DE102022113814A1 - Self-retaining, double row thrust bearing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a double-row axial bearing arrangement with two outer axial bearing disks (1, 2), each with inner bearing raceways, between which a first row of first rolling elements (4a) guided at a distance from one another by a first bearing cage (5a) and a second row of rollers arranged axially adjacent thereto second rolling elements (4b) guided at a distance from one another by a second bearing cage (5b), a central axial bearing disk (3) with raceways on both sides being provided between the first rolling bodies (4a) and the second rolling bodies (4b), the axial bearing disks (1 , 2, 5) with the bearing cages (5a, 5b) are designed as a self-containing structural unit, with the middle axial bearing disk (3) running several times around the inner and/or outer radial edge region to prevent the outer axial bearing disks (1, 2) from being lost has molded retaining tabs (6a, 6b) which extend on both sides in the axial direction and which surround or surround the outer axial bearing disks (1, 2) with the respective distal end region.

Description

The present invention relates to a double-row axial bearing arrangement with two outer axial bearing disks, each with inner bearing raceways, between which a first row of first rolling elements guided at a distance from one another by a first bearing cage and a second row of second rolling elements guided at a distance from one another by a second bearing cage are arranged, arranged axially adjacent thereto are, with a central axial bearing disk with raceways on both sides being provided between the first rolling elements and the second rolling elements, the axial bearing disks with the bearing cages being designed as a self-cohering structural unit.

The field of application of the invention extends primarily to automotive applications that involve axial mounting of components that rotate quickly in opposite directions, particularly in automotive technology. In the axial bearing arrangement of the type of interest here, the outer axial bearing disks form the raceways corresponding to the rolling elements on the inside of the bearing, whereas the middle axial bearing disk is provided with raceways on both sides. The axial bearing arrangement is constructed in such a way that the individual parts form a pre-assembled unit, in particular to facilitate final assembly.

State of the art

From the DE 10 2020 106 615 A1 shows a pre-assembled single-row axial bearing arrangement, in which the axial bearing disks are formed as inner and outer angle disks, both of which have an L-shaped cross section. The rolling elements arranged in between are guided in the usual way through a bearing cage and roll on raceways of the inner and outer angle disks.

In order to form a self-cohesive structural unit, the bearing cage is axially secured to at least one of said angle disks, with a circumferential sealing element extending to the adjacent leg of the outer angle disk or the inner angle disk being provided on the outer circumference of the inner angle disk or on the inner circumference of the outer angle disk. This creates complete encapsulation of the axial bearing arrangement and grease filling for permanent lubrication cannot penetrate to the outside due to the lack of a passage gap.

To implement this functionally integrated solution, the angle disks must be manufactured with narrow component tolerances and the sealing function, which is preferably created by vulcanizing sealing material to the edge areas of the angle disks, additionally increases the manufacturing effort. The retaining lugs to be inserted to hold the individual components together on the short legs of the angle disks as part of snap or locking means must also be manufactured quite precisely in order to reliably ensure their intended function over the service life of the axial bearing arrangement.

The EP 2 988 013 A1 discloses another technical solution for forming an axial bearing arrangement, the individual components of which form a self-cohesive structural unit. A bearing cage for guiding spherical rolling elements in this prior art is dispensed with; Its function is carried out by concavely curved raceways that are embossed into the otherwise flat annular-shaped axial bearing disks. The cohesion is formed by an outer holding element surrounding these components like a clip. This technical solution saves the need for a bearing cage as an individual component; however, the separate outer retaining clip is required.

If the principle described above of a self-holding axial bearing arrangement is transferred to a double-row version of the same, the holding means described above must be extended accordingly in the axial direction of action.

It is the object of the present invention to further improve a double-row axial bearing arrangement of the generic type in such a way that a structural unit that reliably holds itself together can be realized using simple technical means without additional components.

Brief description 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 the middle axial bearing disk has, in order to secure the two outer axial bearing disks against loss, on the inner and/or outer radial edge region a plurality of molded retaining tabs which extend all the way around in the axial direction and which enclose or surround the outer axial bearing disks with the respective distal end region.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention results from the fact that the additional holding functionality has been integrated into the obligatory middle axial bearing disk of a double-row axial bearing arrangement, without the corresponding connection partner - the outer axial bearing disks - having to be modified for this. Only an additional chamfer on the edge can be advantageous for producing the combined positive and non-positive connection. The individual parts of the double-row axial bearing arrangement according to the invention can be produced in a simple manner from a sheet metal material - except for the rolling elements. In other words, the solution according to the invention is characterized in that a central axial bearing disk of a double-row axial bearing arrangement is specially modified in order to correspondingly enclose external axial bearing disks. Instead of the usual latching and snap connection means, edge caulking on the distal end region of the retaining tabs of the middle axial bearing disk is preferably used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the retaining tabs alternately surround or encompass one outer axial bearing disk or the other outer axial bearing disk. In other words, in the case that one of the retaining tabs is directed towards the one outer axial bearing disk, the adjacent retaining tab is directed towards the other outer axial bearing disk, i.e. in the opposite axial direction with respect to the bearing longitudinal axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining tabs are only provided on the inner radial edge region of the central axial bearing disk. Due to the smaller inner radial circumferential circle, the solution according to the invention can be implemented with minimal use of material.

The above-mentioned combined positive and non-positive connection of the retaining tabs of the bearing cage with the associated outer axial bearing disk can be achieved, for example, by at least one caulking introduced at the distal end region of the retaining tab. This can also be introduced automatically using a forming tool in order to create a material deformation towards the edge region of the outer axial bearing disk. This results in the associated axial bearing disk being enclosed by the ring of caulked retaining tabs. Alternatively, the entire distal edge of the retaining tabs can also be bent in the direction of the outer axial bearing disk in order to enable the curved edge region of the retaining tab to grip around the edge of the axial bearing disk. The choice of whether to enclose or grip in the sense described above depends on the structural bearing parameters of the axial bearing arrangement, the choice of material and the material thicknesses.

The two outer axial bearing disks preferably consist of a steel sheet material and have an L-shaped profile. These are designed as identical parts manufactured in one piece to ensure efficient mass production. If the retaining tabs are arranged on the preferably inner radial edge section of the outer axial bearing disks, the short leg of the L-shaped profile serves as an outer circumferential enclosure of the respective bearing cage, which is also connected to the associated outer axial bearing disk in a force-fitting and positive manner by caulking on the edge. The middle axial bearing disk including the retaining tabs as well as the two bearing cages are preferably each formed in one piece. The production of the equally formed bearing cages can also be made from a sheet material made of steel, for example by stamping and bending.

As a result, the double-row axial bearing arrangement according to the invention can be produced from a total of five individual parts manufactured using metal forming plus rolling elements. Cylindrical rollers or bearing needles are preferably used as rolling elements, which roll on the inside of the outer axial bearing disks and on both sides of the middle axial bearing disk, which in this respect form the corresponding raceways.

According to a further measure improving the invention, it is proposed that the bearing cage is made of a thinner sheet material than the axial bearing disks. This gives the axial bearing disks sufficient dimensional stability and the bearing cage is sufficiently flexible. This choice of material, which can only be implemented using two correspondingly different sheet metal thicknesses, further minimizes the material used to produce the double-row axial bearing arrangement according to the invention.

Character description

• 1 eine perspektivische Außenansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäß doppelreihige Axiallageranordnung,
• 2 einen Längsschnitt durch die Axiallageranordnung gemäß 1, und
• 3 einen Detailschnitt des linksseitigen Bereichs des Längsschnitts gemäß 2.

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 external view of a double-row axial bearing arrangement according to the invention,
• 2 a longitudinal section through the axial bearing arrangement 1 , and
• 3 a detailed section of the left-hand area of the longitudinal section 2 .

According to 1 The double-row axial bearing arrangement consists of two outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2, between which two rows of axially adjacent rolling elements - which are not visible here - are arranged, with a central axial bearing disk 3 being provided between the two rows of rolling elements. To secure the two outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2 from loss, the middle axial bearing disk 3 has a plurality of retaining tabs 6a and 6b (exemplary) which extend alternately on both sides in the axial direction on the inner radial edge region (exemplary), which enclose the outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2 with the respective distal end region. To enclose the outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2, the respective distal end region of the retaining tabs 6a and 6b is provided with at least one caulking 7 (as an example). In addition, the two outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2 have caulkings 8 and 9 on the outer radial edge area, which serve to provide an analogous positive and non-positive hold for the bearing cages included therein - which are not further visible.

According to 2 the first outer axial bearing disk 1 is assigned a first bearing cage 5a with first rolling elements 4a spaced apart from one another. The opposite second outer axial bearing disk 2, on the other hand, cooperates with a second bearing cage 5b with second rolling elements 4b which are also spaced apart from one another. The first rolling elements 4a form the above-mentioned first row of rolling elements, whereas the second rolling elements 4b form the second row of rolling elements. In this exemplary embodiment, all rolling elements are designed as cylindrical rollers.

With regard to the detailed presentation in 3 The two outer axial bearing disks 1 and 2 have an L-shaped profile and are designed as identical parts manufactured in one piece by forming technology. The short legs of the L-shaped profile surround the inner bearing cages 5a and 5b on the outside. The two bearing cages 5a and 5b are also designed as integrally formed identical parts, which are made from sheet metal material by stamping and bending. The bearing cages 5a and 5b are made of a thinner sheet metal material than the three axial bearing disks 1, 2 and 3.

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 also possible to attach the retaining tabs, which surround and enclose the axial bearing disks, only on the outside radially or on both sides on the inside and outside radially. Instead of caulking on the edges to enclose the axial bearing disks, an enclosing can also be realized using bent edge areas of the retaining tabs.

Reference symbol list

1

first thrust bearing washer

2

second thrust bearing washer

3

middle thrust bearing washer

4

rolling elements

5

Storage cage

6

retaining tab

7

caulking

8th

caulking

9

caulking

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

• DE 102020106615 A1 [0003]
• EP 2988013 A1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Double-row axial bearing arrangement with two outer axial bearing disks (1, 2), each with inner bearing raceways, between which a first row of first rolling elements (4a) guided at a distance from one another by a first bearing cage (5a) and a second row arranged axially adjacent thereto by a second bearing cage (5b) spaced apart second rolling elements (4b) are arranged, a central axial bearing disk (3) with raceways on both sides being provided between the first rolling bodies (4a) and the second rolling bodies (4b), the axial bearing disks (1, 2, 5 ) with the bearing cages (5a, 5b) are designed as a self-containing structural unit, characterized in that the middle axial bearing disk (3) rotates several times around the inner and/or outer radial edge region to prevent the outer axial bearing disks (1, 2) from being lost has molded retaining tabs (6a, 6b) extending on both sides in the axial direction, which enclose or encompass the outer axial bearing disks (1, 2) with the respective distal end region. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining tabs (6a, 6b) alternately enclose or encompass one outer axial bearing disk (1) or the other outer axial bearing disk (2). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining tabs (6a, 6b) are only formed on the inner radial edge region of the central axial bearing disk (3). Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining tabs (6a, 6b) for enclosing the axial bearing disks (1; 2) are provided with at least one caulking (7) at the distal end region. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the two outer axial bearing disks (1, 2) have an L-shaped profile and are designed as identical parts manufactured in one piece by forming technology. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the formed axial bearing disks (1, 2) are made as stamped and bent parts from a sheet metal material. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the two bearing cages (5a, 5b) are designed as identical parts manufactured in one piece by forming technology. Axial bearing arrangement according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the formed bearing cages (5a, 5b) are made as stamped and bent parts from a sheet metal material. Axial bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing cages (5a, 5b) are made of a thinner sheet material than the axial bearing disks (1, 2, 3). Axial bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling bodies (4a, 4b) are designed as cylindrical rollers or bearing needles.

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