Carrying case with integrated induction heater for ring bearing assembly

Abstract

This carrying case (2) with integrated induction heater for ring bearing assemblies comprises: a heater body (4) comprising an induction heater, a top surface (6) for placing a ring bearing assembly and an inductor (12) comprising two bars (14) projecting outwardly relative to the top surface (6); a top case (18) comprising a closing lid (22) and a bottom tray (20) removably attached to the heater body (4) and designated to cover the top surface (6) of the heater body (4) in the attached position, the bottom tray (20) being provided with at least one cavity grid; and a yoke (16) intended to be stored into the cavity grid (24) and to be placed on the two bars (14) in use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the heating of a ring bearing assembly (or bearing component). The ring bearing assembly relates to a bearing provided with rolling elements (typically balls or rollers) disposed between an inner and outer ring of the bearing. The ring bearing assembly can also relate to a sliding bearing without rolling elements. The ring bearing assembly can also relate to a single ring (e.g., an inner or outer ring of the bearing).

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to heating annular bearing assemblies using induction heaters. Background Technology

[0003] The thermal expansion caused by induction heating in this ring bearing assembly is used, for example, to facilitate the mounting of the bearing on the shaft and / or to obtain an interference fit on the shaft when the bearing cools.

[0004] The bearing induction heater heats the ring bearing assembly until the desired measured temperature of the ring bearing assembly is reached or until a predetermined heating time is reached.

[0005] The desired heating time or temperature for a specific ring bearing assembly is typically determined empirically and presented to the induction heater user in the form of a reference table. The heating temperature or target temperature is precisely determined based on the expansion rate of the bearing steel and the required expansion to overcome the interference fit between the bearing and its shaft; therefore, for standard assemblies (or fits), the heating temperature or target temperature exceeds 90°C. While the heating time is indeed determined empirically, reference tables are rarely available because too many parameters strongly influence the heating time.

[0006] In one embodiment, the induction heater is a device that works with a loop in ferrite or electrical steel to surround and heat the annular bearing assembly.

[0007] At the same time, the operator can use a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ring bearing assembly.

[0008] However, the operator's heat-resistant gloves, the circuit's yoke, and the temperature probe must be carried separately from the induction heater, for example, stored in a bag. To use the induction heater, the operator must open his bag, remove the temperature probe, yoke, and gloves, and place the probe and yoke one by one in the environment of the induction heater.

[0009] Therefore, the process is lengthy and makes induction heaters difficult to carry and use. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a means for quickly and easily storing and using induction heaters and their peripheral devices (such as yokes, temperature probes, and gloves).

[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a carrying box having an integrated induction heater for a ring bearing assembly, the carrying box comprising: a heater body including an induction heater, a top surface for holding the ring bearing assembly, and an inductor including two rods projecting outward relative to the top surface; a top box including a bottom tray and a closure removably attached to the bottom tray, the bottom tray being removably attached to the heater body and designated to cover the top surface of the heater body at the attachment position, the bottom tray being provided with at least one pocket, the pocket being closed by the closure; and a yoke intended to be stored in the pocket and placed on the two rods in use.

[0012] Advantageously, the bottom tray includes two through openings for the rod to pass through when the bottom tray is attached to the heater body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the carrying case includes an additional yoke for placement on the two rods during use, and the bottom tray includes an additional cavity for storing the additional yoke.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the bottom tray includes a glove pocket for storing gloves and a temperature probe pocket for storing temperature probes.

[0015] Advantageously, the carrying case includes two clamps for attaching the bottom tray to the heater body, the two clamps being located on opposite sides of the carrying case.

[0016] In one embodiment, the heater body includes a strap that is fixed to opposite sides of the carrying case.

[0017] Advantageously, the materials of the top box include foam and plastic.

[0018] In one embodiment, the closing lid is made of foam, preferably of expanded polypropylene, and the bottom tray is made of plastic.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the heater body also includes a user interface area.

[0020] Advantageously, the user interface area includes a display and / or buttons to control the duration and / or temperature of heating the ring bearing assembly (or bearing component). Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of embodiments of the invention as non-limiting examples, in the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view (or front view) of one embodiment of a carrying case in the attachment position according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The schematic exploded front view of the carrying case shown in the figure; and

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The image shows a top view of the bottom tray of the carrying case. Detailed Implementation

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a carry box 2 with an integrated induction heater for a ring bearing assembly includes a heater body 4. The heater body 4 includes: an induction heater (not shown); a top surface 6 for holding the ring bearing assembly; and a base 8 for holding the carry box 2 in a standard position when the base 8 is placed on a flat surface (e.g., a workbench or floor). The heater body 4 also includes a housing 10 to support the structural assembly and receive impacts from the bottom; the housing 10 is preferably a metal housing.

[0026] In this standard position, the top surface 6, which is parallel to the base 8, is located on top of the heater body 4.

[0027] The heater body 4 also includes an inductor 12 to generate heat in the annular bearing assembly using an induction heater when the annular bearing assembly is placed around a portion of the inductor 12. The inductor 12 includes two rods 14 projecting outward from the top surface 6. The two rods 14 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the top surface 6. The inductor 12 can be made of electrical steel.

[0028] The carrying case 2 also includes a yoke 16, which is positioned on the two rods 14. Specifically, the yoke 16 can be removed from the two rods 14 for storage. However, when the yoke 16 is positioned on the two rods 14 such that the inductor 12 and the yoke 16 form a loop (e.g., a loop in electrical steel), the inductor 12 only generates heating induction. The inductor 12 and the yoke 16 can be implemented using ferrite or electrical steel.

[0029] The induction heater includes a current generator (not shown) to generate current flowing through the loop formed by the yoke 16 and the inductor 12.

[0030] The carrying case 2 also includes a top case 18, which includes a bottom tray 20 and a closing cover 22, the closing cover 22 being removably secured to the bottom tray, for example by a clip.

[0031] Figure 3 The image shows a top view of the bottom tray 20.

[0032] Specifically, the top box 18 is a storage box, wherein the bottom tray 20 includes a cavity 24 for storing the yoke 16 when it is not in use. A closing lid 22 allows the operator to close the top box 18 to protect the yoke 16 stored inside. When the top box 18 is closed, the closing lid 22 contacts only the perimeter 26 of the bottom tray 20. When the closing lid 22 is secured to the bottom tray 20, the cavity 24 is closed.

[0033] The top box 18 is made of foam and plastic. Specifically, the bottom tray 20 comprises a rigid material (e.g., plastic) to hold the yoke 16 within the bottom tray 20 without deforming it. The closing lid 22 comprises foam, preferably sturdy foam. This foam is therefore rigid and allows for gentle handling by the operator. The foam may be expanded polypropylene, which has good impact resistance, for example, good resistance to impacts from the sharp corners of the yoke 16. Both the closing lid 22 and the bottom tray 20 may be molded.

[0034] The bottom tray 20 can be removably attached to the heater body 4 and is designated to cover the top surface 6 of the heater body 4 at the attachment location.

[0035] The bottom tray 20 includes two through openings 28 to allow two rods 14 to pass through the bottom tray 20 when the bottom tray 20 is attached to the heater body 4.

[0036] To attach the bottom tray 20 to the heater body 4, the carrying case 2 includes at least two clamping parts 30, which can be easily removed by the operator to open or close the carrying case 2. In one particular embodiment, the two clamping parts are located on opposite sides 32 and 34 of the carrying case 2.

[0037] The heater body 4 also includes a strap 36, which is also secured to opposite sides 32 and 34 of the carrying case 2, preferably below the clamping part 30 in a standard position. As a variation, the strap 36 can also be secured to the top case 18. The strap 36 allows the operator to easily carry and transport the carrying case 2 while holding the strap 36 around his shoulder.

[0038] The heater body 4 also includes a user interface area 38 and a main cable (not shown) for replenishing the induction heater.

[0039] For example, user interface area 38 includes a display and / or buttons for controlling the duration and / or temperature of heating the ring bearing assembly. User interface area 38 may include the possibility of setting the following (operation): heating automatically stops when the heating temperature and / or duration has reached a predetermined value.

[0040] In addition to the user interface area 38, the heater body also includes a power button, which is located, for example, on the rear (or back) side of the heater body. This allows the operator to turn the induction heater on or off without disconnecting the main cable.

[0041] For example, the user interface area 38 is located on the side of the heater body 4. In other words, in the standard position when the carrying case 2 is placed on the workbench, the user interface area 38 is located on the side of the carrying case 2.

[0042] In one embodiment, the carrying case 2 also includes an additional yoke 40, which is designed to be positioned on the two rods 14 during use. The additional yoke 40 may have different dimensions than the initial yoke 16 to generate different power for heating induction. Therefore, the bottom tray 20 includes an additional compartment 42 to store the additional compartment 40.

[0043] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the bottom tray 20 shown, several other compartments are integrated to facilitate the carrying and storage of other accessories of the carrying case 2.

[0044] For example, the heater body 4 can display the temperature of the ring bearing assembly being heated. Therefore, the heater body 4 includes a temperature probe connector 44 to connect an accessory temperature probe to the heater body 4.

[0045] The bottom tray 20 also includes a temperature probe compartment 46, in which the temperature probe can be stored when not in use.

[0046] In addition, the bottom tray 20 includes a glove compartment 48, in which heat-resistant gloves can be stored when the operator is not using them. The glove compartment 48 can be positioned between the yoke compartment 24 and the additional yoke compartment 42.

[0047] Temperature probe compartment 46 and glove compartment 48 can also be used to store other accessories. Additionally, the bottom tray 20 may include additional geometry 50 to store other accessories and peripherals in additional compartment 52. Additional geometry 50 can be made of plastic and foam. Another accessory could be a carrying case containing an instruction manual, which can be stored in additional compartment 52, temperature probe compartment 46, or glove compartment 48.

[0048] The compartments of the bottom tray 20 make the carrying case 2 simple and easy to use, eliminating the need to retrieve accessories from another bag. This allows the operator to spend less time searching for and attaching accessories. While using the carrying case 2, the operator simply needs to remove the top case 18 from the heater body 4 and place it next to the heater body 4. The operator then opens the top case 18 by removing the closing cover 22 and selects the accessories (e.g., yoke 16, gloves, and temperature probe). He places the ring bearing assembly around one of the rods 14 or around the yoke 16, and then places the yoke 16 on both rods 14. The operator can then begin heating using the user interface area 38.

[0049] The bottom tray 20 makes it easier for the operator to access all accessories stored in one place, especially gloves, temperature probes, and yokes 16 or 40. Furthermore, fewer loose parts are present during heating of the ring bearing assembly.

Claims

1. A carrying case (2) having an integrated induction heater for a ring bearing assembly, comprising: The heater body (4) includes an induction heater, a top surface (6) for placing an annular bearing assembly, and an inductor (12) including two rods (14) protruding outward relative to the top surface (6). A top box (18) includes a bottom tray (20) and a closing cover (22), the closing cover (22) being removably fixed to the bottom tray, the bottom tray (20) being removably attached to the heater body (4) and designated to cover the top surface (6) of the heater body (4) at the attachment position, the bottom tray (20) being provided with at least one cavity (24) which is closed by the closing cover (22); and The yoke (16) is intended to be stored in the cavity (24) and placed on the two rods (14) when in use.

2. The carrying case according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom tray (20) includes two through openings (28) for allowing the rod (14) to pass through the bottom tray (20) when the bottom tray (20) is attached to the heater body (4).

3. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The carrying case includes an additional yoke (40) for placement on the two rods (14) during use, and the bottom tray (20) includes an additional cavity (42) for storing the additional yoke (40).

4. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottom tray (20) includes a glove compartment (48) for storing gloves and a temperature probe compartment (46) for storing temperature probes.

5. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The carrying case includes two clamping parts (30) for attaching the bottom tray (20) to the heater body (4), the two clamping parts (30) being located on opposite sides (32, 34) of the carrying case (2).

6. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The heater body (4) includes a belt (36) which is fixed to opposite sides (32, 34) of the carrying case (2).

7. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The materials of the top box (18) include foam and plastic.

8. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The closure (22) is made of foam, and the bottom tray (20) is made of plastic.

9. The carrying case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The heater body (4) also includes a user interface area (38).

10. The carrying case according to claim 9, characterized in that, The user interface area (38) includes a display and / or buttons for controlling the duration and / or temperature of heating the ring bearing assembly.

11. The carrying case according to claim 8, characterized in that, The closure (22) is made of foamed polypropylene.

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