Patent ID: 6719459
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A rolling bearing comprising an inner race having an outer peripheral surface formed with an inner-race track and a seal groove formed in the outer peripheral surface at an axial end thereof, the seal groove having a wall surface and a bottom, an outer race having an inner peripheral surface formed with an outer-race track and an seal groove formed at an axial end thereof, such that a space is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner race and the inner peripheral surface of the outer race, a plurality of rolling elements rollably provided between the inner-race track and the outer-race track in the space, and a seal plate formed in a generally annular shape, comprising an elastic member and a core metal for reinforcing, and having an outer peripheral edge fitted in the seal groove generally in the inner peripheral surface of the outer race and an inner peripheral edge defined by the end edge of the elastic member in sliding contact with the wall surface of the seal groove in the outer peripheral surface, the end edge of the elastic member comprising an inclined side surface opposing the wall surface of the seal groove, an inner peripheral surface located radially inward of the inclined side surface and opposing the bottom of the seal groove, and a continuation portion for continuously connecting the inclined side surface with the inner peripheral surface of the end edge, the continuation portion being in sliding contact with the wall surface of the seal groove, the angle between the wall surface of the seal groove and the inclined side surface of the end edge being in the range from 10 degrees to 45 degree in the state where continuation portion is in contact with the wall surface, the bottom of the seal groove being in parallel to the inner peripheral surface of the end edge or being inclined relative to the inner peripheral surface of the end edge such that the gap between the bottom of the seal groove and the inner peripheral surface of the end edge increases toward the axially outer end of the inner race, and the angle between the bottom of the seal groove and the inner peripheral surface of the end edge being in the range from 0 degrees to 30 degrees,wherein the rolling elements are balls, and provided that L is an interference in the axial direction of the end edge of the elastic member with respect to the wall surface of the seal groove, and P is the force for pressing the end edge of the elastic member on the wall surface based on the rigidity of the seal plate, P/L is in the range from 2.9 N/mm to 9.8 N/mm, and L is in the range from 1% to 3% of the diameter of the balls.