DE102014212075A1 - Bearing cage for a rolling bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

Bearing cage (8) for a roller bearing (1), in particular for a tapered roller bearing, with at least a first ring element (30) and a second ring element (32) which are interconnected via at least one web (34), wherein the first and the second Ring element (30; 32) are adapted to receive between them at least one rolling element (6) and to hold it axially, and the at least one web (34) is adapted to circumferentially hold the rolling element (4), wherein at least the first ring element (30) has an at least partially substantially radially extending surface (14) which is formed wavy.

Description

The present invention relates to a bearing cage for a rolling bearing, in particular for a tapered roller bearing with at least a first ring member and a second ring member which are interconnected via at least one web, wherein the first and the second ring member are adapted to receive between at least one rolling element and to hold this axially and the at least one web is designed to keep the rolling element circumferentially.

Rolling, in particular tapered roller bearings, usually have a bearing outer ring and a bearing inner ring, between which rolling elements are arranged, so that a relative movement between the outer ring and inner ring is made possible. In this case, the rolling bearings can be carried out full complement so that the rolling elements directly contact each other, or the rolling elements are accommodated by so-called bearing cages, which secure the rolling elements axially and circumferentially. Such bearing cages have the advantage that thereby a simple assembly of the rolling bearing can be provided.

The rolling elements themselves can be spherical, cylindrical, toroidal or conical, for example. In rolling bearings with conical rolling elements, so-called tapered roller bearings, a retaining board and a guide board are also attached to the inner ring or on the outer ring for axial stabilization.

In order to reduce the friction of the mutually movable elements in the rolling bearing, it is also known to provide a lubricant in the rolling bearing. Especially with tapered roller bearings such lubrication is advantageous so that the rolling elements slide optimally on the guide board.

The problem with such tapered roller bearings, however, is that the lubricant is transported from the tapered rollers of the smaller diameter in the direction of the larger diameter and from there out of the camp. There, the lubricant collects in static areas, from where it no longer participates in the Wälzkörperschmierung.

It can be observed that at a certain distance from the rolling elements, the adhesion to the static parts of the bearing is greater than the shearing force of the lubricant, so that the lubricant can only be caused by a particularly high operating temperature or shocks, from the remove static areas. This can disadvantageously in particular lead to too little or no lubricant more on the rolling elements, in particular in the region of the retaining rims, is present, so that an insufficient lubrication occurs here. This inadequate lubrication in turn leads to an unwanted increase in temperature and thus also to excessive wear and reduced life, the rolling bearing elements.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a rolling bearing, in particular a tapered roller bearing, which provides an improved lubricant retention.

This object is achieved by a bearing cage according to claim 1, and a rolling bearing, in particular a tapered roller bearing, according to claim 10.

According to the invention, a bearing cage for a roller bearing, in particular for a tapered roller bearing, is provided, which has at least one first and one second ring element, which are connected to one another via at least one web. In this case, the first and the second ring element is adapted to receive at least one rolling element between them and to hold it axially and the at least one web is adapted to keep the rolling element circumferentially.

In order to provide improved lubricant retention in the rolling bearing, at least the first ring member has an at least partially substantially radially extending surface that is corrugated. About this corrugation is lubricant, which is located in a static area outside of the bearing cage, exposed to different pressure conditions or brought back into motion and thus returned to the lubricant circuit.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the radially extending surface has a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge, which are formed in opposite directions wavy, with a wave crest of the radially inner edge extends to a trough of the radially outer edge. By this opposite corrugation, the lubricant can be particularly well set in motion and the oblique wave crests or troughs ensures that a directed movement of the lubricant is generated and this can be returned to the end faces of the rolling elements.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the corrugation of the radial surface is made at an angle to a radial orientation. As a result, the lubricant can be moved on the one hand, and on the other from the Static area are returned to the end faces of the rolling elements.

In this case, it is particularly preferred if the radially extending surface has a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge, which are formed in opposite directions wavy, with a wave crest of the radially inner edge extends to a trough of the radially outer edge.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a gap is formed between the radial surface and the ring element, in particular in the region of the wave crest. This gap is used so that lubricant can be guided not only to the end face of the rolling elements, but also to their rolling surface. As a result, the lubricant return is again significantly improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the radial surface extends radially outward over a radially outer surface of the web. As a result, the radially outwardly extending surface forms an additional lubricant retention element, which additionally obstructs the lubricant outlet from the cage. Alternatively, however, it may also be advantageous if the radial surface extends only to a radially outer surface of the web and does not protrude beyond the actual cage surface. This is particularly advantageous when the cage is surrounded and absorbed by an outer bearing ring of the rolling bearing as a whole.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least the first ring element also has a substantially axially outwardly extending edge which extends at least partially axially over the radially extending surface, preferably wherein the axially outwardly extending edge is formed wavy. This axially extending edge has the advantage of keeping lubricant within the cage area and obstructing outflow radially outward. The optional corrugation of the edge, in turn, allows the lubricant to move in the static region so that it is returned to the lubricant circuit.

It is particularly advantageous if the corrugation of the axially extending edge and the corrugation of the radial surface are formed in opposite directions, preferably a wave crest of the radial surface to a trough of the axially extending edge and / or a trough of the radial surface to a Crest of the axially extending edge. As a result, as turbulent as possible a movement in the lubricant can be brought by the axially extending edge and at the same time be recycled via the opposing wave troughs and wave peaks targeted lubricant on the adjusting pressure conditions to the rolling elements.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the corrugation is arranged in particular on the ring element with the larger diameter, wherein the first ring element has a first and the second ring element has a second radius, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius. In particular, in tapered roller bearings, in which the cage has a smaller and a larger diameter, there is an increased transport of lubricant to the larger cage diameter, so that the corrugated formation is arranged in particular at the larger diameter. Of course, it is also possible to equip both cage sides or ring elements of the bearing cage with the wave profile according to the invention.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the bearing cage has at least one bearing cage segment, which is equipped accordingly with the wave profiles described above. Particularly in the case of large cages, it is customary to assemble these from a plurality of cage segments, wherein at least one of the cage segments has a corresponding configuration with a wave profile.

In general, even the variable pressures to which the lubricant is exposed via the shaft profiles can cause base oil to escape from the lubricant, even if the lubricant itself is not returned to the rolling elements. Even this base oil lubrication of the rolling elements would be sufficient to increase the life of the bearing.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a rolling bearing, in particular a tapered roller bearing with a bearing cage, as described above. Since in particular with tapered roller bearings increased lubricant transport occurs from the bearing cage, here a cage with lubricant retention function or even lubricant return function via the wave profile according to the invention is particularly preferred.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are defined in the claims, the description and the drawings.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are purely exemplary in nature and are not intended to determine the scope of the application. This is defined solely by the appended claims.

Show it:

1 a schematic perspective view of a tapered roller bearing according to the invention;

2 : a schematic detail view of the in 1 illustrated tapered roller bearing;

3 : a schematic spatial representation of a first embodiment of the bearing cage according to the invention; and

4 : A schematic spatial representation of a second embodiment of the bearing cage according to the invention.

In the following, the same or functionally equivalent elements are identified with the same reference numerals.

1 and the enlarged view of 2 show a spatial representation of a tapered roller bearing 1 with an outer ring 2 and an inner ring 4 , between which rolling elements 6 arranged in a storage cage 8th are positioned. The figures show the tapered roller bearing according to the invention 1 from its radially larger side. That means at the same time that the rolling elements 6 , which have a smaller diameter and a larger diameter in a tapered roller bearing, can be seen from their larger side.

Furthermore is 1 and 2 to see that the rolling elements 6 radially inside on its front side on a so-called guide board 10 supporting, for an axial support of the rolling elements 6 provides. Especially in the area of the management board 10 To generate as little friction, such tapered roller bearings 1 usually lubricated with a lubricant. It has unfavorably been found that the lubricant due to the conical shape of the rolling elements 6 is transported from the smaller diameter to the larger diameter and can escape from there from the camp or in a static area 12 collects. For this static area 12 is usually the lubricant only via shock or other mechanical shocks or high temperatures back to the rolling elements 6 traceable and thus forms a lubricant supply inaccessible to the lubricant supply.

To improve the lubricant management, the bearing cage 8th According to the invention, a radial surface 14 on, which is formed wavy. It is in particular 2 to see that the corrugated radial surface 14 troughs 16 and wave mountains 18 which extend along the radial surface. Furthermore, in particular shows the enlarged view of 2 that the bearing cage 8th furthermore an axially extending edge 20 which in turn has wave crests 22 and troughs 24 shows. Particularly preferred is when a wave crest 18 the radial surface 14 to a wave trough 24 the axial edge and a wave trough 16 the radial surface turns into a wave crest 22 the axial edge extends. As a result, in particular, the radial surface 14 formed with their wave crests and troughs against an exact radial direction angled employed. This has the advantage of providing lubricant that is in a static area 12 would stop over the trained wave mountains 18 . 22 can be brought into motion and due to the angular position of the wave peaks, a return of the lubricant in the direction of the rolling elements 6 is possible.

This bring the lubricant in motion but can also be achieved via a not oppositely formed corrugation. However, the angular adjustment improves the lubricant guide. In addition, an axial surface 20 for the inventive moving the lubricant is not necessarily needed.

3 shows the in 1 and 2 used bearing cage 8th without roller bearings 1 in spatial representation. It is 3 to see that the bearing cage 8th a first ring element 30 and a second ring element 32 having, wherein the first ring element 30 has a larger diameter than the second ring element 32 , Both ring elements 30 . 32 are over jetties 34 connected to each other, the openings between them 36 define, in which the rolling elements are absorbed. Also in the in 3 The embodiment shown is the corrugated radial surface 14 and the axially extending edge 20 shown. Further shows 3 that at the jetties 34 at the radially larger end bevels 38 are formed, which extend radially inward and provide for a return of lubricant to the rolling elements (not shown).

4 shows a further preferred embodiment of a bearing cage according to the invention 8th in which, however, the wavy formed radial surface 14 axially outward over an axially outer surface 40 of the bridges 34 extends. This radial extent to the outside is above the letter D in 4 shown. This radial extent has the advantage that, in addition, the lubricant that flows from the rolling elements into an outer region of the bearing cage 8th is introduced, not just to flow axially out of the camp, but by means of the radial surface 14 a barrier is created that retains the lubricant. A possible lubricant flow is indicated by the arrows in 4 shown. This from the radial surface 14 Retained lubricant can in particular through the openings 36 to the running surfaces of the rolling elements 6 be returned or it may be over between radial surface 14 and first ring element 30 provided recesses 42 to the end faces of the rolling elements and from there in particular in the area of the guide board 10 to be led back. Advantageously, thus allows the radial surface 14 not only moving a lubricant in a static region outside the bearing back into the lubricant circuit, but at the same time hinders the orientation radially outward, a drainage of the lubricant in the static region. In addition, the recesses according to the invention allow 42 between radial surface 14 and ring element 30 a particularly good return possibility for lubricant to the end faces of the rolling elements.

Further shows 4 that the radial surface 14 a radially outer edge 44 and a radially inner edge 46 has, which are each formed in opposite directions corrugated. As a result, a particularly effective transport of the lubricant to the rolling elements can also take place in this embodiment.

Overall, with the inventively designed bearing cage lubricant that resides in a static area and therefore no longer participates in the lubricant circuit due to the corrugation according to the invention to the rolling elements and thus be returned to the lubricant circuit. At the same time, a lubricant outflow in the direction of the static region can be limited beyond the inventive extension radially outward. In addition, a turbulence is introduced into the static lubricant via a corrugation formed in the opposite direction so that the lubricant can be brought into motion as a whole. Advantageously, while the radial surface may be formed integrally with the bearing cage, but it is also possible to form the radial surface as a separately formed element attachable to a ring element. Thus, already existing bearing cages can be equipped with the wave profile according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Tapered roller bearings

2

 outer ring

4

 inner ring

6

 rolling elements

8th

 bearing cage

10

 management board

12

 static area

14

 radial surface with wave profiles

16

 trough

18

 Wellenberg

20

 axially extending edge

22

 Wellenberg

24

 trough

30

 first ring element

32

 second ring element

34

 web

36

 opening

38

 bevel

40

 radially outer surface of the web

42

 recess

44

 radially outer edge

46

 radially inner edge

D

 Extension radially outward

Claims (11)

Bearing cage ( 8th ) for a rolling bearing ( 1 ), in particular for a tapered roller bearing, with at least one first ring element ( 30 ) and a second ring element ( 32 ), which have at least one bridge ( 34 ), wherein the first and the second ring element ( 30 ; 32 ) are designed to provide between them at least one rolling element ( 6 ) and to hold it axially, and the at least one web ( 34 ) is designed to the rolling elements ( 4 ) circumferentially, characterized in that at least the first ring element ( 30 ) an at least partially substantially radially extending surface ( 14 ), which is formed wavy. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to claim 1, wherein the radially extending surface ( 14 ) a radially inner edge ( 46 ) and a radially outer edge ( 44 ), which are formed in opposite directions corrugated, so that a wave crest of the radially inner edge extends to a trough of the radially outer edge. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the corrugation of the radial surface ( 14 ) is set at an angle to a radial orientation. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the radial surface ( 14 ) and the ring element ( 30 ), especially in the area of the Wellenberg ( 18 ) a recess ( 42 ) is trained. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial surface ( 14 ) radially outward over a radially outer surface ( 40 ) of the web, or wherein the radial surface ( 14 ) radially outward to a radially outer surface ( 40 ) of the bridge ( 34 ). Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first ring element ( 30 ) further comprises a substantially axially outwardly extending edge ( 20 ) which extends at least partially axially across the radially extending surface (Fig. 14 ), wherein preferably the axially outwardly extending edge ( 20 ) is formed wavy. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to claim 5, wherein the corrugation of the axially extending edge ( 20 ) and the corrugation of the radial surface ( 14 ) are formed in opposite directions, preferably a wave crest ( 18 ) of the radial surface ( 14 ) to a wave trough ( 24 ) of the axially extending edge ( 20 ) and / or a wave trough ( 16 ) of the radial surface to a wave crest ( 22 ) of the axially extending edge ( 20 ). Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first ring element ( 30 ) a first radius and the second ring element ( 32 ) have a second radius, and the first radius is greater than the second radius. Bearing cage ( 8th ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing cage ( 8th ) is composed of at least one bearing cage segment. Roller bearing ( 1 ), in particular tapered roller bearings with an outer ring ( 2 ) and an inner ring ( 4 ) between which rolling elements ( 6 ) are arranged, characterized in that the rolling elements in a bearing cage ( 8th ) are arranged according to one of the preceding claims. Roller bearing ( 1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the outer ring ( 2 ) is formed such that it extends only to the radial surface ( 14 ).

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