DE102016005472A1 - Bearing element for supporting a crankshaft of a reciprocating engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing element for supporting a crankshaft on a crankcase of a reciprocating engine, having at least one bearing opening (10) for at least partially receiving a shaft journal of the crankshaft, wherein at least one side (18, 22) of a bearing body (10) at least partially limiting body (20) of the bearing element is at least partially provided with a sliding layer (16, 24) on which the crankshaft can be supported in its axial direction.

Description

The invention relates to a bearing element for supporting a crankshaft of a reciprocating engine according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a bearing element for supporting a crankshaft on a crankcase of a reciprocating engine, for example, already from the DE 10 2004 016 618 A1 known. The example formed as a bearing cap or bearing bracket bearing element has at least one bearing opening for at least partially receiving a shaft journal of the crankshaft. The bearing opening is usually referred to as a bearing receptacle, bore or bearing bore, wherein a shaft journal of the crankshaft can be arranged at least partially in the bearing opening. In its state rotatably mounted on the crankcase via the bearing element, the bearing element at least partially surrounds the shaft journal in its circumferential direction, so that the crankshaft is securely and stably rotatably mounted on the crankcase about an axis of rotation relative to the crankcase.

Conventionally, at least one thrust washer formed separately from the bearing element and separately from the crankshaft and additionally provided for this purpose is used, by means of which a thrust bearing for the crankshaft is formed. Typically, the thrust washer is arranged in the axial direction of the crankshaft between this, in particular between a crank arm of the crankshaft, and the bearing element, so that the crankshaft by means of the thrust bearing or mediation of the thrust washer in the axial direction of the crankshaft on the bearing element can be supported and thus stored.

Such thrust washers are usually used as thrust bearings to absorb axial forces acting, for example, on the crankshaft, and in particular to support it on the bearing element. In particular, such a thrust washer is inserted in the axial direction of the crankshaft between it and the bearing element, so that the thrust washer in a respective longitudinal region of the crankshaft in the circumferential direction at least partially, in particular completely, surrounds. Usually, the thrust washers are laterally on the one hand on a crank arm of the crankshaft and on the other hand on the bearing element, that is on the bearing block or the bearing cap on. Usually, the thrust washers are characterized by particularly good sliding properties, so that the crankshaft can easily rotate in their camp and so that axial forces can be absorbed without damage.

However, the mounting of such thrust washers is relatively complicated and cumbersome .. Usually, the thrust washer is formed of a metallic material and must be mounted in the context of assembly of the reciprocating engine in addition to the crankshaft and in addition to the bearing element. From the use of the thrust washer thus result in a high number of parts and a high assembly cost of the reciprocating engine.

Object of the present invention is therefore to develop a bearing element of the type mentioned in such a way that the number of parts and the cost of mounting the reciprocating engine can be kept very low.

This object is achieved by a bearing element with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

To further develop a bearing element specified in the preamble of claim 1 type such that the number of parts and the cost of mounting the reciprocating engine can be kept particularly low, it is inventively provided that at least one side of the bearing opening at least partially limiting body of the bearing element at least partially is provided with a sliding layer on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction. The sliding layer is a coating which is applied to the base body or to the side of the main body. The sliding layer is thus not independent of the bearing element to produce or not independently manufactured by the bearing element component, but the overlay is applied in the context of their production on the side of the body, so that the page is at least partially coated.

The sliding layer acts as a thrust bearing, by means of which the crankshaft can be mounted on the bearing element in a particularly simple yet low-friction manner in the axial direction of the crankshaft. The sliding layer is temperature-resistant and insensitive to oil, so that a low-friction axial bearing of the crankshaft can be ensured during operation of the example designed as a reciprocating internal combustion engine reciprocating engine.

In finished manufactured state of the reciprocating engine, the sliding layer, for example in the axial direction of the crankshaft, this, in particular a crank arm of the crankshaft, faces, so that the crankshaft, in particular via its crank webs, in the axial direction of the crankshaft on the sliding layer and thus mediating the Sliding layer on the main body or on the bearing element as a whole can be supported. For example, the bearing element lies with its sliding layer directly on the crank arm of the crankshaft, whereby a defined and advantageous bearing of the crankshaft can be realized in particular in its axial direction.

By means of the bearing element according to the invention, not only the assembly of the reciprocating engine compared to conventional reciprocating engines can be facilitated, since the provision and introduction of separately manufactured by the crankshaft and separately from the bearing element, additionally provided thrust washers omitted, but also can due to the elimination of thrust washers For example, designed as a bearing cap bearing element and a corresponding bearing block are particularly small dimensions, so that the weight of the reciprocating engine can be kept very low. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the bearing element is designed as a bearing block. Furthermore, by using the sliding layer formed as a coating manufacturing tolerances can be maintained much better or even compensated, so that rework can be omitted. Overall, it is possible to reduce material costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs compared to conventional reciprocating engines. Furthermore, the friction power of the reciprocating engine can be kept low, so that, for example, the CO ₂ emissions of the internal combustion engine designed as a reciprocating engine can be kept low. Furthermore, the number of parts and thus the weight of the reciprocating engine and their costs can be kept low, at the same time a particularly high reliability can be guaranteed. In addition, since the number of parts to be assembled can be kept low, the likelihood of assembly errors can be kept to a particularly low level.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings; these show in:

1 a schematic side view of a trained as a bearing cap bearing member for rotatably supporting a crankshaft to a crankcase of a reciprocating engine, with at least one bearing opening for at least partially receiving a shaft journal of the crankshaft, wherein at least one side of the bearing opening at least partially limiting body of the bearing element at least partially with a Sliding layer is provided, on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction; and

2 a schematic front view of the bearing element.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic side view of a bearing element for rotatably supporting a crankshaft, not shown in the figures on a crankcase of a reciprocating engine. The reciprocating engine is designed for example as a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a component of a drive train of a motor vehicle, which is drivable by means of the reciprocating piston engine. By means of the crankshaft, the reciprocating engine can for example provide torques for driving the motor vehicle. In this case, the reciprocating engine comprises a crankcase, not shown in the figures, in which the crankshaft is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly, accommodated in the finished state of the reciprocating engine.

The reciprocating engine has, for example, a first bearing element in the form of a bearing block, not shown in the figures, which has a plurality of axially arranged in the axial direction of the crankshaft or successive bearing points. The bearing block, for example, formed integrally with the crankcase bearing a bearing receptacle is provided, in each of which a shaft journal of the crankshaft is receivable. In finished manufactured state of the reciprocating engine, the shaft journal penetrates the respective bearing mount.

This in 1 bearing element shown is a second bearing element, which is designed as a bearing cap and associated with one of the bearings. Each bearing point is associated with a bearing cap, so that the respective bearing cap, in particular reversibly detachable, can be connected to the bearing block. The respective bearing mount is partially limited in the finished state of the reciprocating engine, in particular to a first half of the bearing block and partially, in particular to the second half of the respective bearing cap.

This points out - how very good 2 recognizable - the in 1 and 2 shown bearing cap a bearing opening 10 on, in which a shaft journal of the crankshaft is partially receivable. Under mediation of the bearing cap and the bearing block, the crankshaft is supported or supported in its radial direction on the crankcase, wherein the crankshaft in the finished state of the reciprocating engine on the Bearing and the respective bearing cap is rotatably mounted in the radial direction of the crankshaft to the crankcase. Thus, the crankshaft is about a rotation axis 12 rotatably mounted relative to the crankcase on this. The respective bearing cap is a separately formed from the bearing block component which, in particular reversibly detachable, connected to the bearing block, in particular screwed, can be.

In order to realize a particularly low-friction bearing of the crankshaft, usually between the respective shaft journal and the respective bearing element (bearing block and bearing cap) at least one bearing part is arranged, which is designed for example as a plain bearing, in particular as a plain bearing shell, or as a rolling bearing. Thus, the crankshaft can be supported or supported in the radial direction by means of the bearing part on the bearing elements. The bearing part is thus used to realize a radial bearing, that is a radial bearing of the crankshaft. As a result, forces acting on the crankshaft can be supported on the crankcase in the radial direction of the crankshaft. In order to support these forces acting on the crankcase in the axial direction of the crankshaft, is at least one thrust bearing 14 provided on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction. Under mediation of the thrust bearing 14 the crankshaft is stored or stored in its axial direction on the crankcase.

In order to keep the number of parts, the weight, the cost and the effort to mount the reciprocating engine particularly low, includes the thrust bearing 14 at least one sliding layer 16 pointing to a first page 18 one the bearing opening 10 limiting basic body 20 the bearing cap is applied. This means that the first page 18 of the bearing opening 10 limiting basic body 20 the bearing cap at least partially with the sliding layer 16 is provided, on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction. The sliding layer 16 is also referred to as a sliding coating and is a thrust bearing coating, which directly on the bearing cap, in particular on its side 18 , is applied. Thus, the thrust bearing 14 at least in part by the sliding layer 16 formed, which is not about a manufactured independently of the bearing cap or manufacturable component, but in the context of their production on the side 18 applied or applied.

Out 1 is recognizable that also one of the page 18 in the axial direction of the crankshaft facing away from the second side 22 the bearing cap with another sliding layer 24 is provided, the previous and following versions of the sliding layer 16 also readily on the overlay 24 can be transmitted and vice versa.

In the finished state of the reciprocating engine, for example, the overlay 16 a first crank arm facing the crankshaft in the axial direction, so that the crankshaft via its first crank arm in the axial direction of the sliding layer 16 is supportable. Furthermore, it can be provided that the second sliding layer 24 in the ready-made state of the reciprocating engine of a second crank arm of the crankshaft in the axial direction is opposite, so that the crankshaft on the first crank arm opposite the second crank arm in the axial direction of the crankshaft to the sliding layer 24 is supportable.

Through the use of sliding layers designed as sliding layers 16 and 24 the use of separately prepared from the bearing cap and additionally to be installed thrust washers can be omitted, so that the cost of mounting such thrust washers can be omitted compared to conventional reciprocating engine. As a result, the reciprocating piston engine, in particular the crankshaft, can be mounted in a particularly simple and thus time-consuming and cost-effective manner. Further, it is conceivable that all bearing caps of the reciprocating engine have the same design, so that the cost of producing the reciprocating engine can be kept very low. Furthermore, for example, compared to conventional reciprocating engines machining operations on the bearing block can be omitted. Furthermore, it is conceivable to make the bearing block and the bearing caps particularly narrow, in particular in the axial direction of the crankshaft, so that the weight of the reciprocating piston engine can be kept low.

During operation of the reciprocating engine forces acting on the crankshaft in the axial direction of the crankshaft. These axial forces occur, for example, by clutch actuation, ascent and descent, cornering, delays, accelerations, and by a converter of a transmission of the drive train designed, for example, as an automatic transmission. Furthermore arise during operation dynamic forces that result inter alia from combustion processes in the combustion chambers of the reciprocating engine. To accommodate these axial forces now come the sliding layers 16 and 24 used, which can be used instead of separate thrust washers. Usually either four or two individual thrust washers or a so-called built bearing are used, but this leads to a high number of parts, a high weight and a high cost for mounting the reciprocating engine. These problems and disadvantages can now be avoided.

In the case of 1 and 2 described reciprocating engine, it is now provided for receiving the axial forces, the bearing cap with the sliding layers 16 and 24 to coat, with the respective sliding layer 16 respectively 24 temperature and oil resistant. For example, the respective sliding layer 16 respectively 24 by printing, in particular by screen printing. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the respective sliding layer 16 respectively 24 is formed as a spray coating, vapor deposition layer, dip layer, powder layer or the like.

It was found that the cost of each sliding layer 16 respectively 24 are many times less than for separately prepared and additionally provided thrust washers. Through the use of lubricious coatings 16 and 24 the reciprocating engine can be designed particularly easily because only one blank is needed as a bearing cap. As a result, a particularly high number of identical parts with respect to the blank can be realized, so that tool costs are kept particularly low.

Furthermore, it is provided in the present case that - as in the example of the sliding layer 16 recognizable - the sliding layer 16 a hydrodynamic structure or cup structures 26 has to thereby realize, for example, a particularly low-friction axial bearing. The thrust bearing 14 is thus designed as a hydrodynamic thrust bearing. This shows the structure 26 a plurality of oil compression channels 28 on which of the sliding layer 16 kept free or recessed. The oil compression channels 28 are located, for example, on a crankshaft in the axial direction facing side and extend, for example, radially inwardly, in particular from the coating surface. For example, the oil compression channels 28 over the entire circumference of the sliding layer 16 distributed, in particular evenly distributed, arranged. Out 2 is particularly well recognizable that the oil compression channels 28 are formed in the form of sickle grooves or pin grooves. The hydrodynamic structure 26 For example, in a cost-minimized process such as by printing, in particular by screen printing, spraying, steaming, dipping, powder coating, etc. can be produced. Between the structure 26 and its facing crank arm can build up a lubricating film, so that a low-friction hydrodynamic axial plain bearing is displayed.

In order to realize a particularly low-friction storage, the wear-resistant sliding layer 16 respectively 24 For example, formed as a polymer fluoropolymer coating or metal sliding and thereby directly on the bearing cap, in particular the body 20 , applied.

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 102004016618 A1 [0002]

Claims (5)

Bearing element for supporting a crankshaft on a crankcase of a reciprocating piston engine, with at least one bearing opening ( 10 ) for at least partially receiving a shaft journal of the crankshaft, characterized in that at least one side ( 18 . 22 ) one the bearing opening ( 10 ) at least partially limiting basic body ( 20 ) of the bearing element at least partially with a sliding layer ( 16 . 24 ) is provided, on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction. Bearing element according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the side ( 18 . 22 ) in the axial direction facing away from the second side ( 18 . 22 ) of the basic body ( 20 ) at least partially with a second sliding layer ( 16 . 24 ) is provided, on which the crankshaft is supported in its axial direction. Bearing element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sliding layer ( 16 . 24 ) by printing, in particular by screen printing, on the side ( 18 . 22 ) is applied. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding layer ( 16 . 24 ) is sprayed on the side. Bearing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding layer ( 16 . 24 ) is formed as a vapor deposition layer, dip layer, sputter layer, sintered metal layer or powder layer.

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