WO2012123010A1 - Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing. - Google Patents

Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing. Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012123010A1
WO2012123010A1 PCT/EP2011/053686 EP2011053686W WO2012123010A1 WO 2012123010 A1 WO2012123010 A1 WO 2012123010A1 EP 2011053686 W EP2011053686 W EP 2011053686W WO 2012123010 A1 WO2012123010 A1 WO 2012123010A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
inner part
detection means
housing according
ring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2011/053686
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Anthony SIMONIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SKF AB
Original Assignee
SKF AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SKF AB filed Critical SKF AB
Priority to PCT/EP2011/053686 priority Critical patent/WO2012123010A1/en
Publication of WO2012123010A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012123010A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
    • G01L5/0009—Force sensors associated with a bearing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/52—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions
    • F16C19/522—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions related to load on the bearing, e.g. bearings with load sensors or means to protect the bearing against overload
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C27/00—Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C27/04—Ball or roller bearings, e.g. with resilient rolling bodies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C35/00—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers
    • F16C35/04—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers in the case of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C35/042—Housings for rolling element bearings for rotary movement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
    • G01L1/20—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
    • G01L1/22—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
    • G01L1/2206—Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports
    • G01L1/2231—Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports the supports being disc- or ring-shaped, adapted for measuring a force along a single direction
    • G01L1/2237—Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports the supports being disc- or ring-shaped, adapted for measuring a force along a single direction the direction being perpendicular to the central axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
    • F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
    • F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2314/00—Personal or domestic articles, e.g. household appliances such as washing machines, dryers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C35/00—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers
    • F16C35/04—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers in the case of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C35/06—Mounting or dismounting of ball or roller bearings; Fixing them onto shaft or in housing
    • F16C35/07—Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element
    • F16C35/077—Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element between housing and outer race ring

Definitions

  • Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing
  • the present invention relates to the field of housing device for bearings, in particular for ro lling bearings . More particularly, the invention relates to the detection of the load applied to said bearings during operation or standstill, for example in a washing machine.
  • a bearing device is mounted inside the hub o f a washing machine in order to support the drum shaft.
  • Such bearing device comprises a housing made o f steel and elastomer so as to be deformed elastically upon introduction of clothes in the drum, and upon rotation of the drum due to centrifugal forces.
  • the bearing device usually contains displacement sensors for calculating forces linked to the weight of the clothes in the drum.
  • Patent application WO 2007/077307 discloses a housing device having an outer part and an inner part provided with a bore adapted to cooperate with a rolling bearing mounted on the drum shaft of a washing machine . Said parts are linked by two deformable connecting elements such that the inner part may be displaced relative to the outer part under the action o f a load applied to the rolling bearing. Said housing is provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing.
  • One aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks .
  • the invention provides a housing device, provided with a system for detecting the load applied to an element arranged in said housing, comprises an inner part adapted to support said element and an outer part, said inner and outer parts being linked by at least two deformable connecting elements, such that the inner part may be displaced relative to the outer part under the action of a lo ad applied to said element, the system for detecting the applied load comprising first detection means for directly detecting the displacement of one of the parts, relative to the other part, under the action o f a load applied to said element.
  • the housing comprises a deformable ring mounted in the bore of the inner part.
  • the deformable ring Under static or quasi-static conditions, it is the deformable ring which deforms under the action of lo ad applied to the element inside the housing; while under dynamic conditions, the deformable ring reaches its maximum deformation and thus becomes hard which lead to the deformation o f the deformable connecting elements linking the inner and outer parts . Thanks to the deformable ring, low loads can be detected at static or quasi-static conditions .
  • the housing comprises second detection means for detecting the deformation o f the deformable ring under the action of a load applied to the element.
  • the deformable ring is in direct contact with the element arranged in said housing.
  • the housing comprises an intermediate ring between the deformable ring and the element.
  • the intermediate ring comprises on its outer surface an annular groove adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring.
  • the first detection means comprise a first mobile detection portion rigidly connected to the inner part and a first fixed detection portion mounted in the bore o f outer part, said first mobile and fixed portions being aligned.
  • the outer part may extend axially beyond the inner part.
  • the second detection means may comprise a second mobile detection portion rigidly connected to the intermediate ring and a second fixed detection portion mounted in the bore of outer part, on the axial part extending beyond the inner part, said second mobile and fixed portions being aligned.
  • the first and second detection means comprise at least one capacitive sensor.
  • the deformable ring may be made o f elastomeric material.
  • said element arranged in the housing comprises a bearing.
  • a washing machine comprising a drum rotatably mounted on a fixed hub by means o f at least one rolling bearing arranged in a housing as previously described.
  • the housing is angularly positioned in such a way that the detection means are located either on the top or bottom vertical position.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view o f a housing device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a front view o f the housing device o f figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an axial section, along line III -III of Figure 2 ;
  • Figure 4 is a view in axial section of a part of a washing machine having a housing device according to Figure 3.
  • a housing device designed by general reference number 1 , is designed to be installed in a mechanical assembly, for example a casing, a frame or a support (not illustrated) and comprises an outer part 2 and an inner part 3 separated by a space.
  • a mechanical assembly for example a casing, a frame or a support (not illustrated) and comprises an outer part 2 and an inner part 3 separated by a space.
  • the inner part 3 comprises a body of annular shape having a substantially uniform thickness.
  • the outer part 2 comprises a body o f general annular shape having a substantially uniform thickness and adapted to be mounted in the bore of a casing, for example the hub 14 of a washing machine as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the inner and outer parts 2, 3 are linked together by two deformable connecting elements 5 , 6, for example having four arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b o f rounded shape and deformable, such that the inner part 3 may be displaced relative to the outer part 2 under action o f a load applied to an element inside the inner part 3.
  • the arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b are arranged symmetrically relative to a perpendicular plane passing through the axis X o f the housing device 1 .
  • the connecting elements 5 , 6 are capable of being elastically deformed in an applied load range which is sufficiently wide.
  • the outer part 2, the inner part 3 and the connecting elements 5 , 6 are in one piece, and may be made by moulding synthetic material or even by moulding a metal for examp le steel or an aluminium alloy.
  • the housing device 1 further comprises a deformable ring 7 , made for example in elastomeric material, such as natural rubber or silicone material.
  • the deformable ring 7 is mounted in the bore 3 a o f the inner part 3 and can be directly or indirectly in contact with the element arranged inside the housing device 1 .
  • the housing device 1 comprises an intermediate ring 8 arranged in the bore 3 a o f the inner part 3 , in such a way that the deformable ring 7 is disposed between the inner part 3 and said intermediate ring 8.
  • FIG. 3 illustrate an axial view along III-III of figure 2.
  • the outer part 2 extends axially beyond the inner part 3 and has substantially the same axial length as the intermediate ring 8.
  • the intermediate ring 8 is provided on its outer surface 8a with an annular groove 8b adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring 7 and extends axially beyond the inner part 3.
  • the annular groove 8b presents an axial length slightly larger than the axial length of the deformable ring 7 in order to allow an axial deformation o f the deformable ring 7.
  • the inner part 3 of the housing device 1 is provided on its bore 3 a with an annular groove 3b adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring 7.
  • the housing device 1 further comprises a system for detection 9 of the load applied to an element arranged in said housing device 1 .
  • the system for detection 9 is locally implemented between the outer part 2 and the intermediate ring 8 , and preferably in the top vertical position shown on figures 2 to 4, once installed in a mechanical assembly, such as a washing machine 12.
  • the system for detection 9 comprises two detection means 10, 1 1 , first detection means 1 0 are mounted between the inner and outer parts 2, 3 for detecting the displacement of one of the parts 3 relative to the other 2, and second detection means 1 1 are mounted between the intermediate ring 8 and the outer part 2 for detecting the deformation of the deformable ring 7 under the action o f a load applied to the element arranged inside the housing device 1 .
  • the detection means 10 , 1 1 may be o f the capacitive type .
  • the first detection means 10 comprises a first mobile detection portion 10a rigidly connected to the inner part 3 and extending towards the outer part 2 and a first fixed detection portion 1 0b mounted in the bore 2a of the outer part 2 and extending towards the inner part 3 , said first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 1 0b being aligned.
  • a gap 9a is provided between the first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 10b.
  • the second detection means 1 1 comprise a second mobile detection portion 1 1 a rigidly connected to the intermediate ring 8 and a second fixed detection portion l i b mounted in the bore 2a o f the outer part 2, on the axial part extending beyond the inner part 3.
  • the second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b are aligned.
  • a gap 9b is provided between the second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b.
  • the housing device is mounted in a washing machine 12 comprising a drum shaft 13 rotatably mounted on a fixed hub 14 by at least one ro lling bearing 15.
  • the housing device 1 surrounds the ro lling bearing 15.
  • the hub 14 can be made of metal, such as steel or aluminium.
  • the inner part 3 of the housing device 1 is provided with a bore 8c adapted to cooperate with the rolling bearing 15 mounted on the drum shaft 13.
  • the rolling bearing 1 5 comprises an outer ring 1 5 a, an inner ring 15b and a row of rolling elements 15 c, in this case balls, maintained at regular circumferential space by a cage 15 d.
  • the rolling elements 15 c are arranged between an inner bearing race of the outer ring 1 5 a and an outer bearing race of the inner ring 1 5b.
  • the drum shaft 13 is capable of being subj ected to a radial lo ad oriented in the direction o f the arrow F . Said load causes a slight radial displacement of the shaft 13 , the rolling bearing 15 , the intermediate ring 8 and the inner part 3 relative to the outer part 2 o f the housing device 1 .
  • the first 10 and second 1 1 detection means are preferably lo cated in the top vertical position, so that when F is applied, the gaps 9a, 9b between the first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 10b and between the second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b are increased. If F increases, these gaps will increase as well.
  • the first 10 and second 1 1 detection means could be best lo cated in the bottom vertical position, so that when F is applied, the gaps 9a, 9b are decreased.
  • the drum shaft 1 3 comprised between 0 and 100 rpm (rotation/minute), for example upon introduction of clothes in the washing machine 12, it is the deformable ring 7 that deforms elastically.
  • the deformation at quasi-static conditions is measured thanks to the second detection means 1 1 .
  • the deformable ring 7 Under dynamic conditions, for example at a rotational speed o f the drum shaft larger than 100 rpm (rotation/minute), due to centrifugal forces, the deformable ring 7 reaches its maximum deformation and becomes hard. It is thus the connecting arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b which deform, downwardly, but without substantially deforming the inner portion 3 due to its annular structure and without substantially deforming the outer part 2. The deformation at dynamic conditions is thus further measured with the first detection means 10.
  • the invention is not limited to the embo diments described and may be the subj ect of many variants. It could also be possible to mount the deformable ring directly on the outer ring of the rolling bearing, without an intermediate ring.
  • the housing device according to the invention for supporting lo ad sensors is particularly economical, able to be used with conventional bearings and can be provided with speed sensors and/or temperatures sensors.
  • such a housing device is able to be mounted in a simple manner, while ensuring an accurate and reliable measurement of the load.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)

Abstract

A housing device (1), provided with a system (9) for detecting the load applied to an element ( 15) arranged in said housing (1), comprises an inner part (3) adapted to support said element ( 15) and an outer part (2), said inner and outer parts (2, 3) being linked by at least two deformable connecting elements (5, 6), such that the inner part (3) may be displaced relative to the outer part (2) under the action of a load applied to said element (15), the system (9) for detecting the applied load comprising first detection means ( 10) for directly detecting the displacement of one of the parts (3), relative to the other part (2), under the action of a load applied to said element (15). Said housing (1) comprises a deformable ring (7) mounted in the bore (3a) of the inner part (3).

Description

Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing
The present invention relates to the field of housing device for bearings, in particular for ro lling bearings . More particularly, the invention relates to the detection of the load applied to said bearings during operation or standstill, for example in a washing machine.
Conventionally, a bearing device is mounted inside the hub o f a washing machine in order to support the drum shaft. Such bearing device comprises a housing made o f steel and elastomer so as to be deformed elastically upon introduction of clothes in the drum, and upon rotation of the drum due to centrifugal forces. The bearing device usually contains displacement sensors for calculating forces linked to the weight of the clothes in the drum.
Patent application WO 2007/077307 (SKF) discloses a housing device having an outer part and an inner part provided with a bore adapted to cooperate with a rolling bearing mounted on the drum shaft of a washing machine . Said parts are linked by two deformable connecting elements such that the inner part may be displaced relative to the outer part under the action o f a load applied to the rolling bearing. Said housing is provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing.
However, such device is very sensitive to temperature variations because of the material used for the inner and outer parts.
Moreover, it is particularly difficult to determine the lo ad during standstill.
One aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks .
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a reliable and accurate load measurement device. It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a device for measuring load which is not very sensitive to variations in environmental conditions, such as temperature variations, and able to determine the load during standstill.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a housing device, provided with a system for detecting the load applied to an element arranged in said housing, comprises an inner part adapted to support said element and an outer part, said inner and outer parts being linked by at least two deformable connecting elements, such that the inner part may be displaced relative to the outer part under the action of a lo ad applied to said element, the system for detecting the applied load comprising first detection means for directly detecting the displacement of one of the parts, relative to the other part, under the action o f a load applied to said element.
The housing comprises a deformable ring mounted in the bore of the inner part.
Under static or quasi-static conditions, it is the deformable ring which deforms under the action of lo ad applied to the element inside the housing; while under dynamic conditions, the deformable ring reaches its maximum deformation and thus becomes hard which lead to the deformation o f the deformable connecting elements linking the inner and outer parts . Thanks to the deformable ring, low loads can be detected at static or quasi-static conditions .
Advantageously, the housing comprises second detection means for detecting the deformation o f the deformable ring under the action of a load applied to the element.
In one embo diment, the deformable ring is in direct contact with the element arranged in said housing.
In another embodiment, the housing comprises an intermediate ring between the deformable ring and the element. For example, the intermediate ring comprises on its outer surface an annular groove adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring.
Advantageously, the first detection means comprise a first mobile detection portion rigidly connected to the inner part and a first fixed detection portion mounted in the bore o f outer part, said first mobile and fixed portions being aligned.
More preferably, the outer part may extend axially beyond the inner part.
The second detection means may comprise a second mobile detection portion rigidly connected to the intermediate ring and a second fixed detection portion mounted in the bore of outer part, on the axial part extending beyond the inner part, said second mobile and fixed portions being aligned.
Preferably, the first and second detection means comprise at least one capacitive sensor.
The deformable ring may be made o f elastomeric material.
More preferably, said element arranged in the housing comprises a bearing.
According to another aspect, it is proposed a washing machine comprising a drum rotatably mounted on a fixed hub by means o f at least one rolling bearing arranged in a housing as previously described.
Advantageously, the housing is angularly positioned in such a way that the detection means are located either on the top or bottom vertical position.
The present invention will be better understood with the aid o f the detailed description o f a number of embo diments given by way o f non-limiting examp le and illustrated by the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view o f a housing device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view o f the housing device o f figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an axial section, along line III -III of Figure 2 ;
Figure 4 is a view in axial section of a part of a washing machine having a housing device according to Figure 3.
As illustrated on Figures 1 and 2, a housing device, designed by general reference number 1 , is designed to be installed in a mechanical assembly, for example a casing, a frame or a support (not illustrated) and comprises an outer part 2 and an inner part 3 separated by a space.
The inner part 3 comprises a body of annular shape having a substantially uniform thickness. The outer part 2 comprises a body o f general annular shape having a substantially uniform thickness and adapted to be mounted in the bore of a casing, for example the hub 14 of a washing machine as illustrated in Figure 4.
The inner and outer parts 2, 3 are linked together by two deformable connecting elements 5 , 6, for example having four arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b o f rounded shape and deformable, such that the inner part 3 may be displaced relative to the outer part 2 under action o f a load applied to an element inside the inner part 3. The arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b are arranged symmetrically relative to a perpendicular plane passing through the axis X o f the housing device 1 . The connecting elements 5 , 6 are capable of being elastically deformed in an applied load range which is sufficiently wide. The outer part 2, the inner part 3 and the connecting elements 5 , 6 are in one piece, and may be made by moulding synthetic material or even by moulding a metal for examp le steel or an aluminium alloy.
The housing device 1 further comprises a deformable ring 7 , made for example in elastomeric material, such as natural rubber or silicone material. The deformable ring 7 is mounted in the bore 3 a o f the inner part 3 and can be directly or indirectly in contact with the element arranged inside the housing device 1 .
As illustrated on the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the housing device 1 comprises an intermediate ring 8 arranged in the bore 3 a o f the inner part 3 , in such a way that the deformable ring 7 is disposed between the inner part 3 and said intermediate ring 8.
The structure of the housing device 1 is explained in more detail in figure 3 , which illustrate an axial view along III-III of figure 2.
The outer part 2 extends axially beyond the inner part 3 and has substantially the same axial length as the intermediate ring 8.
The intermediate ring 8 is provided on its outer surface 8a with an annular groove 8b adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring 7 and extends axially beyond the inner part 3. The annular groove 8b presents an axial length slightly larger than the axial length of the deformable ring 7 in order to allow an axial deformation o f the deformable ring 7. The inner part 3 of the housing device 1 is provided on its bore 3 a with an annular groove 3b adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring 7.
The housing device 1 further comprises a system for detection 9 of the load applied to an element arranged in said housing device 1 . The system for detection 9 is locally implemented between the outer part 2 and the intermediate ring 8 , and preferably in the top vertical position shown on figures 2 to 4, once installed in a mechanical assembly, such as a washing machine 12. The system for detection 9 comprises two detection means 10, 1 1 , first detection means 1 0 are mounted between the inner and outer parts 2, 3 for detecting the displacement of one of the parts 3 relative to the other 2, and second detection means 1 1 are mounted between the intermediate ring 8 and the outer part 2 for detecting the deformation of the deformable ring 7 under the action o f a load applied to the element arranged inside the housing device 1 . The detection means 10 , 1 1 may be o f the capacitive type .
The first detection means 10 comprises a first mobile detection portion 10a rigidly connected to the inner part 3 and extending towards the outer part 2 and a first fixed detection portion 1 0b mounted in the bore 2a of the outer part 2 and extending towards the inner part 3 , said first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 1 0b being aligned. A gap 9a is provided between the first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 10b.
The second detection means 1 1 comprise a second mobile detection portion 1 1 a rigidly connected to the intermediate ring 8 and a second fixed detection portion l i b mounted in the bore 2a o f the outer part 2, on the axial part extending beyond the inner part 3. The second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b are aligned. A gap 9b is provided between the second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b.
As may be seen on Figure 4, the housing device is mounted in a washing machine 12 comprising a drum shaft 13 rotatably mounted on a fixed hub 14 by at least one ro lling bearing 15. The housing device 1 surrounds the ro lling bearing 15. The hub 14 can be made of metal, such as steel or aluminium. The inner part 3 of the housing device 1 is provided with a bore 8c adapted to cooperate with the rolling bearing 15 mounted on the drum shaft 13.
The rolling bearing 1 5 comprises an outer ring 1 5 a, an inner ring 15b and a row of rolling elements 15 c, in this case balls, maintained at regular circumferential space by a cage 15 d. The rolling elements 15 c are arranged between an inner bearing race of the outer ring 1 5 a and an outer bearing race of the inner ring 1 5b.
The drum shaft 13 is capable of being subj ected to a radial lo ad oriented in the direction o f the arrow F . Said load causes a slight radial displacement of the shaft 13 , the rolling bearing 15 , the intermediate ring 8 and the inner part 3 relative to the outer part 2 o f the housing device 1 .
When a load is applied to the rolling bearing 15 , the outer part 2 remains substantially immobile, whilst the intermediate ring 8 and possibly also the inner part 3 are displaced in the direction o f the load applied, thanks to the deformation o f the deformable connecting elements 5 , 6. The first 10 and second 1 1 detection means are preferably lo cated in the top vertical position, so that when F is applied, the gaps 9a, 9b between the first mobile and fixed portions 10a, 10b and between the second mobile and fixed portions 1 1 a, l i b are increased. If F increases, these gaps will increase as well. Alternatively, the first 10 and second 1 1 detection means could be best lo cated in the bottom vertical position, so that when F is applied, the gaps 9a, 9b are decreased.
Under static or quasi-static conditions, at a rotational speed o f the drum shaft 1 3 comprised between 0 and 100 rpm (rotation/minute), for example upon introduction of clothes in the washing machine 12, it is the deformable ring 7 that deforms elastically. The deformation at quasi-static conditions is measured thanks to the second detection means 1 1 .
Under dynamic conditions, for example at a rotational speed o f the drum shaft larger than 100 rpm (rotation/minute), due to centrifugal forces, the deformable ring 7 reaches its maximum deformation and becomes hard. It is thus the connecting arms 5 a, 5b, 6a, 6b which deform, downwardly, but without substantially deforming the inner portion 3 due to its annular structure and without substantially deforming the outer part 2. The deformation at dynamic conditions is thus further measured with the first detection means 10.
The invention is not limited to the embo diments described and may be the subj ect of many variants. It could also be possible to mount the deformable ring directly on the outer ring of the rolling bearing, without an intermediate ring.
The housing device according to the invention for supporting lo ad sensors is particularly economical, able to be used with conventional bearings and can be provided with speed sensors and/or temperatures sensors.
Furthermore, such a housing device is able to be mounted in a simple manner, while ensuring an accurate and reliable measurement of the load.
Finally, thanks to a deformable ring arranged between the inner part and the rolling bearing, which is less sensitive to temperature variations than the inner part, it is possible to measure small loads , such as 0. 150 kg (kilograms), and loads under static or quasi-static conditions .

Claims

l.A housing device (1), provided with a system (9) for detecting the load applied to an element (15) arranged in said housing (1), comprises an inner part (3) adapted to support said element (15) and an outer part (2), said inner and outer parts (2, 3) being linked by at least two deformable connecting elements (5, 6), such that the inner part (3) may be displaced relative to the outer part (2) under the action of a load applied to said element (15), the system (9) for detecting the applied load comprising first detection means (10) for directly detecting the displacement of one of the parts (3), relative to the other part (2), under the action of a load applied to said element (15), characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a deformable ring (7) mounted in the bore (3a) of the inner part (3).
2. Housing according to claim 1, comprising second detection means (11) for detecting the deformation of the deformable ring (7) under the action of a load applied to the element (15).
3. Housing according to claim 1 or 2, in which the deformable ring (7) is in direct contact with the element (15) arranged in said housing (1).
4. Housing according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an intermediate ring (8) between the deformable ring (7) and the element (15).
5. Housing according to claim 4, in which the intermediate ring (8) comprises on its outer surface (8a) an annular groove (8b) adapted to cooperate with the deformable ring (7).
6. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first detection means (10) comprise a first mobile detection portion (10a) rigidly connected to the inner part (3) and a first fixed detection portion (10b) mounted in the bore (2a) of outer part (2), said first mobile and fixed portions (10a, 10b) being aligned.
7. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer part (2) extends axially beyond the inner part (3).
8. Housing according to claim 7, in which the second detection means (11) comprise a second mobile detection portion (11a) rigidly connected to the intermediate ring (8) and a second fixed detection portion (lib) mounted in the bore (2a) of outer part (2), on the axial part extending beyond the inner part (3), said second mobile and fixed portions (11a, lib) being aligned.
9. Housing according to claims 2 to 8, in which first and second detection means (10, 11) comprise at least one capacitive sensor.
10. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the deformable ring (7) is made of elastomeric material.
11. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said element (15) arranged in the housing (1) comprises a bearing.
12. Washing machine comprising a drum shaft (13) rotatably mounted on a fixed hub (14) by means of at least one rolling bearing
(15) arranged in a housing (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
13. Washing machine according to claim 12, in which the housing is angularly positioned in such a way that the detection means (10, 11) are located either on the top or bottom vertical position.
PCT/EP2011/053686 2011-03-11 2011-03-11 Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing. Ceased WO2012123010A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2011/053686 WO2012123010A1 (en) 2011-03-11 2011-03-11 Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2011/053686 WO2012123010A1 (en) 2011-03-11 2011-03-11 Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing.

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WO2012123010A1 true WO2012123010A1 (en) 2012-09-20

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9664593B2 (en) 2014-10-29 2017-05-30 Rolls-Royce Plc Bearing apparatus
CN110567626A (en) * 2019-09-30 2019-12-13 华中光电技术研究所（中国船舶重工集团有限公司第七一七研究所） Indirect bearing pretightening force measuring method and system
KR102957936B1 (en) 2023-03-29 2026-04-27 한국기계연구원 Complex sensor capable of measuring force and direction

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WO2007077307A1 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-07-12 Aktiebolaget Skf Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing
WO2010136264A1 (en) * 2009-05-27 2010-12-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Machine and method for monitoring the state of a safety bearing of a machine
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EP0338325A1 (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-10-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Ring-shaped torsion-type force measuring device
DE19960786A1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-06-21 Schenck Process Gmbh Radial force sensor for crane load or level detection, has flexible ring with resistance strain gauge arranged between force conducting elements and force sensing elements
JP2002242947A (en) * 2001-02-16 2002-08-28 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd Rolling bearing
DE102004013669A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-10-20 Skf Ab Roller bearing, for washing machine, has outer and inner rings and roll barrels between them and retaining device for sensor regarding load
WO2007030461A1 (en) * 2005-09-06 2007-03-15 The Timken Company Load-sensing bearing
WO2007077307A1 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-07-12 Aktiebolaget Skf Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9664593B2 (en) 2014-10-29 2017-05-30 Rolls-Royce Plc Bearing apparatus
CN110567626A (en) * 2019-09-30 2019-12-13 华中光电技术研究所（中国船舶重工集团有限公司第七一七研究所） Indirect bearing pretightening force measuring method and system
CN110567626B (en) * 2019-09-30 2021-05-11 华中光电技术研究所（中国船舶重工集团有限公司第七一七研究所） Indirect bearing pretightening force measuring method and system
KR102957936B1 (en) 2023-03-29 2026-04-27 한국기계연구원 Complex sensor capable of measuring force and direction

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