DE102009055753A1 - Tapered roller bearings - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tapered roller bearing with at least one row of tapered rollers arranged between an outer bearing ring (6) and an inner bearing ring (8), comprising a cage (12) with pockets formed thereon for receiving and guiding the tapered rollers (10). It is provided according to the invention that the cage (12) has an essentially cylindrical shape with a cylinder axis lying in the bearing axis (14). Further functions are preferably assigned to the cage, namely, for example, that of holding the entire tapered roller bearing together as a structural unit in the unassembled state and / or of forming a bearing seal.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a tapered roller bearing with at least one arranged between an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring tapered roller row comprising a cage with the tapered rollers associated pockets for receiving and guiding the tapered rollers.

Background of the invention

Such tapered roller bearings are known in different embodiments, in particular of the tapered rollers receiving and leading cages. All known cages have in common that they have a substantially conical shape, which follows, for example, the envelope surface of the tapered roller row or is aligned with one of the raceways of the inner and outer bearing ring. They are for example made in one piece from a plastic material such as polyamide, which requires expensive and expensive forms ( DE 42 06 861 A1 ). Other cages are made of a sheet metal blank by stamping and deep drawing, which is also expensive and causes high production costs. Exemplary is on the DE 447 100 B and the WO 2008/056562 A1 directed.

It is also known to form cages for tapered roller bearings from flat metal strips, which are bent into a conical ring and connected together at their ends. The pockets are introduced for example by means of laser or by milling or other suitable operations. The connection of the ends takes place for example by welding or by gluing or by means of other material, non-positive or positive connection techniques. The order of the processing steps is arbitrary; For example, the pockets can be inserted on the flat metal strip or on the curved ring.

Since a conical ring is approximately sickle-shaped in its development, the sheet metal strip blank can not be unwound from a roll. Rather, it must be punched or cut out of a flat board, which is not very efficient because of a generally existing limitation in board size, for instance due to the capacity of the available processing machine, and because of the unavoidable waste. In addition, the bending of a conical ring of a crescent-shaped sheet metal strip is technically relatively difficult.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a cage for tapered roller bearings, which is easier and cheaper to produce at full functionality, and offers the opportunity to integrate more functions.

Summary of the invention

The invention is based on the recognition that cages for tapered roller bearings do not necessarily have to have a conical shape, so that with a simplification of the shape and a simplification of the production should be achieved.

The invention is therefore based on a tapered roller bearing with at least one tapered roller row arranged between an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring, comprising a cage with pockets formed thereon for receiving and guiding the tapered rollers. It is provided according to the invention that the cage has a substantially cylindrical shape with a cylinder axis lying in the bearing axis.

It has been found that such a cage to fulfill its function, namely in particular to keep the tapered rollers in a mutual distance in the circumferential direction, as well as a cage with a conical shape, but the advantage achieved, namely a simplified and cost-effective production, considerably is. The cage according to the invention, like known cages for roller and needle bearings, can be made, for example, from a pipe section or preferably from a strip which can be developed from a strip and bent into a ring, so that, for example, restrictions due to the possible board size etc. are no longer present ,

In order to ensure an exact guidance of the tapered rollers, according to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the pockets each have adjoining boundary surfaces on the end faces and on the lateral surface of the tapered rollers. In this way, the tapered rollers relative to the cage only one degree of freedom, namely to rotate, but their mutual distance is kept exactly in the circumferential direction. This embodiment has particular advantages for the cohesion of the not yet assembled bearing, as will be explained.

An investment of the peripheral side edges of the pockets on the lateral surfaces of the tapered rollers is achieved in that these side edges each have substantially adapted to the cutting lines of the cage with the lateral surface of the tapered rollers shape. As based on a Embodiment shown in more detail, corresponds to the shape of the side edges substantially each sections of two hyperbolas.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the cage is provided at its axially front and / or rear edge with retaining means for axial fixation relative to the outer and / or inner bearing ring. By fixing the cage in the axial direction on one of the cages and the axial guidance of the tapered rollers in the pockets of the entire roller ring can be fixed in the axial direction. In such an embodiment, a board on the smaller face of the tapered rollers associated side of the inner bearing ring can be omitted, which brings manufacturing and cost advantages.

The holding means may have different shapes. According to one embodiment, radially inwardly directed holding means are provided on the larger end face of the tapered rollers associated rear edge of the cage, which can apply to the associated rear end face of the inner bearing ring. These secure the roller set on the inner ring and thus the entire bearing against falling apart in the unassembled state. During operation, these holding means do not touch the inner ring. Rather, a correspondingly sufficient game is provided to avoid unnecessary friction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention may be provided on the smaller end face of the tapered rollers associated front edge of the cage radially outwardly directed retaining means, which can invest in the associated front end face of the outer bearing ring. In this way, the outer ring can be fixed to the overall bearing, so that the entire camp is held together in the uninstalled state.

This effect can also be achieved according to another embodiment of the invention in that at least one radially outwardly directed locking lug is provided on the rear edge of the cage in addition to the retaining means described further above, which engages in a recess formed on the inner circumference of the outer bearing ring, such as is also explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment.

The retaining means described so far do not necessarily have to be formed by elements formed on the cage. Ss are also separate clip elements made of plastic or sheet metal possible, which are attached to the cage, whereby machining operations can be saved on the cage.

The holding means are each formed by a radially inwardly or outwardly bent edge flange according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which additionally gives the cage a certain strength and rigidity. According to another embodiment, the holding means of the cage are each realized by distributed over the cage circumference, radially inwardly or outwardly directed projections, which are formed for example by embossing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tapered roller bearing is provided that the tapered rollers are axially supported in the direction of their larger end faces by a formed on the inner bearing ring large retaining board and in the direction of their smaller faces by the associated boundary edges of the respective associated pockets of the cage. In operation, a displacement of the tapered rollers in the direction of their smaller end faces in a known manner is prevented in that the receiving space formed between the bearing rings narrows in this direction, as need not be explained in more detail.

If the cage is equipped according to one of the embodiments described above with a radially inwardly bent edge flange at the rear edge and a radially outwardly bent edge flange on the front edge, it is provided according to a further embodiment of the invention that the two edge flanges have the same radial height in that the cage has in a longitudinal section the geometry of a lying "Z" such that the inwardly curved rear edge and the outwardly curved front edge of the cage have the same outer diameter. This ensures that the same neutral fiber and the same moment of resistance arise on both sides during the round bending of the thus prepared metal strip. In the development then both sides can be the same length, so that when round bending easily results in a cylindrical shape.

A favorable and therefore preferred design provides that the inner diameter of a radially inwardly bent edge flange or outer diameter of a radially outwardly bent edge flange respectively corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of an associated inner bearing ring or the inner diameter of an associated outer bearing ring, and that on the edge flanges locking lugs are formed, which engage in the assembly of the tapered roller bearing behind the respectively associated inner and outer bearing ring.

In order to be able to pre-assemble the existing from the cage and the tapered roller ring to a unit, are according to another Design arranged at least on the side edges of the pockets of the cage in each case the tapered rollers radially inwardly and / or outwardly retaining tabs or the like, which make it possible to press the tapered rollers in the associated pockets and to hold in these.

The radial guidance of the cage can take place on the inner bearing ring or on the outer bearing ring, as will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. The cage may also be equipped with means for bearing sealing.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of some embodiments. It shows

1 a conventional sheet metal blank for cutting crescent-shaped sheet metal strips for conical cage rings according to the prior art,

2 a partial longitudinal section through a tapered roller bearing with a cylindrical cage,

3 a cylindrical cage according to 2 in perspective,

4 a view similar 2 with another embodiment of the cage,

5 a partial perspective sectional view of the variant according to 4 .

6 a partial view of a cage ring with this embossed holding means,

7 a view similar to the one 2 with another embodiment of the cage,

8th a view similar to the one 2 with yet another embodiment of the cage,

9 a view similar to the one 4 with a cage guided radially on the inner ring,

10 a view similar to the one 2 with a cage guided radially on the outer ring,

11 a view similar to the one 7 , wherein particular constructive details are shown,

12 a partial longitudinal section through a cage according to the 11 .

13 a partial perspective view of a tapered roller bearing with formed on the pockets retaining tabs, and

14 a partial perspective view of a tapered roller bearing with a special pocket geometry.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 shows a conventional sheet metal blank as an example of a known manufacturing process 2 with the contours of crescent-shaped metal strips 4 from which conical cage rings are bent. It can be seen that when cutting or punching the metal strip 4 A relatively large amount of waste is produced, so that the material consumption is high. In addition, the size of the sheet metal blanks is generally limited by these further processing punching machines or the like.

2 shows a partial longitudinal section through an inventive tapered roller bearing with an outer bearing ring 6 and an inner bearing ring 8th , a tapered roller arranged between them 10 and a holding and leading cage 12 , The cage 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a cylinder axis lying in the bearing axis 14 ,

As in particular 3 recognize, have the bags 16 of the cage 12 respectively adjacent to both the end faces and on the lateral surface of the tapered rollers adjacent boundary edges, ie the tapered rollers 10 are held by the cage in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction. The side edges have 18 . 20 the pockets each substantially a shape adapted to the cutting line of the cage with the lateral surface of the tapered rollers shape. However, due to the curvature of the cage, this shape does not exactly correspond to the course of the two branches of a hyperbola, since the cage 12 with the tapered rollers 10 forms approximately a conic, which runs parallel to no surface line.

4 shows an embodiment in which the out of the cage 22 and the tapered rollers 24 existing roller ring relative to the inner bearing ring 26 is axially fixed. For this purpose are on the cage 22 at its the larger face of the tapered rollers 24 associated rear edge radially inwardly directed holding means 28 formed by means of which the cage 22 on the inner bearing ring 26 is held. In the case of 4 are the holding means 28 as a radially inwardly bent edge flange 30 educated.

As the 4 can be further recognized, the edge flange can 30 to one on the inner bearing ring 26 trained big stop board 32 create, which the tapered rollers 24 under load prevents it from moving axially outwards. Because the cage 22 also one on the smaller face of the tapered rollers 24 adjoining boundary edge 34 has, become the tapered rollers 24 not yet mounted outer bearing ring 36 also kept in the opposite direction. A small board on the inner bearing ring 26 is not necessary.

5 again shows a perspective partial sectional view of the arrangement according to the 4 , which need not be described again in detail.

6 shows a partial view of a cage 38 in the axial direction, wherein the retaining means as over the circumference of the cage distributed embossments 40 are formed, which the inner bearing ring 26 engage behind.

7 shows a partial sectional view of a tapered roller bearing similar to the 4 , but also at the smaller end face of the tapered rollers 42 associated edge of the cage 44 holding means 46 are provided, which are directed radially outwardly in this case and to the associated end face 48 of the outer bearing ring 50 can create. Also these holding means 46 are in the embodiment according to the 7 as edge flange 52 educated. In this way, the outer bearing ring 50 axially secured.

8th shows another embodiment for securing the outer bearing ring 54 , It is on the larger faces of the tapered rollers 56 associated rear edge of the cage 58 in addition to a radially inwardly bent edge flange 60 at least one radially outwardly directed latching lug 62 provided in one on the inner circumference of the outer bearing ring 54 trained recess 64 intervenes.

9 shows an arrangement similar to the 4 , where the cage 66 is dimensioned so that it is radially on the inner bearing ring 68 , in this case, the large board formed on this 70 to be led.

10 shows an embodiment similar to the 2 , wherein the without holding means equipped cage 72 radially on the outer bearing ring 74 is guided. The tapered roller is guided axially by two radial ribs on the inner bearing ring.

The 11 and 12 show a particular embodiment of a bent from a metal strip cage 78 with a radially inwardly bent rear edge flange 80 and a radially outwardly bent front edge flange 82 , Training and dimensions of a cage 78 are hit so that the two edge flanges 80 . 82 each have the same radial height a, and that the cage 78 in a longitudinal section the profile of a lying "Z" has such that the rear and the front edge of the cage 78 have the same overall outer diameter b. In this way results in the round bending of the metal strip to a cage on both sides of the same neutral fiber (diameter c) and the same moment of resistance, which is favorable for the bending process.

How the particular 11 can recognize, corresponds to the actual inner diameter of the radially inwardly bent edge flange 80 essentially the outer diameter g of the inner bearing ring 88 , while the outer diameter of the outwardly directed edge flange 82 essentially the inner diameter h of the outer bearing ring 90 equivalent. The edge flanges 80 . 82 therefore do not engage behind the associated bearing rings 88 respectively. 90 , On the inner circumference of the edge flange 80 on the one hand and on the outer circumference of the edge flange 82 On the other hand, in each case locking lugs 84 respectively. 86 imprinted, which the associated bearing rings 88 . 90 engage behind and form a snap connection. The radial dimensions of the locking lugs 84 . 86 have the size indicated by f.

To enable the above-described embodiment, the cage has 78 in the in the 11 and 12 illustrated longitudinal section the profile of a lying "Z". So, that's between the back edge 92 and the front edge 94 lying, the side edges of the pockets forming middle part 96 slightly bent radially.

13 shows an embodiment in which at the side edges 98 the bags 100 radially outwardly directed retaining tabs 102 and radially inwardly directed retaining tabs 104 are formed, which are the tapered rollers 106 hold and so a pre-assembly of the cage 108 and the tapered rollers 106 to enable a roller wreath.

14 shows another embodiment in which the side edges 110 the bags 112 are contoured so that in the circumferential direction of the cage 114 protruding noses 116 which are the tapered rollers 118 in the cage 114 hold tight.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

sheet metal blank

4

metal strip

6

Outer bearing ring

8th

Inner bearing ring

10

Tapered roller

12

Cage

14

cylinder axis

16

Bags

18

side edge

20

side edge

22

Cage

24

tapered rollers

26

Inner bearing ring

28

holding means

30

edge flange

32

Big board

34

boundary edge

36

Outer bearing ring

38

Cage

40

Error Coins

42

Tapered roller

44

Cage

46

holding means

48

front

50

Outer bearing ring

52

edge flange

54

Outer bearing ring

56

Tapered roller

58

Cage

60

edge flange

62

locking lug

64

recess

66

Cage

68

Inner bearing ring

70

Big board

72

Cage

74

Outer bearing ring

76

edge flange

78

Cage

80

Rear edge flange

82

Front edge flange

84

locking lug

86

locking lug

88

Inner bearing ring

90

Outer bearing ring

92

Back edge

94

Front edge

96

midsection

98

side edge

100

bag

102

retaining tabs

104

retaining tabs

106

Tapered roller

108

Cage

110

side edges

112

Bags

114

Cage

116

nose

118

Tapered roller

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4206861 A1 [0002]
• DE 447100 B [0002]
• WO 2008/056562 A1 [0002]

Claims (16)

Taper roller bearing with at least one tapered roller row arranged between an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring, comprising a cage with pockets formed thereon for receiving and guiding the tapered rollers, characterized in that the cage ( 12 ) has a substantially cylindrical shape with one in the bearing axis ( 14 ) has lying cylinder axis. Taper roller bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the pockets ( 16 ) each at the end faces and on the lateral surface of the tapered rollers ( 10 ) adjoining boundary edges ( 34 ) to have. Tapered roller bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side edges ( 18 . 20 ) of the bags ( 16 ) each one substantially to the cut lines of the cage ( 12 ) with the lateral surface of the tapered rollers ( 10 ) have adapted form. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cage ( 22 ; 44 ) at its axially front and / or rear edge with holding means ( 28 . 46 ) for axial fixation relative to the outer bearing ring ( 50 ) and / or the inner bearing ring ( 26 ) Is provided. Tapered roller bearing according to claim 4, characterized in that on the larger end face of the tapered rollers ( 24 ) associated rear edge of the cage ( 22 ) radially inwardly directed retaining means ( 28 ) are provided, which are connected to the associated rear end face of the inner bearing ring ( 26 ). Taper roller bearing according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at the smaller end face of the tapered rollers ( 42 ) associated front edge of the cage ( 44 ) radially outwardly directed retaining means ( 46 ) are provided, which adjoin the associated front end face ( 48 ) of the outer bearing ring ( 50 ). Tapered roller bearing according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at the rear edge of the cage ( 58 ) additionally at least one radially outwardly directed detent ( 62 ) is provided, which in one on the inner circumference of the outer bearing ring ( 54 ) formed recess ( 64 ) intervenes. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the holding means ( 28 ; 46 ) of the cage ( 22 ; 44 ) each by a radially inwardly bent edge flange ( 30 ) or outwardly bent edge flange ( 52 ) are formed. Taper roller bearing according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the retaining means of the cage ( 38 ) in each case distributed over the cage circumference, radially inwardly directed projections (stampings 40 ) or outwardly directed projections are formed. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the tapered rollers ( 24 ) in the direction of their larger end faces by one on the inner bearing ring ( 26 ) trained holding board ( 32 ) and in the direction of their smaller end faces by the associated boundary edges ( 34 ) of the respectively assigned pockets of the cage ( 22 ) are axially supported. Tapered roller bearing according to claim 8, with a radially inwardly bent edge flange at the rear edge and a radially outwardly bent edge flange at the front edge of the cage, characterized in that the two edge flanges ( 80 . 82 ) have the same radial height (a), and that the cage ( 78 ) in a longitudinal section the geometry of a lying "Z" has such that the rear edge ( 92 ) and the front edge ( 94 ) of the cage ( 78 ) have the same outer diameter (b). Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the inner diameter of a radially inwardly bent edge flange ( 80 ) or the outer diameter of a radially outwardly bent edge flange ( 82 ) each substantially to the outer diameter (g) of an associated inner bearing ring ( 88 ) or the inner diameter (h) of an associated outer bearing ring ( 90 ) and that on the edge flanges latching lugs ( 84 . 86 ) are formed, the associated inner bearing ring ( 88 ) or outer bearing ring ( 90 ) behind. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least at the side edges ( 98 ) of the bags ( 100 ) of the cage ( 108 ) the tapered rollers ( 106 ) radially inwardly and / or radially outwardly retaining retaining tabs ( 102 . 104 ) or the like are arranged. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at the side edges ( 110 ) of the bags ( 112 ) of the cage ( 114 ) the tapered rollers ( 118 ) holding noses ( 116 ) or the like are formed. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cage ( 66 ) on the inner bearing ring ( 68 ) is guided radially. Tapered roller bearing according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cage ( 72 ) on the outer bearing ring ( 74 ) is guided radially.

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