DE102023100035A1 - plain bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plain bearing (2) comprising at least one plain bearing element (4) and at least one lubricant pump (8) for supplying a lubricant (11) to the plain bearing element (4), the lubricant pump (8) having a reservoir (10) for the lubricant (11) is flow-connected and has a conveying element (14) which can be actuated to convey lubricant with an actuating element (15) which can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis (19) of the plain bearing element (4), the actuating element (15) being on the plain bearing element (4) or is arranged in a component (3) mounted by the slide bearing element (4) and projects beyond the slide bearing element (4) or the mounted component (3) in the radial direction to the outside.

Description

The invention relates to a plain bearing comprising at least one plain bearing element and at least one lubricant pump for supplying a lubricant to the plain bearing element, the lubricant pump being flow-connected to a lubricant reservoir and having a conveying element.

The invention also relates to a method for supplying a plain bearing element of a plain bearing with a lubricant, the plain bearing comprising at least one plain bearing element and at least one lubricant pump for supplying the lubricant to the plain bearing element, the lubricant pump being flow-connected to a lubricant reservoir and having a conveying element.

Hydrodynamic plain bearings with integrated oil pumps are known from the prior art. For example, describes the DE 10 2010 005 821 A1 a machine with a first shaft rotatable in at least one lubricated bearing, a lubricant channel for lubricating the bearing extending along the first shaft, in which a turbine is arranged with blades which engage radially in the lubricant channel and are aligned skew to the axis of the first shaft.

From the WO 2007/110287 A1 a hydrodynamic plain bearing is known, comprising a race which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and which is mounted in the axial direction on a plurality of support segments, with a lubricating oil film forming in a bearing gap between the race and the support segments. In the plain bearing, the lubricating oil is circulated in that the plain bearing is equipped with an integrated pump device for pumping the lubricating oil around in a circuit. It is thus possible to lubricate the bearing without an external pump for supplying the lubricant with increased pressure.

de EP 0 472 541 B1 describes a bearing arrangement with a self-feeding device for lubricating a bearing, which has an oil inlet opening and an oil drain opening, the self-feeding device having a side channel pump with delivery blades, which is arranged on the same shaft or axis as the bearing, and each delivery blade at the level of the side channel has a dem Has side channel cross-section equivalent and with this corresponding recess.

The EP 0 272 442 B1 describes a self-pumping hydrodynamic radial plain bearing for a shaft, with a lubricating oil being pumped out of an oil sump induced by the hydrodynamic effect of gaps between the shaft sliding surface and surfaces parallel thereto of at least one pump segment, with the smaller part of the lubricating oil pumped in this way being used to form a lubricating oil circuit and the remaining, larger part of the lubricating oil is pumped under pressure into a lubricating oil circuit or is conveyed back directly into the oil sump, with the pump segments also each having a pump pocket, a pump gap supply channel through which the lubricating oil is sucked into the pump pocket, and a collection channel each in a known manner , through which the lubricating oil flows out of the pump pocket. The plain bearing has at least two radial plain bearing segments which are arranged symmetrically to the vertical through the shaft axis in a bearing support ring and have the plain bearing surfaces for supporting the shaft. The pump segment or pump segments is/are provided in a pump block, which is mounted on elastically flexible support members on the underside of the shaft between the radial plain bearing segments arranged on both sides of the vertical through the shaft axis.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the supply of a plain bearing element with a lubricant.

The object of the invention is achieved in the case of the plain bearing mentioned at the outset in that the conveying element of the lubricant pump for conveying lubricant can be actuated with an actuating element which can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis of the plain bearing element, the actuating element being arranged on the plain bearing element or on a component supported by the plain bearing element and the plain bearing element or protrudes beyond the mounted component in the radial direction to the outside.

The object of the invention is also achieved with the method mentioned at the outset, according to which it is provided that the conveying element of the lubricant pump for conveying lubricant is actuated by an actuating element which can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis of the plain bearing element, the actuating element being on the plain bearing element and protruding radially outwards therefrom or a mounted by the slide bearing element component and this is arranged projecting radially outwards.

The advantage here is that a plain bearing that is known per se can be modified into a self-sufficient, in particular hydrodynamic, plain bearing without far-reaching technical changes and only by providing a geometric shape. The Lubricant Ver The system can be designed with purely mechanical components, which not only extends the service life of the plain bearing, but also reduces the need for maintenance.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the actuating element is disc-shaped, with a distance between the longitudinal center axis of the plain bearing element and an outer lateral surface of the actuating element changing over the circumference of the actuating element. It is thus possible to use the rotational movement of the slide bearing (slide bearing element or component) and convert it into a translational movement of the lubricant pump, which means that the system as a whole can be simplified.

According to another embodiment variant of the invention, it can be provided that the plain bearing element is a radial plain bearing element, which means that more space can be made available for the arrangement of the actuating element. It is thus possible to better adapt the arrangement of the actuating element in the axial direction to the space requirements of the plain bearing.

According to a special embodiment variant of the invention, the radial plain bearing element can have a bearing collar and the actuating element can be formed by the bearing collar. In particular, according to a further embodiment variant of the invention, the bearing collar can form an axial plain bearing or, in general, the actuating element can form an axial plain bearing. A further simplification of the structure of a plain bearing can thus be achieved, since the bearing collar or the axial bearing can also assume the function of the actuating element.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the actuating element can be designed as an eccentric ring or in the shape of a cam. A “rounder” movement sequence of the system can be made possible in particular with actuating elements designed in this way.

According to a further embodiment variant of the invention, it can be provided that the conveying element of the lubricant pump is formed by or comprises a linear movement element, with which the movement sequence of the system can also be simplified.

According to one embodiment variant of the invention, the actuating element is preferably in direct contact with the conveying element. The structural design of the plain bearing can thus be further simplified.

According to another embodiment variant of the invention, however, it can also be provided that a step-up gear and/or an intermediate element, in particular at least partially rod-shaped, is arranged between the actuating element and the conveying element. This makes it possible, for example, to make the lubricant pump smaller, since the number of strokes of the lubricant pump per revolution of the plain bearing element or the mounted component can be increased with the transmission gear. However, if the transmission gear is designed appropriately, the opposite effect can also be achieved if required. The embodiment with the in particular at least partially rod-shaped intermediate element enables the lubricant pump to be arranged at a greater distance from the plain bearing. It is thus also possible to arrange the lubricant pump closer to the lubricant reservoir.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

• 1 eine Gleitlagerung in Ansicht von vorne;
• 2 ein Gleitlagerelement in Seitenansicht;
• 3 eine Ausführungsvariante eines Gleitlagerelementes in Seitenansicht;
• 4 eine Ausführungsvariante eines Betätigungselementes in Ansicht von vorne;
• 5 eine weitere Ausführungsvariante eines Betätigungselementes in Ansicht von vorne;
• 6 eine Ausführungsvariante der Anordnung eines Betätigungselementes in Seitenansicht;
• 7 einen Ausschnitt aus einer Ausführungsvariante der Gleitlagerung;
• 8 einen Ausschnitt aus einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante der Gleitlagerung.

They each show in a simplified, schematic representation:

• 1 a sliding bearing in front view;
• 2 a slide bearing element in side view;
• 3 a variant of a sliding bearing element in side view;
• 4 an embodiment variant of an actuating element in front view;
• 5 another embodiment of an actuating element in front view;
• 6 a variant of the arrangement of an actuating element in side view;
• 7 a section of a variant of the plain bearing;
• 8th a section of another variant of the plain bearing.

As an introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers or the same component designations, it being possible for the disclosures contained throughout the description to be applied to the same parts with the same reference numbers or the same component designations. The position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., is related to the figure directly described and shown and these position information are to be transferred to the new position in the event of a change of position.

In 1 a section of a device 1 having at least one plain bearing 2 is shown.

The device 1 can, for example, be a machine, a vehicle, for example a rail vehicle such as a locomotive, or a construction machine, a ship, etc. However, it should be pointed out that this list of possible devices 1 is not to be understood as limiting the invention. The slide bearing 2 can also be used in a differently designed device 1, such as a wind turbine.

The slide bearing 2 is used to mount a component 3, for example a shaft, an axle, a pin, etc.

The plain bearing 2 comprises at least one plain bearing element 4, which has a surface 5 on which the component 3 is mounted. In the embodiment variant of the plain bearing 2 shown, the plain bearing element 4 is a plain bearing bush. However, the plain bearing element 4 can also be designed differently, for example as a half-shell, etc. Since such designs of plain bearing elements and their structure as single-layer or multi-layer plain bearings and the materials used for this are known, with regard to details, to avoid repetition, refer to the relevant for plain bearing elements State of the art referenced.

The plain bearing 2 can be moved in an axial direction 6 (see 2 , in 1 perpendicular to the plane of the paper) arranged one behind the other also have several plain bearing elements 4, which are optionally spaced from each other.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the plain bearing element 4 is designed as a direct coating, for example a bearing mount 7 or bearing bore or the component 3.

In addition to the at least one plain bearing element 4, the plain bearing 2 includes at least one lubricant pump 8 or generally at least one fluid pump. In the following, only the lubricant pump 8 will be discussed. However, these statements can generally be applied to a fluid pump. In particular, a liquid is conveyed as the fluid.

The lubricant pump 8 is preferably integrated into a lubricant circuit 9 . In addition to the lubricant pump 8, this includes a reservoir 10 for a lubricant 11, such as a lubricating oil, at least one feed line 12, with which the lubricant 11 is supplied to the plain bearing element 4, e.g preferably at least one discharge line 13, with which the lubricant 11 can be fed back into the reservoir 10.

The lubricant pump 8 has a delivery element 14 . The conveying element 14 causes the pumping effect, i.e. the conveyance of the lubricant 11 from the reservoir 10 to the sliding bearing element 4. In the embodiment variant shown, the conveying element 14 is a piston, the lubricant pump 8 is therefore a piston pump, in particular a reciprocating piston pump. However, the lubricant pump 8 can also be configured differently, for example as a plunger pump, as a diaphragm pump, etc., pumps being preferred in which the conveying element 14 executes an (exclusively) translational movement to achieve the pumping effect. Lubricant pumps 8 are preferably used in which the conveying element 14 is a linear movement element that only executes an up and down movement.

The conveying element 14 is in operative connection with an actuating element 15. The actuating element 15 performs a rotary movement. For this purpose, it can be arranged on the plain bearing element 4 or on the mounted component 3 . At the in 1 illustrated variant of the plain bearing 2, the actuating element 15 is arranged on the plain bearing element 4.

The actuating element 15 can be rotated. This can be done, for example, by rotating the mounted component 3 . The rotation of the actuating element 15 is preferably converted into the translational movement of the conveying element 14 . For this purpose, the actuating element 15 follows the slide bearing 2 in the embodiment variant 1 in direct contact with the conveying element 14.

The actuating element 15 can in particular be designed in the form of a disk. A thickness 16 (see 2 ) of the actuating element 15 in the axial direction 6 is preferably less than a bearing width 17 of the sliding bearing element 4 in the axial direction 6. For example, the thickness 16 can be between 2% and 20% of the bearing width 17.

A distance 18 between the longitudinal central axis 19 (see 2 ) of the sliding bearing element 4 and an outer lateral surface 20 of the actuating element 15 changes over the outer circumference of the actuating element 15 . This change in the "radial dimension" of the actuating element 15 enables the delivery element 14 to perform the aforementioned translational pumping movement light. So if, for example, the distance 18 is small, the conveying element 14 is extended further (eg out of the cylinder in a reciprocating pump). When the distance 18 increases again due to the rotation of the actuating element 15, the conveying element 14 is again pushed further away from the plain bearing element 4 (eg pushed into said cylinder). Due to the cyclic movement, the pumping effect can ultimately be achieved in this embodiment variant.

In general, within the scope of the invention, the actuating element 15 can be rotated about the longitudinal central axis 19 of the plain bearing element 4 and protrudes beyond the plain bearing element 4 or the mounted component 3 in the radial direction outwards, as can be seen in particular from FIGS 1 until 3 and 6 is evident.

Although not preferred due to the higher structural complexity, there is the possibility within the scope of the invention that the conveying element 14 of the lubricant pump 8 also performs a rotating movement. In this case, the actuating element 15 can be connected to the conveying element 14, for example, via a mounted connecting rod. It is also possible to design the lubricant pump 8 as a so-called sine pump, in which case the rotary movement of the actuating element 15 is also converted into a translatory movement and this into a further rotary movement of a pump shaft. Gear connections of the actuating element 15 to the conveying element 14 are also possible.

In the preferred embodiment, the plain bearing element 4 is a radial plain bearing element. In this case, the actuating element 15 can form a bearing collar, as shown in FIG 2 is evident. For this purpose, the radial plain bearing element can bear against the actuating element 15 with an end face and/or an outer lateral surface. For the latter embodiment, the actuating element 15 is at least partially attached to the radial plain bearing element. However, it is also possible for the radial plain bearing element to be pushed through a bearing element receptacle of the actuating element 15, so that the actuating element 15 is arranged at a distance from the two end faces of the radial plain bearing element, as indicated in dashed lines in 3 is shown. In this case, the actuating element 15 can be arranged so as to be rotatably mounted on the radial plain bearing element when the radial plain bearing element is installed in the plain bearing 2 in a stationary manner.

If the actuating element 15 is designed as a bearing collar of the radial plain bearing element (which can be twisted or rotated relative to the radial plain bearing element), the actuating element 15 can also be designed as an axial bearing according to a further embodiment variant of the plain bearing 2 . The axial bearing can be provided for the radial sliding bearing element if this bears against the actuating element 15 with its end face. On the other hand, the axial bearing can also be arranged in contact with another component of the plain bearing 2 or the device 1 . Accordingly, one end face or two end faces of the actuating element 15 can be designed as a plain bearing. For this purpose, the actuating element 15 can have a friction-reducing plain bearing material on these surfaces, for example, or be coated with it, as is known per se for axial plain bearings.

The actuating element 15 can generally form an axial plain bearing, i.e. it is not absolutely necessary for the actuating element 15 to form a bearing collar for a radial bearing (radial plain bearing) as an axial bearing design. Thus, the actuating element 15 designed as an axial plain bearing can also be a separate, independent component which is arranged, for example, on a shaft or axle, in particular is connected thereto in a torsion-proof manner.

The actuating element 15 can be a separate component of the slide bearing 2 and can be arranged on the slide bearing element 4 or the component 3, as has already been explained. However, the actuating element 15 can also be designed in one piece with the plain bearing element 4, although a non-rotating arrangement of the plain bearing element 4 is preferred. It is to the right side of the 3 referenced, which shows a variant of the sliding bearing element 4.

How from this 3 As can be seen further, several actuating elements 15 can also be arranged on the plain bearing element 4, for example one each on the two end faces of the plain bearing element 4. There is the possibility that one actuating element 15 or both or all actuating elements 15 are designed as separate components or in one piece are formed with the sliding bearing element 4. By arranging a plurality of actuating elements 15, a plurality of lubricant pumps 8 can be actuated in accordance with the statements made above.

There is also the possibility that the several actuating elements 15 are arranged symmetrically to one another or, as in 3 shown are arranged asymmetrically to each other. With the latter arrangement, several lubricant pumps can reach the respective end positions of the conveying element 14, for example a pump piston, at different points in time, with the result that the lubricant can be conveyed more evenly.

Within the scope of the invention, a slide bearing 2 that is self-sufficient in terms of lubricant can therefore be achieved by means of a relatively simple form or change in form with the aid of the actuating element 15 . The actuating element 15 can have different cross-sectional shapes (viewed in the axial direction 6), as can be seen from FIGS 1 , 4 and 5 is evident. For example, the actuating element 15 can have a cam-shaped cross section ( 1 ), similar to a cam of a camshaft. The actuating element 15 can, for example, also have a triangular cross section ( 4 ) or a hexagonal cross-section ( 5 ) exhibit. Other cross-sectional shapes are possible within the scope of the invention, particularly if the above-described distance 18 between the longitudinal center axis 19 of the plain bearing element 4 and an outer lateral surface of the actuating element 15 changes over the circumference of the actuating element 15 . In addition to such cross-sectional shapes of the actuating element 15, this can also be designed with a circular cross-section if the actuating element 15 is arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal center axis 19 of the plain bearing element 4, ie is designed as an eccentric ring, for example.

A cross-sectional shape provided with at least rounded longitudinal edges (in the axial direction 6) is preferred for all design variants of the actuating element 15.

For the sake of completeness, in 6 an embodiment variant of the mounted component 3, in particular a shaft, is shown, in which the actuating element 15 is arranged on this component 3, in particular is formed in one piece with it.

If the actuating element 15 is a separate component of the plain bearing 2, it can be integrated into the plain bearing 2 by means of known connection methods in a form-fitting and/or non-positive and/or material manner, for example connected to the plain bearing element 4 or the component 3 mounted therewith.

As already stated, according to one embodiment variant of the plain bearing 2 , the actuating element 15 can be arranged directly adjacent to the conveying element 14 , so that the actuating element 15 acts directly on the conveying element 14 . At least the respectively adjacent surface area of the actuating element 15 and/or the conveying element 14 can be designed with a friction-reducing coating or generally with a friction-reducing surface.

Alternatively, after another and in 7 shown embodiment variant can also be provided that between the actuating element 15 and the conveying element 14 of the lubricant pump 8, a transmission gear 21 is arranged. This can have, for example, two gear wheels with different diameters in order to change the number of pump movements of the conveying element 14 while the geometry of the plain bearing element 4 remains the same.

8th shows an embodiment variant in which between the actuating element 15 and the lubricant pump 8, in particular the conveying element 14 of the lubricant pump 8 (in 8th not shown) an intermediate element 22 is arranged. The intermediate element 22 is preferably at least partially or in sections in the form of a rod. Furthermore, the intermediate element 22 can be arranged directly adjacent to the actuating element 15 . In the contact area of the actuating element 15 on the intermediate element 22, the latter can be designed with an at least partially rounded head element 23, for example a mushroom-shaped head element 23. The head element 23 or the intermediate element 22 can be provided with a friction-reducing coating, for example a bonded coating or PTFE, etc., at least in the contact area on the actuating element 15 .

How out 8th can be seen further, the intermediate element 22 can be guided in a guide element 24 .

The intermediate element 22 can be designed for an exclusively translatory movement and execute it.

Preferably, the actuating element 15 completely encloses the slide bearing element 4 on the outside. However, there is also the possibility that the distance 18 is reduced to zero in at least a partial area of the circumference, so that the actuating element 15 only extends over a partial area of the circumference of the sliding bearing element 4 .

With the invention, a purely mechanical supply of a plain bearing element 4 with the lubricant 11 can take place without an additional supply of electricity or compressed air.

The plain bearing 2 can therefore be used to carry out a method for supplying a plain bearing element 4 of a plain bearing 2 with a lubricant, the plain bearing 2 comprising at least one plain bearing element 4 and at least one lubricant pump 8 for supplying a lubricant 11 to the plain bearing element, the lubricant pump 8 having a lubricant reservoir stro and has a conveying element 14 which is actuated to convey lubricant by an actuating element 15 which can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis 19 of the plain bearing element 4, with the actuating element 15 being on the plain bearing element 4 and projecting radially outwards therefrom or on a component 3 supported by the plain bearing element 4 and this is arranged projecting radially outwards.

The exemplary embodiments show or describe possible embodiment variants, with combinations of the individual embodiment variants with one another also being possible.

Finally, for the sake of order, it should be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure, elements in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale.

Reference List

1

contraption

2

plain bearing

3

component

4

plain bearing element

5

surface

6

axial direction

7

stock pick-up

8th

lubricant pump

9

lubricant circuit

10

reservoir

11

lubricant

12

bearing gap

13

drain line

14

conveying element

15

actuator

16

thickness

17

bearing width

18

Distance

19

longitudinal central axis

20

lateral surface

21

transmission gear

22

intermediate element

23

header element

24

guide element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102010005821 A1 [0003]
• WO 2007110287 A1 [0004]
• EP 0472541 B1 [0005]
• EP 0272442 B1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Plain bearing (2) comprising at least one plain bearing element (4) and at least one lubricant pump (8) for supplying a lubricant (11) to the plain bearing element (4), the lubricant pump (8) being flow-connected to a reservoir (10) for the lubricant (11). and has a conveying element (14), characterized in that the conveying element (14) of the lubricant pump (8) for conveying lubricant can be actuated with an actuating element (15) which can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis (19) of the sliding bearing element (4), the actuating element ( 15) is arranged on the slide bearing element (4) or on a component (3) supported by the slide bearing element (4) and projects beyond the slide bearing element (4) or the supported component (3) in the radial direction to the outside. Plain bearing (2) after claim 1 , characterized in that the actuating element (15) is disc-shaped, with a distance (18) between the longitudinal center axis (19) of the plain bearing element (4) and an outer lateral surface (20) of the actuating element (15) over the circumference of the actuating element ( 15) considered changes. Plain bearing (2) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the plain bearing element (4) is a radial plain bearing element. Plain bearing (2) after claim 2 , characterized in that the radial plain bearing element has a bearing collar and that the actuating element (15) is formed by the bearing collar. Plain bearing (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the actuating element (15) forms an axial plain bearing. Plain bearing (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the actuating element (15) is designed as an eccentric ring or cam-shaped. Plain bearing (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the conveying element (14) of the lubricant pump (8) is formed by a linear movement element or includes this. Plain bearing (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the actuating element (15) is arranged directly adjacent to the conveying element (14). Plain bearing (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that between the actuating element (15) and the conveyor element (14) a step-up gear (21) and / or, in particular at least partially rod-shaped, intermediate element is arranged. Method for supplying a plain bearing element (4) of a plain bearing (2) with a lubricant (11), the plain bearing (2) having at least one plain bearing element (4) and at least one lubricant pump (8) for supplying the lubricant (11) to the plain bearing element (4 ), wherein the lubricant pump (8) is flow-connected to a reservoir (10) for the lubricant (11) and has a conveying element (14), characterized in that the conveying element (14) of the lubricant pump (8) for conveying lubricant through a actuating element (15) rotatable along a central longitudinal axis (19) of the plain bearing element (4), the actuating element (15) being on the plain bearing element (4) and projecting radially outwards therefrom or on a component (3) supported by the plain bearing element (4) and this is arranged projecting radially outwards.

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