WO2015154760A1

WO2015154760A1 - Bearing arrangement with cage

Info

Publication number: WO2015154760A1
Application number: PCT/DE2015/200053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Lang; Alexander Stark; Andre Anger
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Priority date: 2014-04-09
Filing date: 2015-01-30
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: EP3129667A1; CN106164516A; DE102014206804B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement which satisfies the requirements in respect of assembly, transport and functional properties, and which has a cage (2) and a plurality of rollers (3), wherein the rollers (3) are captively arranged in the cage (2) and the cage (2) has a receiving portion (7) for introducing the rollers and at least one locking part (6) for locking said receiving portion (7), the receiving portion (7) and the at least one locking part (6) being interconnected.

Description

Name of the invention

Bearing arrangement with a cage

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with a cage and with a plurality of rollers, wherein the rollers are arranged captive in the cage.

Rolling bearings generally have a plurality of rolling elements over which two bearing partners can roll to each other. Due to the large number of rolling elements in a rolling bearing, the requirement already arises during assembly of mounting a correct number of rolling elements in the rolling bearing. This requirement can be simplified, for example, in the use of cages with individual receptacles for the rolling elements, since it can be controlled in a fairly simple manner, whether each individual receptacle is filled with a rolling element. Further requirements arise in the transport of rolling bearings, since in the event that the rolling elements are not arranged self-holding or captive in the rolling bearing, they can fall out. After the number of rolling elements is no longer checked in the final assembly of rolling bearings, falling out of rolling elements can lead to incorrect assembly.

The document DE 967 539, which probably forms the closest prior art, describes a needle bearing for oscillating movements with individually held and guided in a plastic cage needles. The special feature of this needle roller bearing is that the needles in the plastic cage are fully rolled out. This is implemented in this document that the plastic cage made of a resilient plastic material is, wherein the needles can be pressed into the elastic plastic cage.

Field of the invention

The invention has for its object to propose a bearing assembly, which meets the requirements in terms of assembly, transport and functional properties. This object is achieved by a bearing arrangement with the features of claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings. In the context of the invention, a bearing arrangement is proposed which is designed in particular as a radial bearing arrangement. In particular, the bearing assembly defines a pivot or rotation axis - called the main axis - called. The bearing assembly comprises a cage and a plurality of rollers, wherein the rollers in the cage captive, in particular self-holding, are arranged. Specifically, the plurality of rollers are held in the cage in all directions, in particular radially inwardly, radially outwardly and axially positively in both directions by the cage. The cage has a plurality of receptacles, in particular individual receptacles or double receptacles, wherein in each case a single roller and in the double receptacles each two rollers is or are arranged in the individual receptacles. The cage can be formed in one or more rows. In the context of the invention it is proposed that the cage consists of at least two separate components. One of the components is formed by a receiving portion, which for inserting the Rolls is formed. In particular, the receiving section makes it possible to insert the rollers into or onto the receiving section in a pre-assembled state. The receiving portion may be formed in several parts, but particularly preferably the receiving portion is made in one piece. In particular, the receiving portion is adapted to receive all the roles of the cage. It is preferably provided that the rollers are held in the receiving portion without the at least one locking part losierbar, so that they can be inserted in a simple manner. Furthermore, the cage comprises as a further component or components at least one locking part, which is designed to lock the receiving portion. The locking takes place such that by locking the receiving portion by the at least one locking member, the rollers are arranged captive in the cage.

The receiving portion and the at least one locking part are connected together in the locked state. Particularly preferably, the receiving portion and the at least one locking part are positively connected to each other. Optionally, in addition to the positive connection, the receiving portion and the at least one locking member may be connected to each other cohesively and / or non-positively. However, it is also possible that receiving portion and the at least one locking member are connected to each other only form-fitting manner. In particular, the at least one locking part and the receiving portion together form a plug-in arrangement. In modified embodiments, the receiving portion may also be cohesively, in particular via welding or gluing, and / or non-positively connected to each other.

While in the known state of the art, the plastic cage must be designed to be elastic in order to enable a recording of the rollers, is According to the invention proposed that the cage is designed in several parts and can be assembled via at least one subsequent connection to the cage. This embodiment has the advantage that as base material for the cage not only an elastic plastic, which allows a depression of the rollers in the cage, but any material, thus a metal or a plastic, in particular a hard or rigid plastic can be used , The use of a hard or rigid plastic thus represents a preferred embodiment of the invention. In particular, the cage is rigid and / or dimensionally stable. The plastic cage in the preferred embodiment or its components, comprising the receiving portion and the at least one locking part, are easy and inexpensive to produce, for example by a plastic injection molding process. The fact that the receiving section allows insertion of the rollers, a secure and complete installation is possible. Locking with the at least one locking part ensures that no rolls can be lost even during subsequent transport. Ultimately, there are also functional advantages, since the cage - in contrast to the prior art - can be made of a hard material and / or rigid, so that the cage during operation of the bearing assembly can not be deformed in a simple manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rollers are in the cage vollroll ig - also called vollnadelig - arranged. In a full complement arrangement, the rollers in the direction of rotation about the main axis are preferably placed so close together that a maximum number of rollers can be arranged in the direction of rotation. In particular, the sum of all free distances in the direction of rotation is smaller than the diameter of a roll in the direction of rotation. Due to the full complement arrangement, the largest possible radial load capacity of the bearing arrangement is achieved while at the same time saving space. The rollers each have their own axis of rotation, the entirety of the axes of rotation defines a pitch circle diameter of the rollers. In particular, in the pitch diameter, the rollers are immediately adjacent to each other, in particular full complement, arranged. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rollers are designed as needle rollers. The needles have a length-to-diameter ratio, which is preferably greater than 4: 1, preferably greater than 6: 1 and in particular greater than 8: 1 is formed. Alternatively or additionally, needles are defined as needles which have a diameter of less than or equal to 5 mm. Especially with needles as rollers, it is unusual to arrange them in full complement arrangement in a cage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage is designed as a Filigrankäfig. In a Filigrankäfig a single recording is provided for each of the needle rollers.

In a preferred constructional realization of the invention, the cage is designed as a segment cage. The cage extends over an angular range which is less than 360 degrees, in particular less than 270 degrees, in particular less than or equal to 180 degrees. Such segment cages are particularly preferably used in bearing arrangements for oscillating movements or pivoting movements. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing arrangement is designed as a segment bearing, so that it extends in the direction of rotation over an angular range of less than 360 degrees, in particular less than 270 degrees and in particular less than or equal to 180 degrees. Especially with the segment cages or segment bearings, the loss of individual rolling elements, especially rollers, is particularly dangerous because the segment cages may tend to pivot in the direction of rotation relative to shells so that the rolling elements can fall out. The inventive design as a captive cage ensures even with segment cages or segment bearings that no roles can be lost.

In possible alternatives of the invention, the bearing assembly is formed as a 360 degree bearing assembly which is populated with more than one of the segment cages.

In a preferred structural embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion is formed as a cage outer shell and the at least one locking part as a cage inner shell. Cage outer shell and inner cage shell are arranged offset to each other in the radial direction to the main axis. In particular, the inner cage shell and the cage outer shell are arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with each other and / or to the main axis. The cage outer shell know holding members for positive securing of the needle rollers from falling out radially outwards. By contrast, the inner part of the cage shell has holding members for the positive securing of the rollers from falling out radially inwards. Furthermore, the outer cage shell allows insertion of the rollers in the areas between the holding members, so that a filling of the cage outer shell with rollers is simplified. Due to the positive connection of cage outer shell and cage inner shell, the roles between cage outer shell and cage inner shell are captured captive. Preferably, the cage outer shell part additionally has an axial securing, such as a side ring section on. Alternatively, the side ring portion may also be formed in the inner cage shell.

In constructive realizations of the invention, the holding members may be formed, for example, as continuous webs or web portions. In training as a continuous stand, these have the advantage that they reinforce the cage outer shell and the inner cage shell part constructively. In contrast, it is also possible that the holding organs are formed only as web portions or web stub, wherein the rollers are held only in sections in the longitudinal extent of the role. The webs or web portions may have reduced friction contours. So it is possible, for example, that they occupy a circular cross-section. The holding members are in particular arranged so that the rollers, in particular the needles vollroll ig are held in the cage.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention cage outer shell and cage inner shell are locked or clipped together. In this way, a quick release between cage outer shell and cage inner shell part is created so that after a loading of the cage outer shell, the cage inner shell can be easily plugged and locked or clipped.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion is formed as a cage outer part shell, which in turn has holding members, in particular in the form of the webs or web portions already described. The receiving portion is thus still adapted to receive the rollers for pre-assembly. Alternatively, the receiving portion may be formed as a cage inner shell with the holding members. The at least one locking part is formed in several pieces and comprises a plurality of webs which are inserted into the receiving portion. For example, have side ring portions of the receiving portion through openings into which the webs can be inserted to lock the receiving portion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing arrangement has at least one bearing part shell, in particular a sheet metal part shell or a bearing ring, wherein the bearing part shell or the Bearing ring carries a raceway for the rollers. Particularly preferably, the bearing part shell is designed as a bearing outer shell.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing part shell, in particular the bearing outer shell part are connected to the cage captive. By this development it is achieved that a falling out of the cage from the bearing part shell, e.g. is prevented during transport. Particularly preferably, the cage is pivotally received in the bearing part shell around the main axis, wherein on the one hand by a holding device falling out of the cage in the radial direction to the main axis is positively prevented and on the other hand pivoting out of the cage from the bearing shell by Endanschlageinrichtungen is positively prevented. This advantageously forms a ready-to-install, self-holding assembly.

In one possible application, the bearing arrangement is designed as a pivot lever arrangement, in particular with a tension release lever for a brake or for a push rod of a hydraulic unit. The pivot lever assembly includes a pivot lever, wherein the pivot lever is mounted on the roller-filled cage. Particularly preferably, the bearing part shell is arranged stationary in a surrounding construction and the pivot lever is pivotally mounted on the roller-filled cage relative to the surrounding structure.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figure. Showing:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view of a bearing assembly with a plastic cage as an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a bearing arrangement 1, which is designed as a radial bearing and thereby defines a main axis. The bearing arrangement 1 can for example be used to support a non-illustrated pivot lever, which can be pivoted on the bearing assembly with respect to a surrounding construction, also not shown.

The bearing assembly 1 comprises a cage 2, which is designed as a plastic cage in which a plurality of needles 3 can be inserted as rollers in two rows. The needles 3 are each formed as straight cylinders and have a length in an axial direction which is more than three times the diameter of the needles 3. The needles 3 in the two rows are each of identical design. Furthermore, the bearing arrangement comprises an outer bearing part shell 4, which provides a raceway 5 for the needles 3 available. The bearing assembly 1 is formed as a segment bearing and is limited to an angular extent of less than 180 degrees. Also, the cage 2 is formed as a segment cage.

The cage 2 comprises a cage inner shell 6 and a cage outer shell 7, which can be positively connected to each other via snap-in connections 8 a, b. During assembly, the needles 3 are first inserted into the cage outer shell 7 and pressed in a subsequent step, the cage inner shell 6 and positively locked with the outer cage shell part 7. In the locked state, the needles 3 are held captive in the cage 2 in a form-fitting manner.

The outer cage part shell 7 has axially on both sides a side ring section 9a, b and a middle ring section 10. The side ring portions 9a, b are each connected to the center ring portion 10 via webs 1 1, so arranged in two rows for each needle 3, a single receptacle 12 is formed by side ring portion 9a and middle ring portion 10 in the axial direction and two webs 1 1 in the circumferential direction. By the Single shots 12, the needles 3 can be inserted in the correct number in a simple manner in the cage outer shell 7. The distance of the webs 1 1 in the direction of rotation is chosen so that the needles 3 are held captive in the radial direction outwardly positively. In the axial direction, the needles 3 are prevented from falling out through the side ring sections 9a, b or the middle ring section 10.

The cage inner shell 6 has in a similar structure side ring sections 13 a, b and a central ring portion 14, which are connected in the same way via webs 15. The webs 15 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction such that the needles 3 are secured in a form-fitting manner against falling out radially inwardly. After locking cage outer shell 7 and cage inner shell 6, the receiving pockets 12 are formed for each needle 3, wherein in each of the receiving pockets 12 exactly one needle 3 is arranged. In the mounted state, the needles 3 are arranged in the direction of rotation so close to each other that they are fully reel ig or fully needle positioned. In particular, the number and distribution of the needles 3 in the direction of rotation is selected so that the total length of all gaps between the needles 3 is smaller than the diameter of a needle 3 to a pitch circle diameter, which is determined by the axes of rotation of the needles 3. Due to the full complement design, a maximum load capacity of the bearing assembly 1 can be achieved. The radial position of the webs 1 1 and 15 is chosen so that the full complement arrangement is made possible. To reduce the frictional resistance, the webs 1 1, 15 may be circular in cross-section. The cage 2 is formed from a dimensionally stable and / or rigid plastic, so that the cage inner shell 6 and the cage outer shell 7 to a likewise dimensionally stable and / or rigid cage. 2 can be joined together.

The latching connections 8 a, b are arranged with respect to the direction of rotation at the free ends of the cage 2 and are each formed by two positioning portions 17 a, b and positioning receivers 18 a, b, wherein the positioning portions 17 a, b are aligned radially outwardly and at a Locking of the positioning receptacles 18a, b are positively received and thereby ensure the relative position of the inner cage part shell 6 to the cage outer shell 7. In the middle, a latching tab 19 is arranged on the inner cage part shell 6, which can engage in latching fashion in a latching receptacle 20 of the cage outer shell, so that cage inner shell 6 and cage outer shell 7 are latched together.

The bearing part shell 4 may be formed of metal or plastic and has side walls 21 a, b, which guide the cage 2 in the axial direction. The pivoting movement of the cage in the circumferential direction is bounded on both sides by end stops 22a, b, can run against the Endstegabschnitte, which are formed together by Endstegbereiche of the inner cage shell 6 and the cage outer shell 7. The end stops 22a, b and the Endstegabschnitte together form Endanschlageinrichtungen. The end stops 22a, b are formed as extending in the radial direction tongues of the bearing half-shell.

The advantage of the bearing assembly 1 is, on the one hand, that the needles 3 are kept full and captive in the cage 2 and, on the other hand, the cage 2 can be easily mounted and furthermore the dimensionally stable cage 2 has good functional properties.

In order to prevent the cage 2 from becoming detached during assembly or during transport from the bearing shell 4, the cage 2 is in the Bearing shell 4 held captive. A run in the axial direction is already suppressed by the side rims 21 a, b, in the circumferential direction through the end stops 22 a, b. In addition, in order to prevent falling out in the radial direction of the cage in the bearing shell part 4 is pivotally, but positively held with respect to the radial direction. For this purpose, in the side rims 21 a, b retaining lugs 23 are introduced, for example in the form of axially facing in the direction of the cage 2 caulking. The inner cage part shell 6 has, for each retaining lug 23, a guide section 24 running in the direction of rotation and recessed in the axial direction, which can each accommodate one of the retaining lugs 23. The retaining lugs 23 are forcibly guided in the guide sections 24, so that a movement in the direction of rotation limited in the path is made possible, but a falling out of the cage 2 in the radial direction is prevented. The retaining lugs 23 and the guide portions 24 are dimensioned so that the cage 2 can be snapped into the bearing part shell. In order to allow the operation of the bearing assembly 1, a back portion of the cage 2 relative to the bearing half shell 4 in the direction of rotation, the cage 2 and in this example, the cage inner shell 6 return wings 25, which are integrally formed on the side ring sections 13 a, b and in axial Direction over the side rims 21 a, b extend away. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 bearing arrangement

2 cage

3 needles

4 bearing half shell

5 career

6 inner cage shell

7 cage outer shell

8 a, b locking connection

9a, b side ring section

10 middle ring section

1 1 bars

12 pockets

13a, b side ring sections

14 middle ring section

15 bars

16 empty

17a, b positioning sections

18a, b Positioning receptacles

19 locking tab

20 snap-in receptacle

21 a, b side shelves

22 a, b End stops

23 retaining lugs

24 guide sections

25 return wings

Claims

claims

1 . Bearing arrangement (1) with a cage (2), with a plurality of rollers (3), wherein the rollers (3) in the cage (2) are arranged captive, characterized in that the cage (2) has a receiving portion (7) for inserting the rollers and at least one locking part (6) for locking the receiving portion (7), wherein the receiving portion (7) and the at least one locking part (6) are interconnected.

2. Bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rollers (3) in the cage (2) are arranged fully-wound.

3. Bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rollers (3) are designed as needle rollers.

4. Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cage (2) as a segmental cage and / or that the bearing arrangement (1) is designed as a segment bearing.

5. Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving portion (7) as a cage outer shell part (7) and the at least one locking part as a Caged inner part shell (6) is formed, wherein the Käfigaußenteilschale (7) holding members (1 1) for positive securing of the rollers (3) from falling out radially outward and the Käfiginninnenteilschale (6) holding members (15) for the positive securing of the rollers (3) from falling out radially inwardly.

6. Bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding members are designed as webs (1 1; 15) or as web portions.

7. Bearing arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the cage outer shell (7) and the inner cage part shell (6) are locked or clipped together.

8. Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving portion as a cage outer shell (7) or as a cage inner shell (6) and the at least one locking member as a plurality of webs (1 1, 15) is formed is inserted into the receiving section.

9. Bearing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a bearing part shell (4), wherein the cage (2) in the bearing part shell (4) is pivotally and at the same time captively accommodated.

10. Bearing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized as a pivot lever assembly with a pivot lever and a surrounding structure, wherein the pivot lever relative to the surrounding structure on the roller-filled cage (2) is pivotally mounted.