JP2003127608A - Wheel rotation supporting device - Google Patents
Wheel rotation supporting deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003127608A JP2003127608A JP2001323856A JP2001323856A JP2003127608A JP 2003127608 A JP2003127608 A JP 2003127608A JP 2001323856 A JP2001323856 A JP 2001323856A JP 2001323856 A JP2001323856 A JP 2001323856A JP 2003127608 A JP2003127608 A JP 2003127608A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- ring
- peripheral surface
- diameter
- retaining ring
- support hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 11
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001315 Tool steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000036316 preload Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010791 quenching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000171 quenching effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013585 weight reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C35/00—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers
- F16C35/04—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers in the case of ball or roller bearings
- F16C35/06—Mounting or dismounting of ball or roller bearings; Fixing them onto shaft or in housing
- F16C35/067—Fixing them in a housing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
- F16B21/06—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
- F16B21/08—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
- F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
- F16C19/14—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load
- F16C19/18—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls
- F16C19/181—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls with angular contact
- F16C19/183—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls with angular contact with two rows at opposite angles
- F16C19/184—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls with angular contact with two rows at opposite angles in O-arrangement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
- F16C2326/01—Parts of vehicles in general
- F16C2326/02—Wheel hubs or castors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
- Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】この発明は、車輪を支持する
為の車輪用軸受ユニットと、自動車の独立懸架式サスペ
ンションの一部を構成する支持部材とを組み合わせて、
懸架装置に対して車輪を回転自在に支持する為の車輪用
回転支持装置の改良に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】車輪を懸架装置に対して回転自在に支持
する為に、外輪と内輪とを転動体を介して回転自在に組
み合わせた車輪用軸受ユニットが、各種使用されてい
る。又、懸架装置の一種である独立懸架式サスペンショ
ンに対して、車輪を回転自在に支持する為に、この独立
懸架式サスペンションの一部を構成するナックルに設け
た支持孔に、上記車輪用軸受ユニットを構成する外輪の
一部を内嵌して、この外輪と上記支持部材とを複数のボ
ルトにより結合した車輪用回転支持装置も、従来から広
く使用されている。図９は、この様な車輪用回転支持装
置のうち、独立懸架式サスペンションに駆動輪を支持す
ると共に、この駆動輪を回転駆動する為の車輪駆動用の
車輪用軸受ユニット１と、懸架装置を構成するナックル
３０とを組み合わせた車輪用回転支持装置の、一般的な
構造を示している。
【０００３】このうちの車輪用軸受ユニット１は、外輪
３の内径側にハブ４及び内輪５を、複数の転動体６、６
を介して回転自在に支持して成る。このうちの外輪３
は、その外周面に設けた第一の取付フランジ７により、
懸架装置の一部を構成する支持部材である、ナックル３
０に結合固定した状態で、使用時にも回転しない。即
ち、上記車輪用軸受ユニット１の使用時には、上記外輪
３の軸方向内端（軸方向に関して内とは、自動車への組
み付け状態で車両の幅方向中央側となる側で、図１、
２、７、９の右側。本明細書全体で同じ。）部外周面に
設けた円筒面状の嵌合部３１を上記ナックル３０に設け
た支持孔３２に内嵌する。そして、この状態で、上記ナ
ックル３０に設けた複数の通孔３３にボルト３４を挿通
させ、これら各ボルト３４の雄ねじ部を、上記第一の取
付フランジ７に設けたねじ孔３５に螺合・緊締する事に
より、上記車輪用軸受ユニット１を上記ナックル３０に
対し結合している。又、上記外輪３の内周面には１対の
外輪軌道８、８を設けて、この外輪３の内径側に、それ
ぞれが回転部材３６を構成する、ハブ４及び内輪５を、
この外輪３と同心に、回転自在に支持している。
【０００４】このうちのハブ４は、外周面の軸方向外端
（軸方向に関して外とは、自動車への組み付け状態で車
両の幅方向外側となる側で、図１、２、７、９の左側。
本明細書全体で同じ。）寄り部分に、車輪を支持する為
の第二の取付フランジ９を設けている。又、上記ハブ４
の外周面の中間部に第一の内輪軌道１０を形成し、同じ
く軸方向内端部に形成した小径段部１１に、その外周面
に第二の内輪軌道１２を形成した上記内輪５を外嵌固定
している。又、上記ハブ４の中心部には、スプライン孔
１３を設けている。
【０００５】一方、前記車輪用軸受ユニット１には等速
ジョイント２を組み合わせている。この等速ジョイント
２は、等速ジョイント用外輪１４と、等速ジョイント用
内輪１５と、複数のボール１６、１６と、スプライン軸
１７とを備える。このうちの等速ジョイント用外輪１４
とスプライン軸１７とが、駆動軸部材１８を構成する。
即ち、このスプライン軸１７はこの駆動軸部材１８の軸
方向外半部に設けたもので、上記スプライン孔１３と係
合自在であり、上記等速ジョイント用外輪１４は、上記
駆動軸部材１８の軸方向内半部に設けている。この等速
ジョイント用外輪１４の内周面の円周方向複数個所には
外側係合溝１９、１９を、それぞれこの円周方向に対し
直角方向に形成している。又、上記等速ジョイント用内
輪１５は、中心部に第二のスプライン孔２０を、その外
周面で上記各外側係合溝１９、１９と整合する部分に内
側係合溝２１、２１を、それぞれ円周方向に対し直角方
向に形成している。そして、これら各内側係合溝２１、
２１と上記各外側係合溝１９、１９との間に上記各ボー
ル１６、１６を、保持器２２により保持した状態で、こ
れら各係合溝２１、１９に沿う転動自在に設けている。
【０００６】上述の様な等速ジョイント２と前述の様な
車輪用軸受ユニット１とを組み合わせるには、上記スプ
ライン軸１７を上記ハブ４のスプライン孔１３に、軸方
向に関して内側から外側に向け挿通する。そして、上記
スプライン軸１７の軸方向外端部で上記ハブ４の外端面
から突出した部分に設けた雄ねじ部２３にナット２４を
螺合し、更に緊締する事により、互いに結合固定する。
この状態で、前記内輪５の内端面は上記等速ジョイント
用外輪１４の外端面に当接するので、この内輪５が前記
小径段部１１から抜け出る方向に変位する事はない。同
時に、前記各転動体６、６に適正な予圧が付与される。
【０００７】更に、自動車の懸架装置への組み付け状態
では、前記等速ジョイント用内輪１５の中心部に設けた
第二のスプライン孔２０に、駆動軸２５の軸方向外端部
に設けた雄スプライン部２６をスプライン係合させる。
そして、この雄スプライン部２６の軸方向外端部外周面
に全周に亙って形成した係止溝２７に係止した止め輪２
８を、上記第二のスプライン孔２０の軸方向外端開口周
縁部に形成した係止段部２９に係合させて、上記雄スプ
ライン部２６が上記第二のスプライン孔２０から抜け出
る事を防止する。尚、上記駆動軸２５の軸方向内端部
は、図示しないデファレンシャルギヤの出力軸部に設け
た、やはり図示しないトリポード型等速ジョイントのト
ラニオンの中心部に結合固定する。従って、自動車の走
行時に上記駆動軸２５は、等速回転する。
【０００８】又、米国特許明細書第５，９２７，８６７
号には、車輪用軸受ユニットを構成する外輪の外周面
を、（ナックルに固定する為の取付フランジを形成しな
い）単なる円筒面とすると共に、上記外輪とナックルと
を環状部材により結合した構造が記載されている。この
環状部材は、断面略Ｌ字形で全体を円環状に形成してい
る。又、この環状部材を構成する筒部の円周方向一部に
突起部を、この筒部の外周面から傾斜して突出する状態
で形成している。又、上記ナックルの支持孔の軸方向一
端部内周面に溝部を形成している。そして、この支持孔
に上記外輪を挿入すると共に、この支持孔の軸方向他端
部内周面に設けた内向鍔部の側面に上記外輪の軸方向他
端面を突き当てている。そして、この外輪の軸方向一端
部外周面に環状部材を外嵌すると共に、上記突起部の先
端を、上記溝部の両側面のうちで軸方向他側に向いた側
面に突き当てている。この為、上記外輪は、上記支持孔
の内側から抜け出る方向に変位する事が阻止される。こ
の様な米国特許明細書第５，９２７，８６７号に記載さ
れた従来構造の第２例の場合、上記外輪とナックルとを
結合する為に、複数本のボルトを使用する必要がなくな
る。
【０００９】又、特開２００１−１０５８０６号公報に
は、ナックルと、車輪用軸受ユニットを構成する外輪と
を、弾性材製で有端形状のクリップにより結合した構造
が記載されている。この様な従来構造の第３例の場合、
ナックルの支持孔の内周面の周方向に形成された外側係
合溝と、外輪の外周面の周方向に形成された内側係合溝
とを備える。そして、上記外輪を上記ナックルに結合す
る際に、上記クリップを上記内側係合溝に装着すると共
に、このクリップの直径を弾性的に縮めた状態で、上記
支持孔に上記外輪を挿入する。この挿入作業に伴って、
上記クリップが上記外側係合溝に整合した状態では、こ
のクリップの直径が弾性復帰する為、このクリップが上
記外側係合溝と内側係合溝との間に掛け渡されて、上記
外輪が上記支持孔から抜け出る方向に変位する事が阻止
される。この様な上記特開２００１−１０５８０６号公
報に記載された従来構造の第３例の場合も、外輪とナッ
クルとを結合する為に、複数本のボルトを使用する必要
がなくなる。
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】前述した米国特許明細
書第５，９２７，８６７号に記載された従来構造の第２
例、及び、上述した特開２００１−１０５８０６号公報
に記載された従来構造の第３例の何れも場合も、外輪と
ナックルとを結合する為に、複数本のボルトを使用する
必要がなくなる。但し、これら各従来構造の場合、使用
時に、万が一、外輪軌道又は内輪軌道の剥離等の軸受異
常が生じて、車輪用軸受ユニットを点検・修理する必要
が生じた場合に、この点検・修理に要するコストが嵩ん
でしまう。即ち、この点検・修理の為には、ナックルに
設けた支持孔から車輪用軸受ユニットを取り外す必要が
あるが、上述した従来構造の第２、３例の何れの場合
も、この取り外し作業を容易に行なえる様にする為の考
慮をしていない。この為、この様な構造で上記取り外し
作業を行う場合には、プーラー等の特殊な工具により、
上記支持孔から上記外輪を大きな力で引っ張り出す必要
があるが、環状部材やクリップを破損せずに上記取り外
し作業を行なうのは難しい。従って、上記車輪用軸受ユ
ニットの点検・修理の際に、上記環状部材やクリップを
交換する必要が生じて、点検・修理に要するコストが嵩
む原因となる。又、上記支持孔から上記外輪を抜き出す
際に、上記ナックルの支持孔の内周面に形成した溝部又
は外側係合溝や、外輪の外周面に形成した内側係合溝
に、上記環状部材又はクリップから大きな力が加わる
為、上記ナックルや外輪の一部が破損する可能性があ
る。この場合には、このナックルや外輪を交換する必要
も生じて、上記点検・修理に要するコストが、更に嵩む
原因となる。本発明の車輪用回転支持装置は、この様な
事情に鑑みて、外輪と支持部材とを止め輪により結合す
る構造で、車輪用軸受ユニットの点検・修理に要するコ
ストを低減すべく発明したものである。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の車輪用回転支持
装置は、前述の図９に示した従来構造の第１例と同様
に、懸架装置を構成して車輪を支持する支持部材と、こ
の支持部材に設けられた支持孔の内径側に支持された車
輪用軸受ユニットとを備える。そして、このうちの車輪
用軸受ユニットは、内周面に外輪軌道を、外周面に上記
支持孔に内嵌する為の嵌合部を、それぞれ有し、使用時
にも回転しない外輪と、外周面の一端寄り部分に車輪を
支持する為の取付フランジを、同じく中間部に上記外輪
軌道と対向する内輪軌道を、それぞれ有し、使用時に回
転する回転部材と、この内輪軌道と上記外輪軌道との間
に転動自在に設けられた複数個の転動体とを備える。
【００１２】特に、本発明の車輪用回転支持装置に於い
ては、上記嵌合部の外周面の周方向に設けられた内側係
合部と、上記支持孔の内周面の周方向に設けられた外側
係合部と、弾性材製で全体を欠円環状に形成され、この
外側係合部と上記内側係合部との間に掛け渡された止め
輪と、上記支持孔の内周面の円周方向一部に、この支持
孔の開口端周縁部から上記外側係合部の外径側部分に亙
り、外径側に凹入する状態で形成された凹入部とを備え
る。そして、この凹入部内に進入させた治具又は工具の
先端部を、この凹入部内に存在する上記止め輪の一部に
係合させる事により、この止め輪の外径を、上記支持孔
の内径以下に弾性的に縮小自在としている。
【００１３】
【作用】上述の様に構成する本発明の車輪用回転支持装
置によれば、支持部材の支持孔の内周面に設けた外側係
合部と、外輪の嵌合部に設けた内側係合部との間に止め
輪を掛け渡している為、上記支持部材に上記外輪を結合
する為に複数本のボルトを使用する必要がなくなり、組
立作業の容易化によるコスト低減と、小型化及び軽量化
とを図れる。又、上記外輪の外周面に、支持部材に固定
する為の取付フランジを設ける必要がなくなる為、この
外輪の外周面の形状を単純にできる。しかも、本発明の
場合には、支持部材から車輪用軸受ユニットを取り外す
作業を、容易に行なえる。又、この取り外し作業の際
に、上記止め輪が破損する事を防止でき、この止め輪を
再利用できる。更に、この取り外し作業の際に、この止
め輪から上記ナックル及び外輪に大きな力が加わる事が
なくなる為、このナックル及び外輪が破損する事も防止
できる。従って、車輪用軸受ユニットの点検・修理に要
するコストを低減できる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】図１〜５は、本発明の実施の形態
の第１例を示している。尚、本発明の特徴は、支持部材
であるナックル３０と、外輪３ａとを止め輪４４により
結合する構造で、車輪用軸受ユニット１ａの修理・交換
に要するコストを低減すべく、上記外輪３ａとナックル
３０との結合部の構造を工夫した点にある。本例に於い
て、その他の部分の構造は、前述の図９に示した従来構
造の第１例とほぼ同様であるから、重複する説明を省略
若しくは簡略にし、以下、本発明の特徴部分並びに上記
従来構造と異なる部分を中心に説明する。
【００１５】本発明の車輪用回転支持装置は、懸架装置
を構成して車輪を支持する支持部材である、ナックル３
０と、このナックル３０に設けた支持孔３２の内径側に
支持した車輪用軸受ユニット１ａとを備える。この車輪
用軸受ユニット１ａは、外輪３ａの内径側にハブ４ａ及
び１対の内輪５ａ、５ｂを回転自在に支持している。即
ち、本例の場合には、ハブ４ａの軸方向内半部外周面に
小径段部１１を形成すると共に、この小径段部１１に、
それぞれの外周面に第一、第二の内輪軌道１０、１２を
形成した１対の内輪５ａ、５ｂを外嵌している。そし
て、上記ハブ４ａの内端部で、これら１対の内輪５ａ、
５ｂのうち、軸方向内側（図１、２の右側）の内輪５ｂ
の軸方向内端面から突出した部分を直径方向外方にかし
め広げる事で形成したかしめ部３７により、上記１対の
内輪５ａ、５ｂを上記ハブ４ａに対し固定している。本
例の場合には、これら１対の内輪５ａ、５ｂ及びハブ４
ａが、回転部材３６ａを構成している。そして、上記外
輪３ａの内周面に上記各内輪軌道１０、１２に対向する
状態で形成した１対の外輪軌道８、８と、上記各内輪軌
道１０、１２との間に、それぞれ複数ずつの転動体６、
６を転動自在に設ける事により、上記外輪３ａの内径側
に上記ハブ４ａ及び１対の内輪５ａ、５ｂを回転自在に
支持している。
【００１６】又、前記車輪用軸受ユニット１ａは、等速
ジョイント２ａと組み合わせている。この為に、この等
速ジョイント２ａを構成する駆動軸部材１８ａに設けた
スプライン軸１７ａの外端寄り部分外周面に内側係止溝
３９を、全周に亙って形成すると共に、上記スプライン
孔１３の外端部内周面でこの内側係止溝３９と整合する
位置に、外側係止溝４０を、全周に亙って形成してい
る。そして、これら内側、外側両係止溝３９、４０に、
欠円環状の第二の止め輪３８を掛け渡している。この第
二の止め輪３８は、ばね鋼、ステンレスばね鋼等の弾性
材製の線材を曲げ形成する事により、略Ｃ字形の欠円環
状に形成したもので、径を広げる方向の弾性を有する。
この様な第二の止め輪３８は、径を弾性的に広げた状態
で、上記両係止溝３９、４０同士の間に掛け渡されて、
上記スプライン軸１７ａが上記スプライン孔１３から抜
け出るのを防止する。
【００１７】又、本例の場合には、上記駆動軸部材１８
ａを構成する等速ジョイント用外輪１４の外端面と、上
記ハブ４ａの内端部に設けたかしめ部３７の内端との間
でシールリング４１を、軸方向に弾性的に圧縮してい
る。又、上記ハブ４ａの外端部に形成した筒部４２に、
有底円筒状のキャップ４３を内嵌固定している。そし
て、このキャップ４３と上記シールリング４１とによ
り、上記スプライン軸１７ａと上記スプライン孔１３と
のスプライン係合部に、雨水等の異物が進入する事を防
止して、このスプライン係合部が錆び付く事を防止して
いる。
【００１８】特に、本例の車輪用回転支持装置の場合に
は、前記ナックル３０に設けた支持孔３２の内周面と、
前記車輪用軸受ユニット１ａを構成する外輪３ａの外周
面との間に掛け渡した止め輪４４により、上記ナックル
３０と車輪用軸受ユニット１ａとの分離を防止してい
る。即ち、本例の場合、上記外輪３ａの外周面を、（上
記ナックル３０に固定する為の取付フランジを形成しな
い）単なる円筒面状の嵌合部３１としている。又、この
嵌合部３１の軸方向中間部で、径方向に関する厚さが最
も大きくなった部分（＝内周面に外輪軌道８、８を形成
した部分同士の間部分）に、内側係合部である内側係合
溝４５を、全周に亙って形成している。そして、上記支
持孔３２の内周面の軸方向中間部で、上記内側係合溝４
５と整合する位置に、外側係合部である外側係合溝４６
を、全周に亙って形成している。尚、上記嵌合部３１の
外径は、上記支持孔３２の内径と同じか、この内径より
も僅かに小さくしている。
【００１９】更に、本例の場合、この支持孔３２の軸方
向内半部（図１、２の右半部）内周面の円周方向複数個
所（図示の例では３個所）に、それぞれ凹入部４７を形
成している。これら各凹入部４７は、上記支持孔３２よ
りも径方向外方に凹んだ状態で設けられたもので、それ
ぞれの軸方向内端が上記支持孔３２の軸方向内端開口に
達し、それぞれの軸方向外端が上記外側係合溝４６より
も軸方向外方に迄達する。即ち、上記各凹入部４７は、
上記支持孔３２の軸方向内端開口から上記外側係合溝４
６を越えた部分に亙り形成している。又、本例の場合に
は、上記支持孔３２の軸方向外端部内周面に、軸方向に
対する傾斜角度θ（図２）が１０〜３０度程度である、
円すい凹面状のガイド面４８を、全周に亙って形成して
いる。
【００２０】そして、上記外輪３ａを上記支持孔３２に
内嵌した状態で、この支持孔３２の内周面に形成した外
側係合溝４６と、上記外輪３ａの嵌合部３１の外周面に
形成した内側係合溝４５との間に、図４に詳示する様な
止め輪４４を掛け渡している。この止め輪４４は、ＳＷ
ＲＨの如き硬鋼線材、ＳＷＰ−Ｂの如きピアノ線、ＳＫ
−５の如き炭素工具鋼材等の弾性金属材製の線材を曲げ
形成する事により、略Ｃ字形の欠円環状に形成したもの
で、組み付け状態で直径を広げる方向の弾力を有する。
又、この止め輪４４は、曲げ形成した後、焼き入れ処理
を施して、硬化させている。この止め輪４４の自由状態
での外径Ｄ44は、上記外側係合溝４６の溝底の直径ｄ46
（図２）よりも大きくしている。そして、この止め輪４
４の両端同士の間隔を弾性的に縮めた状態で、この止め
輪４４の外径が上記支持孔３２の内径ｄ32（図２）以下
になる様にしている。又、上記内側、外側両係合溝４
５、４６の溝底の直径ｄ45、ｄ46は、上記止め輪４４が
これら内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６に掛け渡される様
に規制している。即ち、このうちの内側係合溝４５の溝
底の直径ｄ45（図２）は、上記支持孔３２の内径ｄ32か
ら、上記止め輪４４を構成する線材の直径ｄ44（図４）
の２倍を引いた値以下としている（ｄ45≦ｄ32−２
ｄ44）。この様な規制は、この止め輪４４を上記内側係
合溝４５の底部に迄押し込んだ状態で、上記外輪３ａを
この止め輪４４ごと上記支持孔３２内に挿入自在とする
為に必要である。例えば、上記内側係合溝４５の溝底の
直径ｄ45は、上述した範囲で、前記嵌合部３１の外径Ｄ
31（図２）から上記止め輪４４を構成する線材の直径ｄ
44の２倍を引いた値よりも少しだけ（０．２mm程度）小
さくする（ｄ45≒Ｄ31−２ｄ44−０．２mm）。
【００２１】又、上記外側係合溝４６の溝底の直径ｄ46
は、上記嵌合部３１の外径Ｄ31に、上記止め輪４４を構
成する線材の直径ｄ44の２倍を足した値未満としている
（ｄ 46＜Ｄ31＋２ｄ44）。この様な規制は、上記止め輪
４４の直径が弾性的に広がった状態で、この止め輪４４
の内周縁部と上記内側係合溝４５とを係合させる為に必
要である。例えば、上記外側係合溝４６の溝底の直径ｄ
46は、上述した範囲で、上記嵌合部３１の外径Ｄ31に、
上記止め輪４４を構成する線材の直径ｄ44を足した値よ
りも少しだけ（０．２mm程度）大きくする（ｄ46≒Ｄ31
＋ｄ44＋０．２mm）。
【００２２】上記内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６及び止
め輪４４の寸法を上述の様に規制する為、この止め輪４
４を内側係合溝４５部分に装着した状態で、上記外輪３
ａを上記ナックル３０の支持孔３２に挿入すれば、前記
車輪用軸受ユニット１ａと上記ナックル３０とを不離に
結合できる。即ち、上記外輪３ａをこのナックル３０に
対し結合する場合には、上記止め輪４４を上記内側係合
溝４５部分に装着した状態で、上記外輪３ａを上記支持
孔３２に、外側から内側に、図１、２の左から右に挿入
する。この挿入作業により上記止め輪４４は、上記支持
孔３２の外端部に形成した円すい凹面状のガイド面４８
に案内されつつ、外径が弾性的に縮められて、上記支持
孔３２内に押し込まれる。そして、上記止め輪４４と外
側係合溝４６とが整合した状態で、この止め輪４４の直
径が、この止め輪４４の外周縁が上記外側係合溝４６の
底面に当接する状態でに迄、弾性的に広がる。そして、
この様に止め輪４４の直径が弾性的に広がった状態で、
この止め輪４４が上記内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６同
士の間に掛け渡された状態になって、上記外輪３ａが上
記支持孔３２から抜け出る事が防止され、上記車輪用軸
受ユニット１ａとナックル３０とが不離に結合される。
【００２３】尚、上記内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６の
幅は、上記止め輪４４を構成する線材ｄ44の直径以上に
する必要があるが、これら幅と直径ｄ44との差は、極力
小さくする。この理由は、上記内側、外側両係合溝４
５、４６と上記止め輪４４とによる結合部の、軸方向の
がたつきを抑える為である。又、本例の場合には、上記
外輪３ａの軸方向外端面が上記ナックル３０の軸方向外
側面よりも０．５mm程度突出した状態で、上記止め輪４
４と上記外側係合溝４６とが整合する様に、各部の寸法
を規制している。又、前記支持孔３２の内側に上記外輪
３ａを、この外輪３ａの軸方向外端面が上記ナックル３
０の軸方向外側面よりも０．５mm程度突出した状態にな
る迄押し込む為に要する、図示しない油圧押圧装置のラ
ムの作動圧力を予め求めておく。そして、上記支持孔３
２に上記外輪３ａをこのラムにより押し込む際に、この
ラムの作動圧力が予め求めた所定値以上になった事を確
認する事により、上記止め輪４４が上記外側係合溝４６
と係合した事を認識できる様にしている。この様にすれ
ば、面倒な手間を要する事なく、上記両係合溝４５、４
６同士の間に上記止め輪４４を確実に掛け渡す事ができ
る。又、この様に上記止め輪４４を掛け渡した状態で、
この止め輪４４の外周寄り部分の一部は、前記各凹入部
４７内に位置する。
【００２４】一方、上記ナックル３０から上記車輪用軸
受ユニット１ａを取り外す場合には、図５に示す様な縮
径治具４９を使用する。この縮径治具４９は、円環部５
０の軸方向一端縁（図５の左端縁）の円周方向複数個所
（図示の例の場合は３個所）に、軸方向に突出した係合
突片５１、５１を、それぞれ設けている。そして、これ
ら各係合突片５１、５１の先端部内周側面に、それぞれ
が先端縁に向かう程径方向外方に向かう方向に傾斜し
た、ガイド傾斜面５２、５２を形成している。上記ナッ
クル３０から上記車輪用軸受ユニット１ａを取り外す場
合には、先ず、前記駆動軸部材１８ａを前記ハブ４ａか
ら分離して、上記ナックル３０及び車輪用軸受ユニット
１ａの軸方向内側に、上記縮径治具４９を配置するのに
十分に広い空間を設ける。そして、前記支持孔３２より
も軸方向内側に外れた空間に上記縮径治具４９を、上記
各係合突片５１、５１の先端部を前記各凹入部４７に対
向させる状態で配置する。次いで、これら各係合突片５
１、５１の先端部を上記各凹入部４７内に進入させる。
この進入作業に伴って、これら各係合突片５１、５１の
先端部に設けたガイド傾斜面５２、５２が、上記各凹入
部４７内に存在する上記止め輪４４の外周縁の円周方向
複数個所（図示の例では３個所）に係合して、この止め
輪４４の外径を、前記支持孔３２の内径ｄ32以下に縮め
る。この状態で上記外輪３ａは、上記支持孔３２から軸
方向外方に向け、抜き取り自在となる為、この外輪３ａ
を上記支持孔３２から抜き出す事により、上記ナックル
３０から上記車輪用軸受ユニット１ａを取り外せる。
【００２５】尚、上記各係合突片５１、５１の円周方向
に関する幅Ｗ51（次述する図６参照）は、上記止め輪４
４の不連続部５３の（前記外側係合溝４６に装着した状
態での）円周方向に関する幅Ｗ53よりも大きくしている
（Ｗ51＞Ｗ53）。この理由は、図６に示す様に上記幅Ｗ
51が上記幅Ｗ53よりも小さい（Ｗ51＜Ｗ53）と、何れか
の係合突片５１が上記不連続部５３に入り込んで、それ
以上上記各係合突片５１、５１を上記各凹入部４７（図
１〜３）内に押し込んでも、上記止め輪４４の径を縮め
られなくなる可能性を生じる為である。
【００２６】上述の様に構成する本発明の車輪用回転支
持装置によれば、ナックル３０の支持孔３２の内周面に
設けた外側係合溝４６と、外輪３ａの嵌合部３１に設け
た内側係合溝４５との間に止め輪４４を掛け渡している
為、上記ナックル３０に上記外輪３ａを結合する為に複
数本のボルトを使用する必要がなくなり、組立作業の容
易化によるコスト低減と、小型化及び軽量化とを図れ
る。又、上記外輪３ａの外周面にナックル３０に固定す
る為の取付フランジを設ける必要がなくなる為、この外
輪３ａの外周面の形状を単純にできる。しかも、本発明
の場合には、ナックル３０から車輪用軸受ユニット１ａ
を取り外す作業を、上記支持孔３２の内周面に形成した
各凹入部４７内に縮径治具４９に設けた各係合突片５
１、５１の先端部を進入させて、この先端部を上記止め
輪４４の一部に係合させ、この止め輪４４の外径を縮め
た状態で、上記支持孔３２の内側から上記外輪３ａを抜
き出すのみで、容易に行なえる。又、本発明の場合に
は、この様な取り外し作業の際に、上記止め輪４４が破
損する事を防止でき、この止め輪４４を再利用できる。
又、この取り外し作業の際に、この止め輪４４から上記
ナックル３０及び外輪３ａに大きな力が加わる事がなく
なる為、このナックル３０及び外輪３ａが破損する事も
防止できる。従って、車輪用軸受ユニット１ａの点検・
修理に要するコストを低減できる。
【００２７】更に、本例の場合には、ハブ４ａと駆動軸
部材１８ａとの結合作業を容易に行なえる。即ち、前述
の図９に示した従来構造の第１例の場合、ハブ４と駆動
軸部材１８とを結合する為に、スプライン軸１７の雄ね
じ部２３にナット２４を螺合し更に緊締する、面倒な作
業が必要となる。この様にハブ４と駆動軸部材１８との
結合作業が面倒であると、等速ジョイント２と組み合わ
せた、車輪用回転支持装置のコストが嵩む原因となる。
又、上記雄ねじ部２３とナット２４を結合する分、車輪
用回転支持装置が大型化して、重量も嵩む。これに対し
て本例の場合には、ハブ４ａと駆動軸部材１８ａとを結
合するのに、このハブ４ａに設けたスプライン孔１３の
外端部内周面とスプライン軸１７ａの外端部外周面との
間に、第二の止め輪３８を掛け渡すだけで良い。この
為、等速ジョイント２ａと組み合わせた、車輪用回転支
持装置の組立作業の容易化を図れて、組立に要するコス
ト低減を図れると共に、小型化及び軽量化を図れる。
尚、点検、修理の際に、上記スプライン孔１３から上記
スプライン軸１７ａを抜き取る作業を能率良く行う為に
は、このスプライン孔１３の外端開口部に、前述した各
凹入部４７と同様の凹部を形成すれば良い。更には、前
記外側係止溝４０の、軸方向内方側面に適切な傾斜角度
を付ければ、上記スプライン軸１７ａの先端面に衝撃荷
重を付与する事により、このスプライン軸１７ａを上記
スプライン孔１３から、容易に抜き出せる。
【００２８】次に、図７〜８は、本発明の実施の形態の
第２例を示している。本例の場合には、上述した第１例
の場合と異なり、ハブ４ｂの内端部に、１対の内輪５
ａ、５ｂを抑え付ける為のかしめ部３７（図１、２参
照）を形成していない。又、このハブ４ｂと駆動軸部材
１８とを結合する為に、第二の止め輪３８（図１、２参
照）を使用せず、その代わりに、スプライン軸１７の外
端部に雄ねじ部２３を形成し、この雄ねじ部２３にナッ
ト２４を螺合・緊締している。そして、この状態で、上
記駆動軸部材１８の軸方向内半部を構成する等速ジョイ
ント用外輪１４の外端面と上記ナット２４との間に、上
記ハブ４ｂ及び１対の内輪５ａ、５ｂを挟持している。
【００２９】又、本例の場合には、ナックル３０に設け
た支持孔３２の円周方向一部内周面に凹入部４７ａを、
この支持孔３２の軸方向全長に亙って外径側に凹入する
状態で形成している。そして、この支持孔３２の内周面
の軸方向中間部に全周に亙って形成した外側係合溝４６
と、外輪３ａの外周面に設けた嵌合部３１の軸方向中間
部に全周に亙って形成した内側係合溝４５との間に、図
８に詳示する様な止め輪５４を掛け渡している。この止
め輪５４は、上述した第１例で使用した止め輪４４（図
４等参照）と同様の弾性金属材製の線材を曲げ形成して
成るもので、略Ｃ字形の本体部５５と、この本体部５５
の両端からほぼ外径側に互いに平行に突出する状態で設
けた１対の第一腕部５６、５６と、これら各第一腕部５
６、５６の外端縁から軸方向同方向に向け直角に曲げ形
成する状態で設けた１対の第二腕部５７、５７とを備え
る。そして、上記内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６同士の
間に上記止め輪５４を構成する本体部５５を掛け渡すと
共に、上記凹入部４７ａ内に、上記各第一、第二腕部５
６、５７を進入させている。そして、このうちの各第二
腕部５７、５７の先端部を、上記凹入部４７ａの軸方向
内端付近に位置させている。
【００３０】上記止め輪５４の自由状態での、上記本体
部５５の外径Ｄ55は、上記外側係合溝４６の溝底の直径
よりも大きくしている。又、上記外側係合溝４６の溝底
に上記止め輪５４の本体部５５の外周縁を当接させた状
態で、この本体部５５の内径が上記嵌合部３１の外径よ
りも小さくなる様に、各部の寸法を規制している。又、
上記本体部５５の直径を弾性的に縮めて、この本体部５
５の内周縁を上記内側係合溝４５の溝底に当接させた状
態で、この本体部５５の外径が上記支持孔３２の内径以
下になる様に、各部の寸法を規制している。
【００３１】上記ナックル３０に車輪用軸受ユニット１
ａを結合する場合には、上記止め輪５４を上記内側係合
溝４５部分に装着した状態で、上記第一、第二各腕部５
６、５７を上記凹入部４７に整合させつつ、上記外輪３
ａを上記支持孔３２に、外側から内側に、図７の左から
右に挿入する。この挿入作業に伴って、上記止め輪５４
は、上記支持孔３２の外端部に形成した円すい凹面状の
ガイド面４８に案内されつつ、本体部５５の外径が上記
支持孔３２の内径以下に弾性的に縮められて、この支持
孔３２内に押し込まれる。そして、上記本体部５５と外
側係合溝４６とが整合した状態で、この本体部５５の直
径が、この本体部５５の外周縁が上記外側係合溝４６の
底面に当接する状態に迄、弾性的に広がる。そして、こ
の様に本体部５５の直径が弾性的に広がった状態で、こ
の本体部５５が上記内側、外側両係合溝４５、４６同士
の間に掛け渡された状態になって、上記外輪３ａが上記
支持孔３２から抜け出る方向に変位する事が防止され、
車輪用軸受ユニット１ａとナックル３０とが不離に結合
される。
【００３２】又、上記ナックル３０から上記車輪用軸受
ユニット１ａを取り外す場合には、先ず、駆動軸部材１
８をハブ４ｂから分離して、上記外輪３ａ及びナックル
３０の軸方向内側に広い空間を設ける。そして、この空
間に配置した、図示しないプライヤ等の工具の掴み部の
先端部を、上記凹入部４７ａに軸方向内端側から進入さ
せ、これら各先端部を上記各第二腕部５７、５７の先端
部に両側から係合させる。そして、この状態で、上記工
具の掴み部の先端部同士の間隔を縮める事により、上記
各第二腕部４７、４７の先端部同士の間隔を縮める。こ
れに伴って、上記止め輪５４の本体部５５の外径が、上
記支持孔３２の内径以下に弾性的に縮まる。この状態
で、上記外輪３ａは、この支持孔３２から軸方向外方に
向け、抜き取り自在となる為、この外輪３ａを上記支持
孔３２から抜き出す事により、上記ナックル３０から上
記車輪用軸受ユニット１ａを取り外せる。その他の構成
及び作用に就いては、上述した第１例の場合と同様であ
る為、重複する説明は省略する。
【００３３】尚、本例の場合、上記止め輪５４の直径を
工具により容易に縮められる様に、この止め輪５４に１
対の第二腕部５７、５７を設けると共に、ナックル３０
に外輪３ａを結合した状態で、これら各第二腕部５７、
５７の先端部を上記凹入部４７ａの軸方向内端付近に位
置させている。但し、本例の場合とは別に、上記止め輪
５４から１対の第二腕部５７、５７を省略する事もでき
る。この様な止め輪で本体部５５の直径を縮める場合に
は、工具の掴み部の先端部を１対の第一腕部５６、５６
に直接係合させた状態で、これら第一腕部５６、５６同
士の間隔を縮める。
【００３４】又、上述した各例は、自動車の駆動輪を支
持する為の構造に本発明を適用した場合に就いて説明し
たが、本発明は、この様な構造に限定するものではな
く、例えば、自動車の従動輪を支持する為の構造で、本
発明を実施する事もできる。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】本発明は、以上に述べた通り構成され作
用するので、組立作業の容易化によるコスト低減と、小
型・軽量化とを図れると共に、支持部材から車輪用軸受
ユニットを取り外す作業を容易に行なえる。しかも、こ
の取り外し作業の際に部品が損傷する事を防止できる。
この為、部品の再利用を図れて、車輪用軸受ユニットの
点検・修理に要するコストを低減できる。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention supports a wheel.
Bearing unit for wheels and independent suspension type
Combining with a support member that constitutes a part of the
For wheels to support wheels rotatably with respect to the suspension
The present invention relates to improvement of a rotation support device.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Wheels are supported rotatably with respect to a suspension system.
The outer ring and the inner ring in a rotatable manner via rolling elements.
Various types of combined wheel bearing units are used.
You. In addition, an independent suspension type suspension which is a kind of suspension system
To support the wheels so that they can rotate freely.
Provided on the knuckle that forms part of the suspension suspension
Of the outer ring that constitutes the wheel bearing unit
Part of the inner ring is fitted, and the outer ring and the support
The rotation support device for wheels connected by
Used well. FIG. 9 shows such a rotating support device for wheels.
Support the drive wheels on the independent suspension
And a wheel drive for rotating this drive wheel.
Wheel bearing unit 1 and knuckle constituting a suspension device
30 in combination with a wheel rotation support device
Shows the structure.
[0003] Of these, the wheel bearing unit 1 is an outer ring.
The hub 4 and the inner ring 5 are provided on the inner diameter side of
It is rotatably supported via a. Outer ring 3 of these
Is provided by a first mounting flange 7 provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Knuckle 3 which is a support member constituting a part of the suspension device
It does not rotate during use with it fixed to 0. Immediately
When the wheel bearing unit 1 is used, the outer ring
3 axial inner end (in the axial direction is the inner
On the side that is the center side in the width direction of the vehicle in the mounted state, FIG.
Right side of 2,7,9. Same throughout this specification. ) On the outer surface
The provided cylindrical surface fitting portion 31 is provided on the knuckle 30.
Into the support hole 32. Then, in this state,
Bolt 34 is inserted through a plurality of through holes 33 provided in knuckle 30
Then, the male thread portion of each of the bolts 34 is
Screwing and tightening into the screw hole 35 provided on the attached flange 7
Thus, the wheel bearing unit 1 is connected to the knuckle 30.
In contrast, Further, a pair of inner circumferential surfaces of the outer ring 3 are provided.
Outer ring tracks 8, 8 are provided, and on the inner diameter side of this outer ring 3,
The hub 4 and the inner ring 5, each of which forms the rotating member 36,
The outer ring 3 is rotatably supported concentrically.
The hub 4 is an axially outer end of the outer peripheral surface.
(The outside in the axial direction means that the vehicle is
The left side of FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 9 on both sides in the width direction.
Same throughout this specification. ) To support the wheel on the leaning part
The second mounting flange 9 is provided. The hub 4
The first inner raceway 10 is formed in the middle part of the outer peripheral surface of
A small-diameter step 11 formed at the inner end in the axial direction
The inner ring 5 having a second inner ring raceway 12 formed thereon is externally fitted and fixed.
are doing. A spline hole is provided at the center of the hub 4.
13 are provided.
On the other hand, the wheel bearing unit 1 has a constant speed.
Joint 2 is combined. This constant velocity joint
2 is a constant velocity joint outer ring 14 and a constant velocity joint
Inner ring 15, a plurality of balls 16, 16 and a spline shaft
17 are provided. Outer ring 14 for constant velocity joint
And the spline shaft 17 constitute a drive shaft member 18.
That is, the spline shaft 17 is the shaft of the drive shaft member 18.
In the outer half of the spline hole.
The outer ring 14 for a constant velocity joint is
The drive shaft member 18 is provided at an inner half portion in the axial direction. This constant velocity
At several places in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the joint outer ring 14
The outer engagement grooves 19, 19 are respectively
They are formed at right angles. Also for the above constant velocity joint
The ring 15 has a second spline hole 20 in the center,
The inner surface of the peripheral surface is aligned with the outer engagement grooves 19, 19.
The side engagement grooves 21, 21 are each perpendicular to the circumferential direction.
It is formed in the direction. And, each of these inner engagement grooves 21,
21 and the outer engagement grooves 19, 19,
With the holders 16, 16 held by the holder 22,
These are provided so as to roll freely along the respective engagement grooves 21 and 19.
The constant velocity joint 2 as described above and the constant velocity joint 2 as described above
To combine with the wheel bearing unit 1,
Insert the line shaft 17 into the spline hole 13 of the hub 4
Insert in the direction from inside to outside. And the above
The outer end surface of the hub 4 at the axially outer end of the spline shaft 17
Nut 24 to the external thread 23 provided at the part protruding from
By screwing and tightening, they are connected and fixed to each other.
In this state, the inner end surface of the inner ring 5 is
The inner ring 5 is in contact with the outer end face of the
There is no displacement in the direction of coming out of the small diameter step portion 11. same
At times, an appropriate preload is applied to each of the rolling elements 6,6.
[0007] Further, the assembled state of the vehicle to the suspension system
Then, it is provided at the center of the inner ring 15 for the constant velocity joint.
The second spline hole 20 has an axially outer end of the drive shaft 25.
The male spline portion 26 provided in the above is spline-engaged.
And, the outer peripheral surface of the axially outer end portion of the male spline portion 26
Ring 2 locked in locking groove 27 formed over the entire circumference
8 around the outer end opening in the axial direction of the second spline hole 20.
Engage with the locking step 29 formed on the edge, and
The line portion 26 comes out of the second spline hole 20.
To prevent The inner end of the drive shaft 25 in the axial direction.
Is provided on the output shaft of the differential gear (not shown).
Also, a tripod type constant velocity joint (not shown)
Connect and fix to the center of the runion. Therefore, the running of the car
During the row, the drive shaft 25 rotates at a constant speed.
Further, US Pat. No. 5,927,867
The outer surface of the outer ring that constitutes the wheel bearing unit
(Do not form a mounting flange for fixing to the knuckle.
I) A simple cylindrical surface and the outer ring and knuckle
Are connected by an annular member. this
The annular member has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is formed in an annular shape as a whole.
You. Also, a part of the cylindrical portion constituting the annular member in the circumferential direction is
A state in which the protruding portion is inclined and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder
It is formed by. Also, the axial direction of the knuckle support hole
A groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the end. And this support hole
And the other end in the axial direction of the support hole.
On the side surface of the inward flange provided on the inner peripheral surface of the
The end face is struck. And one end in the axial direction of this outer ring
The annular member is externally fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the
The end facing the other side in the axial direction on both sides of the groove
Face to face. For this reason, the outer ring is
Is prevented from being displaced in a direction to escape from the inside of the inside. This
No. 5,927,867.
In the case of the second example of the conventional structure described above, the outer ring and the knuckle are
Eliminates the need to use multiple bolts to join
You.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-105806 discloses
Is the knuckle and the outer ring that constitutes the wheel bearing unit.
Are connected by elastic end clips.
Is described. In the case of the third example of such a conventional structure,
Outer engagement formed in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the knuckle support hole
Mating groove and inner engaging groove formed in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring
And Then, connect the outer ring to the knuckle.
When attaching the clip to the inner engagement groove,
Then, with the diameter of this clip elastically reduced,
Insert the outer ring into the support hole. With this insertion work,
When the clip is aligned with the outer engagement groove,
Because the diameter of the clip returns to elastic,
It is bridged between the outer engagement groove and the inner engagement groove,
Prevents the outer ring from displacing in the direction to come out of the support hole
Is done. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-105806 describes
In the case of the third example of the conventional structure described in
It is necessary to use multiple bolts to connect with the wheel
Disappears.
[0010]
The above-mentioned US patent specification
No. 5,927,867.
Examples and JP-A-2001-105806 mentioned above
In any of the third examples of the conventional structure described in
Use multiple bolts to connect with knuckle
Eliminates the need. However, in the case of each of these conventional structures,
Occasionally, a bearing error such as peeling of the outer raceway or inner raceway may occur.
It is necessary to check and repair wheel bearing units
If this occurs, the cost required for this inspection and repair will increase.
Will be. In other words, for this inspection and repair,
It is necessary to remove the wheel bearing unit from the provided support hole
However, any of the second and third examples of the conventional structure described above
To make this removal easy.
I don't care. For this reason, the above removal with such a structure
When performing work, use a special tool such as a puller,
It is necessary to pull out the outer ring from the support hole with great force
There is a
It is difficult to do the work. Therefore, the wheel bearing unit
When checking or repairing the knit, remove the annular member or clip
The need for replacement increases the cost of inspection and repair.
Cause trouble. Also, pull out the outer ring from the support hole
At this time, the groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole of the knuckle or
Is an outer engagement groove or an inner engagement groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring.
A large force is applied from the annular member or the clip
Therefore, the knuckle and part of the outer ring may be damaged.
You. In this case, it is necessary to replace this knuckle or outer ring
And the costs required for the above inspection and repair are further increased
Cause. The rotation supporting device for a wheel of the present invention has such a structure.
In consideration of the circumstances, the outer ring and the support member are connected by a snap ring.
Structure required for inspection and repair of wheel bearing units.
It was invented to reduce the cost.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A rotary support for a wheel according to the present invention.
The device is the same as the first example of the conventional structure shown in FIG.
A support member that constitutes a suspension device and supports the wheels;
Supported on the inner diameter side of the support hole provided in the support member
A wheel bearing unit. And the wheels of these
Bearing unit has an outer raceway on the inner peripheral surface and
Each has a fitting part for fitting inside the support hole, and when used
And the outer ring that does not rotate
A mounting flange for supporting the outer ring
Each has an inner ring raceway facing the raceway and rotates when used.
Between the rotating member rotating and the inner raceway and the outer raceway.
And a plurality of rolling elements provided so as to be freely rotatable.
In particular, in the wheel rotation support device of the present invention,
The inner engaging member provided in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion.
A mating portion and an outer portion provided in a circumferential direction of an inner peripheral surface of the support hole.
An engaging portion and an elastic material are formed so as to be entirely annular.
A stop suspended between the outer engagement portion and the inner engagement portion
This support is provided on the ring and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the support hole in the circumferential direction.
From the peripheral edge of the opening end of the hole to the outer diameter side portion of the outer engaging portion.
And a recess formed to be recessed on the outer diameter side.
You. Then, the jig or tool that has entered the recess
Attach the tip to a part of the retaining ring inside this recess
By engaging, the outer diameter of this retaining ring is
Elastically smaller than the inner diameter of.
[0013]
According to the present invention, there is provided a rotation supporting device for a wheel according to the present invention.
According to the arrangement, the outer member provided on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole of the support member is provided.
Stop between the mating part and the inner engaging part provided in the fitting part of the outer ring
The outer ring is connected to the support member because the ring is bridged
It is no longer necessary to use multiple bolts to
Cost reduction, downsizing and weight reduction by facilitating upright work
And can be achieved. Also, fixed to the support member on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring
It is not necessary to provide a mounting flange for
The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring can be simplified. Moreover, the present invention
If necessary, remove the wheel bearing unit from the support member
Work can be done easily. Also, during this removal work
In addition, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned retaining ring from being damaged.
Can be reused. In addition, during this removal work,
A large force may be applied to the knuckle and outer ring from the female wheel.
This prevents the knuckle and outer ring from being damaged.
it can. Therefore, it is necessary to check and repair wheel bearing units.
Cost can be reduced.
[0014]
1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows a first example. The feature of the present invention is that the support member
The knuckle 30 and the outer ring 3a are fixed by a retaining ring 44.
Repair and replacement of wheel bearing unit 1a
The outer ring 3a and the knuckle
The point is that the structure of the connecting portion with 30 is devised. In this example
The structure of the other parts is the same as the conventional structure shown in FIG.
Since it is almost the same as the first example of the structure, duplicate description is omitted.
Or simply, hereinafter, the features of the present invention and the above
The following description focuses on the differences from the conventional structure.
The wheel rotation support device of the present invention is a suspension device.
Knuckle 3 which is a support member for supporting the wheels by constituting
0 and the inner diameter side of the support hole 32 provided in the knuckle 30.
And a supported wheel bearing unit 1a. This wheel
The bearing unit 1a is provided with a hub 4a on the inner diameter side of the outer ring 3a.
And a pair of inner rings 5a and 5b are rotatably supported. Immediately
In the case of the present example, the outer peripheral surface of the inner half portion in the axial direction of the hub 4a is
While forming the small diameter step 11, this small diameter step 11
The first and second inner raceways 10, 12 are provided on the respective outer peripheral surfaces.
The pair of formed inner rings 5a and 5b are fitted to the outside. Soshi
At the inner end of the hub 4a, the pair of inner rings 5a,
5b, the inner ring 5b on the inner side in the axial direction (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2).
Scratch the part protruding from the axial inner end face outward in the diameter direction.
By the caulking part 37 formed by expanding,
The inner rings 5a, 5b are fixed to the hub 4a. Book
In the case of the example, the pair of inner rings 5a and 5b and the hub 4
a constitutes the rotating member 36a. And outside the above
On the inner peripheral surface of the wheel 3a, the inner ring raceways 10, 12 are opposed.
A pair of outer raceways 8, 8 formed in a state, and each of the above inner raceways
Between the roads 10 and 12, a plurality of rolling elements 6,
6 is provided so as to roll freely, so that the inner ring side of the outer ring 3a is provided.
The hub 4a and the pair of inner rings 5a and 5b are rotatable
I support it.
The wheel bearing unit 1a has a constant speed.
Combined with the joint 2a. For this reason,
Provided on the drive shaft member 18a constituting the speed joint 2a.
An inner locking groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of a portion near the outer end of the spline shaft 17a.
39 is formed over the entire circumference and the spline
The inner peripheral surface of the outer end of the hole 13 is aligned with the inner locking groove 39.
In this position, an outer locking groove 40 is formed over the entire circumference.
You. Then, in these inner and outer locking grooves 39, 40,
A second annular retaining ring 38 is provided. This second
The second retaining ring 38 is made of an elastic material such as spring steel or stainless spring steel.
By bending and forming a wire made of material, a substantially C-shaped broken ring
It has elasticity in the direction of expanding the diameter.
Such a second retaining ring 38 is in a state where the diameter is elastically expanded.
Then, it is bridged between the locking grooves 39 and 40,
The spline shaft 17a is pulled out of the spline hole 13.
Prevents leaching.
In the case of this embodiment, the drive shaft member 18 is used.
a and the outer end face of the outer race 14 for a constant velocity joint,
Between the inner end of the caulking portion 37 provided at the inner end of the hub 4a
To elastically compress the seal ring 41 in the axial direction.
You. Also, a cylindrical portion 42 formed at the outer end of the hub 4a
A bottomed cylindrical cap 43 is fixed inside. Soshi
The cap 43 and the seal ring 41
And the spline shaft 17a and the spline hole 13
To prevent foreign matter such as rainwater from entering the spline engagement part of
To prevent this spline engagement part from rusting.
I have.
Particularly, in the case of the wheel rotation supporting device of the present embodiment,
Is an inner peripheral surface of a support hole 32 provided in the knuckle 30;
Outer circumference of outer ring 3a that constitutes the wheel bearing unit 1a
The knuckle is formed by a retaining ring 44 that is bridged between
30 and the wheel bearing unit 1a are prevented from being separated from each other.
You. That is, in the case of this example, the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 3a is
Do not form a mounting flange for fixing to the knuckle 30.
I) The fitting portion 31 is simply a cylindrical surface. Also this
In the axial middle part of the fitting part 31, the thickness in the radial direction is
(= Forming outer ring tracks 8, 8 on the inner peripheral surface)
The inner engagement portion which is the inner engagement portion
The groove 45 is formed over the entire circumference. And the above support
At the axially intermediate portion of the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 32, the inner engaging groove 4
The outer engagement groove 46, which is the outer engagement portion,
Is formed over the entire circumference. The fitting portion 31
The outer diameter is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the support hole 32.
Are also slightly smaller.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the axial direction of the support hole 32 is
The inner half (the right half in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the inner circumferential surface in the circumferential direction
At each of the three locations (in the example shown, three locations).
Has formed. Each of these recesses 47 is formed between the support hole 32 and the support hole 32.
It is provided in a state that it is recessed outward in the radial direction.
The respective axial inner ends correspond to the axial inner ends of the support holes 32.
And the respective axially outer ends thereof are above the outer engagement grooves 46.
Also reach axially outward. That is, each of the concave portions 47 is
From the axial inner end opening of the support hole 32 to the outer engagement groove 4
It is formed over the portion beyond 6. Also, in the case of this example
Is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer end of the support hole 32 in the axial direction.
The inclination angle θ (FIG. 2) is about 10 to 30 degrees,
A conical concave guide surface 48 is formed over the entire circumference.
I have.
Then, the outer ring 3a is inserted into the support hole 32.
In the state of being fitted inside, the outside formed on the inner peripheral surface of this support hole 32
Side engaging groove 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 31 of the outer ring 3a.
Between the formed inner engagement groove 45 and the inner engagement groove 45 as shown in FIG.
The retaining ring 44 is suspended. This retaining ring 44 is SW
Hard steel wire such as RH, piano wire such as SWP-B, SK
Bending wire made of elastic metal such as carbon tool steel such as -5
Formed into a substantially C-shaped, cut-out annular shape by forming
And has elasticity in the direction of increasing the diameter in the assembled state.
After being formed by bending, the retaining ring 44 is subjected to a quenching process.
And cured. Free state of this retaining ring 44
Outer diameter D at44Is the diameter d of the groove bottom of the outer engagement groove 46.46
(FIG. 2). And this retaining ring 4
4 with the distance between both ends elastically reduced
The outer diameter of the ring 44 is equal to the inner diameter d of the support hole 32.32(Figure 2)
I am trying to become. The inner and outer engagement grooves 4
The diameter d of the groove bottom of 5, 4645, D46Is that the retaining ring 44
The inner and outer engagement grooves 45, 46
Is regulated. That is, the groove of the inner engagement groove 45 is
Bottom diameter d45FIG. 2 shows the inner diameter d of the support hole 32.32Or
The diameter d of the wire constituting the retaining ring 4444(FIG. 4)
Less than twice the value of (d45≦ d32-2
d44). Such a regulation requires that the retaining ring 44
With the outer ring 3a pushed into the bottom of the groove 45,
The retaining ring 44 can be freely inserted into the support hole 32.
It is necessary for For example, at the bottom of the inner engagement groove 45,
Diameter d45Is the outer diameter D of the fitting portion 31 within the range described above.
31From FIG. 2, the diameter d of the wire constituting the retaining ring 44 is shown.
44A little (about 0.2 mm) smaller than the value obtained by subtracting twice
(D45≒ D31-2d44-0.2 mm).
The diameter d of the bottom of the outer engagement groove 46 is d.46
Is the outer diameter D of the fitting portion 3131The retaining ring 44 is
Diameter d of the formed wire44Less than the value obtained by adding twice
(D 46<D31+ 2d44). Such a regulation is based on the above retaining ring
With the diameter of the elastic ring 44 being expanded elastically,
Required to engage the inner peripheral edge of the
It is important. For example, the diameter d of the groove bottom of the outer engagement groove 46
46Is the outer diameter D of the fitting portion 31 within the range described above.31To
The diameter d of the wire constituting the retaining ring 4444Is the sum of
A little (about 0.2 mm).46≒ D31
+ D44+0.2 mm).
The inner and outer engagement grooves 45, 46 and the stop
In order to regulate the dimensions of the female ring 44 as described above, this retaining ring 4
4 with the outer ring 3 attached to the inner engagement groove 45.
a into the support hole 32 of the knuckle 30,
Keep the wheel bearing unit 1a and the knuckle 30 apart.
Can be combined. That is, the outer ring 3a is attached to the knuckle 30.
In the case of coupling, the retaining ring 44 is
The outer ring 3a is supported in the state where it is mounted in the groove 45.
Insert the hole 32 from outside to inside and from left to right in FIGS.
I do. By this inserting operation, the retaining ring 44 is supported by the support ring.
Conical concave guide surface 48 formed at the outer end of hole 32
The outer diameter is elastically reduced while being guided by
It is pushed into the hole 32. Then, the retaining ring 44 and the outside
When the retaining ring 44 is aligned with the side engagement groove 46,
The outer peripheral edge of the retaining ring 44 is
It expands elastically until it touches the bottom. And
In a state where the diameter of the retaining ring 44 is elastically expanded in this manner,
This retaining ring 44 is used for both the inner and outer engagement grooves 45 and 46.
And the outer ring 3a is raised
The wheel shaft is prevented from slipping out of the support hole 32.
The receiving unit 1a and the knuckle 30 are connected inseparably.
The inner and outer engagement grooves 45, 46
The width is the wire d forming the retaining ring 4444More than the diameter of
The width and diameter d44The difference between
Make it smaller. This is because the inner and outer engagement grooves 4
5, 46 and the retaining ring 44,
This is to reduce rattling. In the case of this example,
The outer end surface of the outer ring 3a in the axial direction is outside the knuckle 30 in the axial direction.
With the retaining ring projecting about 0.5 mm from the side,
4 so that the outer engagement groove 46 is aligned with the outer engagement groove 46.
Is regulated. The outer ring is provided inside the support hole 32.
3a, the knuckle 3
0 protrudes about 0.5 mm from the outer surface in the axial direction.
Of the hydraulic pressing device (not shown)
The operating pressure of the system is determined in advance. And, the support hole 3
When the outer ring 3a is pushed into the ram 2 by the ram,
Check that the operating pressure of the ram has exceeded the predetermined value obtained in advance.
As a result, the retaining ring 44 is fixed to the outer engagement groove 46.
So that it can be recognized that it has engaged. Like this
If the two engaging grooves 45, 4
The retaining ring 44 can be reliably extended between the six members.
You. Also, in the state where the retaining ring 44 is stretched in this way,
A part of the outer periphery of the retaining ring 44 is partially
47.
On the other hand, from the knuckle 30 to the wheel shaft
When the receiving unit 1a is detached, the contraction as shown in FIG.
A diameter jig 49 is used. The diameter reducing jig 49 includes the annular portion 5.
A plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of one edge in the axial direction of 0 (the left edge in FIG. 5)
(Three places in the case of the illustrated example)
Protrusions 51, 51 are provided, respectively. And this
On the inner peripheral side surface of the distal end portion of each engagement projection 51
Is inclined radially outward toward the leading edge.
In addition, guide inclined surfaces 52 are formed. Above
A place for removing the wheel bearing unit 1a from the vehicle 30
In this case, first, the drive shaft member 18a is connected to the hub 4a.
Separated from the knuckle 30 and the wheel bearing unit.
In order to dispose the diameter reducing jig 49 on the inner side in the axial direction of 1a.
Provide a sufficiently large space. And from the support hole 32
The jig 49 in the space deviated inward in the axial direction.
The leading end of each engaging projection 51, 51 is opposed to each recess 47.
It is arranged in a state of facing. Then, each of these engaging projections 5
The leading ends of the first and the first 51 are made to enter the respective recesses 47.
With this approach, the engagement projections 51
The guide inclined surfaces 52, 52 provided at the distal end portion
Circumferential direction of the outer peripheral edge of the retaining ring 44 existing in the portion 47
Engage at several places (three places in the example shown)
The outer diameter of the ring 44 is changed to the inner diameter d of the support hole 32.32Shrink below
You. In this state, the outer ring 3a is
The outer ring 3a can be pulled out toward the outside in the direction.
By pulling out the knuckles from the support holes 32,
The wheel bearing unit 1a can be removed from the base 30.
The circumferential direction of each of the engaging projections 51, 51
Width W51(See FIG. 6 described below).
4 of the discontinuous portion 53 (the state of being attached to the outer engagement groove 46).
Width W in the circumferential direction)53Larger than
(W51> W53). The reason for this is as shown in FIG.
51Is the above width W53Less than (W51<W53) And either
Of the engaging projection 51 enters the discontinuous portion 53,
As described above, each of the engaging projections 51, 51 is connected to each of the concave portions 47 (FIG.
1-3) Even if it is pushed in, the diameter of the retaining ring 44 is reduced.
This is because there is a possibility that it will not be possible.
The rotating support for a wheel according to the present invention having the structure described above.
According to the holding device, the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 32 of the knuckle 30
The outer engagement groove 46 provided and the fitting portion 31 of the outer ring 3a are provided.
The retaining ring 44 extends between the inner engaging groove 45 and the inner engaging groove 45.
For connecting the outer ring 3a to the knuckle 30,
Eliminates the need to use several bolts
Reduce costs by facilitation, and reduce size and weight
You. A knuckle 30 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 3a.
It is not necessary to provide a mounting flange for
The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 3a can be simplified. Moreover, the present invention
In the case of, the knuckle 30 and the wheel bearing unit 1a
The operation of removing the support hole was formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 32.
Each engagement protrusion 5 provided on the diameter reducing jig 49 in each recess 47.
The front end of the first and the first 51 is inserted, and the front end is stopped as described above.
Engage with a part of the ring 44 to reduce the outer diameter of the retaining ring 44
In this state, the outer race 3a is removed from the inside of the support hole 32.
It is easy to do just by starting. In the case of the present invention,
The snap ring 44 breaks during such removal work.
Damage can be prevented, and this retaining ring 44 can be reused.
In addition, at the time of this removal work,
No large force is applied to knuckle 30 and outer ring 3a
Therefore, the knuckle 30 and the outer ring 3a may be damaged.
Can be prevented. Therefore, inspection and checking of the wheel bearing unit 1a
The cost required for repair can be reduced.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the hub 4a and the drive shaft
The joining operation with the member 18a can be easily performed. That is,
In the case of the first example of the conventional structure shown in FIG.
To connect the shaft member 18, the spline shaft 17 must be
The nut 24 is screwed into the spigot 23 and tightened further.
Work is required. Thus, the connection between the hub 4 and the drive shaft member 18
Combined with constant velocity joint 2 if connecting work is troublesome
This increases the cost of the wheel rotation support device.
Also, as much as the male screw portion 23 and the nut 24 are connected, the wheel
The rotation support device for the motor becomes large and the weight increases. In contrast
In the case of this example, the hub 4a and the drive shaft member 18a are connected.
The spline hole 13 provided in the hub 4a
Between the inner peripheral surface of the outer end and the outer peripheral surface of the outer end of the spline shaft 17a.
In the meantime, it is only necessary to bridge the second retaining ring 38. this
Therefore, a rotating support for wheels combined with the constant velocity joint 2a
Easy to assemble the holding device and reduce the cost required for assembly
And a reduction in size and weight can be achieved.
At the time of inspection and repair, the spline hole 13
In order to efficiently remove the spline shaft 17a
Are attached to the outer end opening of the spline hole 13 as described above.
A recess similar to the recess 47 may be formed. Furthermore, before
Appropriate inclination angle for the inner side surface in the axial direction of the outer locking groove 40
Is attached to the end face of the spline shaft 17a.
By applying weight, the spline shaft 17a
It can be easily pulled out from the spline hole 13.
Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the present invention.
A second example is shown. In the case of this example, the first example described above
Unlike the case of (1), a pair of inner rings 5 is attached to the inner end of the hub 4b.
a, caulking part 37 for holding down 5b (see FIGS. 1 and 2)
Is not formed. The hub 4b and the drive shaft member
In order to connect the second retaining ring 18 with the second retaining ring 38 (see FIGS.
)), But instead of the spline shaft 17
A male screw portion 23 is formed at the end, and this male screw portion 23 is
G is screwed and tightened. And in this state,
A constant velocity joy forming an inner half of the drive shaft member 18 in the axial direction.
Between the outer end face of the outer ring 14 for
The hub 4b and the pair of inner rings 5a, 5b are sandwiched.
In the case of this embodiment, the knuckle 30 is provided.
A concave portion 47a is formed on a part of the inner circumferential surface of the support hole 32 in the circumferential direction.
The support hole 32 is recessed in the outer diameter side over the entire length in the axial direction.
It is formed in a state. The inner peripheral surface of the support hole 32
Outer engaging groove 46 formed over the entire circumference in the axial middle portion of
And an axially intermediate portion of the fitting portion 31 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 3a.
Between the inner engaging groove 45 formed over the entire circumference of the portion.
8, a retaining ring 54 is provided. This stop
The female ring 54 is the retaining ring 44 (see FIG.
4 etc.) and bend the same elastic metal wire as
A substantially C-shaped main body portion 55;
And projecting from both ends almost parallel to the outer diameter side.
A pair of first arms 56, 56 and each of these first arms 5
Bent at right angles from the outer edges of 6, 56 in the same axial direction
A pair of second arms 57, 57 provided in a state where
You. Then, the inner and outer engagement grooves 45 and 46 are
When the main body 55 constituting the retaining ring 54 is suspended
Both of the first and second arms 5 are provided in the recess 47a.
6, 57 are approaching. And each of these second
The distal ends of the arms 57, 57 are positioned in the axial direction of the recess 47a.
It is located near the inner end.
The main body in the free state of the retaining ring 54
Outer diameter D of part 5555Is the diameter of the groove bottom of the outer engagement groove 46.
Larger than. The bottom of the outer engagement groove 46
With the outer peripheral edge of the main body 55 of the retaining ring 54 in contact with
In this state, the inner diameter of the main body 55 is smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting portion 31.
The size of each part is regulated so as to reduce the size. or,
The diameter of the main body 55 is elastically reduced,
5 has an inner peripheral edge in contact with the groove bottom of the inner engaging groove 45.
In this state, the outer diameter of the main body 55 is smaller than the inner diameter of the support hole 32.
The size of each part is regulated so that it is below.
The knuckle 30 includes a wheel bearing unit 1
a, the retaining ring 54 is engaged with the inner
The first and second arms 5 are attached to the groove 45.
While aligning the outer ring 3 with the
a into the support hole 32 from outside to inside, from the left in FIG.
Insert right. With this insertion work, the retaining ring 54
Is a conical concave surface formed at the outer end of the support hole 32.
While being guided by the guide surface 48, the outer diameter of the main body 55
The support hole 32 is elastically contracted to an inner diameter of the support hole 32 or less.
It is pushed into the hole 32. And, the main body 55 and the outside
With the side engagement groove 46 aligned with the main body 55,
The outer peripheral edge of the main body 55 is
It expands elastically until it touches the bottom. And this
When the diameter of the main body 55 is elastically expanded as shown in FIG.
The main body 55 of the inner and outer engagement grooves 45, 46
And the outer ring 3a is
Displacement in the direction of exiting from the support hole 32 is prevented,
The wheel bearing unit 1a and the knuckle 30 are inseparably connected.
Is done.
Further, the knuckle 30 and the wheel bearing
When removing the unit 1a, first, the drive shaft member 1
8 is separated from the hub 4b, and the outer ring 3a and the knuckle are separated.
A wide space is provided on the inner side of 30 in the axial direction. And this sky
Between the gripping parts of tools such as pliers (not shown)
The distal end portion is inserted into the concave portion 47a from the axial inner end side.
And these tip portions are attached to the tip portions of the second arm portions 57, 57, respectively.
Part from both sides. Then, in this state,
By reducing the distance between the tips of the
The distance between the tips of the second arms 47, 47 is reduced. This
Accordingly, the outer diameter of the main body 55 of the retaining ring 54 is increased.
It contracts elastically below the inner diameter of the support hole 32. This state
The outer ring 3a is axially outward from the support hole 32.
To support the outer ring 3a
By pulling out from the hole 32, the knuckle 30
The wheel bearing unit 1a can be removed. Other configurations
The operation is the same as in the first example described above.
Therefore, duplicate description will be omitted.
In this embodiment, the diameter of the retaining ring 54 is
This retaining ring 54 has one
A pair of second arms 57, 57 is provided and the knuckle 30
Each of the second arm portions 57,
57 is located near the inner end in the axial direction of the recess 47a.
Have been placed. However, apart from the case of this example,
It is also possible to omit the pair of second arms 57, 57 from 54
You. When reducing the diameter of the main body 55 with such a retaining ring
Is a pair of first arm portions 56, 56
The first arms 56, 56 are directly engaged with
Reduce the distance between the technicians.
In each of the above examples, the driving wheels of the automobile are supported.
The case where the present invention is applied to a structure for holding
However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure.
For example, a structure for supporting the driven wheels of a car
The invention can also be implemented.
[0035]
The present invention is constructed and operated as described above.
Cost reduction by facilitating assembly work and
In addition to reducing the size and weight, the wheel bearing
The unit can be easily removed. And this
The parts can be prevented from being damaged during the removal work.
Therefore, parts can be reused, and the bearing unit for wheels
Costs required for inspection and repair can be reduced.
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の第１例を、等速ジョイン
トと組み合わせた状態で示す断面図。
【図２】図１の上半部拡大断面図。
【図３】図２のＡ矢示図。
【図４】第１例に使用する止め輪を、図１〜２の右方又
は左方から見た状態で示す図。
【図５】第１例で、ナックルから車輪用軸受ユニットを
取り外す為に使用する縮径治具を示す斜視図。
【図６】縮径治具と止め輪との寸法関係が好ましくない
状態を示す、図５のＢ矢視に相当する図。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態の第２例を、等速ジョイン
トと組み合わせた状態で示す断面図。
【図８】第２例に使用する止め輪の斜視図。
【図９】従来構造の１例を示す断面図。
【符号の説明】
１、１ａ 車輪用軸受ユニット
２、２ａ 等速ジョイント
３、３ａ 外輪
４、４ａ、４ｂ ハブ
５、５ａ、５ｂ 内輪
６ 転動体
７ 第一の取付フランジ
８ 外輪軌道
９ 第二の取付フランジ
１０ 第一の内輪軌道
１１ 小径段部
１２ 第二の内輪軌道
１３ スプライン孔
１４ 等速ジョイント用外輪
１５ 等速ジョイント用内輪
１６ ボール
１７、１７ａ スプライン軸
１８、１８ａ 駆動軸部材
１９ 外側係合溝
２０ 第二のスプライン孔
２１ 内側係合溝
２２ 保持器
２３ 雄ねじ部
２４ ナット
２５ 駆動軸
２６ 雄スプライン部
２７ 係止溝
２８ 止め輪
２９ 係止段部
３０ ナックル
３１ 嵌合部
３２ 支持孔
３３ 通孔
３４ ボルト
３５ ねじ孔
３６、３６ａ 回転部材
３７ かしめ部
３８ 第二の止め輪
３９ 内側係止溝
４０ 外側係止溝
４１ シールリング
４２ 筒部
４３ キャップ
４４ 止め輪
４５ 内側係合溝
４６ 外側係合溝
４７、４７ａ 凹入部
４８ ガイド面
４９ 縮径治具
５０ 円環部
５１ 係合突片
５２ ガイド傾斜面
５３ 不連続部
５４ 止め輪
５５ 本体部
５６ 第一腕部
５７ 第二腕部BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first example of an embodiment of the present invention in a state combined with a constant velocity joint. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper half part of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrow A in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a view showing a retaining ring used in the first example as viewed from the right or left in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a diameter reducing jig used for removing the wheel bearing unit from the knuckle in the first example. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the dimensional relationship between the diameter reducing jig and the retaining ring is unfavorable, corresponding to a view taken from the arrow B in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a second example of the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the second example is combined with a constant velocity joint. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a retaining ring used in a second example. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional structure. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Wheel bearing unit 2, 2a Constant velocity joint 3, 3a Outer ring 4, 4a, 4b Hub 5, 5a, 5b Inner ring 6 Rolling element 7 First mounting flange 8 Outer ring raceway 9 Second Mounting flange 10 First inner raceway 11 Small diameter step 12 Second inner raceway 13 Spline hole 14 Outer race for constant velocity joint 15 Inner race for constant velocity joint 16 Ball 17, 17a Spline shaft 18, 18a Drive shaft member 19 Outer engagement Groove 20 Second spline hole 21 Inner engagement groove 22 Cage 23 Male screw part 24 Nut 25 Drive shaft 26 Male spline part 27 Lock groove 28 Retaining ring 29 Lock step part 30 Knuckle 31 Fitting part 32 Support hole 33 Through Hole 34 Bolt 35 Screw hole 36, 36a Rotating member 37 Caulking portion 38 Second retaining ring 39 Inner locking groove 40 Outer locking groove 41 Seal ring 42 Tube portion 43 Cap 44 Retaining ring 45 Inner engaging groove 46 Outer engaging groove 47, 47a Recessed portion 48 Guide surface 49 Reduced diameter jig 50 Annular portion 51 Engagement protrusion 52 Guide inclined surface 53 Discontinuous portion 54 Retaining ring 55 Main body Part 56 first arm 57 second arm
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き Ｆターム(参考） 3J037 AA08 BA01 BB04 BB07 BB08 JA06 JA08 JA13 JA19 3J101 AA02 AA32 AA43 AA54 AA62 BA77 FA44 FA46 FA48 GA01 GA03 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page F term (reference) 3J037 AA08 BA01 BB04 BB07 BB08 JA06 JA08 JA13 JA19 3J101 AA02 AA32 AA43 AA54 AA62 BA77 FA44 FA46 FA48 GA01 GA03
Claims (1)
部材と、この支持部材に設けられた支持孔の内径側に支
持された車輪用軸受ユニットとを備え、この車輪用軸受
ユニットは、内周面に外輪軌道を、外周面に上記支持孔
に内嵌する為の嵌合部を、それぞれ有し、使用時にも回
転しない外輪と、外周面の一端寄り部分に車輪を支持す
る為の取付フランジを、同じく中間部に上記外輪軌道と
対向する内輪軌道を、それぞれ有し、使用時に回転する
回転部材と、この内輪軌道と上記外輪軌道との間に転動
自在に設けられた複数個の転動体とを備えたものである
車輪用回転支持装置に於いて、上記嵌合部の外周面の周
方向に設けられた内側係合部と、上記支持孔の内周面の
周方向に設けられた外側係合部と、弾性材製で全体を欠
円環状に形成され、この外側係合部と上記内側係合部と
の間に掛け渡された止め輪と、上記支持孔の内周面の円
周方向一部に、この支持孔の開口端周縁部から上記外側
係合部の外径側部分に亙り、外径側に凹入する状態で形
成された凹入部とを備え、この凹入部内に進入させた治
具又は工具の先端部を、この凹入部内に存在する上記止
め輪の一部に係合させる事により、この止め輪の外径
を、上記支持孔の内径以下に弾性的に縮小自在とした事
を特徴とする車輪用回転支持装置。Claims: 1. A vehicle comprising: a support member that constitutes a suspension device and supports a wheel; and a wheel bearing unit supported on an inner diameter side of a support hole provided in the support member. The wheel bearing unit has an outer raceway on the inner peripheral surface, and a fitting portion for fitting the support hole into the support hole on the outer peripheral surface, and the outer race that does not rotate during use, and a portion near one end of the outer peripheral surface. It also has a mounting flange for supporting the wheel, and an inner ring track facing the outer ring track in the middle part, and a rotating member that rotates at the time of use, and is rotatable between the inner ring track and the outer ring track. A rotating support device for a wheel, comprising: a plurality of rolling elements provided on the inner surface; an inner engaging portion provided in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion; The outer engaging portion provided in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface and the entire A retaining ring which is formed in an annular shape and is bridged between the outer engaging portion and the inner engaging portion; and an opening end of the supporting hole in a part of an inner peripheral surface of the supporting hole in a circumferential direction. A concave portion formed so as to be recessed on the outer diameter side from the peripheral edge portion to the outer diameter side portion of the outer engagement portion, and a tip of a jig or a tool which has entered the concave portion. By engaging with a part of the retaining ring present in the recess, the outer diameter of the retaining ring can be elastically reduced to be less than the inner diameter of the support hole. Rotation support device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001323856A JP3960005B2 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2001-10-22 | Rotation support device for wheels |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001323856A JP3960005B2 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2001-10-22 | Rotation support device for wheels |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003127608A true JP2003127608A (en) | 2003-05-08 |
| JP2003127608A5 JP2003127608A5 (en) | 2005-06-09 |
| JP3960005B2 JP3960005B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
Family
ID=19140681
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001323856A Expired - Fee Related JP3960005B2 (en) | 2001-10-22 | 2001-10-22 | Rotation support device for wheels |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3960005B2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007030690A (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2007-02-08 | Ntn Corp | Bearing device for driving wheel, and axle module equipped with the same |
| JP2007132377A (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-05-31 | Ntn Corp | Sliding constant velocity universal joint |
| JP2008001238A (en) * | 2006-06-22 | 2008-01-10 | Ntn Corp | Bearing unit for driving wheel |
| JP2010091055A (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2010-04-22 | Ntn Corp | Chain tensioner |
| JP2014206139A (en) * | 2013-04-16 | 2014-10-30 | 日本オイルポンプ株式会社 | Hydraulic motor |
| JP2020193668A (en) * | 2019-05-28 | 2020-12-03 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Removal method of bearing |
-
2001
- 2001-10-22 JP JP2001323856A patent/JP3960005B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007030690A (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2007-02-08 | Ntn Corp | Bearing device for driving wheel, and axle module equipped with the same |
| JP2007132377A (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-05-31 | Ntn Corp | Sliding constant velocity universal joint |
| JP4637723B2 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2011-02-23 | Ｎｔｎ株式会社 | Sliding constant velocity universal joint |
| JP2008001238A (en) * | 2006-06-22 | 2008-01-10 | Ntn Corp | Bearing unit for driving wheel |
| JP2010091055A (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2010-04-22 | Ntn Corp | Chain tensioner |
| JP2014206139A (en) * | 2013-04-16 | 2014-10-30 | 日本オイルポンプ株式会社 | Hydraulic motor |
| JP2020193668A (en) * | 2019-05-28 | 2020-12-03 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Removal method of bearing |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3960005B2 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
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