radially inner portion of the sliding member in FIG. 2. [[ID=第十九]] [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a view of a part of the sliding member in the circumferential direction as seen axially from the bearing outer space side. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a molding die for the sliding member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the molding die for the sliding member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the opened molding die. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member according to the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <Summary of Embodiments of the Invention of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, the summary of the embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] (1) The sliding member of the present disclosure includes a sheet, rubber, and a metal ring, The sheet is formed of conductive fibers, fixed in a state of contacting a first member made of steel material, and slidably contacting a second member made of steel material, The rubber is, a first rubber portion fixed to a surface on a first side in the axial direction of the metal ring, and a second rubber portion fixed to a surface on a second side in the axial direction of the metal ring, and includes at least the second rubber portion, The sheet is, a sheet portion fixed to the second rubber portion, A first surface on a first side in the axial direction is the surface on the first side in the axial direction of the metal ring or the surface on the first side in the axial direction of the first rubber portion, A second surface on a second side in the axial direction is the surface on the second side in the axial direction of the second rubber portion and / or the sheet portion, The first surface and the second surface are arranged at positions overlapping each other in the radial direction and the circumferential direction, A first thickness is the thickness from the surface on the first side in the axial direction of the metal ring to the first surface, A second thickness is the thickness from the surface on the second side in the axial direction of the metal ring to the second surface, The second thickness is larger than the first thickness.

[0011] According to this configuration, the sliding member includes a sheet that is a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric formed of conductive fibers. The sheet can reduce the electrical resistance and enhance the conductivity compared to an elastic material in which carbon fibers are kneaded into rubber. Therefore, the sliding member can electrically connect the first member and the second member by the sheet, and a current can flow from one of the first member and the second member to the other through this sheet.

[0012] Also, the second thickness of the sliding member is larger than the first thickness. A mold for molding a sliding member having such a configuration has a structure that presses the metal ring from the axial direction, and can suppress the displacement of the metal ring with respect to the mold.

[0013] (2) Preferably, the metal ring of the sliding member described in (1) above is positioned at a distance from the first axial side of the seat, The rubber has portions arranged at the aforementioned intervals.

[0014] This configuration prevents direct contact between the metal ring and the sheet, thereby suppressing damage to the sheet from being subjected to load from the metal ring.

[0015] (3) Preferably, the rubber of the sliding member described in (1) or (2) above is bonded to the entire axial first side of the sheet.

[0016] This configuration allows the shape of the entire sheet to be maintained by the rubber.

[0017] (4) The rolling bearings of this disclosure are An inner ring having an inner track, An outer ring having an outer ring raceway arranged radially outside the inner ring raceway, A plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be rotatable between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, A sliding member according to any one of (1) to (3) above, which is positioned radially between the axial end of the inner ring and the axial end of the outer ring, The inner ring and the outer ring are the first member, The other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member.

[0018] With this configuration, the outer ring and inner ring of the rolling bearing can be electrically connected by a sliding member sheet, and current can be passed from one of the outer ring and inner ring to the other through this sheet, thereby suppressing electrolytic corrosion of the outer ring raceway, inner ring raceway, and balls.

[0019] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention Disclosed> Embodiments of the invention described herein will be explained below. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a rolling bearing according to this disclosure. The rolling bearing 10 shown in Figure 1 supports the rotating shaft S of a motor mounted in, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In Figure 1, the rotating shaft S is indicated by a dashed line (two-dot dashed line).

[0020] The rolling bearing 10 comprises an outer ring 11, an inner ring 12, a plurality of rolling elements 13, a cage 14, and a sliding member 15. In this embodiment, the rolling elements 13 are balls. The rolling bearing 10 is a deep groove ball bearing. The outer ring 11 is mounted on the housing H of the motor. The inner ring 12 is fitted and fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft S. In Figure 1, the housing H is shown by a dashed line (two-dot dashed line). In this embodiment, the outer ring 11 is a stationary ring, and the inner ring 12 is a rotating ring. The outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are formed from a steel material such as bearing steel. High-carbon chromium bearing steel (for example, SUJ2 or SUJ3 as defined in JIS standards) can be used as the bearing steel. However, the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 may be made of other steel materials such as carburized bearing steel, carbon steel, chromium steel, or stainless steel.

[0021] The outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are arranged concentrically. In this embodiment, the central axis of the outer ring 11 and the central axis of the inner ring 12 coincide with the central axis C of the rolling bearing 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction along the central axis C and the direction parallel to the central axis C are defined as the "axial direction". Similarly, the direction perpendicular to the central axis C is defined as the "radial direction". Similarly, the direction along the circle centered on the central axis C is defined as the "circumferential direction". Also, in this embodiment, the left side of Figure 1 is the first axial side, the right side of Figure 1 is the second axial side, the upper side of Figure 1 is the first radial side, and the lower side of Figure 1 is the second radial side. Also, in this embodiment, the first radial side is the radially outer side, and the second radial side is the radially inner side. Therefore, in the following description, the first radial side may be referred to as the radially outer side, and the second radial side as the radially inner side.

[0022] The outer ring 11 comprises an outer ring raceway 21, two shoulders 22, and two annular grooves 23. The outer ring raceway 21 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 11. The ball 13 rolls along this outer ring raceway 21. The two shoulders 22 are provided on both axial sides of the outer ring raceway 21. The two annular grooves 23 are provided between the shoulders 22 and the sides of the outer ring 11. The annular grooves 23 have an annular groove shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction. The sliding member 15 is attached to the annular grooves 23 located on both axial sides of the outer ring 11. However, the sliding member 15 may be attached only to the annular grooves 23 located on either the first or second axial side of the outer ring 11. In this case, the annular grooves 23 to which the sliding member 15 is not attached may be omitted.

[0023] The inner ring 12 comprises an inner ring raceway 31, two shoulders 32, and two sliding member contact surfaces 33. The inner ring raceway 31 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 12. The ball 13 rolls along this inner ring raceway 31. The two shoulders 32 are provided on both axial sides of the inner ring raceway 31. The two sliding member contact surfaces 33 are provided between the shoulders 32 and the sides of the inner ring 12. The sliding member contact surfaces 33 are provided in an annular shape around the entire circumference of the inner ring 12. The sliding member contact surfaces 33 have a groove shape in a cross-section including the central axis C of the inner ring 12. The radial inner end of the sliding member 15 is in contact with the sliding member contact surface 33.

[0024] The ball 13 is positioned between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12. The ball 13 rolls and makes contact with the outer ring raceway 21 and the inner ring raceway 31. Multiple balls 13 are held circumferentially at intervals by an annular retainer 14.

[0025] The retainer 14 has an annular body 16 and a plurality of horns (columns) 17. The annular body 16 is located on the second axial side of the ball 13. The plurality of horns (columns) 17 extend from the annular body 16 on the first axial side. The pocket 18 is the space between two circumferentially adjacent horns 17 on the first axial side of the annular body 16. The ball 13 is housed in the pocket 18. The pocket 18 is open on the first axial side.

[0026] The sliding member 15 is annular. The sliding member 15 is attached to and fixed to the outer ring (first member) 11 and slides against the inner ring (second member) 12. Specifically, the sliding member 15 is fixed to the outer ring 11 by fitting its radially outer end (the end on the first radial side) into the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. The radially inner end (the end on the second radial side) of the sliding member 15 is in contact with the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. The sliding members 15 are arranged on both axial sides of the rolling bearing 10. Therefore, the annular space between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12, the bearing internal space K1 in which the ball 13 exists, is closed off by the sliding members 15 on both axial sides. The sliding members 15 demarcate the bearing internal space K1 in which the ball 13 exists from the bearing external space K2, which is the space on the first and second axial sides of the rolling bearing 10.

[0027] The sliding member 15 includes a conductive sheet 43 positioned between its radially outer end and radially inner end. At the radially outer end of the sliding member 15, the sheet 43 is exposed on the surface and in contact with the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. At the radially inner end of the sliding member 15, the sheet 43 is exposed on the surface and in contact with the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. Therefore, the sliding member 15 constitutes an energizing path to suppress the flow of current generated by a motor or the like between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 via the rolling elements 13.

[0028] An oil film of lubricating oil or grease is formed between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, and between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21. The oil film has insulating properties. Due to the insulating properties of the oil film, the ball 13 is insulated from the inner ring raceway 31 and from the outer ring raceway 21. When an oil film is formed between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, and a potential difference of less than a predetermined value occurs between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, no current flows between the inner ring raceway 31 and the ball 13. When an oil film is formed between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, and a potential difference of less than a predetermined value occurs between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, no current flows between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21. However, when the oil film between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31 is partially destroyed, or when a potential difference exceeding a predetermined value occurs between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, current flows between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, and this current may cause electrolytic corrosion on the ball 13 and / or the inner ring raceway 31. When the oil film between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21 is partially destroyed, or when a potential difference exceeding a predetermined value occurs between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, current flows between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, and this current may cause electrolytic corrosion on the ball 13 and / or the outer ring raceway 21.

[0029] In this embodiment, the rolling bearing 10 is provided with a sliding member 15 that forms an electrical path. Therefore, before the potential difference between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, and the potential difference between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21 become large, the potential difference between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 is reduced by passing current between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 via the sliding member 15. By reducing the potential difference between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion of the ball 13, the inner ring raceway 31, and the outer ring raceway 21 is suppressed.

[0030] [Specific structure of the sliding member 15] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the radially outer portion of the sliding member in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the radially inner portion of the sliding member in Figure 2. In the following description, the specific structure of the sliding member 15 located on the first axial side (left side in Figure 1) of the rolling bearing 10 will be explained. Therefore, in this description of the sliding member 15, the first axial side can be rephrased as the bearing external space K2 side, and the second axial side can be rephrased as the bearing internal space K1 side. The sliding member 15 located on the second axial side (right side in Figure 1) of the rolling bearing 10 is the same part as the sliding member 15 located on the first side, but is arranged in the opposite direction in the axial direction.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the sliding member 15 has a metal ring 41, a rubber 42, and a sheet 43. The metal ring 41, the rubber 42, and the sheet 43 are all annular. The metal ring 41 and the rubber 42, and the rubber 42 and the sheet 43 are bonded to each other, and they form a single integrated unit.

[0032] The metal ring 41 is formed from a metal such as galvanized steel sheet or stainless steel. The metal ring 41 is formed by processing a sheet material. The metal ring 41 includes an annular portion 41a and a cylindrical portion 41b. The annular portion 41a is positioned perpendicular to the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 41b is positioned parallel to the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 41b is positioned at the radially outer end of the annular portion 41a. The cylindrical portion 41b extends from the radially outer end of the annular portion 41a to the second axial side (towards the bearing internal space K1). The annular portion 41a and the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 are formed by plastically deforming a sheet material into a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

[0033] The rubber 42 is electrically conductive. Specifically, the rubber 42 is manufactured, for example, by compounding a conductive material with synthetic rubber. The conductive material may be carbon black, metal powder, etc. The specific structure of this rubber 42 will be described later, along with the structure of the sheet 43.

[0034] The sheet 43 is made of a nonwoven or woven fabric made of conductive fibers. In this embodiment, carbon fibers are used as the conductive fibers for the sheet 43. However, other materials, such as fibers made of conductive metals such as copper or nickel, may be used as conductive fibers. The electrical resistance of the sheet 43 is lower than that of the rubber 42. Therefore, the sheet 43 has higher conductivity than the rubber 42.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sheet 43 further contains a synthetic resin as a binder. The binder is fixed to the surface of some of the conductive fibers contained in the sheet 43. The sheet 43 in this embodiment is a nonwoven or woven fabric made of conductive fibers to which the binder is fixed.

[0036] The sheet 43 integrally comprises an intermediate portion 44, a fixed portion 45, and a sliding portion 46. The fixed portion 45 is the part located radially outward (radially first side) of the metal ring 41. The sliding portion 46 is the part located radially inward (radially second side) of the metal ring 41. The intermediate portion 44 is the part located between the fixed portion 45 and the sliding portion 46.

[0037] The intermediate portion 44 of the sheet 43 has a first portion (first sheet portion) 44a1, a second portion (second sheet portion) 44a2, a third portion 44b, and a fourth portion 44c. The first portion 44a1 and the second portion 44a2 extend radially. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first portion 44a1 and the second portion 44a2 are arranged on the second axial side (bearing internal space K1 side) of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41 with a gap of t11 and t12 between them.

[0038] The second portion 44a2 is positioned on both radial sides of the first portion 44a1. In other words, the first portion 44a1 is located midway along the radial direction of the second portion 44a2. The first portion 44a1 and the second portion 44a2 are connected radially. The first portion 44a1 is located on the first axial side (towards the bearing external space K2) than the second portion 44a2. Therefore, the distance t11 between the first portion 44a1 and the metal ring 41 is smaller than the distance t12 between the second portion 44a2 and the metal ring 41. There is a stepped portion 44a3 at the boundary between the first portion 44a1 and the second portion 44a2.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the third portion 44b of the sheet 43 bends from the radially outer end of the second portion 44a2 toward the second axial direction and extends substantially in the axial direction. Therefore, the third portion 44b is substantially cylindrical in shape. As shown in Figure 3, the third portion 44b is positioned radially inward of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 with a gap t2 between them.

[0040] The fourth portion 44c bends radially outward from the end of the third portion 44b on the second axial side and extends radially. As shown in Figure 3, the fourth portion 44c is positioned at a gap t3 on the second axial side of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. Therefore, the intermediate portion 44 of the sheet 43 and the metal ring 41 are positioned at gaps t11, t12, t2, and t3 throughout the radial direction.

[0041] The fixing portion 45 of the sheet 43 is continuous with the fourth portion 44c of the intermediate portion 44. As shown in Figure 3, the fixing portion 45 has a fifth portion 45a and a sixth portion 45b. The fifth portion 45a extends radially, continuing directly from the radially outer end of the fourth portion 44c of the intermediate portion 44. The sixth portion 45b extends from the radially outer end of the fifth portion 45a, inclined toward the axial first side and radially outward. The tip of the sixth portion 45b constitutes the radially outer end of the sheet 43. The tip of the sixth portion 45b is in direct contact with the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. In this embodiment, the fifth portion 45a of the fixing portion 45 is also in direct contact with the annular groove 23.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 is continuous with the second portion 44a2, which is the intermediate portion 44. In this embodiment, the portion of the sheet 43 located radially inward from the radially inward end of the metal ring 41 is defined as the sliding portion 46. The sliding portion 46 extends linearly radially inward from the second portion 44a2 of the intermediate portion 44. Therefore, the second portion 44a2 of the intermediate portion 44 and the sliding portion 46 as a whole form an annular shape perpendicular to the axial direction. The radially inward end 46a of the sliding portion 46 is in direct contact with the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. The radially inward end 46a of the sliding portion 46 is bent to the first axial side by contacting the sliding member contact surface 33.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the rubber 42 is bonded to the sheet 43 and the metal ring 41. The rubber 42 is provided over the entire axial first side (bearing external space K2 side) of the sheet 43. The rubber 42 has a first portion 42a1, a second portion 42a2, a third portion 42a3, a fourth portion 42a4, a fifth portion 42b, a sixth portion 42c, a seventh portion 42d, an eighth portion 42e, a ninth portion 42f, a tenth portion 42b2, and an eleventh portion 42b3.

[0044] The first to fourth portions 42a1, 42a2, 42a3, and 42a4 of the rubber 42 are positioned in the gaps t11, t12, t2, and t3 between the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43. The first to fourth portions 42a1, 42a2, 42a3, and 42a4 of the rubber 42 maintain the gaps t11, t12, t2, and t3 between the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 so that the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 are not directly bonded together.

[0045] The first portion 42a1 of the rubber 42 is the portion of the rubber 42 to which the first portion 44a1 of the sheet 43 is bonded. The second portion 42a2 is the portion of the rubber 42 to which the second portion 44a2 of the sheet 43 is bonded. Therefore, the second portion 42a2 is located on both radial sides of the first portion 42a1.

[0046] The surface of the first axial side (bearing external space K2 side) of the first portion 42a1 and the surface of the first axial side of the second portion 42a2 are located on the same plane and are bonded to the surface of the second axial side (bearing internal space K1 side) of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41. The surface of the second axial side of the first portion 42a1 is located further axially towards the first side than the surface of the second axial side of the second portion 42a2.

[0047] The first portion 42a1 of the rubber 42 and the first portion 44a1 of the sheet 43 are continuous in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the sliding member 15. However, these may be provided at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0048] The third portion 42a3 of the rubber 42 is bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. The fourth portion 42a4 of the rubber 42 is bonded to the end face on the second axial side of the cylindrical portion 41b. The fifth portion 42b of the rubber 42 is continuous with the radially outer fourth portion 42a4. The fifth portion 42b is located in the region enclosed by the fixing portion 45 of the sheet 43 and the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. The fifth portion 42b of the rubber 42 elastically supports the sixth portion 45b of the sheet 43 from the radially inner side. The cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 supports the fifth portion 42b of the rubber 42 from the radially inner side. Therefore, the fixing portion (radially outer end) 45 of the sheet 43 is pressed against the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11 by the elasticity of the fifth portion 42b of the rubber 42, which is supported by the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41, and is reliably brought into contact with the annular groove 23.

[0049] Figure 5A is a view of a portion of the circumferential direction of the sliding member, seen from the bearing external space side in the axial direction. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 5A. Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 5A. The fifth portion 42b of the rubber 42 has a recess 42b1 on the surface of the first side in the axial direction. Multiple recesses 42b1 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 5B, at the circumferential positions where the recesses 42b1 are provided, a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 is covered with a thin, film-like 11th portion 42b3. As shown in Figure 5C, between circumferentially adjacent recesses 42b1, a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 is covered with a 10th portion 42b2, which is thicker than the 11th portion 42b3. Although multiple recesses 42b1 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, they may also be provided continuously around the entire circumference of the sliding member 15. In this case, the 11th portion 42b3 will be provided around the entire circumference of the sliding member 15.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the sixth portion 42c of the rubber 42 extends radially inward from the radially inward end of the second portion 42a2 of the rubber 42. The sixth portion 42c is provided with substantially constant thickness along the axially first side surface of the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43. The sixth portion 42c is annular in shape perpendicular to the axial direction. As the radially inward end 46a of the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 and bends, the sixth portion 42c of the rubber 42 elastically deforms and bends together with the sliding portion 46 toward the axially first side.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the seventh portion 42d of the rubber 42 bulges out from the tenth portion 42b2 and the eleventh portion 42b3 of the rubber 42 to the first axial side, covering and adhering to the radially first and axially first side surfaces of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41. The seventh portion 42d is continuous in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the sliding member 15. However, the seventh portion 42d may be provided at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the eighth portion 42e of the rubber 42 extends from the radially outer end of the sixth portion 42c, past the radially inner end of the metal ring 41, and onto the axially first side surface of the metal ring 41. Therefore, the eighth portion 42e has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and covers and adheres to the radially inner end surface and the axially first side surface of the annular portion 41a. The eighth portion 42e is continuous in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the sliding member 15. However, the eighth portion 42e may be provided at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0053] The seventh portion 42d and the eighth portion 42e of the rubber 42 help to firmly bond the rubber 42 to the metal ring 41 and prevent the rubber 42 from falling off the metal ring 41.

[0054] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ninth portion (first rubber portion) 42f of the rubber 42 is a thin, film-like portion that covers the surface of the first axial side of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41. The ninth portion 42f is positioned radially between the seventh portion 42d and the eighth portion 42e. The radially outer end of the ninth portion 42f is integral with the seventh portion 42d. The radially inner end of the ninth portion 42f is integral with the eighth portion 42e.

[0055] The axial thickness ta of the ninth portion 42f is smaller than the axial thickness of the seventh portion 42d and the eighth portion 42e. Therefore, the sliding member 15 has a recessed shape on a portion of the side surface on the first axial side, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the ninth portion 42f is not necessarily required and may be omitted. In this case, the side surface on the first axial side of the metal ring 41 will be exposed to the outside (bearing external space K2) between the seventh portion 42d and the eighth portion 42e in the radial direction.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sliding member 15 includes the following defined "surface S1", "surface S2", and "surface S3". Surface S1: The surface of the first axial side of the ninth portion (first rubber portion) 42f of the rubber 42, or the surface of the first axial side of the metal ring 41 (when the ninth portion 42f is absent). Surface S2: The axial second side surface of the first portion (second rubber portion) 42a1 of the rubber 42 and / or the first portion (first sheet portion) 44a1 of the sheet 43. Surface S3: The axial second side surface of the second portion (third rubber portion) 42a2 of the rubber 42 and / or the second portion (second sheet portion) 44a2 of the sheet 43.

[0057] Here, the surfaces S1 and S2 of the sliding member 15 are positioned to overlap with each other in the radial and circumferential directions. As will be described later, the sheet 43 has voids between the conductive fibers, and the rubber 42 penetrates into the voids of the sheet 43. Therefore, the surface S2 may consist solely of the axial second side surface of the first portion 44a1 of the sheet 43, or it may consist of this surface plus the axial second side surface of the first portion 42a1 of the rubber 42 that has penetrated into the first portion 44a1. Alternatively, the surface S2 may consist solely of the axial second side surface of the first portion 42a1 of the rubber 42 that has penetrated into the voids of the first portion 44a1 of the sheet 43 and extended beyond the first portion 44a1.

[0058] Similarly, surface S3 may consist solely of the axial second side surface of the second portion 44a2 of the sheet 43, or it may consist of this surface plus the axial second side surface of the second portion 42a2 of the rubber 42 that has entered the second portion 44a2. Alternatively, surface S3 may consist solely of the axial second side surface of the second portion 42a2 of the rubber 42 that has entered the gap in the second portion 44a2 of the sheet 43 and extended beyond the second portion 44a2.

[0059] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sliding member 15 includes the following defined "thickness ta", "thickness tb", and "thickness tc". Thickness ta: The thickness from the surface of the first side of the metal ring 41 in the axial direction to the surface S1. Thickness tb: The thickness from the surface of the second side of the metal ring 41 in the axial direction to the surface S2. Thickness tc: The thickness from the surface of the second side of the metal ring 41 in the axial direction to the surface S3.

[0060] If the ninth portion (first rubber portion) 42f of the rubber 42 exists, the thickness ta is substantially equal to the thickness of the ninth portion 42f. If the ninth portion 42f does not exist, the thickness ta is substantially 0. The thickness ta is less than the thickness tb. Furthermore, both the thickness ta and the thickness tb are less than the thickness tc.

[0061] As shown in Figure 3, the sliding member 15 includes the following defined "surface S4", "surface S5", and "surface S6". Surface S4: The radial first side surface of the eleventh portion 42b3 of the rubber 42, or (in the absence of the eleventh portion 42b3) the radial first side surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. Surface S5: The radial second side surface of the third portion 42a3 of the rubber 42 and / or the third portion 44b of the sheet 43. Surface S6: The radial first side surface of the tenth portion 42b2 of the rubber 42.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the sliding member 15 includes the following defined "thickness td", "thickness te", and "thickness tf". Thickness td: The thickness from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 to the surface S4. Thickness te: The thickness from the inner circumferential surface to the surface S5 of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. Thickness tf: The thickness from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 to the surface S6.

[0063] If the eleventh portion 42b3 of the rubber 42 is present, the thickness td is substantially equal to the thickness of the eleventh portion 42b3. If the eleventh portion 42b3 of the rubber 42 is absent, the thickness td is substantially zero. The thickness td is less than the thickness te. The thickness td is less than the thickness tf. The thickness te and the thickness tf may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the thickness te is greater than the thickness tf.

[0064] Since the rubber 42 has higher rigidity than the sheet 43, the sheet 43 maintains its shape by the rubber 42. In addition, the middle portion 44 of the sheet 43 also maintains its shape by the metal ring 41.

[0065] The sheet 43 is made of a nonwoven or woven fabric formed of conductive fibers. In its material state before the manufacture of the sliding member 15, the sheet 43 contains voids inside. After the manufacture of the sliding member 15, the rubber 42 is also present in the voids of the sheet 43. As will be described later, the sliding member 15 is manufactured by inserting the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 into a mold, vulcanizing the rubber material constituting the rubber 42, molding it into a predetermined shape, and bonding the rubber material to the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43. Hereinafter, this manufacturing process will also be referred to as "vulcanization bonding". During this vulcanization bonding, the rubber 42 enters the voids of the sheet 43. During vulcanization bonding, the rubber 42 is easily bonded to the binder.

[0066] The fixed portion 45 of the sheet 43 is exposed on the surface of the sliding member 15 and contacts the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. The sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 is also exposed on the surface of the sliding member 15 and contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. Since the multiple conductive fibers constituting the sheet 43 are in contact with each other, the sheet 43 is conductive from the fixed portion 45 to the sliding portion 46 due to the contact between the conductive fibers. Because the sheet 43 is in contact with the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12, the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are electrically connected via the sheet 43. In addition, the conductive rubber 42 is in contact with the sheet 43 and also with the metal ring 41. The outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are electrically connected not only via the sheet 43 but also via the conductive metal ring 41 and rubber 42.

[0067] Therefore, the sliding member 15 of this embodiment can dissipate electric charge from one of the fixed portion 45 and the sliding portion 46 to the other. Furthermore, the sliding member 15 of this embodiment can dissipate electric charge from one of the member fixing the fixed portion 45 and the member on which the sliding portion 46 slides to the other. The rolling bearing 10 of this embodiment can dissipate electric charge from one of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 to the other via the sliding member 15, thereby suppressing electrolytic corrosion of the balls 13 and the outer ring raceway 21 and inner ring raceway 31 on which the balls 13 roll.

[0068] As shown in Figure 2, the seat 43 is positioned on the second axial side (bearing internal space K1 side) of the sliding member 15. On the other hand, the sliding member contact surface 33 provided on the inner ring 12 is a surface facing the first axial side (bearing external space K2 side). Therefore, the sliding portion 46 of the seat 43 is easily brought into contact with the sliding member contact surface 33. However, if the sliding member contact surface 33 is a surface facing the second axial side, the seat 43 of the sliding member 15 may be positioned on the first axial side of the sliding member 15.

[0069] [Manufacturing method for sliding members] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the mold for forming the sliding member. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified portion of the mold for forming the sliding member. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified portion of the mold in an open state. The sliding member 15 is manufactured by compression molding (pressure molding) using a molding die 50. The molding die 50 for the sliding member 15 has an upper die 51 and a lower die 52. As shown in Figure 8, the upper die 51 has a recess 51a, a protrusion 51b, an annular surface 51c, an annular surface 51d, and an annular surface 51e. The annular surfaces 51c, 51d, and 51e are surfaces facing the lower die 52. The recess 51a is recessed from the radially inner annular surface 51c and the radially outer annular surface 51d of the recess 51a. The protrusion 51b protrudes from the radially inner annular surface 51e and the radially outer annular surface 51c of the protrusion 51b. The lower mold 52 comprises recesses 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, a mounting surface 52e, an annular surface 52g, and an annular surface 52h. The recesses 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, and the mounting surface 52e are integrally recessed from the annular surface 52g and the annular surface 52h. The recesses 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, and the mounting surface 52e are collectively referred to as recess 52j.

[0070] Each of the recesses 51a, 52a, 52b, 52c, the mounting surface 52e, and the protrusion 51b is annular in shape with respect to the axis C2. The recesses 52d of the lower mold 52 are located at multiple points spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis C2. The protrusion 51b of the upper mold 51 fits into the recess 52j of the lower mold 52. The recesses 52b and 52c of the lower mold 52 are formed to be further excavated from the bottom surface of the recess 52a.

[0071] The recess 51a is located radially inside the annular surface 51d and radially outside the annular surface 51c. The protrusion 51b is located radially inside the annular surface 51c and radially outside the annular surface 51e.

[0072] The recess 52d is located radially inside the annular surface 52g and on both sides in the circumferential direction of a portion of the annular surface 52g, and radially outside the recess 52b. The recess 52b is located radially inside the portion of the annular surface 52g and recess 52d, and radially outside the mounting surface 52e. The mounting surface 52e is located radially inside the recess 52b and radially outside the recess 52c. The recess 52c is located radially inside the mounting surface 52e and radially outside the recess 52a. The recess 52a is located radially inside the recess 52c and radially outside the annular surface 52h.

[0073] In the lower mold 52, the mounting surface 52e protrudes from the recess 52b toward the upper mold 51 and from the recess 52c toward the upper mold 51. The first axial side surface of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41 is placed on this mounting surface 52e. In the lower mold 52, there is a regulating surface 52f between adjacent circumferential recesses 52d. The outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 contacts this regulating surface 52f, and the metal ring 41 is positioned radially.

[0074] An adhesive is applied to the surface of the metal ring 41. For example, the adhesive is applied to the surface of the metal ring 41 by immersing it in the adhesive. The metal ring 41 with the adhesive applied is then placed on the mounting surface 52e. As shown in Figure 8, the metal ring 41, the sheet 43, and the unvulcanized rubber material G are placed between the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52, which are separated and open. The unvulcanized rubber material G is formed in sheet form. The sheet 43 and the rubber material G are placed between the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52 in an overlapping state. Since the unvulcanized rubber material G is highly adhesive, it adheres to the sheet 43 when it is overlapped with it. This suppresses misalignment between the sheet 43 and the rubber material.

[0075] The recess 51a of the upper mold 51 and the annular surface 52g, recess 52d, and recess 52b of the lower mold 52 form the third portion 42a3, the fourth portion 42a4, and the fifth portion 42b, the tenth portion 42b2, the eleventh portion 42b3, and the seventh portion 42d of the rubber 42 shown in Figure 2. The third portion 44b, the fourth portion 44c, the fifth portion 45a, and the sixth portion 45b of the sheet 43 fit into the recess 51a and are molded to conform to the inner surface of the recess 51a.

[0076] The recess 52j of the lower mold 52 and the annular surface 51c, convex portion 51b, and annular surface 51e of the upper mold 51 form the radially inner portions of the first portion 42a1, the second portion 42a2, the sixth portion 42c, the eighth portion 42e, the ninth portion 42f, and the seventh portion 42d of the rubber 42 shown in Figure 2. The first portion 44a1, the second portion 44a2, and the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 are sandwiched between the first portion 42a1, the second portion 42a2, and the sixth portion 42c of the rubber 42 and the annular surface 51c, the convex portion 51b, and the annular surface 51e of the upper mold 51, and are molded to conform to the shapes of the annular surface 51c, the convex portion 51b, and the annular surface 51e. As a result, shapes corresponding to the shapes of the annular surface 51c, the convex portion 51b, and the annular surface 51e of the upper mold 51 are formed on the rubber 42 and the sheet 43. The recess 52b of the lower mold 52 is the part for molding the seventh portion 42d of the rubber 42 shown in Figure 2. The recess 52c is the part for molding the eighth portion 42e of the rubber 42. The recess 52d is the part for molding the tenth portion 42b2 of the rubber 42.

[0077] The sliding member 15 is manufactured by placing the metal ring 41, the sheet 43, and the unvulcanized rubber material G between the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52, closing the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52, and then applying pressure and heating. The pressurized unvulcanized rubber material G flows within the mold 50 and fills the recesses 51a, 52a~52d of the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52. The unvulcanized rubber material G also fills the voids in the sheet 43. When heated in this state, the adhesive hardens, and the unvulcanized rubber material G becomes rubber 42. As the adhesive hardens and the unvulcanized rubber material G becomes vulcanized rubber 42, the metal ring 41, the sheet 43, and the rubber 42 become one unit. The unitized part becomes the sliding member 15 by cutting off the unnecessary parts. For example, the sliding member 15 is formed by cutting off the rubber 42 and the sheet 43 at the cutting lines L1 and L2 shown in Figure 6. By incorporating the unvulcanized rubber material G into the sheet 43 and then vulcanizing it, the rigidity of the sheet 43 is increased, and the sheet 43 and the rubber 42 become one unit.

[0078] In the above manufacturing method, the metal ring 41 is positioned vertically by being placed on the mounting surface 52e of the lower mold 52. The vertical distance between the metal ring 41 and the upper mold 51 is narrowed by the protrusion 51b of the upper mold 51, and the metal ring 41 is pressed down from above by the protrusion 51b via the sheet 43 and rubber 42 (rubber material G). This suppresses the metal ring 41 from lifting off the mounting surface 52e. The metal ring 41 is also positioned radially by the regulating surface 52f of the lower mold 52.

[0079] When the sliding member 15 is molded by the mold 50, the rubber material G flows radially as shown by the white arrow in Figure 6. This makes it easier for the metal ring 41 to move radially within the mold 50. Also, the flow of the rubber material G causes it to flow between the mounting surface 52e and the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41, making it easier for the metal ring 41 to lift up. In this embodiment, the mold 50 can position the metal ring 41 precisely using the mounting surface 52e, the restricting surface 52f, and the protrusion 51b, and can also restrict the movement of the metal ring 41. Therefore, the rubber 42 and the sheet 43 are fixed in an appropriate position relative to the metal ring 41. The sheet 43 is placed in the mold 50 in a state arranged along the upper mold 51, and the rubber material G placed on the metal ring 41 side of the sheet 43 moves toward the metal ring 41 without breaking the sheet 43. As a result, the rubber material G does not break the sheet 43, and the conductivity is not impaired.

[0080] When the sliding member 15 is molded in the mold 50, a small amount of rubber material G enters between the lower surface of the metal ring 41 and the mounting surface 52e, forming a thin film-like portion (the ninth portion) 42f (see Figure 2). Also, a small amount of rubber material G enters between the outer circumferential surface of the metal ring 41 and the regulating surface 52f, forming a thin film-like portion (the eleventh portion) 42b3. However, these portions 42f and 42b3 do not necessarily have to be formed. If these portions 42f and 42b3 are not formed, the surface of the metal ring 41 will be exposed to the outside.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2, the sliding member 15 according to the embodiment described above comprises a metal ring 41, a rubber 42, and a sheet 43. The sheet 43 is made of conductive fibers and is fixed in contact with the first member (outer ring 11) made of steel, and is slidably in contact with the second member (inner ring 12) made of steel.

[0082] The rubber 42 comprises a first rubber portion (the ninth portion of the rubber 42) 42f fixed to the surface of the first axial side of the metal ring 41, and a second rubber portion (the first portion of the rubber 42) 42a1 fixed to the surface of the second axial side of the metal ring 41. The sliding member 15 comprises at least the second rubber portion 42a1 of the first and second rubber portions 42f and 42a1. The sheet 43 comprises a first sheet portion (the first portion of the intermediate part 44 of the sheet 43) 44a1 fixed to the second rubber portion 42a1.

[0083] In the sliding member 15, the first surface S1 on the first axial side is the first axial side surface of the metal ring 41, or the first axial side surface of the first rubber portion 42f. The second surface S2 on the second axial side is the second axial side surface of the second rubber portion 42a1 and / or the first sheet portion 44a1. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 are positioned to overlap each other in the radial and circumferential directions.

[0084] In the sliding member 15, the first thickness ta is the thickness from the surface of the first side of the metal ring 41 in the axial direction to the first surface S1. The second thickness tb is the thickness from the surface of the second side of the metal ring 41 in the axial direction to the second surface S2. The second thickness tb is greater than the first thickness ta.

[0085] Therefore, in the sliding member 15 according to this embodiment, the sheet 43, which is a nonwoven or woven fabric made of conductive fibers, can have lower electrical resistance and higher conductivity than an elastic material made by kneading carbon fibers into rubber. As a result, the sliding member 15 electrically connects the first member 11 and the second member 12 by the sheet 43, and current can be passed from one of the first member 11 and the second member 12 to the other through this sheet 43.

[0086] Furthermore, in the sliding member 15, the aforementioned second thickness tb is greater than the first thickness ta. Therefore, the mold 50 for forming the sliding member 15 has a structure that presses the metal ring 41 from the axial direction (up and down direction), as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Specifically, in the above embodiment, the mold 50 presses and supports the metal ring 41 from below with the mounting surface 52e. The mold 50 presses the metal tube 41 from above with the protrusion 51b. This makes it possible to suppress misalignment of the metal ring 41 relative to the mold 50. Furthermore, since the rubber 42 is bonded to the entire first axial side of the sheet 43, the overall shape of the sheet 43 can be maintained by the rubber, and the sheet will not be torn during manufacturing, thus preventing loss of conductivity.

[0087] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the rubber 42 of the sliding member 15 includes a twelfth portion 42a5 instead of the first portion 42a1 and the second portion 42a2 in the first embodiment described above. Also, in the second embodiment, the sheet 43 of the sliding member 15 includes a seventh portion 44a4 instead of the first portion 44a1, the second portion 44a2, and the stepped portion 44a3 of the intermediate portion 44 in the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the twelfth portion 42a5 of the rubber 42 of substantially constant thickness is fixed to the surface of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41 on the second axial side. Also, the seventh portion 44a4 of the sheet 43, which has a substantially flat shape and extends radially, is fixed to the second axial side of the twelfth portion 42a5.

[0088] In this embodiment, the sliding member 15 includes the following "surface S7" and "thickness tg". Surface S7: The axial second side surface of the twelfth portion 42a5 of the rubber 42 and / or the seventh portion 44a4 of the sheet 43. Thickness tg: The thickness from the surface of the second axial side of the annular portion 41a of the metal ring 41 to the surface S7.

[0089] In this embodiment, the second surface of the sliding member 15 is composed of surface S7, and the second thickness of the sliding member 15 is composed of thickness tg. This embodiment also provides substantially the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0090] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the rolling bearing 10 has a fixed outer ring 11 and a rotating inner ring 12. On the other hand, in the present invention, the outer ring 11 may be a rotating ring and the inner ring 12 may be a fixed ring.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the sliding member 15 is fixed to the outer ring 11, which is the first member, and is in slidable contact with the inner ring 12, which is the second member. On the other hand, in the present invention, the sliding member may be fixed to the inner ring 12, which is the first member, and be in slidable contact with the outer ring 11, which is the second member.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the sliding member 15 had a synthetic resin as a binder fixed to the conductive fibers constituting the sheet 43. On the other hand, in the sheet of the present invention, the conductive fibers constituting the sheet do not need to have a synthetic resin as a binder. In the above embodiment, the sliding member 15 was used in a rolling bearing 10. However, the sliding member 15 of the present invention may be used in a device in which it is fixed to one of two relatively moving members and slidably contacts the other member.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the case in which the rolling bearing 10 is a deep groove ball bearing was described. However, in the present invention, the rolling bearing 10 may be an angular contact ball bearing, or a roller bearing in which the rolling elements are rollers, etc. The embodiments described above are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope of equivalence to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10: Rolling bearings 11: Outer ring (first member) 12: Inner ring (second component) 13: Rolling element 15: Sliding member 21: Outer ring track 31: Inner track 41: Metal ring 42: Rubber 42a1: First part (second rubber part) 42a2: Fourth part (third rubber part) 42f: Ninth section (first rubber section) 43: Sheet 44a1: Part 1 (Sheet portion) 44a4: Part 7 (Sheet portion) S1: Surface (1st surface) S2: Surface (second surface) S7: Surface (second surface) ta: First thickness tb: Second thickness tg: 2nd thickness

Claims

1. It comprises a sheet, rubber, and a metal ring, The sheet is made of conductive fibers, is fixed in contact with a first member made of steel, and is slidably in contact with a second member made of steel. The aforementioned rubber is A first rubber portion fixed to the surface of the first side of the metal ring in the axial direction, A second rubber portion fixed to the surface of the second side of the metal ring in the axial direction, and at least the second rubber portion is provided. The aforementioned sheet is The sheet portion is fixed to the second rubber portion, The first surface on the first side in the axial direction is the first surface on the first side in the axial direction of the metal ring, or the first surface on the first side in the axial direction of the first rubber portion. The second surface on the second side in the axial direction is the second surface on the second side in the axial direction of the second rubber portion and / or the sheet portion. The first surface and the second surface are positioned so as to overlap each other in the radial and circumferential directions. The first thickness is the thickness from the surface of the first side of the metal ring in the axial direction to the first surface. The second thickness is the thickness from the second side surface in the axial direction of the metal ring to the second surface, The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The metal ring is positioned at a distance from the sheet on the first axial side, A sliding member having portions of the rubber arranged at the aforementioned intervals.

2. The sliding member according to claim 1, wherein the rubber is bonded to the entire axial first side of the sheet.

3. An inner ring having an inner track, An outer ring having an outer ring raceway arranged radially outside the inner ring raceway, A plurality of rolling elements are arranged to be rotatable between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, The sliding member is disposed in the radial direction between the axial end of the inner ring and the axial end of the outer ring, as described in claim 1 or 2. One of the inner ring and the outer ring is the first member, A rolling bearing in which the other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member.

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