Journal foil air bearing for bidirectional rotation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a journal foil air bearing comprising: a top foil arranged so as to surround a rotary shaft; a bump foil arranged so as to surround the top foil; top foil fixing portions formed on the respective two end portions of the top foil so as to be bent in an "L" shape to protrude upward, the pair of top foil fixing portions having respective top foil coupling holes formed therein so as to be arranged to face each other; bump foil fixing portions formed on the respective two end portions of the bump foil so as to be bent in an "L" shape to protrude upward, the pair of bump foil fixing portions being arranged so as to face each other, and having respective bump foil coupling holes formed therein so as to be arranged to face each other; and a coupling member provided with a through-portion simultaneously passing through the pair of top foil coupling holes and the pair of bump foil coupling holes so as to fix the top foil fixing portion and the bump foil fixing portion to each other. According to the present invention, a free end is not present on the top foil, and thus, as shown in figure 8, the effects are achieved whereby the rotary shaft is bidirectionally rotatable, the bump foil and the top foil do not bidirectionally disengage along the length direction of the rotary shaft, and a bearing modularized in advance by the coupling member may be provided.

Description

Journal foil air bearing for bidirectional rotation

[0001] The present invention relates to a journal foil air bearing, and more particularly, to a journal foil air bearing in which a rotation shaft can rotate in both directions, a bump foil and a top foil do not deviate along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft, and which is easy to “modularize.”

[0002] An air bearing is a bearing that supports a load by lifting the rotating shaft with the pressure of compressed air between the rotating shaft and the bearing.

[0003] These air bearings utilize the principle that when a viscous gas, such as air, moves along a moving surface and encounters a stationary surface, the gas is compressed, and the pressure of the air trapped between the moving surface and the stationary surface increases, lifting the moving surface.

[0004] The above air bearings include a thrust air bearing for supporting a load applied along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft, and a journal air bearing for supporting a load applied along the radial direction of the rotation shaft.

[0005] As a type of the above journal air bearing, there is a journal foil air bearing that uses a thin foil material to make pressure formation more advantageous and to increase dynamic stability at high speeds.

[0006] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of such a journal foil air bearing (1), wherein the journal foil air bearing (1) is provided with a top foil (2) that is arranged to face the outer surface of a rotational shaft (F) that rotates in a predetermined rotational direction (W) and wraps around the rotational shaft (F), and a bump foil (3) that is arranged to wrap around the top foil (2) as a wave-shaped member capable of elastic deformation, and one end of the top foil (2) and the bump foil (3) is welded to a welded portion (4) on the inner surface of a bearing housing (S).

[0007] However, although the conventional journal foil air bearing (1) is more advantageous in terms of dimensional control of the bearing housing (S) because the number of parts is relatively reduced, there is a problem in that the work of mounting or disassembling the bearing in the bearing housing (S) is very inconvenient, and it is very difficult to store and manage the bearing parts (2, 3) at the work site.

[0008] And, in the conventional journal foil air bearing (1), the top foil (2) and the bump foil (3) are fixed to the inner surface of the bearing housing (S) by welding, and in addition to welding, fixing methods such as using bolts and pins are used, but these methods have problems such as technical uncertainty, difficulty in assembly / disassembly work, and increase in product unit price.

[0009] In addition, the conventional journal foil air bearing (1) has a problem in that it is restricted to only rotate in one counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 10 because the top foil (2) has a free end. This is because, in the conventional journal foil air bearing (1), the top foil (2) receives a shear force due to friction with the rotational shaft (F), so the rotational shaft (F) must only rotate in the rotational direction (W) from the fixed end side to the free end side of the top foil (2), that is, the counterclockwise rotational direction (W) shown in Fig. 10, in order to maintain the gap between the top foil (2) and the rotational shaft (F).

[0010] If the conventional foil air bearing (1) rotates in the opposite direction to the counterclockwise rotation direction (W) due to a motor wiring error or a control device error, the free end of the top foil (2) rolls around the outer surface of the rotating shaft (F) due to friction with the rotating shaft (F), and the gap between the top foil (2) and the rotating shaft (F) is reduced, causing a problem of serious damage to the bearing.

[0011] In addition, in the case of the conventional foil air bearing (1), the non-fixed free end portion of the top foil (2) or bump foil (3) may be pushed out in the longitudinal direction (C) of the rotation axis (F) during operation due to frequent starting / stopping, external vibrations, and shocks. In this case, not only is the performance of the bearing reduced, but there is also a problem that the pushed-out portion of the top foil (2) or bump foil (3) may come into contact with other parts, causing serious secondary damage.

[0012] In addition, since the conventional foil air bearing (1) has a structure in which the bump foil (3) and the top foil (2) are each separate parts, it can only function as a bearing after being assembled into a machine in which the bearing will be used, and therefore there is also a problem in that it is impossible to perform a performance inspection of the bearing or quality control on the bearing before assembling the bearing into the machine.

[0013] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problem, and its purpose is to provide a journal foil air bearing having an improved structure in which the rotation shaft can rotate in both directions, the bump foil and the top foil do not deviate along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft, and "modularization" is easy.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, a journal foil air bearing according to the present invention is a journal foil air bearing for supporting a load applied along the radial direction of a rotational shaft rotating around a center line, the journal foil air bearing comprising: a top foil arranged to face the outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft and arranged to surround the rotational shaft; a bump foil, which is an elastically deformable member, arranged to surround the top foil; The top foil is characterized in that it includes a top foil fixing portion formed at each end thereof, which is formed to protrude upwards by being bent in an “L” shape, and a top foil joining hole formed in each of the pair of top foil fixing portions so as to face each other, and a bump foil fixing portion formed at each end thereof, which is formed to protrude upwards by being bent in an “L” shape, and the pair of bump foil fixing portions are formed to face each other, and a bump foil joining hole formed in each of the pair of bump foil fixing portions so as to face each other, and a joining member having a through portion that simultaneously penetrates the pair of top foil joining holes and the pair of bump foil joining holes to fix the top foil fixing portion and the bump foil joining portion to each other.

[0015] Here, the connecting member includes a main body including a ceiling portion and a pair of side wall portions extending downward from the ceiling portion; and it is preferable that the penetration portion is provided at an end portion of one of the pair of side wall portions and extends toward an end portion of the other of the pair of side wall portions.

[0016] Here, it is preferable that the above-mentioned joining member has a shape that can be mass-produced by press processing without using a welding process.

[0017] Here, it is preferable that the penetration portion is formed by bending a portion extending from the end of the side wall portion.

[0018] Here, it is preferable that the other end of the pair of side wall portions be provided with a groove into which the end of the penetration portion can be inserted and received.

[0019] Here, it is preferable that the connecting member has at least one mounting protrusion that fixes the position of the connecting member so that it does not deviate along the center line direction when inserted into a housing groove formed in advance in a location where the bearing is mounted.

[0020] Here, the mounting protrusion has a shape that extends a predetermined length along the center line, and is preferably provided at the longitudinal end of the connecting member.

[0021] Here, the mounting protrusions are preferably provided in pairs, with their ends spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the radial direction of the rotation axis, and are elastically biased so as to apply elastic force to the housing groove in a direction away from each other when mounted in the housing groove.

[0022] According to the present invention, there is provided a journal foil air bearing for supporting a load applied along a radial direction of a rotational shaft rotating around a center line, the journal foil air bearing comprising: a top foil arranged to face an outer surface of the rotational shaft and arranged to surround the rotational shaft; a bump foil, as an elastically deformable member, arranged to surround the top foil; The top foil has top foil fixing portions formed at both ends thereof, which are bent in an "L" shape and protrude upward, and the pair of top foil fixing portions have top foil joining holes formed so as to face each other, and the bump foil has bump foil fixing portions formed at both ends thereof, which are bent in an "L" shape and protrude upward, and the pair of bump foil fixing portions are formed so as to face each other, and the pair of bump foil fixing portions have bump foil joining holes formed so as to face each other, and a joining member having a penetrating portion that simultaneously penetrates the pair of top foil joining holes and the pair of bump foil joining holes to fix the top foil fixing portion and the bump foil joining portion to each other, so that the top foil does not have a free end, so that the rotation axis can rotate in both directions as shown in FIG. 8, and the bump foil and the top foil do not deviate in both directions along the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis, and the joining member This has the effect of providing bearings that are "modularized" in advance by absence.

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a journal foil air bearing, which is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view of the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Figure 1.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a joining member has been removed from the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0028] Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the joining member illustrated in Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 7 is a front view of the joining member illustrated in Figure 6.

[0030] Fig. 8 is a drawing showing a state in which the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 1 is mounted in a bearing housing and used.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a drawing showing a state in which the joining member illustrated in Fig. 8 is mounted in a housing groove.

[0032] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional journal foil air bearing.

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a journal foil air bearing according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the journal foil air bearing illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0035]

[0036] *Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a journal foil air bearing (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a journal foil air bearing for supporting a load applied along the radial direction of a rotational axis (F) rotating around a center line (C), and is configured to include a bump foil (10), a top foil (20), and a connecting member (30).

[0037] The above bump foil (10) is a circular pipe member manufactured by pressing a flexible and elastic metal sheet as shown in Fig. 1, and includes a bump foil body (11), a bump foil fixing portion (12), and a bump foil joining hole (13).

[0038] The above bump foil body (11) is a circular pipe member that extends a predetermined length along the center line (C), and has a hollow space (H) formed inside with the center line (C) as the center of the circle.

[0039] In this embodiment, the bump foil body (11) is formed into a pipe shape with a “C” cross-section by rolling a press-processed rectangular metal plate around the center line (C).

[0040] The above bump foil body (11) is arranged to surround the top foil (20) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] The above bump foil body (11) includes a wave-shaped portion in which a number of mountains and valleys are alternately connected so as to enable elastic deformation in the radial direction of the center line (C).

[0042] The above bump foil fixing portion (12) is formed at both ends of the bump foil body (11) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in this embodiment, the both ends of the bump foil body (11) are formed to be bent in an “L” shape and protrude upward so that they can be accommodated in the accommodation space (32) of the connecting member (30) described later.

[0043] The above pair of bump foil fixing parts (12) are arranged to face each other and have a shape that is symmetrical from left to right as shown in Fig. 3.

[0044] Hereinafter, the part where the bump foil fixing portion (12) of the above-described bump foil (10) and the top foil fixing portion (22) of the above-described top foil (20) are formed will be referred to as the “root portion.”

[0045]

[0046] *The above bump foil joining hole (13) is formed in the bump foil fixing part (12) as a pair of holes spaced apart along the center line (C) by a predetermined interval as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0047] Among the above bump foil fixing parts (12), the bump foil joining hole (13) formed in the bump foil fixing part (12) on the left and the bump foil joining hole (13) formed in the bump foil fixing part (12) on the right are arranged to face each other.

[0048] The above bump foil (10) does not have a free end that can move freely, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0049]

[0050] The above top foil (20) is a circular pipe member manufactured by pressing a flexible and elastic metal sheet as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is positioned between the rotation axis (F) and the bump foil (10), so that it can directly face the outer surface of the rotation axis (F).

[0051] The above top foil (20) includes a top foil body (21), a top foil fixing part (22), and a top foil joining hole (23).

[0052] The top foil (20) is coated with a coating material (not shown) containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on the surface facing the outer surface of the rotation shaft (F). The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is also called Teflon.

[0053] The above top foil (20) can be manufactured from a metal sheet of the same material as the above bump foil (10), and the thicknesses of each may be different.

[0054] The above top foil body (21) is a circular pipe member that extends a predetermined length along the center line (C), and a hollow space (H) is formed inside with the center line (C) as the center of the circle.

[0055] In this embodiment, the top foil body (21) is formed into a pipe shape with a “C” cross-section by rolling a press-processed rectangular metal plate around the center line (C).

[0056] The above top foil body (21) is provided so that it can wrap around the rotation axis (F) while being accommodated in the hollow portion (H) of the bump foil (10).

[0057] The top foil fixing portion (22) is formed at both ends of the top foil body (21) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in this embodiment, the both ends of the top foil body (21) are formed to be bent in an “L” shape and protrude upward so that they can be accommodated in the accommodation space (32) of the connecting member (30) described later.

[0058] The above pair of top foil fixing parts (22) are arranged to face each other and have a shape that is symmetrical left and right as shown in Fig. 3.

[0059] The above top foil joining hole (23) is formed in the top foil fixing part (22) as a pair of holes spaced apart along the center line (C) by a predetermined interval as shown in FIG. 5.

[0060] Among the above top foil fixing parts (22), the top foil joining hole (23) formed in the top foil fixing part (22) on the left and the top foil joining hole (23) formed in the top foil fixing part (22) on the right are arranged to face each other.

[0061] The above top foil (20) does not have a free end that can move freely, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0062]

[0063] *

[0064] The above-mentioned joining member (30) is a member for simultaneously joining and firmly fixing the pair of bump foil fixing members (12) and the pair of top foil fixing members (22), and has a main body (31), a receiving space (32), a penetration portion (33), a groove portion (34), and a mounting protrusion (35).

[0065] The above-mentioned joining member (30) protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface of the bump foil body (11) so that it can be inserted into a housing groove (P) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the bearing housing (S), as shown in FIG. 8.

[0066] The above main body (31) is a part having a “∩” shape and includes a ceiling part (311) and a side wall part (312).

[0067] The above ceiling portion (311) is a rectangular portion positioned horizontally at the upper end of the main body portion (31), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0068] The above side wall portion (312) is a portion that extends vertically downward from both ends of the ceiling portion (311), and is provided in pairs and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

[0069] The above-mentioned accommodation space (32) is an internal space provided by the ceiling portion (311) and the side wall portion (312), and is opened downward toward the center line (C).

[0070] The above-mentioned accommodation space (32) is a space for accommodating the bump foil fixing part (12) of the bump foil (10) and the top foil fixing part (22) of the top foil (20), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0071] The above penetration portion (33) is a rod-shaped portion that simultaneously penetrates the pair of top foil joining holes (23) and the pair of bump foil joining holes (13) to fix the top foil fixing portion (22) and the bump foil fixing portion (12) to each other.

[0072] In this embodiment, the penetration portion (33) is provided at the end of one of the pair of side wall portions (312) and extends toward the end of the other of the pair of side wall portions (312).

[0073] In this embodiment, the penetration portion (33) is formed by simply bending a portion extending from the end of the side wall portion (312) without using a separate welding process.

[0074] The above-mentioned groove (34) is a “∩” shaped groove into which the end of the above-mentioned penetration portion (33) can be inserted and received, and is formed at the end of the side wall portion (312) opposite to the side wall portion (312) where the above-mentioned penetration portion (33) is arranged, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0075] The above home portion (34) has a shape that is opened downward as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0076] The above-mentioned mounting protrusion (35) is a protrusion that fixes the position of the connecting member (30) so that it does not deviate along the center line (C) when inserted into a housing groove (P) formed in advance where the bearing is mounted, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0077] In this embodiment, the mounting protrusion (35) has a shape that extends a predetermined length along the center line (C) and is provided at the longitudinal (C) end of the connecting member (30).

[0078] In this embodiment, the mounting protrusions (35) are provided in pairs, and their ends are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval along the radial direction of the rotation axis (F).

[0079] In this embodiment, the pair of mounting protrusions (35) are elastically biased so that when mounted in the housing groove (P), they can apply elastic force to the inner wall of the housing groove (P) in a direction away from each other.

[0080] That is, when the worker first inserts the side of the connecting member (30) on which the mounting protrusion (35) is not formed into the housing groove (P) and then continues to push in the insertion direction along the center line (C), the pair of mounting protrusions (35) are pressed toward each other by the inner wall of the housing groove (P), and the pair of mounting protrusions (35) are provided so that they can be pressed against the inner wall of the housing groove (P) while applying elastic force as a counter force.

[0081] In this embodiment, a catch (P1) that can be caught in a snap-fit ​​manner with the end of the mounting protrusion (35) as illustrated in FIG. 9 is formed on the inner wall of the housing groove (P). Here, when the end of the mounting protrusion (35) is caught in the catch (P1) as illustrated in FIG. 9, the connecting member (30) is fixed in position without moving in at least one of the insertion direction and the opposite direction.

[0082] In this embodiment, the bump foil (10), the top foil (20), and the connecting member (30) are automatically cut and bent by press processing without using a welding process, thereby having a shape that can be mass-produced.

[0083]

[0084] Hereinafter, an example of a method for assembling and mounting a journal foil air bearing (100) having the above-described configuration will be described.

[0085] First, without the above-mentioned joining member (30) being mounted, the bump foil (10) and top foil (20) are assembled as shown in Fig. 5.

[0086] At this time, the top foil (20) is placed so as to face the outer surface of the rotation axis (F), and the bump foil (10) is placed so as to surround the top foil (20).

[0087] When the bump foil (10) and the top foil (20) are assembled as shown in FIG. 5, the joining holes (13, 23) are aligned in a row as shown in FIG. 4.

[0088] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the through-hole (33) of the connecting member (30) is inserted into the connecting hole (13, 23), and then, as shown in FIG. 7, the side wall portion (312) in which the groove (34) is formed is bent 90 degrees so that the end portion of the through-hole (33) is received in the groove (34), and the end portion of the through-hole (33) is firmly connected without being separated from the groove (34), thereby completing the assembly of the journal foil air bearing (100).

[0089] Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the connecting member (30) firmly fixes the bump foil fixing portion (12) and the bump foil connecting hole (13), so that the bump foil (10) and the top foil (20) are firmly restrained so that they do not deviate in either direction along the longitudinal direction (C) of the rotation axis (F).

[0090] Finally, when the journal foil air bearing (100) thus “modularized” is inserted into a bearing housing (S) having a housing groove (P) on the upper part of the inner surface as illustrated in FIG. 8, the mounting of the journal foil air bearing (100) is completed. At this time, the worker simply mounts the journal foil air bearing (100) into the bearing housing (S) by pushing it along the center line (C) while accurately identifying the mounting position and direction of the bearing using the assembly direction identification groove (not illustrated), etc. Here, the coupling member (30) is accommodated in the housing groove (P).

[0091] At this time, the worker first inserts the side of the connecting member (30) on which the mounting protrusion (35) is not formed into the housing groove (P), and then continues to push it in the insertion direction along the center line (C). When the end of the connecting member (35) is joined to the catch (P1) formed on the inner wall of the housing groove (P) in a snap-fit ​​manner, the connecting member (30) is completely fixed in position without being able to move in the insertion direction or the opposite direction.

[0092]

[0093] The journal foil air bearing (100) of the above-described configuration is a journal foil air bearing for supporting a load applied along the radial direction of a rotational axis (F) rotating around a center line (C), and includes: a top foil (20) arranged to face the outer surface of the rotational axis (F) and to surround the rotational axis (F); a bump foil (10) as an elastically deformable member arranged to surround the top foil (20); At both ends of the top foil (20), top foil fixing portions (22) are formed so as to be bent in an "L" shape and protrude upward, and top foil joining holes (23) are formed in the pair of top foil fixing portions (22) so as to be arranged facing each other, and bump foil fixing portions (12) are formed so as to be bent in an "L" shape and protrude upward, and the pair of bump foil fixing portions (12) are formed so as to be arranged facing each other, and bump foil joining holes (13) are formed in the pair of bump foil fixing portions (12), and the top foil fixing portions (22) and the bump foil fixing portions (12) are fixed to each other by simultaneously penetrating through the pair of top foil joining holes (23) and the pair of bump foil joining holes (13). Since the connecting member (30) having the penetration portion (33) is included, there is no free end in the top foil (20), so that the rotation axis (F) can rotate in both directions as shown in FIG. 8, and the bump foil (10) and the top foil (20) do not deviate in both directions along the longitudinal direction (C) of the rotation axis (F), and there is an advantage in that a bearing that is “modularized” in advance by the connecting member (30) can be provided.

[0094] And the journal foil air bearing (100) includes a main body (31) including a ceiling (311) and a pair of side wall portions (312) extending downward from the ceiling (311), and the penetration portion (33) is provided at an end of one of the pair of side wall portions (312) and extends toward an end of the other of the pair of side wall portions (312), so that it is easy to modularize into a single unit by pre-assembling, and the work of mounting or disassembling the bearing housing (S) at the work site is very simple, and there is an advantage in that the bearing is easy to store and manage.

[0095] In addition, the journal foil air bearing (100) has the advantage of being suitable for mass production compared to cases where a method such as welding is used, since the joining member (30) has a shape that can be mass-produced by press processing without using a welding process.

[0096] And, since the journal foil air bearing (100) is formed by bending the portion of the penetration portion (33) extending from the end of the side wall portion (312), it has the advantage of being able to mass-produce the joining member (30) by press processing without using a welding process.

[0097] In addition, the journal foil air bearing (100) has a groove (34) provided at the end of the other of the pair of side wall portions (312) into which the end of the through portion (33) can be inserted and received, so that when the assembly is completed, the end of the through portion (33) can be firmly fixed by the groove (34) without shaking.

[0098] And, the journal foil air bearing (100) has at least one mounting protrusion (35) that fixes the position of the coupling member (30) so that it does not move away from the center line (C) when the coupling member (30) is inserted into the housing groove (P) formed in advance at the location where the bearing is mounted, so that it has the advantage of not being easily separated from the housing groove (P) when the assembly is complete.

[0099] In addition, the journal foil air bearing (100) has the advantage that the mounting projection (35) has a shape that extends a predetermined length along the center line (C) and is provided at the longitudinal (C) end of the connecting member (30), so that when the bearing housing (S) is mounted by pushing it in along the center line (C), interference does not occur between the mounting projection (35) and the housing groove (P).

[0100] And the journal foil air bearing (100) has a pair of mounting projections (35), the ends of which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the radial direction of the rotation axis (F), and when mounted in the housing groove (P), are elastically biased so as to apply elastic force to the housing groove (P) in a direction away from each other, so that the coupling member (30) has an advantage in that the bearing housing (S) can be firmly fixed to the inner wall of the housing groove (P) in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0101]

[0102] In this embodiment, a base foil that surrounds the bump foil (10) is not provided, but it is of course possible to include a base foil (not shown) that is arranged to surround the bump foil (10) and is a circular pipe member that extends along the center line (C) by a predetermined length, and has a hollow (H) formed inside with the center line (C) as the center of the circle.

[0103] In this embodiment, each of the bump foil (10) and the top foil (20) is provided one by one, but it is of course possible for at least one of the bump foil (10) and the top foil (20) to be provided in multiple pieces.

[0104] In this embodiment, the connecting member (30) includes a pair of the penetration portions (33), but it is of course possible to include three or more penetration portions (33).

[0105] The present invention has been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above-described embodiments, and it is clear that equivalent configurations modified or changed by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field do not go beyond the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. A journal foil air bearing for supporting a load applied along the radial direction of a rotating shaft rotating around a center line. A top foil arranged to face the outer surface of the above rotational axis and arranged to wrap around the above rotational axis; A bump foil, which is a member capable of elastic deformation and is arranged to surround the top foil; At both ends of the above top foil, a top foil fixing part is formed so that it is bent in an “L” shape and protrudes upward. The above pair of top foil fixing members are each formed with top foil joining holes arranged to face each other. At both ends of the above bump foil, a bump foil fixing portion is formed so as to protrude upward by being bent in an “L” shape, and the pair of bump foil fixing portions are arranged to face each other. The above pair of bump foil fixing members are each formed with bump foil joining holes arranged to face each other. A journal foil air bearing characterized in that it includes a joining member having a penetrating portion that simultaneously penetrates the pair of top foil joining holes and the pair of bump foil joining holes, thereby fixing the top foil fixing portion and the bump foil fixing portion to each other.

2. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned joining member is, A main body including a ceiling portion and a pair of side walls extending downward from the ceiling portion; A journal foil air bearing characterized in that the above-mentioned penetration portion is provided at the end of one of the pair of side wall portions and extends toward the end of the other of the pair of side wall portions.

3. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned joint member is characterized in that it has a shape that can be mass-produced by press processing without using a welding process.

4. In paragraph 2, A journal foil air bearing characterized in that the above penetration portion is formed by bending a portion extending from the end of the side wall portion.

5. In paragraph 2, A journal foil air bearing characterized in that the other end of the pair of side wall portions has a groove provided into which the end of the through portion can be inserted and received.

6. In paragraph 1, A journal foil air bearing characterized in that the above-mentioned joining member has at least one mounting projection that fixes the position of the joining member so that it does not deviate along the center line direction when inserted into a housing groove formed in advance where the bearing is mounted.

7. In paragraph 6, A journal foil air bearing characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting projection has a shape that extends along the center line by a predetermined length and is provided at the longitudinal end of the above-mentioned joining member.

8. In paragraph 7, The journal foil air bearing characterized in that the above mounting projections are provided in pairs, and their ends are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the radial direction of the rotation axis, and are elastically biased so as to apply elastic force to the housing groove in a direction away from each other when mounted in the housing groove.

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