Axial foil bearing-orientation and connection of individual parts thereof

Abstract

According to the invention, an axial foil bearing (1) is designed, in which a plurality of foils (2, 3) are oriented and oriented by means of bendable webs (7) and can finally be held together also by said webs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Foil bearings are provided for the aerodynamic support of shafts, wherein a load-bearing gas cushion is formed between the shaft and the foil bearing. The mode of operation is similar to that of a hydrodynamic plain bearing, but the difference is that the shaft is supported by the foil bearing via an air cushion instead of a liquid cushion as in a hydrodynamic plain bearing. Both modes of operation have in common that the rotational movement of the shaft causes the formation of the load-bearing cushion.

[0002] Foil bearings differ from conventional aerodynamic bearings in the flexible, elastic arrangement between the rotating shaft and the stationary housing component. Due to this feature, foil bearings, although less rigid than conventional air bearings, can nevertheless adapt to geometric air gap changes caused by, for example, misalignment of the bearing seat or different thermal expansions of the shaft and housing, thereby achieving in practice a higher operational reliability in many applications. Background Art

[0003] Various structural forms of foil bearings are known in the prior art. In addition to radial foil bearings for radial load-bearing capacity, there are also axial foil bearings that can form axial load-bearing capacity.

[0004] Thus, a distinction can be made between radial foil bearings, which surround the shaft to be supported at its outer circumferential surface, and axial foil bearings, which bring the shaft axially against a constructed air cushion stop during operation. Both foil bearing types avoid mechanical contact between shaft and foil bearing during operation due to the air cushion.

[0005] In order to form a load-bearing air cushion, foil bearings usually have a cover foil in contact with the stationary shaft and a corrugated foil arranged radially between the cover foil and the base plate (in an axial foil bearing) or the outer ring (in a radial foil bearing) of the bearing, which can be elastically compressed in the axial direction (in an axial foil bearing) or in the radial direction (in a radial foil bearing). In principle, the foil bearing thus has two foils in contact with each other and an outer ring / base plate that carries the foil, whereby the foil bearing can be accommodated in or by a housing. The base plate or the outer ring can also be formed in one piece by a housing, to which the foil of the axial foil bearing is applied or into which the foil of the radial foil bearing is inserted.

[0006] The above-mentioned flexible and elastic structure between the rotating shaft and the fixed housing component is thus formed by a foil package consisting of a cover foil and a corrugated foil, wherein the corrugated foil has elasticity for compression and the cover foil is arranged between the corrugated foil and the shaft.

[0007] If the shaft is set into rotational motion relative to the foil bearing, the air present in the air gap defined by the stationary state is displaced. Starting from a certain rotational speed of the shaft, an air cushion is formed between the cover foil and the shaft, on which the shaft can slide. The foil package consisting of the cover foil and the corrugated foil with its corrugated foil and its radial spring action ensures that fluctuations in the air pressure or vibrations of the shaft in the radial or axial direction do not damage the bearing, thereby keeping the air cushion load-bearing.

[0008] The arrangement of the foils of the bearing and their geometrical design are varied and adapted to the respective application. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object is to further improve known foil bearings, in particular axial foil bearings.

[0010] This object is achieved by the inventive features of the independent claim. Advantageous developments of the solution according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] Therefore, the axial foil bearing according to the present invention achieves the proposed purpose in the following manner: the axial foil bearing has at least one cover foil, at least one corrugated foil and a base plate, wherein the cover foil, the corrugated foil and the base plate are arranged in a layered stacked structure to form the axial foil bearing, and the cover foil, the corrugated foil and the base plate respectively have a disk-shaped basic shape: the base plate is composed of a metal foil or a plate and has a first web protruding at an angle relative to the disk-shaped basic shape of the base plate, the first web not only engages in a complementary receptacle of the cover foil but also engages in a complementary receptacle of the corrugated foil, so that for the layered structure of the axial foil bearing, the cover foil, the corrugated foil and the base plate are oriented relative to each other in the radial direction of the axial foil bearing, thereby covering the corrugated foil with the cover foil in the stacking direction for reliable operation of the axial foil bearing.

[0012] In the sense of the present invention, the term "disk-shaped" is to be understood as a shape illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the disk shape is always flat in the overall appearance of a single component or assembly. The configuration of the outer surrounding of the disk shape can then be similar to a ring segment or a torus. It is also possible to combine multiple disk-shaped ring segments into a pattern, which ultimately forms a torus. The foil or substrate configured as a disk-shaped torus has a central recessed portion that is clearly consistent with the appearance of the known axial foil bearings. Therefore, it is also clear that the ring segment and the ring define a central recessed portion with a central axis, around which the ring is centered or the ring segment (can) be arranged centered around the central axis.

[0013] Furthermore, a stacked configuration can be recognized in that disk shapes can be superimposed and thus stacked in order to form an axial foil bearing.

[0014] The base plate thus has a disk shape formed from a semi-finished product or sheet of metal foil and has a tab protruding at an angle relative to the disk-shaped basic shape of the base plate. Here, angled is understood to mean that, although the tab is advantageously formed integrally with the base plate, it protrudes at an angle from a plane defining the disk shape in flatness. Tabs protruding at an angle relative to an external defined geometry in a plane defining the disk shape in flatness are not important for the present invention, since tabs protruding only from the defined plane are used to engage in a receptacle complementary to the tabs, so that under interaction, the cover foil, the corrugated foil and the base plate are oriented relative to each other in the radial direction of the axial foil bearing. In this regard, angled designs of tabs are also included, which do not protrude in a straight line, but can also be arc-shaped tabs.

[0015] One embodiment of the invention provides that the complementary receptacle engages with the first web in such a way that a twisting of the cover foil relative to the corrugated foil in both circumferential directions is excluded. It can be seen that the twisting is about the central axis of the central circular recess of the two foils. Advantageously, in addition to the orientation of the stack in the radial direction according to the invention, the orientation in both circumferential directions is thus also ensured and a twisting of the foils relative to one another is prevented.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a second web is provided on the axial foil bearing, which web locks the degree of freedom around the first web. The second web completes the locking of the degree of freedom. This provides for the overall orientation and fixation of the stack for transport of the axial foil bearing and during operation of the axial foil bearing.

[0017] The second web can be located at one of the components of the axial foil bearing. For this purpose, a base plate, a corrugated foil or a cover foil are suitable. If the first web and the second web are located at different components, then the component can have both the first web and a complementary receptacle for the second web of the other component.

[0018] For example, the base plate can have a first web, and the corrugated foil and the cover foil can have complementary receptacles for the first web. Furthermore, either the corrugated foil or the cover foil can then have a second web, wherein the corresponding complementary receptacle for the second web can be formed by the base plate and / or the other foil, respectively. It has proven advantageous that the base plate should have both a first web and a second web.

[0019] In a further development of the advantageous design, the second tab is also formed by the base plate and protrudes from the base plate at an angle, so that the second tab engages not only in the other complementary receptacle of the cover foil but also in the other complementary receptacle of the corrugated foil. Thus, the base plate, which is more stable with respect to the corrugated foil and the cover foil, has a first tab and a second tab, which preferably protrude from the base plate at an angle in the same orientation, so that the complementary receptacles of the corrugated foil and the cover foil can engage with the corresponding tab. This makes assembly for producing a stacked structure easier, because the corrugated foil and the cover foil can be placed (stacked) on the base plate from a common assembly direction and the tabs fix the degree of freedom. It is also possible to provide the cover foil first during assembly, place the corrugated foil on the cover foil and finally place the base plate on the group or to stack the corrugated foil starting with the base plate and finally the cover foil.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second web is designed to prevent the individual foils of the axial foil bearing from twisting, thereby preventing a possible unintentional twisting possibility around the first web and in another way reliably assembling the plugged-together axial foil bearing so that the cover foil and the corrugated foil remain overlapping.

[0021] Preferably, the first tab connects the foils one above the other and securely connects them on the base plate to form a ready-to-use axial foil bearing. First, the foils are placed on the base plate by their weight and oriented relative to one another by the tabs and the complementary receptacles. To further improve handling, at least the first tab is bent from the angled protruding configuration in such a way that the stacked configuration is also secured in the axial direction (along the central axis). This allows the axial foil bearing to be turned over without falling apart, whereby the axial foil bearing can be further processed on the assembly line.

[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, the base plate has at least one first recess at its peripheral edge for engaging a first fastening element in order to fasten the axial foil bearing to the unit by means of the first fastening element. The first recess is designed as a radial fastening tab extending in the radial direction on a significant peripheral edge of the base plate, which provides a first recess for engaging the first fastening element. The fastening tab is different from the first tab or the second tab. The fastening tab is preferably formed in one piece with the base plate. The fastening tab allows the first fastening element to engage in the fastening tab and thus also in the first recess in order to fix the axial foil bearing to the unit at at least one location.

[0023] Therefore, the base plate can have further cutouts at its peripheral edge for engaging further fastening elements, wherein the gap between the further fastening elements in the respective further cutouts is greater than the gap between the first fastening elements in the first cutout. The further cutouts are each formed by their own further fastening tabs in a manner similar to the aforementioned fastening tabs. However, the plurality of fastening tabs, their cutouts and the engageable fastening elements are designed so that one pair consisting of the fastening tabs and their fastening elements only ensures axial fastening, and another pair consisting of the fastening tabs and their fastening elements is provided with a narrower gap on the circumferential side than the other pairs in order to ensure circumferential positioning.

[0024] Alternatively, the play between the further fastening elements in the respective further recess is largely, in special cases exactly, as large as the play of the first fastening element in the first recess.

[0025] Advantageously, three pairs of fastening tabs and fastening elements are provided, by means of which the axial foil bearing can be fastened in a well-centered manner relative to the unit.

[0026] A second solution according to the present invention for an axial foil bearing is proposed, wherein the axial foil bearing has at least one cover foil and at least one corrugated foil, wherein the cover foil and the corrugated foil are arranged in a layered stacked structure for forming the axial foil bearing, and the cover foil and the corrugated foil respectively have a disk-shaped basic shape, the corrugated foil is composed of a metal foil or a plate and has a first web protruding at an angle relative to the disk-shaped basic shape of the corrugated foil, the first web being engaged in a complementary receptacle of the cover foil so that for the layered structure of the axial foil bearing, the cover foil and the corrugated foil are oriented relative to each other in the radial direction of the axial foil bearing, thereby covering the corrugated foil in the stacking direction for reliable operation of the axial foil bearing.

[0027] Alternatively, in the second solution according to the invention for an axial foil bearing, the first web can be formed by a cover foil instead of a corrugated foil.

[0028] In contrast to the previously described solution variants, the webs are now formed directly on the corrugated foil, as a result of which a base plate can now advantageously be omitted.

[0029] This provides a configuration of the second solution according to the invention which brings the complementary receptacles into engagement with the first webs in such a way that a twisting of the cover foil relative to the corrugated foil in both circumferential directions is excluded.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a second web is provided on the axial foil bearing, which locks the degree of freedom around the first web. This allows the entire stack, which now only consists of the cover foil and the corrugated foil, to be fixed for transport of the axial foil bearing and during operation of the axial foil bearing. The second web completes the locking of the degree of freedom. This allows the entire stack to be oriented and fixed for transport of the axial foil bearing and during operation of the axial foil bearing.

[0031] The second web can be located on one of the components of the axial foil bearing. For this purpose, only corrugated foils or cover foils are considered in the second solution variant according to the invention. If the first web and the second web are located on different components, then the component can have both the first web and a complementary receptacle for the second web of the other component.

[0032] For example, the corrugated foil can have a first tab and the cover foil can have a complementary receptacle for the first tab. Furthermore, the cover foil can have a second tab, wherein the corresponding complementary receptacle for the second tab can be formed by the corrugated foil. It has proven advantageous that the corrugated foil should have both a first tab and a second tab.

[0033] In a further development of the advantageous embodiment, the second tab is also formed by a corrugated foil and protrudes from the corrugated foil at an angle so that the second tab engages in a further complementary receptacle of the cover foil. The corrugated foil thus has a first tab and a second tab, which preferably protrude from the corrugated foil at an angle in the same orientation so that the complementary receptacle of the cover foil can engage with the corresponding tab. This not only makes assembly easier for the production of a stacked construction, since the corrugated foil and the cover foil can be placed (stacked) from a common assembly direction and the tabs are fixed with a degree of freedom. During assembly, the following possibilities are also permitted: firstly, the cover foil is provided, the corrugated foil is placed on the cover foil, and starting with the corrugated foil, the cover foil is stacked on the corrugated foil.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second web is designed to prevent the individual foils of the axial foil bearing from twisting, thereby preventing a possible unintentional twisting possibility around the first web and in another way reliably assembling the plugged-together axial foil bearing so that the cover foil and the corrugated foil remain overlapping.

[0035] Preferably, the first tabs connect the foils fixedly one above the other to form a ready-to-use axial foil bearing. First, the foils are stacked on top of one another by their weight and are positioned oriented relative to one another by the tabs and the complementary receptacles. To further improve handling, at least the first tabs are bent from the angled protruding configuration in such a way that the stacked configuration is also fixed in the axial direction (along the central axis). This allows the axial foil bearing to be turned over without falling apart, whereby the axial foil bearing can be further processed on the assembly line.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, the corrugated foil has at least one first recess at its peripheral edge for engaging a first fastening element in order to fasten the axial foil bearing to the unit by means of the first fastening element. The first recess is designed as a radial fastening tab extending in the radial direction on a significant peripheral edge of the base plate, which provides a first recess for engaging the first fastening element. The fastening tab is different from the first tab or the second tab. The fastening tab is preferably formed in one piece with the corrugated foil. The fastening tab allows the first fastening element to engage in the fastening tab and thus also in the first recess in order to fix the axial foil bearing to the unit at at least one location.

[0037] Thus, the corrugated foil can have further cutouts at its peripheral edge for engaging further fastening elements, wherein the gap between the further fastening elements in the respective further cutouts is greater than the gap between the first fastening elements in the first cutouts. The further cutouts are each formed by their own further fastening tabs in a manner similar to the aforementioned fastening tabs. However, the plurality of fastening tabs, their cutouts and the engageable fastening elements are designed such that one pair consisting of the fastening tabs and their fastening elements only ensures axial fastening, and another pair consisting of the fastening tabs and their fastening elements is provided with a narrower gap on the circumferential side than the other pairs in order to ensure circumferential positioning.

[0038] Alternatively, the play between the further fastening elements in the respective further recess is largely, in special cases exactly, as large as the play of the first fastening element in the first recess.

[0039] Advantageously, three pairs of fastening tabs and fastening elements are provided, by means of which the axial foil bearing can be fastened in a well-centered manner relative to the unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The drawings show an advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 1 An axial foil bearing according to the invention is shown in an exploded view in its first variant,

[0042] Figure 2 Shown in the stacked state according to Figure 1 Axial foil bearings and diagrammatic illustration of fastening elements,

[0043] Figure 3a A detailed view showing the Figure 1 An axial foil bearing having an axial fixation by means of a first web and a second web,

[0044] Figure 3b A detailed cross-sectional view is shown according to Figure 1 Axial foil bearings,

[0045] Figure 4 Show according to Figure 1 Axial foil bearing of the type described herein, having a variant with a cutout for a fastening element,

[0046] Figure 5 Show according to Figure 1 An axial foil bearing having a first web only at its outer circumference,

[0047] Figure 6 An axial foil bearing according to the invention is shown in an exploded view in its second variant and a fastening element is illustrated,

[0048] Figure 7a Shown in exploded view according to Figure 1 Axial foil bearings having variants with differently configured corrugated foils and differently positioned first and second complementary receiving portions,

[0049] Figure 7b Shows the state of plugging together Figure 7a Axial foil bearings,

[0050] Figure 7c Show according to Figure 7b Axial foil bearings with fully curved tabs, and

[0051] Figure 7d The bearing is shown in its finished state after the inner and outer edges have been removed. Figure 7c Axial foil bearings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 A first variant of an axial foil bearing 1 according to the invention is shown in an exploded view. The axial foil bearing 1 has a base plate 4, a corrugated foil 3 and a cover foil 2, each of which is designed in a disk-like manner and has a circular ring shape. The circular ring shape also defines both the central recess 16 and the central axis 17 for all three components. Figure 1In the view of FIG. 1 , the three components are arranged coaxially with respect to the central axis 17. The stacked construction is also clearly visible, starting from the base layer of the base plate 4, on which there is the corrugated foil 3 and covering the base plate 4, which in turn is covered by the cover foil 2 arranged above the corrugated foil 3, as long as the axial foil bearing 1 is transferred from the exploded view to the next production state, in which all three components are stacked one above the other, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 as shown in .

[0053] In order to be able to place the three components 4, 3 and 2 in a stacked configuration relative to one another, the three components 4, 3 and 2 engage via a first web 7, which engages both in the first receptacle 6 of the corrugated foil 3 and in the first receptacle 5 of the cover foil 2. For this purpose, the first web 7 protrudes at an angle from the base plate 4 and is formed in one piece from the base plate. Optimally, the angled protrusion is oriented in the same direction as the stacking direction 8, whereby the first web 7 engages with the first receptacles 6 and 5 when the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 are joined to the base plate 4 along the central axis 17 and the stacking direction 8. By means of this engagement, the three components 4, 3 and 2 are oriented relative to one another in the radial direction (with respect to the central axis 17).

[0054] The first web 7 is arranged here on the outer circumference of the base plate 4. Thus, the first receptacles 6 and 5 are also arranged on the outer circumference of the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2, respectively, and do not have a closed circumferential shape, but are open toward the radial outside - in the embodiment described, the first receptacle 6 or 5 has no further material delimitation toward the radial outside and thus has the appearance of a cutout. Thus, each first receptacle 6 and 5 is a complementary receptacle for the first web 7, because the web 7 fits into the first receptacle 6 or 5 when joined, so as to block the radial translational freedom in one direction.

[0055] Thus, the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 can be fixed by means of a single first web 7 only in a radial direction facing away from the central axis 17. In order to now also block the degree of freedom in the radial direction toward the central axis 17, the base plate 4 has a second web 9 on the circumferential side surface that defines the central recess 16 of the base plate 4. In addition, in order to engage the second web 9, the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 also have a further receptacle 11 or 10 on the circumferential side surface that defines the central recess 16 of the foil 3 or 2, respectively, which is designed complementary to the second web 9 and thus matched to block the radial translational degree of freedom in the other direction.

[0056] The first web 7 and the second web 9 are advantageously arranged on an imaginary ray starting from the central axis 17, that is, arranged in a manner not offset from each other in the circumferential direction. Obviously, alternatively, the first web 7 can be arranged offset relative to the second web 9 in the circumferential direction around the central axis 17.

[0057] Preferably, the first web 7 and / or the second web 9 are engaged in their complementary receptacles 6 and 5 or in their further complementary receptacles 11 and 10, so that the degrees of freedom in the circumferential direction around the central axis 17 (in both directions) can also be locked, wherein the first and / or second web 7, 8 abuts against the complementary receptacles 6, 5 or 11, 10 on the circumferential side.

[0058] Furthermore, further first webs 7 may be distributed on the outer circumference of the base plate 4. Correspondingly, the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 have corresponding complementary receptacles 6, 5, which are distributed in a consistent manner on the outer circumference of the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2. The distribution of the plurality of first webs 7 on the outer circumference advantageously follows a pattern regularly, so that the spacing of the arcs between two consecutive first webs 7 is always the same within the pattern. Obviously, as an alternative to this, irregular patterning of the first webs 7 is also conceivable.

[0059] In addition to this, further second webs 9 can also be distributed on the inner circumference of the base plate 4 corresponding to the surrounding side surface defining the central recess 16. Correspondingly, the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 have corresponding further complementary receptacles 11, 10, which are distributed in a consistent manner on the inner circumference of the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2. The distribution of the plurality of second webs 9 on the inner circumference advantageously follows a pattern regularly, so that the spacing of the arcs between two consecutive second webs 9 is always the same within the pattern. Obviously, as an alternative to this, irregular patterning of the second webs 9 is also conceivable.

[0060] The base plate 4 also has a first cutout 12 at its outer circumference, which is suitable for engaging a first fastening element 13 (not shown here). In the embodiment described, the first cutout 12 is circularly designed as a hole. Preferably, the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2 also each have a first cutout 12 at their outer circumference, which has the same shape as the first cutout 12 of the base plate 4. Therefore, all three first cutouts 12 of the components 4, 3 and 2 can be penetrated by the same first fastening element 13, and the assembly of the axial foil bearing 1 is fastened to the unit via the first fastening element 13. The cutouts 12 of the components 4, 3 and 2 are placed one after the other in the stacking direction 8.

[0061] If the first web 7 and / or the second web 9 are not associated with a defined contact on the circumferential side for locking the circumferential degree of freedom, this function can be assumed by the first recess 12, as described below. Figure 2 as shown in .

[0062] In addition, for the first cutout 12, a further cutout 14 can be provided on the outer circumference of the base plate 4, which can be penetrated by a separate further fastening element 15 (not shown here). In a similar manner to the cutout 12, a further cutout 14 is also present on the outer circumference of the corrugated foil 3 and the cover foil 2. The cutouts 14 are also arranged one after the other in the stacking direction, whereby all three cutouts 14 can be penetrated by the same further fastening element 15 in order to fasten the axial foil bearing 1 to the unit.

[0063] Figure 2 Shows the stacked state according to Figure 1 Axial foil bearing 1 and illustrated fastening elements 13 and 15, wherein the three components 4, 3 and 2 are formed by Figure 1 The known sequences are stacked on top of each other.

[0064] The fastening elements 13 and 15 schematically shown as cylinders pass through their respective first cutouts 12 and further cutouts 14. For this purpose, both the cover foil 2 and the corrugated foil 3 have at least first cutouts 12, which overlap. Of course, the cover foil 2 and the corrugated foil 3 can also have further cutouts 14.

[0065] In this case, the first web 6 and the second web 9 have not yet been completely bent, so that the stacked foils 2 , 3 cannot yet be held together in the axial direction (stacking direction 8 ).

[0066] Figure 3a Shown in detail view according to Figure 1 An axial foil bearing 1 with axial fixation by means of a first web 7 and a second web 9 is also clearly illustrated, wherein the complete engagement of the first web 7 and the second web 9 with the complementary receptacles 5, 6 and 10, 11 is also clearly illustrated, wherein the webs 7 and 9 are finally bent in such a way that the foils 2 and 3 (along the central axis 17) are axially fixed on the base plate 4 and the axial foil bearing 1 can no longer collapse. For this purpose, the first web 7 is bent toward the central axis 17 or toward the central recess 16, while the second web 9 is bent away from the central axis 17 or away from the central recess 16. As a result, the webs 7 and 9 are bent toward each other in order to ensure the axial fixation of the components 4, 3 and 2 of the axial foil bearing 1. This has the advantage that the annular shape of the foils 2 and 3 is reliably enclosed.

[0067] Figure 3b A detailed cross-sectional view is shown according to Figure 1 axial foil bearing 1. It can be seen that the first web 7 has an overlap with the cover foil 2 in the bent state and engages with the complementary receptacles 5 and 6. The cover foil 2 is therefore held by the first web 7 and the cover foil 2 in turn holds the corrugated foil 3 on the base plate 4 with its overlap relative to the corrugated foil 3.

[0068] The space between the first web 7 and the foils 2 and 3 themselves in the region of the foil thickness of the foils 2 and 3 allows sufficient play so that, on the one hand, the foils 2 and 3 are not impaired in terms of their covering and thus in terms of their functionality, and, on the other hand, the fixation in the radial direction takes place within the limits of the play. This is necessary so that, during operation, the foils 2 and 3 do not bend due to temperature fluctuations or are otherwise damaged.

[0069] Figure 4 Show according to Figure 1 An axial foil bearing 1 is provided with a variant of the cutouts 12 and 14 for the fastening elements 13 and 15. The cutout 12 is designed in a U-shaped manner, wherein the further cutout 14 is designed in a circular manner, in contrast. Therefore, when the axial foil bearing 1 is fastened to the unit, the circular further cutout 14 has the following function: firstly, the bearing 1 is oriented or fixed at one point at the unit. The U-shaped cutout 12 prevents the bearing from rotating around the further fastening element 15, in which only the edge of the U-shape rests on the fastening element 13. Therefore, the common central axis 17 is formed by the individual components 4, 3, 2.

[0070] Figure 5 Show according to Figure 1 An axial foil bearing 1 has first webs 7 only at its outer circumference. A plurality of first webs 7 distributed at the outer circumference are simultaneously engaged in complementary receptacles 5, 6 provided for each of them, thereby fixing the foils 2, 3 relative to each other and to the base plate 4, whereby the central axis 17 of each of the components 2, 3 and 4 forms a common central axis 17, thereby achieving radial orientation of the foils 2 and 3 relative to each other and relative to the base plate 4.

[0071] Figure 6 The second variant of the axial foil bearing 21 according to the invention is shown in an exploded view, and the fastening elements 33 and 35 are shown schematically. The first receptacle 32 and the further receptacle 34 are formed by the corrugated foil 23, which has first webs 27 and second webs 29 according to the invention distributed both at the inner circumference and at the outer circumference, similar to the embodiment of the above-mentioned figures. The cover foil 22 has corresponding complementary receptacles 25 and further complementary receptacles 30 both at the inner circumference and at the outer circumference. In this embodiment, the base plate is omitted, because the elements for orientation and connection are now formed directly by the corrugated foil 23.

[0072] The fastening elements 33 and 35, schematically shown as cylinders, pass through their respective first cutouts 32 and further cutouts 34. For this purpose, both the cover foil 22 and the corrugated foil 23 also have at least first cutouts 32, which overlap. Obviously, the cover foil 22 and the corrugated foil 23 can also have further cutouts 34.

[0073] In this case, the first web 27 and the second web 29 have not yet been completely bent, so that the stacked foils 22 , 23 cannot yet be held together in the axial direction (stacking direction 28 ).

[0074] Figure 7a Shown in exploded view according to Figure 1 An axial foil bearing 1 with a corrugated foil 3 of different configurations and variants of the complementary first and second receptacles 6 and 11 of different placements is provided. The embodiment is characterized in that not only the corrugated foil 3 is configured differently, but also the cover foil 2 is configured differently. The two foils 2, 3 now have additional inner and outer edges 18a, 19a, respectively. The inner edge 18a is connected to the corresponding foil 2, 3 via an inner connecting piece 18b. The outer edge 19a is connected to the corresponding foil 2, 3 via a connecting piece 19b. The connection of the edges 18a, 19a via the connecting pieces 18b, 19b stabilizes the corresponding foils 2, 3 as a single component when stacked on a base plate 4. The base plate 4 has a first web 7 and a second web 9 in the above-described manner. The corresponding complementary and further complementary receptacles 5, 6 and 10, 11 of the foils 2, 3 are now placed between the inner and outer edges 18a, 19a, wherein the receptacles 5, 6, 10, 11 also have the configuration of a cutout, as in the previous description of the receptacles 5, 6, 10 and 11. The first webs 7 and the second webs 9 can also engage in the receptacles 5, 6, 10 and 11 so that the corresponding foils 2, 3 can also be oriented in a radial position and can also be bent after the stacking and assembly of the components 2, 3 and 4, thereby ensuring axial fixing. In addition to the axial fixing, the first webs 7 and the second webs 9 also bring about a reliable positioning and fixing of the components 2, 3 and 4 relative to each other on the radial and circumferential sides.

[0075] Figure 7b Shown in the plugged together state according to Figure 7a The axial foil bearing 1. The three components 4, 3 and 2 are composed of Figure 7a It can be clearly seen that the outer edge 19a covers both the receptacle 12 and the further receptacle 14 , so that in this state no fastening element can pass through the receptacle 12 or the further receptacle 14 .

[0076] Figure 7c Show according to Figure 7bAn axial foil bearing 1 with completely bent-over webs 7 and 9. For axial fixing of the stacked group, the first web 7 and the second web 9 are bent radially inwards or radially outwards and rest on the cover foil 2.

[0077] Figure 7d The bearing 1 is shown in the finished state after the inner edge 18a and the outer edge 19a are removed. Figure 7c axial foil bearing 1. After the first web 7 and the second web 9 are bent so that they lie flat against the cover foil 2 and axially fix the stacking group, the edges 18a and 19a can be removed. The separation of the edges 18a and 19a is carried out via the separation at the connecting webs 18b and 19b. Ideally, the connecting webs 18b, 19b are completely removed together. After the first web 7 and the second web 9 are bent, it is no longer necessary to perform functionally important stabilization of the individual components by means of the connecting webs 18b, 19b and the edges 18a, 19a. This is undertaken by the bent webs 7 and 9, which now hold the axial foil bearing 1 together as an assembly. With the removal of the edges 18a, 19a, in particular the outer edge 19a, the receptacle 12 and the further receptacle 14 for the fastening elements 13, 15 become accessible. The axial foil bearing 1 is now in the delivery state and can be connected to the unit.

[0078] Reference numerals list

[0079] 1 Axial foil bearing

[0080] 2 Covering foil

[0081] 3 Corrugated foil

[0082] 4 substrate

[0083] 5. Receiving portion (of cover foil)

[0084] 6. Receptacle (of corrugated foil)

[0085] 7 First joint

[0086] 8 Stacking direction

[0087] 9 Second splice

[0088] 10 Additional receiving portion (of cover foil)

[0089] 11 Additional receiving portion (for corrugated foil)

[0090] 12 First blank space

[0091] 13 First fastening element

[0092] 14 Additional blank space

[0093] 15 Additional fastening elements

[0094] 16 Central space

[0095] 17 Central Axis

[0096] 18a Inner edge

[0097] 18b Internal connection piece

[0098] 19a Outer edge

[0099] 19b External connection piece

[0100] 21 Axial foil bearings

[0101] 22 Covering foil

[0102] 23 Corrugated foil 24-25 Receptacle (of cover foil) 26-27 First tab

[0103] 28 Stacking direction

[0104] 29 Second web 30 Further receptacle (of cover foil) 31 - 32 First recess

[0105] 33 First fastening element

[0106] 34 Additional blank space

[0107] 35 Additional fastening elements

[0108] 36 Central space

[0109] 37 Central Axis

Claims

1. An axial foil bearing (1), comprising at least one cover foil (2), at least one corrugated foil (3) and a base plate (4), wherein the cover foil (2), the corrugated foil (3) and the base plate (4) are arranged in a layered stacked structure to form the axial foil bearing (1), and the cover foil (2), the corrugated foil (3) and the base plate (4) each have a disc-shaped basic shape, It is characterized in that The base plate (4) is made of a metal foil or a plate and has a first web (7) protruding at an angle relative to the disk-shaped basic shape of the base plate (4), the first web engaging both in a complementary receptacle (5) of the cover foil (2) and in a complementary receptacle (6) of the corrugated foil (3) so that for the layered construction of the axial foil bearing (1), the cover foil (2), the corrugated foil (3) and the base plate (4) are oriented relative to each other in the radial direction of the axial foil bearing (1), thereby covering the corrugated foil (3) in the stacking direction (8) for reliable operation of the axial foil bearing (1).

2. An axial foil bearing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the complementary receptacles (5, 6) engage with the first web (7) in such a way that a twisting of the cover foil (2) relative to the corrugated foil (3) in two circumferential directions about a central axis (17) is excluded.

3. Axial foil bearing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a second web (9) is present on the axial foil bearing (1), which locks the degree of freedom around the first web (7).

4. An axial foil bearing (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second web (9) is formed by the base plate (4) and protrudes from the base plate (4) at an angle, so that the second web (9) not only engages in a further complementary receptacle (10) of the cover foil (2) but also engages in a further complementary receptacle (11) of the corrugated foil (3).

5. The axial foil bearing (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second web (9) is designed to prevent the individual foils (2, 3) of the axial foil bearing (1) from twisting.

6. The axial foil bearing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first web (7) connects the foils (2, 3) one above the other and fixedly connects them at the base plate (4) to form a ready-to-use axial foil bearing (1).

7. An axial foil bearing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (4) has at least one first recess (12) at its peripheral edge for engaging a first fastening element (13) so as to fasten the axial foil bearing (1) to a unit by means of the first fastening element (13).

8. An axial foil bearing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (4) has an additional recess (14) at its peripheral edge for engaging additional fastening elements (15), wherein the gap between the additional fastening elements (15) in the corresponding additional recess (14) can be larger than the gap of the first fastening element (13) in the first recess (12).

9. An axial foil bearing (21), comprising at least one cover foil (22) and at least one corrugated foil (23), wherein the cover foil (22) and the corrugated foil (23) are arranged in a layered stacked structure to form the axial foil bearing (21), and the cover foil (22) and the corrugated foil (23) each have a disc-like basic shape, It is characterized in that The corrugated foil (23) is composed of a metal foil or a plate and has a first web (27) protruding at an angle relative to the disk-shaped basic shape of the corrugated foil (23), which first web engages in a complementary receptacle (25) of the cover foil (22) so that the cover foil (22) and the corrugated foil (23) are oriented relative to each other in the radial direction of the axial foil bearing (21) for the layered construction of the axial foil bearing (21), thereby covering the corrugated foil (23) in the stacking direction (28) for reliable operation of the axial foil bearing (21).

10. Axial foil bearing (21) according to claim 9, wherein the complementary receptacle (25) engages with the first web (27) such that a twisting of the cover foil (22) relative to the corrugated foil (23) in both circumferential directions is excluded.

11. Axial foil bearing (21) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a second web (29) is present on the axial foil bearing (21), which web locks the degree of freedom around the first web (27).

12. An axial foil bearing (21) according to claim 11, wherein the second web (29) is formed by the corrugated foil (23) and protrudes from the corrugated foil (23) at an angle so that the second web (29) engages in a further complementary receptacle (30) of the cover foil (22).

13. The axial foil bearing (21) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the second web (29) is designed to prevent the individual foils (22, 23) of the axial foil bearing (21) from twisting.

14. The axial foil bearing (21) according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 13, wherein the first web (27) connects the foils (22, 23) fixedly one above the other to form a ready-to-use axial foil bearing (21).

15. An axial foil bearing (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the corrugated foil (23) has at least one first recess (32) at its peripheral edge for engaging a first fastening element (33) so as to fasten the axial foil bearing (21) to a unit by means of the first fastening element (33).

16. An axial foil bearing (21) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the corrugated foil (23) has additional recesses (34) at its peripheral edge for engaging additional fastening elements (35), wherein the gaps between the additional fastening elements (35) in the respective additional recesses (34) can be larger than the gaps of the first fastening elements (33) in the first recesses (32).

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