Rolling bearing having a flange having an axial folding and method for manufacturing

Abstract

The invention relates to a rolling bearing (10) having two bearing rings (12, 14), rolling bodies (18) accommodated in an annular space (16) between the two bearing rings (12, 14), at least one first annular flange (26) rigidly attached to a first of the two bearing rings (12, 14) and extending radially from the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14) to a second of the two bearing rings (12, 14). The first flange (26) has an annular end with an axial fold (28) which is received in an axial groove (34) in a first annular guide surface (32) of a second of the two bearing rings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rolling bearing, in particular to a rolling bearing having a flange for axially retaining an outer ring and an inner ring of the rolling bearing relative to each other, and a method for manufacturing the rolling bearing.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to rolling bearings for forming dobby rollers for textile machines. Background Art

[0003] As is known, a mechanical rolling bearing comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, between which a rolling bearing space is formed, in which rolling elements are arranged. For certain applications with high axial space requirements, the rolling bearing is not equipped with a collar to axially retain the rolling elements and to center the inner ring and outer ring relative to each other by means of the rolling elements.

[0004] In these cases, it is known to use deflectors to guide the outer ring relative to the inner ring, to guide the rolling elements and to form a sealed barrier between the rolling bearing space and the outside, thereby preventing the intrusion of contaminants into the rolling bearing and limiting the leakage of lubricant from the inside of the rolling bearing to the outside by centrifugal action. These deflectors can also prevent accidental disintegration of the rolling bearing.

[0005] In document FR2914031A1, it has been proposed to attach a deflector in the form of an annular washer to the inner ring. The washer has an annular end flange folded back on it, enabling the washer to be pressed onto the inner ring. But with this solution, the width of the raceway is significantly smaller than the width of the bearing ring, and the load-bearing capacity of the rolling bearing is limited within a given axial space.

[0006] In document FR3092632A1, it is proposed to crimp a flange with a bevel into an annular groove of a bearing ring. The crimping groove is used to insert a crimping tool, which deforms one side of the crimping groove so that the material of the bearing ring flows and forms a material flange surrounding the flange. The bevel leaves a free space filled by the material flange, enabling it to perform its crimping function without forming a flange protruding axially from the rolling bearing. Two embossings are formed on the end face of the outer ring, located opposite the flat annular end of the gasket. The gasket has a very low moment of inertia relative to an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation, resulting in a very low bending stiffness of the gasket and a relatively low-frequency oscillation eigenmode. In order to prevent the gasket from being excited in its own mode during operation and to prevent it from encountering the trajectory of surrounding components (such as adjacent rolling bearings) in the deformed state, the thickness of the gasket is increased to increase the moment of inertia. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a rolling bearing with particularly small axial dimensions which remains compatible with high radial and axial loads or shocks in the axial direction while maintaining control of the functional clearances existing between the movable bearing ring and the rolling bearing flange.

[0008] To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a rolling bearing is provided, comprising: - two bearing rings, namely an inner ring and an outer ring surrounding the inner ring; - rolling elements which are arranged in the annular space between the two bearing rings and which can roll on annular raceways formed on the two bearing rings, thereby allowing relative rotation between the two bearing rings about the rotation axis of the rolling bearing, - at least one first annular flange, which is rigidly attached to the first of the two bearing rings and at least partially covers the first axial end face of the first of the two bearing rings, the first flange radially extending from the first of the two bearing rings to the second of the two bearing rings, thereby closing the first axial end of the annular space; the annular end of the first flange is axially opposite and spaced from the first annular guide face of the second of the two bearing rings, the annular guide face of the second of the two bearing rings having a first axial groove.

[0009] Characteristically, an axial fold of the annular end of the first flange is received in the first groove, the axial fold axially overlapping one of the raceways formed on the second of the two bearing rings. This folding of the annular end stiffens the flange when bent and limits its thickness.

[0010] This stiffening is achieved by forming an axial flange in a groove in the annular guide surface of the bearing ring, without increasing the axial dimensions of the rolling bearing, and by controlling the functional clearance between the flange and the bearing ring that is movable relative to the flange during assembly. The dynamic deformation mode in the axial direction, essentially a flange bending mode, has a low amplitude, enabling the rolling bearing to be placed at a short distance from the surrounding components without the risk of collision. Furthermore, in highly unfavorable cases where the axial forces on the rolling bearing lead to deformation, the flange being displaced from the portion of the groove in which it is normally housed, the shape of the flange prevents the flange edge from being directly subjected to damaging impacts from objects in the environment of the rolling bearing ring. The flange can even form a bevel that, in the event of contact with such an object, pushes the flange back, straightens it and returns it to its original position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the annular raceway formed on the second of the two bearing rings extends axially to the first annular guide surface of the second of the two bearing rings, optionally with a transition zone formed by a chamfer. Therefore, the radial force borne by the rolling bearing is distributed over the entire raceway of the second bearing ring.

[0012] In one embodiment, the annular flange is in surface contact with a first flat annular axial end surface of a first bearing ring of the two bearing rings. The surface contact enables the axial force to be transmitted between the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings and the first flange.

[0013] In one embodiment, one of the annular raceways is formed on the first of the two bearing rings and extends axially to the first flat annular surface of the first of the two bearing rings, optionally with a transition zone formed by a chamfer. Thus, the radial force to which the rolling bearing is subjected is distributed over the entire raceway of the first bearing ring.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second of the two bearing rings is tangent to an end geometric plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a portion of the flange is axially located on the side of the geometric plane containing the second of the two bearing rings, and another portion of the flange is preferably axially located on the side opposite to the second of the two bearing rings of the geometric plane. Therefore, for the portion of the flange axially located between the geometric plane and the second of the two bearing rings, the axial projection of the flange relative to the geometric reference plane is zero, thereby reducing the overall size.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first flange is made of a metal sheet, preferably a metal sheet with a thickness less than 1 mm. The thickness of the first flange is designed to minimize the axial dimension of the rolling bearing.

[0016] In one embodiment, the hem is formed by plastic deformation of the metal sheet.

[0017] In one embodiment, the axial flange of the annular end has an inclined surface radially away from the second of the two bearing rings. As a result, the thickness of the flange edge is smaller and the edge is further away from the first annular guide surface of the second of the two bearing rings, thereby limiting the risk of the edge being flush with the first annular guide surface of the second of the two bearing rings.

[0018] In one embodiment, the axial flange of the annular end has an inclined surface radially facing the second of the two bearing rings. In this way, the depth of the axial groove of the annular guide surface of the second bearing ring is reduced, thereby maximizing the mechanical forces to which the second bearing ring is subjected without increasing the risk of undesired contact between the second of the two bearing rings and the axial flange of the annular end.

[0019] In one embodiment, the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings is an outer ring.

[0020] In one embodiment, the outer ring is a roller and has an annular rolling bearing surface away from the rotation axis of the rolling bearing. For example, the outer ring forms a roller suitable for rolling on a cam of a textile machine.

[0021] In one embodiment, the annular rolling bearing surface is convex in axial cross section.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first axial end face of the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings is a plane, and the first annular flange has a flat annular support portion, which is supported on the surface of the first axial end face of the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings, and an intermediate portion located between the support portion and the axial flange, which intermediate portion is a plane or a truncated cone (tronconique), with an opening angle greater than 176° relative to the vertex centered on the rotation axis of the rolling bearing, and is located on the side of the first annular flange opposite to the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first flange has notches distributed around the outer circumference of the annular end portion. Such notches allow the flange to be punched to form an axial flange.

[0024] In one embodiment, the rolling element is a cylindrical roller. The rolling bearing mainly bears radial force, and the axial force is borne by the first flange.

[0025] In one embodiment, the raceway is not provided with a collar between the cylindrical roller and the first flange, and the cylindrical roller directly faces the first flange. The first flange guides the rolling element.

[0026] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the outer surface of the first flange is located in a reference plane of the first axial end of the first of the two bearing rings. The reference plane is an axial end plane of the assembly formed by the first of the two bearing rings and the first flange. The flat outer surface of the first flange and the flat end surface of the first axial end of the first bearing ring are coplanar, thereby allowing the rolling bearing to be stacked on another similar rolling bearing and allowing the rolling bearings to move relative to each other, minimizing friction and impact.

[0027] In one embodiment, the rolling bearing further comprises at least one second annular flange, rigidly attached to the first of the two bearing rings, at least partially covering the second axial end face of the first of the two bearing rings, the second flange radially extending from the first of the two bearing rings to the second of the two bearing rings, closing the second axial end of the annular space; the annular end of the second flange is axially arranged opposite to and at a certain distance from the second annular guide face of the second of the two bearing rings, the second annular guide face of the second of the two bearing rings having a second axial groove. The axial flange of the annular end of the second flange is accommodated in the second groove, and the axial flange axially overlaps with one of the raceways formed on the second of the two bearing rings. If necessary, the first flange and the second flange may have a symmetrical structure relative to a symmetry plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0028] In one embodiment, the raceway is not provided with a collar between the cylindrical rollers and the second flange, the cylindrical rollers directly facing the second flange. The second flange guides the rolling elements.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first flange is made from stamped sheet metal.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first flange is made of carbonitrided steel.

[0031] In order to increase the effective load, it is best to maximize the number of rolling elements within the available space. In one embodiment, the rolling elements are arranged in the space between the two bearing rings without the need for intervening guide cages.

[0032] In particular, the rolling bearing according to the invention is intended for use as a roller for an open loom in the weaving industry, in particular for a textile machine. In practice, several identical rolling bearings are mounted on fixed parallel shafts close to each other. The outer rings have external rolling surfaces and rotate independently of each other. They act as rollers for a machine cam.

[0033] The rolling bearing configuration minimizes the thickness of the flange and maximizes the width of the rollers and raceways, which in turn increases the radial load on the rollers.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a rolling bearing, according to which: - forming two bearing rings, namely a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, including forming an axial groove on an annular guide surface of the second bearing ring; - forming a first flange, the annular portion of which has an axial flange; - arranging the first annular flange on a first axial end face of a first bearing ring of the two bearing rings; - providing a second bearing ring of the two bearing rings; - accommodating a rolling body in an annular space between two bearing rings, the rolling body being able to roll on annular raceways formed on the two bearing rings, generating relative rotation between the two bearing rings about the rotation axis of the rolling bearing, one of the two bearing rings being an outer ring, the outer ring surrounding the other bearing ring formed as an inner ring; a first annular flange radially extending from a first of the two bearing rings to a second of the two bearing rings, closing a first axial end of the annular space, and - The annular end of the first flange is arranged axially opposite and at a certain distance from the first annular guide surface, so that the axial flange of the annular portion of the first flange is received in the axial groove of the annular guide surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: -Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rolling bearing according to a first embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 2 is a front view of a rolling bearing flange according to the same embodiment; - Figure 3 for Figure 1 Detailed picture of - Figure 4 According to another embodiment Figure 1 Detailed picture of - Figure 5 According to another embodiment Figure 1 Detail picture of.

[0036] For increased clarity, the same or similar elements are marked with the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A rolling bearing 10 is shown, comprising two bearing rings, an inner ring 12 and an outer ring 14, delimiting an annular space 16 containing rolling elements 18, which are cylindrical rollers in this embodiment. The rollers 18 are able to roll on annular raceways 20, 22, which are cylindrical raceways in this embodiment, formed on the two bearing rings 12, 14, thereby allowing relative rotation between the two bearing rings 12, 14 about the rotation axis A of the rolling bearing 10. The rollers 18 are arranged in the annular space 16 between the two bearing rings 12, 14 without the need for the insertion of a guide cage, thus maximizing the number of rollers 18. The bearing rings 12, 14 do not have a guide collar facing the roller end faces 24, maximizing the axial dimensions of the rollers 18.

[0038] The two bearing rings 12, 14 are framed by two identical annular guide flanges 26. Each guide flange 26 is located at an axial end of the rolling bearing 10 and is in surface contact with a first flat annular axial end face 42 of a first of the bearing rings, in this embodiment the inner ring 12. The following description will focus on the first of the two guide flanges 26, which is positioned and oriented relative to the first end of the inner ring 12, it being understood that the second flange 26 is pressed against the opposite axial end of the inner ring 12 in the same manner.

[0039] Figure 2 A flange 26 is shown which has been taken from a rolling bearing. The flange 26 has a substantially circular shape and an annular end. The annular end of the flange 26 also comprises an axial flange 28. The flange 26 is made of sheet metal, preferably with a thickness of less than 1 mm. To form the flange 26, the sheet metal is plastically deformed, for example, by a stamping process. In particular, in order to obtain the axial flange 28 on the circular stamping, the flange 26 has notches 54 on its annular end, preferably evenly distributed over the entire outer circumference of the annular end.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the flange 26 extends radially from the inner ring 12 to the outer ring 14, at least partially (completely in this embodiment) closing one axial end of the annular space 16. The annular end of the first flange 26 is axially opposite and spaced from the annular guide surface 32 of the outer ring 14. Therefore, each guide flange 26 combines the functions of guiding the rollers 18, protecting the annular space 16 from external contaminants, retaining the lubricant in the annular space 16, and guiding the outer ring 14 relative to the inner ring 12. The axial flange 28 of the flange 26 is accommodated in the axial groove 34 of the annular guide surface 32 of the outer ring 14, and the axial flange 28 axially overlaps with the raceway 22 of the outer ring 14, that is, there is at least one plane Q perpendicular to the rotation axis A that intersects both the raceway 22 and the axial flange 28.

[0041] The outer ring 14 is tangential to an end geometric plane P perpendicular to the rotation axis A, and a portion of the flange 26 is axially located between the geometric plane P and the bearing ring 14. Another portion of the flange 26 is preferably axially located between the geometric plane P and the inner ring 12.

[0042] The annular raceway 22 is formed on the rolling bearing outer ring 14 and extends axially to a first annular guide surface 32 of the outer ring 14 , with a transition zone formed by a chamfer.

[0043] The annular raceway 20 is formed on the rolling bearing inner ring 12 and extends axially to a first flat annular surface 42 of the inner ring 12 with a transition zone formed by a chamfer.

[0044] Figure 4 The embodiment shown and Figure 3 The embodiment shown differs in that the axial flange of the annular end has a bevel 52a radially away from the outer ring 14. The bevel 52a is thus formed on the edge of the flange 28 opposite the center of curvature of the flange 28.

[0045] The outer ring 14 has an annular rolling surface 44. The annular rolling surface 44 faces away from the rotation axis A of the rolling bearing. In the embodiment described, the annular rolling surface 44 has a curvilinear profile in axial cross section to form a roller, suitable for rolling on a cam of a textile machine, for example.

[0046] Figure 5 The embodiment shown and Figure 3 The embodiment shown differs in that the axial flange of the annular end has a bevel 52b radially facing the outer ring 14. The bevel 52b is thus formed on the edge of the flange 28 facing the center of curvature of the flange 28.

[0047] Of course, the examples shown in the drawings and discussed above are given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only. It is expressly provided herein that the various embodiments shown can be combined to create other embodiments.

[0048] It should be emphasized that all features taught to a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims, even if they have been specifically described individually and in any combination with other determined features, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, as long as such combination is not explicitly excluded and there are no technical conditions that make such combination impossible or meaningless.

Claims

1. A rolling bearing (10), comprising: - two bearing rings, namely an inner ring (12) and an outer ring (14) surrounding said inner ring (12); - rolling bodies (18) which are accommodated in an annular space (16) between the two bearing rings (12, 14) and which are capable of rolling on annular raceways (20, 22) formed on the two bearing rings (12, 14), thereby allowing relative rotation between the two bearing rings (12, 14) about the rotation axis (A) of the rolling bearing; - at least one first annular flange (26), the first annular flange (26) being rigidly attached to the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14), at least partially covering a first axial end face of the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14), the first flange (26) extending radially from the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14) to the second of the two bearing rings (12, 14), thereby closing a first axial end of the annular space (16); the annular end of the first flange (26) being axially opposite and spaced from a first annular guide face (32) of the second of the two bearing rings (12, 14), the first annular guide face (32) of the second of the two bearing rings having a first axial groove (34); It is characterized in that an axial flange (28) of the annular end of the first flange (26) is accommodated in the first groove (34), and the axial flange (28) axially overlaps with one of the raceways (20, 22) formed on the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings.

2. The rolling bearing (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular raceway (20, 22) formed on the second of the two bearing rings (12, 14) extends axially to the first annular guide surface (32) of the second of the two bearing rings, optionally with a transition zone formed by a chamfer.

3. The rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The annular flange (26) is in surface contact with a first flat annular axial end surface (42) of the first of the two bearing rings.

4. The rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that One of the annular raceways (20, 22) is formed on the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14) and extends axially to the first flat annular surface (42) of the first of the two bearing rings, optionally with a transition zone formed by a chamfer.

5. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14) is tangent to an end geometric plane (P) perpendicular to the rotation axis (A), a portion of the flange (26) is axially located on a side of the geometric plane (P) containing the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), and another portion of the flange (26) is preferably located on a side of the geometric plane (P) opposite to the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14).

6. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flange (26) is made of a metal sheet, preferably a metal sheet with a thickness of less than 1 mm.

7. The rolling bearing (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The fold (28) is formed by plastic deformation of the metal sheet.

8. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The axial flange (28) of the annular end has an inclined surface (52a) radially away from the second of the two bearing rings.

9. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The axial flange (28) of the annular end portion has an inclined surface (52b) radially facing the second of the two bearing rings.

10. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14) is the outer ring (14).

11. The rolling bearing (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The outer ring (14) is a roller and has an annular rolling bearing surface (44) away from the rotation axis (A) of the rolling bearing.

12. The rolling bearing according to claim 11, characterized in that: The annular rolling bearing surface (44) is convex in axial cross section.

13. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first axial end face of the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14) is a plane, the first annular flange (26) has a flat annular support portion, which is supported on the surface of the first axial end face of the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), and an intermediate portion located between the support portion and the axial folded edge (28), the intermediate portion is a plane or a truncated cone, the opening angle relative to the vertex centered on the rotation axis of the rolling bearing is greater than 176°, and is located on the side of the first annular flange (26) opposite to the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14).

14. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flange (26) has notches (54) distributed around the outer circumference of the annular end.

15. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling bearing further comprises at least one second annular flange (26), rigidly attached to the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), at least partially covering the second axial end surface of the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), the second flange (26) radially extending from the first bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14) to the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), closing the second axial end of the annular space (16); the annular end of the second flange (26) is axially opposite to and spaced from the second annular guide surface (32) of the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings (12, 14), the second annular guide surface (32) of the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings having a second axial groove (34); the axial flange (28) of the annular end of the second flange (26) is accommodated in the second groove (34), axially overlapping with one of the raceways (20, 22) formed on the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings.

16. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flange (26) is made of stamped metal sheet.

17. Rolling bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flange (26) is made of carbonitrided steel.

18. A method for manufacturing a rolling bearing, characterized in that: - forming two bearing rings, namely a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, including forming an axial groove (34) on an annular guide surface (32) of the second bearing ring; - forming a first flange (26) having an annular portion with an axial flange (28); - arranging the first annular flange (26) on a first axial end face of a first bearing ring of the two bearing rings; - providing a second bearing ring of the two bearing rings; - a rolling body (18) is accommodated in an annular space (16) between the two bearing rings, the rolling body (16) being able to roll on annular raceways (20, 22) formed on the two bearing rings, generating relative rotation between the two bearing rings around the rotation axis (A) of the rolling bearing, one of the two bearing rings being an outer ring (14), the outer ring (14) surrounding the other bearing ring formed as an inner ring (12); the first annular flange (26) radially extending from the first of the two bearing rings (12, 14) to the second of the two bearing rings (12, 14), closing a first axial end of the annular space (16), and - The annular end of the first flange (26) is axially arranged opposite to the first annular guide surface (32) at a certain distance, so that the axial folded edge (28) of the annular portion of the first flange (26) is accommodated in the axial groove (34) of the annular guide surface (32) and axially overlaps with one of the raceways (20, 22) formed on the second bearing ring of the two bearing rings.

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