Sealed universal joint bearings and universal joint bearing assemblies

Abstract

The invention is based on a sealed universal joint bearing, comprising at least one row (10, 12) of rolling elements (14) and a flange surface (16) for the end sides (18) of the rolling elements to slide against during operation, wherein the end sides face the base (20) of a pot-shaped component (22) of the sealed universal joint bearing. It is proposed that the flange surface comprises at least one shaped portion (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is derived from a sealed universal joint bearing (sealed universal joint bearing). Background Art

[0002] A sealed universal joint bearing (see Figure 1 ), the sealed universal joint bearing comprises a plastic component 46 and a pot-shaped component 48, which forms the outer ring of a rolling element 50 for the sealed universal joint bearing. The plastic component comprises a flat flange surface 52, which is provided for the end side of the rolling element to slide against in operation. Here, the end side faces the base 54 of the pot-shaped component. The flange surface is flat. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention comprises in particular to provide a sealed universal joint bearing of the above type having a long service life. The object of the present invention is achieved by the following features.

[0004] The invention is derived from a sealed universal joint bearing comprising at least one row of rolling elements and a flange surface for the end sides of the rolling elements to slide against during operation, wherein the end sides face the base of a pot-shaped component of the sealed universal joint bearing.

[0005] It is proposed that the flange surface comprises at least one shaped portion. Thus, a long service life can be achieved. In particular, it can be achieved that the lubricant is provided close to the end side.

[0006] In particular, it can be achieved that the end side of the rolling element does not slide over its entire surface on the flange surface, but that (some) areas of the flange surface which would receive relatively high heat during operation due to friction with the end surface do not come into contact with the end surface, so that these areas are idle during operation and the flange surface has a longer service life. In particular, such areas are provided by radially inner-lying partial surfaces of the flange surface.

[0007] Preferably, a part of the rolling elements or all of the rolling elements each include, on their end side facing the base, an area which is located radially inside with respect to the rotation axis of the sealed universal joint bearing (about which the center of gravity of the rolling elements rotates during operation) and is arranged to be spaced apart from the flange surface. Thus, a long service life can be achieved.

[0008] Advantageously, at least one shaped portion is at least partially formed by an at least substantially ring-segment-shaped projection. In this way, a constructionally simple design can be achieved.

[0009] Furthermore, it is proposed that the flange surface comprises a plurality of shaped portions, all or only some of which are substantially ring-segment-shaped projections which at least substantially together form at least one ring or at least substantially together form at least one ring comprising interruptions. In this way, a cost-effective design can be achieved.

[0010] The shaped parts preferably form together at least two structures, wherein each of the structures is at least substantially a ring, or at least substantially a ring including interruptions. It is thereby possible for the rolling element to slide against the two structures respectively and to prevent the rolling element from tilting relative to an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sealed universal joint bearing, wherein at the same time during operation, a part surface of the end side of the rolling element facing the base slides against the two structures with a minimal difference in sliding speed.

[0011] The flange surface preferably comprises at least one lubricant delivery structure, which is arranged to enable the movement of lubricant in radial direction. "Arranged" is to be understood in particular as meaning a specific design and / or a specific configuration. In this context, "radial direction" is to be understood as meaning the axis of rotation relative to the sealed universal joint bearing. Thereby, a good lubricant supply and in particular the possibility of relubrication ( / re-lubrication) can be achieved.

[0012] Advantageously, the flange surface is at least partially made of steel or is made completely of steel. In this way, a long service life can be achieved.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the flange surface is formed in one piece ( / one workpiece) with a component forming the outer ring of the sealed universal joint bearing. "In one piece ( / one workpiece)" is to be understood in particular as meaning that it is made from a casting and / or can only be separated by destruction and / or is produced by extrusion, wherein, in particular, post-processing can be achieved by cutting and / or pressing and / or rotating and / or turning and / or grinding. Thus, in particular by stamping, cost-effective manufacturability can be achieved.

[0014] The sealed universal joint bearing preferably comprises at least one at least substantially annular component forming the flange surface.By using different annular components, various flange sizes can be accommodated in a simple manner for various bearing types.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the flange surface is formed by a component of the sealed universal joint bearing, which is attached in a materially bonded manner to a plastic component of the sealed universal joint bearing, which is arranged directly on the base of a component of the sealed universal joint bearing forming an outer ring for a rolling element of the sealed universal joint bearing. Due to the reduced number of components, a simple assembly can be achieved.

[0016] Furthermore, a sealed universal joint bearing is proposed, in particular a sealed universal joint bearing according to one of the above designs, the sealed universal joint bearing comprising at least one row of rolling elements and a flange surface for abutting sliding of the end sides of the rolling elements during operation, wherein the end side faces the base of the pot-shaped component of the sealed universal joint bearing, wherein the flange surface is formed by a component formed separately from the pot-shaped component, wherein the flange surface is at least partially made of at least one metallic material, in particular the flange surface is completely made of at least one metallic material. A long service life can thereby be achieved.

[0017] Furthermore, a universal joint bearing assembly is proposed, which comprises at least a sealed universal joint bearing.

[0018] Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted. The drawings, the description contain many features in combination. Advantageously, a person skilled in the art will also consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 shows an axial section through a sealed universal joint bearing according to the prior art;

[0020] Figure 2 shows an axial section through a sealed universal joint bearing constructed according to the invention, wherein the sealed universal joint bearing is not finally mounted on the inner ring;

[0021] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 2 Magnified details of

[0022] Figure 4 Shown from Figure 2 A diagram of the components of a sealed universal joint bearing in the axial direction;

[0023] Figure 5 shows an axial section through a portion of another inventive design of a sealed universal joint bearing; and

[0024] Figure 6 Shown from Figure 5 Magnified image of .

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 10 columns

[0027] 12 columns

[0028] 13 Axial direction

[0029] 14 Rolling elements

[0030] 16, 16a Flange surface

[0031] 17 Plates

[0032] 18 End side

[0033] 19 slots

[0034] 20 base

[0035] 22, 22a Components

[0036] 24 Forming Department

[0037] 26a Protrusion

[0038] 28a Forming section

[0039] 30a Structure

[0040] 32a Structure

[0041] 34a Interruption

[0042] 38a Lubricant delivery structure

[0043] 40 outer ring

[0044] 42, 42a component parts

[0045] 44 Plastic components

[0046] 46 Plastic components

[0047] 48 Components

[0048] 50 Rolling elements

[0049] 52 Flange surface

[0050] 54 base DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 2An axial section through a sealed universal joint (cardan joint) bearing according to the invention is shown, the sealed universal joint bearing comprising a first row 10 of rolling elements 14 and a second row 12 of rolling elements. The rows 10, 12 are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction 13 of the sealed universal joint bearing. The sealed universal joint bearing comprises a flange surface 16 against which the end sides 18 of the rolling elements 14 of the row 10 slide during operation of the sealed universal joint bearing in the mounted, finally mounted state. The respective end sides 18 face the base 20 of a pot-shaped component 22 of the sealed universal joint bearing. The flange surface 16 comprises a shaped portion 24, which in the present design consists of an annular groove ( Figures 2 to 4 ) is provided, the annular groove having approximately the diameter of a part circle of the sealed universal joint bearing. The flange surface 16 is part of a disk 17 of the sealed universal joint bearing; the flange surface 16 is made completely of steel and forms one workpiece. A lubricant (not shown) is provided in the shaped portion 24, which lubricant (not shown) lubricates the contact between the rolling elements 14 and the flange surface 16. The lubricant is preferably a grease, wherein the use of oil is also foreseeable.

[0052] The disc 17 comprises a recess radially inside the flange surface 16, which in this exemplary embodiment is configured as a through hole. In an alternative embodiment, the recess can be provided by a depression and / or a stamping and / or a blind hole and / or a through hole. The recess forms a regular structure. The disc 17 comprises a groove 19, which extends obliquely relative to the radial direction from the radial inside to the radial outside and is used for the delivery of lubricant. A seal is arranged at one axial end of the sealed universal joint bearing (the end opposite to the base 20), and the seal is attached to the pot-shaped component 22. The disc 17 comprises a central, circular through hole, into which, in some exemplary embodiments, in the finished final installation state, the relubrication channel ( / lubrication channel) of the journal ( / shaft joint) leads, wherein, regardless of the presence of the relubrication channel, the lubricant can be arranged in the through hole.

[0053] In addition to the one-piece design of the tray 17, the design of the present invention can also be achieved by dividing the tray 17 into a plurality of components (preferably two components, and in particular into a component 42 and a plastic component 44 (as in Figure 3The substantially annular component 42 is then made of steel and can be attached to the plastic component 44 or simply inserted. The plastic element is placed directly against the base and in contact with it. The wall of the pot-shaped component 22 forms an outer ring, which includes the raceway for the columns 10, 12. In the finished final mounted state, the sealed universal joint bearing is part of a universal joint bearing assembly, which includes the journal forming the inner ring for the columns 10, 12.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plastic element 44 can be replaced by a geometrically identical element made of steel.

[0055] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the component part 42 can also be provided by a hollow cylindrical ring which is penetrated by holes along the entire surface in the axial direction, ie is perforated.

[0056] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the flange surface may be made of plastic.

[0057] The sealed universal joint bearing of the present invention can be used in cars, trucks, and also in industrial applications such as, in particular, rolling mills.

[0058] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 , alternative exemplary embodiments are depicted. Substantially identical components, features, and functions are generally numbered with the same reference numerals. However, to distinguish between exemplary embodiments, the letter "a" is added to the Figure 5 and Figure 6 The following description is basically limited to the following exemplary embodiments. Figures 2 to 4 The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are different from those of the present invention, wherein the components, features and functions remain unchanged, and reference may be made to Figures 2 to 4 Description of exemplary embodiments in .

[0059] Figure 5A part of an alternative embodiment of a sealed universal joint bearing of the present invention is shown. A substantially annular component 42a is formed integrally with a pot-shaped component 22a and comprises a flange surface 16a. The flange surface comprises a segment-shaped protrusion ( / protrusion) (elevation) 26a. In addition to the protrusion 26a, the flange surface also comprises a further shaped portion 28a, which is also a segment-shaped protrusion and is constructed to be geometrically identical to the protrusion 26a. An interruption 34a is provided between the protrusions, the interruption 34a is groove-shaped and extends obliquely from the radial inside to the radial outside relative to the radial direction, and in the state where the plastic component 44 is inserted into the annular component 22a, the interruption 34a is an extension of the groove 19 of the plastic component 44. The groove 19 and the interruption 34a are used for the delivery of lubricant, in particular from the radial inside to the radial outside, specifically in particular during relubrication. Therefore, the interruption 34a is a lubricant delivery structure 38a of the flange surface. In an alternative design, the interruption 34a is omitted so that the flange surface comprises two annular protrusions.

[0060] The protrusion 26a and the shaped portion 28a together form a structure 30a having a ring shape interrupted by an interruption 34a. The radially outer flange surface of the structure 30a includes a second structure 32a also having a ring shape interrupted by an interruption 34a.

[0061] The contact surface of the flange surface with the rolling element 14a is provided only by the axially innermost surfaces of the structures 30a, 32a. Figure 1 The contact surface of the prior art shown in is small so that the difference in sliding speed between a partial area of ​​the flange surface and the surface of the rolling element sliding against the contact surface is minimized.

Claims

1. A sealed universal joint bearing, comprising at least one row (10, 12) of rolling elements (14) and a flange surface (16) for the end sides (18) of the rolling elements to slide against during operation, wherein: The end side faces the base (20) of the pot-shaped component (22) of the sealed universal joint bearing, characterized in that the flange surface includes at least one shaped portion (24), The at least one shaped portion is at least partially formed by a ring-segment-shaped projection (26a).

2. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flange surface comprises a plurality of shaped portions (24, 28a), wherein all or only a part of the plurality of shaped portions (24, 28a) are ring segment-shaped protrusions which together form at least one ring.

3. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shaped portions together form at least two structures (30a, 32a), wherein each of the structures is a ring.

4. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface includes at least one lubricant delivery structure (38a) configured to enable movement of lubricant in a radial direction.

5. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface is at least partially made of steel.

6. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface is formed integrally with a component forming an outer ring (40) of the sealed universal joint bearing.

7. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sealed universal joint bearing comprises at least one annular component (42) forming the flange surface.

8. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface is formed by a component (42) of the sealed universal joint bearing, which is attached to a plastic component (44) of the sealed universal joint bearing in a materially bonded manner, and the plastic component (44) is arranged to directly abut against the base of a component of the sealed universal joint bearing that forms an outer ring for a rolling element of the sealed universal joint bearing.

9. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface includes two annular protrusions.

10. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface comprises a plurality of shaped portions (24, 28a), wherein all or only a part of the plurality of shaped portions (24, 28a) are ring segment-shaped protrusions which together form at least one ring including an interruption (34a).

11. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that: The shaped portions together form at least two structures (30a, 32a), wherein each of the structures is a ring including an interruption.

12. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange surface is made entirely of steel.

13. A sealed universal joint bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one row (10, 12) of rolling elements (14) and a flange surface (16) for sliding of the end sides (18) of the rolling elements during operation, wherein: The end side faces the base (20) of the pot-shaped component (22) of the sealed universal joint bearing, the flange surface is formed by a component formed separately from the pot-shaped component (22), and the flange surface is at least partially made of at least one metal material.

14. The sealed universal joint bearing according to claim 13, characterized in that: The flange surface is entirely made of at least one metallic material.

15. A universal joint bearing assembly comprising at least one sealed universal joint bearing according to any one of the preceding claims.

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