EP2758680A1

EP2758680A1 - Method for deformation prevention of bearing ring elements

Info

Publication number: EP2758680A1
Application number: EP12759698.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wolfgang GLÄNTZ; Ingo Schulz; Florian Wohlfeil
Original assignee: SKF AB
Current assignee: SKF AB
Priority date: 2011-09-21
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Also published as: WO2013041459A1; DE102011083119B4; DE102011083119A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the deformation prevention of bearing ring elements. Exemplary embodiments relate to a method for pre- and final mounting of two bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2; 13-1; 13-2) of a bearing ring (11; 13) that is divided in an axis-normal dividing plane (16). During pre-mounting, a receiving space (17) for an activatable expansion material (18) is formed into an end face of at least one of the bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2; 13-1; 13-2), which end face lies in the dividing plane (16), the activatable expansion material (18) is introduced into the receiving space (17), and a force-fitting coupling of the bearing ring elements is produced, wherein an axial gap (41) remains between the two pre-mounted bearing ring elements, which gap can be closed during final mounting. During final mounting, the end faces of the pre-mounted bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2; 13-1; 13-2) are aligned in a desired relative position relative to one another, and an additional form-fitting and/or material connection of the aligned bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2; 13-1; 13-2) is produced by activating the activatable expansion material (18) in the receiving space (17; 17-1; 17-2).

Description

METHOD FOR DEFORM FUSE OF BEARING RING ELEMENTS

The present invention relates to a concept for securing deformation of bearing ring elements, in particular of bearing ring halves, a split bearing ring.

Known bearings include both undivided and split bearings. Split bearings, such as split cylindrical roller bearings, are primarily used for bearings in hard-to-reach places or cranked shafts. But their use is also advantageous wherever undivided bearings require expensive and time-consuming additional work during maintenance or replacement and would cause long and expensive or unacceptable machine downtimes. Split bearings have axially split bearing rings that can be distinguished into axially split inner and outer bearing rings, and may also be referred to as axially split races. In axially frictionally connected and split bearing inner rings (O-arrangement) or bearing outer rings (X-arrangement) of double row tapered roller bearings, d. H. In function of a flange connection, high external radial forces (eg lateral forces, bending moments) and / or high torques to be transmitted may result in local or global displacements between the axially split bearing rings. This phenomenon is referred to as "cone shifting" and may result in a failure of a frictional connection of the split bearing ring halves or effects such as fretting corrosion.

In so-called "Macro Cone Shifting", the complete flange connection of the split bearing ring halves fails, resulting in a radial slippage of the two flange faces. surfaces against each other. This can also lead to a shearing of the screws or bolts used for the flange connection.

In so-called "Micro Cone Shifting", the surfaces of the two flanges only move against each other in limited, local areas, for example by radially bulging one of the bearing ring halves, which does not lead to immediate failure of the flange connection, but can cause fretting corrosion and similar effects which can subsequently lead to failure of the flange connection or breakage of the flanges themselves.

Split tapered roller bearings are often delivered as a preassembled package or a preassembled unit. However, the split tapered roller bearing is not yet in its final geometry. There is a gap with an axial extent of, for example, approximately 100 μm between the two bearing inner or outer bearing rings. Only when this axial gap is closed, the radial preload of the bearing is made and the bearing is functional. This axial gap is thus one of the essential elements for the radial preload and thus the optimal functioning of the bearing and should therefore be as accurate as possible. The concern of the two rings, ie the closing of the gap, must therefore be as accurate as possible. All elements that enter or are additionally introduced into the gap are detrimental to the function of the bearing. The gap is closed during final assembly by the user of the split tapered roller bearing.

During the pre-assembly of the split bearing at the manufacturer, the bearing is moved / rotated while the screws are being pulled in, so that the two bearing inner and outer ring halves self-center and find their optimum position for the function (screwing in). Because of this self-centering, it may be that the two bearing inner and outer bearing ring halves are not absolutely congruent or aligned, but that their axes of rotation are offset in the radial direction by a few μιη.

In order to prevent such local or global displacement variables, or at least to reduce them to an uncritical value, in the case of high life requirements for the divided roller bearings, for example in wind power plants, bearing ring elements or halves have hitherto been used, for example, by means of very high tightening torques. existing coatings or by applying liquid adhesives axially bonded together.

When using screw connections with high bolt tightening torques, a deformation of at least one of the bearing ring halves can occur due to a tightening torque that is too high, which in turn can lead to unfavorable running behavior and to tensions in the race rings.

The use of friction-increasing coatings on end faces of split running or bearing rings requires additional, complex process steps in the manufacture of the bearing rings and thus has a negative effect on related process or manufacturing costs.

In the conventional application of liquid adhesives, an adhesive is introduced directly between the bearing ring halves during assembly. Such methods have, for example, the disadvantage that the introduction of an adhesive into assembly lines is difficult or process reliability - in particular with regard to a quantity of adhesive to be supplied and with regard to the cleanliness of the joining partners - depends on the circumstances during assembly or on the respective assembly partner.

The latter two variants also have the disadvantage that they increase the variance / tolerance of the bias, which results from the gap to be closed between the bearing ring halves. Thus, the important for the function of the axially split bearing preload to a very wide-spreading or "unpredictable" size.

The use of dowel screws or additional dowel pins / pins is a very expensive solution, which has its limits especially with regard to "micro cone shifting." In order to be effective for "macro cone shifting", a relatively large number of dowel elements have to be inserted the available resulting bolt cross-section can absorb the transverse forces in the parting line. For Micro Cone Shifting, the mating elements should be very close together (eg, each screw is a mating element) to effectively prevent local deformation, both of which involve a great deal of manufacturing effort, since the mating elements will not be removed until after Eindre- hen / self-centering can be introduced, otherwise the self-centering and thus the optimal function is prevented / destroyed.

Another possibility is centering heels. To be effective, however, such heels must be manufactured extremely accurately (preferably a press fit). However, this is extremely expensive to manufacture or assembly, if not impossible even with very large bearing dimensions. If these heels are made to be effective, they prevent the bearing from self-centering, thus destroying the optimal function of the bearing from the outset. H. the lifetime decreases. It is likely to do more damage than solve problems.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved concept for securing the deformation of bearing ring elements, in particular of bearing ring halves, of axially divided bearing rings.

A realization of the present invention is that the object can be achieved by additionally forming and / or additionally subsequently positively-coupling (eg by means of a screw connection) two axially divided bearing ring elements, in particular two bearing ring halves, the axially divided bearing ring elements cohesively be connected by means of a provided in a designated receiving space of a bearing ring element activatable expansion material. In this case, "in hindsight" in terms of time after an introduction or introduction of the activatable expansion material into the receiving space means at least one of the bearing ring elements, after a joining of the bearing ring elements and after activation of the expansion material.

Exemplary embodiments for this purpose provide a method for preassembling two bearing ring elements of a bearing ring divided in an axis-normal parting plane. During pre-assembly, a receiving space for later expansion material activatable (eg during a final assembly) is formed in an end face of at least one of the bearing ring elements located in the parting plane. Thereafter, the activatable expansion material is introduced into the receiving space before the two bearing ring elements are pre-assembled by establishing a frictional coupling of the bearing ring elements such that between the two preassembled bearing ring elements a small axial gap remains, which can be closed during a final assembly.

According to exemplary embodiments, the bearing ring elements are bearing ring halves of an axially divided rolling bearing, wherein the surfaces of the opposite end faces of the bearing ring halves lie in the parting plane. The end face of an axial bearing ring half, e.g. a bearing inner ring half or a bearing outer ring half, is annular. The receiving space can thus be introduced into at least one of the bearing ring halves by forming at least one (flat) groove running in the annular end face. The groove may have an axial extent (i.e., in the direction of the bearing ring rotation axis) of, for example, 0.1% to 10% of the axial extent of the bearing ring half into which the groove for the activatable adhesive material is formed. When preassembling the two bearing ring elements, the two bearing ring elements can be screwed together, for example in such a flange, so that between their axially opposite end faces of the axial gap with an axial extent of 10 μιη up to 1 mm, for example, about 200 μιη remains. This gap, which can scatter very strongly, can then be closed during later final assembly, which can take place, for example, in the case of the user of the split rolling bearing.

According to one embodiment, therefore, a flat groove can be introduced in one of the bearing ring halves on its front side before or during pre-assembly, which is filled with an expansion material (such as an expansion adhesive) which can be activated by (outside). In this case, the activatable expansion adhesive in a pasty state or in the form of a roll-off adhesive tape in the groove, ie the receiving space, are introduced. After the activatable expansion adhesive has been introduced into the receiving space, it can be precured, so that under ambient conditions (eg at a temperature of -10 ° C. to + 60 ° C.) in the preassembled state of the bearing ring elements, a firm consistency does not yet exist has adhesive properties. The subsequent merging and aligning of the bearing ring elements thus takes place in a state of the adhesive in which the adhesive does not yet "stick." Only after an exact relative position has been reached between the bearing ring elements to be connected is the adhesive Adhesive activated, so that this volume expands and becomes adhesive and thus an adhesive bond of the bearing ring halves is made.

In the non-positive coupling of the bearing ring elements may be, for example, a screwed flange-like connection of the two bearing ring elements. The bearing ring elements can thus be provided in the axial direction with holes through and into which can be performed for mounting the two bearing ring elements in the axial direction fixing screws. Of course, other connections for pre-assembly of the two bearing ring elements or halves are conceivable, such. by means of bolts or pins.

The pre-assembly of the bearing ring elements, i. the molding of the receiving space, the introduction of the activatable expansion material and the frictional coupling of the two bearing ring elements, for example, take place at a bearing or bearing ring manufacturer.

Exemplary embodiments likewise include a method for the final assembly of two bearing ring elements preassembled by means of force-locking coupling of a bearing ring divided in an axially normal parting plane, wherein at least a first of the bearing ring elements in the parting plane has an end face with a receiving space filled with an activatable expansion material, and a narrow axial gap is provided between the two preassembled bearing ring elements. In the final assembly, which can be carried out for example by a user or consumer of a split bearing, the end faces of the pre-assembled bearing ring elements are initially aligned relative to each other in a desired relative position, for. B. in the axial direction. Thereafter, the aligned bearing ring elements are additionally connected positively and / or cohesively by activating the activatable expansion material in the receiving space in addition to their force during the pre-assembly coupling.

The two bearing ring elements or halves are thus first joined according to embodiments as usual and then non-positively connected to each other, for example by means of a screw connection. After the connection has been established, the activatable expansion material is activated and thus expanded in terms of volumetric expansion. introduced. It then grows in volume, fills the receiving space or the groove more or less completely and forms in a contact zone of the two joining partners, ie the bearing ring elements, according to some embodiments of an adhesion. Thus, the gap is closed and made in addition a cohesive connection between the two bearing ring elements or halves.

According to a further embodiment, in each case a flat groove can be introduced in both bearing ring elements at their end faces. Thus, in this embodiment, the two receiving spaces or grooves in the pre-assembled state in the axial direction opposite. In one of these grooves becomes an externally activatable and then u.U. in addition, adhesive material (e.g., adhesive, polymer, metal foam, or the like) is filled. For example, adhesive may be precured so that it has a solid consistency but no adhesive properties under ambient conditions (room temperature). Polymers or metal foams can be incorporated in such a way that they are easy to handle. According to some embodiments, in each case a receiving space for the activatable expansion material can be introduced during pre-assembly in both lying in the parting plane end faces of both bearing ring elements, but only in one of the two receiving spaces the activatable material is introduced.

The two bearing ring elements or halves are also joined here as usual and then connected to one another in a force-locking manner during pre-assembly (for example by means of screwing). After the non-positive connection, the activatable and not necessarily adhesive expansion material can be activated during the subsequent final assembly of the bearing ring elements and thus brought to the expansion. Then it grows in volume, fills both the recess into which it was introduced, as well as the opposite recess or groove more or less completely. Thus, the activated and subsequently expanded (and possibly additionally adhesive) material forms a third element (blocking element), which connects the two bearing ring elements in the radial direction even after its expansion in the recesses in a form-fitting manner.

According to yet another embodiment, in each case a shallow groove can be introduced in both bearing ring elements at their end faces. In one of these grooves becomes one of externally activatable and then expanding material filled. In addition, a blocking element can now be inserted into the receiving space or the groove with the expanding material. The blocking element may, for example, be a continuous or segmented ring whose diameter and thickness are adapted to the annular groove geometries.

The two bearing ring halves are again joined during pre-assembly, as usual, and then connected non-positively with each other. After the non-positive connection between the two bearing ring halves, the activatable and adhesive according to some embodiments material is activated and thus brought to expansion. Then it grows in volume and fills the groove or recess into which it was introduced more or less completely. The blocking element is pressed by the expanding material from one groove into the other, opposite groove. This locking element is preferably higher than the opposite groove is deep, so that the locking element, when it comes to rest in the opposite groove, also protrudes into its original groove into which it was given. According to embodiments, in the receiving space with the activatable adhesive material so additionally to the geometry of the receiving space adapted locking element can be introduced, which is pushed upon activation of the activatable expansion material in the not filled with the activatable material receiving space, wherein the blocking element has a greater axial extent as the receiving space not filled with the activatable adhesive material.

The blocking element may, according to some embodiments, also be designed so that it is deformed by the expanding material in the receiving space, which may also be an explosive, and is pressed into the opposite groove. Thus, the locking element form a radial, positive connection between the two bearing ring halves. The volume enlargement of the activatable material can be achieved after its activation by physically or chemically acting (mixed with the material) propellant. The activation of the material can be done, for example, by supplying heat energy, induction, or ultrasound or the like. Possible materials for realizing the given requirements are hot melt adhesives (hotmelts), which can be activated by increasing the temperature. It can be provided contact adhesives, which can be activated by evaporation of the solvent (most easily by temperature). Anaerobic curing adhesives which can be activated by air exclusion, metal ions and possibly temperature introduction are also suitable activatable adhesive materials. In addition, expanding polymers (for example polyurethanes, etc.) or expanding metal foams (for example aluminum or magnesium, with suitable blowing agents) are conceivable. In embodiments of the present invention, the activatable material is indeed introduced during the pre-assembly of the bearing ring elements in the space provided for this, but it is not yet functional or adhesive before its activation. Basically, the pre-assembled bearing ring elements or the resulting bearing are already functional, even if they are not yet 100% efficient. After the final assembly of the bearing ring elements or the bearing, z. B. at a customer of the camp, the activatable material is activated. If, for example, this is an activatable adhesive, it can be brought into a viscous state of aggregation so that it can wet the joining partners and then cure. In this way, the frictional connection of the screw / flange connection of the pre-assembly can be supplemented by a bonding of the bond. Since the adhesive surfaces are in the region of the groove, the joining surfaces of the non-positive connection are in no way influenced by the adhesive. If the hardened adhesive fills two axially opposite grooves, the frictional connection of the screw / flange connection is even supplemented by positive locking of the bond. The same applies to an expanding polymer, an expanding metal foam and / or an additional blocking element.

Due to the fact that the activatable material is concealed in the recess provided during the final assembly, it has no (negative) influence on the two axially opposite end faces or joining surfaces of the bearing ring elements. The axial gap between see the bearing ring elements, which determines the functionality is not affected by the present in the recess activatable material. Embodiments can solve the contradiction that the two axially opposite end or joining surfaces of the bearing ring elements are to be glued together, but this bonding normally deteriorates the connection / function of the bearing ring elements, since it Gap is increased in a relatively unpredictable manner (according to TRIZ eg separation into space / location and time / process sequence). The necessary bearing position is not affected by the additional adhesive connection, especially with regard to a separating or spacing-increasing effect in the parting line or the gap.

For example, after an activatable adhesive has been introduced into the recess provided for this purpose, it is precured so that it has a dry, non-adhesive state. As a result, the handling of the pre-assembled bearing rings is very simplified. The activatable adhesive or material is activated externally, then expands and, as a result of the expansion, fills the receiving or hollow spaces in the faces of the joining partners.

According to some embodiments, the activatable material may be prefabricated (eg in the form of bands, etc.). This can additionally simplify the application of the material.

According to embodiments of the present invention, therefore, a stable composite, for example of bearing ring halves divided inner and / or outer bearing rings of rolling bearings can be produced in a cost effective manner.

In this case, the initially described elastic deflection of the axially divided bearing rings under load u. Although not completely prevented, but this is then synchronized in the connected bearing ring elements, so there is no relative movement between the bearing ring components. As a result, possible negative effects caused by this phenomenon, such as fretting corrosion, can be avoided from the outset.

Furthermore, a bond according to the invention may additionally have a certain sealing function, so that no media can penetrate through the joining or fitting surfaces between the bearing or raceway components.

Further embodiments and further developments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it: 1a is a sectional view of a split rolling bearing in O arrangement with a split bearing inner ring and provided therein for an activatable adhesive expansion material receiving space, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure lb is a sectional view of a split roller bearing in an X-arrangement with a split bearing outer ring and a receiving space provided therein for an activatable adhesive expansion material, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a split rolling bearing in O arrangement with a pre and finally mounted split bearing inner ring, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a split rolling bearing in O arrangement with a pre and finally mounted split bearing inner ring, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and various sectional views of a split rolling bearing in O arrangement in various mounting states, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show examples of axially split rolling bearings 10, 20, for the assembly of which methods according to embodiments of the present invention can be used.

Fig. La shows a sectional view of a split-shaped roller bearing 10 in O arrangement. The split rolling bearing 10 has an axially divided inner ring 11 with two bearing inner ring members or halves 11-1, 11-2. Although two rows of cylindrical rollers are indicated as rolling elements 12 in FIG. 1a by way of example, tapered rollers, balls, etc., may equally well be provided as rolling elements 12 , Radially outward, the two rows of rolling elements 12 are guided by an undivided bearing outer ring 13. Both the two bearing inner ring halves 11-1, 11-2, as well as the undivided Bearing outer ring 13 have in the axial direction, ie in the direction of the bearing rotation axis 14, extending bores 15 through which fastening or coupling means can be performed to one hand, the two bearing inner ring halves 11-1, 11-2 positively coupled with each other, as well as to For example, the entire bearing assembly 10 to be attached to a bearing housing or a storage (not shown).

In contrast to the O-arrangement of Fig. La, Fig. Lb shows an axially split roller bearing 20 in an X arrangement. In this case, an axis of rotation of the rolling elements 12 extends such that axially inner end faces of the rolling elements 12 in the radial direction are further outward than their axially outwardly facing end faces. In contrast to FIG. 1 a, the bearing inner ring 11 is designed to be undivided in the case of the X arrangement of FIG. 1 b, whereas the bearing outer ring 13 has two axially divided bearing outer ring elements or halves 13 - 1, 13 - 2. Thus, both rolling bearing arrangements of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b each have two bearing ring elements 11 - 1, 11 - 2 and 13 - 1, 13 - 2 of a bearing ring 11 (bearing inner ring) or 13 (bearing outer ring) divided into a rotation axis normal separating plane 16.

Embodiments of the present invention provide that during a Vormon- day process, a receiving space 17 for an activatable expanding and possibly adhesive material (expansion material) 18 in a lying in the parting plane 16 end of at least one of the bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 or 13-1, 13-2 is formed. In the illustrated examples, such retaining chambers 17 are formed by way of example in the end faces of the bearing ring halves 1 1-1 and 13-1. The receiving space or a recess 17 can be formed, for example, as an annular circumferential groove in the bearing ring element 11-1 or 13-1, as shown in the sectional views of Fig. La and lb is shown as an example.

After the at least one receiving space 17 has been formed in the end face of at least one of the bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 or 13-1, 13-2 lying in the parting plane 16, the activatable expansion material 18 is introduced into the receiving space 17 provided for this purpose. An expansion adhesive can be introduced into the receiving space 17, for example, in a pasty state or in the form of a rollable adhesive tape. In this case, the expansion material 18 is not yet activated, that is not yet expanded and / or adhesive.

For example, in the preassembly of the axially split double row rolling element bearings 10 and 20, after the activatable material 18 has been introduced into the receiving space 17, the activatable material 18 may be precured so that it can be used under ambient conditions, e.g. For example, in a temperature range of -20 to 60 ° C, in the pre-assembled state of the bearing ring elements or halves 1 1-1, 11-2 and 13-1, 13-2, for example, still no expanding and / or adhesive, i. adhesive properties. In some embodiments, the activatable adhesive material 18 may be an activatable expansion adhesive that is introduced into the receiving space 17 in a pasty state or in the form of a rollable adhesive tape during pre-assembly. After introduction of the activatable expanding and / or adhesive material 18 in the receiving space 17, the two bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 and 13-1, 13- 2 can be pre-assembled by producing a non-positive coupling of the bearing ring elements, wherein between the a pre-assembled bearing ring elements 1 1-1, 11-2 and 13-1, 13-2 a small axial gap remains (in the Fig. La and lb not explicitly shown), which during a later final assembly of the split rolling bearing 10 and 20 can be closed. The non-positive axial coupling of the two bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 or 13-1, 13-2 can take place, for example, by means of a frictional screw connection through the axially extending bores 15 provided for this purpose.

The entire pre-assembly of the bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 or 13-1, 13-2 or the resulting rolling bearing 10 or 20 can be done for example by a bearing manufacturer. The thus pre-assembled bearings, in which the expansion material 18 located in the recess 17 is still in a deactivated, ie not expanded and non-adhesive state, can then be transported in this pre-assembled form by the bearing manufacturer to a location of the bearing 10 or 20 where a final assembly of the warehouse can then take place. 2, a method for a final assembly of two by means of a force-locking axial coupling pre-assembled bearing ring elements of a split in a rotational axis normal parting plane bearing ring 10 will be described below. As already described with reference to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and the pre-assembly process, a first bearing ring element 11 - 1 of the preassembled bearing ring elements in the parting plane has an end face with a first receiving space 17 - 1 filled with the activatable material 18. Between the two preassembled bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2, a small axial gap (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2) in a range of 10 μm to 1 mm, for example approximately 200 μm, is provided. In a first step of the final assembly, the mutually facing end sides of the preassembled bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 are brought into a desired relative or joining position to each other, preferably in the axial direction (a radial relative position was already set during pre-assembly). This can be done for example by tightening and / or loosening or loosening set during pre-assembly screw connections through the holes 15. Additionally or alternatively, the bearing ring halves 1 1-1, 11-2 can also be radially aligned again to each other until they have the desired relative position to each other. If the two bearing ring halves 11-1, 11-2 or their end faces facing one another are aligned with one another as desired, the activatable material 18 located in the receiving space 17 is activated, whereupon, in terms of volume, it is removed from the receiving space 17-1 or from the corresponding Face expands out.

Although according to some embodiments, a receiving space for the expansion material 18 may be provided in only one of the two bearing ring elements 1 1-1, 11-2, some embodiments also provide in the second bearing ring element 11-2, a second receiving space 17-2, with the first receiving space 17-1 cooperates in such a way that, after the activation of the activatable material 18, it expands axially from the first receiving space 17-1 into the second receiving space 17-2. That is, in some embodiments, in both lying in the parting plane 16 end faces of the two bearing ring elements 1 1-1, 11-2 each have a receiving space 17-1 and 17-2 formed for the activatable material 18, wherein during the pre-assembly only in one the two receiving spaces 17-1 or 17-2, the activatable material 18 is introduced. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the activated during the final assembly and expanded material 18, which extends axially after its expansion from the first receiving space 17-1 in the second receiving space 17-2 into another Verbindungsbzw. Locking element, which defines the two bearing ring halves 11-1, 11-2 in the radial direction positively.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which during the pre-assembly (see FIG. 3, left), in addition to the activatable material 18, a blocking element 31 is inserted into the receiving space 17-1 of a first bearing ring element 11-1. The blocking element 31 may be, for example, a continuous ring or a segmented ring.

During pre-assembly, the two bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 are joined as usual and frictionally connected to one another, for example by means of a screw connection through the bores 15. After the frictional coupling of the two bearing ring elements 1 1-1, 11-2, the material 18 located in the receiving space 17-1 is activated during the final assembly (see FIG. 3, right) and thus brought to expansion. Then it grows in volume and fills the recess 17-1, in which he was introduced more or less completely. The blocking element 31 is pressed by the expanding material 18 from the first recess 17-1 into a corresponding second recess 17-2 of the second bearing ring element 11-2. An axial extension of the locking element 31 is greater than the second recess 17-2 is deep, so that the locking element 31, when it comes to rest in the second recess 17-2, axially projects into the first recess 17-1. Thus, a positive connection in the radial direction is additionally formed by the blocking element 31. In some embodiments, the blocking element 31 may also be designed such that it is at least partially deformed by the expanding material 18, which may also be an explosive, and thus pressed into the opposite, corresponding recess 17-2. According to some embodiments, in the receiving space 17-1 with the activatable expansive or adhesive material 18 during pre-assembly so in addition also adapted to the geometry of the receiving space 17-1 locking element 31 are introduced, which upon activation of the activatable expansive or adhesive material 18 is pushed into the not filled with the activatable material 18 receiving space 17-2 of the second bearing ring element 11-2, the lock le- ment 31 has a greater axial extent than the non-filled with the activatable adhesive material second receiving space.

In summary, a pre-assembly at a bearing manufacturer, a transport of a preassembled bearing from the bearing manufacturer to the place of use and a final assembly of the preassembled bearing at its site will now be illustrated with reference to FIG. 4.

As indicated in FIG. 4 (left), bearing rings 13 and bearing ring halves 11 - 1, 11 - 2 of a bearing ring 1 1 divided into an axis-normal separating plane 16 are preassembled into a double-row roller bearing 10, for example at one bearing manufacturer. For this purpose, in at least one of the bearing ring halves 11-1, an annular recess 17 for an activatable expansion material 18 is formed in an end face of the bearing ring half 11-1 lying in the parting plane. In this indentation 17, the activatable material 18 is then attached in not activated state. For a subsequent transport, the two bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 can still be preassembled by producing a frictional coupling at the bearing manufacturer, wherein between the two preassembled or axially coupled bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 initially an axial gap 41 remains with an axial extent of in a range of 10 μιη to 200 μιη, which can be closed during the later success final assembly.

The preassembled roller bearing 10 (eg a double-row tapered roller bearing) is then transported as a package or a unit to its place of use, but is not yet in its final geometry (see Fig. 4, center). Between the two inner ring halves 11-1, 11-2 (or outer ring halves in other Ausführungsbeispie- len) is the axial gap 41. Only when this gap 41 is closed, the radial bias of the rolling bearing 10 is made and thus the bearing is functional.

At the place of use, the pre-assembled bearing 10 can then, as already described, be aligned by axial (and possibly also radial) alignment of the opposite end sides of the preassembled bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 to one another in a desired relative position and subsequent additional material. and / or positively connecting the aligned bearing ring elements 11-1, 11-2 by activating the expansion material 18 in the receiving space 17 are finally assembled (see Fig. 4, right). During alignment, the end face of the first bearing ring element 11-1 provided with the receiving space 17 is brought into coincidence with its facing end side of the second bearing ring element 1-2 to join the first and second bearing ring elements in their parting plane 16 to form a split bearing ring 11 , In this case, according to some embodiments, the receiving spaces 17-1, 17-2 or their openings formed in the end surfaces are brought into line.

Upon activation of the activatable material 18, its expansion property can be activated, so that the activated material in the at least one receiving space 17 expands in terms of volume, so that, for example, an activatable adhesive material 18, an adhesive bond of the first bearing ring element 11-1 with the second bearing ring element 11-2 is effected in the axis normal separating plane 16.

After the material and / or positive connection has been established after activation of the activatable material 18, a non-positive (press or screw) connection u. U. also be resolved again - depending on the requirements of the rolling bearing or its bearing rings.

An activatable material 18 may be an adhesive which has a solid consistency at typical ambient temperatures (e.g., between 0 ° C and 50 ° C). The adhesive 18 thus has not only a solid consistency at typical ambient temperatures, it also has no adhesive property.

It is generally possible to use hotmelt adhesives (also referred to as "hotmelts"), which are solid at room temperature and can be processed by melting, ie they develop their adhesive action when heated, ie they are activated by temperature Adhesive melt then enters the adhesive bond, and immediately after cooling and solidification of the adhesive, the bond is strong, which advantageously allows for rapid assembly. Contact adhesives can also be used.

Furthermore, anaerobic curing adhesives can be used. These adhesives are used as a one-component system. The monomers of (modified) acrylic acid esters cure according to a radical chain mechanism similar to the methyl methacrylates. What is special about this is that the hardening reaction starts only with the exclusion of oxygen, ie anaerobically, and in the presence of metal ions, when the adhesive is sealed off from the ambient air in a tight metallic joint. Only metallic materials can be glued to it, which is advantageous for the present invention, since free metal ions are required as reactants for the curing.

Other preferred adhesives that can be used to advantage in the present invention are radiation curing adhesives. These adhesives, which are used as one-component systems, solidify by radical polymerization into solid polymers, wherein the formation of the starting radicals is caused by irradiation with UV light (or other radiation sources, such as electrons). The wavelength of the UV light must be exactly matched to the adhesive system used. The curing takes place by irradiation with UV light. Several variants are possible here: First, UV acrylates are known. In the liquid state, a radically crosslinking UV adhesive consists predominantly of monomers and photoinitiators. In this condition, the adhesive can be easily dosed. The action of UV radiation splits the photoinitiators into free radicals. These radicals initiate the formation of polymer chains. When cured, the UV adhesive consists of crosslinked polymer chains. Furthermore, cationic epoxies (epoxy resin adhesives) can be used for bonding non-transparent substrates, which is advantageous in the present case. In contrast to the free-radically curing acrylate adhesives, the cationic curing adhesive systems can continue to cure in the dark after sufficient activation with UV radiation. Cationic epoxies can also be used for applications with a UV-transparent component as well as for applications in non-UV-transparent materials. For the latter, the adhesive must be activated after dosing, but before joining with UV radiation. After activation, the adhesive has a limited open time in which to add the components. Very advantageous is the increase in volume of the adhesive during its activation. For this purpose, the adhesive preferably contains a physically or chemically acting propellant which is activated upon activation of the adhesive itself and which increases the volume of the adhesive by gas formation or gas expansion. For physically acting propellants, the increase in volume is a physical consequence of the heating of filled with gas or vaporizable liquid hollow microspheres. In chemical blowing agents, a gas is split off by a chemical reaction, which causes the volume increase of the adhesive. Due to the increase in volume after activation, it is not necessary that an area between the bearing ring halves must be tolerated excessively accurately with each other. Rather, a gap between adhesive and the other bearing ring element or the other bearing ring half may remain, which facilitates the joining of the two components. Due to the increase in volume, the adhesive fills the gap after activation and thereby connects the two parts in a material-locking manner.

For the proposed method, an adhesive based on polyurethanes, epoxy resins or acrylates may be used. The term "acrylate" includes substituted acrylates such as methacrylate.

Examples of adhesives which have proven successful are so-called "reactive hot melt adhesives." These are spreadable in a molten state so that they can be applied in this way into the receiving space 17 in the end face of the bearing ring element without activating the curing mechanism Rather, it requires heating to a higher activation temperature at which a latent hardener is activated for a reactive binder component (for example, a prepolymer having epoxy or isocyanate groups).

The adhesive may contain a resin component, at least one thermally activatable latent curing agent for the resin component and optionally accelerators, fillers, Thxotropiehilfsmittel and other conventional additives, wherein the resin component by reaction of a solid at room temperature epoxy resin, a liquid at room temperature epoxy resin and a linear polyoxypropylene having amino end groups. The epoxy resins are used in such an amount, based on the polyoxypropylene with amino end groups, that an excess of epoxide groups, based on the amino groups, is ensured. For example, dicyandiamide is suitable as the latent hardener. Furthermore, epoxy resin structural adhesives can be used. These are compositions comprising a copolymer having at least one gas transition temperature of -30 ° C or lower and epoxide-reactive groups or a reaction product of this copolymer with a polyepoxide, furthermore a reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer and a polyphenol or aminophenol and finally contain at least one epoxy resin. In order to make these compositions thermosetting, they additionally contain a latent hardener from the group of dicyandiamide, guanamines, guanidines, aminoguanidines, solid aromatic diamines and / or curing accelerators. In addition, they may contain plasticizers, reactive diluents, rheology aids, fillers, wetting agents and / or anti-aging agents and / or stabilizers.

Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments, it is also possible to use special multicomponent adhesives which comprise at least two components, which are referred to below generally as A and B. For example, in such an adhesive in a first component A, a second component B is included, but enclosed in small capsules and therefore separate from the first component A. The capsules of the second component B may e.g. B. of very thin plastic material, which is very sensitive to mechanical forces and / or thermal stress. Accordingly, bursting of the capsules can be accomplished by external mechanical forces or by heating the capsules or their contents. This has the consequence that the two adhesive components A and B mix and react with each other, which is to be understood as the activation of such an adhesive. Bursting of the capsules upon application of heat is promoted by the fact that the component B expands at least slightly when heated.

Thus, if two bearing ring halves to be joined are in a desired relative position in which the adhesive composite is to be produced, heating of the multi-component adhesive and in particular of the second component B in the capsules can be caused, for example, by means of an induction coil. The resulting heat causes the capsules to burst so that the second component B is released and can mix with the first component A. Consequently, the desired reaction between the two adhesive components A and B (activation) and to a hardening of the adhesive, whereby the two bearing ring halves can be firmly connected together.

The mentioned thermally activatable adhesive systems can be used with or without the blowing agents described above, depending on whether or not to increase the volume of the adhesive during or after the thermal activation.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a rolling bearing, which comprises one another by means of the expansion material 18 positively and / or cohesively connected inner and / or outer bearing ring halves. In this case, each one of the inner or outer ring halves in its end face, which lies at least partially in the axis-normal parting plane of the rolling bearing, a receiving space 17 for an activatable expansion material 18. Accordingly, further embodiments of course also include a bearing ring 11, 13 for a roller bearing with at least one first Lagerringele- element, wherein the first bearing ring member and a second bearing ring element by an activated in the receiving space 17 of the first bearing ring element expansion material 18 at the end faces of the bearing ring elements to the bearing ring 11, 13 are positively and / or materially connected (by gluing). According to the concept according to the invention, therefore, during the pre-assembly in one of the bearing rings or one of the bearing ring halves, for example, a shallow groove is introduced at its end face, which can be filled with an externally activatable expansion material (eg expansion adhesive). In this case, for example, an adhesive introduction pasty or in the form of a roll-off adhesive tape. The adhesive is precured so that under ambient conditions (eg room temperature) it initially has a solid consistency but still no adhesive properties. The two bearing rings or bearing ring halves are then joined as usual and frictionally connected to each other. After the connection, the adhesive is activated and thus brought to the volume expansion. Then, the activated adhesive grows in volume, fills the groove or the receiving space more or less completely and forms in a contact zone of the two joining partners adhesion. Thus, a cohesive connection between the two bearing rings or bearing ring halves is produced. The volume increase can be achieved by physically or chemically acting (mixed with the adhesive) propellant. The activation of the adhesive can for example, by the application of heat energy, preferably induction, or ultrasound done. Possible adhesives for realizing the given requirements are, for example, hot melt adhesives (hotmelts) whose activation takes place by increasing the temperature. Also possible are contact adhesives whose activation takes place by evaporation of the solvent (most easily by temperature). Anaerobic curing adhesives can be activated by exclusion of air, metal ions and possibly temperature application.

An application of the adhesive takes place in a dry, non-adhesive state. As a result, handling can be greatly simplified. The adhesive is triggered by external activation and expands by expansion the designated cavities. The adhesive can be prefabricated (eg in the form of tapes, etc.). This simplifies application of the adhesive. Since the adhesive surfaces are in the region of the groove, the joining surfaces (end faces) of the frictional connection are in no way influenced by the adhesive.

A necessary bearing position is not affected by the connection, in particular with respect to a separating or distance-increasing effect in the parting line.

The initially described elastic deflection of the rings under load can u by the adhesion. Although not completely prevented, but this is then synchronized in both ring parts, so there is no relative movement between the ring components. Thereby, possible negative effects due to this phenomenon, e.g. Fretting corrosion, avoided from the outset.

The bond also provides a certain sealing function, so that no media can penetrate through the mating surfaces between the ring components.

Claims

P atentansprü concept for deformation protection of bearing ring elements

1. A method for preassembling two bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2, 13-1, 13-2) of a bearing ring (11, 13) divided into an axis-normal parting plane (16), comprising the following steps:

Introducing a receiving space (17) for an activatable expansion material (18) into an end face of at least one of the bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2, 13-1, 13-2) located in the parting plane (16);

Introducing the activatable expansion material (18) into the receiving space (17); and

Producing a non-positive coupling of the bearing ring elements (1-1, 1-2, 13-1, 13-2), wherein between the two non-positively coupled bearing ring elements, an axial gap (41) remains, which can be closed during final assembly.

2. The pre-assembly method of claim 1, wherein the activatable expansion material (18) is configured to expand in volume in the receiving space (17) after activation.

The pre-assembly method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said activatable expansion material (18) additionally has an adhesive property after its activation.

The preassembling method according to claim 3, wherein after the incorporation of the activatable expansion material (18) into the accommodating space (17; 17-1; 17-2) the activatable expansion material (18) is precured so that it does not have any adhesive properties under ambient conditions in the preassembled state of the bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2; 13-1; 13-2).

The pre-assembly method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activatable expansion material (18) is an activatable expansion adhesive and the expansion adhesive (18) is introduced in a pasty state or in the form of a rollable adhesive tape into the receiving space (17).

6. The method for pre-assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in both in the parting plane (16) lying end faces of the two bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) opposite one receiving space (17 - 1, 17-2) for the activatable expansion material (18) is introduced, and wherein only in a first of the two receiving spaces (17-1, 17-2) the activatable expansion material (18) is introduced so that the activatable expansion material (18 ) after its activation in terms of volume from the first receiving space (17-1, 17-2) can expand into the opposite second receiving space to then a positive connection of the two bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2, 13-1, 13-2 ) by means of the expanded expansion material (18).

7. The method for pre-assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in both in the parting plane (16) lying end faces of the two bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) opposite one receiving space (17 - 1, 17-2) is introduced for the activatable expansion material (18), wherein only in one of the two receiving spaces (17-1, 17-2) the activatable expansion material (18) is introduced, and wherein in the receiving space (17- 1) with the activatable expansion material (18) in addition to the geometry of the receiving space (17-1; 17-2) adapted locking element (31) is introduced, which upon activation of the activatable expansion material (18) in the non-activatable expansion material (18 18) filled receiving space (17-2) is pushed, wherein the blocking element (31) has a greater axial extent than the not with the activatable expansion material (18) filled receiving space (17-2)

8. The method for pre-assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two bearing ring elements (11-1, 11-2, 13-1, 13-2) are screwed in such a way that between their axially opposite end faces of the axial Gap (41) with an axial extent of 10 μι Μβ 1 mm remains.

9. A method for final assembly of two pre-assembled by means of a frictional coupling bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) of a divided in an axis-normal parting plane bearing ring (1 1, 13), wherein at least a first of the bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) in the parting plane has an end face with a receiving space (17; 17-1; 17-2) filled with an activatable expansion material (18), and wherein between the two preassembled bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) an axial gap (41) is provided, comprising the following steps:

Aligning the end faces of the preassembled bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) in a desired relative position relative to each other; and

Form-fitting and / or material-locking connection of the aligned bearing ring elements (11-1, 1 1-2, 13-1; 13-2) in the final assembly by activation of the activatable expansion material (18) in the receiving space (17; 17-1; 17 -2).

The method for final assembly according to claim 9, wherein, in the alignment, an axial gap between the end face of the first bearing ring element (11-1; 13-1) provided with the receiving space (17) and an end face of a second bearing ring element (11-2; 2) is closed to add the first and second bearing ring members (11-1, 1-2, 13-1, 13-2) in the parting plane (16) to a bearing ring (11; 13).