DE102017129374A1 - Sensor bearing assembly and encoder unit for this - Google Patents

Abstract

Sensor bearing assembly (01) comprising a first bearing ring (04) on which at least one sensor unit (07) is arranged, a second bearing ring (03) on which one of the at least one sensor unit (07) opposite encoder unit (08) is arranged, and between the bearing rings (03, 04) arranged rolling elements (06). The bearing rings (03, 04) are arranged coaxially with one another and are rotatable relative to one another, the sensor unit (07) and the encoder unit (08) being arranged axially laterally on the bearing rings (03, 04). Next, the encoder unit (08) has axially inside the bearing rings (03, 04) through holes (02) which are adapted to allow a lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a sensor bearing assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to an encoder unit with through holes for a sensor bearing assembly.

Background of the invention

Rolling bearing arrangements with integrated sensor devices, also known as sensor bearings, not only realize the primary bearing function but also serve to detect different bearing state variables, such as speed, temperature and angle of rotation. The sensor devices comprise sensors and signal transmitters, which are arranged on opposite surfaces of outer and inner ring. The distances between the sensor and the signal generator should be as low as possible in order to achieve a good measurement quality. This is problematic, especially with smaller bearing diameters, since the oil flow is severely hampered by the attached to the rolling bearing sensor device and the small air gap between the sensor and signal generator. In the case of grease lubrication problems also arise because the rolling bearing can only be penetrated with fat from the side of the sensor device. Lubrication or relubrication of the known sensor bearings is thus difficult or impossible. The currently available sensor bearings are mainly lifetime-lubricated deep groove ball bearings, for which no relubrication is provided. For lifetime lubrication, especially fats are used. Other types of bearings, such as tapered rollers, cylindrical roller bearings or spherical roller bearings, are usually lubricated with oil and therefore usually require relubrication. When fitting the non-life lubricated bearing types with sensor devices, the permeability of the lubricating medium should therefore be ensured.

The WO 2013/175257 A1 shows an adapted for oil lubrication sensor bearing with a sensor device. The sensor device includes a signal generator attached to a rotating inner ring, which is designed as an encoder ring, and a sensor fixed to an outer ring. Between the signal transmitter and the sensor adapted to the oil flow gap is formed.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to enable an improved lubricant flow in a bearing arrangement with an integrated sensor device largely independent of the distance between a signal transmitter and a sensor of the sensor device.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a sensor bearing arrangement according to the appended claim 1 and by an encoder unit with through-holes for the sensor bearing arrangement according to claim 10.

The sensor bearing arrangement according to the invention comprises a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring as well as rolling bodies located therebetween. The bearing rings are arranged coaxially with each other and rotatable to each other. At least one sensor unit is arranged on the first bearing ring. Preferably, the sensor unit is arranged on a side surface of the bearing or of the first bearing ring. Alternatively preferably, the sensor unit is arranged on a sensor carrier, which can be attached to the first bearing ring. At the second bearing ring, an encoder unit is arranged, which is opposite to the at least one sensor unit. The encoder unit and the sensor unit are thus arranged axially laterally on the bearing rings. Furthermore, the encoder unit has through holes axially inwardly of the bearing rings. The through holes are designed to allow lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior.

The sensor bearing assembly according to the invention thus enables a lubricant flow with a simple design modification of the encoder unit. The lubricant preferably has a high flowability and a low surface tension. As a lubricant, oil can be used. Alternatively, grease can be used as a lubricant. Thus, relubrication or constant lubricant flow, as in oil bath lubrication, is also possible for non-lifetime-lubricated sensor bearings. In this way, dry running of the bearing, which could lead to failure of the bearing, effectively prevented.

The sensor bearing assembly also allows the acquisition of measurement data by means of sensor and encoder, since the distance between the two components is maintained. Another advantage of the sensor bearing arrangement according to the invention is that the arrangement with respect to the lubricant flow is substantially maintenance-free.

The through holes can be introduced during the manufacture of the encoder unit by punching. So it is advantageous that no additional elements to enable the lubricant flow are needed. As a result, additional costs can be saved by other components, such as spacers. The solution requires no additional space and is maintenance-free.

In one embodiment, the through holes are formed on the encoder unit distributed uniformly over the circumference of the encoder unit. The number and / or size of the introduced through holes behaves, for example, proportionally to the diameter of the encoder unit and thus also proportional to the diameter of the bearing. For larger diameter bearings, therefore, a larger number of through holes and / or larger through holes are available than for smaller diameter bearings, which can ensure good lubricant flow even with larger bearings.

In one embodiment, the encoder unit is arranged directly on the second bearing ring.

In one embodiment, the encoder unit is designed as a magnetic encoder unit. Thus, the encoder unit can have as an encoder a magnetizable elastomer coating. Such a coating is easy to apply and can be applied with different materials. This makes it possible for the encoder unit to use the optimum for the use of the sensor bearing assembly material.

In a further embodiment, the encoder unit is formed as a one-piece component, in particular as a one-piece sheet-metal forming part. An education as Blechumformteil is particularly effective and inexpensive to manufacture. Especially in combination with a magnetizable elastomer coating, large degrees of freedom result in the design of the encoder unit.

In an alternative embodiment, the encoder unit is designed as an at least two-part component, namely as an adapter and as an encoder ring. The adapter is arranged axially between the second bearing ring and the encoder ring, to arrange the encoder ring indirectly to the second bearing ring. In particular, the encoder ring may be formed as a sheet metal forming part, with the advantages described above. In an embodiment of the embodiment, the adapter has the through holes. A two-part version of the encoder unit allows an even easier adaptation of the entire sensor system to different bearing sizes. Thus, for example, for a certain size range simple and inexpensive adapter can be made, which are precisely formed on the diameter of the respective bearing ring. Whereas the more expensive and expensive, optionally coated, encoder rings can be made in a uniform size.

In one embodiment, the first bearing ring is formed as an outer ring and the second bearing ring is formed as an inner ring.

In one embodiment, the first bearing ring is a non-rotatable bearing ring and the second bearing ring is a rotatable bearing ring. Thus, the encoder unit can also be arranged non-rotatably on the non-rotatable bearing ring, wherein the other bearing ring rotates and has the sensor unit.

Also included in the invention is an encoder unit which is designed for use in a sensor bearing arrangement, wherein the sensor bearing arrangement comprises a first bearing ring, on which at least one sensor unit is arranged, and a second bearing ring, on which the encoder unit is arranged. The bearing rings are rotatable relative to each other and arranged coaxially with each other. The sensor unit and the encoder unit are arranged axially laterally on the bearing rings. According to the invention, the encoder unit has through holes on its circumference, which are provided to allow a lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior.

Furthermore, the same applies to the encoder unit described in connection with the sensor bearing assembly according to the invention with all embodiments mentioned there.

Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of two embodiments, with reference to the drawings.

list of figures

• 1 eine Schnittansicht einer Sensorlageranordnung mit einer einteiligen Encodereinheit gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine Schnittansicht einer Sensorlageranordnung mit einer zweiteiligen Encodereinheit gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 a sectional view of a sensor bearing assembly with a one-piece encoder unit according to a first embodiment;
• 2 a sectional view of a sensor bearing assembly with a two-part encoder unit according to a second embodiment.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 shows a sectional view of the sensor bearing assembly 01 with a one-piece encoder unit 08 with through holes 02 ,

The sensor bearing arrangement 01 includes an inner ring 03 and an outer ring 04 and radially in between rolling elements 06 , The inner ring 03 and the outer ring 04 are arranged coaxially with each other. The outer ring 04 is opposite the inner ring 03 rotatable. On the outer ring 04 is indirectly a sensor unit 07 arranged. The encoder unit 08 is directly on the inner ring 03 created, and is the sensor unit 07 across from.

The sensor unit 07 is mounted on a sensor carrier, wherein the sensor carrier on the outer ring 04 is applied.

The encoder unit 08 has evenly distributed holes around the circumference 02 on. The through holes 02 are axially inward to the bearing rings 03 . 04 educated. This allows a lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior.

2 shows a sectional view of the sensor bearing assembly 01 with a two-part encoder unit 08 , In contrast to the sensor bearing arrangement according to 1 , is the encoder unit 08 from an adapter 05 and an encoder ring 09 educated. The adapter 05 has the through holes 02 which performs the same function as the encoder unit 1 fulfill. The adapter 05 is axially between the inner ring 03 and the encoder ring 09 arranged and allows the assignment of the encoder ring 09 on the lateral surface of the inner ring 03 ,

The embodiments according to 1 and 2 serve the lubrication of the bearing during the period of use and thus effectively prevent dry running of the bearing due to the axial lateral final arrangement of the sensor 07 . 08 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Sensor bearing arrangement

02

Through Hole

03

second bearing ring

04

first bearing ring

05

adapter

06

rolling elements

07

sensor unit

08

encoder unit

09

encoder ring

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

• WO 2013/175257 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Sensor bearing assembly (01) comprising a first bearing ring (04) on which at least one sensor unit (07) is arranged, a second bearing ring (03) on which one of the at least one sensor unit (07) opposite encoder unit (08) is arranged, and between the bearing rings (03, 04) arranged rolling elements (06), wherein the bearing rings (03, 04) are arranged coaxially with one another and are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the sensor unit (07) and the encoder unit (08) are arranged axially laterally on the bearing rings (03, 04), and wherein the encoder unit (08) axially through the bearing rings (03, 04) has through holes (02) which are adapted to allow a lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior. Sensor bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , wherein the through holes (02) on the encoder unit (08) are formed uniformly distributed over the circumference of the encoder unit (08). Sensor bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the encoder unit (08) is arranged directly on the second bearing ring (03). Sensor bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , wherein the encoder unit (08) has as an encoder a magnetizable elastomer coating. Sensor bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , wherein the encoder unit (08) as a one-piece component, in particular as a one-piece Blechumformteil formed. Sensor bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4 in that the encoder unit (08) is designed as an at least two-part component, namely as an adapter (05) and as an encoder ring (09), in particular as an encoder ring (09) made of a sheet-metal forming part, and wherein the adapter (05) extends axially between the second bearing ring (03) and the encoder ring (09) is arranged. Sensor bearing arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the adapter (05) has the through holes (02). Sensor bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the first bearing ring (04) is a bearing outer ring, and wherein the second bearing ring (03) is a bearing inner ring. Sensor bearing arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 8th wherein the first bearing ring (04) is a non-rotatable bearing ring, and wherein the second bearing ring (03) is a rotatable bearing ring. Encoder unit (08) for use in a sensor bearing assembly (01) with a first bearing ring (04) on which at least one sensor unit (07) is arranged, and a second bearing ring (03) on which the encoder unit (08) is arranged, wherein the bearing rings (03, 04) are arranged coaxially with one another and are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the sensor unit (07) and the encoder unit (08) are arranged axially laterally on the bearing rings (03, 04), and wherein the encoder unit (08) has through holes (02 ) at its periphery, which are intended to allow a lubricant flow to / from the bearing interior.

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