DE102015206224B4 - Rolling bearing cage - Google Patents

Abstract

Rolling bearing cage (1) which forms an annular structure into which a number of receiving pockets (2) for rolling elements is incorporated, wherein the rolling bearing cage (1) comprises a strip-shaped material portion (3) which is formed into a ring (4), wherein the to the ring (4) shaped strip-shaped material portion (3) by at least one at least partially around the circumference of the ring (4) circumferential holding element (5, 6) is held in its annular shape and the at least one holding element (5, 6) meandering alternately at the Outer side (9) of the ring (4) and on the inside (10) of the ring (4), characterized in that the strip-shaped material portion (3) consists of a plurality of segments which together form the ring (4).

Description

The invention relates to a roller bearing cage, which forms an annular structure, in which a number of receiving pockets for rolling elements is incorporated.

Rolling bearing cages of this type are well known in the art.

For small quantities and for very large cages, the production of the same is very expensive and time-consuming, because - in terms of quantities - very high tooling costs arise. In addition, the material used on sheet metal compared to the weight of the finished cage is very high, since the starting form a sheet metal blank or rolled ring blanks are used.

The procurement of sheet material in most cases requires a certain minimum order quantity from a blank size of more than 1.5 m, which leads to the inefficiency of the cage production. In addition to the high costs and correspondingly long delivery times for large forming tools are to be accepted.

There are only a few manufacturers that can produce very large cages (outer diameter of more than 1.5 m) from a cage blank made of sheet metal by spin forming.

Another problem is the sheet thickness is because from about 12 mm sheet thickness, the receiving pockets are no longer produced by laser cutting and sometimes exceeds the weight of the pressed pot blank that value that is editable on the required for laser processing indexing tables. Water jet cutting is often not possible, as a pot blank in a water jet system is difficult to handle and an additional impact protection is necessary.

Furthermore, there are hardly any presses with which can be punched in a cage with an outer diameter over 1.2 m receiving pockets.

For the reasons mentioned, therefore, the cages are usually made of solid at large diameters, d. H. by turning and milling operations on a rolled ring blank. This type of production is very expensive and requires a considerable amount of material.

Thus, only cages up to about 10 mm sheet thickness and about 1.2 m outside diameter can be produced by spin forming with subsequent punching and embossing of the pockets. Alternatively, the pockets can be made by laser cutting. Larger cages, however, can only be made out of solid material. Alternatively, the type of bolt cage may be used, as far as the application permits. A sheet-metal cage in bolt design for a small or normal dimensioned bearing is for example from the US 2,668,743 A known. This document discloses a bearing cage, wherein the bearing cage comprises a flexible metal strip as a side ring are formed from the axially extending shaft portions on which the rolling elements are attached. On the opposite side of the metal strip holes are formed in the shaft portions through which a wire is threaded to hold the rolling elements on the shaft portion. However, such a cage can only be used for small dimensioned bearings, since in large bearings bending of the comb-like metal strip in a round cage shape using the wire is no longer possible.

In the light of the above problem, the present invention therefore has the object to provide a generic rolling bearing cage in such a way that it is possible to produce him inexpensively with a very large outside diameter.

The generic rolling bearing cage comprises a strip-shaped material portion, which is formed into a ring, wherein the ring-shaped strip-shaped material portion is held by at least one at least partially encircling the circumference of the ring holding member in its annular shape. In this case, the at least one holding element runs meander-shaped alternately on the outside of the ring and on the inside of the ring. In this case, bores are preferably incorporated in the ring, which serve for the passage of the retaining element.

The solution of this problem by the invention is characterized in that the strip-shaped material portion consists of several segments which together form the ring. So even very large cages can be assembled from easy to produce material sections.

Preferably, the at least one retaining element is a cable, a rope or a wire. It preferably runs around the entire circumference of the ring.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a first holding element in the axial region between the receiving pockets and the one axial end of the ring and a second holding element in the axial region between the receiving pockets and the other axial end of the ring is arranged.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the ring a number Holding eyes are arranged, which serve for the passage and for guiding the at least one holding element. The holding eyes are preferably formed from the material of the strip-shaped material section.

In this case, it may in particular be provided that such a contour is cut out of a flat metal strip by means of laser beam cutting or by water jet cutting, which forms the holding eyes with. The eyelets can then be bent out into the required position as intended from the plane of the metal strip.

The strip-shaped material section is preferably made of metal, in particular of sheet metal.

Preferably, the strip-shaped material portion is provided in its end regions in each case with an end profile, wherein the two end profiles are formed congruent to each other and can be assembled in a complementary manner.

The proposed rolling bearing cage is particularly preferably used as a tapered roller bearing cage or as a cylindrical roller bearing cage.

It preferably has an outer diameter which is at least 1,000 mm, preferably at least 2,000 mm.

Sheet metal or sheet metal segments according to the present invention can be easily produced from sheets or coils by laser or water jet cutting - alternatively by punching nipples or milling. The material usage is comparatively low. There are almost no tooling costs. The winding of the cones (especially in the case of tapered roller bearing cages) - ie the formation of the strip-shaped material section to the ring - can be done with conventional roll bending devices.

Due to the development of the cage shell (ie through the strip-shaped material section), in most cases the sheet width is less than 1.5 m. As a result, minimum order quantities (usually 25 t) are no longer necessary. Such cages can thus be made very quickly and inexpensively, because large tools with long delivery times are not required.

The invention thus makes it possible to produce even very large cages with low tooling costs and material requirements economically.

A technical advantage is also the ability to obstruct the cages without expensive mounting devices (Einziehglocke), since the open cone (namely in segmented design) can be mounted and closed from outside over the rollers (by means of the holding element in the form of a rope, a cable or a wire). Also, it is generally possible in the proposed embodiment, to dismantle the cage non-destructive again.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Wälzlagerkäfigs eines Kegelrollenlagers,
• 2 die Seitenansicht des Käfigs gemäß 1,
• 3 die Einzelheit „C“ gemäß 2,
• 4 die Draufsicht des Käfigs gemäß 1,
• 5 den Schnitt A-A gemäß 2,
• 6 die Draufsicht auf einen ebenen streifenförmigen Materialabschnitt, aus dem ein Ring geformt wird, der Bestandteil des Wälzlagerkäfigs gemäß 1 ist,
• 7 die Einzelheit „D“ gemäß 6,
• 8 den Schnitt B-B gemäß 7,
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines alternativen Wälzlagerkäfigs eines Kegelrollenlagers,
• 10 die Seitenansicht des Käfigs gemäß 9,
• 11 die Einzelheit „A“ gemäß 10,
• 12 den Schnitt C-C gemäß 10,
• 13 den Endabschnitt des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts mit ausgeschnittenen Halteösen, noch in der Ebene des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts liegend,
• 14 in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Teilschnitt des Endabschnitts gemäß 13 mit in die Benutzungslage herausgebogenen Halteösen,
• 15 den Endabschnitt des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts analog zu 13 in einer alternativen Ausgestaltung mit ausgeschnittenen Halteösen, noch in der Ebene des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts liegend,
• 16 die zusammenwirkenden Enden des zum Ring gebogenen streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts in der Seitenansicht mit in die Benutzungslage gebogenen Halteösen,
• 17 in perspektivischer Darstellung die umfangsseitigen Enden des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts mit jeweiligen Endprofilierung,
• 18 die Ansicht „Y“ gemäß 17 auf das eine umfangsseitige Ende des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts,
• 19 die Andeutung des Montagevorgangs der beiden umfangsseitigen Enden des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts in verschiedenen Montagestadien,
• 20 die verbundenen umfangsseitigen Enden des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts gemäß einer Verbindungsmöglichkeit mittels einiger Verbindungskabel,
• 21 die Darstellung gemäß 20 ohne Verbindungskabel,
• 22 den Schnitt A-A gemäß 20,
• 23 in perspektivischer Darstellung die verbundenen umfangsseitigen Enden des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts gemäß 20,
• 24 das eine umfangsseitige Ende des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts gemäß 20,
• 25 den Schnitt B-B gemäß 24,
• 26 das andere umfangsseitige Ende des streifenförmigen Materialabschnitts gemäß 20 und
• 27 den Schnitt C-C gemäß 26.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a rolling bearing cage of a tapered roller bearing,
• 2 the side view of the cage according to 1 .
• 3 the detail "C" according to 2 .
• 4 the top view of the cage according to 1 .
• 5 the section AA according to 2 .
• 6 the top view of a flat strip-shaped material portion from which a ring is formed, the part of the rolling bearing cage according to 1 is
• 7 the detail "D" according to 6 .
• 8th the section BB according to 7 .
• 9 a perspective view of an alternative rolling bearing cage of a tapered roller bearing,
• 10 the side view of the cage according to 9 .
• 11 the detail "A" according to 10 .
• 12 the section CC according to 10 .
• 13 the end portion of the strip-shaped material portion with cut-out eyelets, still lying in the plane of the strip-shaped material portion,
• 14 in perspective view a partial section of the end portion according to 13 with eyebolts bent out into the position of use,
• 15 the end portion of the strip-shaped material section analogous to 13 in an alternative embodiment with cut-out eyelets, still lying in the plane of the strip-shaped material section,
• 16 the cooperating ends of the ring-shaped strip-shaped material section bent in the side view with holding eyes bent into the use position,
• 17 in a perspective view the peripheral ends of the strip-shaped material section with respective end profiling,
• 18 the view "Y" according to 17 on the one circumferential end of the strip-shaped material section,
• 19 the indication of the assembly process of the two circumferential ends of the strip-shaped material section in different assembly stages,
• 20 the connected circumferential ends of the strip-shaped material section according to a connection possibility by means of some connecting cables,
• 21 the representation according to 20 without connecting cable,
• 22 the section AA according to 20 .
• 23 in perspective view of the connected peripheral ends of the strip-shaped material portion according to 20 .
• 24 the one circumferential end of the strip-shaped material section according to 20 .
• 25 the section BB according to 24 .
• 26 the other circumferential end of the strip-shaped material section according to 20 and
• 27 the section CC according to 26 ,

In the 1 to 16 is a Wälzlagerkä 1 represented in the form of a tapered roller bearing cage or its individual parts.

The Wälzlagerkä 1 as he is in 1 is shown in perspective, has an annular base contour, the distributed over the circumference receiving pockets 2 for - not shown - rolling elements has. The Wälzlagerkä 1 consists essentially of a ring 4 made of a strip-shaped material section 3 (S. 6 ), by the latter from its initially flat basic form to the ring 4 was bent.

The ring 4 So it is made of a flat strip-shaped material section 3 shaped as a planar structure according to 6 is made, for example by laser cutting or water jet cutting. This strip-shaped material section 3 is then to the ring 4 bent, as can be seen for example 1 results.

So the ring 4 remains in its intended position, are two holding elements 5 and 6 provided in the form of a wire, in the embodiment, the two holding elements 5 . 6 fully around the circumference of the ring 4 circulate; not shown in detail, that the holding elements 5, 6 are connected to each other at their abutting end points, including suitable and known per se means are used.

As from the detailed representations and in particular from 3 can be seen, is ever a holding element 5 respectively. 6 in the axial end regions of the ring 4 intended. In the exemplary embodiment, a holding elements extends 5 in the axial region of the ring 4 placed between the top of the receiving bag 2 and the one axial end 7 of the ring 4 lies; the other holding element 6 runs in the axial region of the ring between the lower end of the receiving pocket 2 and the other axial end 8th of the ring 4 lies.

How best in 5 can be detected, while running the two holding elements 5 . 6 meandering alternately between the outside 9 of the ring 4 and the inside 10 of the ring 4 , For this are holes 11 (see best 8th ), which serve for the passage of the holding element 5, 6. The bore axis preferably excludes - as best of all 8th emerges - to the radial direction r an angle between 45 ° and 70 °. As a result, the retaining element when threading through the holes 11 only slightly kinked.

While in the 1 to 8th Outlined a solution in which the retaining element 5 . 6 through said holes 11 is guided, the show 9 to 16 another embodiment, on holding eyes 12 turns off in the axial end areas 7 . 8th of the ring 4 are arranged.

In the 11 to 14 can be seen, that the holding eyes 12 first - see 13 - From the material of the strip-shaped material section 13 be cut free; in 13 is the extent finished (produced by laser beam cutting or water jet cutting) flat strip-shaped material section 3 to see. This then becomes the cut-out eyelets 12 from the plane of the material section 3 bent out, leaving the grommets 12 take the position as they do 14 shows.

An alternative embodiment of the eyelets 12 goes out of the 15 and 16 out. Unlike the solution according to 13 the eyelets 12 are not here within the strip-shaped contour of the material section 3 but outside of it. Is that in 15 cut flat structure shown, is by two bending of the laterally protruding from the strip material sections the retaining lug 12 in the in 16 sketched position brought in the then the holding element 5 . 6 through the eyelet 12 can be carried out; the eyelet 12 forms a hole for the holding element 5 . 6 in the circumferential direction of the ring 4 runs.

For the ring 4 is that it does not necessarily have to consist of a single section of material; It can also be a segmented design (ie, a production of several peripheral parts) are provided, which is particularly advantageous for very large diameters of the cage.

In the 17 to 27 are details of the proposed embodiment of Wälzlagerkä 1 by way of example, which deals with the connection of the two circumferential ends of the strip-shaped material section 3 to the ring 4 employ.

At the joints of the strip-shaped material section 3 that need to be connected together are final profiles 13 respectively. 14 provided (see best this 17 ). In this case, any shapes complementary complementary profiles are possible, which after joining the ends of the strip-shaped material section 3 not only form an undisturbed annular contour, but may also form an undercut in the circumferential direction, which ensures that the two ends in the mounted state of Wälzlagerkä 1 can not solve each other anymore.

From the synopsis of 17 and 18 it will be seen that undercut forms are present here, which are the two ends of the strip-shaped material section 3 Set both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction in the desired end position.

In the 17 Profiles shown also allow easy installation of the strip-shaped material section 3 to the ring 4 , as can be seen from the sequence of process steps according to 19 results.

In the 20 to 27 Other possibilities are sketched, such as the circumferential ends of the strip-shaped material section 3 can be connected. Again, complementarily shaped end profiles 13 and 14 are provided (see in particular 21 ), which is the flush joining of the ends of the material section 3 allow and ensure.

According to the solution shown in the mentioned figures, however, the peripheral ends are here by cables 20 connected to each other in the peripheral end portions of the material section 3 or of the ring 4 are arranged and hold the two ends together.

The cables 20 are in the respective end regions of the material section 3 anchored for which various options are available. In the embodiment according to the 20 to 27 are recesses 21 in the end regions of the material section 3 incorporated, in which the cables 20 be fixed. For this purpose, it is provided in the embodiment that the one end of the cable with a thickening 22 (eg in the form of infused balls), so that the cable 20 with one end stop in one end region of the material section 3 place. The other end of the cable 20 can by means of an anchor element 23 in the respective recess 21 in the other end of the material section 3 be fixed.

Around the one end of the cable 20 with positive locking can also press sleeves 24 (please refer 23 ) at the end of the cable 20 be attached.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Rolling bearing cage

2

receiving pocket

3

strip-shaped material section

4

ring

5

Retaining element (rope, cable, wire)

6

Retaining element (rope, cable, wire)

7

axial end

8th

axial end

9

Outside of the ring

10

Inside of the ring

11

drilling

12

retaining eye

13

end profile

14

end profile

20

Cable / wire / rope

21

recess

22

thickening

23

anchor member

24

compression sleeve

r

radial direction

a

axial direction

Claims (9)

Rolling bearing cage (1) which forms an annular structure into which a number of receiving pockets (2) for rolling elements is incorporated, wherein the rolling bearing cage (1) comprises a strip-shaped material portion (3) which is formed into a ring (4), wherein the to the ring (4) shaped strip-shaped material portion (3) by at least one at least partially around the circumference of the ring (4) circumferential holding element (5, 6) is held in its annular shape and the at least one holding element (5, 6) meandering alternately at the Outer side (9) of the ring (4) and on the inside (10) of the ring (4), characterized in that the strip-shaped material portion (3) consists of several segments which together form the ring (4). Rolling bearing cage after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one retaining element (5, 6) is a cable, a rope or a wire. Rolling bearing cage after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one holding element (5, 6) rotates about the entire circumference of the ring (4). Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that a first holding element (5) in the axial region between the receiving pockets (2) and the one axial end (7) of the ring (4) and a second holding element (6) in the axial region between the receiving pockets (2) and the other axial end (8) of the ring (4) is arranged. Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that in the ring (4) bores (11) are incorporated, which serve for the passage of the holding element (5, 6). Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the strip-shaped material portion (3) made of metal, in particular of sheet metal. Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the strip-shaped material portion (3) is provided in its end regions in each case with an end profile (13, 14), wherein the two end profiles (13, 14) are congruent to each other and can be assembled in a complementary manner. Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that it is a tapered roller bearing cage or a cylindrical roller bearing cage. Rolling bearing cage according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that it has an outer diameter which is at least 1,000 mm, preferably at least 2,000 mm.

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