Rolling bearing cage, rolling bearing and electric steering system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a rolling bearing cage (5) including a plurality of first grooves (8) and second grooves (9) for a design for guaranteeing circumferential distance of the rolling balls (4). The first groove is provided with a device used for retaining the cage (5) on the rolling balls axially. The second groove is provided with a device used for keeping the cage (5) on the rolling balls axially. The rolling balls (4) are arranged in the corresponding first grooves (8) provided with a first axial gap, a first radial gap and a first circumferential gap (J1c). And the rolling balls (4) are arranged in the corresponding second grooves (4) having a second axial gap, a second radial gap and a second circumferential gap (J2c).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of rolling bearings, in particular ball bearings used in electric steering systems of motor vehicles. [0002] More particularly, the invention relates to cages for housing balls ensuring the circumferential spacing between the balls used in these rolling bearings. Background technique [0003] An electric steering system of a motor vehicle typically includes an electromechanical actuator located on the steering column or on a subassembly comprising mechanical elements designed to provide angular positioning of the vehicle's drive wheels. Electromechanical actuators consist of rotating electric motors whose shaft is supported by at least one ball bearing arrangement with four-point contact, either directly or through a ball screw system. [0004] Rolling bearings generally comprise inner raceways, outer raceways each having two bearing tracks, and a set of rolling elements, usually balls, arranged between the four be...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, in applications with low rotational speeds or sudden changes in direction of rotation, this type of cage creates various problems

More specifically, when the balls are under load, the cage is severely deformed and comes into contact with the inner raceway, which leads to its damage or even destruction

[0006] Moreover, when a change in the direction of load is applied to the rolling bearing, such as when steering the wheels of a vehicle with an electric steering system, as described above, when the driver performs left and right operations for parking, the cage is also severely deformed, or even destroyed

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