KR101639829B1 - Rolling element cage having spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

In summary, the invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement, in particular a wheel bearing arrangement, comprising a slinger ring (8), a sealing ring, and a rolling element row, (7) are provided for load transfer between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (1) and are placed in a rolling element cage (12) and the rolling element cage (12) So that the inner ring 3 has a clearance and is fixed in the axial direction. It is an object of the present invention to prevent undesired repositioning of the radial sealing lip of the sealing ring and to ensure that the radial sealing lip from the contact surface of the slinger ring 8, Thereby preventing slipping and detaching. To this end, according to the invention, the inner ring (3) is assembled in such a way that the radial sealing lip remains on the cylindrical part of the slinger ring (8) irrespective of the axial position of the inner ring 3, a rolling element cage 12 and / or a sealing ring is used.

Description

{ROLLING ELEMENT CAGE HAVING SPACER}

The present invention relates to a rolling element cage for guiding load-carrying rolling elements of at least one row of rolling elements of a rolling bearing. In addition, the present invention relates to a sealing ring for protecting the rolling space of a rolling bearing, said sealing ring comprising a support part and an elastic part, The elastic component is provided with at least one sealing lip for sealing the rolling space by means of a rubbing contact. In addition to this, the invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement, in particular a wheel bearing arrangement, with a rolling element cage of this type or with a sealing ring of this type, Wherein the rolling elements of the rolling element row are provided for load transfer between the inner ring and the outer ring, And is placed in a rolling element cage, and the rolling element cage engages with rolling elements to axially secure the inner ring with a clearance.

This type of rolling bearing arrangement or its type of part is used in particular in connection with wheel bearings. The rolling elements and the raceway in the inner ring and outer ring of the rolling bearing are very sensitive to contaminating particles that can penetrate into the cloud space.

Hereinafter, the rolling space means a space formed by the outer ring or the outer rings together with the inner ring or the inner rings, and in some cases, by the wheel hub. In the cloud space, rolling elements are arranged in a row or in a multi-row arrangement. Since the inner ring or the inner rings may be subjected to a rotational motion relative to the outer ring or outer rings, the rolling space must be sealed in a sealing arrangement in relation to the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing in both axial directions, Assist in this type of rotational motion. In this case, it is not important whether the outer ring or the outer rings, or the inner ring or the inner rings, are rotatable in the wheel bearing arrangement.

Rolling bearings are usually packaged and delivered in a pre-installed condition. With this pre-installed, the rolling bearings are assembled, which means that some components can have some kind of clearance to each other. That is, for example, the inner ring can move axially with the slinger disc on which it is placed. In principle, the inner ring is held radially by the expansion of the rolling elements. However, on the basis of the shaping of the inner ring, rolling elements also contribute to the blocking of the inner ring at least in the axial direction. This is due, for example, to the fact that the concave shape of the raceway in an angular contact ball bearing is widened in the radial direction. However, the restriction often does not occur in the opposite direction of the axial direction, or only very intermittent restrictions occur, whereby there is at least one clear axial clearance of the inner ring.

Undesirably, said axial clearance of the inner ring results in the separation of the seal arrangement, i. E. The separation of the sealing ring from the slinger ring. The sealing effect of the seal arrangement is now largely dependent on the close contact of the radial sealing lip on the contact face of the slinger ring (the radial sealing lip is fixed to the support part of the sealing ring) There is a risk that the radial sealing lip slips off the contact surface of the slinger ring when the bearing is delivered, for example. As a direct result, during the installation of the rolling bearings, the radial sealing lip is not brought over the contact surface of the slinger ring again, but strikes against the ring-shaped fixing part of the slinger ring during the installation process, Lt; / RTI > This results in severe deterioration of the sealing function, which greatly reduces the life of the rolling bearing due to penetrating foreign particles.

In addition to this, the installer of the rolling bearing is usually not capable of recognizing the tilting of the radial sealing lip, and it is a problem that it lacks the ability to remove defects. The tilting of the sealing lip can occur not only at delivery but also at the time of installation of the rolling bearings, whereby the non-defective rolling bearings can not be controlled by the defective rolling bearings.

DE 196 00 125 A1 discloses a seal arrangement in which the deflection of the radial sealing lip is blocked by a preferred embodiment of the slinger ring.

From DE 100 56 175 A1 cassette seals with encoders are known, the cassette seals having protrusions, the protrusions pointing towards the cloud space, and the desired stacking of the cassette seals .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel bearing which basically prevents the radial sealing lip from slipping out from the slinger ring before or during installation or preventing the radial sealing lip from being tilted, Arrangement and parts thereof.

This object is achieved in a rolling element cage of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the rolling element cage has a first spacer, which separates the rolling element cage from the seal arrangement of the rolling bearing For example.

In addition to this, the object is achieved in a sealing ring of the type mentioned in the introduction, wherein the sealing ring comprises a second spacer, which in the assembled rolling bearing is spaced from the rolling bearing cage And is provided for not touching the rolling element cage in the operating state of the rolling bearings.

In addition to this, the object is achieved in a wheel bearing arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction, wherein the wheel bearing arrangement is provided with a sealing ring according to the invention and / or a rolling element cage according to the invention.

In addition to this, the object is achieved in a wheel bearing arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction, characterized in that the sealing ring comprises a radial sealing lip, the radial sealing lip having a frictional contact in the cylindrical part of the slinger ring And the rolling element cage is provided for sealing the rolling space with a wheel bearing arrangement such that the radial sealing lip remains on the cylindrical portion of the slinger ring irrespective of the axial position of the inner ring Is achieved by limiting the axial clearance of the inner ring in the assembled state of the sieve.

The wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention comprises a seal arrangement with a slinger ring, which is fixed to the inner ring or to a wheel hub. In addition, the sealing ring of the wheel bearing arrangement is fixed to the outer ring. Between the inner ring and the outer ring, a rolling element row is provided, the rolling elements thereof being provided for load transfer between the rings and lying in a rolling element cage, the rolling element cage engaging with rolling elements The inner ring is held in the axial direction with a clearance. This is accomplished by preventing rolling elements in the assembled rolling bearing from axially separating the inner ring in one axial direction and by preventing axial departure of the inner ring in the axial direction towards the opposite direction. In this case, the axial movement of the inner ring relates to the rotational axis of the rolling bearing.

In rolling bearings ready for operation, ie installed rolling bearings, this problem does not appear because the inner ring is firmly seated on the wheel hub or otherwise axially fixed. However, in the assembled rolling bearings, that is, with the rolling bearings in delivery, the inner ring is not fixed in this type of manner and can move within the axial clearance. As a result, the slinger ring placed on the inner ring also moves.

In order to ensure that the radial sealing lip provided for sealing the rolling space by means of frictional contact in the cylindrical part of the slinger ring does not slip off from this cylindrical part of the slinger ring, In order to limit the axial clearance of the inner ring in the assembled state of the wheel bearing arrangement, in particular of the wheel bearing, i.e. to keep the radial sealing lip on the cylindrical portion of the slinger ring regardless of the axial position of the inner ring .

This is realized mechanically by the fact that the force flow of the holding force acting on the inner ring is returned to the same part, i.e. to the outer ring. When the inner ring moves so that the slinger ring is axially away from the sealing ring fixed to the outer ring, the inner ring is stopped by the rolling element cage, where the retaining force is transmitted from the outer ring to the sealing ring The cloud elements are passed in the cage. In the opposite direction, that is, when the sealing ring and the slinger ring are close to each other, the inner ring is stopped by the rolling elements, and the force flow of the holding force acts on the inner ring from the outer ring through the rolling element. This retention mechanism defines the axial clearance of the inner ring. It is now possible to have a rolling element cage not only to be provided for limiting this axial clearance, but additionally - or alternatively - for the purpose of preventing slipping away from the cylindrical part of the slinger ring, A ring ring may be provided to limit this axial clearance.

In the case of a rolling element cage which is provided for guiding load bearing rolling elements of at least one rolling element row of rolling bearings, the rolling element cage may be formed in one of two axial directions . To this end, the rolling element cage may be enlarged or otherwise formed in the direction of the sealing ring and / or in the direction of the inner ring. To this end, the rolling element cage may comprise, for example, a first spacer, which is provided for spacing the rolling element cage away from a rolling bearing, in particular a sealing arrangement of the sealing ring, Does not touch the static part of the seal arrangement.

In the case of a sealing ring provided to protect the rolling space of the rolling bearing, the sealing ring may be axially enlarged or formed in the direction of the rolling element cage to deliver the holding force. The sealing ring comprises a support part and an elastic part, wherein the elastic part is provided with at least one sealing lip for sealing the rolling space by means of frictional contact.

Preferably, the sealing ring has a second spacer, which has the function of spacing the sealing ring from the rolling bearing cage in an assembled rolling bearing, and for this purpose it is in close contact with the rolling element cage . In addition to this, the second spacer is provided for not touching the rolling element cage in the operating state of the rolling bearing, or for not touching at least under force. "Under force" means that a touch is not intended in principle, but occasionally touch is not harmful and, in some cases, is acceptable.

In a preferred embodiment, the first spacer has an axial length, and the first spacer has the function of spacing the rolling element cage from the sealing ring in the assembled rolling bearing, In the operating state, the parts of the seal arrangement are provided for not touching or not touching under force.

In a preferred embodiment, the rolling element cage has a holding element, in particular a holding nose, which is provided for axial contact with the surface of the inner ring of the rolling bearing. This surface is provided to hold or to transfer retention force to the inner ring. The surface can be a component of a ring-shaped groove and extends at least in the radial direction, but possibly also in the axial direction, depending on the component. In this case, for example, the holding nose does not impair the function according to the present invention if other functions, which preferably function in the installation of the rolling bearings, are also provided.

Preferably, the rolling bearing arrangement may be designed as a wheel bearing arrangement, in particular as a wheel bearing.

In a preferred embodiment, the second spacer is formed on the support part and / or on the resilient part.

The elastic component generally has a number of functions. On the one hand, the resilient part must be fixed to the support part and at the same time have one or more sealing lips. In addition to this, the resilient part may be provided for anchoring or fixing the sealing ring to the outer ring, or may serve as a static seal. Therefore, the shaping of the resilient component for securing the resilient component to the support component may also function as a second spacer. The same applies to the molding of the elastic part for fixing the sealing ring to the outer ring. In order to perform the function as the second spacer, the rolling space side protrusion, which is originally provided for the desired stacking of the sealing rings or cassette seals, requires the required axial length, strength, position and / It is also preferable to provide it.

The support component may also be preferably spaced apart (spaced) if the support component already has features to fulfill this function, as referred to in connection with the elastic component. It is also possible that the elastic part and the support part together form a second spacer.

In the embodiments referred to earlier, the second spacer is provided not only for spacing against the rolling element cage, but also for securing the support part to the inner surface of the outer ring of the rolling bearing. Alternatively, the second spacer may be provided for securing the resilient component to the support component. It is also possible that the second spacer is designed in two parts and that the spacing is realized not only in the vicinity of the outer ring but also in the vicinity of the inner ring.

The seal arrangement consists of the sealing ring and the slinger ring, and may in particular be designed as a cassette seal.

Other preferred and preferred forms of improvement of the invention are set forth in the description and / or in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a two-row angular contact ball bearing according to the prior art,
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a two row angular contact ball bearing from Fig. 1 with an axially displaced inner ring,
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a rolling element cage with a first spacer,
Figure 4 is a view of the rolling element cage from Figure 3, in the direction of the axis of rotation;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing ring having a second spacer,
Figure 6 is a view of the sealing ring from Figure 5, in the direction of the axis of rotation;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a two row angular contact ball bearing with one play securing by a rolling element cage from Figure 3;

Figures 1 and 2 show a cross-section of a two-row angular contact ball bearing according to the prior art, wherein the angular contact ball bearing has an axially displaced inner ring 3, .

Figures 1 and 2 show two angular contact ball bearings in an assembled state, and in this state, this type of angular contact ball bearing is packaged and delivered. Together, these figures should clearly show the axial clearance of the inner ring 3 present before bearing installation.

The slinger ring 8 is secured to the outer surface of the inner ring 3 by means of a pressure fit and has a transmitter based on magnet poles (encoders) alternating around. As soon as the inner ring 3 moves axially (to the right in the figure), the slinger ring 8 also moves in the same direction with its cylindrical fastening part. In this movement, the radial sealing lip 5 is moved downward from the cylindrical fixing portion (the contact surface for sealing contact with the radial sealing lip 5 is disposed on the fixing portion) And is now in close contact with the outer surface of the inner ring 3.

The problem at this point is that the user can not figure out that the radial sealing lip 5 is no longer resting on the contact surface of the cylindrical part provided for contact in area A, ) Can not be seen from the outside. In this state, the two-row ball bearings can not be dismantled easily-with great suspicion, because the inner ring 3 is held on the basis of the retention effect by the rolling element cage 12. [ This is achieved by a holding function with a clearance of the wheel bearing arrangement and by means of which the holding nose 10 of the rolling element cage 12 and the inner ring 3 of the rolling element cage 12, Is performed by interaction with the groove (groove) 11.

Unfortunately, the two-row angular contact ball bearing can no longer easily escape from the condition according to FIG. In principle, there is the possibility of bringing the inner ring 3 back through the application of external force to the position already occupied in Fig. However, the elasticity of the radial sealing lip 5 does not allow the radial sealing lip to be newly fixed onto the cylindrical fixing portion of the slinger ring 8. [ Instead, a tilting process occurs in the direction of the rolling element 7. Once this has happened, it is impossible for the user to regenerate the intended functional position of the radial sealing lip 5. That is, the correct functioning position is not achieved if the inner ring 3 is pushed back. If a two row angular contact ball bearing is used in the state described above, part of the elastic part 6, in particular the radial sealing lip, will be damaged by the rolling element 7. [ In addition to this, the seal arrangement with the slinger ring 8 and the sealing rings 9 does not have the sealing function necessary for the wheel bearings. Early departure is the result.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a rolling element cage 12 with a first spacer 20. The first spacer 20 is formed in the sealing side component 2 of the rolling element cage 12 and has a sufficient axial length to limit the clearance of the inner ring 3. [

In addition to this, the first spacer 20 has a relatively small axial surface and is capable of retaining force with the surface, but with relatively little contact with static parts, such as a part of the sealing ring, A small amount of friction is produced and preferably is continuously reduced by the corresponding wear in the first spacer 20 during operation. The shaping of the first spacer can be selected to produce the smallest possible friction moment and small temperature rise in the case of contact.

The first spacer 20 may be provided, for example, as a protrusion in the front face of the rolling element cage 12, so that the axial movement of the inner ring 3 is restricted and the radial sealing lip 5 Is safely in the correct position at each tolerance position.

In this case, it is desirable to attach a plurality of such protrusions, so that uniform force transmission over the circumference can occur and no other locally spaced distances between the rolling element cage 12 and the sealing lip can occur. The protrusions can be designed so that contact with static components is not performed under force, but allows a slight rubbing against the sealing lips in a tolerance range.

Fig. 4 shows a view of the rolling element cage 12 from Fig. 3, in the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing.

The distribution of the first spacers 20 is shown by way of example. A uniform distribution is desirable for uniform spacing. Of course, the total number of first spacers 20 may vary, but a minimum number of three first spacers 20 may be recommended. In particular, the first spacers 20 may be uniformly spaced from one another or non-uniformly spaced from one another. In addition to this, the axial surface for holding force can change the transmission. For example, if there is no contact between the static components and the first spacers 20, the axial surface of the spacer 20 may be designed to be larger or may be enlarged, for example, in the circumferential direction.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the sealing ring with the second spacer 21.

The spacer 21 is formed on the elastic part of the sealing ring shown and is thus likewise resiliently designed. Three elastic lip parts are formed in the elastic part 6, namely two radial sealing lip parts (with radial sealing lip part 5) and one axial sealing lip part 4, Respectively. The elastic part 6 is held by a support part 9, which is fixed to the outer ring 1.

Advantageously, said second spacer may protrude out of the support part (9) or be formed on said support part. This is not only possible but also additionally possible, so that the two second spacers can be used with different radial positions.

That is, it is also possible for the elastic part 6 to form the second spacer. So that the area used for fixing the elastic part 6 to the support part 9, for example, will also have a second function.

Fig. 6 shows the shape of the sealing ring from Fig. 5 in the direction of the rotation axis of the wheel bearing.

For a plurality of first spacers 21, a ring-like shape over the sealing rings, on its resilient parts or on its support parts 9, in a manner consistent with that of the first spacers 20 of FIG. Distribution can be provided.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of a two row angular contact ball bearing with a play limitation of the inner ring 3 by a rolling element cage 12 with a first spacer 22.

The axial clearance of the inner ring 3 is reduced to a value (B + C) based on the use of the rolling element cage 12 with the first spacer 22. Assuming that the radial sealing lip 5 is positioned in the middle of the contact surface of the cylindrical fixed part of the slinger ring 8 in correct positioning (in this case, this contact surface has an axial expansion D ), The following inequality is valid:

D > 0.5 (B + C)

Where B is the axial spacing of the holding nose 10 of the rolling element cage 12 from the ring shaped retaining surface of the groove 11 of the inner ring 3 and C is the axial spacing of the part- Is the axial spacing of the first spacer 22 from the support component 9 - in the embodiment.

Generally speaking, the distance of the correct axial position of the radial sealing lip 5 on the contact surface to the end of the cylindrical space of the cylindrical fixed part of the slinger ring 8 is larger than the axial clearance B of the inner ring 3 + C), there is a limitation of the clearance of the inner ring 3.

Preferably, the holding noses 10 are circumferentially spaced about the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing or touch each other with minimal material consumption. For a kind of elasticity of the material of the rolling elements cage 12, said elasticity must be taken into account in consideration of the intervals B and C. Then, in some cases, there is not sufficient shape stability of the rolling element cage 12, and thus, it is necessary to take smaller intervals B and C. In this case it is possible to reach within tolerance limits of contact with adjacent components during rolling operation.

Preferably, a second spacer can also be used like the second spacer 21 from Fig. Thereby, the first and second spacers will touch each other in the assembled rolling bearing in order to realize the spacing or the reduction of the clearance of the inner ring (3). At this time, either one should preferably be ring-shaped to ensure separation of the cage and its respective relative position of the sealing ring. This is desirable if the spacers must be designed too thin for the spacing distance to be realized, and if there is a risk of breakage.

Preferably, one first spacer and one second spacer may be used, and the spacers are not touched based on different radial positions. As a result, a constant gap can be realized over the entire radial width of the sealing ring or a more stable gap restriction can be realized simply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In summary, the present invention is directed to a rolling bearing arrangement, in particular a wheel bearing arrangement, wherein the rolling bearing arrangement comprises a slinger ring, a sealing ring and a rolling element row, Is provided for load transfer between the outer ring and lies within the rolling element cage and the rolling element cage engages the rolling elements to axially secure the inner ring with the clearance. The radial sealing lip of the sealing ring must be prevented from being unwantedly turned off and the radial sealing lip is slid off from the contact surface of the slinger ring in the assembled state of the rolling bearing It should be stopped. To this end, a rolling element cage which limits the axial clearance of the inner ring in the assembled state of the bearing arrangement, so that the radial sealing lip remains on the cylindrical part of the slinger ring irrespective of the axial position of the inner ring, and / Or a sealing ring is used.

A: area of the radial sealing lip near the contact surface
B: the axial distance of the holding element of the rolling element cage from the holding surface of the inner ring
C: the axial spacing of the first spacer from the sealing ring
D: Axial expansion of contact surface
1: outer ring
2: Sealing part of rolling element cage
3: Inner ring
4: Axial sealing lip
5: Radial sealing lip
6: Elastic parts
7: Cloud elements
8: Slinger ring
9: Support parts
10: Holding nose
11: Groove
12: Cage of cloud elements
13: Inner ring
20: first spacer
21: Second spacer
22: first spacer

Claims (12)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A slinger ring 8 fixed to the inner ring 3,
A sealing ring fixed to the outer ring 1,
The rolling elements 7 are provided for load transfer between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 1 and are placed in the rolling element cage 12 and the rolling element cage 12 ) Engages with rolling elements (7) to fix the inner ring (3) with a clearance in the axial direction, wherein the sealing ring comprises a radial sealing lip (5), the sealing lip In a rolling bearing arrangement with a rolling element row provided for sealing a rolling space by means of frictional contact in the cylindrical portion of the slinger ring 8, the rolling element cage 12 comprises a radial sealing lip In order to limit the axial clearance of the inner ring 3 in the assembled state of the wheel bearing arrangement, so that it remains on the cylindrical portion of the slinger ring 8 irrespective of the axial position of the inner ring 3 Lt; / RTI >
The rolling element cage (12) has a first spacer (20, 22), the sealing ring has a second spacer (21)
Wherein the spacers have different radial positions from one another. 12. A rolling bearing arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the sealing ring is provided for limiting the axial clearance of the inner ring (3).

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