JP2007132391A - Method and device for manufacturing retainer for radial needle bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for stably manufacturing good quality of retainers by a mass-producible industrial technique. <P>SOLUTION: A second intermediate material 24 having a ring part forming a rim part and a plurality of raw column parts 25 bent perpendicular to the ring part is formed by punching out and bending a sheet metal. After the end of a receiving die 29 having projecting parts 35 and recessed parts 43 alternately disposed on the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the raw column parts 25, the raw column parts 25 are pressed against the receiving die 29 by a pressing die 30. These raw column parts 25 are formed in half column parts 17 bent at the intermediate parts. After the receiving die 29 is rotated until the phase of the recessed parts 43 is aligned with the phase of the half column parts 17, the end of the receiving die 29 is extracted from the inside of a retainer element 18 after it is bent. Consequently, the device can accurately machine the retainers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

この発明は、ラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法及びこの製造方法の実施に使用する製造装置の改良に関し、良質の保持器を安定して得られる製造方法及び製造装置を実現するものである。   The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a radial needle bearing retainer and an improvement of a manufacturing apparatus used for carrying out the manufacturing method, and realizes a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus capable of stably obtaining a high-quality retainer.

自動車用変速機や各種機械装置の回転支持部のうち、大きなラジアル荷重が加わる部分にラジアルニードル軸受が組み込まれている。例えば自動車の自動変速装置を構成する遊星歯車式変速機は、特許文献１等に記載されて周知の様に、遊星歯車をキャリアに対し、ラジアルニードル軸受により回転自在に支持している。図４は、この様なキャリアに対し遊星歯車を回転自在に支持する、遊星歯車の回転支持装置の１例を示している。この図４に示した構造の場合、キャリア１を構成する互いに平行な１対の支持板２ａ、２ｂの円周方向複数個所に、支持軸３の両端部を支持固定している。そして、この支持軸３の中間部周囲に遊星歯車４を、ラジアルニードル軸受５により、回転自在に支持している。   A radial needle bearing is incorporated in a portion to which a large radial load is applied in a rotation support portion of an automobile transmission or various mechanical devices. For example, a planetary gear type transmission that constitutes an automatic transmission of an automobile supports a planetary gear rotatably with respect to a carrier by a radial needle bearing as described in Patent Document 1 and the like. FIG. 4 shows an example of a planetary gear rotation support device that rotatably supports the planetary gear with respect to such a carrier. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 4, both end portions of the support shaft 3 are supported and fixed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of a pair of support plates 2 a and 2 b that are parallel to each other and that constitute the carrier 1. A planetary gear 4 is rotatably supported by a radial needle bearing 5 around an intermediate portion of the support shaft 3.

このラジアルニードル軸受５は、複数本のニードル６、６を、ラジアルニードル軸受用保持器である保持器７により転動自在に保持すると共に、上記支持軸３の中間部外周面を円筒状の内輪軌道８とし、上記遊星歯車４の内周面を円筒状の外輪軌道９として、上記各ニードル６、６の転動面を、これら内輪軌道８及び外輪軌道９に転がり接触させている。又、上記遊星歯車４の軸方向両端面と上記両支持板２ａ、２ｂの内側面との間に、それぞれフローティングワッシャ１０ａ、１０ｂを配置して、上記遊星歯車４の軸方向両端面と上記両支持板２ａ、２ｂの内側面との間に作用する摩擦力の低減を図っている。   This radial needle bearing 5 holds a plurality of needles 6, 6 by a cage 7, which is a radial needle bearing cage, while allowing the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the support shaft 3 to be a cylindrical inner ring. The inner peripheral surface of the planetary gear 4 is a cylindrical outer ring raceway 9, and the rolling surfaces of the needles 6 and 6 are in rolling contact with the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9. Further, floating washers 10a and 10b are disposed between the both axial end surfaces of the planetary gear 4 and the inner side surfaces of the two support plates 2a and 2b, respectively. The frictional force acting between the inner surfaces of the support plates 2a and 2b is reduced.

上記ラジアルニードル軸受５を構成する上記保持器７は、例えば図５〜６に詳示する様に、軸方向（図４〜６の左右方向）に互いに間隔をあけて配置した、それぞれが円輪状である１対のリム部１１、１１と、複数本の柱部１２、１２とを備える。これら各柱部１２、１２は、円周方向に亙って間欠的に配置され、それぞれの両端部を上記両リム部１１、１１の互いに対向する内側面の外径寄り部分に連続させている。又、上記各柱部１２、１２は、軸方向中間部が径方向内方に向け台形状に折れ曲がった形状を有する。そして、円周方向に隣り合うこれら各柱部１２、１２の円周方向両側縁と上記両リム部１１、１１の互いに対向する内側面とにより囲まれる空間部分を、それぞれポケット１３、１３とし、これら各ポケット１３、１３に上記各ニードル６、６を、転動自在に保持している。   The cage 7 constituting the radial needle bearing 5 is arranged in an axial direction (left and right direction in FIGS. 4 to 6) at intervals from each other, as shown in detail in FIGS. A pair of rim portions 11, 11 and a plurality of column portions 12, 12. These column parts 12 and 12 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction, and both end parts thereof are made to be continuous with the outer diameter portions of the inner side surfaces of the rim parts 11 and 11 facing each other. . Moreover, each said pillar part 12 and 12 has the shape where the axial direction intermediate part bent in the trapezoid shape toward radial inside. And the space part surrounded by the circumferential direction both sides edge of these pillar parts 12 and 12 adjacent to the circumference direction and the inner side surface where both the above-mentioned rim parts 11 and 11 mutually oppose is made into pockets 13 and 13, respectively. The needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely.

この様に構成する上記保持器７は、特許文献２等に記載されて従来から周知の様に、帯状の金属板（一般的には鋼板若しくはステンレス鋼板）を円筒状に丸めて成る。即ち、図示は省略するが、帯状の金属板にプレス加工を施す事により保持器として基本的な断面形状を有する第一段階の中間素材とした後、この第一段階の中間素材に剪断加工を施す事により上記各ニードル６、６を転動自在に保持する為のポケット１３、１３を打ち抜き成形し、第二段階の中間素材とする。更に、この第二段階の中間素材を所定長さに切断し、図７に示す様な第三段階の中間素材１４とする。   The cage 7 configured as described above is formed by rolling a strip-shaped metal plate (generally a steel plate or a stainless steel plate) into a cylindrical shape as described in Patent Document 2 and the like, as is well known. That is, although not shown in the drawing, a first stage intermediate material having a basic cross-sectional shape as a cage is formed by pressing a band-shaped metal plate, and then the first stage intermediate material is sheared. As a result, the pockets 13 and 13 for holding the needles 6 and 6 so as to be freely rollable are punched to form an intermediate material in the second stage. Further, the intermediate material in the second stage is cut into a predetermined length to obtain a third stage intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG.

そして、この第三段階の中間素材１４を円筒状に丸め、両端部を突き合わせ溶接して、図５に示す様な保持器７とする。尚、図示の例の場合、上記保持器７の径方向位置を規制する為に、この保持器７の外周面を前記外輪軌道９（図４参照）に近接対向させている。そして、運転時には、この様に近接対向させた保持器７の外周面を上記外輪軌道９に案内（外輪案内）させる事で、この保持器７の径方向に関する位置決めを図り、振動や異音が発生する事を防止する様にしている。   Then, this third-stage intermediate material 14 is rounded into a cylindrical shape, and both end portions are butt welded to form a cage 7 as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, in order to regulate the radial position of the retainer 7, the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 7 is brought close to and opposed to the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 4). During operation, the outer circumferential surface of the cage 7 that is closely opposed in this way is guided to the outer ring raceway 9 (outer ring guidance), thereby positioning the cage 7 in the radial direction, and vibration and noise are generated. I try to prevent it from occurring.

又、上記保持器７は、上記各柱部１２、１２の両端部両側縁のうちの円周方向に関して互いに整合する位置に係止突部１５、１５を、これら各側面から円周方向に突出する状態で設けている。これら各係止突部１５、１５は、上記各ポケット１３、１３内に転動自在に保持する上記各ニードル６、６が、当該ポケット１３、１３から径方向外方に抜け出る事を防止する為のものである。即ち、上記各ニードル６、６を上記保持器７と共に、前記内輪軌道８及び外輪軌道９（図４参照）の間に組み付ける際に、これら各ニードル６、６を上記各ポケット１３、１３内に、径方向に抜け出るのを阻止した状態で保持する必要がある。   Further, the cage 7 protrudes the locking projections 15 and 15 in the circumferential direction from the respective side surfaces at positions aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of both side edges of the pillars 12 and 12. It is provided in the state to do. These locking projections 15 and 15 prevent the needles 6 and 6 that are held in the pockets 13 and 13 so as to roll freely from coming out of the pockets 13 and 13 radially outward. belongs to. That is, when assembling the needles 6 and 6 together with the cage 7 between the inner ring raceway 8 and the outer ring raceway 9 (see FIG. 4), the needles 6 and 6 are placed in the pockets 13 and 13, respectively. It is necessary to hold in a state in which it is prevented from coming out in the radial direction.

この為に、上記各ポケット１３、１３の開口部で上記各ニードル６、６のピッチ円よりも外径側部分に上記各係止突部１５、１５を、互いに対向する状態で設けると共に、これら各係止突部１５、１５の先端縁同士の間隔Ｄ₁₅（図５参照）を、上記各ニードル６、６の外径Ｄ₆ （図４参照）よりも小さくしている（Ｄ₆ ＞Ｄ₁₅）。又、これと共に、上記各柱部１２、１２の中間部で上記各ニードル６、６のピッチ円よりも内径側に位置する内径側係止部１６、１６の互いに対向する側縁同士の間隔Ｄ₁₆（図５参照）も、上記各ニードル６、６の外径Ｄ₆ よりも小さくしている（Ｄ₆ ＞Ｄ₁₆）。 For this purpose, the locking projections 15 and 15 are provided on the outer diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6 and 6 at the openings of the pockets 13 and 13 so as to face each other. The distance D ₁₅ (see FIG. 5) between the leading edges of the locking projections 15 and 15 is made smaller than the outer diameter D ₆ (see FIG. 4) of the needles 6 and 6 (D ₆ > D). ₁₅ ). At the same time, the distance D between the side edges facing each other of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, 16 located on the inner diameter side of the pitch circle of the needles 6, 6 at the intermediate portion of the column parts 12, 12. ₁₆ (see FIG. 5) also, the outer is made smaller than the diameter _{D 6 (D 6> D 16} ) of the needles 6.

上記各ニードル６、６を上記各ポケット１３、１３に保持するには、これら各ニードル６、６をこれら各ポケット１３、１３に、上記保持器７の内径側から押し込む。この際、上記各ニードル６、６により上記内径側係止部１６、１６の側縁同士の間隔Ｄ₁₆を弾性的に広げて、これら各ニードル６、６をこれら側縁同士の間を通過させる。この様にしてこれら各ニードル６、６を上記各ポケット１３、１３に保持した状態で、これら各ニードル６、６は、上記各係止突部１５、１５により前記保持器７の径方向外方に、上記各柱部１２、１２の内径側係止部１６、１６の側縁により同じく径方向内方に、それぞれ抜け出る事を防止される。尚、図示は省略するが、各ニードルを各ポケットに、保持器の外径側から組み込む場合もある。又、上記各係止突部１５、１５や上記各内径側係止部１６、１６を持たない保持器もある。 In order to hold the needles 6 and 6 in the pockets 13 and 13, the needles 6 and 6 are pushed into the pockets 13 and 13 from the inner diameter side of the cage 7. At this time, the interval D ₁₆ between the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16, ₁₆ is elastically expanded by the needles 6, 6, and the needles 6, 6 are passed between the side edges. . In the state where the needles 6 and 6 are held in the pockets 13 and 13 in this way, the needles 6 and 6 are respectively connected to the outer sides of the cage 7 by the locking protrusions 15 and 15. In addition, the side edges of the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16 of the column portions 12 and 12 are prevented from coming out in the same radial inward direction. Although not shown, each needle may be incorporated into each pocket from the outer diameter side of the cage. There are also cages that do not have the locking projections 15 and 15 and the inner diameter side locking portions 16 and 16.

従来から知られている上述の様な構造を有する金属板製のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の場合、形状精度を良好にする事が難しく、必ずしも良好な性能を得る事が難しかった。この理由は、図７に示す様な中間素材１４を円筒状に丸めて両端部同士を突き合わせ溶接する事により、図４〜６に示す様な保持器７としている為、次の(1) 〜(5) の様な理由で、形状が悪化する為である。
(1) 上記中間素材１４を円筒状に丸めて両端部同士を突き合わせ溶接した部分の曲率と、他の中間部分の曲率とを一致させる事が難しく、１対のリム部１１、１１の真円度が悪化する。
(2) 上記中間素材１４の長さ方向（図７の上下方向）中間部に関しても、柱部１２、１２との連続部の剛性と、これら各連続部同士の間部分の剛性とが異なる為、上記両リム部１１、１１を正しく円形にする事が難しい。具体的には、上記各連続部が直線状で上記各間部分が円弧状である、略多角形状になる。
(3) 上記中間素材１４を丸めても上記各柱部１２、１２となる部分の断面形状は直線状のままとなる。
(4) 円周方向に隣り合う柱部１２、１２同士の間隔が微妙に異なり易く、異なった場合には、ポケット１３、１３の幅寸法が不同になる。
(5) 保持器７の断面形状を、図４〜６に示す様な略Ｍ字形とする場合、上記中間素材１４を丸める過程で、上記両リム部１１、１１の影響により、上記各柱部１２、１２の形状が微妙に歪み易い。 In the case of a radial needle bearing retainer made of a metal plate having the above-described structure, which has been conventionally known, it is difficult to improve the shape accuracy, and it is difficult to obtain good performance. The reason is that the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 7 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded to form the cage 7 as shown in FIGS. This is because the shape deteriorates for the reason (5).
(1) It is difficult to match the curvature of the portion where the intermediate material 14 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and both ends are butt welded with the curvature of the other intermediate portion. The degree gets worse.
(2) The intermediate portion 14 in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) intermediate portion also has different rigidity between the continuous portions with the pillar portions 12 and 12 and between the continuous portions. It is difficult to make both the rim parts 11 and 11 into a correct circle. Specifically, each of the continuous portions has a substantially polygonal shape in which each of the continuous portions has a linear shape and each of the portions between the continuous portions has an arc shape.
(3) Even if the intermediate material 14 is rounded, the cross-sectional shape of the portions that become the pillars 12 and 12 remains linear.
(4) The intervals between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are likely to be slightly different, and if they are different, the width dimensions of the pockets 13 are not the same.
(5) When the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 is substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the column parts are affected by the rim parts 11 and 11 in the process of rounding the intermediate material 14. 12 and 12 are easily distorted slightly.

従来から知られているラジアルニードル軸受用保持器とその製造方法の場合には、上述の(1) 〜(5) の様な理由で形状が悪化する場合があり、その結果、上記各ポケット１３、１３内にニードル６、６を組み込みにくくなったり、逆に、組み込んだニードル６、６が不用意に脱落する可能性があった。勿論、図５に示す様に組み立てた保持器７に、形状を矯正する為の処理を施す事で、上述の様な不都合を防止できるが、その分、コストが嵩む為、好ましくない。又、上述の様な断面略Ｍ字形の保持器７を得る為、帯状金属板から図７に示す様な中間素材１４を造る作業が面倒で、コストが嵩む原因となっている。
尚、特許文献３には、軸方向に２分割したラジアルニードル軸受用保持器に関する発明が記載されているが、２分割したまま接合しない構造であり、本願発明が対象としている構造とは基本的に異なる。 In the case of a conventionally known radial needle bearing retainer and its manufacturing method, the shape may deteriorate due to the reasons (1) to (5) described above. , 13 may make it difficult to incorporate the needles 6 and 6, or the incorporated needles 6 and 6 may fall off accidentally. Of course, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be prevented by performing processing for correcting the shape on the cage 7 assembled as shown in FIG. 5, but this is not preferable because the cost increases accordingly. Moreover, in order to obtain the above-mentioned retainer 7 having a substantially M-shaped cross section, the work of manufacturing the intermediate material 14 as shown in FIG. 7 from the belt-shaped metal plate is troublesome, which causes an increase in cost.
Patent Document 3 describes an invention related to a radial needle bearing cage that is divided into two in the axial direction, but is a structure that is not joined while being divided into two, and is basically the structure that is covered by the present invention. Different.

この様な事情に鑑みて本発明者等は先に、良質の保持器を安定して得られるラジアルニードル軸受用保持器とその製造方法に関する発明を行なった（特願２００５−１２６７６８号）。この先発明に就いて、図８〜１０により説明する。尚、先発明により得られるラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の完成状態での形状は、前述の図４〜６に示した従来構造とほぼ同様になる。完成状態での形状の相違は、中心軸に直交する仮想平面に関する、各柱部１２、１２（図４〜６参照）の断面形状のみとなる。先発明の特徴は、これら各柱部１２、１２を、それぞれ１対ずつの半柱部１７、１７の先端縁同士を突き合わせ、この突き合わせ部を溶接する事により構成した点にある。そして、この様な構成を採用する事により、１対のリム部１１、１１の真円度を初めとする、各部の形状精度並びに寸法精度を向上させると共に、上記仮想平面に関する上記各柱部１２、１２の断面形状を円弧形としている。   In view of such circumstances, the present inventors have previously invented a radial needle bearing retainer that can stably obtain a high-quality retainer and a manufacturing method thereof (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-126768). This prior invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The shape of the radial needle bearing retainer obtained by the prior invention in the completed state is substantially the same as the conventional structure shown in FIGS. The difference in shape in the completed state is only the cross-sectional shape of each of the column parts 12 and 12 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) related to a virtual plane orthogonal to the central axis. The feature of the prior invention resides in that each of the column portions 12 and 12 is constituted by abutting the end edges of a pair of half-column portions 17 and 17 and welding the butted portions. By adopting such a configuration, the shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy of each part including the roundness of the pair of rim parts 11 and 11 are improved, and each column part 12 related to the virtual plane is also improved. , 12 has an arc shape.

この為に先発明の場合には、金属板に曲げ加工及び打ち抜き加工を施す事により１対の保持器素子１８、１８を造る。この保持器素子１８、１８はそれぞれ、円環状のリム部１１と、このリム部１１にそれぞれの基端部を連続させた上記複数本の半柱部１７、１７とを備えている。先発明の場合には、図９又は図１０の様にして、この様な保持器素子１８を造る。尚、これら図９、１０では、上記各半柱部１７、１７、並びに、これら各半柱部１７、１７を造る為の舌片２２、２２の円周方向に関するピッチを、実際よりも短く描いている。   For this reason, in the case of the prior invention, a pair of cage elements 18, 18 are made by bending and punching a metal plate. Each of the cage elements 18, 18 includes an annular rim portion 11, and the plurality of half pillar portions 17, 17 in which the respective base end portions are connected to the rim portion 11. In the case of the prior invention, such a cage element 18 is manufactured as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 9 and 10, the pitches in the circumferential direction of the half pillars 17 and 17 and the tongue pieces 22 and 22 for making the half pillars 17 and 17 are drawn shorter than actual. ing.

このうちの図９に示した保持器素子１８の製造方法では、始めに、原材料となる鋼板或いはステンレス鋼板等に打ち抜き加工を施す事により、図９の（Ａ）に示す様な円形の素板１９を得る。
次いで、この素板１９の一部に打ち抜き加工を施す事により、図９の（Ｂ）に示す様な第一中間素材２０を得る。即ち、上記素板１９の中心部を円形に打ち抜くと共に、径方向中間部から外周縁部に達する部分を切り欠き状に打ち抜く事により、中心部に上記リム部１１となるべき円環部２１を形成すると共に、この円環部２１の外周縁の等間隔複数個所から径方向外方に延出する、上記各半柱部１７、１７となるべき舌片２２、２２を形成する。これら各舌片２２、２２には、上記各柱部１２、１２を組み立てた状態で係止突部１５、１５（図８参照）となる突部を形成している。 Of these, in the manufacturing method of the cage element 18 shown in FIG. 9, first, a circular base plate as shown in FIG. 9A is formed by punching a steel plate or stainless steel plate as a raw material. Get 19.
Next, a first intermediate material 20 as shown in FIG. 9B is obtained by punching a part of the base plate 19. That is, the center portion of the base plate 19 is punched in a circular shape, and the portion reaching the outer peripheral edge portion from the radial intermediate portion is punched into a notch shape, whereby the annular portion 21 to be the rim portion 11 is formed in the center portion. At the same time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 to be the half columnar portions 17 and 17 extending radially outward from a plurality of equally spaced locations on the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 21 are formed. Each tongue piece 22, 22 is formed with a protrusion that becomes a locking protrusion 15, 15 (see FIG. 8) in a state in which each of the column parts 12, 12 is assembled.

上記第一中間素材２０には、次いで、図９の（Ｃ）に示す様な段付加工を施して、第二中間素材２３とする。この第二中間素材２３は、上記第一中間素材２０の一部で上記各舌片２２、２２の中間部を、クランク型に曲げ形成したものである。この様な加工は、完成品となる保持器７の断面形状を、図４〜６に示す様な略Ｍ字形とする事に対応して行なうものである。この際、上記各舌片２２、２２にもプレス加工を施して、これら各舌片２２、２２の断面形状を円弧形とする。この円弧形の曲率半径は、これら各舌片２２、２２から上記各柱部１２、１２を組み立てた状態で、これら各柱部１２、１２が単一仮想円筒状空間内に存在する様に規制する。この様に、上記第一中間素材２０から上記第二中間素材２３を得る加工は、プレス加工機にセットした上下１対の金型同士の間で上記第一中間素材２０を押圧する事により、容易に、且つ高精度に行なえる。   Next, the first intermediate material 20 is subjected to a stepping process as shown in FIG. The second intermediate material 23 is formed by bending the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape at a part of the first intermediate material 20. Such processing is performed in correspondence with the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 as a finished product being substantially M-shaped as shown in FIGS. At this time, the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are also pressed, and the cross-sectional shapes of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are arcuate. The radius of curvature of the arc shape is such that each of the pillars 12 and 12 exists in a single virtual cylindrical space in a state where the pillars 12 and 12 are assembled from the tongues 22 and 22. regulate. Thus, the process of obtaining the second intermediate material 23 from the first intermediate material 20 is performed by pressing the first intermediate material 20 between a pair of upper and lower molds set in a press machine. Easy and highly accurate.

上記第二中間素材２３には、次いで、図９の（Ｄ）に示す様な絞り・曲げ加工を施して、前記保持器素子１８とする。この絞り・曲げ加工は、前記円環部２１の外径寄り部分を上記各舌片２２、２２と共に、この円環部２１の軸方向（図９の下段図面の上方）に、これら各舌片２２、２２同士が互いに平行になるまで、全周に亙り直角に折り曲げる事により行なう。この様な絞り・曲げ加工により、上記第二中間素材２３が前記保持器素子１８となり、上記各舌片２２、２２は、上記各半柱部１７、１７となる。   Next, the second intermediate material 23 is subjected to drawing / bending processing as shown in FIG. In this drawing / bending process, a portion closer to the outer diameter of the annular portion 21 together with the tongue pieces 22, 22 is arranged in the axial direction of the annular portion 21 (above the lower drawing in FIG. 9). This is done by bending at right angles over the entire circumference until the two are parallel to each other. By such drawing / bending process, the second intermediate material 23 becomes the cage element 18, and the tongue pieces 22, 22 become the half columnar portions 17, 17.

又、図１０に示した製造方法の場合も、先ず図１０の（Ａ）に示す様な円形の素板１９の一部に打ち抜き加工を施す事により、同じく（Ｂ）に示す様な第一中間素材２０を造る。次いで、上記図１０に示した製造方法の場合には、上記第一中間素材２０に絞り加工を施す事により、この第一中間素材２０の径方向中間部内径寄り部分（円環部２１の径方向外径寄り部分）を全周に亙り直角に曲げ形成して、図１０の（Ｃ）に示す様な第二中間素材２４とする。そして、この第二中間素材２４に、各舌片２２、２２の中間部をクランク型に曲げ形成して半柱部１７、１７とする為のアンダカット成形を施し、図１０の（Ｄ）に示す様な保持器素子１８とする。   In the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 10 as well, by first punching a part of a circular base plate 19 as shown in FIG. An intermediate material 20 is made. Next, in the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 10, the first intermediate material 20 is subjected to a drawing process so that the radially intermediate portion closer to the inner diameter of the first intermediate material 20 (the diameter of the annular portion 21). The second intermediate material 24 as shown in FIG. 10C is formed by bending a portion near the outer diameter of the direction) at a right angle over the entire circumference. Then, the second intermediate material 24 is subjected to undercut molding to bend the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 into a crank shape to form the half pillar portions 17 and 17, and FIG. The cage element 18 as shown is used.

先発明に係る保持器を造るには、それぞれが上述の図９又は図１０に示す様な工程で造られた１対の保持器素子１８、１８を、図８に示す様に互いのリム部１１、１１同士を同心に配置すると共に、互いの半柱部１７、１７同士の円周方向の位相を一致させた状態に配置する。この作業は、上記両保持器素子１８、１８を組立装置に設けた１対の把持部（フィンガ）で掴んだ状態で行なう。これら両把持部は互いに同心に設けられており、回転方向に関する位相を調節自在であるから、上記両保持器素子１８、１８のリム部１１、１１同士を同心に配置すると共に、互いの半柱部１７、１７同士の位相を一致させる作業は、容易に且つ高精度で行なえる。   In order to manufacture the cage according to the prior invention, a pair of cage elements 18 and 18, each produced by the process shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 11 and 11 are arranged concentrically, and are arranged in a state in which the phases in the circumferential direction of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are made to coincide with each other. This operation is performed in a state where both the cage elements 18 and 18 are gripped by a pair of gripping portions (finger) provided in the assembling apparatus. Since these two gripping portions are provided concentrically with each other and the phase with respect to the rotation direction can be adjusted, the rim portions 11, 11 of the two retainer elements 18, 18 are arranged concentrically, and the half pillars of each other are arranged. The operation of matching the phases of the portions 17 and 17 can be easily performed with high accuracy.

上記両保持器素子１８、１８を上述の様に配置したならば、これら両保持器素子１８、１８を互いに近づけ合って、上記各半柱部１７、１７の先端部同士を突き合わせ、この突き合わせ部を溶接して、上記両保持器素子１８、１８を接合固定する。この溶接作業の為、上記各半柱部１７、１７の先端縁に開先（面取り）を形成しておく事もできる。互いの先端部同士を突き合わせ更に溶接した上記各半柱部１７、１７は、前記各柱部１２、１２となる。そして、円周方向に隣り合う各柱部１２、１２と上記両リム部１１、１１とにより囲まれた部分が、それぞれポケット１３、１３（図４〜６参照）となる。   If both the cage elements 18 and 18 are arranged as described above, the two cage elements 18 and 18 are brought close to each other, the tip portions of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 are butted together, and this butted portion Are welded to bond and fix the two cage elements 18 and 18 together. For this welding operation, it is possible to form a groove (chamfer) at the tip edge of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17. The half columnar portions 17 and 17 that are welded with each other's tip portions are further welded to the respective column portions 12 and 12. And the part enclosed by each pillar part 12 and 12 and the said rim | limb parts 11 and 11 adjacent to the circumferential direction becomes the pockets 13 and 13 (refer FIGS. 4-6), respectively.

上述の様に構成し造られる、先発明に係るラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の場合には、形状精度を良好にする事が容易で、この保持器を組み込んだラジアルニードル軸受の性能を良好にできる。この理由は、次の(1) 〜(5) の通りである。
(1) 両リム部１１、１１となるべき前記両保持器素子１８、１８の円環部２１を、平板状の前記素板１９を打ち抜く事により造るので、この円環部２１から造られる上記両リム部１１、１１の真円度を良好にできる。
(2) 前記第二中間素材２３から上記保持器素子１８を造るべく、上記円環部２１の径方向中間部外径寄り部分を全周に亙り直角に折り曲げる作業は、プレス加工機等を使用して大きな力で行なえる。この為、上記両リム部１１、１１を正しく円形にする事が容易で、得られた保持器素子１８全体を、多角形状ではない、正確な円形にできる。
(3) 上記各柱部１２、１２となるべき上記各半柱部１７、１７の断面形状を予め湾曲させておけるので、これら各柱部１２、１２部分の断面形状も円弧形にできる。
(4) 円周方向に隣り合う柱部１２、１２同士の間隔を厳密に一致させる事ができ、これら各柱部１２、１２同士の間に設けられるポケット１３、１３の幅寸法を正確に一致させる事ができる。
(5) 保持器７の断面形状を略Ｍ字形とする場合でも、上記各半柱部１７、１７の形状が、上記リム部１１の加工時に歪む事がない為、これら各半柱部１７、１７により造られる上記各柱部１２、１２の形状が歪む事もない。
先発明の場合には、上述の(1) 〜(5) の様な理由で、優れた形状精度及び寸法精度を得られる為、低コストで造れるにも拘らず、上記各ポケット１３、１３内に上記各ニードル６、６を組み込みにくくなったり、逆に、組み込んだこれら各ニードル６、６が不用意に脱落する事を防止できる。 In the case of the radial needle bearing retainer constructed and constructed as described above, it is easy to improve the shape accuracy, and the performance of the radial needle bearing incorporating this retainer can be improved. . The reason for this is as follows (1) to (5).
(1) Since the annular portions 21 of the retainer elements 18 and 18 to be the both rim portions 11 and 11 are formed by punching the flat plate 19, the annular portion 21 is formed from the annular portion 21. The roundness of both rim parts 11 and 11 can be made favorable.
(2) In order to manufacture the cage element 18 from the second intermediate material 23, the work of bending the outer circumferential portion of the annular portion 21 at a right angle over the entire circumference is performed using a press machine or the like. And you can do it with great power. For this reason, it is easy to correctly form both the rim portions 11, 11, and the entire cage element 18 obtained can be formed into an accurate circle, not a polygonal shape.
(3) Since the cross-sectional shapes of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 to be the columnar portions 12 and 12 can be curved in advance, the cross-sectional shapes of the columnar portions 12 and 12 can also be arcuate.
(4) The interval between the column portions 12 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be made to exactly match, and the width dimensions of the pockets 13 formed between these column portions 12 and 12 can be exactly matched. You can make it.
(5) Even when the cross-sectional shape of the cage 7 is substantially M-shaped, the shape of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 is not distorted when the rim portion 11 is processed. The shape of each of the column parts 12 and 12 made by 17 is not distorted.
In the case of the prior invention, because of the above-described reasons (1) to (5), excellent shape accuracy and dimensional accuracy can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to prevent the needles 6 and 6 from being difficult to be assembled, and conversely, the built-in needles 6 and 6 can be prevented from inadvertently falling off.

ところで、前述の図９に示した製造方法と図１０に示した製造方法とを比較した場合、図１０に示した製造方法の方が、各柱部１２、１２の形状精度を確保する面からは有利である。この理由は、上記図９に示した製造方法の場合には、各舌片２２、２２の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げた後、これら各舌片２２、２２の基端部を円環部２１に対し直角に折り曲げる為である。即ち、円環部に対する折り曲げ工程で、上記クランク型に折り曲げられた部分の形状が歪む可能性がある。これに対して、図１０に示した製造方法の場合には、円環部２１に対し直角に折り曲げられた状態の各舌片２２、２２の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げて各半柱部１７、１７とした後、これら各半柱部１７、１７に曲げ加工を施す事がないので、上記クランク型の形状精度を確保できる可能性がある。   By the way, when the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 9 and the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 10 are compared, the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 10 is more effective in ensuring the shape accuracy of the pillars 12 and 12. Is advantageous. The reason for this is that, in the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 9, after the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are bent into a crank shape, the base end portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are connected to the annular portion 21. This is because it bends at right angles to the angle. That is, the shape of the portion bent into the crank mold may be distorted in the bending process for the annular portion. On the other hand, in the case of the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22, 22 in a state of being bent at a right angle with respect to the annular portion 21, are bent into a crank shape, and each half pillar portion 17. , 17, the half columnar portions 17, 17 are not subjected to bending work, so that the shape accuracy of the crank mold may be ensured.

但し、従来から金属加工の分野で一般的に知られている製造方法及び製造装置を適用しただけの場合には、上記図１０の（Ｃ）に示した第二中間素材２４から同図の（Ｄ）に示した保持器素子１８への加工を、大量生産が可能な工業的手法により、しかも、精度良く行なう事ができない。即ち、上記各舌片２２、２２から上記各半柱部１７、１７への加工を精度良く行なわせる為には、上記第二中間素材２４の径方向に関して、上記各舌片２２、２２の内側に受型を配置し、押型により、これら各舌片２２、２２をこの受型の外周面に押し付ける必要がある。この際、この受型により、これら各舌片２２、２２の内周側面を、全面に亙って支持する事が、精度の良い加工を行なう為には重要である。ところが、従来から知られている構造を有する受型により、上記各舌片２２、２２の内周側面を、全面に亙って支持しつつ、これら各舌片２２、２２を上記各半柱部１７、１７に加工すると、加工後のこれら各半柱部１７、１７の内側から上記受型を抜き取る事ができない。この理由は、これら各半柱部１７、１７の先半部の内接円の直径が、基半部の内接円の直径よりも小さくなる為である。   However, when only a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus generally known in the field of metal processing are applied, the second intermediate material 24 shown in FIG. The processing of the cage element 18 shown in D) cannot be performed with high accuracy by an industrial method capable of mass production. That is, in order to perform the processing from the tongue pieces 22 and 22 to the half columnar portions 17 and 17 with high accuracy, the inner side of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 with respect to the radial direction of the second intermediate material 24. It is necessary to place the receiving mold on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving mold by pressing the tongue pieces 22 and 22. At this time, it is important to support the inner peripheral side surfaces of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 over the entire surface by the receiving mold in order to perform high-precision processing. However, with the receiving mold having a conventionally known structure, the inner peripheral side surfaces of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are supported over the entire surface, and the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are supported by the half columnar portions. If it processes into 17, 17, the said receiving die cannot be extracted from the inside of each of these half pillar parts 17 and 17 after a process. The reason for this is that the diameter of the inscribed circle in the front half of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 is smaller than the diameter of the inscribed circle in the base half.

特開２００２−２３５８４１号公報JP 2002-235841 A 特開平８−２７０６５８号公報JP-A-8-270658 特開２００４−２８１３４号公報JP 2004-28134 A

本発明は、上述の様な事情に鑑みて、大量生産が可能な工業的手法により、良質の保持器を安定して得られる、ラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法及び製造装置を実現すべく発明したものである。   In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention is to achieve a radial needle bearing retainer manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus capable of stably obtaining a high-quality retainer by an industrial technique capable of mass production. Invented.

本発明のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法及び製造装置のうち、請求項１に記載した製造方法に関する発明は、前述した先発明に係るラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法と同様に、先ず、金属板に打ち抜き加工及び曲げ加工を施す。そして、円環状のリム部と、このリム部からこのリム部に対し直角方向に折れ曲がった状態で、それぞれの基端部をこのリム部の外周縁に連続させた複数本の半柱部とを備えた、保持器素子とする。その後、それぞれがこの様にして得られた、１対の保持器素子のリム部を互いに同心に配置すると共に、上記各半柱部の先端部同士を接合する。   Of the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention, the invention relating to the manufacturing method described in claim 1 is similar to the manufacturing method of the radial needle bearing retainer according to the previous invention described above. The metal plate is punched and bent. Then, an annular rim portion and a plurality of half pillar portions in which the respective base end portions are continuously connected to the outer peripheral edge of the rim portion in a state where the rim portion is bent in a direction perpendicular to the rim portion. Provided cage element. Thereafter, the rim portions of the pair of retainer elements obtained in this way are arranged concentrically with each other, and the tip portions of the half columnar portions are joined to each other.

本発明のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法は、上記各保持器素子を構成する上記各半柱部を、精度良く加工する事を考慮したものである。
この為に本発明の場合には、先ず、上記金属板に打ち抜き加工を施す事により、上記リム部となるべき円環部と、この円環部の外周縁から放射方向に延びる舌片とを形成する。 その後、この舌片をこの円環部に対し直角に折り曲げる事により、互いに平行な直線状の素柱部とする。
次いで、外周面に凸部と凹部とを、加工すべき上記半柱部と同じピッチで交互に配置した受型の先端部を上記各素柱部の内半部内側に、上記円環部の円周方向に関する上記各凸部の位相とこれら各素柱部の位相とを一致させた状態で挿入する。
その後、上記各素柱部の外周面を押型の内周面により上記受型の外周面に押し付ける。そして、これら各素柱部を、上記円環部の径方向に関してこの円環部の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部と、同じくこの基半部よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部とを、折れ曲がり部により連続させた、上記各半柱部とする。
次に、これら各半柱部と上記受型とを、上記円環部の円周方向に関する上記各凹部の位相とこれら各半柱部の位相とが一致する迄相対回転させ、次いで、上記受型の先端部を上記保持器素子の内側から抜き出す。 The manufacturing method of the radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention takes into consideration that each of the half columnar portions constituting each of the retainer elements is processed with high accuracy.
Therefore, in the case of the present invention, first, by punching the metal plate, an annular portion to be the rim portion and a tongue piece extending radially from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. Form. After that, the tongue piece is bent at a right angle with respect to the annular portion, thereby obtaining linear element pillar portions parallel to each other.
Next, the front end of the receiving die in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately arranged on the outer peripheral surface at the same pitch as the half columnar portion to be processed is arranged inside the inner half portion of each element column portion, and It inserts in the state which made the phase of each said convex part regarding the circumferential direction correspond to the phase of these each element | column part.
Thereafter, the outer peripheral surface of each of the columnar portions is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the receiving die by the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die. And each of these elemental column parts is arranged on the base half part existing in the part substantially coinciding with the outer peripheral edge of the ring part with respect to the radial direction of the ring part, and also on the inner side part than the base half part. Let the existing half part be the above-mentioned half pillar parts made to be continuous by the bent part.
Next, the half columnar portions and the receiving mold are rotated relative to each other until the phase of the concave portions and the phase of the respective half columnar portions in the circumferential direction of the annular portion coincide with each other. The tip of the mold is extracted from the inside of the cage element.

又、請求項２に記載したラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造装置は、受型と押型とを備える。そして、リム部となるべき円輪状の円環部の外周縁から直角に折れ曲がった、互いに平行で円周方向に等間隔に配置された、それぞれが直線状の素柱部の長さ方向中間部を折り曲げる。そして、上記円環部の径方向に関してこの円環部の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部と、同じくこの基半部よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部とを、折れ曲がり部により連続させた各半柱部とする為の加工を行なう。
この様な、本発明のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造装置で、上記受型は、基部と複数の凸部とを備える。このうちの基部は、円柱状で、上記各半柱部の先半部の内周面に実質的に合致する形状の（加工時に発生するスプリングバックを考慮した上で、この内周面の形状を加工できる形状の）外周面を有する。又、上記各凸部は、上記基部の先端部外周面に、円周方向に関して上記素柱部及び半柱部と同じピッチで固設されており、上記各半柱部の基半部及び折れ曲がり部の内周面の形状に実質的に合致する形状の（加工時に発生するスプリングバックを考慮した上で、上記内周面の形状を加工できる形状の）外周面を有する。そして、上記各凸部の円周方向に関する幅を、上記各半柱部の幅以上で、円周方向に隣接する各半柱部の間隔以下としている。更に、上記押型は、上記各半柱部の外周面と実質的に一致する形状の内周面を有するものである。 The radial needle bearing retainer manufacturing apparatus described in claim 2 includes a receiving die and a pressing die. And the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the straight columnar part, each of which is bent at a right angle from the outer peripheral edge of the annular ring part to be the rim part and arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction Bend. And, with respect to the radial direction of the annular portion, a base half that exists in a portion that substantially coincides with the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a leading half that also exists in a portion closer to the inside than the base half Then, the processing for making each semi-column part continuous by the bent part is performed.
In such an apparatus for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention, the receiving mold includes a base portion and a plurality of convex portions. Of these, the base is cylindrical, and has a shape that substantially matches the inner peripheral surface of the tip half of each of the half pillars (the shape of this inner peripheral surface, taking into account the springback that occurs during processing) The outer peripheral surface has a shape that can be processed. In addition, each of the convex portions is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the base portion at the same pitch as the raw column portion and the half column portion in the circumferential direction, and the base half portion and the bent portion of each half column portion are bent. The outer peripheral surface has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the portion (a shape that allows the shape of the inner peripheral surface to be processed in consideration of the spring back generated during processing). And the width | variety regarding the circumferential direction of each said convex part is made into below the space | interval of each semi-column part adjacent to the circumferential direction more than the width | variety of each said half-column part. Furthermore, the said pressing die has an inner peripheral surface of a shape which substantially coincides with the outer peripheral surface of each said half pillar part.

上述の様な本発明のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法によれば、各舌片の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げて各半柱部とする作業を、これら各舌片を円環部に対し直角に折り曲げた後に行なう。この為、これら各舌片の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げて各半柱部とした後、これら各半柱部に曲げ加工を施す事がない。即ち、前述の図９に示した先発明の第１例の場合とは異なり、上記クランク型の曲げ加工の後に別の曲げ加工を行なう事がない。しかも本発明の場合には、このクランク型の曲げ加工を、受型の先端部外周面に形成した各凸部の外周面により、上記各素柱部の内周側面を抑えた状態で行なう為、上記クランク型の形状精度を確保できる。更に、上記受型の先端部は、各凹部の位相と上記各半柱部の位相とが一致する迄回転させた状態で、保持器素子の内側から抜き出す事ができる。即ち、一般的なラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の場合、円周方向に関する柱部の幅よりも、円周方向に隣り合う柱部同士の間に存在するポケットの幅の方が広い。従って、上記各凸部により上記各素柱部の基半部を、全幅に亙り支持する様にしても、これら各凸部を、加工後の上記クランク型部分同士の間から抜き取れる。この為、大量生産が可能な工業的手法により、良質の保持器を安定して得る事ができる。   According to the method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer of the present invention as described above, the operation of bending the intermediate portion of each tongue piece into a crank shape to form each half pillar portion, and converting each tongue piece into an annular portion. This is done after bending at a right angle. For this reason, after bending the intermediate part of each tongue piece to a crank type to make each half pillar part, these half pillar parts are not bent. That is, unlike the case of the first example of the prior invention shown in FIG. 9, there is no need to perform another bending process after the crank type bending process. Moreover, in the case of the present invention, the crank mold is bent in a state in which the outer peripheral surface of each convex portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the receiving mold suppresses the inner peripheral side surface of each of the above-mentioned columnar portions. The shape accuracy of the crank mold can be ensured. Further, the tip end portion of the receiving mold can be extracted from the inside of the cage element while being rotated until the phase of each concave portion and the phase of each half pillar portion coincide with each other. That is, in the case of a general radial needle bearing retainer, the width of the pockets existing between the column portions adjacent in the circumferential direction is wider than the width of the column portions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the base half portions of the base column portions are supported over the full width by the convex portions, the convex portions can be extracted from between the crank portions after processing. For this reason, a high-quality cage can be stably obtained by an industrial method capable of mass production.

図１〜３は、本発明の実施の形態の１例を示している。尚、本例の特徴は、前述の図１０の（Ｃ）或いは図１の（Ａ）に示す様な第二中間素材２４を、図１０の（Ｄ）或いは図１の（Ｂ）に示す様な保持器素子１８に加工する為のアンダカット成形を、精度良く行なえるラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法及び製造装置を実現する点にある。即ち、上記第二中間素材２４を構成する各素柱部２５、２５（各舌片２２、２２）の中間部をクランク型に曲げ形成して半柱部１７、１７とするプレス加工を、これら各素柱部２５、２５（各舌片２２、２２）の内周側面を受型により支えつつ行ない、しかも加工後にこの受型を上記保持器素子１８から抜き出せる様にする点にある。その他の点に就いては、前述の図１０に示した先発明に係るラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法と同様であるから、同等部分に関する図示並びに説明は、省略若しくは簡略にし、以下、本例の特徴部分を中心に説明する。   1 to 3 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this example is that the second intermediate material 24 as shown in FIG. 10 (C) or FIG. 1 (A) is used as shown in FIG. 10 (D) or FIG. 1 (B). It is in the point which implement | achieves the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the retainer for radial needle bearings which can perform the undercut shaping | molding for processing into the simple retainer element 18 with sufficient precision. That is, the press working to form the half pillar portions 17 and 17 by bending the intermediate portions of the elementary pillar portions 25 and 25 (the respective tongue pieces 22 and 22) constituting the second intermediate material 24 into a crank shape. This is in that the inner peripheral side surfaces of the base column portions 25 and 25 (the tongue pieces 22 and 22) are supported by a receiving die, and the receiving die can be extracted from the cage element 18 after processing. Since the other points are the same as the manufacturing method of the radial needle bearing retainer according to the prior invention shown in FIG. 10 described above, the illustration and explanation of the equivalent parts are omitted or simplified. The description will focus on the features of the example.

上記第二中間素材２４は、鋼板若しくはステンレス鋼板等の金属板により造られたもので、リム部となるべき円環部２１と、この円環部２１の外周縁からこの円環部２１に対し直角に折れ曲がった素柱部２５、２５とを有する。これら各素柱部２５、２５の断面形状は円弧形で、軸方向に関する形状は、互いに平行な直線状である。この様な第二中間素材２４は、図２に示したプレス加工機２６を構成する受台２７の上面に載置（セット）する。このプレス加工機２６は、この受台２７に加えて、受型２９と押型３０とを備える。そして、これら受型２９の外周面と押型３０の内周面との間で、上記各素柱部２５、２５を押圧する事により、これら各素柱部２５、２５の長さ方向中間部を折り曲げて、上記第二中間素材２４を上記保持器素子１８とする。即ち、上記各素柱部２５、２５を、上記円環部２１の径方向に関してこの円環部２１の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部３１と、同じくこの基半部３１よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部３２とを、折れ曲がり部３３により連続させた、各半柱部１７、１７とする為の加工を行なう。   The second intermediate material 24 is made of a metal plate such as a steel plate or a stainless steel plate, and the annular portion 21 to be a rim portion and the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 21 with respect to the annular portion 21. It has elementary column parts 25 and 25 bent at a right angle. The cross-sectional shape of each of the elementary column portions 25 and 25 is an arc shape, and the shape in the axial direction is a straight line parallel to each other. Such a second intermediate material 24 is placed (set) on the upper surface of a receiving base 27 constituting the press machine 26 shown in FIG. The press machine 26 includes a receiving die 29 and a pressing die 30 in addition to the cradle 27. Then, by pressing the above-mentioned columnar portions 25, 25 between the outer peripheral surface of these receiving molds 29 and the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die 30, intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction of these respective columnar portions 25, 25 are obtained. The second intermediate material 24 is bent to form the cage element 18. That is, the base column parts 25, 25 are arranged in the base half part 31 existing in a part substantially coincident with the outer peripheral edge of the ring part 21 in the radial direction of the ring part 21, and the base half part. Processing is performed to form the half columnar portions 17 and 17 in which the tip half portion 32 existing in the portion closer to the inner side than 31 is made continuous by the bent portion 33.

上記受台２７の上面には、上記円環部２１をがたつきなく外嵌できる位置決め凸部２８を形成している。そして、この円環部２１をこの位置決め凸部２８に外嵌すると共に、この円環部２１の軸方向片面を上記受台２７の上面に当接させた状態で、上記第二中間素材２４が上記プレス加工機２６に、正規の位置関係でセットされる。この様に、この第二中間素材２４を上記プレス加工機２６にセットしたならば、図２の（Ａ）に示す様に、この第二中間素材２４の内側に、受型２９の先端部を挿入する。尚、上記位置決め凸部２８の高さ寸法は、上記円環部２１の厚さ寸法以下（好ましくは未満）としている。従って、上記位置決め凸部２８にこの円環部２１を外嵌した状態で、この円環部２１の上面がこの位置決め凸部２８の上面よりも下方に位置する事はない。   On the upper surface of the pedestal 27, a positioning convex portion 28 is formed that allows the annular portion 21 to be externally fitted without rattling. Then, while the annular portion 21 is externally fitted to the positioning convex portion 28, the second intermediate material 24 is placed in a state where one axial surface of the annular portion 21 is in contact with the upper surface of the cradle 27. The press machine 26 is set in a regular positional relationship. In this way, when the second intermediate material 24 is set in the press machine 26, as shown in FIG. 2A, the tip of the receiving die 29 is placed inside the second intermediate material 24. insert. In addition, the height dimension of the positioning convex part 28 is set to be equal to or less than the thickness dimension of the annular part 21 (preferably less). Therefore, the upper surface of the annular portion 21 is not positioned below the upper surface of the positioning convex portion 28 in a state where the annular portion 21 is fitted on the positioning convex portion 28.

上記受型２９は、基部３４と複数の凸部３５、３５とを備える。このうちの基部３４は、円柱状で、上記各半柱部１７、１７の先半部３２の内周面に実質的に合致する形状の外周面を有する。即ち、上記基部３４の外周面は、上記各半柱部１７、１７の加工時に発生するスプリングバックを考慮した上で、これら各半柱部１７、１７の先半部３２の内周面の形状を加工できる寸法を有する、円筒面としている。具体的には、上記基部３４の外径を、完成後の上記各半柱部１７、１７の先半部３２の内接円の直径よりも僅かに（上記スプリングバック分だけ）小さくしている。   The receiving mold 29 includes a base portion 34 and a plurality of convex portions 35 and 35. Of these, the base portion 34 has a cylindrical shape and has an outer peripheral surface having a shape that substantially matches the inner peripheral surface of the tip half portion 32 of each of the half columnar portions 17, 17. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 34 is shaped in the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the tip half portion 32 of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 in consideration of the spring back generated when the respective half columnar portions 17 and 17 are processed. The cylindrical surface has a dimension that can be processed. Specifically, the outer diameter of the base 34 is slightly smaller (by the amount of the springback) than the diameter of the inscribed circle of the front half 32 of each of the half pillars 17 and 17 after completion. .

又、上記各凸部３５、３５は、上記基部３４の先端部外周面に、円周方向に関して前記各素柱部２５、２５及び上記各半柱部１７、１７と同じピッチで固設（例えば一体成形）されている。又、上記各凸部３５、３５の外周面の形状は、上記各半柱部１７、１７の基半部３１及び折れ曲がり部３３の内周面の形状に実質的に合致する。即ち、上記各凸部３５、３５の外周面の形状を、加工時に発生するスプリングバックを考慮した上で、上記各半柱部１７、１７の基半部３１及び折れ曲がり部３３の内周面の形状を加工できる形状としている。具体的には、上記各凸部３５、３５の外周面の形状を、完成後の上記各半柱部１７、１７の基半部３１及び折れ曲がり部３３の内周面の形状よりも僅かに（上記スプリングバック分だけ）小さくしている。又、上記各凸部３５、３５の円周方向に関する幅Ｗ₃₅（図３参照）を、上記各半柱部１７、１７の中間部乃至先半部の幅Ｗ₁₇以上で、円周方向に隣接する各半柱部１７、１７の中間部乃至先半部の間隔Ｄ₁₇以下（Ｗ₁₇≦Ｗ₃₅≦Ｄ₁₇）としている。この様な凸部３５、３５を形成した、上記受型２９の先端部は、図２の（Ａ）に示す様に、上記第二中間素材２４の内側に、前記円環部２１の円周方向に関して、上記各凸部３５、３５の位相と前記各素柱部２５、２５の位相とを一致させた状態で挿入する。 The protrusions 35 and 35 are fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the base 34 at the same pitch as the element pillars 25 and 25 and the half pillars 17 and 17 in the circumferential direction (for example, (Integral molding). Further, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of each of the convex portions 35, 35 substantially matches the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the base half portion 31 and the bent portion 33 of each of the half columnar portions 17, 17. That is, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of each of the convex portions 35 and 35 is determined by taking into account the spring back that occurs during processing, and the inner half surface of the base half portion 31 and the bent portion 33 of the half columnar portions 17 and 17. The shape is a shape that can be processed. Specifically, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of each of the convex portions 35 and 35 is slightly smaller than the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the base half portion 31 and the bent portion 33 of each of the half pillar portions 17 and 17 after completion ( It is made smaller (by the amount of the spring back). Further, the width W ₃₅ (see FIG. 3) of the convex portions 35 and 35 in the circumferential direction is equal to or greater than the width W ₁₇ of the intermediate portion to the front half portion of the half pillar portions 17 and ₁₇ in the circumferential direction. An interval D ₁₇ or less (W ₁₇ ≦ W ₃₅ ≦ D ₁₇ ) between the middle part and the front half part of the adjacent half columnar parts 17 and ₁₇ is set. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the tip of the receiving mold 29 formed with such convex portions 35, 35 is located on the inner side of the second intermediate material 24 and the circumference of the annular portion 21. With respect to the direction, the projections 35 and 35 are inserted in a state where the phases of the projections 35 and 35 coincide with the phases of the columnar portions 25 and 25.

この様に、上記第二中間素材２４の内側に上記受型２９の先端部を挿入したならば、その後、図２の（Ｂ）に示す様に、上記各素柱部２５、２５の外周面を、前記押型３０の内周面により、上記受型２９の外周面に押し付ける。図示しない、プレス加工機のラムに固定されて昇降させられる、上記押型３０の下端部は、上記第二中間素材２４の素柱部２５、２５を上記各半柱部１７、１７に加工する為の円筒部３６としている。そして、この円筒部３６の内周面の形状を、これら各半柱部１７、１７の外周面と実質的に一致する形状としている。具体的には、上記円筒部３６の内周面の形状を、完成後の上記各半柱部１７、１７の基半部３１及び折れ曲がり部３３の外周面の形状よりも僅かに（上記スプリングバック分だけ）小さい、段付円筒面状としている。   Thus, if the front-end | tip part of the said receiving mold 29 is inserted inside the said 2nd intermediate raw material 24, as shown to (B) of FIG. 2, after that, the outer peripheral surface of each said element | base_column parts 25 and 25 will be shown. Is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the receiving die 29 by the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die 30. A lower end portion of the pressing die 30 fixed to a ram of a press machine (not shown) is moved up and down to process the base column portions 25 and 25 of the second intermediate material 24 into the half column portions 17 and 17. The cylindrical portion 36 is used. And the shape of the inner peripheral surface of this cylindrical part 36 is made into the shape which substantially corresponds with the outer peripheral surface of each of these half pillar parts 17 and 17. Specifically, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 36 is slightly smaller than the shapes of the outer peripheral surfaces of the base half portions 31 and the bent portions 33 of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 after completion (the spring back). A small stepped cylindrical surface.

尚、上記受型２９は上記押型３０に対し、昇降を可能に、且つ、下方に向いた弾力を付与した状態で支持されている。即ち、上記押型３０の上半部に形成した中心孔３７に上記受型２９の基部３４を、がたつきなく、且つ、昇降自在に嵌合している。又、これら中心孔３７の内周面と基部３４の外周面との間には、キー係合等の回転防止機構（図示省略）を設ける事で、上記押型３０を所定角度回転させる事により、上記受型２９も同じ角度だけ回転させられる様にしている。又、この受型２９の上端面にその下端部を結合固定したプッシュロッド３８を、上記押型３０の上端部に固定したガイドプレート３９に、昇降自在に挿通している。更に、このガイドプレート３９の上方に固定したばね受ハウジング４０の奥端面（下面）と、上記プッシュロッド３８の上端部に固設したばね受座４１との間に、圧縮コイルばね等の押圧ばね４２を設けて、上記受型２９に、下方に向いた弾力を付与している。   The receiving die 29 is supported in a state where it can be moved up and down with respect to the pressing die 30 and is given downward elasticity. That is, the base portion 34 of the receiving die 29 is fitted in a center hole 37 formed in the upper half portion of the pressing die 30 so as not to be rattled and freely movable up and down. Further, by providing a rotation prevention mechanism (not shown) such as key engagement between the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 37 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 34, by rotating the pressing die 30 by a predetermined angle, The receiving mold 29 is also rotated by the same angle. Further, a push rod 38 having a lower end portion coupled and fixed to the upper end surface of the receiving die 29 is inserted through a guide plate 39 fixed to the upper end portion of the pressing die 30 so as to be movable up and down. Further, a pressing spring such as a compression coil spring is provided between a rear end surface (lower surface) of the spring receiving housing 40 fixed above the guide plate 39 and a spring receiving seat 41 fixed to the upper end portion of the push rod 38. 42 is provided to give downward elasticity to the receiving mold 29.

上記各素柱部２５、２５の外周面を、上記押型３０の内周面により、上記受型２９の外周面に押し付けるべく、上記押型３０を前記ラムにより下方に押圧した状態では、上記受型２９が、図２の（Ｂ）に示す様に、上記押圧ばね４２を弾性的に圧縮しつつ、上記押型３０に対し上昇する（実際には、受型２９がそのままの位置に止まり、この押型３０のみが下降する）。従って、この受型２９の先端面（片面）は、前記位置決め凸部２８に外嵌した前記円環部２１の下面を、前記受台２７の上面に向けてしっかりと抑え付け、この円環部２１を含む前記第二中間素材２４が、不用意に動く事を防止する。上記押型３０の下半部に設けられた、前記円筒部３６は、この様に上記第二中間素材２４を上記受台２７の上面に抑え付けた状態で、上記図２の（Ｂ）に示す様に、この第二中間素材２４の周囲に向け下降する。   In the state where the pressing die 30 is pressed downward by the ram in order to press the outer peripheral surface of each of the pillar portions 25, 25 against the outer peripheral surface of the receiving die 29 by the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die 30, the receiving die As shown in FIG. 2 (B), 29 rises with respect to the pressing die 30 while elastically compressing the pressing spring 42 (actually, the receiving die 29 stops at the same position, Only 30 goes down). Therefore, the front end surface (one surface) of the receiving mold 29 firmly holds the lower surface of the annular portion 21 externally fitted to the positioning convex portion 28 toward the upper surface of the receiving base 27, and this annular portion. The second intermediate material 24 including 21 is prevented from inadvertently moving. The cylindrical portion 36 provided in the lower half portion of the pressing die 30 is shown in FIG. 2B with the second intermediate material 24 held down on the upper surface of the cradle 27 in this manner. Similarly, it descends toward the periphery of the second intermediate material 24.

そして、上記円筒部３６の内周面により、上記各素柱部２５、２５の外周面を上記受型２９の外周面に押し付けて、これら各素柱部２５、２５を前記各半柱部１７、１７に加工する。具体的には、これら各素柱部２５、２５を、上記円環部２１の径方向に関してこの円環部２１の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部３１と、同じくこの基半部３１よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部３２とを、折れ曲がり部３３により連続させた断面クランク型として、上記各半柱部１７、１７とする。この状態では、上記受型２９の先端部（下端部）外周面に形成した、前記各凸部３５、３５の位相が、上記各素柱部２５、２５或いは上記各半柱部１７、１７の位相と一致している。   Then, the outer peripheral surface of each of the columnar portions 25, 25 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the receiving mold 29 by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 36, so that each of the columnar portions 25, 25 is moved to each of the half columnar portions 17. , 17. Specifically, each of the elementary column portions 25, 25 is similar to the base half portion 31 existing in a portion substantially coincident with the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 21 with respect to the radial direction of the annular portion 21. The half columnar portions 17 and 17 are formed as a cross-sectional crank shape in which a tip half portion 32 existing in a portion closer to the inner side than the base half portion 31 is continued by a bent portion 33. In this state, the phase of each of the convex portions 35, 35 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the receiving mold 29 is the same as that of each of the elementary pillar portions 25, 25 or each of the half pillar portions 17, 17. It matches the phase.

次に、下降していたラムを上昇させて、このラムの下端部に固定した上記押型３０を、図２の（Ｃ）に示す様に、途中まで上昇させる。具体的には、この押型３０の下端縁が上記各半柱部１７、１７の上端縁よりも上方に位置するが、前記ガイドプレート３９の上面と前記ばね受座４１の下面との間に未だ隙間が存在する程度にまで、上記押型３０を上昇させて、一旦停止する。   Next, the lowered ram is raised, and the pressing die 30 fixed to the lower end of the ram is raised halfway as shown in FIG. Specifically, the lower end edge of the pressing die 30 is located above the upper end edge of each of the half columnar portions 17, 17, but is still between the upper surface of the guide plate 39 and the lower surface of the spring seat 41. The pressing die 30 is raised to such an extent that there is a gap and is temporarily stopped.

この状態から、図２の（Ｄ）の矢印αで示す様に、上記受型２９を、鉛直方向に存在する自身の中心軸βを中心に所定角度だけ回転させる。尚、この受型２９だけを回転させる事は難しい為、本例の場合には、上記押型３０を上記所定角度だけ回転させる事により、上記受型２９をこの所定角度だけ回転させる様にしている。この所定角度とは、上記各半柱部１７、１７の１／２ピッチ分（＝上記各凸部３５、３５の１／２ピッチ分）としている。従って、上記所定角度分の回転に基づき、それまで一致していた、上記円環部２１の円周方向に関する、上記各凸部３５、３５の位相と上記各半柱部１７、１７の位相とが、上記１／２ピッチ分ずれる。言い換えれば、これら各凸部３５、３５同士の間に存在する凹部４３、４３の位相と、上記各半柱部１７、１７の位相とが一致する。逆に言えば、上記各凸部３５、３５の位相と、これら各半柱部１７、１７同士の間に存在する、ポケットとなるべき各隙間部分４４、４４｛図１の（Ｂ）参照｝の位相とが一致する。   From this state, as shown by the arrow α in FIG. 2D, the receiving mold 29 is rotated by a predetermined angle around its own central axis β existing in the vertical direction. Since it is difficult to rotate only the receiving die 29, in this example, the receiving die 29 is rotated by the predetermined angle by rotating the pressing die 30 by the predetermined angle. . The predetermined angle is set to 1/2 pitch of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 (= 1/2 pitch of the convex portions 35 and 35). Therefore, based on the rotation of the predetermined angle, the phases of the convex portions 35 and 35 and the phases of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 with respect to the circumferential direction of the annular portion 21 that have been matched so far are Is shifted by the 1/2 pitch. In other words, the phases of the concave portions 43 and 43 existing between the convex portions 35 and 35 coincide with the phases of the half columnar portions 17 and 17. In other words, the phases of the convex portions 35 and 35 and the gap portions 44 and 44 existing between the half columnar portions 17 and 17 and serving as pockets {see FIG. 1B} Are in phase with each other.

尚、上述の様に上記受型２９を所定角度回転させる際に、前記保持器素子１８が連れ回りしない様な構造を設ける。この様な構造は任意であるが、例えば、この保持器素子１８の一部外周面と上記押型３０の一部内周面とを凹凸係合させて、これら保持器素子１８と押型３０との相対回転を阻止する構造が考えられる（押型３０を回転させずに受型２９のみを回転させる場合）。或いは、上記保持器素子１８と前記受台２７との間に凹凸係合部を設けると共に、この受台２７の回転を阻止する構造も採用できる（例えば、押型３０を回転させずに受型２９のみを回転させる場合、及び、押型３０を介して受型２９を回転させる場合）。何れにしても、上記保持器素子１８の回転を阻止した状態で、上記受型２９をこの保持器素子１８に対し、シリンダ型或いはボールねじ式のアクチュエータとクランク腕を組み合わせた揺動機構等、適宜の揺動機構により、上記所定角度回転させる。   In addition, when the receiving mold 29 is rotated by a predetermined angle as described above, a structure is provided so that the cage element 18 does not rotate. Such a structure is arbitrary, but for example, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the retainer element 18 and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die 30 are engaged with each other, and the relative relationship between the retainer element 18 and the pressing die 30 is determined. A structure that prevents rotation is conceivable (when only the receiving die 29 is rotated without rotating the pressing die 30). Alternatively, it is possible to employ a structure in which a concave and convex engaging portion is provided between the cage element 18 and the cradle 27 and the rotation of the cradle 27 is prevented (for example, the receiving die 29 without rotating the pressing die 30). Only the case of rotating only the die 29 and the case of rotating the receiving die 29 via the pressing die 30). In any case, in a state in which the retainer element 18 is prevented from rotating, the receiving mold 29 is moved relative to the retainer element 18 with a swing mechanism combining a cylinder type or ball screw type actuator and a crank arm, etc. The predetermined angle is rotated by an appropriate swing mechanism.

この様に、上記各凹部４３、４３の位相と上記各半柱部１７、１７の位相とが（上記各凸部３５、３５の位相と隙間部分４４、４４の位相とが）一致したならば、図２の（Ｅ）に示す様に、上記受型２９の先端部を、プレス加工の結果得られた、上記保持器素子１８の内側から抜き出す。この抜き出し作業は、前記ラムを上昇させる事により行なう。前述した通り、上記円環部２１の円周方向に関する、上記各半柱部１７、１７の幅寸法は、上記各隙間部分４４、４４の幅寸法よりも小さいので、上記抜き出し作業時に、上記各半柱部１７、１７を傷める（変形させる）事はない。尚、上記各凹部４３、４３の位相とこれら各半柱部１７、１７の位相とを一致させる為には、上記受型２９を停止させたまま、上記受台２７を上記所定角度分回転させても良い。   Thus, if the phase of each said recessed part 43 and 43 and the phase of each said half pillar part 17 and 17 correspond (the phase of each said convex part 35 and 35 and the phase of the clearance gap parts 44 and 44) correspond. As shown in FIG. 2E, the tip of the receiving die 29 is extracted from the inside of the cage element 18 obtained as a result of the press working. This extraction operation is performed by raising the ram. As described above, the width dimension of each of the half columnar portions 17 and 17 with respect to the circumferential direction of the annular portion 21 is smaller than the width dimension of each of the gap portions 44 and 44. The half pillars 17 and 17 are not damaged (deformed). In order to make the phases of the concave portions 43 and 43 coincide with the phases of the half columnar portions 17 and 17, the pedestal 27 is rotated by the predetermined angle while the receiving die 29 is stopped. May be.

上記保持器素子１８は、上記受型２９を抜き出した後、上記受台２７の上面から取り出す。そして、前述の先発明と同様、図８に示した様に、１対の保持器素子１８、１８を接合して、前述の図４〜６に示した様なラジアルニードル軸受用保持器とする。
以上に述べた様に、本例のラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法によれば、前記各舌片２２、２２の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げて上記各半柱部１７、１７とする作業を、これら各舌片２２、２２を上記円環部２１に対し直角に折り曲げた後に行なう。この為、これら各舌片２２、２２（各素柱部２５、２５）の中間部をクランク型に折り曲げて各半柱部１７、１７とした後、これら各半柱部１７、１７に曲げ加工を施す事がない。即ち、前述の図９に示した先発明の第１例の場合とは異なり、上記クランク型の曲げ加工の後に別の曲げ加工を行なう事がない。この為、この別の曲げ加工に伴い、各半柱部１７、１７の形状が歪む事がない。 The retainer element 18 is removed from the upper surface of the cradle 27 after the receiving mold 29 is extracted. As in the above-described prior invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of cage elements 18, 18 are joined to form a radial needle bearing cage as shown in FIGS. .
As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the radial needle bearing retainer of the present example, the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are bent into a crank shape to form the half columnar portions 17 and 17. Are performed after the tongue pieces 22 and 22 are bent at right angles to the annular portion 21. For this reason, the intermediate portions of the tongue pieces 22 and 22 (respective column portions 25 and 25) are bent into a crank shape to form the half column portions 17 and 17, and then the half column portions 17 and 17 are bent. Is not applied. That is, unlike the case of the first example of the prior invention shown in FIG. 9, there is no need to perform another bending process after the crank type bending process. For this reason, the shape of each half pillar part 17 and 17 does not distort with this another bending process.

しかも本例の場合には、上記クランク型の曲げ加工を、上記受型２９の先端部外周面に形成した前記各凸部３５、３５の外周面により、前記各素柱部２５、２５の内周側面を抑えた状態で行なう為、上記クランク型の形状精度を確保できる。更に、上記受型２９の先端部は、上記各凹部４３、４３の位相と上記各半柱部１７、１７の位相とが一致する迄回転させた状態で、曲げ加工を終了した状態の、上記保持器素子１８の内側から抜き出す事ができる。この為、大量生産が可能な工業的手法により、良質の保持器を安定して得る事ができる。   Moreover, in this example, the crank mold is bent by the outer peripheral surface of each convex portion 35, 35 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the receiving die 29. Since the process is performed with the peripheral side surface suppressed, the shape accuracy of the crank mold can be ensured. Further, the tip of the receiving die 29 is rotated until the phase of each of the recesses 43 and 43 and the phase of each of the half pillars 17 and 17 coincide with each other. It can be extracted from the inside of the cage element 18. For this reason, a high-quality cage can be stably obtained by an industrial method capable of mass production.

本発明の実施の形態の１例を説明する為の、中間素材と保持器素子との、端面図及び断面図。The end view and sectional drawing of an intermediate material and a cage | basket element for demonstrating an example of embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態の１例を、工程順に示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows one example of embodiment of this invention in order of a process. 受型の先端部の形状を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the shape of the front-end | tip part of a receiving mold. 従来から知られている遊星歯車の回転支持装置の１例を示す部分断面図。The fragmentary sectional view which shows one example of the rotation support apparatus of the planetary gear conventionally known. 同じくラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の１例を示す斜視図。The perspective view which similarly shows one example of the retainer for radial needle bearings. 図５のＡ−Ａ断面図。AA sectional drawing of FIG. 円筒状に形成する前の中間素材を、円筒状とした場合に外周面となる側から見た図。The figure seen from the side used as an outer peripheral surface, when the intermediate material before forming in a cylindrical shape is made into a cylindrical shape. 先発明の構造及び製造方法を、１対の保持器素子を結合する以前の状態で示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the structure and manufacturing method of a prior invention in the state before couple | bonding a pair of retainer element. 先発明の製造方法の第１例を、工程順に示す平面図及び断面図。The top view and sectional drawing which show the 1st example of the manufacturing method of a prior invention in order of a process. 同第２例を示す、図９と同様の図。The figure similar to FIG. 9 which shows the 2nd example.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ キャリア
２ａ、２ｂ 支持板
３ 支持軸
４ 遊星歯車
５ ラジアルニードル軸受
６ ニードル
７ 保持器
８ 内輪軌道
９ 外輪軌道
１０ａ、１０ｂ フローティングワッシャ
１１ リム部
１２ 柱部
１３ ポケット
１４ 中間素材
１５ 係止突部
１６ 内径側係止部
１７ 半柱部
１８ 保持器素子
１９ 素板
２０ 第一中間素材
２１ 円環部
２２ 舌片
２３ 第二中間素材
２４ 第二中間素材
２５ 素柱部
２６ プレス加工機
２７ 受台
２８ 位置決め凸部
２９ 受型
３０ 押型
３１ 基半部
３２ 先半部
３３ 折れ曲がり部
３４ 基部
３５ 凸部
３６ 円筒部
３７ 中心孔
３８ プッシュロッド
３９ ガイドプレート
４０ ばね受ハウジング
４１ ばね受座
４２ 押圧ばね
４３ 凹部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carrier 2a, 2b Support plate 3 Support shaft 4 Planetary gear 5 Radial needle bearing 6 Needle 7 Cage 8 Inner ring track 9 Outer ring track 10a, 10b Floating washer 11 Rim part 12 Column part 13 Pocket 14 Intermediate material 15 Locking protrusion 16 Inner diameter side locking portion 17 Half column portion 18 Cage element 19 Base plate 20 First intermediate material 21 Ring portion 22 Tongue piece 23 Second intermediate material 24 Second intermediate material 25 Base column portion 26 Press machine 27 Receiving base 28 Positioning convex portion 29 Receiving die 30 Push die 31 Base half portion 32 Leading half portion 33 Bent portion 34 Base portion 35 Protruding portion 36 Cylindrical portion 37 Center hole 38 Push rod 39 Guide plate 40 Spring receiving housing 41 Spring seat 42 Pressing spring 43 Recessed portion

Claims (2)

金属板に打ち抜き加工及び曲げ加工を施す事により、円環状のリム部と、このリム部からこのリム部に対し直角方向に折れ曲がった状態で、それぞれの基端部をこのリム部の外周縁に連続させた複数本の半柱部とを備えた、保持器素子とした後、１対の保持器素子のリム部を互いに同心に配置すると共に上記各半柱部の先端部同士を接合する、ラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法であって、上記金属板に打ち抜き加工を施す事により、上記リム部となるべき円環部と、この円環部の外周縁から放射方向に延びる舌片とを形成した後、この舌片をこの円環部に対し直角に折り曲げる事により、互いに平行な直線状の素柱部とし、次いで、外周面に凸部と凹部とを、加工すべき上記半柱部と同じピッチで交互に配置した受型の先端部を上記各素柱部の内半部内側に、上記円環部の円周方向に関する上記各凸部の位相とこれら各素柱部の位相とを一致させた状態で挿入してから、これら各素柱部の外周面を押型の内周面により上記受型の外周面に押し付けて、これら各素柱部を、上記円環部の径方向に関してこの円環部の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部と、同じくこの基半部よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部とを、折れ曲がり部により連続させた、上記各半柱部としてから、これら各半柱部と上記受型とを、上記円環部の円周方向に関する上記各凹部の位相とこれら各半柱部の位相とが一致する迄相対回転させ、次いで、上記受型の先端部を上記保持器素子の内側から抜き出すラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造方法。   By punching and bending the metal plate, each base end is bent to the outer peripheral edge of the rim portion in a state where the rim portion is bent in a direction perpendicular to the rim portion from the rim portion. After a cage element having a plurality of continuous half columnar portions, the rim portions of a pair of cage elements are arranged concentrically with each other and the tip portions of the respective half columnar portions are joined together. A method for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer, wherein a punching process is performed on the metal plate to thereby form an annular portion to be the rim portion, and a tongue piece extending in a radial direction from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. Then, the tongue piece is bent at a right angle with respect to the annular portion to form a linear elemental column portion parallel to each other, and then the convex portion and the concave portion on the outer peripheral surface are processed into the half column to be processed. The tip of the receiving mold that is alternately arranged at the same pitch as the above Inserted into the inner half of the elemental column part in a state where the phase of each convex part and the phase of each elemental column part in the circumferential direction of the annular part coincide with each other, and then each elemental column part The outer peripheral surface of the pressing die is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the receiving die by the inner peripheral surface of the pressing die, and each of the elementary column portions is substantially aligned with the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion in the radial direction of the annular portion. Each half column part and the above receiving mold are formed by connecting the base half part existing and the tip half part, which is also present on the inner side of the base half part, by the bent part. Are rotated relative to each other until the phase of each of the concave portions in the circumferential direction of the annular portion coincides with the phase of each of the half columnar portions, and then the tip of the receiving die is moved from the inside of the cage element. A method of manufacturing a radial needle bearing cage to be extracted. リム部となるべき円輪状の円環部の外周縁から直角に折れ曲がった、互いに平行で円周方向に等間隔に配置された、それぞれが直線状の素柱部の長さ方向中間部を折り曲げる事により、上記円環部の径方向に関してこの円環部の外周縁と実質的に一致する部分に存在する基半部と、同じくこの基半部よりも内側寄り部分に存在する先半部とを、折れ曲がり部により連続させた各半柱部とする為の加工を行なう、受型と押型とを備えたラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造装置であって、この受型は、上記各半柱部の先半部の内周面に実質的に合致する外周面を有する円柱状の基部と、この基部の先端部外周面に、円周方向に関して上記素柱部及び半柱部と同じピッチで固設された、上記各半柱部の基半部及び折れ曲がり部の内周面の形状に実質的に合致する形状の外周面を有する複数の凸部とを備え、これら各凸部の円周方向に関する幅を、上記各半柱部の幅以上で円周方向に隣接する各半柱部の間隔以下としたものであり、上記押型は、上記各半柱部の外周面と実質的に一致する形状の内周面を有するものである、ラジアルニードル軸受用保持器の製造装置。   Folded at the middle in the longitudinal direction of the straight columnar parts, which are bent at right angles from the outer peripheral edge of the annular ring part to be the rim part, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction By this, the base half that exists in the portion substantially coincident with the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion with respect to the radial direction of the annular portion, and the front half that also exists in the portion closer to the inner side than the base half Is a manufacturing apparatus of a radial needle bearing retainer having a receiving die and a pressing die, which performs processing for making each half pillar portion continuous by a bent portion, and the receiving die includes the half pillars described above. A cylindrical base portion having an outer peripheral surface substantially matching the inner peripheral surface of the tip half of the first portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the base portion at the same pitch as the above-mentioned pillar portion and the half pillar portion in the circumferential direction The shape of the inner half surface of the base half and the bent part of each of the half pillars is fixed. And a plurality of convex portions having outer peripheral surfaces that conform to each other, and the width of each convex portion in the circumferential direction is equal to or greater than the width of each of the semi-pillar portions in the circumferential direction. An apparatus for manufacturing a radial needle bearing retainer, wherein the pressing die has an inner peripheral surface having a shape substantially coinciding with the outer peripheral surface of each of the half pillar portions.

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