WO2009086965A2

WO2009086965A2 - Cage for roller bodies

Info

Publication number: WO2009086965A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/065205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Fugel; Stefanie Schindler; Ernst Röckelein
Original assignee: Schaeffler Kg
Priority date: 2008-01-11
Filing date: 2008-11-10
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: WO2009086965A3; DE102008004046A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cage (1) for roller bodies, for example axial bearings or flat guides, which is approximately W-shaped in the longitudinal cross-section, comprising side walls (2, 3) forming W-shaped limbs and webs (4) connecting them, between which the roller bodies are accommodated, and at least one ring-shaped material formation that radially projects from a side wall (3). In addition, the material formation (5) is provided with at least one stiffness-increasing profiled section (6, 6'). Said structure provides that the cage (1) is also sufficiently stiffened in the region of the material formation (5).

Description

description

Name of the invention

Cage for rolling elements

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a cage for rolling elements, for example for thrust bearings or flat guides, which is designed in a longitudinal section in an approximately W-shaped, with W-legs forming side walls and connecting webs between which the rolling elements are received, and with at least one of a side wall radially projecting, annular material shaping.

Background of the invention

Cages for rolling elements are known to guide the rolling elements between the mutually rotating rolling element raceways safely and keep at a distance. This is the only way to ensure a uniform load distribution, to prevent mutual obstruction of the rolling elements and thus to ensure faultless functioning of the rolling bearing.

In addition, efforts are being made to be able to accommodate as many rolling elements in the rolling bearing in a compact manner in order to provide by a high rolling element density bearings for the highest loads can. However, this requires the creation of a corresponding number of pockets or spaces in the rolling element cage and in turn leads to a constructive weakening of the cage. The result is a lack of rigidity and an increased risk of mechanical failure of the cage in operation. In the area of the axial needle roller bearings, W-shaped or sigma-shaped cages have proven themselves in this context in longitudinal section. These are generally formed in one piece and have a comparatively high rigidity with high achievable rolling element density.

There are special applications, which make the provision of at least one of a side wall of the cage radially projecting, annular material alanformung, preferably radially inward, necessary. This can be present, for example, when additional components in the region of the bearing arrangement lead to limited space, and a space problem with regard to the arrangement of the rolling elements that can occur can be remedied by a ring-shaped material formation on the cage radially projecting from a side wall. In a concrete example, a rolling bearing arrangement is concerned with having to provide a radial displacement of the rolling elements from radially inward to radially outward, while maintaining predetermined inner diameters of axial disks of the bearing arrangement, for installation space reasons. However, radially projecting, in the present case radially inwardly projecting, Materialanformungen can easily become unstable and spring, which of course undesirably impaired the reliability of a rolling bearing assembly.

Against this background, DE 196 18 216 A1 discloses a roller bearing assembly which has a cage with a W profile, in which radial material projections are provided between the webs and the side walls. In the radially inwardly directed Materialanformung between the webs and the radially inner side wall openings are additionally introduced. These and other design measures should lead to an unimpeded flow of lubricant through the rolling bearing assembly.

From DE 184 0 219 U a cage for rolling elements is also known, wherein the cage is designed for cylindrical rolling elements and has specially designed webs, such that the parallel to the horizontal plane of division of the rolling elements extending web portions have a greater width than the transverse thereto have running web portions, and the leadership of the rolling elements is carried out exclusively by the parallel to the dividing plane of the rolling elements extending web portions.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a generic cage with a radial Materialanformung for a rolling bearing, which has an improved stiffness in the area of Materialanformung over known cages.

Summary of the invention

The invention is based on the finding that increasing the rigidity of the cage has a great influence on the functional reliability of a roller bearing.

The invention is therefore according to the features of the main claim of a cage for rolling elements, for example for thrust bearings or flat guides, which is designed in a longitudinal section in approximately W-shaped, with W-legs forming side walls and connecting webs, between which the rolling elements be received, and with at least one radially projecting from a side wall, annular material shaping. In this cage is also provided according to the invention that the Materialanformung is provided with at least one stiffness-increasing profiling.

This construction ensures that the cage is sufficiently stiffened even in the area of material shaping. It can thus be used without significant loss of stiffness even with a comparatively large distance between the radially inner end and the radially outer end of the cage.

The subclaims describe preferred developments or refinements of the invention. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the profiling is groove-shaped or rib-shaped, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Such a profiling can be produced, for example, by an embossing process in the cage material. Furthermore, it is possible to align the profiling, for example, radially or in the circumferential direction of the cage.

A second advantageous development of the invention provides that the profiling consists of a plurality of grooves or ribs, preferably uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the material shaping. This leads to a uniform stiffening over the entire extent of Matehalanformung. If the profiling in an advantageous manner in the longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction of Materialanformung, can be stiffened very easily larger peripheral portions of the Materialanformung, and also a stiffness-increasing profiling is also given in the circumferential direction of Materialanformung. In fact, it is also possible to provide a rib or groove extending over the circumferential direction thereof, in which case only profiling in the radial direction, but not additionally in the circumferential direction, would be necessary.

It is advantageous if an opening is made within the profiling. As a result, if necessary, the lubricant flow in the rolling bearing can be adjusted or regulated. Conveniently, the opening is punched as a slot in the profiling tion, whereby a larger opening is formed, which is inexpensive to produce. It is also advantageous, seen in the circumferential direction of the Materialanformung the opening in the end region of the profiling, so that the once obtained increase in stiffness through the opening is not unduly reduced again.

A rolling bearing arrangement with at least one cage according to the invention, due to the increased stiffness of the cage, has significantly improved operating properties and a longer service life than those with known cage elements. figkonstruktionen. It is particularly advantageous for use when it comes to a rolling bearing arrangement, while maintaining predetermined inner and / or outer diameter of axial thrust bearing assembly for reasons related to the existing installation space radial Verlager- tion of the rolling elements, for example from radially inside to radially outside or from radially outside to radially inside to provide.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment. It shows

1 shows the cage according to the invention in a perspective view, FIG. 2 shows a greatly enlarged detail view II according to FIG. 1 in the axial plan view,

Fig. 3 shows the cage according to the invention in a longitudinal section III - III according to

Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but in the assembled state of the rolling body tipped cage on axially to be stored components.

Detailed description of the drawings

In Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a cage 1 according to the invention of a rolling bearing is shown. The cage 1 has a longitudinally approximately W-shaped or sigma-shaped shape, with a radially outer side wall 2 and a radially inner side wall 3, which are integrally connected to one another by means of webs 4. The webs 4 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cage and thus form openings 40, in which cylindrical bearings 8 place (Fig. 4). On the inner side wall 3, a radially inwardly projecting, annular Matehalanformung 5 is formed, which at regular intervals distributed over its circumferential direction with rib-shaped or groove-like profilings 6, 6 '(depending on which side one views the cage 1) is provided. The profiles 6, 6 'have a Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that within the profilings 6 (and seen in the circumferential direction of the material shaping 5 in each case in the end region of the profilings 6) there is an opening 7 in each case is introduced in the form of a slot. The Materialanformung 5 of the cage 1 is used in the present embodiment to constructively move the rolling elements 8 from radially inward to radially outward to provide space radially inside space for components of a speed sensor assembly, not shown.

2 shows a detailed view of the cage 1 according to the area marked by the circle II in FIG. 1 in an axial plan view, wherein a greatly enlarged part of the cage 1 with the side walls 2 and 3, the webs 4 and the openings 40 therebetween is recognizable. In the plan view according to FIG. 2, the openings 40 have an approximately rectangular shape in outline, with radially oriented transverse sides which extend as far as the side walls 2 and 3. The webs 4 each have, starting from the side walls 2, 3, first horizontal web portions 42, which merge into obliquely upwardly extending web portions 41 and finally converge in a again horizontal web portion 43. The web portions 41, 42 and 43 are interconnected and the web portions 42 are connected to the side walls 2,3 via unspecified numbered radii.

Furthermore, the mentioned Materialanformung 5 can be seen, which is formed radially inwardly to the inner side wall 3 and has approximately an annular appearance. Approximately in the middle of its radial width is the elongated, groove or rib-shaped profiling 6, 6 'clearly visible, which has in its longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction of the material 5 and approximately the same radius of curvature as this Materialanformung 5 has. In the views according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the profiling 6, 6 'is recessed groove-like, while from the opposite side it has the appearance of a rib-shaped elevation, which is particularly well illustrated by FIGS and 4 can be seen. In the end region of the profiling 6, 6 'turn the introduced as a slot, preferably stamped opening 7 is shown.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section illustration of the cage 1 according to the section line III-III in FIG. 1, in which the course of the web sections 42, 41 and 43 of the web 4 adjoining the side walls 2 and 3 can be seen very well is. Furthermore, it is also clear that the profiling 6, 6 'introduced in the material formation 5 has, viewed from the underside of the cage 1, a rib-shaped appearance and, viewed from the top, a groove-like appearance.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3, but in the mounted state of the cage 1 with cylindrical rolling bodies 8. Furthermore, an axial disk 9 can be seen, against which the rolling elements 8 roll on one side (upper side) of the cage 1 and the (FIG. 9) at the same time as a system for an axially mounted, not shown in detail component 10 is used. On the opposite underside of the cage 1 of this thrust bearing assembly roll the rolling elements 8 against another, not shown in detail component 11 from. The axial disc 9 has on its radial inner side a portion with an angle 90, with which it is clipped over a radial inner edge of the profiles 6 having Materialanformung 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 cage

2 Radial outer side wall 3 Radial inner side wall

4 footbridge

40 opening between the bars

41 Slanting web section

42 Horizontally extending web section 43 Horizontal web section

5 Radially inwardly projecting Materialanformung 6, 6 'profiling in the Materialanformung

7 opening in the profiling

8 Cylindrical roller bearing 9 Axial disc

90 Radially inside angle of the axial disc

10 Axially mounted component

11 Axially mounted component

Claims

claims

1. Cage (1) for rolling bodies (8), for example for thrust bearings or flat guides, which is designed in a longitudinal section in approximately w-shape, with W

Thighs forming side walls (2, 3) and these connecting webs (4), between which the rolling elements (8) are received and with at least one of a side wall (2, 3) radially projecting, annular Materialanformung (5), characterized in that the Materialanformung (5) with at least one stiffness-increasing profiling (6, 6 ') is provided.

2. Cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the profiling (6, 6 ') is groove-shaped or rib-shaped.

3. Cage according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the profiling (6, 6 ') consists of several evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the Materialanformung (5) grooves or ribs.

4. Cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profiling (6, 6 ') with its longitudinal alignment in the circumferential direction of the Materialanformung (5).

5. Cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that within the profiling (6, 6 ') an opening (7) is introduced.

6. Cage according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening (7) is a slot.

7. Cage according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the opening (7) in the circumferential direction of the Materialanformung (5) seen in the end region of the profiling (6, 6 ') is provided.

8. Rolling bearing assembly with at least one cage (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims.