Snap ring and bearing assembly including the snap ring

Abstract

Disclosed is a retaining ring (10), which is used to support a rolling element (6) in a bearing assembly (1) comprising an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (4), wherein the rolling element (6) is arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), wherein the retaining ring (10) is annular and can be configured on the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4), wherein the axial end side of the retaining ring (10) includes a recess (26), and the recess (26) is constructed so that a tool can be introduced into the recess (26) from the outside of the bearing assembly (1) to remove the retaining ring (10) from the bearing assembly (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a snap ring for supporting rolling elements in a bearing assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a bearing assembly according to the preamble of claim 8 comprising such a snap ring. Background Art

[0002] In a bearing assembly comprising an inner ring and an outer ring between which rolling elements are arranged, a snap ring may be used to support the rolling elements. Such a snap ring may be snapped into one of the bearing rings (for example, the snap ring may be snapped into one of the bearing rings using a groove in the bearing ring), and the snap ring there serves as a flange for supporting the rolling elements, in particular rollers.

[0003] In order to remove such a snap ring from the bearing assembly again, it has been necessary to use special pliers to capture the ring, widen or press the ring together using the gap present in the snap ring, and pull the snap ring out of the bearing assembly. For this purpose, some snap rings include other materials near the gap, including holes that allow the introduction of a pair of pliers. There, the pliers can press the ring together or pull the ring apart. However, special tools have been required for this purpose so far. In addition, in previous solutions, the two ends of the snap ring are moved towards each other by engaging on both sides of the opening. However, this leads to self-locking of the snap ring. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a snap ring which can be removed from a bearing assembly in a simple manner using standard tools.

[0005] This object is achieved by a retaining ring according to technical solution 1 and a bearing assembly according to technical solution 8.

[0006] The snap ring is used to support rolling elements in a bearing assembly (especially a small bearing assembly, especially a roller bearing) comprising an inner ring and an outer ring, wherein the rolling elements (especially rollers) are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The snap ring is annular and can be snapped into the inner ring or the outer ring, preferably, the snap ring can be snapped into the outer ring. Therefore, the snap ring serves as a supporting flange for the rolling elements.

[0007] In order to allow the snap ring to be easily removed from the bearing assembly, the axial end side of the snap ring comprises a recess which is configured such that a tool can be introduced into the recess from the outside of the bearing assembly in order to remove the snap ring from the bearing assembly. Here, a tool (which can be a standard tool, such as a screwdriver) can be introduced into the recess in order to pry the snap ring out of the bearing assembly on one side. For this purpose, the snap ring is pressed together (in the case of being arranged on the outer ring) or pulled apart (in the case of being arranged on the inner ring), and then one side of the snap ring is first lifted out of the bearing ring in the radial direction and then the snap ring is pulled out of the entire bearing assembly in the axial direction.

[0008] Due to the recess, the snap ring can be removed from the bearing assembly using standard tools. Simple production of the snap ring can further be achieved due to the provision of only one recess. In addition, in this way, the snap ring can be lifted at one end. Thus, self-locking, which can occur in previous snap rings, is avoided.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the recess is configured as a discontinuous recess in the axial direction. Preferably, the recess is configured as a discontinuous recess, which is sufficient to allow a tool to engage in the recess. Due to the discontinuous recess, the stability of the clamping ring can be ensured.

[0010] In particular, the clamping ring can be made of metal, for example, the clamping ring can be made of steel. This also increases the stability of the clamping ring.

[0011] In particular, the extension of the recess in the radial direction may be in the range of 50% to 70% of the surface of the snap ring in the radial direction. Due to this radial extension of the recess, it can be ensured that sufficient material remains on the snap ring in order not to impair the stability of the snap ring. In particular, the extension may be sized such that a standard tool can engage in the recess.

[0012] In particular, the snap ring can be an open ring. Due to the opening, one end of the snap ring can be lifted during removal of the snap ring from the inner ring or outer ring, so that the snap ring can be lifted out of the corresponding bearing ring without any problems and removed from the bearing assembly. In addition, the snap ring can be widened (during removal from the inner ring) or pressed together (during removal from the outer ring).

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess is arranged close to the opening. In this way, a tool can be engaged near the opening as a lever tool and lift one side of the snap ring to remove the snap ring from the bearing assembly. Thus, unlike previous snap rings, self-locking is avoided.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the snap ring comprises a radially extending flange, which is configured to engage in a corresponding groove in the raceway of the inner ring or outer ring of the bearing assembly. Thus, a portion of the snap ring is arranged inside the inner ring or the outer ring, wherein the portion of the snap ring located outside the bearing ring can be used as a flange ( / rib) for the rolling elements.

[0015] According to another aspect, a bearing assembly is provided, the bearing assembly comprising an inner ring, an outer ring and a rolling element arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. In particular, the bearing assembly may be a roller bearing. The bearing assembly comprises a snap ring as described above, wherein the snap ring engages with the inner ring or the outer ring.

[0016] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are indicated in the description, the drawings and the claims. In this context, in particular, the combinations of features indicated in the description and the drawings are merely exemplary, so that the features may also exist alone or in other combinations.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on 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

[0018] Figure 1 shows a cross section through a bearing assembly including a snap ring; and

[0019] Figure 2 The plan view shows Figure 1 The clasp.

[0020] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0021] 1 Bearing assembly

[0022] 2 Inner ring

[0023] 4 Outer ring

[0024] 6 Rolling elements

[0025] 8-axis

[0026] 10 Snap ring

[0027] 12 Cage

[0028] 14Open ring

[0029] 16 Flange

[0030] 18 slots

[0031] 20 abutment surface

[0032] 22 abutment surface

[0033] α angle

[0034] 24 openings

[0035] 26 recesses

[0036] b Radial width of the recess

[0037] B Radial width of the snap ring

[0038] Circumferential extension of the concave portion DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A bearing assembly 1 (in particular a roller bearing) is shown, comprising an inner ring 2 and an outer ring 4. Rolling elements 6 are arranged between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 4. For example, the bearing assembly 1 can be arranged on a shaft 8. A flange 10 can be provided for supporting the rolling elements 6, which in the embodiment shown engages with the outer ring 4. As another option, the flange 10 can also be provided on the inner ring 2. In addition, a cage 12 can be provided for retaining the rolling elements 6.

[0040] Here, the flange 10 is realized by a snap ring. The snap ring 10 is formed by an open ring 14. In addition, the snap ring 10 comprises a flange 16 extending in the radial direction. The flange 16 can engage in a corresponding groove 18 of the outer ring 4. Due to this flange 16, the snap ring 10 is thus fixed in the outer ring 4. The angle α between the flange 16 and the open ring 14 can in particular be 90° or less.

[0041] The end surface 20 of the snap ring 10 forms an abutment surface for the rolling elements 6. Due to the surface 22 of the split ring 14, the snap ring 10 can abut against the outer ring 4.

[0042] In order to be able to remove the snap ring 10 from the bearing assembly 1 again in a simple manner, the snap ring 10 is provided as a split ring comprising a radial opening 24. Due to this opening 24, the snap ring 10 can be pressed together in order to remove it from the bearing assembly 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the axial end side of the snap ring 10 comprises a recess 26 into which a standard tool can engage in order to lift the snap ring 10 from the bearing assembly 1. The snap ring 10 can be lifted at the location of the recess 26 using a standard tool, such as a screwdriver. Compared to previous snap rings that can only be pressed together, the removal from the bearing assembly 1 is simplified because self-locking of the snap ring 10 is prevented. In particular, the width b or extension b of the recess 26 in the radial direction can correspond to 50% to 70% of the width B of the side surface 22 of the snap ring 10.

[0044] The circumferential extension L of the recess 26 can be configured arbitrarily and should in any case be of sufficient size that a standard tool, such as a screwdriver for example, can engage in the recess 26. The recess 26 can be configured as a discontinuous recess.

[0045] Due to the recess 26, a standard tool can be introduced in a simple manner into the recess 26. The standard tool can then lift the snap ring by levering and lift the snap ring out of the bearing assembly 1.

[0046] Because the snap ring described herein, the snap ring can be applied to the bearing assembly in a simple manner, and the snap ring can be removed from the bearing assembly again without using special tools. In addition, since only corresponding recesses need to be provided in traditional snap rings, the manufacture of the snap ring is simplified.

Claims

1. A snap ring (10) for supporting a rolling element (6) in a bearing assembly (1) comprising an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (4), wherein: The rolling element (6) is arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), the retaining ring (10) is annular and can be configured on the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4), and is characterized in that the axial end side of the retaining ring (10) includes a recess (26), and the recess (26) is constructed so that a tool can be introduced into the recess (26) from the outside of the bearing assembly (1) to remove the retaining ring (10) from the bearing assembly (1).

2. The snap ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The recess (26) is configured as a discontinuous recess in the axial direction.

3. The snap ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamping ring (10) is made of metal.

4. The snap ring according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clamping ring (10) is made of steel.

5. The snap ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The extension amount (b) of the recess (26) in the radial direction corresponds to a range of 50% to 70% of the surface (B) of the snap ring (10) in the radial direction.

6. The snap ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The snap ring (10) is an open ring (14).

7. The snap ring according to claim 6, characterized in that The recess (26) is arranged close to the opening (24).

8. The snap ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The snap ring (10) includes a radially extending flange (16) configured to engage into a corresponding groove (18) in the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (2) of the bearing assembly (1).

9. A bearing assembly (1), comprising an inner ring (2), an outer ring (4) and a rolling element (6) arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), characterized in that: The bearing assembly (1) comprises a snap ring (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the snap ring (10) engages with the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4).

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