Conductive assembly with reinforced substrate
By designing conductive components of annular substrate made of conductive materials and internal annular conductors, the friction problems caused by large space occupation of bearing grounding devices and thermal expansion in the prior art are solved, and a more compact and stable current conduction path is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411055820.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-28
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
AI Technical Summary
When the existing bearing grounding device prevents current or charge from passing through the bearing, there are problems such as large space occupation, thermal expansion leading to component disengagement and increased friction.
A conductive assembly formed of a conductive material is designed, including an annular substrate and an inner annular conductor, connected to the external member by mounting lugs, ensuring that the conductive path extends between the shaft and the external member and preventing current from passing through the raceway.
Effectively prevent current from passing through the bearing raceway, reduce the axial length of the shaft and the seat, improve the axial compactness of the machinery, and reduce the vibration of the conductive components.
Smart Images
Figure CN119447930A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 530,619, filed on August 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to grounding devices for preventing electric current or electric charge from passing through bearings. Background Art
[0003] Bearings used in electrical machinery such as motors, generators and the like may be damaged if an electric current or charge passes through the bearing, particularly if this is harmful to the bearing raceways. Devices such as grounding brushes have been developed to provide an alternative path for the current generated by the charge accumulated on the shaft, thereby preventing such current from passing through the bearing. These devices typically include an annular retainer having an outer rim that frictionally engages with a hole in a housing or hub at a location adjacent to the bearing, and a plurality of conductive fibers attached to the retainer and spaced circumferentially around the entire outer surface of the shaft to form a ring of relatively solid fibers. In this way, the current passes from the shaft through the fibers and retainer and thereafter into the housing.
[0004] However, a certain amount of axial space is required to mount the conductive assembly in the housing bore, particularly since the conductive assembly should be spaced at least a certain distance from the bearing to avoid that any conductive fibers that become separated during use enter and damage the bearing. This space requirement reduces the axial compactness of the shaft and the housing / hub. Furthermore, the heat generated in the electric machine may result in differences in thermal expansion of the bearing, the bore and / or the conductive assembly. In this way, the retainer rim may disengage from the bore, causing the conductive assembly to shift axially or creating increased radial interference between the conductive fibers and the shaft, resulting in a significant increase in friction. Summary of the invention
[0005] In one aspect, the present invention is a conductive assembly for preventing current from flowing through a raceway of a bearing, the bearing having an inner race disposed about a shaft and an outer race disposed within a bore of an outer member, the shaft or the outer member being rotatable about a central axis passing through the shaft, the outer member having an outer mounting surface radially spaced outwardly from the bore. The conductive assembly comprises an annular baseplate formed of a conductive material, the annular baseplate having a centerline coaxial with the central axis, and comprising an annular body having an inner radial end and an outer radial end and at least one integral mounting lug extending radially outwardly from the outer radial end of the body. The at least one lug is connectable to the mounting surface of the outer member to secure the conductive assembly to the outer member at a position axially spaced from the bearing. At least one reinforcing flange extends axially from the inner radial end of the plate body, the outer radial end of the plate body and / or the outer perimeter of the at least one mounting lug and extends circumferentially at least partially around the inner radial end of the plate body, the outer radial end of the plate body and / or the outer perimeter of the at least one mounting lug. In addition, an inner annular conductor is connected to the substrate and has an inner radial end that can be engaged with the shaft, so that a conductive path extends through the inner conductor and the substrate between the shaft and the external member.
[0006] In another aspect, the present invention is also a conductive assembly for preventing current from flowing through a raceway of a bearing. The conductive assembly includes a substrate formed of a conductive material, the substrate having a centerline coaxial with the center axis and including a circular center hub, the center hub having a cylindrical axial portion and a radial portion, the cylindrical axial portion having an inner circumferential surface defining a circular hole, the radial portion extending radially inward from the axial portion. The substrate also has at least one integral mounting lug extending radially outward from the axial portion of the center hub, the at least one lug being connectable to a mounting surface of an external member to secure the conductive assembly to the external member at a position axially spaced from the bearing. In addition, an inner annular conductor is disposed within the hole of the center hub and has an inner radial end engageable with the shaft. In this way, a conductive path extends between the shaft and the external member through the inner conductor and the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the presently preferred embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings which are drawn to scale. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configurations and means shown. In the accompanying drawings:
[0008] Figure 1 is a broken-away front plan view of a first embodiment of a conductor assembly according to the present invention, showing a first configuration of a substrate, and depicted as arranged about an axis and mounted to an external member;
[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a broken away axial cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a conductor assembly shown disposed about a shaft, mounted to an outer member and spaced apart from a bearing;
[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front plan view of a conductor assembly;
[0011] Figure 4 is through Figure 3 A view of line 4-4;
[0012] Figure 5 is through Figure 3 A view of line 5-5;
[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0015] Figure 8 is a front plan view of a first embodiment conductor assembly shown with a second configuration of a substrate;
[0016] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A front perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0017] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 a rear perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0018] Fig.11 is a front plan view of the first embodiment conductor assembly shown with a third configuration of the substrate;
[0019] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A front perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0020] Fig.13yes Fig.11 a rear perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0021] Fig.14 is a front plan view of the first embodiment conductor assembly shown with a fourth configuration of the substrate;
[0022] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A front perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0023] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 a rear perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0024] Fig.17 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of a conductor assembly;
[0025] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 A front perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0026] Fig.19 yes Fig.17 a rear perspective view of a conductor assembly;
[0027] Fig. 20 yes Fig.17 An axial cross-sectional view of a conductor assembly;
[0028] Fig.21 yes Fig.17 Another partial axial cross-sectional view of a conductor assembly shown extending through a stiffening rib;
[0029] Fig. 22 yes Fig. 20 an enlarged view of a portion of; and
[0030] Fig.23 is a side plan view of a preferred conductor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "interior", "inwardly" and "exteriorly", "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center of the element being described, respectively, and the specific meaning is obvious from the context of the specification. In addition, as used herein, the words "connect" and "couple" are each intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed and an indirect connection between the components with one or more other components interposed. The terms include the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.
[0032] Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, Figures 1 to 23The raceway R for preventing current from flowing through the bearing 1 is shown in FIG. I , R O Conductive component 10. Figure 2 As shown, the bearing 1 has an inner ring 2 arranged around a shaft 3, an outer ring 4 arranged in a hole 5 of an outer member 6, and a plurality of rolling elements 7. Each of the rolling elements 7 is simultaneously I , R O Roll on to rotatably couple the bearing rings 2 and 4. Thus, the bearing 1 rotatably couples the shaft 3 and the external member 6 so that the shaft 3 or the external member 6 can rotate around the central axis A passing through the shaft 3. C Rotation. In addition, the external member 6 can be a housing, an axle, a hub, etc., and has at least one outer mounting surface 8, which is preferably radial and radially spaced outward from the hole 5. The bearing 1, the shaft 3 and the external member 6 are all components of a motor or other electric machine M (for example, a generator), or any other machine having a rotatable component that can accumulate charge or transport current.
[0033] In any case, the conductive assembly 10 basically includes a conductive annular substrate 12 connected to the outer member 6 and an inner annular conductor 14 connected to the substrate 12 and engageable with the shaft 3. In this way, the conductive assembly 10 provides one or more conductive paths extending between the shaft 3 and the outer member 6 through the inner conductor 14 and the substrate 12, so that the charge or current is diverted and does not flow through the raceway R. I , R O , thus preventing damage to the raceway R I , R O and rolling elements 7.
[0034] More specifically, the base plate 12 has a central axis A when installed. C Coaxial center line L C , and is formed of a conductive material, preferably a conductive metal material, most preferably steel, but may also be formed of another metallic material (such as aluminum or copper), a conductive polymer, graphite, etc. The substrate 12 includes a central line L entirely encircling C The base plate 12 includes a generally circular body 20 and at least one and preferably two integral mounting lugs 22 extending radially outward from the body 20. Each mounting lug 22 can be connected to the outer, radial mounting surface 8 of the outer member 6 to fix the conductive assembly 10 to the outer member 6 at a position axially spaced from the bearing 1. Although two mounting lugs 22 are currently preferred and depicted, as another option, the base plate 12 can include only a single mounting lug 22 or three or more appropriately spaced mounting lugs 22.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, Figures 1 to 16 As shown, the body 20 is substantially flat, and the base plate 12 further comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of reinforcing flanges 26, which extend axially from and at least partially circumferentially around the inner perimeter of the body 20 and / or the outer perimeter of the body 20 and / or the outer perimeter of the mounting lug 22. In another preferred embodiment, as Figures 17 to 22 As shown, the body 20 is formed as a circular hub 28 having a hole 29 for receiving the conductor 14, and each mounting lug 22 preferably includes at least one and preferably two elongated reinforcing ribs 27 extending radially between the central hub 28 and the outer radial end 22b of the lug 22.
[0036] In addition, the inner conductor 14 has an outer radial end 14b connected to the substrate 12, an inner radial end 14a that can be engaged with the outer surface 3a of the shaft 3, and first and second axial ends 14c and 14d, respectively, that are opposite. Preferably, as described in detail below, the conductor 14 is formed as a conductive "brush assembly" 69 that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced conductive fibers 72 extending inwardly from substantially the entire circumference of the inner radial end 14a of the conductor 14. The conductive fibers 72 are preferably arranged in an annular retainer 70 formed of a conductive material and attached to the body 20, as described below.
[0037] By having respective surrounding center line L C and thereby surrounds the substrate 12 of the shaft 3 and the connected conductor 14, which engages around almost the entire circumference of the shaft 3. In this way, the conductor 14 provides a conductive path for the accumulated charge on the shaft 3, which is more effectively distributed around the entire circumference of the shaft and essentially acts as a barrier to prevent foreign matter from entering the hole 5 of the outer member 6. In addition, by connecting the substrate 12 to the outer surface 8 of the outer member 6, the conductive assembly 10 avoids the thermal expansion problems of known conductive assemblies having annular rims coupled to the inner surface of the hole, specifically the potential separation of the retainer rim as discussed in the background of the invention or excessive friction applied to the shaft by the conductive fibers.
[0038] Furthermore, by eliminating the amount of hole space required to mount the conductive assembly 10, the axial length of the shaft 3 and housing 6 can be reduced, thereby increasing the axial compactness of a particular machine M. Furthermore, by providing the base plate 12 with a reinforcing flange 26, or by forming the body 20 as a hub 28 and providing reinforcing ribs 27 on one or more mounting lugs 22, the base plate 12 of both embodiments has greatly increased rigidity, which reduces potential vibrations of the conductive assembly 10. Having described the basic components and functions above, these and other elements of the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention are described in more detail below.
[0039] Reference now Figures 1 to 16 As described above, the first embodiment of the conductive assembly 10 has a base plate 12 provided with stiffening flanges 26 in one of various configurations, as described in detail below. In all configurations of the first embodiment, the plate body 20 is substantially flat and generally circular and has an inner radial end 20a and an opposite outer radial end 20b, the inner radial end 20a defining a central opening 21, the size of the central opening 21 being adapted to receive the shaft 3 with a gap. The body 20 also has a first axial end 20c and an opposite second axial end 20b, the first axial end 20c having a flat, continuous radial surface 21A, and the second axial end 20b having a flat, continuous radial surface 21B. As described below, the conductor 14 is arranged against the first radial surface 21A.
[0040] In addition, each mounting lug 22 has an inner radial end 22a integral with the outer radial end 20b of the body 20, an outer radial end 22b radially outwardly spaced from the inner end 22a, an outer edge or perimeter 23, a first axial end 22c, and a second axial end 22d. Each lug 22 is preferably generally rectangular with a curved outer end 22b, but may have any other suitable shape. In addition, each of the mounting lugs 22 preferably includes a fastener opening 24, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fastener opening 24 is used to receive a single one of two fasteners 25. Specifically, each fastener 25 can be engaged with the outer member 6 to connect the base plate 12 to the outer member 6, preferably threadedly engaged with a threaded opening (not shown) extending inwardly from the outer, radial mounting surface 8. However, the mounting lug 22 can include two or more fastener openings 24, or be attached to the outer surface 8 by any other suitable means, such as by a separate clamping member attached to the outer member 6, by frictionally engaging an axial portion of the mounting lug 22 with a circumferential or axially transverse mounting surface 8, etc. (alternative options not shown).
[0041] Still reference Figures 1 to 16 The main body 20 preferably has a plurality of integral mounting tabs 30, each mounting tab 30 extending axially from the main body 20 and extending about the center line L C Each mounting tab 30 is engaged with the inner conductor 14 to connect the conductor 14 to the substrate 12. More specifically, each mounting tab 30 has an axial portion 32 extending from the outer radial end 20a of the annular plate 20 and a radial portion 34 axially spaced from the annular plate 20 and extending inwardly from the axial portion 32. In this way, the conductor 14 is sandwiched between the plate body 20 and the radial portion 34 of each tab 30 in the axial direction.
[0042] In the preferred case where the base plate 12 is formed by stamping a flat blank, each mounting tab 30 is formed by cutting a generally C-shaped opening 31 in the blank (not shown) so that the tab 30 is generally formed as a flat finger (not shown) located within the opening 31, the finger being integral with and extending radially outward from the remainder of the body 20. The finger is then bent twice to wrap around the outer radial end 14b of the conductor 14, while the opening 31 provides clearance for lubricant to flow to and from the bearing 1. However, as another alternative, the base plate 12 or conductive assembly 10 may be formed to attach the inner conductor 14 to the base plate 12 by any other suitable means, such as by way of example by way of separate clip members that attach the conductor 14 to the board body 20, by way of fasteners that extend through the conductor 14 and the base plate 12, and the like.
[0043] Reference Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 16 In all currently preferred configurations of the first embodiment, the at least one reinforcing flange 26 includes both at least one inner reinforcing flange 40 and at least one outer reinforcing flange 42. The at least one inner reinforcing flange 40 extends axially from the inner end 20a of the plate body 20 and, in all currently preferred configurations, is formed continuously and completely around the center line L of the base plate 12. C In some applications, the inner reinforcing flange 40 may be configured (ie, axially and diametrically dimensioned and relative to the centerline L C Positioning) allows flange 40 to be inserted into the open end of hole 6, thereby at least approximately centering conductive assembly 10 about axis 3 (structure not shown).
[0044] In addition, at least one outer reinforcing flange 42 extends axially from the outer radial end 20b of the body and / or from the outer peripheral edge 23 of at least one of the two mounting lugs 22. Preferably, each outer reinforcing flange 42 extends from the first axial end 20c of the body 20 and / or the first axial end 22c of the lug 22 in the first axial direction D1, while the (one or more) inner reinforcing flanges 40 extend from the second axial end 20d of the plate body 20 in the opposite second axial direction D2.
[0045] Reference now Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 10 In both the first configuration and the second configuration of the base plate 12 of the first embodiment, the two mounting lugs 22 are arranged around the center line L C Circumferentially spaced approximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°). Figures 3 to 7 In a first configuration, the outer reinforcing flange 42 is formed as a single continuous outer reinforcing flange 44 extending around the entire periphery 23 of each of the two lugs 22 and around two sections (not shown) of the outer radial end 22b of the body 22 extending between the two mounting lugs 22. In the first configuration, the body 20 is sized to have a substantial radial extent, i.e., between the inner radial end 20a and the outer radial end 20b, such that each of the gap openings 31 is substantially square or rectangular and radially located between the inner radial end 20a and the outer radial end 20b, thereby being completely closed.
[0046] exist Figures 8 to 10 In the second configuration shown, at least one outer reinforcing flange 42 includes a C A first outer reinforcing flange 46 and a second outer reinforcing flange 47 are spaced apart. Specifically, the first outer flange 46 extends around the entire periphery 23 of one of the two mounting lugs 22 and partially around the outer end 20b of the body 20. The second outer reinforcing flange 47 extends around the entire periphery 23 of the other of the two mounting lugs 22 and partially around the outer end 20b of the body 20. More specifically, each outer flange 46, 47 has a central portion 46a, 47a extending completely around one lug 22 and two outer sections 46b, 46c and 47a, 47c, respectively, each outer section 46b, 46c and 47a, 47c extending from the central section 46a, 47a and around a separate section of the outer radial end 20b of the body.
[0047] In addition, the second structural substrate 12 has a CThe second configuration has two closed gap openings 31 between the individual mounting lugs 22, each of which is square / rectangular, while the remaining gap openings 31 are "open-ended". Preferably, the second configuration is formed by cutting two arcuate sections from the body 20 located between the two mounting lugs 22 from the base plate 12 of the first configuration. However, the second configuration can be formed in any other suitable manner. In any case, the second configuration can be used in applications where space is limited on either lateral side of the two mounting lugs 22.
[0048] Reference now Figures 11 to 16 In the third and fourth configurations of the conductive assembly 10 of the first embodiment, the two mounting lugs 22 are arranged around the center line L C The mounting surfaces 8 are spaced approximately 90 degrees (90°) apart in the circumferential direction, preferably slightly greater than 90 degrees (eg, 95°). Both configurations are formed for the mounting surface(s) 8 to be spaced apart about the central axis A. C Applications where two sections of the surface 8 are not continuous and 180 degrees apart are not usable. Figures 11 to 13 In a third configuration, the outer reinforcing flange 42 is formed as a single, continuous outer reinforcing flange 48 that extends around a substantial section of the periphery 23 of each of the two lugs 22 and around a circumferentially substantial section of the outer radial end 22b of the body 22, thereby extending between the two mounting lugs 22. In the third configuration, the main portion of the body 20 is sized to have a substantial radial extent, i.e., between the inner radial end 20a and the outer radial end 20b, such that most of the clearance openings 31 are generally square or rectangular and radially located between the inner radial end 20a and the outer radial ends 20b, thereby being closed with only one opening 31 being an end opening. The third configuration provides clearance in a quadrant of the base plate 20 between the two mounting lugs 22.
[0049] exist Figures 14 to 16 In the fourth configuration shown, at least one reinforcing flange 42 includes a first outer reinforcing flange 49 extending around a portion of the periphery of one of the two mounting lugs 22 and partially around the outer end 20b of the body 20 and a second outer reinforcing flange 50 extending around a portion of the other of the two mounting lugs 22 and partially around the outer end 20b of the body 20. In the fourth configuration, one gap opening 31 is closed, while the remaining openings 31 are open-ended. The fourth configuration is used in applications where space is limited around a large portion of the periphery of the body 20.
[0050] Although four exemplary substrate configurations of the conductive assembly 10 of the first embodiment are shown and depicted that vary in circumferential length and continuity of (one or more) outer flanges 42, one or more inner reinforcing flanges 40 and outer reinforcing flanges 42 may be formed in any other suitable manner. For example, at least one inner flange 40 may be formed as two or more circumferentially extending inner flanges 40 and having any suitable circumferential and axial lengths (not shown). Similarly, as another option, one or more of the current outer flanges 42 may be formed as two or more separate flange sections separated by a circumferential gap (not shown). The scope of the present invention includes these and any other suitable (one or more) configurations or (one or more) constructions of the plate body 20, mounting lugs 22, and reinforcing flanges 26.
[0051] refer to Figures 17 to 22 In the second embodiment of the conductor assembly 10, the body 22 of the substrate 12 is formed as a circular central hub 28 having an inner radial end 28a and an outer radial end 28b, and two mounting flanges 22 each extend from the outer radial end 28b of the central hub 28. The circular hub 28 includes a cylindrical axial portion 60 and a radial portion 62 extending radially inward from the axial portion 60. Specifically, the axial portion 60 has a first axial end 60a and a second axial end 60b, an inner circumferential surface 61A defining a circular hole 29, and an opposite outer circumferential surface 61B, as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 The radial portion 62 extends inwardly from the first axial end 60a of the axial portion 60, and the two mounting lugs 22 each extend radially outwardly from the second axial end 60b of the axial portion 60. As described above, the inner conductor 14 is disposed in the hole 29 of the central hub 28 (at Fig. 22 ), wherein the first axial end 14c is arranged against the hub radial portion 62.
[0052] Preferably, the center hub 28 also includes a plurality of integral retainer tabs 64 that are disposed about the centerline L. C The second axial end 14d of the conductor 14 is disposed in a radially inward direction and spaced apart from each other from the second axial end 60b of the hub axial portion 60. In addition, the center hub 28 preferably further includes a plurality of reinforcing flanges 66 extending radially outwardly from the second axial end 60b of the hub axial portion 60 and extending around the center line L. C Each reinforcement flange 66 is circumferentially arranged between a separate pair of retainer tabs 66 .
[0053] In addition, the two mounting lugs 22 are arranged around the center line LC The mounting lugs 22 are spaced approximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°) apart in the circumferential direction, and each mounting lug 22 has an inner radial end 22a integral with the outer radial end 20b of the body 20 and an outer radial end 22b radially spaced outward from the inner end 22a. Each lug 22 is preferably generally rectangular with a curved outer end 22b, but may have any other suitable shape. In addition, each of the mounting lugs 22 preferably includes a fastener opening 24 for receiving a fastener (not shown) that can be engaged with the outer member 6, thereby connecting the base plate 12 to the outer member 6. Alternatively, each mounting lug 22 may include two or more fastener openings 24 or be attached to the outer surface 8 by any other suitable means (alternative options not shown).
[0054] refer to Figures 17 to 19 As described above, each mounting lug 22 includes at least one reinforcing rib 27 extending radially between the central hub 28 and the outer radial end 22b of the mounting lug 22. Preferably, each lug 22 includes two ribs 27 spaced across the circumferential width of the lug 22. As with the reinforcing flange 26, the ribs 27 serve to increase the rigidity of the base plate 12 to reduce any potential vibration of the conductive assembly 10. In addition, each mounting lug 22 also preferably includes a clearance opening 67 extending radially outward from the lug inner radial end 22a and adjacent to a single one of the retainer tabs 64.
[0055] Reference now Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 21 to Figure 23 In both embodiments of the conductor assembly 10, the inner conductor 14 is preferably a conductive brush assembly 69 as described above, comprising an outer, annular conductive holder 70 and a plurality of conductive fibers 72 extending radially inward from the annular holder 70 and configured to engage the shaft 3. Preferably, the fibers 72 engage with interference (i.e., by bending of the fibers 17) up to 5 millimeters (5 mm) in diameter. Each conductive fiber 72 is preferably formed of carbon, but alternatively may be formed of a metallic material (e.g., copper, aluminum), a conductive polymer material, or any other suitable material.
[0056] In addition, the annular conductive retainer 70 has a closed outer radial end 70a where the conductor outer radial end 14b is disposed, an open inner radial end 70b, an annular channel 74 extending radially outward from the inner radial end 70b, and two circumferential ends 71A, 71B. Preferably, the annular conductive retainer 70 is formed to include an outer base wall 76 and a pair of side walls 78A, 78B extending radially inward from the base wall 76 and defining the circumferential annular channel 74. In addition, the annular retainer 70 is preferably formed of a conductive metal material, most preferably aluminum, but may also be formed of another metal material (such as steel or copper), a conductive polymer material, or any other conductive material.
[0057] In addition, a plurality of conductive fibers 72 are arranged around the center line L of the conductor 14. C Circumferentially spaced apart, and preferably uniformly distributed along the entire arcuate circumference (not shown) between the circumferential ends 71A, 71B of the annular retainer 70. Each conductive fiber 72 has an outer radial end 72a disposed in the channel 76 of the retainer 74 and at least one inner radial end 72b engageable with the shaft 3. Preferably, the annular conductor 14 also includes an annular conductive wire 80 disposed in the retainer channel 74 and generally formed as a ring ( / hoop). Each conductive fiber 72 is bent around the annular wire / hoop 80 so that each fiber 72 has two inner radial ends 72b engageable with the shaft 3 and is generally U-shaped or V-shaped.
[0058] Although the conductor 14 preferably includes the annular retainer 70 and the plurality of conductive fibers 72, the conductor 14 may be formed in any other suitable manner. For example, the conductor 14 may be formed as an arcuate solid member (not shown) formed of a flexible, conductive polymer material, graphite, or another conductive material.
[0059] The above describes in detail representative non-limiting examples of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is only intended to teach those skilled in the art further details for practicing the preferred aspects of the present teachings, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0060] In addition, the combination of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the present invention in the broadest sense, but is only taught to specifically describe representative examples of the present invention. In addition, various features of the above representative examples and various independent claims and dependent claims can be combined in a manner that is not specifically and explicitly listed, thereby providing additional useful embodiments of the present teaching.
[0061] For the purpose of original written disclosure, and for the purpose of limiting the subject matter claimed, all features disclosed in the description and / or claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from the composition of features in the embodiments and / or claims. In addition, for the purpose of original written disclosure, and for the purpose of limiting the subject matter claimed, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity. The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may vary within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A conductive component (10) for preventing current from flowing through a raceway of a bearing (1), the bearing (1) comprising an inner ring (2) arranged around a shaft (3) and an outer ring (4) arranged in a hole (5) of an external member (6), the shaft (3) or the external member (6) being capable of moving around a central axis (A) passing through the shaft (3) C ) is rotatable, the outer member (6) having an outer mounting surface (8) radially outwardly spaced from the hole (5), and the conductive component (10) comprises: The substrate (12) is formed of a conductive material and has a central axis (A C ) coaxial center line (L C ), and comprising an annular body (20) having an inner radial end (20a) and an outer radial end (20b), at least one integral mounting lug (22) extending radially outward from the outer radial end of the body (20), and at least one reinforcing flange (26), wherein the at least one lug (22) is connectable to a mounting surface (8) of the outer member (6) to secure the conductive assembly (10) to the outer member (6) at a position axially spaced from the bearing (1), and the at least one reinforcing flange (26) (26) extending axially from at least one of the inner radial end (20a) of the plate body (20), the outer radial end (20b) of the plate body (20), and the outer peripheral edge of at least one of the two mounting lugs (22), and the at least one reinforcing flange (26) at least partially extending circumferentially around the at least one of the inner radial end (20a) of the plate body (20), the outer radial end (20b) of the plate body (20), and the outer peripheral edge of at least one of the two mounting lugs (22); as well as An inner annular conductor (14) is connected to the substrate (12) and has an inner radial end (14a) engageable with the shaft (3) such that a conductive path extends between the shaft (3) and the outer member (6) through the inner conductor (14) and the substrate (12).
2. The conductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one reinforcing flange (26) includes at least one inner reinforcing flange (40) and at least one outer reinforcing flange (42), wherein the at least one inner reinforcing flange (40) extends axially from the inner end (20a) of the plate body (20), and the at least one outer reinforcing flange (42) extends axially from the outer radial end (20b) of the plate and / or from the outer peripheral edge of the at least one mounting lug (22).
3. The conductive component according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plate body (20) includes a first axial end (20c) and an opposite second axial end (20d), the at least one outer reinforcing flange (42) extending from the first axial end (20c) of the plate body (20) in a first axial direction, and the at least one inner reinforcing flange (40) extending from the second axial end (20d) of the plate body (20) in a second, opposite axial direction.
4. The conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized in that: The at least one reinforcing flange (26) includes an inner reinforcing flange (40) that is continuous and extends completely around a centerline (L) of the base plate (12). C )extend.
5. The conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one mounting lug includes two mounting lugs (22), the reinforcing flange (26) includes at least one outer reinforcing flange (42), and the at least one outer reinforcing flange (42) includes one of the following: a continuous outer reinforcing flange (44) extending around the entire circumference of each of the two lugs (22) and around two sections of the outer radial end of the body between the two mounting lugs; a first outer reinforcing flange (46) and a second outer reinforcing flange (47), wherein the first outer reinforcing flange (46) extends around the entire circumference of one of the two mounting lugs (22) and partially around the outer end of the body (20), and the second outer reinforcing flange (47) extends around the entire circumference of the other of the two mounting lugs (22) and partially around the outer end of the body (20); a continuous outer reinforcing flange (48) extending around at least a portion of a periphery of a first of the two mounting lugs (22), around a portion of the outer radial end of the body (20), and around a portion of a periphery of the other of the two mounting lugs; and A first outer reinforcing flange (49) and a second outer reinforcing flange (50), wherein the first outer reinforcing flange (49) extends around a portion of the periphery of one of the two mounting lugs (22) and partially around the outer end of the body (20), and the second outer reinforcing flange (50) extends around a portion of the other of the two mounting lugs (22) and partially around the outer end of the body (20).
6. A conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one mounting lug (22) has at least one opening (24) for receiving a fastener for connecting the base plate (12) to the outer member (6).
7. An electrically conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one mounting lug includes two mounting lugs (22) disposed about a center line (L) of the base plate (12). C ) are spaced apart by a certain angle in the circumferential direction, and the angle has a value of about 90 degrees or about 180 degrees.
8. An electrically conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The annular plate (12) has a plurality of integral mounting tabs (30), each tab (30) extending axially from the body (20) and extending about the centerline (L C ) are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and each tab (30) engages with the inner conductor (14) to connect the conductor (14) to the substrate (20).
9. The conductive component according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the mounting tabs (30) is formed by cutting and bending a separate section of the body (20) such that a plurality of gap openings (31) are formed in the body (20) adjacent to at least a portion of the mounting tab (30).
10. The conductive component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The inner conductor (14) comprises: an annular conductive retainer (70) disposed against the substrate (12) and having an outer radial end (70a), an inner radial end (70b), and an annular channel (74) extending radially outward from the inner radial end (70b); and A plurality of conductive fibers (72) are arranged around the center line (L C ) are circumferentially spaced apart, each fiber having an outer radial end (72a) disposed within a channel (76) of the retainer (14) and at least one inner radial end (72b) capable of engaging with the shaft (3).