JP5791525B2 - Bearing device assembling apparatus and assembling method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembling apparatus and an assembling method for assembling a bearing device in which rolling elements are rotatably held on an inner peripheral surface.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of bearing devices, a needle bearing in which a plurality of needles (rolling elements) are arranged in an annular shape on an inner ring or an outer ring is known. When assembling this needle bearing, since it is difficult to perform automatically by a machine, it is often performed manually. For example, after an operator applies grease to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, the needle is sequentially inserted into the outer ring and incorporated into the inner peripheral surface.
However, in the case of manual assembly, productivity is low and human error is likely to occur. Therefore, the present situation is that automation is desired.

  By the way, when assembling the needle bearing, the needles coated with grease are arranged in an annular shape in advance in a jig, and these plural needles are inserted between the outer ring and the inner ring while maintaining the arrangement. An assembling apparatus that performs assembling is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-242948 A

However, in the assembling apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of needles arranged in an annular shape in a jig are pushed out using an air cylinder so as to be inserted into a space between the outer ring and the inner ring. Yes. Therefore, when assembling, the grease easily adheres to a jig or the like. If grease adheres to the jig, for example, it may be disturbed by the adhesiveness of the grease, so it is expected that it will be difficult to align a plurality of needles in an annular shape in advance, and stable assembly is performed. It was difficult.
In addition, since dust and the like easily adhere to the jig through the grease, it is difficult to perform stable assembly in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof relates to an assembling apparatus and an assembling method that can be stably assembled without being affected by the adhesive force of grease.

The present invention provides the following means in order to solve the above problems.
(1) An assembling apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical outer ring whose inner peripheral surface is a rolling surface, and an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring arranged in an annular shape around the central axis of the outer ring. An assembly device for assembling a bearing device comprising a plurality of rod-shaped rolling elements held on the upper side so as to be freely rollable, the plurality of rolling elements being held in an annular arrangement around an axis Are held while maintaining their arrangement and conveyed to the outer ring, and then a part of these rolling elements is moved along the central axis into the outer ring where grease is applied to the inner peripheral surface. A gripping tool that is inserted and passed onto the inner peripheral surface, and a remaining portion of the plurality of rolling elements that protrudes outside the outer ring is pushed into the outer ring along the central axis, and the plurality of rolling elements And a pressing jig for assembling the outer ring on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. And butterflies.

According to the assembling apparatus according to the present invention, first, using a gripping tool, a plurality of rolling elements that are held in an annular shape in advance on the holding member are collectively held without breaking the arrangement. And receive. Next, after the plurality of gripped rolling elements are conveyed to the outer ring by a gripper, a part of the plurality of rolling elements is inserted along the central axis into the outer ring where grease is applied to the inner peripheral surface. Then, a part of the rolling element inserted into the outer ring is held on the inner peripheral surface by the adhesive force of the grease. Therefore, a plurality of rolling elements can be transferred onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and the gripping tool can be separated from the outer ring.
At this time, since some of the gripped rolling elements are inserted into the outer ring, there is no need to bring the gripper itself into contact with the outer ring or insert it into the outer ring. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the grease applied to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring from adhering to the gripping tool.

Next, by using a pressing jig, the remaining portions of the plurality of rolling elements that have jumped out of the outer ring are pushed into the outer ring along the central axis, and the plurality of rolling elements are assembled on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. . Thereby, the bearing apparatus by which the some rolling element was hold | maintained so that rolling was possible on the inner peripheral surface of an outer ring | wheel can be obtained.
Also, even when pushing with this pushing jig, only the remaining portion of the plurality of rolling elements protruding outside the outer ring is pushed in, so that the grease also adheres to the pushing jig. Can be suppressed.

In this way, unlike the conventional assembly in which a plurality of rolling elements arranged in advance in an annular shape are directly inserted directly into the outer ring at once, after handling once with the gripping tool without breaking the arrangement of the rolling elements, Since the part is inserted into the outer ring, and then the remaining part of the rolling element is pushed in with a pushing jig, it is possible to suppress both the gripping tool and the pushing jig from contacting the outer ring, It is possible to suppress the adhesion of grease.
Therefore, it is difficult to be affected by the adhesive force of grease, and the bearing device can be assembled stably over a long period of time.

(2) In the assembling apparatus according to the present invention, the gripping tool extends along a gripping shaft, and a shaft body whose tip surface can be oriented with respect to the plurality of arranged rolling elements; Mounted on the outer side in the radial direction of the shaft body, and formed between the shaft body in an annular shape with the gripping shaft as a center in a state opened to the distal end surface side, a plurality of the rolling elements can be inserted. And at least one of the shaft body and the outer cylinder, the plurality of rolling elements inserted into the annular recess are directed to the other side. An annular elastic body that can be pressed is provided, and the outer cylinder is movable relative to the shaft body in the direction of the gripping axis, so that the shaft body and the outer cylinder can move relative to each other. Accordingly, it is preferable that the pressing and release of the plurality of rolling elements by the elastic body are switched. Arbitrariness.

  In this case, when receiving a plurality of rolling elements, the shaft body is brought closer to the holding member while the tip surface side is directed toward the holding member while the gripping shaft of the shaft body is aligned with the axis, thereby allowing the plurality of rolling elements to move. The moving body can be reliably and collectively inserted into the annular recess without destroying the arrangement. At this time, since a part of the rolling elements inserted into the annular recess protrudes toward the front end surface, it is easy to insert the plurality of rolling elements into the outer ring.

  Moreover, the annular elastic body is pressed evenly in the radial direction while evenly contacting the rolling elements inserted into the annular recess, and between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body or the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder. Press these rolling elements. Thereby, a some rolling element will be in the state hold | maintained reliably in the annular recessed part, and the drop-off from the inside of an annular recessed part is prevented. In addition, since the annular elastic body uniformly presses the plurality of rolling elements in the radial direction, each rolling element can be pressed separately in the annular recess under the same conditions. For this reason, the plurality of rolling elements can be held in the annular recess while reliably maintaining the arrangement without causing the rolling elements to swing in the circumferential direction, for example. Accordingly, the plurality of rolling elements can be easily inserted into the outer ring.

  Further, by moving the outer cylinder relative to the shaft body, the position of the elastic body with respect to the annular recess can be changed, and the pressing by the elastic body can be released. Therefore, after a part of the plurality of rolling elements is inserted into the outer ring, these rolling elements are easily pulled out from the annular recess and are more easily transferred on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.

(3) In the assembling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that a tip edge portion of the shaft body is chamfered in a tapered shape so that the diameter gradually decreases toward the tip surface side.

In this case, since the tip edge of the shaft body is chamfered in a tapered shape, when a plurality of rolling elements are inserted into the annular recess, the portion protruding toward the tip surface side moves radially inward. The posture of the rolling element can be tilted following the tapered shape. Thereby, it can hold | maintain in the state which inclined the attitude | position of the several rolling element so that the part which protruded may be narrowed.
Accordingly, a part of the plurality of rolling elements can be inserted more smoothly into the outer ring, and delivery to the outer ring is further facilitated.

(4) In the assembling apparatus according to the present invention, the push jig can be moved forward and backward along the central axis, and a tip end surface of which can be oriented toward the outer ring side, and the tip end of the rod It is preferable to include an annular ring-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the surface and can come into contact with the plurality of rolling elements.

  In this case, since the remaining portion of the plurality of rolling elements protruding outside the outer ring can be pushed in using the annular annular protrusion, it is more effective that the grease adheres to the pushing jig. Can be suppressed.

(5) The assembling method according to the present invention includes a cylindrical outer ring whose inner peripheral surface is a rolling surface, and an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring arranged in an annular shape around the central axis of the outer ring. An assembly method for assembling a bearing device comprising a plurality of rod-shaped rolling elements held on a top so as to be freely rollable, the plurality of rolling elements being held in an annular arrangement around an axis Receiving the gripping tool with the gripping tool while maintaining the arrangement thereof, and after conveying the plurality of received rolling elements to the outer ring with the gripping tool, a part of the plurality of rolling elements is greased. Inserting along the central axis into the outer ring applied to the inner peripheral surface, and transferring and transferring on the inner peripheral surface, and remaining of the plurality of rolling elements protruding outside the outer ring Push the part into the outer ring using a pushing jig along the central axis. Look, characterized in that it comprises a pushing step of assembling a plurality of rolling elements on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, the.

  According to the assembling method according to the present invention, the same operational effects as those of the above assembling apparatus can be obtained. That is, after handling with a gripping tool without destroying the arrangement of a plurality of rolling elements, it is possible to assemble by inserting part of it into the outer ring and pushing the last remaining part with a pushing jig, It can suppress that both a holding | gripping tool and a pushing jig | tool contact with an outer ring | wheel, and it can prevent that grease adheres. Therefore, it is difficult to be affected by the adhesive force of grease, and the bearing device can be assembled stably over a long period of time.

  According to the present invention, the bearing device can be stably assembled without being influenced by the adhesive force of the grease.

It is sectional drawing of the needle bearing assembled by the assembly apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the needle bearing shown in FIG. It is a whole block diagram of the assembly apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the needle conveyance unit and needle alignment unit which comprise the assembly apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the AA line shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the outer ring | wheel fixing unit which comprises the assembly apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the holding tool which concerns on this invention which comprises the assembly apparatus shown in FIG. It is the top view which looked at the holding tool shown in FIG. 7 from the front end surface side of the shaft body. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which moved the drive cylinder to the front end surface side of the shaft body from the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the pushing jig | tool which comprises the assembly apparatus shown in FIG. It is the top view which looked at the pushing jig | tool shown in FIG. 10 from the front end surface side of the rod. FIG. 4 is a process diagram for assembling the needle bearing shown in FIG. 1 using the assembling apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined number of needles are accommodated in the counting holes of the stocker. It is a figure which shows the state which lowered | hung the stocker from the state shown in FIG. 12 to the descent | fall position, and pushed the needle in a count hole in the accommodation space in a jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the state which arranged the needle | hook in the annular | circular shape in the accommodation space from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the holding | gripping tool with respect to the needle arranged in the annular | circular shape from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which made the shaft body of the holding | gripping tool approach the rotating shaft body side from the state shown in FIG. 15, and contacted the front end surface of the shaft body with the front end surface of the rotating shaft body. It is a figure which shows the state which pushed out the needle to the holding tool side by the extrusion cylinder part from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which moved the drive cylinder of the holding | gripping tool from the state shown in FIG. 17, inserted the needle in the annular recessed part, and hold | gripped the needle. It is a figure which shows the state which separated the holding tool from the rotating shaft body and the jig | tool after the state shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rotary is rotated after the state illustrated in FIG. 19 and the gripping tool is disposed to face the outer ring located at the built-in station. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the holding tool with respect to the outer ring | wheel. It is a figure which shows the state which made the shaft body of a holding | gripping tool approach the outer ring | wheel side from the state shown in FIG. 21, and inserted a part of needle | hook currently hold | gripped in an outer ring | wheel. It is a figure which shows the state which moved the drive cylinder of the holding | gripping tool from the state shown in FIG. 22, and canceled the press of the needle by an O-ring. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state where the gripping tool is separated from the outer ring and the needle is transferred to the outer ring after the state illustrated in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a view showing a state in which the rotary is rotated in the reverse direction after the state shown in FIG. 24 and the pushing jig is arranged to face the outer ring located at the assembly station. It is a figure which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the pushing jig with respect to the outer ring | wheel. It is a figure which shows the state which made the rod of a pushing jig approach the outer ring | wheel side from the state shown in FIG. 26, and has pushed the needle which protrudes outside the outer ring | wheel by the annular protrusion in the outer ring | wheel. It is a figure which shows the state which separated the pushing jig | tool from the outer ring | wheel after the state shown in FIG. 27, and completed the assembly of the needle bearing. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a needle bearing. It is a modification of the assembly apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a whole block diagram of the assembly apparatus in the case of assembling the needle bearing shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the holding tool which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another modification of the holding tool which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another modification of the holding tool which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The assembly apparatus of this embodiment is an apparatus for assembling the shell-shaped needle bearing (bearing device) 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

<Needle bearing>
The needle bearing 1 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 in a state of being arranged in an annular shape around the central axis O1 of the outer ring 2 and a cylindrical outer ring 2 whose inner peripheral surface is a rolling surface. And a plurality of needles 3 (which is an example of a gripped body of the present application and also an example of a rod-like rolling body) that is held so as to be freely rollable.
In the illustrated example, the total length L1 coincides with the thickness of the outer ring 2 along the central axis O1, and is incorporated over the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. Since the plurality of needles 3 are arranged in the circumferential direction while being in line contact with each other, the needles 3 are configured not to easily fall off inward in the radial direction (not easily separated from the inner circumferential surface). The plurality of needles 3 are maintained in lubricity by grease (not shown) applied to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2.

<Configuration of assembly equipment>
As shown in FIG. 3, the assembling apparatus 10 inserts a plurality (predetermined number) of needles 3 arranged in an annular shape into an outer ring 2 set by an operator, so that the plurality of needles 3 are attached to the outer ring 2. 2 is an automatic assembling apparatus that is assembled together on the inner peripheral surface of the needle 2, and includes a needle supply unit 11, a needle transport unit 12, a needle alignment unit 13, a gripping tool 14, a push jig 15, an outer ring fixing unit 16, and the like. A control unit 17 for comprehensive control is provided.

(Needle supply unit)
The needle supply unit 11 is a parts feeder that continuously supplies the needles 3 to the needle transport unit 12 one by one, and includes a bowl-shaped storage unit 20 that stores a large number of needles 3 by, for example, vibration, A chute unit 21 that continuously feeds the stored needles 3 one by one to the transport unit.

The needle conveying unit 12 is a unit that conveys a predetermined number of needles 3 necessary for assembling the needle bearing 1 to the needle aligning unit 13 while arranging the supplied needles 3 in parallel. The needle alignment unit 13 is a unit (holding member) that holds the predetermined number of needles 3 in a state in which they are arranged in advance in an annular shape.
The needle transport unit 12 and the needle alignment unit 13 will be described in detail.

(Needle transfer unit)
As shown in FIG. 4, the needle transport unit 12 includes a transport rod 30 that transports the needle 3 that has been transported to the standby position P1 by the chute 21 to the supply position P2, and a needle 3 that has been transported to the supply position P2. A counting unit 31 is provided that stores a predetermined number and counts a predetermined number of needles 3 required for assembling the needle bearing 1 and conveys the needles 3 to the needle alignment unit 13.

The transport rod 30 is a rod that reciprocates along the transport direction E by the transport cylinder 32. A first support base 33 is disposed below the transport rod 30 in the transport direction E, and a second support base 34 is further downstream of the first support base 33 in the transport direction E. Are arranged along the transport direction E in a connected form.
The first support base 33 is a support base that supports the needle 3 transported to the standby position P1 until it is transported to the supply position P2, and the second support base 34 supports the needle 3 transported to the supply position P2. It is a support stand that supports until it is accommodated in a stocker 38 to be described later. A small step is formed at the connecting portion between the first support base 33 and the second support base 34, and this step portion is the supply position P2.

In addition, a pressing surface 30a that presses the needle 3 that has been transferred to the standby position P1 and a flange 30b that prevents the needle 3 from separating from the pressing surface 30a are formed on the transfer rod 30. . Accordingly, by moving the transport rod 30 by the transport cylinder 32, the needle 3 transported to the standby position P1 can be reliably transported to the supply position P2 while being pressed by the pressing surface 30a. . At this time, the transport rod 30 transports the needle 3 previously transported to the supply position P2 while pushing it toward the downstream side in the transport direction E (the side where the needle alignment unit 13 is located).
The second support base 34 is provided with a pair of guide walls 34a sandwiching the needle 3 to guide the conveyance of the needle 3.

  The counting section 31 includes a weight section 36 that restricts the needle 3 that has been transported to the supply position P2 from moving alone downstream in the transport direction E, and the needle 3 that has accumulated on the second support base 34 in the transport direction. A biasing plate 37 that biases downstream of E and a stocker 38 in which a predetermined number of needles 3 necessary for assembling the needle bearing 1 are housed.

  The weight part 36 brings the needle 3 on the second support 34 pushed by the transport rod 30 closer to the upstream side (standby position P1 side) in the transport direction E. And this weight part 36 moves to the downstream of the conveyance direction E integrally with the needle 3 whenever the conveyance rod 30 pushes the needle 3 previously conveyed to the supply position P2 to the downstream of the conveyance direction E. It is possible.

The urging plate 37 plays a role of urging a part of the plurality of needles 3 supplied on the second support base 34 toward the stocker 38 located on the downstream side in the transport direction E.
The stocker 38 can be reciprocated in the vertical direction within the range of the rising end position Q1 and the falling end position Q2 by the drive cylinder 39. The stocker 38 is formed with a counting hole 38a penetrating the stocker 38 along the transport direction E. The counting hole 38a is set to a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number of needles 3 necessary for assembling the needle bearing 1.

  When the stocker 38 is located at the rising end position Q1, the urging plate 37 can supply the needle 3 into the counting hole 38a. On the other hand, when the stocker 38 is located at the lowered end position Q2, the needle 3 is pressed against the wall 38b of the stocker 38, and the biasing plate 37 is stopped. Since the stocker 38 is positioned at the descending end position Q2, the counting hole 38a communicates with a communication path 41a (described later) of the needle alignment unit 13.

  When the controller 17 detects that the number of needles 3 urged by the urging plate 37 by a sensor (not shown) is less than a predetermined number necessary for assembling the needle bearing 1, the controller 17 uses a plate moving mechanism (not shown). The urging plate 37 is once raised without interfering with the needle 3 and the weight part 36 is raised by a weight part moving mechanism (not shown). Then, after the urging plate 37 raised by the plate moving mechanism is disposed at the return position R, control for urging the needle 3 again is performed. Further, the weight portion 36 is disposed so as to contact the needle 3 disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction E from the return position R by the weight portion moving mechanism.

(Needle alignment unit)
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the needle alignment unit 13 surrounds the rotary shaft body 40 that is rotated about the axis O <b> 2, and surrounds the rotary shaft body 40 at an interval from the outside in the radial direction. 40, a jig 41 for defining an annular accommodation space S that allows the needles 3 to be accommodated in an annularly arranged state, and a plurality (predetermined) accommodated in the counting holes 38a of the stocker 38. A push rod 42 that pushes the number of needles 3 into the accommodation space S.

  The rotating shaft body 40 is a member that is rotated around the axis O2 by a driving source such as a motor (not shown), and the tip end surface 40a is a flat surface. The jig 41 is, for example, a jig that can be divided and coupled in the radial direction of the rotary shaft body 40, and a communication path 41 a for incorporating the needle 3 is formed therein. The communication passage 41a is a passage that allows the counting hole 38a of the stocker 38 and the accommodation space S to communicate with each other when the stocker 38 is positioned at the lowered end position Q2.

The jig 41 is formed with an open recess 41b that exposes the distal end surface 40a of the rotary shaft body 40 and opens the accommodation space S toward the distal end surface 40a. The open recess 41b is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side with the axis O2 as the center, and the size thereof is larger than the accommodation space S.
Incidentally, the rotary shaft body 40 is provided with an extruded cylinder portion 43 (see FIG. 5) surrounding the rotary shaft body 40 from the outside in the radial direction. The pushing cylinder 43 is movable in the direction of the axis O2 with respect to the rotating shaft 40, and plays a role of pushing the needles 3 arranged in an annular shape in the accommodation space S toward the open recess 41b.

The push rod 42 is disposed at a position where the pusher rod 38 can be inserted into the counting hole 38 a when the stocker 38 is located at the lowered end position Q 2, and can be reciprocated in the transport direction E by the drive cylinder 44. Then, the control unit 17 causes the push rod 42 to enter the counting hole 38a when the stocker 38 is positioned at the lowered end position Q2, and the plurality of needles 3 accommodated in the accommodating space S through the communication path 41a. It is controlled to extrude. At this time, the control unit 17 simultaneously rotates the rotating shaft body 40 to guide the needle 3 in the circumferential direction in the accommodation space S.
As a result, the plurality of needles 3 are smoothly incorporated into the accommodation space S and arranged in an annular shape by the interaction between the pushing-out by the push-in rod 42 and the circumferential guidance by the rotating shaft body 40. At this time, the plurality of needles 3 are arranged in an annular shape with the longitudinal direction aligned with the direction of the axis O2.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the needle supply unit 11, the needle transport unit 12, and the needle alignment unit 13 described above are respectively arranged on a base 18. At that time, the needle alignment unit 13 is positioned at a substantially central portion of the base 18, and the needle transport unit 12 is arranged so that the transport direction E of the needle transport unit 12 coincides with the left-right direction X of the base 18.
In addition, on the base 18, a gripping tool 14, a pushing jig 15, and an outer ring fixing unit 16, which are the remaining components of the assembling apparatus 10, are arranged. Of these, the outer ring fixing unit 16 is fixed on a guide rail 50 extending along a front-rear direction Y orthogonal to the left-right direction X on the base 18 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction Y.
Specifically, the outer ring fixing unit 16 can reciprocate between a set station S1 where the outer ring 2 is set and an assembly station S2 where a predetermined number of needles 3 are inserted into the outer ring 2 and incorporated. ing.

(Outer ring fixing unit)
As shown in FIG. 6, the outer ring fixing unit 16 includes a fixing plate 51 formed with a V-shaped groove 51 a into which the outer ring 2 is fitted, and the outer ring 2 fitted into the groove 51 a between the fixing plate 51. A pressing plate 52 for pressing. As a result, the outer ring 2 can be stably fixed without rattling. At this time, the outer ring 2 is fixed in a posture in which the central axis O1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the base 18 as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the setting of the outer ring 2 to the outer ring fixing unit 16 and the operation of recovering the assembled needle bearing 1 from the outer ring fixing unit 16 are performed by the operator at the setting station S1. Done.
In the set station S1, a camera unit 55 is disposed in a portion adjacent to the guide rail 50. The camera unit 55 images the needle bearing 1 that has been assembled and outputs the captured image to the control unit 17. Then, the control unit 17 determines at least whether or not the needle 3 is correctly incorporated in the outer ring 2 based on the captured image, and checks the quality.

In addition, in the assembly station S2, a rotary 56 that rotates about a rotation axis O3 extending in the up-down direction Z orthogonal to the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X is provided in a portion adjacent to the guide rail 50. The rotary 56 is provided with a gripping tool 14 and a pressing jig 15.
Specifically, the gripping tool 14 and the pushing jig 15 are arranged with an interval of 90 degrees around the rotation axis O3. As the rotary 56 rotates, the gripping tool 14 is disposed to face the open recess 41b in the needle alignment unit 13 and to be disposed to face the outer ring 2 located in the assembly station S2. And reciprocate between. Similarly, as the rotary 56 rotates, the pushing jig 15 reciprocates between a position where it is opposed to the outer ring 2 located at the assembly station S2 and a position facing the camera unit 55 side. To do.

(Gripping tool)
The gripping tool 14 will be described.
The gripping tool 14 includes a plurality of needles 3 held in a state of being arranged in an annular shape (an example of an annular shape of the present application) around an axis O2 (an example of the axial line of the present application) by a needle alignment unit 13. After being received by holding it while maintaining the arrangement and transported along with the rotation of the rotary 56 to the outer ring 2 located at the assembly station S2, a part of the plurality of needles 3 is coated with grease on the inner peripheral surface. This is a handling member that is inserted into the outer ring 2 along the central axis O1 and delivered onto the inner peripheral surface.

This will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the gripping tool 14 is mounted on a shaft body 60 (an example of the shaft body of the present application) that is movable forward and backward along the gripping axis O4 and on the radially outer side of the shaft body 60. And a cylindrical driving cylinder 61 (an example of the outer cylinder of the present application).
The base end side of the shaft body 60 is connected to a drive cylinder 62 fixed to the rotary 56. As a result, the shaft body 60 is supported by the rotary 56 and can be moved back and forth along the gripping axis O4. The front end surface 60a of the shaft body 60 is a flat surface, and can be oriented to the needle alignment unit 13 side and the outer ring 2 side located in the assembly station S2 as the rotary 56 rotates.

  The drive cylinder 61 is movable relative to the shaft body 60 in the direction of the gripping axis O4, and is moved by a drive mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit 17. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of needles are formed between the shaft body 60 and the drive cylinder 61 in an annular shape centering on the gripping shaft O <b> 4 in a state where the shaft body 60 is opened to the distal end surface 60 a side. An annular recess 63 (an example of the annular recess of the present application) into which a plurality of needles 3 can be inserted is defined in a state in which a part of 3 protrudes toward the distal end surface 60a.

  In the illustrated example, the distal end portion of the shaft body 60 is a diameter-reduced portion 60b having a diameter smaller than that of the other portions, and an annular recess 63 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the reduced-diameter portion 60b and the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 61. Is defined. The annular recess 63 is formed such that the length L2 from the tip surface 60a of the shaft body 60 to the bottom portion along the gripping axis O4 is shorter than the total length L1 of the needle 3. Thereby, when the needle 3 is inserted into the annular recess 63, a part of the needle 3 is reliably projected toward the distal end surface 60a.

Further, at least one of the shaft body 60 and the drive cylinder 61 is pressed evenly in the radial direction on the plurality of needles 3 inserted into the annular recess 63 so that the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 60 or the drive cylinder is pressed. An annular elastic body that is pressed between the inner peripheral surface of 61 is provided.
Specifically, an O-ring (an example of an annular elastic body of the present application) 64 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 61, and the radial direction with respect to the plurality of needles 3 inserted into the annular recess 63 is provided. The needles 3 can be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 60b of the shaft body 60 by pressing inward in the radial direction by an elastic restoring force while evenly contacting from the outside.

By the way, the drive cylinder 61 moves from the position surrounding the O-ring 64 to the diameter-reduced portion 60b from the outside in the radial direction (see FIG. 9). It can be moved to the end side. As a result, the defined annular recess 63 is opened in the radial direction, and the pressing of the plurality of needles 3 by the O-ring 64 is released.
That is, by moving the drive cylinder 61 toward the distal end surface 60 a of the shaft body 60, the annular recess 63 is defined and pressed by the O-ring 64, and the drive cylinder 61 is moved to the proximal end side of the shaft body 60. Thus, the pressing by the O-ring 64 is released.

In the present embodiment, the case where the shaft body 50 and the drive cylinder 61 are made of different members has been described as an example. However, as long as the function of gripping the needle 3 is exhibited, these are, for example, It may be configured as a single member that is integrated with the outer shape held.
For example, the shaft body 60 and the drive cylinder 61 may be integrated to form a base (an example of the base of the present application), and the annular recess 63 and the O-ring 64 may be provided in the base.
The gripping tool in which the shaft body 60 and the drive cylinder 61 are integrated as described above grips, for example, the needles 3 that are supplied and arranged by the needle supply unit 11, and the needles 3 are poorly arranged or damaged. Can be used to check whether or not the needle supply unit 11 is operating normally. That is, this gripping tool can also be used as an inspection jig for the needle supply unit 11.

(Pushing jig)
Next, the pushing jig 15 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pushing jig 15 is configured to remove the remaining portion of the plurality of needles 3 inserted into the outer ring 2 located in the assembly station S <b> 2 by the gripping tool 14 and projecting to the outside of the outer ring 2. It is a pusher member that is pushed into the outer ring 2 along the central axis O1 and assembles the plurality of needles 3 on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 completely.

This will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pushing jig 15 includes a rod 70 that can move forward and backward along the central axis O <b> 1 of the outer ring 2, and whose tip surface 70 a is oriented toward the outer ring 2.
The base end side of the rod 70 is connected to a drive cylinder 71 fixed to the rotary 56. Thereby, the rod 70 is supported by the rotary 56 and can be moved forward and backward along the central axis O1. An annular projection 72 that can abut against the plurality of needles 3 protrudes from the tip surface 70 a of the rod 70. Thus, by moving the rod 70 to the outer ring 2 side, the needle 3 protruding outside the outer ring 2 can be pushed in using the annular protrusion 72.

  As described above, the operation of each component member configured as described above is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 17, but the control unit 17 is provided on the base 18 as shown in FIG. Control is started by simultaneously pressing the two start buttons B, and the needle bearing 1 is assembled.

<Assembly method>
Next, a case where the needle bearing 1 is assembled using the above-described assembly device 10 will be described.
As an initial state, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer ring fixing unit 16 is located in the set station S1. A large number of needles 3 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 20 of the needle supply unit 11, and a plurality of needles 3 are arranged along the conveyance direction E on the second support base 34 of the needle conveyance unit 12. Yes. Furthermore, the rotary 56 is stopped so that the gripping tool 14 faces the needle alignment unit 13 and the pushing jig 15 stands by at a position facing the assembly station S2.

Under the above initial state, after the operator fixes the outer ring 2 to the outer ring fixing unit 16 located at the set station S1, when the two start buttons B are pressed simultaneously, the control unit 17 starts the operation of each component. Let Note that the operator applies grease to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 in a thin film in advance, for example, and then sets it on the outer ring fixing unit 16.
The outer ring 2 may be fixed or grease applied automatically by a mechanical mechanism (not shown) such as a robot arm.

When the operation is started, first, the outer ring fixing unit 16 moves in the front-rear direction Y along the guide rail 50 and is positioned at the assembly station S2. As a result, the outer ring 2 shifts to a standby state in which the needle 3 can be incorporated.
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the weight portion 36 of the needle transport unit 12 is operated, and a predetermined number of needles 3 necessary for assembling the needle bearing 1 are placed in the counting hole 38a of the stocker 38 positioned at the rising end position Q1. To accommodate. After the accommodation, as shown in FIG. 13, the stocker 38 is lowered to the lowered end position Q2. Thereby, the counting hole 38a of the stocker 38 and the communication path 41a of the jig 41 in the needle alignment unit 13 are in communication with each other.

  Then, the rotary shaft body 40 of the needle alignment unit 13 rotates about the axis O2, and the push rod 42 is operated to allow the plurality of needles 3 accommodated in the counting holes 38a of the stocker 38 to pass through the communication path 41a. It is pushed into the annular housing space S. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, the plurality of needles 3 are held in an annularly aligned state in the accommodation space S by the interaction between the rotation by the rotating shaft body 40 and the pushing by the pushing rod 42. Is done.

  At the same time as the process described above, the needle supply unit 11 continuously supplies the needles 3 one by one to the first support base 33 of the needle transport unit 12. Therefore, the needle 3 is gradually stored on the second support base 34 in preparation for the next assembly of the needle bearing 1.

  A predetermined number of needles 3 are arranged in an annular shape by the needle alignment unit 13, and the rotary 56, the gripping tool 14, and the pushing jig 15 are appropriately operated in response to the waiting of the outer ring 2 at the assembling station S2. Then, the assembly of a predetermined number of needles 3 into the outer ring 2 is started.

Specifically, a receiving step of holding and receiving a predetermined number of needles 3 arranged in an annular shape with the holding tool 14 while maintaining the arrangement, and conveying the received needles 3 to the outer ring 2 with the holding tool 14 After that, a part of the needle 3 is inserted into the outer ring 2 and transferred to the inner peripheral surface, and the remaining part of the needle 3 protruding to the outside of the outer ring 2 is pushed using the pressing jig 15 to the outer ring. Assembling is carried out by pushing into 2 and pushing the needle 3 completely onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2.
Hereinafter, these steps will be described in detail.

First, the receiving process is performed.
As shown in FIG. 15, the gripping tool 14 disposed to face the needle alignment unit 13 includes an axis O2 of the needle 3 arranged in an annular shape by a jig 41 and the like, and a gripping axis O4 of the shaft body 60. And are matched. At this stage, the drive cylinder 61 stands by on the proximal end side of the shaft body 60 and has not reached the position surrounding the reduced diameter portion 60b of the shaft body 60 from the outside in the radial direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the shaft body 60 is moved by the drive cylinder 62 to approach the rotating shaft body 40, and the tip surface 60 a of the shaft body 60 is brought into contact with the tip surface 40 a of the rotating shaft body 40. After the contact, as shown in FIG. 17, the pushing cylinder portion 43 attached to the rotating shaft body 40 is moved to the gripping tool 14 side, and the needles 3 arranged in an annular shape are pushed out to the gripping tool 14 side. Thereby, a part of the extruded needles 3 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 60b of the shaft body 60 while maintaining the arrangement thereof.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the drive cylinder 61 attached to the shaft body 60 is moved to the distal end surface 60 a side of the shaft body 60. At this time, the distal end portion of the shaft body 61 enters the open recess 41 b formed in the jig 41. Thereby, a part of the needles 3 arranged in an annular shape can be collectively inserted into the annular recess 63 while maintaining the arrangement (insertion step).
In particular, the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 60b of the shaft body 60 by pressing the O-ring 64 inward in the radial direction while evenly contacting the needles 3 inserted in the annular recess 63 from the outer side in the radial direction. The needle 3 is pressed between the two. As a result, the plurality of needles 3 are securely held in the annular recess 63 and are prevented from falling out of the annular recess 63.

  Moreover, since the O-rings 64 press the needles 3 evenly in the radial direction, the needles 3 can be pressed separately in the annular recess 63 under the same conditions. For this reason, the plurality of needles 3 can be stably held in the annular recess 63 while reliably maintaining the arrangement without causing the needles 3 to sway in the circumferential direction, for example.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the shaft body 60 is moved by the drive cylinder 62, and the shaft body 60 is separated from the rotating shaft body 40 (retraction step). Thereby, the receiving process using the gripping tool 14 is completed.

Next, the delivery process using the gripping tool 14 is performed.
First, as shown in FIG. 20, the rotary 56 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees, and the gripping tool 14 arranged to face the needle alignment unit 13 is arranged to face the outer ring 2 located at the assembly station S2. Let As a result, the grasped needle 3 is conveyed to the outer ring 2 by the grasping tool 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the gripping tool 14 is in a state in which the central axis O1 of the outer ring 2 and the gripping axis O4 of the shaft body 60 coincide with each other.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the shaft body 60 is moved by the drive cylinder 62 to approach the outer ring 2, and the portion of the gripped needle 3 protruding from the annular recess 63 is placed in the outer ring 2 along the central axis O <b> 1. Insert (installation process). Then, a part of the plurality of needles 3 inserted into the outer ring 2 is held on the inner peripheral surface by the adhesive force of grease.
At this time, it is not necessary to insert the shaft body 60 into the outer ring 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the drive cylinder 61 attached to the shaft body 60 is moved to the proximal end side of the shaft body 60 to release the pressure on the plurality of needles 3 by the O-ring 64. At this time, as described above, the plurality of needles 3 are held on the inner peripheral surface by the adhesive force of the grease, and thus do not come off from the outer ring 2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the shaft body 60 is moved by the drive cylinder 62, the shaft body 60 is separated from the outer ring 2, and the needle 3 is completely transferred onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 (a separation step). ). Accordingly, the plurality of needles 3 can be transferred from the gripping tool 14 to the outer ring 2 while being arranged in an annular shape.
At this stage, the delivery process is completed. At this stage, a part of the needle 3 protrudes outside the outer ring 2.

Next, the pushing process using the pushing jig 15 is performed.
First, as shown in FIG. 25, the rotary 56 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the previous direction so that the pushing jig 41 is disposed opposite to the outer ring 2 located at the assembling station S2, and the gripping tool 14 is disposed. Is again arranged opposite to the needle alignment unit 13.
As a result, the gripping tool 14 shifts to a waiting state for receiving the needle 3 in order to assemble the next needle bearing 1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 26, in the pushing jig 15, the rod 70 is positioned coaxially with respect to the central axis O <b> 1 of the outer ring 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 27, the rod 70 is moved by the drive cylinder 71 to approach the outer ring 2, and the portion of the needle 3 protruding outside the outer ring 2 is brought into the outer ring 2 using the annular protrusion 72. Push in. Thereby, the needle 3 can be completely pushed into the outer ring 2 and held on the inner peripheral surface.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 28, the rod 70 is moved by the drive cylinder 71, and the annular protrusion 72 is separated from the outer ring 2. Thereby, the said pushing process is complete | finished. As a result, a plurality of needles 3 can be incorporated in the outer ring 2 in an annular arrangement, and the needle bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be assembled.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer ring fixing unit 16 is moved in the front-rear direction Y along the guide rail 50, and is again positioned at the set station S1. Then, the assembled needle bearing 1 is imaged by the camera unit 55, and the captured image is output to the control unit 17. And the control part 17 determines the quality of quality from the number of needles 3, an installation state, etc. based on the captured image. Here, when it is determined as “good”, the assembly of the needle bearing 1 is completely completed.

  As described above, according to the assembling apparatus 10 and the assembling method using the assembling apparatus according to the present embodiment, the needle 3 is automatically incorporated into the outer ring 2 by simply setting the outer ring 2 by the operator. 1 can be assembled.

In particular, in the above assembly, since the needles 3 arranged in an annular shape are gripped by the gripping tool 14, a part of the needle 3 is inserted into the outer ring 2, so that the gripping tool 14 itself is brought into contact with the outer ring 2, There is no need to insert it into the 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the grease applied to the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 from adhering to the gripping tool 14.
Further, even when the pushing jig 15 is pushed in, only the remaining portion of the needle 3 protruding outside the outer ring 2 is pushed in, so that the grease adheres to the pushing jig 15 as well. Can be suppressed.

Thus, unlike the method in which the needles 3 arranged in an annular shape in advance are directly inserted into the outer ring 2 at once, the needles 3 are once handled by the gripping tool 14 without breaking the arrangement of the needles 3. Part is inserted into the outer ring 2, and then the remaining part of the needle 3 is pushed by the pushing jig 15, so that both the gripping tool 14 and the pushing jig 15 come into contact with the outer ring 2. It can suppress and it can suppress that grease adheres.
Therefore, the needle bearing 1 can be assembled stably over a long period of time without being easily affected by the adhesive force of the grease.

In addition, the above assembly can be realized because the gripping tool 14 of the present embodiment is provided. That is, according to the gripping tool 14 of the present embodiment, the needles 3 arranged in advance in an annular shape can be handled without breaking the arrangement, so that the needles 3 can be incorporated into the outer ring 2 at a position away from the needle alignment unit 13. In addition, it is possible to incorporate a part of the outer ring 2 so as to protrude.
Moreover, since the plurality of needles 3 can be stably held within the annular recess 63 by the O-ring 64, it is easy to insert them smoothly into the outer ring 2. In addition, since the pressing by the O-ring 64 can be easily released by the movement of the drive cylinder 61, the needle 3 can be easily delivered to the outer ring 2. By these things, an assembly operation can be performed efficiently.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the assembly apparatus 10 is configured so that the center axis O1 of the outer ring 2 is aligned with the left-right direction X of the base 18 and the needle 3 is incorporated from the left-right direction X. It is not limited. For example, the needle 3 may be incorporated into the outer ring 2 from the vertical direction Z.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the needle bearing 1 which incorporated one set of the some needle | hook 3 arranged in the annular | circular shape in the outer ring | wheel 2 was mentioned as an example, as shown, for example in FIG. 29, in the outer ring | wheel 6, A plurality of needles 3 arranged in an annular shape may be two sets of needle bearings 5 that are separated from each other in the direction of the central axis O1 with the spacer 6a interposed therebetween.
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 30, the needle supply unit 11, the needle transport unit 12, the needle alignment unit 13, the gripping tool 14, and the pushing jig 15 are installed symmetrically with the outer ring fixing unit 16 in between. The assembling apparatus 80 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the gripping tool 14 and the pressing jig 15 are fixed to the rotary 56. However, for example, a three-dimensional arm or the like is installed on the base 18, and the gripping tool 14 and the pressing tool are placed on the three-dimensional arm. A configuration in which the jigs 15 are fixed may be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 31, it is preferable to chamfer the tip edge portion of the shaft body 60 in the gripping tool 14 into a chamfered portion 81 so as to gradually reduce the diameter toward the tip surface 60 a side. .
In this way, when the needle 3 is inserted into the annular recess 63, the posture of the needle 3 follows the tapered chamfered portion 81 so that the portion protruding toward the distal end surface 60 a moves inward in the radial direction. Can be tilted. Thereby, it can hold | maintain in the state which inclined the attitude | position of the some needle | hook 3 so that the protruded part may be narrowed.
Accordingly, a part of the needle 3 can be inserted more smoothly into the outer ring 2, and delivery to the outer ring 2 is further facilitated.

In the above embodiment, the O-ring 64 having a circular shape in cross section is used for the gripping tool 14. However, any elastic body having a polygonal shape in cross section such as a substantially triangular shape in cross section or a substantially D shape in cross section can be used. good. The material can be applied to the present invention as long as it has a predetermined repulsive force against an external force, such as rubber, silicon, or elastomer, and can press the needle 3 in the radial direction using an elastic restoring force. It is.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the O-ring 64 in which the shape is formed continuously was applied as an example of the elastic body of this application, it is not limited to this. Specifically, the shape may be formed intermittently (that is, in a divided state).

In the above embodiment, the O-ring 64 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the O-ring 64 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 60b of the shaft body 60. In this case, the needle 3 inserted in the annular recess 63 is pressed outwardly in the radial direction and pressed between the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 61 and the needle 3 is similarly stably held. can do.
Furthermore, an O-ring 64 may be provided on each of the inner peripheral surface of the drive cylinder 61 and the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 60b.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the outer peripheral surface which contact | abuts the needle 3 protrudes, and the shape of the annular protrusion 72 is comprised so that an exception part may be depressed, it is not limited to this, For example, this depression part protrudes It may be a solid shape (solid).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 32, an annular recess 63 may be defined between the shaft body 60 and the shaft body 60 by forming a stepped portion 61 a on the drive cylinder 61 side. Even in this case, the same effect can be obtained. In any case, an annular recess 63 may be formed between the shaft body 60 and the drive cylinder 61.

Moreover, although the case where the holding tool 14 was applied to the assembling apparatus 10 that assembles the needle bearing 1 was described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the case where the needle 3 is held. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, a gripper 95 that grips balls 90 (an example of a gripped body of the present application) arranged in advance in an annular shape in an annular recess 63 may be used.
In this case, for example, an annular elastic body 92 having a D shape in cross section may be provided on the drive cylinder 61 side. By doing so, the ball 90 can be stably held without dropping from the annular recess 63.

Furthermore, the objects to be grasped are not limited to being arranged in an annular shape, and may be arranged in a polygonal shape such as an ellipse or a quadrangle with the axis as the center. In other words, it may be arranged in an annular shape around the axis.
In this case, what is necessary is just to form the annular recessed part of a holding tool according to the arrangement | sequence. By doing so, it is possible to grip a plurality of objects to be gripped arranged in an annular shape without breaking the arrangement.

O1 ... center axis O2 ... axis O4 ... gripping shaft 1, 5 ... needle bearing (bearing device)
2, 6 ... Outer ring 3 ... Needle (object to be gripped)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 80 ... Assembly apparatus 13 ... Needle alignment unit (holding member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14, 95 ... Gripping tool 15 ... Push jig 60 ... Shaft body 60a ... End surface of shaft body 61 ... Drive cylinder (outer cylinder)
63: annular recess 64 ... O-ring (annular elastic body)
70 ... Rod 72 ... Annular projection 90 ... Ball (object to be gripped)
92 ... Annular elastic body

Claims (5)

A cylindrical outer ring whose inner peripheral surface is a rolling surface, and a plurality of rollers that are rotatably held on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring in a state of being arranged in an annular shape around the central axis of the outer ring. An assembly device for assembling a bearing device comprising a rod-shaped rolling element,
A plurality of the rolling elements that are held in an annular arrangement around the axis are received while being held while maintaining the arrangement and conveyed to the outer ring, and then a part of the plurality of rolling elements A gripper that is inserted along the central axis into the outer ring, on which grease is applied to the inner peripheral surface, and is transferred onto the inner peripheral surface;
A pushing jig that pushes the remaining portion of the plurality of rolling elements protruding outside the outer ring into the outer ring along the central axis, and assembles the plurality of rolling elements on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring; An assembling apparatus comprising: The assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The gripping tool is
A shaft body that extends along a gripping axis and whose tip surface can be oriented with respect to a plurality of the rolling elements arranged,
Mounted on the outer side in the radial direction of the shaft body, and formed between the shaft body in an annular shape with the gripping shaft as a center in a state opened to the distal end surface side, a plurality of the rolling elements can be inserted. An outer cylinder having an annular recess defined therein,
At least one of the shaft body and the outer cylinder is provided with an annular elastic body capable of pressing the plurality of rolling elements inserted into the annular recess toward the other side,
The outer cylinder is movable relative to the shaft body in the grip axis direction,
As the shaft body and the outer cylinder move relative to each other, the pressing to the plurality of rolling elements by the elastic body and the release thereof are switched. The assembly apparatus according to claim 2,
The assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft body has a tip edge chamfered in a tapered shape so that the diameter gradually decreases toward the tip surface side. The assembly apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The pushing jig is
A rod that can be moved forward and backward along the central axis, and a tip surface of which can be oriented to the outer ring side;
An assembly apparatus comprising: an annular protrusion protruding from the tip surface of the rod and capable of contacting the plurality of rolling elements. A cylindrical outer ring whose inner peripheral surface is a rolling surface, and a plurality of rollers that are rotatably held on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring in a state of being arranged in an annular shape around the central axis of the outer ring. An assembly method for assembling a bearing device comprising a rod-shaped rolling element,
Receiving a plurality of the rolling elements that are held in an annular arrangement centering on an axis, and holding and receiving the rolling elements while maintaining the arrangement; and
After the plurality of received rolling elements are conveyed to the outer ring by the gripping tool, a part of the plurality of rolling elements is inserted along the central axis into the outer ring where grease is applied to the inner peripheral surface. A delivery process of delivering on the inner peripheral surface;
Of the plurality of rolling elements, the remaining portion protruding outside the outer ring is pushed into the outer ring along the central axis using a pressing jig, and the plurality of rolling elements are placed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. An assembling push-in step, and an assembling method comprising:

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