Cage segments for rolling element bearing cages

Abstract

Disclosed is a cage segment (1, 34) for a rolling element bearing cage (30), in particular a cage segment (1, 34) for a rolling element bearing cage (30) for a large rolling element bearing, the cage segment (1, 34) comprising a first side element (2) and a second side element (4) connected by a first bridge (6) and a second bridge (8), wherein at least one cavity (10) is formed between the first bridge (6) and the second bridge (8), the cavity (10) being suitable for receiving at least one rolling element (36), wherein the cage segment (1, 34) is made of sheet metal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cage segment for a rolling element bearing cage, ie a cage of a rolling bearing, and also to a method for producing such a cage segment. Background Art

[0002] Various methods are known for manufacturing rolling element bearing cages made of metal, such as flow forming followed by punching and stamping or laser cutting. The type of manufacturing method used depends, among other things, on the size of the cage. Alternatively, such metal cages (particularly larger ones) can be manufactured by first rolling solid material and then further machining it. Common to these known methods is that, on the one hand, they require a large amount of material and, on the other hand, a combination of multiple (sometimes complex) manufacturing processes using different machine tools, making production potentially complex and / or expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cage segment for a rolling element bearing cage which can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0004] This object is achieved by a cage segment for a rolling element bearing cage, a rolling element bearing cage, a rolling element bearing, and a method for producing a cage segment.

[0005] The cage segment includes a first side element and a second side element connected by a first bridge and a second bridge. At least one pocket is formed between the first bridge and the second bridge, and is adapted to receive at least one rolling element. To reduce material usage and manufacturing costs, the proposed cage segment is made of sheet metal. This improves material utilization.

[0006] In particular, the metal plate may be a sheet metal plate, a sheet metal panel, etc. The metal plate can be processed and shaped in a simple and cost-effective manner, for example, by cutting and bending. In particular, machining methods can be omitted.

[0007] The cage segment can be a single segment or multiple segments. A rolling element can be accommodated in each individual segment. "Multiple segments" should be understood to mean a cage segment that can accommodate ( / hold) multiple rolling elements. To this end, multiple cells can be formed in the cage segment, with at least one rolling element being accommodated in each cell. In particular, the cage segment can be used in large rolling element bearings (i.e., large roller bearings).

[0008] Preferably, the cage segment can be detached from the metal sheet in an unfolded form, wherein the detachment (releasing) includes cutting, punching, and / or nibbling. In other words, the required separation lines for the cage segment are provided in the metal sheet by cutting, punching, nibbling, etc. This means that the contours (inner and outer) of the cage segment are first cut or punched into the metal sheet, and then the unfolded form of the cage segment is detached from the metal sheet. Lasers, punching tools, nibbling machines, etc. can be used for this purpose. The unfolded form is understood to mean, in particular, the flat, essentially two-dimensional, non-rolled form of the finished three-dimensional cage segment. In other words, the form detached from the metal sheet can essentially correspond to a two-dimensional, non-rolled or folded template of the finished cage segment.

[0009] The cage segments can then be formed by bending and / or folding the unfolded cage segments removed. In particular, after the unfolded cage segments have been removed from the metal sheet, the metal sheet can be bent to obtain the finished cage segments. Preferably, the bending and / or folding is performed in the same machine as the cage segment removal, for example, a punch laser bending machine can be used. Alternatively, the bending and / or folding and the removal can be performed in different machines. To simplify the possible transfer of the unfolded cage segments removed from the metal sheet to another machine tool, it is also possible to leave separate connection points in the area of ​​the separation line and only remove them after further processing steps.

[0010] Cage segments can be manufactured using a machine tool that can both remove the cage segments in an unfolded form from sheet metal and then bring or form / bend the removed segments into the finished cage shape. Thus, multiple work steps can be performed in a single machine tool. Consequently, manufacturing costs can be reduced, as only a single machine tool is required instead of multiple.

[0011] Since no machining methods are used, material usage is lower and less material waste is generated.Thus, the cost of the cage segments and, therefore, the cost of rolling element bearing cages made from a plurality of cage segments can be reduced.

[0012] Furthermore, a connection means, such as, for example, two connection elements that can be engaged in a toothed manner, can be provided in order to connect the two cage segments to one another, in particular in the axial direction.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the cage segment includes at least one sliding surface and at least one support surface configured to support the at least one sliding surface. For example, the support surface may be a support bridge. Alternatively, the support surface may extend along the entire length of the bridge. For example, the support surface may bear against the rear side of another surface of the cage segment (such as, for example, another sliding surface).

[0014] In particular, the at least one sliding surface can be arranged on one side of the first bridge or the second bridge. Preferably, the at least one sliding surface is formed on the inner side of one of the bridges, i.e., on the side facing the cavity. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sliding surface can also be formed on the outer side of one of the bridges. If the at least one sliding surface is also formed on the outer side of one of the bridges, for example, every other rolling element can be guided in a cage segment. If a separate cage segment is provided for each rolling element, the sliding surface formed on the outer side of one of the bridges can be omitted.

[0015] Furthermore, in the unfolded, flat state, the sliding surface can advantageously be provided with a texture or structure. For example, the provided texture can improve the supply of lubricant for the rolling elements sliding against the sliding surface, for example by facilitating the supply of new lubricant to the rolling elements and / or the removal of old lubricant from the rolling elements.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a first attachment element may be arranged on the first side element and / or a second attachment element may be arranged on the second side element, wherein the cage segment is connectable to another cage segment via the first attachment element and / or the second attachment element using a coupling part.

[0017] The cage segments can additionally be held together by coupling elements, thereby providing stability to the composite cage and / or simplifying the assembly of the cage. The cage segments can be guided by coupling elements, which can be, for example, cables, wires, or rings and have a defined preload (or pretension).

[0018] The first attachment element and / or the second attachment element can preferably be designed as eyelets, through which the coupling part can be threadable. In a design in which the attachment elements are eyelets, the coupling part can be guided through these eyelets in a simple manner and can be removed again as required. In this case, the coupling part is not fixed to the eyelets, but can be moved in the eyelets. As a result, the gaps between the cage segments and therefore the gaps between the rolling elements and the movement of the cage segments relative to each other are not restricted. As a further alternative, the eyelets can also be designed as open hooks or loops, into which the coupling part can be mounted or can be clamped or can be snapped.

[0019] According to another aspect, a rolling element bearing cage, in particular for large rolling element bearings, is provided. The rolling element bearing cage comprises a plurality of cage segments, wherein the plurality of cage segments can be connected at least temporarily via a coupling component, for which purpose the coupling component is engaged with an attachment element. For example, every other rolling element can be guided in a cage segment. Alternatively, a cage segment can be provided for each rolling element. For example, the outer diameter of the rolling element bearing cage can be greater than 1200 mm.

[0020] According to a further aspect, a rolling element bearing, in particular a large rolling element bearing, is proposed, comprising at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring, wherein rolling elements are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein the rolling elements are retained by the above-mentioned rolling element bearing cage.

[0021] According to another aspect, a method for producing a cage segment from sheet metal is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of releasing the cage segment in an unfolded form from the sheet metal, and bending and / or folding the unfolded cage segment to form the cage segment. Advantageously, the cage segment can be produced entirely or in a continuous combined manner in a punch and laser bending machine.

[0022] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are indicated in the description, drawings and claims. In particular, the combinations of features indicated in the description and drawings are merely exemplary, so that the features can also exist alone or in other combinations.

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using the exemplary embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. Herein, the exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope is limited only by the pending claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cage segment according to a first embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the cage segment according to the first embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cage segment according to a second embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a rolling element bearing cage according to a third embodiment; and

[0028] Figure 5 A perspective view of an assembled rolling element bearing cage according to a third embodiment is shown.

[0029] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0030] Reference Signs List

[0031] 1 cage segment

[0032] 2 First side element

[0033] 4 Second side element

[0034] 6. First Bridge

[0035] 8 Second Bridge

[0036] 10 cavity

[0037] 12 Slip surface

[0038] 14 Support surface

[0039] 16 Attachment elements

[0040] 18 Attachment elements

[0041] 20 holes

[0042] 22 holes

[0043] 30 Rolling element bearing cage

[0044] 32 Connecting parts

[0045] 34 cage segments

[0046] 36 rolling elements

[0047] 38 Connecting elements

[0048] 40 Connecting elements DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a cage segment 1 according to a first embodiment is shown. The cage segment 1 comprises a first side element 2 and a second side element 4, wherein the first side element 2 and the second side element 4 are connected by a first bridge 6 and a second bridge 8. A cavity 10 is formed between the first and second side elements 2 and 4 and the first and second bridges 6 and 8; the cavity 10 is configured to receive at least one rolling element.

[0050] The cage segment 1 is made from sheet metal by removing the cage segment in an unfolded or unwound form from the sheet metal by cutting, stamping, and / or nibbling, and then forming the cage segment 1, for example, by bending and / or folding the removed form. In particular, portions of the first and second bridges 6, 8 can be bent so as to form sliding surfaces 12 for rolling elements that can be received in the cells 10. For example, portions of the bridges 6, 8 can be bent or folded against each other to form a triangular shape open on one side, with the respective sides of the triangle forming the sliding surface 12 and the top of the triangle forming the corresponding bridge 6, 8. Of course, other folding methods are also possible to achieve the desired shape for the bridges 6, 8 and the contact surface 12.

[0051] In particular, in order to improve the stability of the sliding surfaces 12, a support surface 14 may also be provided which is configured to support one sliding surface 12 of the respective bridge 6 against the other sliding surface 12 of the same bridge 6, 8. Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the support surface 14 can be formed in the shape of a support bridge, which is cut out and bent from the area of ​​the sliding surface 12 of one of the bridges 6, 8, so that two adjacent contact surfaces 12 of the corresponding bridges 6, 8 are supported against each other by the support surface 14.

[0052] Furthermore, the first attachment element 16 or the second attachment element 18 can be provided on the first side element 2 and the second side element 4. In this embodiment, the first attachment element 16 and the second attachment element 18 are formed by a portion of the first side element 2 or the second side element 4, respectively, on which two eyelets 20, 22 are provided, respectively, through which coupling parts (not shown here) can be passed.

[0053] For example, the holes 20, 22 can be formed on a flap that is first removed and then bent when the cage segment 1 is subsequently bent and / or folded, so that the openings of the holes 20, 22 face each other, allowing the coupling component to be passed through. In this case, a cable or wire can serve as the coupling component, and after passing through, the ends of the cable or wire are connected to each other. Due to the coupling component and the attachment elements 16, 18, multiple cage segments 1 can be held together, thereby providing stability to the composite cage composed of cage segments 1 and / or simplifying the cage installation.

[0054] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of a cage segment 1 is shown, in which the respective support surface 14 extends over the entire length of the respective bridge 6, 8. Figure 2 In contrast to the embodiment shown in , in the form of the cage segment 1 released from the metal sheet, no cuts or separation lines are included to cut out a supporting bridge in the region of the sliding surface 12 of one of the bridges 6, 8; instead, a portion of the portion forming the sliding surface 12 is further bent so that it can support against the bridge 6, 8.

[0055] also, Figure 3 The cage segment 1 shown in FIG comprises attachment elements 16, 18 configured as loops, in which, for example, coupling components can be suspended. Here, when the form of the cage segment 1 is disassembled, the basic shape of the loop, which forms the side surfaces 2, 4 in the finished cage segment 1, is cut out from a portion of the metal sheet and is subsequently bent to form the loop.

[0056] Figure 4 An exploded view of a rolling element bearing cage 30 comprising a plurality of cage segments 34 is shown. As shown here, the cage segment 34 can also be constructed as a plurality of segments, wherein each of these plurality of segments comprises a plurality of cells 10 arranged adjacent to one another, each of the cells 10 being capable of receiving at least one rolling element. As described above, each plurality of segments 34 can be connected to another plurality of segments via a coupling member 32. For this purpose, the coupling member 32 can engage with attachment elements 16, 18 provided on the cage segment (see FIG. 1 ). Figures 1 to 3 ). Here, if Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the coupling member 32 may be provided on both sides, or on only one of the two sides.

[0057] Also for connecting the cage segments 30 to one another, connecting elements 38 , 40 are provided which can engage with one another so that adjacent cage segments can be connected. Figures 1 to 3Like the attachment elements 16 , 18 shown in FIG, these connection elements 38 , 40 can be removed from the metal sheet by cutting, punching and / or nibbling and then formed into the desired shape by corresponding bending and / or folding.

[0058] Figure 5 A perspective view of a rolling element bearing cage 30 according to an alternative embodiment is shown. In this case, each cage segment 1 comprises only one cell. This means that the rolling element bearing cage 30 comprises a plurality of cage segments 1, each of which comprises a cell, in each of which a rolling element 36 is accommodated. In this case, a cage segment is provided for every other rolling element. To this end, the respective cage segment 1 can include sliding surfaces 12 both on the side of the respective bridge 6, 8 facing toward the cell 10 and on the side of the respective bridge 6, 8 facing away from the cell 10. If the sliding surfaces 12 are also formed on the outside of the respective bridge 6, 8, it is sufficient to guide only every second rolling element in the cage segment 1.

[0059] To reduce material usage and manufacturing costs, it is proposed to manufacture the cage segments 1 from sheet metal, thereby eliminating material-intensive and labor-intensive machining methods. Preferably, the cage segments are removed from the sheet metal in an unfolded form and then formed by bending and / or folding the removed, unfolded cage segments. Preferably, the bending and / or folding is performed in the same machine as the release (or removal) of the cage segments, for example, a punch laser bending machine can be used.

[0060] Since no machining methods are used, material usage is lower and less material waste is generated.Thus, the cost of the cage segments and, therefore, the cost of a rolling element bearing cage made from a plurality of cage segments can be reduced.

Claims

1. A cage segment (1, 34) for a rolling element bearing cage (30), the cage segment (1, 34) comprising a first side element (2) and a second side element (4) connected by a first bridge (6) and a second bridge (8), wherein: At least one cavity (10) is formed between the first bridge (6) and the second bridge (8), wherein the cavity (10) is suitable for receiving at least one rolling element (36), It is characterized by: The cage segments (1, 34) are made of metal sheets, The retaining frame segment (1, 34) includes at least one sliding surface (12), and the at least one sliding surface (12) includes an inner sliding surface formed on a side of the first bridge (6) or the second bridge (8) facing the cavity (10) and an outer sliding surface formed on the other side of the first bridge (6) or the second bridge (8) facing away from the cavity (10).

2. The cage segment (1, 34) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cage segments (1, 34) are removed from the metal sheet in an unfolded form, the removal comprising cutting, punching and / or nibbling.

3. The cage segment (1, 34) according to claim 2, characterized in that The cage segments (1, 34) are formed by bending and / or folding the cage segments (1, 34) that have been disassembled and unfolded.

4. The cage segment (1, 34) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The cage segment (1, 34) comprises at least one sliding surface (12) and at least one support surface (14) configured to support the at least one sliding surface (12).

5. The cage segment according to claim 4, characterized in that The support surface (14) extends over the entire length of the bridge (6, 8).

6. The cage segment (1, 34) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A first attachment element (16) is arranged on the first side element (2), and / or a second attachment element (18) is arranged on the second side element (4), and the cage segment (1, 34) can be connected to another cage segment (1, 34) by means of a coupling component (32) via the first attachment element (16) and / or the second attachment element (18).

7. The cage segment (1, 34) according to claim 6, characterized in that The first attachment element (16) and / or the second attachment element (18) are configured as eyes (20, 22) through which the coupling component (32) can be passed, and / or the first attachment element (16) and / or the second attachment element (18) are configured as tabs into which the coupling component (32) can be mounted.

8. The cage segment (1, 34) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cage segments (1, 34) are used for large rolling element bearings.

9. A rolling element bearing cage (30) comprising a plurality of cage segments (1, 34) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: A plurality of cage segments (1, 34) can be connected at least temporarily via a coupling component (32), for which purpose the coupling component (32) is brought into engagement with the attachment element (16, 18).

10. A rolling element bearing comprising at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring, wherein: Rolling elements (36) are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, the rolling elements (36) being held by the rolling element bearing cage (30) according to claim 9.

11. A method for producing a cage segment (1, 34) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 from sheet metal, wherein: The method comprises the steps of releasing the cage segments (1, 34) in an expanded form from the metal sheet, and - bending and / or folding the cage segment in unfolded form to form the cage segment (1, 34).

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