Combined insulator and conductor assembly for bearings with prong lock conductors
By designing a component that combines insulators and conductors, and utilizing the connection between a ring insulator and a conductor, the problem of damage caused by current or charge passing through the bearing is solved, achieving effective protection and simplifying the structure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, current or charge passing through the bearing raceway may cause bearing damage, and existing devices such as grounding brushes have problems such as complex structure or insufficient effectiveness.
An assembly combining an insulator and a conductor has been designed, comprising a ring-shaped insulator and a conductor. The insulator is releasably connected to the conductor via mounting tabs, and the conductor provides an alternative path between the shaft and the seat via conductive fibers to prevent current from flowing through the bearing.
It effectively prevents current or charge from flowing through the bearing, protecting the bearing from damage, while providing an alternative path, simplifying the structure and improving the protection effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN113724917B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to grounding devices for preventing the flow of current or charge through bearings. Background Technology
[0002] If current or charge flows through bearings used in electrical machinery (such as motors, generators, and similar devices), which is particularly detrimental to bearing raceways, the bearing may be damaged. Devices such as grounding brushes have been developed to provide an alternative path for the current, thus preventing it from passing through the bearing. These devices typically consist of multiple conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the entire outer surface of the shaft to form relatively solid loops, allowing current to pass through the fibers located between the shaft and the housing. To prevent current from passing through the bearing, other devices or mechanisms are provided to electrically insulate the bearing, and these other devices or mechanisms may include insulating coatings or covers. Summary of the Invention
[0003] An assembly comprising an insulator and a conductor is provided for a bearing disposed between a shaft and a housing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring having opposing first and second axial ends, and a plurality of rolling elements located between the rings, the shaft having an outer circumferential surface, and the housing having an inner circumferential surface. The assembly includes an annular insulator disposed about the outer ring of the bearing, configured to prevent current flow between the outer ring and the housing, and includes at least one mounting tab extending axially. An electrical conductor has a radially outer end, a radially inner end, and at least one retainer engaging with the at least one mounting tab to releasably connect the conductor to the insulator. The outer radial end of the conductor and / or the portion of the conductor located between the outer and inner ends may be electrically engaged with the seat, and the inner radial end of the conductor may be electrically engaged with the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the seat.
[0004] Preferably, the insulator has a centerline and a plurality of mounting tabs extending axially along the centerline and spaced circumferentially around it. The conductor includes an electrically conductive disk coupled to the insulator to be axially adjacent to a bearing. The disk has: a radially outer end portion engaging with an inner surface of a seat; a radially inner end portion defining a central opening for receiving a portion of a shaft; and a plurality of through-holes and retaining forks spaced circumferentially around the centerline of the conductor. Each through-hole of the disk receives a single mounting tab from the plurality of mounting tabs of the insulator, and each adjacent fork lockably engages with the single tab to releasably connect the conductor to the insulator. Furthermore, an annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled to the conductive disk and includes a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the centerline of the conductor and extending radially inward from the inner end portion of the conductive disk. Each conductive fiber has an inner end that can contact the outer surface of the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk. Attached Figure Description
[0005] The foregoing description of the invention and its preferred embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, illustrative embodiments that are currently preferred are shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configurations and implementations shown. In the drawings:
[0006] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an assembly consisting of an insulator and a conductor, shown as mounted on a bearing;
[0007] Figure 2 It is a front view of an assembly that combines an insulator and a conductor;
[0008] Figure 3 It is an axial cross-sectional view of the combined insulator and conductor assembly, shown as mounted on a shaft and inside a seat;
[0009] Figure 4 It is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the upper part of the assembly consisting of an insulator and a conductor mounted on the bearing.
[0010] Figure 5 It is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the upper part of the insulator;
[0011] Figure 6 It is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the upper part of the conductor;
[0012] Figure 7 It is along Figure 2The view of line 7-7 (cut off);
[0013] Figure 8 It is along Figure 2 The view of line 8-8 (cut off);
[0014] Figure 9A and Figure 9B (Collectively referred to as Figure 9) Each of these is an axial cross-sectional view of the insulator components during the assembly process onto the outer ring of the bearing;
[0015] Figure 10A and Figure 10B (Collectively referred to as Figure 10) are axial cross-sectional views of the upper part of the insulator and conductor during the process of connecting the conductor to the insulator; and
[0016] Figure 11 It is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the combined insulator and conductor assembly, shown as mounted on a shaft and within a housing and joined by machine parts. Detailed Implementation
[0017] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and not for limitation. The words “inner,” “inward,” and “outer,” “outward,” respectively refer to directions toward and away from the designated centerline or geometric center of the described element, and their particular meanings are self-evident from the context of the specification. Furthermore, as used herein, the words “connection” and “linkage” are each intended to include: a direct connection between two components without any other component between them; and an indirect connection between components, wherein one or more other components are between them. Terms include those specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and terms with similar meanings.
[0018] Now referring in detail to the accompanying drawings (in which the same reference numerals are always used to denote the same elements), in Figures 1 to 11 The diagram shows an assembly 10 for bearing 1, which includes an electrical insulator and a conductor. Bearing 1 can be arranged about a central axis A. CThe rotating shaft 2 is located between a housing 3 and a bearing 1. The bearing 1 has: an inner ring 4; an outer ring 5 with opposing first axial ends 5a and second axial ends 5b and an outer surface 5c; and a plurality of rolling elements 6 arranged between the rings 4 and 5. The shaft 2 has a circumferential outer surface 2a provided by the shaft 2 itself or by a sleeve or other component (not shown) mounted on the shaft 2, and at least surface 2a (preferably the entire shaft 2 and / or sleeve / component) is conductive. Furthermore, the housing 3 has a circumferential inner surface 3a defining a bore 7, which may be a surface of the housing 3 itself or a surface of an annular component arranged within the housing 3. Preferably, the bearing 1, shaft 2, and housing 3 are components of a motor, other electric motors (e.g., generators), or any other machine with rotating components that may accumulate charge or transmit current.
[0019] The assembly 10, which combines an insulator and a conductor, primarily includes: an annular insulator 12, arranged around the outer ring 5 of the bearing; and an electrical conductor 14, releasably coupled to the insulator 12. The insulator 12 is configured to prevent current flow between the outer ring 5 and the housing 3, and between the ring 5 and the conductor 14, and thus through the bearing 1. The insulator 12 includes at least one axially extending mounting tab 16. The electrical conductor 14 has a radially outer end 14a, a radially inner end 14b configured to receive the shaft 2, and at least one retainer 18 engaging with the at least one mounting tab 16 to releasably couple the conductor 14 to the insulator 12.
[0020] More specifically, conductor 14 has at least one through hole 20 positioned radially inside at least one retainer 18, and at least one mounting tab 16 of insulator 12 extends through the hole 20 of conductor. At least one retainer 18 preferably includes a radial fork 22 (described in detail below), having: a radially outer end portion 22a connected to the remainder of conductor 14; and a free radially inner end portion 22b lockedly engaged with mounting tab 16. Furthermore, the radially outer end portion 14a and / or the portion of conductor 14 located between the outer end portion 14a and the inner end portion 14b can be electrically engaged with seat 3, and the radially inner end portion 14b of conductor can be electrically engaged with shaft 2 to provide a conductive path between shaft 2 and seat 3. As used herein, the term "conductively engaged" means by direct contact (e.g., the outer end portion 14a of conductor and the inner surface 3a of seat) or by contact with one or more intermediate parts or components 8 ( Figure 11Contact is used to establish a conductive path so that current can flow between the joined components (specifically conductor 14 and seat 3).
[0021] Preferably, the insulator 12 has a centerline 13 and includes an annular body 24 with a radial flange 26, which may be arranged to abut a first axial end 5a of the outer ring 5 of the bearing. At least one mounting tab 16 has: an axially inner end 16a integrally formed with the flange 26; and a free axially outer end 16b spaced outward from the inner end 16a along the centerline 13. The conductor 14 has a centerline 15 and preferably includes a conductive disk 40 and a conductive brush assembly 42 (described in detail below) coupled to the disk 40, the disk 40 providing at least one through-hole 20 and at least one retainer 18 / fork 22. Preferably, the fork 22 of at least one retainer 18 is provided by an integral portion of the disk 40, which is preferably formed by cutting the disk 40 and shaping the disk 40 (discussed below) such that each fork 22 is elastically bendable relative to the remainder of the conductive disk 40. When conductor 14 is connected to insulator 12, at least one mounting tab 16 extends through the hole 20 of at least one conductor. Thus, conductive disk 40 is axially positioned between the inner end 16a and the outer end 16b of the tab, and the inner end 22b of the retainer's fork 22 is preferably aligned with the axial outer end 16c of the tab 16. Figure 4 Locking engagement (as described below).
[0022] Furthermore, the insulator 12 preferably has a centerline 13 and a plurality of mounting tabs 16 (most preferably three tabs 16) extending axially along the centerline 13 and spaced circumferentially around the centerline 13. Similarly, the conductor 14 preferably has a centerline 15 and a plurality of retainers 18 (most preferably three retainers 18) spaced circumferentially around the centerline 15 and extending generally toward the centerline 15. Each of the retainers 18 engages with a single mounting tab of the plurality of mounting tabs 16 of the insulator to releasably connect the conductor 14 to the insulator 12.
[0023] Furthermore, the conductive disk 40 has: a radially outer end portion 40a providing an outer end portion 14a of the conductor; a radially inner end portion 40b defining a central opening 44 for receiving a portion of the shaft 2; and a first axial end portion 40c and a second axial end portion 40d. The retainer's fork 22 and through-hole 20 are located radially between the outer end portion 40a and the inner end portion 40b of the disk, and the through-hole 20 extends between the first axial end portion 40c and the second axial end portion 40d. The conductive brush assembly 42 has a plurality of conductive fibers 46 circumferentially spaced around the conductor's centerline 15 and extending radially inward from the inner end portion 40b of the conductive disk 40. Each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon and has an inner end portion 46a that can contact the outer surface 2a of the shaft, such that the fiber inner ends 46a together provide the radially inner end portion 14b of the conductor. Because the disk 40 is configured to provide a conductive path between the brush assembly 42 and the seat 3, any current or charge on the shaft 2 is directed to flow through the assembly 10 instead of through the bearing 1. Therefore, the combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 is used to protect the bearing 1 by preventing direct current from flowing through it (i.e., due to the insulator 12) and by providing an alternative path for current near the bearing 1 via the conductor 14. The main structure and function have been described above; these and other components of the assembly 10 are discussed in detail below.
[0024] Now refer to Figures 3 to 5 As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the annular body 24 of the insulator 12 preferably comprises: an inner annular body 30, arranged directly around the outer ring 5 of the bearing, and provided with a radial flange 26 as discussed above; and an outer annular body 32, arranged around the inner annular body 30. Each body 30, 32 is preferably formed of a relatively thin metallic material. Specifically, the inner annular body 30 has a tubular portion 34 arranged around the circumferential outer surface 5c of the outer ring 5 of the bearing, and the flange 26 extends radially inward from the tubular portion 34. The tubular portion 34 has opposing first axial ends 34a and second axial ends 34b, as well as a circumferential inner surface 35A and a circumferential outer surface 35B. The circumferential inner surface 35A can frictionally engage with the outer surface 5c of the outer ring 5 to retain the insulator 12 arranged around the bearing 1. The flange 26 is disposed abutting against the first axial end 5a of the outer ring 5 of the bearing, and has a radially outer end 26a and a radially inner end 26b, the radially outer end 26a being integrally formed with the first end 34a of the tubular portion 34. One or more mounting tabs 16 are integrally formed with the inner end 26b of the flange and extend axially away from the rest of the insulator 12 (and thus away from the bearing 1 during installation). Furthermore, each mounting tab 16 is preferably generally rectangular, having a radially outer surface 17A and a radially inner surface 17B, and an opening 19 extending radially between the outer surface 17A and the inner surface 17B.
[0025] Furthermore, the annular outer body 32 includes: a tubular portion 36 arranged around the tubular portion 34 of the annular inner body 30; and a radial flange 38 extending inwardly from the tubular portion 36. The tubular portion 36 has opposing first axial end portions 36a and second axial end portions 36b, as well as a circumferential inner surface 37A and a circumferential outer surface 37B. The circumferential inner surface 37A may frictionally engage with the circumferential outer surface 35B of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body to connect the outer body 32 to the inner body 30. Preferably, the circumferential outer surface 37B of the outer body 32 may frictionally engage with the inner surface 3a of the seat to axially retain the bearing 1 and the assembly 10, but the outer surface 37B may be arranged only against / within the inner surface 3a of the seat without frictional engagement. Furthermore, the radial flange 38 is arranged abutting against the second axial end 5b of the bearing and has a radially outer end 38a and a radially inner end 38b, the radially outer end 38a being integrally formed with the second axial end 36b of the tubular portion. Therefore, the mounted insulator 12 "encapsulates" (encloses / covers) the axial ends 5a, 5b and outer surface 5c of the outer ring 5 of the bearing, thereby electrically isolating (insulating) the bearing 1 from the housing 3.
[0026] Preferably, each of the inner body portion 30 and the outer body portion 32 is preferably formed of aluminum, and one or more of the inner circumferential surface 35A of the inner body, the outer circumferential surface 35B of the inner body, the inner circumferential surface 37A of the outer body, and / or the outer circumferential surface 37B of the outer body are provided with an insulating layer (not depicted). Most preferably, each of the one or more insulating layers is anodized aluminum (i.e., formed by anodizing the metal of the body portion 30 and / or 32). However, one or both of the inner body portion 30 and the outer body portion 32 may be formed of an electrically insulating material (such as polymer materials, ceramics, etc.).
[0027] Referring to Figure 9, in the above-described configuration, the preferred two-piece insulator 12 is mounted around the outer ring 5 of the bearing in the following manner. First, the annular inner body 30 is mounted around the outer ring 5 of the bearing in the following manner: the first axial end 5a of the bearing is inserted into the second axial end 34b of the tubular portion 34 of the body (e.g., ...). Figure 9A (As shown), then slide the inner surface 35A of the body around the outer surface 5c of the ring until the flange 26 abuts against the first axial end 5a of the ring. Then, by inserting the second axial end 5b of the bearing into the first axial end 36a of the tubular portion 36 of the body (therefore, on the second axial end 34b of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body (as shown) Figure 9BAs shown, the annular outer body 32 is mounted on the inner body 30. The inner surface 37A of the tubular portion 36 of the outer body slides on the outer surface 35B of the tubular portion 34 of the inner body until the flange 38 abuts against the second axial end 5b of the outer ring, and the outer body 32 is held around the inner body 30 by friction (as discussed above).
[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , Figures 6 to 8 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The conductive disc 40 is generally circular and preferably formed of a conductive metallic material, most preferably aluminum, but can be formed of any other suitable material (e.g., low-carbon steel). One or more through-holes 20 and the forks 22 of the retainer are each preferably formed by cutting a generally C-shaped opening through the disc 40 to form a generally rectangular radial portion (not depicted) of the disc 40, and then bending a portion of each disc to extend axially outward from a first axial end 40c of the disc 40. Thus, due to the elasticity of the preferred metallic material, each fork 22 can be elastically bent about its outer end 22a to function generally as a spring. Preferably, the disc 40 also includes a plurality of mounting tabs 48 spaced circumferentially around the centerline 15 of the conductor, each mounting tab 48 engaging with a brush assembly 42 to connect the brush assembly 42 to the disc 40. Preferably, each mounting tab 48 is formed by cutting (e.g., die punching) through the disk 40 to form a rectangular tab 48 and a clearance hole 50. Each tab 48 is bent around the brush holder 52 of the brush assembly 42 (described below) such that each engaged mounting tab 48 is generally C-shaped, and the clearance hole 50 provides a passage for fluid (e.g., lubricant, air, etc.) to flow through the conductive disk 40, thereby through the bearing 1, or to flow from the bearing 1 through the conductive disk 40.
[0029] Now refer to Figure 4 as well as Figures 6 to 8The conductive brush assembly 42 preferably includes an annular retainer 52 connected to the conductive disk 40 (as described above) and having an open radially inner end 52a and a closed outer end 52b, the radially inner end 52a having an annular groove 54. Each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 has a radially outer end 46b disposed within the groove 54 and extends radially inward from the retainer 52 toward the axis 2. More specifically, the retainer 52 is preferably formed of a conductive metal material (e.g., aluminum) and has an outer axial base 56 and two opposing radial legs 58, such that the retainer 52 generally has a C-shaped axial cross section. The legs 58 of the retainer preferably clamp the outer ends 46b of the conductive fibers 46 to retain the fibers 46 within the groove 54. Furthermore, the brush assembly 42 preferably includes a circular hoop 60 disposed within the groove 54 of the retainer, and each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 bends around the hoop 60. Thus, each conductive fiber 46 is preferably generally U-shaped or V-shaped and has two inner ends 46a that can contact the outer surface 2a of the shaft. However, each of the conductive fibers 46 can be configured as a generally straight strand (not shown) extending from the radially outer end 46b to the radially inner end 46a.
[0030] Furthermore, the multiple conductive fibers 46 of the brush assembly 42 are configured as generally continuous fiber loops (not shown), or preferably as discrete groups 47 of multiple circumferentially spaced fibers 46. In the latter preferred embodiment, the groups 47 of fibers 46 are preferably formed by die-cutting the brush assembly 42 comprising continuous fiber loops 46, such that the groups 47 of fibers that can contact the shaft 2 are spaced apart by groups 49 of shorter length fibers 46. Furthermore, the dimensions of each conductive fiber 46 preferably have a diameter in the range of five micrometers (5 μm) to one hundred micrometers (100 μm). Although each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon as discussed above, alternatively, the fibers 46 can be made of any suitable conductive material (such as metallic materials, conductive polymers, etc.).
[0031] Although the conductor 14 preferably comprises a conductive disk 40 and a brush assembly 42 as described above and as depicted in the accompanying drawings, alternatively, the conductor 14 may be formed in any other suitable manner that allows it to be coupled to the insulator 12 and provides one or more conductive paths between the shaft 2 and the seat 3. For example, the conductor 14 may comprise a solid ring (not shown) of conductive material (instead of the brush assembly 42) attached to the conductive disk 40 and electrically engaged with the shaft 2, the ring having a continuous inner circumferential contact surface or multiple arcuate contact surface sections provided by radially inwardly extending protrusions. Alternatively, the conductive disk 40 may be formed with an inner end portion 40b that contacts the outer surface 2a of the shaft to provide a direct conductive path between the shaft 2 and the disk 40. The scope of the invention includes these configurations of the conductor 14 and all other suitable configurations capable of functioning generally as described herein.
[0032] Referring to Figure 10, the conductor 14 is connected to the insulator 12 as follows: the conductive disc 40 of the attached brush assembly 42 is axially displaced toward the insulator 12 (mounted on the bearing 1) until the free axial end 16b of each mounting tab 16 enters and then passes through a single one of the disc through-holes 20. As the disc 40 continues to displace toward the insulator 12 and the bearing 1, the free end 16b of each tab contacts the fork 22 of the adjacent retainer, causing the fork 22 to bend radially outward (e.g., ...). Figure 10B (As depicted). The inner end 22b of the fork slides over the outer surface 17A of the tab 16 until it reaches the opening 19 of the tab. The fork 22 then "backs" inward, and the end 22b of the fork enters the opening 19 of the mounting tab 16, locking the fork 22 within the tab 16. At this point, the conductive disc 40, and thus the entire conductor 14, is releasably connected to the insulator 12, and if it is desired to remove the conductor 14 from the insulator 12 later, the fork 22 must be bent radially outward to release (remove) the disc 40 from the mounting tab 16.
[0033] Compared to previously known devices, the insulator / conductor assembly 10 is more effective in protecting the bearing 1 from damage caused by current. The insulator 12 effectively prevents the formation (or generation / establishment) of a voltage difference between the shaft 2 and the seat 3 through the bearing 1, thereby preventing current flow through the inner ring 4 and outer ring 5, as well as the rolling element 6. To further ensure that current does not flow through the bearing 1, the conductive disc 40 and brush assembly 42 provide an alternative path for any charge or current on the shaft 2, allowing it to travel through the conductive fiber 46 to the retainer 52, through the retainer 52 and into the conductive disc 40, then through the outer end 40a of the disc and into the seat 3. Additional or alternative conductive paths into the seat 3 may be via a portion of the seat 3 (e.g., a radial shoulder) or a component 8 of the machine arranged within the seat 3. Figure 11 The axial contact between the insulator 12 and the surface of the conductive disk and / or the surface of the annular retainer 52 of the brush is provided. Therefore, any charge or current on the shaft 2 located in the region of the bearing 1 is not only prevented from passing through the bearing 1 by the insulator 12, but is also shunted to flow through the brush assembly 42 and the conductive disk 40 of the conductor 14. Furthermore, the assembly 10 can be installed on the bearing 1 by the manufacturer or distributor, such that the bearing 1 having the assembly 10, which combines the insulator and the conductor, can be provided to the customer or end user as a complete assembly ready to be installed on the shaft 2 and within the housing 3.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from their broad inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover variations within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An assembly combining an insulator and an electrical conductor for use in a bearing capable of being arranged between a shaft and a housing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring having opposing first and second axial ends, and a plurality of rolling elements located between the inner and outer rings, the shaft having a circumferential outer surface, and the housing having a circumferential inner surface, the assembly comprising: An insulator, which is annular and can be arranged around the outer ring of the bearing, is configured to prevent current from flowing between the outer ring and the seat, and includes at least one mounting tab extending in the axial direction. as well as An electrical conductor has a radially outer end, a radially inner end, and at least one retainer, the at least one retainer being capable of engaging with the at least one mounting tab to releasably connect the electrical conductor to the insulator, at least one of the radially outer end and a portion of the electrical conductor located between the radially outer end and the radially inner end being capable of electrically engaging with the seat, and the radially inner end of the electrical conductor being capable of electrically engaging with the shaft, thereby providing a conductive path between the shaft and the seat.
2. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical conductor has at least one through hole located radially inside the at least one retainer, at least one mounting tab of the insulator extends through the through hole of the electrical conductor, and the at least one retainer includes a radial fork having a radially outer end connected to the remainder of the electrical conductor and a free radially inner end engaging the mounting tab.
3. The component according to claim 2, characterized in that: The insulator has an annular body with a radial flange arranged abutting against a first axial end of the outer ring of the bearing, and the at least one mounting tab has an axially inner end and a free axially outer end, the axially inner end being integrally formed with the flange; and The electrical conductor includes a conductive disk that provides the at least one through-hole, the at least one mounting tab extending through the at least one through-hole such that the conductive disk is axially located between an inner end and an outer end of the tab, and the fork of the at least one retainer is provided by an integral portion of the disk.
4. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulator has a center line and a plurality of mounting tabs spaced circumferentially around the center line; and The electrical conductor has a center line and a plurality of retainers spaced circumferentially around the center line of the electrical conductor, each retainer engaging with a single mounting tab of the electrical conductor.
5. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulator includes: An annular inner body has: a tubular portion arranged around the circumferential outer surface of the outer ring of the bearing; and a flange extending radially inward from the tubular portion and arranged to abut against a first axial end of the outer ring of the bearing, wherein at least one mounting tab extends axially outward from the flange of the annular inner body; and The annular outer body has: a tubular portion arranged around the tubular portion of the annular inner body; and a flange arranged radially inward from the tubular portion of the annular outer body and capable of abutting against the second axial end of the outer ring of the bearing.
6. The component according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tubular portion of the inner annular body has opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces, and the tubular portion of the outer annular body has opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces. as well as Wherein, at least one of the inner annular body and the outer annular body is formed of an electrically insulating material, or at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the inner annular body, the outer circumferential surface of the inner annular body, the inner circumferential surface of the outer annular body, and the outer circumferential surface of the outer annular body is provided with an insulating layer.
7. The component according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the annular outer body is frictionally engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the annular inner body to retain the insulator arranged around the bearing. as well as The outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the annular outer body can frictionally engage with the inner surface of the seat to hold the bearing axially within the seat.
8. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical conductor includes: A conductive disk having an outer end and an inner end, the outer end of the conductive disk providing the outer end of the electrical conductor, and the inner end of the conductive disk defining a central opening for receiving a portion of the shaft; each retainer includes a single fork of a plurality of deflectable forks, each retainer fork having a radially outer end integrally formed with the remainder of the disk and a free inner end capable of engaging with a single mounting tab of the insulator; and An annular conductive brush assembly, connected to the conductive disk, includes a center line and a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the center line and extending radially inward from the inner end of the conductive disk. Each conductive fiber has an inner end capable of contacting the outer surface of the shaft, thereby providing a radially inner end of the electrical conductor.
9. The component according to claim 8, characterized in that, The annular conductive brush assembly includes an annular retainer connected to the conductive disk and having a radially inner end with an annular groove. Each of the plurality of conductive fibers has a radially outer end disposed within the annular groove and extends radially inward from the retainer toward the axis.
10. The component according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least one of the following: The conductive disk includes a plurality of mounting tabs spaced circumferentially around the center line, each mounting tab engaging with the annular conductive brush assembly to connect the annular conductive brush assembly to the conductive disk; The annular conductive brush assembly further includes a circular hoop disposed within the retainer, and each of the plurality of conductive fibers is bent around the hoop such that each conductive fiber has two ends capable of contacting the outer surface of the shaft; and The annular conductive brush assembly has multiple conductive fibers arranged in multiple discrete fiber groups spaced apart in the circumferential direction.