DE102018110466B4 - Bearing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Bearing arrangement, comprising a housing (2) with a bearing receptacle (3) and a bearing (4) which can be inserted into this and which has an outer ring (8) with a partially spherical outer circumferential surface (9), which is in a swivel ring (10) with an inner circumferential surface (11) is received, wherein the pivot ring (10) has two ring sections (13, 14) which are axially movable relative to one another in order to adjust the contact between the outer circumferential surface (9) and the inner circumferential surface (11), the bearing receptacle (3) having an internal thread (18), into which a threaded ring (16) can be screwed, the end face (19) of which can be moved axially against a ring section (13) of the swivel ring (10) to adjust the relative position of the ring sections (13, 14).

Description

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement, in particular for mounting a worm spindle for power steering.

A bearing arrangement which comprises a bearing, be it a roller bearing or a plain bearing, is known to be used for the rotary bearing of a first component relative to a second component. Such a bearing arrangement is used in particular to support a shaft, preferably a worm spindle for power steering. While in a motor vehicle without power steering, an adjustment torque for moving a longitudinal column and thereby a rack coupled to the arms of the steered axle of the vehicle must be applied entirely by the driver, when power steering is used, steering power is assisted by an auxiliary unit, in particular an electric motor, whose output torque is provided by a worm drive is entered in the longitudinal column or a shaft coupled with it. For this purpose, an output shaft is coupled to a worm spindle in a fixed manner via a coupling, the toothing of the worm spindle being in engagement with surrounding toothing of a worm wheel, which is non-rotatably connected to the longitudinal column or the shaft connected to it. An example of such power steering is in EP 1 225 116 B1 described.

In the operation of motor vehicles equipped with such power steering systems, excessive play between the worm wheel and the worm spindle leads to impairments. Such a game is usually given in the bearing area of the shaft. The worm shaft is supported by a loose and a fixed bearing. The worm shaft is adjusted to the worm wheel via the floating bearing without play. For this purpose, the fixed bearing must allow a swivel angle, for which purpose a swivel ring is provided which receives the outer ring of the bearing, usually a four-point ball bearing, in a spherical cap. The outer ring has a partially spherical outer jacket surface that allows the pivoting movement within the spherical cap. The production-related play between the spherical cap of the swivel ring and the partially spherical outer jacket surface can be kept as small as possible by appropriate, extremely complex machining, but there is still sufficient play that can lead to noise under certain conditions. To reduce this game is off DE 10 2007 044 618 A1 a bearing unit is known which enables clearance of the outer ring to the spherical swivel ring. This is done in that the outer ring is made in two parts, i.e. has two axially adjacent ring sections which are axially pressed together via a sleeve encompassing them radially and axially, whereby axial bracing of the bearing unit, which comprises this sleeve as an integral component, is achieved. Alternatively, it is known to provide one or more elastic elements in the swivel ring, which spring or pretension the swivel ring towards the outer ring. Due to the production-related tolerances of either the clamping sleeve and its assembly or the elastic elements, a defined clearance clearance that can be precisely maintained over the series cannot be achieved.

The invention is thus based on the problem of specifying a bearing arrangement which is improved in comparison.

To solve this problem, a bearing arrangement is provided according to the invention, comprising a housing with a bearing receptacle, as well as a bearing insertable in this with an outer ring with a partially spherical outer circumferential surface, which is received in a swivel ring with an inner circumferential surface, wherein the swivel ring has two ring sections which axially are movable relative to each other in order to adjust the contact between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, wherein the bearing receptacle has an internal thread into which a threaded ring can be screwed, the end face of which can be moved axially against an annular section of the swivel ring to adjust the relative position of the annular sections.

The bearing arrangement according to the invention comprises a rolling or sliding bearing, usually comprising an inner ring, a row of rolling bodies and an outer ring with a partially spherical outer surface which is received in a pivot ring having a guide cap. The swivel ring in turn consists of two ring sections which are axially movable relative to one another. The bearing arrangement further comprises a housing which has a corresponding bearing receptacle, which thus forms a sliding seat for the swivel ring together with the bearing. According to the invention, this bearing receptacle has an internal thread into which a threaded ring can be screwed. This runs with its annular end face axially against one of the two ring sections of the swivel ring. Since the two ring sections can be moved axially, albeit slightly, relative to one another, as described, the relative position of the two ring sections can be adjusted according to the invention via the threaded ring and the play of the swivel ring to the outer ring can be set, as can the resulting swivel torque.

This means that, according to the invention, the release of play and the setting of the pivoting moment are not by arrangement, as in the prior art so far or integration of a component firmly connected to the swivel ring in the form of a surrounding outer sleeve or one or more elastic elements takes place, but solely through a fastening element that fixes the swivel ring in the bearing receptacle, namely the threaded ring. This leads to a number of advantages. This is because the fact that the play or the pivoting torque is not set until the bearing is installed allows greater play in the pivoting range of the bearing, i.e. greater play between the swivel ring and the outer ring, which leads to simplified and cost-reduced production because the two relevant components do not have to be machined with high precision. A reproducible setting of the backlash and swiveling torque is also possible, since these can be measured accordingly when the threaded ring is tightened and consequently a high-precision setting is possible. After the threaded ring has been screwed exactly, it can be fixed in the exact position, for example by embossing or gluing, so that the setting once selected cannot be changed.

According to a first alternative of the invention, the swivel ring can consist of two separate ring sections which are received in an annular outer sleeve. The two ring sections are axially adjacent, the outer sleeve only serves to axially fix the swivel ring or the ring sections; unlike in the prior art, it does not serve to axially brace them in a defined manner in order to adjust the play. As an alternative to this, there is the possibility that the swivel ring consists of two ring sections which are integrally connected to one another, but which are axially slightly movable relative to one another. This can take place, for example, in that a groove is formed on the inner circumference of the swivel ring, which groove enables the ring sections provided laterally therefrom to be slightly axially movable. Regardless of how the swivel ring is specifically designed, the ring sections can be slightly axially braced to one another by a force axially applied via the threaded ring on the swivel ring supported on the other side in the bearing receptacle in the sliding seat and the play can be set free or the swivel torque can be set.

The swivel ring or the two ring sections can either be made of metal, but alternatively also of plastic. Both material variants allow axial bracing to the extent relevant to the invention.

The outer sleeve, which is used to fix the two separate ring sections to one another, can, in a further development of the invention, have a sleeve part with an L- or C-shaped cross-section, the sleeve part enclosing the ring sections radially and on one end face and having an encompassing rim on the other side . The leg of the sleeve part, which surrounds one ring section over a large area on the end face, serves to support in the bearing receptacle of the housing, while the rim provided on the other end face only serves for axial fixation. The outer sleeve is expediently a simple, drawn sheet metal component. If both ring sections are made of metal, be it that they are separate ring sections, be it that they are connected to each other, it is conceivable that the threaded ring is screwed directly against the free end face of one ring section. However, it is also conceivable that the outer sleeve also has an annular disk which occupies the other end face and which is fixed via the rim. In this case, the threaded sleeve runs against this washer, so does not press directly on the ring section. In particular, when the ring sections are made of plastic, be it as separate ring sections or as a one-piece component, the use of such an annular disk, which is of course also expediently a sheet steel disk, is expedient for power transmission, since in this way the axial force is distributed over a large area and symmetrically on the plastic ring section. The use of plastic ring sections is particularly useful with regard to noise damping. The use of a sleeve part is not absolutely necessary, but it does facilitate assembly.

According to an expedient development of the invention, it is also conceivable that at least one elastic spring element is arranged between the ring sections. This additional elastic element between the ring sections, which can be made of metal such as steel or sintered metal, but also of plastic, limits the applied axial adjustment force, since when the maximum force to be applied is reached, a corresponding deformation of the elastic element occurs. When using separate ring sections made of plastic, the elastic element also counteracts any long-term flow behavior of the plastic swivel ring halves and prevents the play in the swivel area from increasing. An O-ring is expediently integrated as the spring element, which only rests on the mutually associated end faces of the two ring sections. The spring element can be made of an elastomer, but the use of a metal element, for example in the form of a corrugated spring, is also conceivable. An elastomer spring element also has the advantage that it offers noise damping. The use of plastic housing sections or the elastomer parts also facilitates movement damping.

As an alternative to using a pure O-ring, it is conceivable that the spring element has a T-shaped cross section and engages with one leg between the two ring sections, while the other leg radially surrounds the ring sections. In addition to limiting the axial adjustment force, the spring element also has a function in terms of reducing the radial play in the sliding fit between the swivel ring and the housing. This is because the elastic element extends with its transverse leg into the area between the outer surface of the swivel ring and the inner surface of the sleeve, so that the axial force from the screw connection also results in a radial force component between the outer sleeve and the swivel ring half, which slightly expands the outer sleeve and thus reduces the radial play in the Sliding seat allows.

If the swivel ring halves, that is to say the ring sections and the spring element, are made of plastic, they can also be produced as a common 2-component component. This means that they are produced in a common injection mold using different plastics and injected onto one another.

The bearing arrangement is expediently used to support a worm shaft as part of a power steering system.

In addition to the bearing arrangement itself, the invention also relates to a method for adjusting the axial play between a swivel ring and an outer ring of a bearing received therein in a bearing arrangement of the type described above, the method being characterized in that the axial and radial play via the screwing of the threaded sleeve is adjusted to adjust the axial distance between the two ring sections, which is also used to adjust the pivoting torque.

• 1 eine Prinzipdarstellung, geschnitten, einer erfindungsgemäßen Lageranordnung einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• 2 eine Prinzipdarstellung, geschnitten, einer erfindungsgemäßen Lageranordnung einer zweiten Ausführungsform,
• 3 eine Prinzipdarstellung, geschnitten, einer erfindungsgemäßen Lageranordnung einer dritten Ausführungsform,
• 4 eine Prinzipdarstellung, geschnitten, einer erfindungsgemäßen Lageranordnung einer vierten Ausführungsform.

The invention is explained below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic representations and show:

• 1 a schematic diagram, in section, of a bearing arrangement according to the invention of a first embodiment,
• 2 a schematic diagram, in section, of a bearing arrangement according to the invention of a second embodiment,
• 3 a schematic diagram, in section, of a bearing arrangement according to the invention of a third embodiment,
• 4th a schematic diagram, in section, of a bearing arrangement according to the invention of a fourth embodiment.

1 shows a bearing arrangement according to the invention 1 , comprising a housing 2 with a stock recording 3 as well as a bearing inserted in this 4th in the form of a pivot bearing with an inner ring 5 , several rolling elements arranged in a row 6th in the form of balls that are in a cage 7th are performed, as well as an outer ring 8th , which has a partially spherical outer jacket surface 9 having. The warehouse 4th respectively the outer ring 8th is in a swivel ring 10 added, which has a slightly dome-shaped inner lateral surface 11 has on which the outer ring 6th and with him the camp 4th is pivotably guided. The swivel ring 10 has one of the geometry of the bearing seat 3 corresponding shape so that it is largely free of play in the sliding seat formed hereby and against a bearing surface 12 is received axially supported.

The swivel ring 10 consists of two ring sections 13 , 14th that are slightly axially movable relative to one another. The in 1 The embodiment shown are the ring sections 13 , 14th interconnected, that is, the swivel ring 10 is a one-piece component. The axial mobility is achieved through an annular groove formed on the inner circumference 15th formed, which extends radially and in this way the two ring sections located on the left and right thereof 13 , 14th Are defined. The swivel ring 10 can be made of metal such as steel or sintered metal, but it can also be made of plastic.

The bearing arrangement according to the invention also includes 1 a threaded ring 16 , the one with an external thread 17th into an internal thread 18th the inventory 3 is screwed in. The threaded ring 16 has one against the face 29 of the ring section 13 running face 19th on. This can be done via the threaded ring 16 an axial force on the ring section 13 and thus on the swivel ring 10 are applied that have a low axial tension of the ring sections 13 , 14th allows each other, which in turn an adjustment of the between the pivot ring 10 and the outer ring 8th given axial play up to a complete clearance clearance allows. In the same way, however, the given pivoting moment between the bearing can also be used 4th and the swivel ring 10 can be set.

As part of the bearing assembly, the swivel ring is first 10 including bearings 4th in the warehouse 3 used, after which the threaded ring 16 screwed in and against the swivel ring 10 is screwed. This screwing takes place until the play is balanced out or completely reduced as required and the desired pivoting torque is set. Then the threaded ring 16 fixed in position, for example by embossing or gluing. 2 shows a further embodiment of a bearing arrangement according to the invention 1 , the same reference numerals being used for the same components. Here, too, is an enclosure 2 with a stock recording 3 planned, as well as a warehouse 4th in the form of a roller bearing with an inner ring 5 , Rolling elements in the form of balls 6th that are in a cage 7th are guided, and an outer ring 8th with a part-spherical outer surface 9 . There is also a swivel ring 10 with a dome-shaped inner jacket surface 11 provided on which the outer ring 8th and with it the camp 4th is led.

In this embodiment of the invention, there is a swivel ring 10 from two separate ring sections 13 , 14th axially abutting one another. The ring sections 13 , 14th can be made of metal such as steel or sintered metal, but they can also be made of plastic.

The two separate ring sections 13 , 14th are via an outer sleeve 20th held together axially. The outer sleeve 20th includes a sleeve part 21st with an L-shaped cross-section, one leg 22nd the ring section 14th axially overlaps on its right end face, while the sleeve part on the other side 21st a board 23 having. This board 23 fixes a washer 24 that, as well as the outer sleeve 20th , is preferably made of sheet steel. This washer 24 engages over the exposed axial end face of the ring section 13 .

While the outer sleeve 20th only the pure axial fixation of the ring sections 13 , 14th is used, the clearance setting or clearance release as well as the setting of the pivoting torque takes place solely via the threaded ring 16 that with their external thread 17th also here in the internal thread 18th the inventory 3 is screwed in. The face 19th runs against the washer here 23 so that this against the swivel ring 10 is pressed, over which the axial bracing of the ring sections 13 , 14th to release the backlash or to adjust the pivoting torque.

When designing according to 3 is a bearing arrangement 1 provided that essentially according to the configuration 2 corresponds, which is why reference is made to the relevant description. Unlike the bearing arrangement according to 2 here are the two ring sections 13 , 14th made a little narrower. Between them is an elastic spring element 25th in the form of an O-ring, preferably made of plastic, which controls the applied axial adjustment force, which is also here via the threaded ring 16 that against the washer 24 the outer sleeve 20th runs, brought in is limited. In addition, the elastic spring element acts when ring sections made of plastic are used 13 , 14th a possible long-term flow behavior of the two plastic ring sections 13 , 14th opposite. This appropriately prevents an increase in the play in the pivoting range during the operating life of the bearing arrangement 1 .

4th finally shows a fourth embodiment of a bearing arrangement according to the invention 1 which is essentially the bearing assembly 1 out 3 corresponds, that is, the swivel ring here too 10 , which also has an outer sleeve here 20th is axially fixed, from two separate ring sections 13 , 14th consists. However, these ring sections are compared to 3 , made slightly smaller in diameter than in the embodiment according to 3 . This is because there is an elastic spring element here 25th is integrated, which has a T-shaped cross section and a radial leg 26th between the two ring sections 13 , 14th engages, and a radial leg 27 holding the two ring sections 13 , 14th encompassed on the outside and between the ring sections 13 , 14th and the outer sleeve 20th respectively their transverse legs 28 is arranged, having. When screwing the threaded ring 16 to release play or to set the pivoting moment, there is not only the axial force component but also the axial relative adjustment of the ring sections 13 , 14th to each other also a radial force component between the outer sleeve 20th and the two swivel ring sections 13 , 14th . This leads to a narrowing of the radial play in the pivoting area and a compensation of the radial distance between the ring sections 13 , 14th and the outer sleeve 20th , which is when axially moving the ring sections 13 , 14th changes. The elastic element 25th there is therefore a double function here, namely on the one hand axial bracing and on the other hand radial bracing.

List of reference symbols

1

Bearing arrangement

2

casing

3

Inventory

4th

camp

5

Inner ring

6th

Rolling elements

7th

Cage

8th

Outer ring

9

Outer jacket surface

10

Swivel ring

11

Inner jacket surface

12

storage area

13

Ring section

14th

Ring section

15th

Groove

16

Threaded ring

17th

External thread

18th

inner thread

19th

Face

20th

Outer sleeve

21st

Sleeve part

22nd

leg

23

Board

24

Washer

25th

elastic element

26th

leg

27

leg

28

Transverse leg

29

Face

Claims (10)

Bearing arrangement, comprising a housing (2) with a bearing receptacle (3) and a bearing (4) which can be inserted into this and which has an outer ring (8) with a partially spherical outer circumferential surface (9), which is in a swivel ring (10) with an inner circumferential surface (11) is received, wherein the pivot ring (10) has two ring sections (13, 14) which are axially movable relative to one another in order to adjust the contact between the outer circumferential surface (9) and the inner circumferential surface (11), the bearing receptacle (3) having an internal thread (18), into which a threaded ring (16) can be screwed, the end face (19) of which can be moved axially against a ring section (13) of the swivel ring (10) to adjust the relative position of the ring sections (13, 14). Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the swivel ring (10) consists of two separate ring sections (13, 14), which are received in an annular outer sleeve (20), or that the swivel ring (10) consists of two ring sections (13, 14) connected to one another in one piece. consists. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the two ring sections (13, 14) are made of metal or plastic. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the outer sleeve (20) has a sleeve part (21) with an L- or C-shaped cross section, the sleeve part (21) enclosing the ring sections (13, 14) radially and on one end face and on the other side has an encompassing board (23). Bearing arrangement according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the outer sleeve (20) also has an annular disc (24) which occupies the other end face and is fixed via the rim (23). Bearing arrangement according to one of the Claims 2 to 5 , characterized in that at least one elastic spring element (25) is arranged between the ring sections (13, 14). Bearing arrangement according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the spring element (25) is an O-ring which rests only on the facing end faces of the two ring sections (13, 14). Bearing arrangement according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the spring element (25) has a T-shaped cross section and engages with one leg (26) between the two ring sections (13, 14), while the other leg (27) radially surrounds the ring sections (13, 14) . Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a worm shaft is received in an inner ring (5) of the bearing. Method for adjusting the axial play between a swivel ring (10) and an outer ring (8) of a bearing received in it in a bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial and radial play are adjusted via the screw connection of the threaded sleeve (16) the axial distance between the two ring sections (13, 14) is set.

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