Angular ball bearing and rolling bearing

• US 7,287,910 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2002
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Umemitsu, Ueda, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon; Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US10/488,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20040208408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,096 Days
• Field of Search: 384480-482, 384/484, 384/485, 384/488, 384/513, 384/477, 744/248.1, 74/892.3
• US Class Current: 384/484
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 115/08 containing nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 119/24 containing nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2215/1026 used as thickening material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2217/0456 used as thickening agents
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/163 with angular contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/62 Selection of substances
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/64 Special methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/6633 Grease properties or compositions, e.g. rheological properties
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/7853 with one or more sealing lips to contact the inner race

Abstract

A rolling bearing is constructed so that, even though adapted for seals, strength of the bearing rings and reduction of the front width will not occur. Also dimensions equivalent to a non-sealed type bearing can be achieved. Rolling elements are disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring with seals provided. One seal is fitted in a pressed state on a peripheral surface portion of a cylindrical surface forming a counterbore of the outer ring. By pressing, the seal is mounted without forming a slot. The other seal is fitted in a slot. The inner ring and the outer ring, or rolling elements of a bearing comprising the outer ring, inner ring, rolling elements and a retainer are subjected to carbonitriding and a grease using a urea compound as a thickening agent is sealed in the bearing.

Claims

1. An angular ball bearing comprising:

an outer ring having an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, and a radially inwardly-facing outer raceway groove formed in said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring;

an inner ring disposed within said outer ring and having an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, and a radially outwardly-facing inner raceway groove formed in said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring; and

a plurality of rolling elements disposed in said inner raceway groove and said outer raceway groove and radially between said inner ring and said outer ring;

wherein said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring includes a first annular inner peripheral surface portion on a first axial side of said outer raceway groove, and a second annular inner peripheral surface portion on a second axial side of said outer raceway groove;

wherein said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring includes a first annular outer peripheral surface portion on a first axial side of said inner raceway groove, and a second annular outer peripheral surface portion on a second axial side of said inner raceway groove;

wherein said first annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring is disposed to face said first annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring across a first annular radial gap that has an annular opening that opens axially outwardly on said first axial side of said inner and outer raceway grooves;

wherein said second annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring is disposed to face said second annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring across a second annular radial gap that has an annular opening that opens axially outwardly on said second axial side of said inner and outer raceway grooves;

wherein an inner diameter of said first annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring is greater than an inner diameter of said second annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring;

wherein an outer diameter of said first annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring is greater than an outer diameter of said second annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring;

wherein a first annular seal is press fit into one of said first and second radial gaps so as to be press fit between one of (a) said first annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring and said first annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring, and (b) said second annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring and said second annular outer peripheral surface portion of said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring;

wherein said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring has no inner peripheral surface portion that both protrudes radially inwardly further than an inner peripheral contact surface portion at which said first annular seal contacts said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring, and is disposed closer than said inner peripheral contact surface portion to the annular opening of said one of said first and second radial gaps in which said first annular seal is press fit;

wherein said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring has no outer peripheral surface portion that both protrudes radially outwardly further than an outer peripheral contact surface portion at which said first annular seal contacts said outer peripheral surface of said inner ring, and is disposed closer than said outer peripheral contact surface portion to the annular opening of said one of said first and second radial gaps in which said first annular seal is press fit;

wherein a portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring extending between said inner peripheral contact surface portion and said radially inwardly-facing outer raceway groove constitutes a conical surface; and

wherein said inner diameter of said first annular inner peripheral surface portion of said inner peripheral surface of said outer ring is substantially uniform over the entire axial length of said first annular inner peripheral surface portion.