DE102022110321A1 - Axial bearing arrangement with bearing rollers enclosed in a one-piece bearing cage - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an axial bearing arrangement with a plurality of bearing rollers (3), which are surrounded by an annular solid cage (1) to form a flat or conical bearing ring, the solid cage (1) having a plurality of bearing rollers distributed along the circumference and surrounded by radial webs (4a, 4b) is provided with separate openings (2a, 2b) for accommodating the bearing rollers (3) and the bearing rollers (3), which are predominantly housed on the inside, are enclosed in such a way that the rolling element sag (W) is realized on both end faces (5a, 5b). Cage height (H) is smaller than the roller diameter (D) of the bearing rollers (3), with at least one plastic extending in the circumferential direction in the end faces (5a, 5b) of the solid cage (1) in the area of the webs (4a, 4b). V-groove (6a, 6b; 6a', 6b') formed by displaced material is introduced in such a way that the material sections pressed into the adjacent openings (2a, 2b) act as retaining lugs (7a-7d; 7a'-7d') act for the bearing rollers (3) guided in the openings (2a, 2b).

Description

The present invention relates to a substantially axial bearing arrangement with a plurality of bearing rollers which are surrounded by a one-piece annular solid cage to form a flat or conical bearing ring, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The field of application of the present invention extends primarily to motor vehicle technology. For example, in the area of rear axle steering or suspension strut supports, axial or angular contact bearing arrangements are used, which support relatively slow rotational movements or pivoting movements of components relative to a stationary housing or a support structure in the primarily axial direction. An axial bearing arrangement of the type of interest here includes, in addition to flat bearing rings for pure axial bearing, also conical bearing rings, which also have a radial bearing portion.

For the purposes of the present application, in addition to cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers or barrel rollers can also be considered as bearing rollers. An axial bearing arrangement according to the invention comprises at least several bearing rollers surrounded by a bearing cage. In addition, the axial bearing arrangement can also include at least one axial bearing disk, which provides a raceway for the bearing rollers rolling thereon. However, raceways can also be provided directly by the adjacent component that is to be axially supported, so that in this case a separate axial bearing disk can be dispensed with. The axial bearing arrangements of interest here have bearing parts that are largely manufactured using metal forming technology, in particular cage means that are largely produced by metal forming technology. Modern forming processes provide the manufacturing technology required to produce bearing parts easily and precisely without cutting from sheet metal material by bending, punching, deep drawing, embossing and the like.

State of the art

From the EP 2 672 131 B1 shows an axial bearing arrangement with cage means in various embodiments that are largely manufactured using metal forming technology. The bearing cage is designed as a so-called sandwich cage and therefore comprises at least two cage ring halves formed from sheet metal material and - in some embodiments - also formed axial bearing disks.

The cage ring halves formed from a sheet material are provided on the respective base section with rectangular recesses arranged at a distance from one another along the circumference. These rectangular recesses serve to partially accommodate at least one bearing roller each, so that to ensure rolling bearings, the cage height in the assembled state is smaller than the roller diameter of the bearing rollers. The cage ring halves are mounted to one another via leg sections that are angled in the same direction on the inside and outside radially from the base section and form a U-profile, in that they mesh directly or indirectly with one another. Since the bearing rollers in this prior art have outwardly curved end faces, they can run radially directly on assigned leg sections of the cage ring halves with minimal friction.

From the DE 10 2007 024 582 A1 shows a generic axial bearing arrangement in the design of a conical bearing ring with a solid cage. In addition to the predominant axial bearing component, a radial bearing component can also be supported by the inclined position. The cylindrical bearing rollers are guided here by a one-piece bearing cage. The bearing cage has an assigned rectangular recess to accommodate the bearing rollers. With this inclined roller bearing, the bearing rollers are positioned in the radial direction. In addition, the bearing rollers are each positioned in the circumferential direction in order to achieve the highest possible vibration damping in the case of a suspension strut bearing. In this state of the art, the one-piece ring-shaped solid cage including bearing rollers works together with additional - here also conical - bearing disks to provide the raceways.

In previously known axial bearing arrangements of the type described above, it must be ensured that the bearing rollers inserted into the openings in the bearing cage are captively enclosed while maintaining a clearance fit that enables movement. In the prior art, adjacent axial bearing disks usually only do this when they are installed. In addition, in the axial bearing arrangement of interest here, it must be ensured that the bearing rollers are enclosed to ensure that rolling element sag W is realized on both end faces of the solid cage, for which separate cage means are usually used. Nevertheless, it must be ensured that the overall cage height H is always smaller than the roller diameter D of the bearing rollers.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to further improve an axial bearing arrangement of the generic type in such a way that the bearing rollers guided by the one-piece solid cage can be moved using simple technical means are mounted captively to ensure rolling element sag.

Disclosure of the invention

The task is solved based on an axial bearing arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. The following dependent claims reflect advantageous developments of the invention.

The invention includes the technical teaching that at least one V-groove running in the circumferential direction and formed by plastically displaced material is introduced into the end faces of the solid cage in the area of the webs in such a way that the material sections pressed into the adjacent cage pockets serve as retaining lugs for the roller bodies guided in the cage pockets.

In other words, the V-groove deforms the material of the solid cage in the web area on both sides so plastically that a rolling element holder is formed. Separate holding means surrounding the openings for accommodating the bearing rollers can therefore be omitted and the bearing rollers are held captively in the solid cage, so that a pre-assembled structural unit is created. This simplifies the final assembly of the thrust bearing arrangement with or without additional covering thrust bearing washers.

Preferably, the V-grooves can be created using a wedge-ring-shaped embossing tool by forming embossing. This means that the V-grooves can be stamped into all webs on one end of the solid cage at the same time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that two coaxially arranged V-grooves of different diameters are introduced into the end faces of the solid cage in such a way that two V-grooves arranged radially spaced apart from one another result per web and end face. This means that the bearing rollers inserted into the openings are reliably enclosed. The openings form complete cage pockets for the predominantly internal bearing rollers.

According to another measure that further improves the invention, it is proposed that the essentially axial positioning of the roller bodies relative to the opening in the solid body surrounding them is adjusted via the insertion depth of the V-grooves in the surface of the solid cage, in order to thereby define the rolling body sag W. The rolling element sag W describes the axial clearance of the enclosed bearing rollers, which depends not only on the penetration depth of the V-grooves but also on the cage height of the solid cage. The cage height H of the solid cage is preferably dimensioned such that at least 0.3 mm of rolling element sag W is still guaranteed after the V-grooves have been introduced. For the applications of interest here, this is sufficient to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the adjacent components and the radial loads acting on them.

In connection with this, the maximum rolling element sag W should be dimensioned such that the solid cage ensures a distance of at least 0.05 mm from the adjacent raceway surface so that contact does not occur.

According to an additional measure that further improves the invention, it is proposed that at least one of the end faces is provided with cam-shaped formations or the like that protrude therefrom in order to ensure a substantially axial distance from the adjacent raceway. In certain load situations, this prevents the solid cage from tipping out of its target position.

The openings in the solid cage, which form the cage pockets, are preferably rectangular in shape, in particular to accommodate cylindrical bearing rollers. The rectangular openings can be created, for example, by punching.

With regard to the design of the openings, it is proposed that they can have a friction-minimizing surface structure at least on one side in the radial contact area, in particular in the contact area of the bearing roller. This surface structuring, which can be designed, for example, as corrugations, grooves, roughening, and the like, minimizes the friction-effective component contact surface. The surface structuring must of course be tailored to the dimensional stability resulting from the load. It is also conceivable to integrate lubrication pockets into the surface structuring, which serve as a lubricant reservoir for reliable long-term lubrication of the axial bearing arrangement according to the invention.

The solid cage provided with the openings for accommodating the bearing rollers preferably consists of a metal material, for example steel, which can be processed using forming techniques. The solid cage according to the invention can be made from a sheet metal material as a semi-finished product, the thickness of which corresponds to the later cage height. The shaping for the formation of the inventive The solid cage according to the invention can be realized without cutting in a simple manner by punching and embossing. A solid cage designed in this way can withstand high external loads and can therefore be used in particular to form a conical bearing ring in the context of an angular contact thrust bearing, where ordinary plastic cages might not function reliably.

Example embodiment

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ringförmigen Massivkäfigs zur Bildung eines flachen Lagerrings;
• 2 einen perspektivischen Teilschnitt durch den Massivkäfig gemäß 1 im Bereich eines exemplarischen Durchbruchs zur Aufnahme von Lagerrollen;
• 3 einen Teilquerschnitt durch den Durchbruch gemäß 2 mit hiervon eingefasster Lagerrolle, und
• 4 eine Draufsicht auf den Durchbruch gemäß 3.

Further measures improving the invention are shown in more detail below together with the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of an annular solid cage for forming a flat bearing ring;
• 2 a perspective partial section through the solid cage 1 in the area of an exemplary breakthrough for holding bearing rollers;
• 3 a partial cross section through the breakthrough 2 with a bearing roller surrounded by it, and
• 4 a top view of the breakthrough according to 3 .

According to 1 An axial bearing arrangement consists of an annular solid cage 1 made of metal, which in this exemplary embodiment is intended to form a flat bearing ring and includes openings 2 formed therein at equidistant distances from one another along the circumference, which are surrounded by bearing rollers 3 - not shown further.

According to 2 Each breakthrough 2 (exemplarily) is limited in the circumferential direction by radial webs 4a and 4b. On both end faces 5a and 5b of the solid cage 1, two V-grooves 6a, 6b and 6a ', 6b' running in the circumferential direction are embossed in the area of the webs 4a, 4b, etc.

According to 3 As a result, retaining lugs 7a, 7c (exemplarily) are formed in relation to the end face 5b and retaining lugs 7a' and 7c' (as an example) in relation to the opposite end face 5a.

The axial positioning of the bearing roller 3 relative to the opening 2a surrounding it is adjusted via the insertion depths of the retaining lugs 7a, 7a' (example) and 7c, 7c' (example) resulting from the V-grooves in the retaining cage in order to reduce the rolling element sag W define. The cage height H is dimensioned smaller than the roller diameter D of the bearing roller 3.

According to 4 The end face 5b of the solid ring 1, shown here in plan view, has raised cam-shaped formations 8 (exemplary) which are used to maintain axial distance from the adjacent raceway in order to keep the solid cage 1 in the desired position despite high loads during operation.

The exemplary opening 2a of the solid cage 1 is essentially rectangular in shape in order to accommodate the cylindrical bearing rollers 1 - not shown here. Furthermore, each breakthrough 2a (as an example) in the radial contact area to the bearing roller 1 has a friction-minimizing surface structure in the form of a lubrication pocket 9 (as an example) for storing lubricant.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, modifications of this are also conceivable, which are included within the scope of protection of the following claims. For example, it is possible to also design the solid ring 1 according to the invention to be conical in order to thereby form a conical bearing ring of an angular contact thrust bearing.

Reference symbol list

1

Solid cage

2

breakthrough

3

bearing roller

4

web

5

front side

6

V-groove

7

holding nose

8th

cam-shaped formation

9

Grease bag

D

Roll diameter

H

Cage height

W

Rolling element sag

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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

• EP 2672131 B1 [0004]
• DE 102007024582 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Thrust bearing arrangement with a plurality of bearing rollers (3), which are surrounded by an annular solid cage (1) to form a flat or conical bearing ring, the solid cage (1) having several distributed along the circumference and separated from one another by radial webs (4a, 4b). Openings (2a, 2b) are provided for accommodating the bearing rollers (3) and the bearing rollers (3), which are predominantly housed on the inside, are enclosed in such a way that the cage height (H) is ensured, ensuring that the rolling element sag (W) is realized on both end faces (5a, 5b). is smaller than the roller diameter (D) of the bearing rollers (3), characterized in that in the end faces (5a, 5b) of the solid cage (1) in the area of the webs (4a, 4b) at least one extending in the circumferential direction is plastically displaced V-groove (6a, 6b; 6a', 6b') formed by material is introduced in such a way that the material sections pressed into the adjacent openings (2a, 2b) act as retaining lugs (7a-7d; 7a'-7d') act for the bearing rollers (3) guided in the openings (2a, 2b). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the V-groove (6a, 6b; 6a ', 6b') is created by means of a wedge-ring-shaped embossing tool by forming embossing. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that two coaxially arranged V-grooves (6a, 6b) of different diameters are introduced into the end faces (5a; 5b) of the solid cage (1) in such a way that two per web (4a, 4b) are radially spaced apart from one another arranged V-grooves (6a, 6b). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the essentially axial positioning of the bearing rollers (3) relative to the opening (2a) surrounding them is adjusted via the insertion depth of the V-grooves (6a, 6b; 6a ', 6b') in the solid cage (1). to define the rolling element deflection (W). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the cage height (H) of the solid cage (1) is dimensioned such that at least 0.3 mm of rolling element sag (W) is still guaranteed after the V-grooves (6a, 6b; 6a ', 6b') have been introduced. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the maximum rolling element sag (W) is dimensioned such that the solid cage (1) ensures at least 0.05 mm distance from the adjacent raceway surface so that it does not collide with it. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the end faces (5a, 5b) is provided with cam-shaped formations (8) protruding therefrom for essentially axial spacing from the adjacent raceway. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the openings (2a) of the solid cage (1) are rectangular. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the openings (2a) in the radial contact area to the bearing roller (1) have at least one side a friction-minimizing surface structure, preferably designed as at least one lubrication pocket (9). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the solid cage (1) is made of a metal material, preferably a steel material.

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