GB2099089A - A cross-roll bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

A cross-roll bearing having a segmented cage, in each segment (4) of which are arranged two rollers (3). Each segment (4) is a shallow flat component with uniform oblong holes serving as pockets (4') for the rollers (3), and the longitudinal axis of each oblong hole extends transversely to the direction in which the segment (4) moves when the bearing is in use. The rollers (3) contact the cage segment (4) at four points and the end edges of the roller may be rounded off such that the contact points are in two vertically spaced parallel planes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cross-roll bearing This invention relates to a cross-roll bearing having a segmented cage, and two rollers arranged in each segment with their axes at 900 to one another.

Such a cross-roll bearing is known from the German Patent Application D 1 6 990 published on the 28th April, 1 955. The cage thereof comprises a number of segments each comprising two pockets containing a set of two respective rollers, in which the two pockets are offset in relation to one another by 900.

Apart from the expense which the shape of such a cage involves, care is needed during assembly of the cage and the insertion therein of the rollers that the correct sequence is maintained, and that the segments are fitted in their correct relative positions into the bearing. The likelihood of a faulty assembly may thereby be undesirably high.

It is an aim of the invention, therefore, to improve a cross-roll bearing of the construction described in the foregoing opening paragraph of this Specification in such a way that the cage can be manufactured relatively easily and cheaply, and can be fitted into the bearing without the need for observing the relative positioning of the segments.

Accordingly, in a cross-roll bearing in accordance with the present invention, each segment is a shallow fiat component with uniform oblong holes serving as pockets for the rollers, and the longitudinal axis of each oblong hole extends transversely to the direction in which the segment moves when the bearing is in use.

The cage segments may be distinguished by their simple shape and may be produced inexpensively of, for example, a synthetic material; they may be subject to little wear and can have good muffling characteristics.

Where the rollers are guided at rounded-off portions of the rollers, with minimal points of contact, high surface-slide speeds are possible, and the likelihood of damage to the roliing surfaces of the rollers in the event of ingress of dirt or other foreign matter into the cage pockets is reduced. Moreover, less lubricant is wiped off the rolling surfaces. Guidance by means of the rounded-off portions of the rollers, which portions are not otherwise used in the operation of the bearing, results in low friction and wear characteristics.

An example of a cross-roll bearing in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an axial-sectional view of a part of the cross-roll bearing; Figure 2 is a plan view of half of the cross-roll bearing; Figure 3 is a plan view of a cage segment of the bearing including rollers inserted therein; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cage segment shown in Figure 3.

The illustrated cross-roll bearing comprises an outer race 1, an inner race 2, rollers 3 and cage segments 4.

As may be seen from Figures 3 and 4, each segment 4 is a shallow flat component provided with two preferably uniform oblong holes serving as pockets 4' for accommodating the rollers 3.

The longitudinal axis of each pocket 4' extends transversely to the direction in which the segment 4 moves as it rotates in the bearing when the latter is in use. The segments 4 are therefore always fitted in their correct positions between the outer race 1 and the inner race 2.

It will be appreciated from the Figures that each cage segment 4 guides each of its rollers 3 at four points, which may be either at respective rounded off edges of the roller end faces or at the roller's circumferential face in which latter instance the contact points are contained in two vertically spaced parallel planes.

1. A cross-roll bearing having a segmented cage, and two rollers arranged in each segment with their axes at 900 to one another, in which each segment is a shallow flat component with oblong holes serving as pockets for the rollers, and in which the longitudinal axis of each oblong hole extends transversely to the direction in which the segment moves when the bearing is in use.

2. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 1, in which each cage segment guides each of its rollers at four points.

3. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 2, in which each roller is provided with rounded-off edges at which the roller is guided by a cage segment.

4. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 2 in which each roller is guided, by a cage segment, at its circumferential face at points contained in two vertically spaced parallel planes.

5. A cross-roll bearing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A cross-roll bearing This invention relates to a cross-roll bearing having a segmented cage, and two rollers arranged in each segment with their axes at 900 to one another. Such a cross-roll bearing is known from the German Patent Application D 1 6 990 published on the 28th April, 1 955. The cage thereof comprises a number of segments each comprising two pockets containing a set of two respective rollers, in which the two pockets are offset in relation to one another by 900. Apart from the expense which the shape of such a cage involves, care is needed during assembly of the cage and the insertion therein of the rollers that the correct sequence is maintained, and that the segments are fitted in their correct relative positions into the bearing. The likelihood of a faulty assembly may thereby be undesirably high. It is an aim of the invention, therefore, to improve a cross-roll bearing of the construction described in the foregoing opening paragraph of this Specification in such a way that the cage can be manufactured relatively easily and cheaply, and can be fitted into the bearing without the need for observing the relative positioning of the segments. Accordingly, in a cross-roll bearing in accordance with the present invention, each segment is a shallow fiat component with uniform oblong holes serving as pockets for the rollers, and the longitudinal axis of each oblong hole extends transversely to the direction in which the segment moves when the bearing is in use. The cage segments may be distinguished by their simple shape and may be produced inexpensively of, for example, a synthetic material; they may be subject to little wear and can have good muffling characteristics. Where the rollers are guided at rounded-off portions of the rollers, with minimal points of contact, high surface-slide speeds are possible, and the likelihood of damage to the roliing surfaces of the rollers in the event of ingress of dirt or other foreign matter into the cage pockets is reduced. Moreover, less lubricant is wiped off the rolling surfaces. Guidance by means of the rounded-off portions of the rollers, which portions are not otherwise used in the operation of the bearing, results in low friction and wear characteristics. An example of a cross-roll bearing in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an axial-sectional view of a part of the cross-roll bearing; Figure 2 is a plan view of half of the cross-roll bearing; Figure 3 is a plan view of a cage segment of the bearing including rollers inserted therein; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cage segment shown in Figure 3. The illustrated cross-roll bearing comprises an outer race 1, an inner race 2, rollers 3 and cage segments 4. As may be seen from Figures 3 and 4, each segment 4 is a shallow flat component provided with two preferably uniform oblong holes serving as pockets 4' for accommodating the rollers 3. The longitudinal axis of each pocket 4' extends transversely to the direction in which the segment 4 moves as it rotates in the bearing when the latter is in use. The segments 4 are therefore always fitted in their correct positions between the outer race 1 and the inner race 2. It will be appreciated from the Figures that each cage segment 4 guides each of its rollers 3 at four points, which may be either at respective rounded off edges of the roller end faces or at the roller's circumferential face in which latter instance the contact points are contained in two vertically spaced parallel planes. CLAIMS

1. A cross-roll bearing having a segmented cage, and two rollers arranged in each segment with their axes at 900 to one another, in which each segment is a shallow flat component with oblong holes serving as pockets for the rollers, and in which the longitudinal axis of each oblong hole extends transversely to the direction in which the segment moves when the bearing is in use.

2. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 1, in which each cage segment guides each of its rollers at four points.

3. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 2, in which each roller is provided with rounded-off edges at which the roller is guided by a cage segment.

4. A cross-roll bearing according to claim 2 in which each roller is guided, by a cage segment, at its circumferential face at points contained in two vertically spaced parallel planes.

5. A cross-roll bearing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.