WO2008000249A1 - Bearing cage comprising a plurality of connecting links - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing cage for receiving a plurality of rolling bodies (4), comprising a plurality of connecting elements (6), which extend substantially in a longitudinal direction (L) of the rolling bodies, wherein these connecting elements (6) are each provided with a first end section (7a) and a second end section (7b), having a plurality of first links (8), wherein each end section (7a, 7b) is connected via at least one link (8) to at least one end section of an adjacent connecting element (6). According to the invention, at least one end section (7a, 7b) is non-rotatably connected to a first link (8).

Description

 Name of the invention

Bearing cage with a variety of connecting straps

description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bearing cage and in particular a cage for roller bearings. The invention will be described with reference to a bearing with pierced rolling elements, but it should be noted that the invention can also find application in other types of bearings.

Especially with roller bearings larger diameter so-called bolt cages are often used. In these pin cages are usually used pierced rolling elements, but there are also other versions known. These bolts are held together by side windows. These side windows are usually formed in one piece and the attachment of the bolts to the cages can be done by different methods. Especially in these side windows are very expensive to manufacture parts, thus bringing high costs in the production of the entire bearing with it. From DE 179 908 a roller chain is known. The individual rollers or rolling elements are held together by balls with the roles partially overlap. However, beyond that no further support of the individual roles takes place against each other.

From DE 110 476 hollow rollers are known through which a bolt is guided, which in turn is mounted in a basket which also serves as a lubricating ring.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to produce bearing cages for roller bearings in a simple manner and also to simplify the installation of such cages. In addition, the cost of the rolling bearing production should be reduced by the present invention. However, a higher dimensional stability of the bearing cage produced should be achieved or maintained.

Another object is to make a cage from a small number of different standard items.

This is achieved according to the invention by a bearing cage according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The bearing cage according to the invention for accommodating a plurality of rolling elements has a multiplicity of connecting elements which extend essentially in a longitudinal direction of the rolling elements, wherein these connecting elements each have a first end section and a second end section. In addition, a multiplicity of first flaps are provided, wherein each end section is connected via at least one tab to at least one end section of an adjacent connecting element. According to the invention, at least one end portion is non-rotatable with a connected first tab. The connecting elements serve to guide the rolling elements to be arranged in the cage. About the end portions of a connection of the individual fasteners is made on the tabs. Compared with the fastening ring known from the prior art, the tabs offer the advantage that they are much easier to manufacture. It is possible to use a variety of similar tabs. Depending on the field of application of the rolling bearing to be produced, however, the tabs which are arranged on the one end section can also have a different shape and in particular a different length than the tabs which are arranged on a second end section. This may be the case in particular with tapered roller bearings. The cage of the invention can be easily and from a few different items - in the simplest case two or three or five different items - produce.

In a preferred embodiment, all end portions are rotatably connected to all first tabs. In this way, the stability of the entire cage can be increased. In a further preferred embodiment, each tab connects exactly two connecting elements or their end sections with each other. A tab connecting only two fasteners can be made without a bend. Also, the distance between the respective connection points between the connecting elements on the one hand and the tab on the other hand must be dimensioned less accurate than in the case in which a plurality of connecting elements are connected to each other via a tab.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting elements are bolts that can be performed by bores of the rolling elements. In this embodiment, the cage guide thus takes place via the bolts which are pushed through the rolling bodies. It is also possible to store the bolt, for example, with bearings such as sleeve bearings against the rollers. In addition, the bearing cage on the Borden or the running surface of the inner or the outer ring are supported.

In addition, sliding elements can also be attached to the tabs, which support the cage on a board or one of the bearing surfaces. In a further preferred embodiment, the non-rotatable connection between the connecting elements and the tabs is selected from a group of compounds which contain press-fit connections and in particular elastic or elastic plastic press-fits. In addition, however, other types of connection, such as welded joints, rivet joints, screw or clamping sleeves, dowel pins or clamping rings or combinations of the compounds mentioned can be used.

In a further preferred embodiment, the individual tabs have end faces and the end faces of at least two adjacent tabs preferably contact each other flatly. In other words, by appropriate design of the tabs, these can be designed so that they touch flat at the ends and thus ensure a nearly form-fitting circular shape of the cage. It is possible that the contacting end portions of the tabs are each formed opposite each other, for example, form matching concave or convex curvatures. In a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of second tabs are provided, which are in communication with the connecting elements and are arranged between the first tabs. This means that in the assembled state, these second tabs are provided between the first tabs and the rolling elements. These second tabs are referred to below as inner tabs. Preferably, the second tabs are not rotatably connected to the respective connecting elements or bolts. However, it would also be possible to perform the connection between the connecting elements and the second tabs rotationally fixed in order to achieve in this way an overall rigid shape of the cage.

In a further preferred embodiment, each connecting element is connected via a first tab to a first further connecting element and via a second tab to a second further connecting element in connection. In this case, the individual connecting elements are each connected in a chain-like manner via the first and second tabs, with a second tab in each case following a first tab in a circumferential direction of the cage and then again followed by a first tab. Preferably, two adjacent connecting elements in each case via first tabs or via second tabs in connection. The second tabs also preferably connect exactly two connecting elements with each other.

In this case, therefore, the entire cage assembly consists of a number of outer (first) tabs and inner (second) tabs, which are each pressed alternately on the connecting elements, that is, the bolt elements. The fact that the bolts and the tabs are rotatably connected via the connection with each other, results in a total of a rigid shape of the cage.

The present invention is further directed to a rolling bearing with a bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims and a plurality of rolling elements. In this case, preferably, the rolling elements each have holes through which the connecting elements are passed.

However, it is also possible to use rolling elements without holes, in particular every second rolling elements without bore. According to then can also be provided connecting elements which connect the individual tabs and are made longer, for example, to the center of the next rolling element, where they can abut the end face with the next tab.

It is also possible to provide the connecting elements or bolts on the outside with a bearing in order to reduce a friction between the rolling elements and the connecting elements.

Preferably, storage means are provided to support the rolling elements against the connecting elements, in particular but not exclusively sleeve bearing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the cage, the cage width, that is, the extension of the cage in the longitudinal direction of the rolling elements and thus the game between the rollers and the cage can be adjusted. It is possible during assembly to press the individual tabs to a certain Fügemaß on the bolts to achieve the game. Also, the bolts can be carried out offset, that is, each having end portions with a smaller cross-section. It is also possible to tune the bolt length so that the tabs are pressed so far that the bolt ends and the tab outer side is flush.

The mounting of the bearing cage can be done before the assembly of the entire camp. In this case, the roller set with the tabs is completely assembled. It is also possible to carry out the assembly of the bearing cage after the introduction of the roller set between the inner ring and the outer ring. In this case, it would also be possible to equip the inner ring or the outer ring with ribs such as two Borden. In this case, all bolt-tab connections would have to be made at least but those connections that are located at an end portion or at one end side of the connecting elements, subsequently. So It would be possible to first attach fasteners with the one-sided tabs and add the tabs on the other side in a further process step.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a rolling bearing;

FIG. 2 shows a partial side view of a bearing cage according to the invention in a first embodiment; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bearing cage of Figure 2;

4 shows a partial side view of a bearing cage according to the invention in a second embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bearing cage of Figure 4;

6 shows a partial side view of a bearing cage according to the invention in a third embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bearing cage of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial side view of a bearing cage according to the invention in a fourth embodiment and

9 is a plan view of the bearing cage of Figure 8. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a bearing according to the prior art. The bearing in this embodiment is a double-row bearing, that is to say a bearing in which two rows of rolling elements 4 are arranged. This bearing has an inner ring or two inner ring halves 23, and an outer ring 22. The individual rolling elements 4 each have slightly strange peripheral surfaces 25. In addition, the rolling elements each have holes 28 through which connecting elements 6 are pushed to guide the rolling elements. The connecting elements are also referred to below as bolts. The reference numeral 10 refers to a bearing cage in which the individual bolts or their ends are secured. The bearing cage has in addition to the bolt 6 shelves 29 and 30, which are designed circular.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a bearing cage according to the invention in a first embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this bearing cage has a plurality of first lugs 8. These first tabs 8 each have two openings 13 for receiving end portions 7a of the individual bolts. These openings 13 are arranged so that the rolling elements 4, through which the bolts 6 are pushed, do not touch each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first tabs 8 each have curved end sections. However, these end portions could also be curved or rectilinear in some other way.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the illustration shown, the longitudinal directions of the rolling elements 4 are drawn in parallel. In the embodiment shown here, however, tapered rollers are used so that, strictly speaking, the bearing cage shown also has a curved course (not shown). This means that in Figure 3, in each case the upper tabs 8 are actually slightly longer than the respective lower first tabs 8. The bolts 6 and their end portions 7a and 7b are each rotatably arranged in the first tabs 8. Thus, the connection between the respective bolts 6, which are connected by the first tabs 8, stiff and thus a certain overall stiffness of the complete cage is achieved. The reference character L denotes the longitudinal direction of the rolling elements.

The reference numeral 9 refers to second connection tabs which are mutually arranged to the first tabs 8. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the connection between the second tabs 9 and the bolts 6 or the end sections 7a and 7b is designed to be rotationally movable. Therefore, the two first tabs 8 shown in FIG. 3 can be moved relative to the second tabs 9.

Depending on the bearing application, for example, in the case of a cylindrical roller bearing, all the first and second tabs 8 and 9 could be carried out in the same way. In the case of the illustrated embodiment of a tapered roller bearing, as mentioned above, the respective upper flaps 8 and 9 are slightly longer than the lower flaps. More precisely, the respective upper holes 8, 9 whose respective holes 13 are slightly further apart from each other than in the respective lower flaps 8, 9. However, the respective lower and upper flaps can also be carried out in the case of a tapered roller bearing substantially similar. The reference numeral d refers to the thickness of the first and second tabs and is between 2 mm and 8 mm and preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm. The widths of both straps are smaller than any existing widths. In the case of a tapered roller bearing this could be made in the simplest case of four different parts, namely the Wälzkörpem 4, the bolt 8, the upper tabs 8, 9 and the lower tabs 8, 9 or five different parts when the tabs 8 and 9 are designed differently from each other. The reference numeral 14 refers to openings in the second tabs 9, through which the respective end portions 7a, 7b are passed.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the first and second tabs are each arranged symmetrically, that is, at the respective pin ends 7a and 7b are from inside to outside, the tabs 8 and 9 each substantially symmetrical to each other, in which case not in the figure shown curvature is also not taken into account. However, it would also be possible to arrange the respective first and second tabs 8, 9 asymmetrically in order, for example, initially to provide a second tab 9 and then a first tab 8 from the inside outwards on the two left-side bolts 6.

Furthermore, it would be possible in a further preferred embodiment, the connection between the second tabs 9 and the bolt 6 and the end portions 7a and 7b rotatably perform.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the bearing cage according to the invention. In this embodiment, only a plurality of first tabs 8 is provided. These first tabs 8 are rotatably connected to the bolt 6 and the bolt ends 7a, 7b. In this embodiment, the individual tabs 8 each have curved end portions 12a, 12b. These end portions are complementary to each other. Thus, the end portion 12a is designed as an outwardly curved curvature, which engages in a correspondingly inwardly curved curvature of the end portion 12b. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, in each case two rolling bodies 4 or their bolts 6 are held together by upper and lower first lugs 8. Thus, in this case, cage segments 15, 16 each consist of two rolling elements 4. In Figure 4 is the transition between the two segments shown 8 is shown as a straight horizontal line. However, since the cage as a whole assumes a circular profile, the left tab 8 is slightly angled relative to the right tab 8 in Figure 4, the size of this angle depends on the geometries of the bearing.

Also in this embodiment, the individual tabs 8 can each be made similar, but here they each have different left and right side end portions 12a, 12b. The individual holes or openings 13 in the tabs 8 are each preferably arranged along the mid perpendicular M, that is, the individual rolling elements are substantially at the same height.

Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the individual tabs are designed such that touch the tabs at their ends flat and in this way a form-fitting circular shape of the cage is achieved.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of a bearing cage according to the invention or of a section thereof. The essential difference here lies in the configuration of the respective end sections 12a and 12b of the tabs 8. In this case, both the end section 12a and the end section 12b are respectively arched outward. In this way, a certain freedom of movement of the tab shown on the left opposite the flap 8 shown on the right and thus the segments 15, 16 against each other.

Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in contrast to the figures, the two tabs 8 are actually angled relative to one another in the assembled state of the bearing cage in order to achieve a circular shape of the bearing in this way. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of a bearing cage according to the invention. In this embodiment, first tabs 8 and second tabs 9 are provided. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a rotationally fixed connection between the bolt ends 7a and 7b on the one hand and respective first lugs 8 is likewise provided. However, it would also be possible in this embodiment, the connection between the bolt ends and the first tabs not rotatably perform.

As a result of the embodiment shown with the first and second tabs arranged one above the other, a dimensionally stable shape of the cage can be achieved overall since the individual tabs are mutually arranged in each case. More specifically, the end portions of the first tabs are respectively disposed below a central portion of the second tabs with respect to the rolling elements 4. As is apparent from Figure 9, the two left-side rolling elements 4 and their bolts are held together by the first tabs 8 and the two right-hand bolts through the respective right-side tabs 8. The second tabs 9 are in contrast offset, that is, in the in Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the two inner rolling elements or their bolts are held together by the second lugs 9. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the end portions 12a, 12b of the individual tabs are each made straight. However, it could also be provided here curved or curved ends of the tabs.

Also in this embodiment, the two tabs 8 are at least slightly angled against each other. Accordingly, the tab 9 preferably has a certain curvature or angling in order to arrive at a total of a circular shape of the entire cage. Conversely, however, the first tabs could also have a curvature or inclination to achieve the overall circular shape. It would also be possible for both the first tabs 8 and the second tabs 9 to have a predetermined curvature. In this case could on one Bending at the individual transitions of the tabs 8, 9 are omitted, since the total curvature can also be achieved by a curvature of the individual tabs 8, 9.

As mentioned above, the cage guide via the bolt 6 in the rolling elements. In this case, the bolts can be stored, for example, with bearings and preferably with sleeve bearings in the roles. It is also, as mentioned above, possible to support the entire cage on the rims of the inner or outer rings or the tread. In addition, the sheets can also have additional sliding elements (not shown) which support the entire cage on a shelf or one of the bearing surfaces.

In the case of the cage arrangements described above, in each case additional securing elements such as snap rings can be provided in order to secure the bolts 6 or their end sections 7a, 7b with respect to the first lugs.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

4 rolling elements

6 bolts 7a, 7b end portions of the bolts

8 first (outer) tab

9 second (inner) tab

10 storage cage

12a, 12b end portions of the tabs 8, 9 13 holes (holes) in the tabs. 8

14 openings (holes) in the tabs 9

15, 16 cage segments

22 outer ring

23 inner ring halves 25 peripheral surface of the rolling elements. 4

28 hole

29, 30 shelves (prior art)

M perpendicular

L longitudinal direction of the rolling elements 4 d thickness of the tabs 8.9

Claims

Schaeffler KG Industriestr.1-3, 91074 HerzogenaurachPatent claims 1. bearing cage (1) for receiving a plurality of rolling elements (5) having a plurality of connecting elements (6) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction (L) of the rolling elements, wherein these connecting elements (6) each have a first end portion (7a) and a second end portion (7b) having a plurality of first flaps (8), each end portion (7a, 7b) having at least one first flap (8) with at least one end portion (7a, 7b) of an adjacent connecting element (6) is connected, characterized in that at least one end portion (7a, 7b) rotatably connected to a first tab (8). 2. bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that it lehnet that all end portions (7 a, 7 b) rotatably connected to all the first tabs (8) are connected. 3. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized. that each tab (8) connects exactly two connecting elements (6) with each other. 4. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (6) bolts (6) which through bores (28) of the rolling elements are feasible. 5. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotationally fixed connection between the connecting elements (6) and the first tabs (8) is selected from a group of compounds containing pressing compounds and in particular elastic or elastic plastic compounds. 6. Bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a net contact between the end faces (9) of at least two adjacent tabs. 7. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of second tabs (9) is provided, which are in communication with the connecting elements (6) and arranged between the first tabs (8). 8. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each connecting element (6) via a first tab (8) with a first further connecting element (6) and via a second tab (9) with a second further connecting element (6) communicates. 9. bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two adjacent connecting elements (6) in each case either via first tabs (8) or via second tabs (9) are in communication. 10.Wälzlager with a bearing cage according to at least one of the preceding claims and a plurality of rolling elements. 11. Rolling bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that the rolling elements or only certain rolling elements in each case bores (28) through which the connecting elements (6) are guided. 12. Rolling bearing according to claim 11, characterized in that Storage means are provided to the rolling elements against the Store fasteners.