Cage for rolling bearing

Abstract

The present invention originates from a cage (10) for a rolling bearing, in particular a tapered roller bearing, the cage (10) comprising a plurality of pockets (12), each of the plurality of pockets (12) being formed to receive rolling elements (11). It is proposed that the cage comprises a plurality of retaining elements (14), the plurality of retaining elements (14) being configured to fixedly insert the rolling elements inserted into the pockets so as not to fall inward in the radial direction of the cage (10), and to enable the rolling elements to be inserted radially inward into the pockets when filling the cage with the rolling elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention originates from a device according to the preamble of embodiment 1. Background Art

[0002] The published document DE 100 30 268 A1 discloses a cage for a radial rolling bearing, in which cylindrical rolling elements are fixed by bridges against radial inward displacement. The bridges connect two side rings to each other and are arranged in a cavity located radially inside the pitch circle. One side of the cavity is delimited by adjacent rolling elements, and the other side is delimited by the inner raceway of the rolling elements. The mutually opposite end surfaces of the side rings include bridge stubs that are uniformly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and separate the rolling elements. The bridge stubs have an axial extension to prevent tilting or skewing of the rolling elements. The bridge stubs are arranged radially outward on the bridges and are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction to prevent the rolling elements from radially outward displacement. Generally speaking, the cage includes a transport-securing device.

[0003] The published document DE 10 2011 088 720 A1 relates to a rolling bearing cage, which includes a cage ring and a plurality of separate bridges. The plurality of separate bridges project from the cage ring and together with the cage ring form cells for receiving rolling elements. The rolling bearing cage has the following features: a plurality of retaining brackets are formed separately from the cage ring and the separate bridges. The retaining brackets are attached to the ends of the separate bridges facing away from the cage ring and engage behind one or two cells adjacent to the respective separate bridge in the circumferential direction to prevent the rolling elements received in the cells from falling out. The retaining brackets provide a transport-securing function. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a more effective cage of the above type. The object of the present invention is achieved by the features of embodiment 1, and the advantageous designs and further developments of the present invention can be obtained from the dependent embodiments.

[0005] The present invention originates from a cage for a rolling bearing (in particular a tapered roller bearing), which includes a plurality of pockets, and each of the plurality of pockets is formed for receiving rolling elements.

[0006] It is proposed that the cage includes a plurality of retaining elements which are configured to fix ( / protect ) the rolling elements inserted into the pockets from falling inwards in the radial direction of the cage and to enable the rolling elements to be inserted radially inwards into the pockets when filling the cage with the rolling elements. Thereby, an effective cage can be provided. In particular, filling the cage with rolling elements can be achieved in a cost - effective manner ( especially without expensive tools ). In particular, since the rolling elements do not fall off, it is also possible to achieve that the assembly consisting of the inner ring, the retainer and the rolling elements can be easily removed from the complete rolling bearing, which is useful, for example, in the case where the inner ring is to be reground or replaced.

[0007] The retaining elements are preferably at least partially formed by extensions located radially inside ( / radially in - side ) of the bridges of the cage. In this way, a structurally simple design can be achieved.

[0008] At least two of the retaining elements are advantageously plate - shaped, radially in - wardly extending extensions of the bridges of the cage. Thereby, relatively simple manufacturability can be achieved.

[0009] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least two of the retaining elements each include at least one retaining lug extending in the circumferential direction of the cage. In this way, reliable transport fixation can be achieved.

[0010] At least two of the retaining lugs preferably extend into the same pocket of the cage. Thereby, particularly reliable transport fixation can be achieved.

[0011] At least two retaining lugs are advantageously provided on radially in - wardly extending protrusions of the bridges of the cage.

[0012] In addition, it is proposed that the cage includes at least one retaining lug extending from the edge of the pocket into the pocket. Thereby, a compact design of the cage can be achieved. The pocket is preferably formed as a rectangle, and the retaining lug extends from the short side of the rectangle. Thereby, contact with the end surface of the rolling element can be produced in a simple manner. In the plan view of the pocket, the retaining lug particularly preferably extends substantially parallel to the long side of the rectangle in the radial direction of the cage, whereby the retaining lug can engage in the recess on the end side of the rolling element and can perform the retaining function.

[0013] The cage advantageously includes at least two elements extending in the axial direction from the annular part of the cage, which are adjacent to the end sides of the rolling elements inserted into the pockets of the cage and are configured to abut against the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements during the transportation of the unit including the cage, the cage including the inserted rolling elements. In the implementation of the transportation protection device, the rolling elements can thereby be installed particularly simply into the pockets of the cage.

[0014] In addition, a unit including rolling elements and a cage as described above is proposed, wherein the rolling elements are inserted into the pockets. In addition, a rolling bearing including such a unit is proposed, in particular a tapered roller bearing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other advantages result from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain combinations of many features. Those skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

[0016] Figure 1 A perspective view of a part of a cage according to the invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A perspective view of this part along the axial direction is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 A perspective view of a pocket of the cage filled with rolling elements is shown;

[0019] Figure 4 A perspective view of a pocket of a cage including another invention filled with rolling elements is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 A perspective view of a part of a cage according to Figure 4 along the axial direction is shown;

[0021] Figure 6 A perspective view of a pocket of a cage including a third invention filled with rolling elements is shown;

[0022] Figure 7 A perspective view of a part of a cage according to Figure 6 along the axial direction is shown;

[0023] Figure 8 A perspective view of a pocket of a cage including a fourth invention filled with rolling elements is shown.

[0024] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0025] 10 Cage

[0026] 11 Rolling element

[0027] 12 Pocket

[0028] 14 Retaining element

[0029] 15 Retaining element

[0030] 16 Bridge

[0031] 17 Bridge

[0032] 18 Extension

[0033] 20 Extension

[0034] 22 Circumferential direction

[0035] 24 Retaining lug

[0036] 26 Retaining lug

[0037] 28 Retaining lug

[0038] 30 Edge

[0039] 32 Side

[0040] 34 Rectangle

[0041] 36 Side

[0042] 38 Portion

[0043] 40 Axial direction

[0044] 42 Component

[0045] 44 Component

[0046] 46 End side

[0047] 48 Rolling surface

[0048] 50 Bevel surface

[0049] 52 Bevel surface

[0050] 54 Recess Detailed description

[0051] Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a cage 10 according to the present invention is shown, the cage 10 being formed as a tapered roller bearing cage. The pockets 12 are configured to receive rolling elements 11 (i.e., tapered rollers). The pockets 12 are bounded in the circumferential direction by bridges 16, 17. Internally in the radial direction, the bridge 17 includes a plate-like extension 18. The extension forms a retaining element 14 ( Figures 1 to 3 ). Internally in the radial direction, the bridge 16 includes a plate-like extension 20. The extension 20 forms a retaining element 15. The retaining elements 14, 15 ensure that the rolling elements 11 inserted into the pockets 12 do not fall off radially inward, where in this regard, the retaining elements form an interference-fit attaching of the rolling elements ( Figures 1 to 3 ). In other words, the extensions are formed by extensions of the bridges.

[0052] During the filling of the cell 12 by the rolling elements 11, the rolling elements 11 press against the retaining elements 14, 15 from the radially inner side simultaneously via their rolling surfaces until they are elastically deflected ( / biased / skewed ) in the circumferential direction such that the rolling elements move into the cell 12 and the retaining elements 14, 15 then move back to their initial positions. The rolling elements 11 are also protected ( specifically by the inclined surface 52 of the bridge 16 ) against radially outward detachment from the cell 12, the inclined surface 52 extending inclinedly radially outwardly starting from the extension 20 and towards the center of the cell 12. The bridge of the cage ( which delimits the cell 12 on the side opposite to the bridge 16 ) includes an inclined surface 50 which is configured to be mirror - inverted with respect to the inclined surface 52.

[0053] If additional rolling elements are inserted into the cage in addition to the rolling elements 11, the cage together with all the rolling elements forms a unit to be transported without loss of the rolling elements. The rolling elements are thus captively arranged in the cells. The unit is transported to an assembly line where the unit is assembled with an inner ring and an outer ring into a rolling bearing. The rolling bearing is a tapered roller bearing. The cage can be formed of plastic.

[0054] In Figures 4 to 8 exemplary embodiments are depicted as an option. Substantially identical components, features, and functions are generally numbered with the same reference numerals. However, to distinguish the exemplary embodiments, letters "a", "b", etc. are added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments in Figures 4 to 8 The following description is substantially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiments in Figures 1 to 3 where, with respect to the components, features, and functions that remain the same, reference can be made to the description of the exemplary embodiments in Figures 1 to 3

[0055] Figure 4 A perspective view shows a cell 12a of a cage 10a including another invention, the cell 12a being filled with rolling elements 11a. The cage includes a directly adjacent edge 30a of the cell 12a ( Figure 4 and Figure 5)The retaining lugs 28a are adjacent and extend from the edge 30a into the pocket 12a. In a radially outward plan view of the pocket, the pocket has the shape of a rectangle 34a. The retaining lugs extend into the pocket starting from the short side 32a of the rectangle (as already mentioned), specifically, extending substantially parallel to the long side 36a. In addition, the cage includes an annular portion 38a, and two elements 42a, 44a extend from the annular portion 38a in the axial direction 40a towards the axial end of the cage opposite to the annular portion 38a. The elements 42a, 44a are adjacent to the end sides 46a of the rolling elements 11a inserted into the pockets of the cage. If the rolling elements 11a and additional rolling elements are inserted into the pockets 12a of the cage and additional pockets, the cage together with the rolling elements forms a unit in which the rolling elements are confined. If the radially outer side of the pocket 12a is oriented upwards, the rolling surfaces 48a of the rolling elements 11a abut against the elements 42a, 44a, and the retaining lugs 28a engage in the end-side recesses 54a of the rolling elements 11a and abut against the edges of the recesses, such that the elements 42a, 44a and the retaining lugs 28a protect the rolling elements 11a from falling out of the pocket 12a in an interference fit manner. Thus, the elements and the retaining lugs also attach the rolling elements 11a in the pocket 12a in an interference fit manner. With respect to the outward radial direction, the rolling elements 11a are retained in the pocket 12a in an interference fit manner by a bridge shape.

[0056] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of another invention of the cage is shown. Among other things, the pockets 12b of the cage are defined by retaining elements 14b, 15b. The retaining element 14b includes a retaining lug 24b that extends in the circumferential direction 22b towards the retaining element 15b. In addition, the retaining lug 24b is provided on the surface facing the retaining element 15b. Additionally, the retaining lug 24b is provided in the radially innermost region of this surface. The retaining element 15b also includes a retaining lug 26b at its radially inner end, which extends in the circumferential direction towards the retaining element 14b. During the process of installing the rolling elements 11b into the pockets 12b, the rolling elements 11b are pressed against the retaining elements (especially the retaining lugs) until the retaining lugs are slightly deflected (skewed) in the circumferential direction and the rolling elements slide into the pockets. Thereafter, the retaining elements return to their initial positions, thereby protecting the rolling elements in the pockets 12b from falling out radially inwards by the retaining lugs. In other words, the retaining lugs extend into the pockets 12b. The retaining lug 24b is provided on the first extension 18b of the bridge of the cage. The retaining lug 26b is provided on another extension 20b of another bridge of the cage. The two extensions extend radially inwards from the respective bridges.

[0057] Figure 8An exemplary embodiment of another invention of the cage is shown, in which the roller 11c is inserted into the pocket 12c of the cage. The retaining elements 14c and 15c fix the roller 11c in an interference fit manner so as not to radially inwardly fall out of the pocket. The two retaining elements are identically constructed. Each of the two retaining elements includes a groove on its radially inner side, and the groove extends substantially in the axial direction. Since it is beneficial for the retaining element to yield in the circumferential direction during the insertion of the roller from the radial inside, the roller can be relatively easily inserted into the cage.

Claims

1. A cage (10) for a rolling bearing, the cage (10) including a plurality of pockets (12), the plurality of pockets (12) each being formed to receive a rolling element (11), It is characterized in that a plurality of retaining elements (14) being configured to fixedly insert the rolling elements inserted into the pockets so as not to fall inward in the radial direction of the cage and to enable the rolling elements to be inserted radially inward into the pockets during the process of filling the cage with the rolling elements, the cage including a first side ring, a second side ring, and a plurality of bridges, the second side ring being axially spaced apart from the first side ring, the bridges connecting the first side ring to the second side ring, and the pockets being defined by an adjacent pair of bridges among the first side ring, the second side ring, and the plurality of bridges; at least two elements (42a, 44a) extend substantially in the axial direction (40a) starting from an annular portion of the cage, the elements (42a, 44a) being adjacent to end sides (46a) of rolling elements (11a) inserted into the pockets of the cage and being configured to abut against rolling surfaces (48a) of the rolling elements during transportation of a unit including the cage, the cage including the inserted rolling elements; the at least two elements are located on the same side ring; at least one retaining lug (28a) extends from an edge (30a) of a pocket into the pocket.

2. The cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining element is at least partially formed by an extension located radially inside a bridge (16) of the cage.

3. The cage according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least two of the retaining elements (14, 15) are plate-shaped, radially inwardly extending extensions (18, 20) of a bridge of the cage.

4. The cage according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least two of the retaining elements each include at least one retaining lug (24b, 26b) extending in the circumferential direction (22b) of the cage.

5. The cage according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least two of the retaining lugs extend into the same pocket of the cage.

6. The cage according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least two retaining lugs are provided on a radially inwardly extending extension of a bridge of the cage.

7. The cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pocket has a rectangular (34a) shape, and in a plan view of the pocket, the retaining lug extends substantially parallel to a long side (36a) of the rectangle in the radial direction starting from a short side (32a) of the rectangle.

8. The cage according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rolling bearing is a tapered roller bearing.

9. A unit comprising rolling elements and a cage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rolling element is inserted into the pocket.

10. A rolling bearing, the rolling bearing including the unit according to claim 9.

11. The rolling bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that, The rolling bearing is a tapered roller bearing.

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