Rolling bearing with multi-component plastic bearing ring

Abstract

The invention relates to a rolling bearing (1), in particular a ball bearing, comprising an inner ring (3) and an outer ring (2) as two bearing rings which are mounted so as to be rotatable relative to each other about an axis and which each form a guide section of a guide arranged between the bearing rings, said guide section surrounding the axis, the guide section formed by the inner ring is radially opposite the guide section formed by the outer ring, and rolling bodies (4), in particular balls, are distributed about the axis and are arranged in the guide so as to abut against the two guide sections, such that the rolling bodies roll on the two guide sections when the bearing rings rotate relative to each other about the axis. At least one of the bearing rings has a sliding ring (22) forming a guide section of the bearing ring and a stabilizing ring (21) resting on the sliding ring so as to surround the axis, the sliding ring is made of a first plastic material and the stabilizing ring is made of a second plastic material, the first plastic material is softer than the second plastic material, and the rolling elements are mounted in the guide in particular without lubricant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a rolling bearing according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a device having such a rolling bearing and an outer and an inner component, wherein the two components can be supported rotatably relative to one another and are connected to one another via the rolling bearing. Background Art

[0002] Rolling bearings of this type are well known in the prior art. Such rolling bearings have two bearing rings, namely an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring is at least partially surrounded by the outer ring and is at least partially radially spaced from the outer ring, wherein rolling bodies are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and the rolling bodies are designed to roll on the two bearing rings, and they are in contact with the two bearing rings. As a result, the bearing rings can be supported rotatably relative to each other around the axis of the rolling bearing, wherein, due to the provision of rolling bodies, such rolling bearings can absorb non-trivial radial forces. In a widely generalized embodiment, such rolling bearings are configured as ball bearings, wherein the balls are configured as rolling bodies. The present invention particularly relates to such ball bearings. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the rolling bearing is configured as a groove ball bearing, in which the inner ring and the outer ring jointly configure a groove guide for the ball, in which the ball is guided between the bearing rings, whereby these groove ball bearings can also absorb certain axial forces. The present invention particularly relates to such groove ball bearings. Generally speaking, it is pointed out that if a rolling bearing is suitable for receiving forces, this is based on forces that act relatively between an inner ring and an outer ring of the rolling bearing. Furthermore, generally speaking, it is pointed out that the term "axial" refers to a direction along the axis of the rolling bearing, about which the bearing rings are supported so as to be rotatable relative to one another, and the term "radial" refers to a direction perpendicular to this axis.

[0003] Therefore, in this type of rolling bearing, the bearing rings each have a guide section of a guide portion, which is constructed between the bearing rings and in which the rolling bodies are supported between the bearing rings. Therefore, the guide sections of the bearing rings are radially opposite, and the rolling bodies are arranged radially between them. The guide sections are each constructed in a closed and circumferential manner around the axis. The balls are arranged in the guide portion distributed around the axis, especially evenly distributed, and abutting against the two guide sections, so that when the bearing rings rotate relative to each other around the axis, the rolling bodies roll on the two guide sections. Basically, with such a rolling bearing, it is possible to reliably ensure that the two bearing rings are supported relative to each other with low friction and rotatable around the axis, wherein the bearing rings are reliably positioned relative to each other not only axially but also radially. However, different difficulties arise in such a rolling bearing. In conventional rolling bearings, considerable lubrication of the rolling elements in the guide is necessary to achieve a permanently reliable function, and if the press fit of the rolling bearing between the bearing rings is too strong, the friction increases greatly, which is accompanied by wear and, at significant rotational speeds, by heating, and if the press fit is too small, there is the risk of play between the bearing rings. Furthermore, the selection of materials for the production of such rolling bearings is difficult. Since, on the one hand, sufficient stability of the bearing rings must be ensured, and, on the other hand, the lowest possible friction between the rolling elements and the bearing rings should be achieved, furthermore, the rolling bearing should ideally be suitable both for low and high rotational speeds of the bearing rings relative to one another about the axis, and since such rolling bearings are used to a large extent for supporting very different components relative to one another, furthermore, the bearing rings and the rolling bearing as a whole should be as cost-effective as possible. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a rolling bearing or a device having a rolling bearing which at least partially eliminates at least one disadvantage or problem occurring in rolling bearings or devices of this type.

[0005] As a solution to the task that forms the basis of the present invention, the present invention proposes a rolling bearing having the features according to claim 1. The rolling bearing comprises an inner ring and an outer ring as two bearing rings of the rolling bearing that are supported rotatably relative to each other around an axis. The inner ring and the outer ring respectively form a guide section of a guide portion arranged between the bearing rings that surrounds the axis, especially surrounds the guide section without interruption and in a closed manner. The guide section formed by the inner ring is radially opposite to the guide section formed by the outer ring. The guide section can be formed by the sides of the inner ring and the outer ring that face each other radially. The rolling bodies are distributed around the axis and are arranged in the guide portion in abutment against the two guide sections. Preferably, the rolling bodies are fixed not only in their axial position but also in their radial spacing from the axis due to their abutment against the two guide sections. When the bearing rings rotate relative to each other around the axis, the rolling bodies roll on the two guide sections. Since the rolling bodies roll on the guide sections, the bearing rings can be supported rotatably relative to each other by means of rolling elements. Preferably, the rolling bodies are evenly distributed around the axis, so that between two rolling bodies adjacent in the circumferential direction around the axis, a spacing angle that is always the same is provided around the axis. Preferably, the rolling bearing is configured as a ball bearing, wherein the rolling bodies are configured as balls. In other embodiments, other rolling bodies can also be configured as balls, such as cylinders. According to the present invention, at least one of the bearing rings has a sliding ring that configures a guide section of the bearing ring and a stabilizing ring that rests on the sliding ring circumferentially around the axis, wherein the sliding ring is made of a first plastic and the stabilizing ring is made of a second plastic. The first and second plastics are different from each other, wherein the first plastic is softer than the second plastic. The rolling bearing according to the present invention may have the following features in some embodiments: the features are disclosed without being associated with such rolling bearings.

[0006] The design of the rolling bearing according to the invention also brings about particular advantages. The sliding ring forming the guide section of the bearing ring is made of a first plastic, which, since it is softer than the second plastic (from which the stabilizing ring is made), can be designed in a targeted manner as optimally as possible for low-friction and low-noise interaction with the rolling elements, without the stability of the bearing ring being impaired overall, since the stabilizing ring ensures sufficient stability of the bearing ring due to its hardness and the strength associated therewith. The first plastic is particularly preferably a sliding material. Sliding materials are well known as plastics with good sliding properties. Particularly preferably, as a sliding material, a friction polymer (that is to say a polymer plastic, which is tribologically optimized, that is to say has good friction and / or lubrication properties. Such polymer plastics are also referred to as friction polymers. Particularly preferably, such a sliding material can be processed by an injection molding process. The friction polymer can be, for example, a thermoplastic friction polymer or a thermosetting friction polymer. Typically, the friction polymer contains one or more base polymers and additives, wherein the additives can be specifically provided for the optimization of wear reduction or friction reduction. For example, as an additive, a lubricant can be provided, for example a fine solid lubricant, such as molybdenum disulfide or graphite. In one embodiment, the friction polymer contains further additives, for example for stabilization purposes, such as fillers, in particular plastic fibers or textile fibers or plastic particles or textile particles. As base polymers, for example polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide Amines (PA, PA6, PA12, PA46, PA66), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyketone (PK), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), for special applications, such as use in the food industry and / or for good resistance at high temperatures, such as polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), wherein the base polymer can also be designed, for example, as a compound, which is a mixture of at least two of the polymers described above. The thermosetting friction polymer can have, for example, a phenolic resin as the base polymer. Due to the configuration according to the invention, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the rolling bearing can be a lubricant-free rolling bearing, so that the rolling elements are supported in the guide without lubricant. Such a lubricant-free rolling bearing can be particularly low-maintenance and environmentally friendly and can also be particularly advantageous for use in critical environments such as in the food industry.

[0007] By means of the slide ring forming the guide section of the bearing ring, the rolling bodies roll uninterruptedly on the slide ring and thus on the first plastic during the complete rotation of the bearing ring relative to each other around the axis. Thus, uninterrupted low friction between the rolling bodies and the bearing ring can be ensured by the advantageously selectable properties of the first plastic. By means of the stabilizing ring surrounding the axis, in particular abutting the slide ring in an uninterrupted closed manner, the stabilizing ring can ensure sufficient stability of the slide ring over the entire encirclement. Preferably, the stabilizing ring extends over at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, of the axial extension of the slide ring over its complete encirclement around the axis, preferably over at least the complete axial extension of the slide ring. Preferably, the slide ring has a radial inner side and a radial outer side as two radial sides, each of which surrounds the axis in an uninterrupted closed manner, wherein the slide ring forms the guide section with one of these radial sides, and the stabilizing ring abuts against the other of these radial sides, in particular uninterruptedly over its complete encirclement around the axis. Thus, a particularly effective stabilization of the bearing ring for the application in a rolling bearing can be produced with the stabilizing ring. Particularly preferably, the rolling bodies rest on the sliding ring uninterruptedly during a rotation of the bearing rings relative to one another by 360° about the axis with a contact surface that is at least five times larger than on the stabilizing ring. The contact surface with which the rolling bodies rest on the sliding ring is therefore at least five times larger than the contact surface with which the rolling bodies rest on the stabilizing ring. Preferably, the rolling bodies do not rest on the stabilizing ring. The stabilizing ring is therefore preferably spaced apart from the rolling bodies, in particular in every possible rotational position of the bearing ring about the axis.

[0008] In general, it is preferred that each of the bearing rings has a sliding ring and a stabilizing ring. The advantageous properties currently described with respect to the bearing rings in the different embodiments can then be provided in one or both of the bearing rings, respectively. By virtue of the two bearing rings (that is to say, the inner ring and the outer ring) each having a sliding ring and a stabilizing ring as currently explained for the different embodiments, the entire rolling bearing can be constructed particularly simply, with low friction and at the same time firmly. Particularly preferably, the sliding ring of the inner ring surrounds the stabilizing ring of the inner ring. Particularly preferably, the stabilizing ring of the outer ring surrounds the sliding ring of the outer ring. Thus, the sliding rings of the inner ring and the outer ring form radially opposite guide sections of the guide portion, in which the rolling bearing is arranged in a guided manner.

[0009] In general, it is preferred that the first plastic has a hardness of less than 75, in particular less than 70, in particular less than 65, in particular less than 60 Shore D. Preferably, the first plastic has a hardness of 30 to 75, in particular 35 to 65, in particular 40 to 60 Shore D. In general, it is particularly preferred that the second plastic has a hardness of at least 5, in particular at least 10, in particular at least 15, in particular at least 20 Shore D greater than the Shore D of the first plastic. In general, it is preferred that the second plastic has a hardness of at least 60, in particular at least 65, in particular at least 70, in particular at least 75 Shore D. Preferably, the second plastic has a hardness of 60 to 100, in particular 65 to 100, in particular 70 to 95, in particular 70 to 90 Shore D. The inventors have determined that by combining the first and second plastic, so that the second plastic is very hard, but the first plastic always still has a considerable hardness, a particularly strong and at the same time low-friction rolling bearing having the features according to the invention can be produced. Generally speaking, it is preferred that the coefficient of friction between the rolling element and the first plastic is lower than the coefficient of friction between the rolling element and the second plastic. Generally speaking, it is preferred that the first plastic has a higher proportion of lubricant than the second plastic.

[0010] In one embodiment, only the first plastic is designed as a sliding material, in another embodiment, the first and the second plastic are designed as sliding materials.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rolling bodies are supported in a bearing cage that surrounds the axis so that they can rotate and are guided to each other at a specified angular spacing. The bearing cage is arranged radially between the guide sections of the inner ring and the outer ring. By providing a bearing cage that ensures a fixed angular spacing between the rolling bodies when the bearing rings are twisted relative to each other, the support characteristics of the rolling bearing can be particularly advantageous. Particularly preferably, the bearing ring is made of a sliding material. The sliding material is a plastic that can be constructed, for example, as explained above, in particular as a friction polymer. Preferably, the sliding material (the bearing cage is made of the sliding material) is different from the first plastic and / or the second plastic. Generally speaking, it is preferred that the inner ring, the outer ring and the bearing cage are each made of plastic. Therefore, the rolling bearing can be provided inexpensively and environmentally friendly, wherein the configuration of the inner ring, the outer ring and the bearing cage made of plastic can be particularly advantageous for realizing the rolling bearing as a lubricant-free rolling bearing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rolling body is made of a material that has a greater hardness than the first plastic and in particular a greater hardness than the second plastic. Particularly preferably, the rolling body is made of glass, metal, plastic or ceramic. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rolling body is made of glass, plastic or ceramic. This can be particularly advantageous for realizing a lubricant-free rolling bearing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the slide ring and the stabilizing ring abut against each other in a positive-locking manner both along the axis and perpendicularly to the axis (ie, axially and radially). The positive-locking abutment can ensure a particularly high stability of the bearing ring.

[0014] In one embodiment, the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring each have a projection distributed around the axis, wherein a recess is provided between two adjacent projections. Particularly preferably, the projections and in particular the recesses are arranged uniformly distributed around the axis. The corresponding projections of the projections of the stabilizing ring are arranged in the corresponding recesses in the recess of the sliding ring, and the corresponding projections of the projections of the sliding ring are arranged in the corresponding recesses in the recess of the stabilizing ring. The staggered connection of the projections and recesses of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring can ensure a particularly shape-fixed connection, in particular a particularly good form-locking connection, between the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring. The recess can be constructed, for example, by reducing the thickness of the corresponding ring or by providing a recessed portion in the corresponding ring in one direction through the corresponding ring. Particularly preferably, the projections of the sliding ring extend together over at least 30% of the axial extension of the sliding ring. Therefore, at least 30% of the axial extension of the sliding ring is constituted by its projections. Accordingly, the projections and recesses of the sliding ring preferably extend over at least 30% of the axial extension of the sliding ring, since the recesses are formed perpendicularly to the axial direction between the projections. Preferably, the projections of the stabilizing ring extend over at least 30% of the axial extension of the stabilizing ring. Thus, at least 30% of the axial extension of the stabilizing ring is formed by its projections. Accordingly, the projections and the recesses formed perpendicularly to the axial direction between the projections preferably extend over at least 30% of the axial extension of the stabilizing ring. By extending the projections of the stabilizing ring and / or the sliding ring over at least 30% of their axial extension, a positive connection between the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring can be ensured over a considerable axial extension. Particularly preferably, the projections and recesses are arranged at least over 50% of their axial extension outside the axial extension of the rolling body, in particular at least over 70% of their axial extension. As a result, the influence of the staggered connection of projections and recesses on the support of the rolling body can be kept as small as possible.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least some of the projections of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring are designed as radial projections, and some of the recesses of the stabilizing ring or the sliding ring are designed as radial recesses, wherein a corresponding radial projection of the radial projections of the stabilizing ring is arranged in a corresponding radial recess in the radial recess of the sliding ring, and a corresponding radial projection of the radial projections of the sliding ring is arranged in a corresponding radial recess in the radial recess of the stabilizing ring. By means of the staggered connection of the radial projections and the recesses, the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring can be prevented from twisting relative to each other particularly effectively. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the radial projection of the sliding ring is wider than the radial projection of the stabilizing ring, which can be particularly advantageous for the stability of the bearing ring and therefore for the stability of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring.

[0016] In one embodiment, at least some of the radial projections have a width that increases along their radial extension into the radial receiving portion respectively assigned thereto, so as to form an undercut. The assigned radial receiving portion is a receiving portion in which the corresponding radial projection is arranged. By widening the radial projections along their radial extension into the radial receiving portion assigned thereto, they form undercuts that act in the radial direction, so that the radial projections cannot move out of the assigned radial receiving portion in the radial direction due to the undercuts, which is particularly advantageous for the stability of the bearing ring.

[0017] In one embodiment, the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring have a first group and a second group of protrusions, respectively, wherein the two groups of protrusions are arranged on opposite axial ends of the stabilizing ring or the sliding ring. Preferably, the rolling body is arranged axially between the two groups of protrusions. Here, the rolling body preferably extends at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, of its axial extension outside the axial region in which the protrusions are arranged. Particularly preferably, the first group of protrusions is configured as axial protrusions and the second group of protrusions is configured as radial protrusions. Particularly preferably, the corresponding protrusions of the first group and the associated protrusions of the second group are arranged within the same angular range around the axis. By providing two groups of protrusions, the connection between the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring can be particularly advantageous. By arranging the two groups of protrusions in the same angular range, the engageability of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring and their stability can be particularly advantageous.

[0018] In one embodiment, the sliding ring has a greater extension in the radial direction than the stabilizing ring, averaged over its circumference around the axis. Here, the radial extension (that is, the radial thickness) is averaged over the entire circumference around the axis and over the same axial section, wherein the section includes at least 50% of the axial extension of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring, in particular 100% of the axial extension of at least one of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring. Preferably, the radial extension (that is, the radial thickness) is averaged over the entire circumference around the axis and over the entire axial extension of the respective stabilizing ring and the sliding ring. The inventors have recognized that a sliding ring that is sufficiently thick in the radial direction is particularly advantageous for a reliable and low-friction support or guidance of the rolling body, while in many applications, a stabilizing ring with a small thickness is sufficient for sufficient stability, because the stabilizing ring is made of a plastic with a high hardness.

[0019] In one embodiment, the guide sections hook onto the rolling body on both axial sides of the rolling body. The guide sections thus preferably form grooves in which the rolling body is guided. This has proven to be particularly advantageous when balls are provided as rolling bodies. By hooking onto the rolling body on its two axial sides, the bearing ring and the rolling body can be guided relative to each other by means of the rolling body. Particularly preferably, the guide sections each have a circular segment-shaped cross section with which the guide sections surround the axis, so that they form a surface with their circular segment-shaped cross section surrounding the axis, on which the rolling body can roll. This is particularly advantageous in particular when balls are provided as rolling bodies. Particularly preferably, the bearing rings are fixed in their axial position relative to each other by hooking onto the rolling body on both axial sides by two guide sections.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least one of the guide sections adjoins an introduction section with an introduction bevel at its axial end. Particularly preferably, the two guide sections adjoin the introduction section with the introduction bevel at the same end of their axial ends, so that the introduction bevels of the introduction sections surrounded by the corresponding bearing ring (which forms the corresponding guide section) are radially opposite. Providing such an introduction section with an introduction bevel is particularly advantageous for the joining of the bearing ring and the rolling body. Particularly preferably, the bearing ring with the guide section has an outer diameter that increases as the introduction section runs along the axis or an inner diameter that decreases as the introduction section runs along the axis. Preferably, the outer ring forms the guide section, which adjoins the introduction section with the introduction bevel at its axial end, wherein the outer ring has an inner diameter that decreases as the introduction section runs along the axis. Here, the inner diameter decreases from the axial end of the outer ring toward the guide section. Particularly preferably, the inner ring forms a guide section, which adjoins the introduction section with the introduction bevel at its axial end, wherein the inner ring has an outer diameter that increases in the direction of the introduction section along the axis, wherein the outer diameter increases from the axial end of the inner ring toward the guide section. In a given operating state of the rolling bearing, the rolling bodies abut against the guide section and do not abut against the introduction section, and when the rolling bearing is assembled to include the inner ring, the outer ring and the rolling bodies, the rolling bodies can be guided to the guide section along the introduction section. Preferably, the guide section and the introduction section are each formed by a sliding ring of the corresponding bearing ring.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring are arranged to be compressed together in a radial press fit. In one embodiment, the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring, in particular the entire bearing ring, are manufactured by an injection molding process. Particularly preferably, the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring are manufactured by a multi-component injection molding process, or one of the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring is injected onto the other of the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring. In the case of manufacturing by a multi-component injection molding process, the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring can be manufactured simultaneously, wherein different plastics are used for the two rings. In the case of manufacturing by injecting the sliding ring onto the stabilizing ring or injecting the stabilizing ring onto the sliding ring, one of the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring is manufactured first, and then the other is manufactured by injecting onto the one.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least one of the bearing rings, in particular at least the inner ring, has a flange which extends radially along the rolling element and covers the rolling element on one of its axial sides. The rolling element can be protected by such a flange, thereby at least reducing the ingress of particles which cause friction or other damage. Particularly preferably, the flange is constructed by a stabilizing ring. Particularly preferably, the flange abuts against the sliding ring of the other of the bearing rings in a sliding manner around the axis. By having a sliding ring and a stabilizing ring respectively for the two bearing rings, and by constructing the stabilizing ring of the flange abutting against the sliding ring of the other of the bearing rings, on the one hand, due to the abutment of the flange against the sliding ring, the best possible sealing and thus the best possible protection of the rolling element or the guide and the rolling element arranged therein can be achieved, and on the other hand, the friction between the bearing rings can be kept as low as possible. Particularly preferably, recesses distributed around the axis are provided in the flange, wherein either the flange is formed by a stabilizing ring and the sliding ring extends into the recess in a section, or the flange is formed by a sliding ring and the stabilizing ring extends into the recess. Due to the extension of the respective additional ring into the recess of the flange, a positive connection between the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring can be ensured particularly advantageously. Preferably, the respective ring (stabilizing ring or sliding ring without flange) extends into the recess with its projection explained above.

[0023] In one embodiment, the inner ring has a protruding protrusion on its radial inner side and / or the outer ring has a protruding protrusion on its radial outer side so as to be embedded in a first component in a rotationally fixed manner, and the first component is supported by a rolling bearing so as to be rotatable relative to the second component. Here, the first component is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the inner ring or the outer ring, wherein the protruding protrusion of the inner ring or the outer ring is arranged in a receiving portion provided in the first component. The second component is respectively assembled on the other inner ring or the outer ring in a rotationally fixed manner. Accordingly, the two components are supported by rolling bearings so as to be rotatable relative to each other, wherein each of the inner ring and the outer ring is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to a corresponding component of the two components. Preferably, one of the components is surrounded by the inner ring and pressed against the inner ring in a radial press fit manner, and the other of the components is pressed against the outer ring in a radial press fit manner around the outer ring on the outside.

[0024] In one embodiment, the inner ring has a receptacle for receiving the shaft on its radial inner side, wherein the receptacle has a diameter of at least 8 mm, in particular at least 1 cm, in particular at least 5 cm. Preferably, the outer ring has an outer diameter which is less than 4 cm, in particular less than 3 cm, in particular at least 1 cm greater than the diameter of the receptacle of the inner ring.

[0025] The invention further relates to a device comprising an outer component, in particular a frame component or a transmission component, an inner component, in particular a shaft or another transmission component, and a rolling bearing according to the invention. The inner ring is connected to the inner component and the outer ring is connected to the outer component in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular in a press fit. The components are rotatably connected to each other via the rolling bearing and can be supported relative to each other around the axis of the rolling bearing with as little friction as possible due to the properties of the rolling bearing according to the invention. Particularly preferably, the device is a bicycle. In one embodiment, the outer component is a bicycle frame, in particular a wheel fork of a bicycle frame, wherein the inner component is a wheel axle or a pedal support axle. In one embodiment, the outer component is a transmission component of a bicycle transmission of the bicycle, and the inner component is a further transmission component of the bicycle transmission. For example, the bicycle transmission can be a pedal bearing transmission, wherein the two transmission components of the pedal bearing transmission are supported relative to each other by the rolling bearing. For example, a pedal bearing transmission can have a plurality of gears, in particular a sun gear, an internal gear and at least one planetary gear as transmission elements, and a bridge shaft having at least one surrounding shaft for the planetary gears, wherein at least one of the mentioned transmission elements (that is, for example, the sun gear, the internal gear, at least one planetary gear and / or the bridge shaft) is rotatably supported by a rolling bearing on another of the transmission elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is explained in more detail below based on embodiments with reference to eight figures.

[0027] It shows:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention in different schematic principle illustrations;

[0029] FIG. 2 : The outer ring of the rolling bearing according to FIG. 1 in different schematic principle illustrations;

[0030] FIG. 3 : The inner ring of the rolling bearing according to FIG. 1 in different schematic principle illustrations;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention in a different schematic principle illustration;

[0032] FIG. 5 : The outer ring of the rolling bearing according to FIG. 4 in different schematic principle illustrations;

[0033] FIG. 6 : The inner ring of the rolling bearing according to FIG. 4 in different schematic principle illustrations;

[0034] Figure 7 : A bearing cage of an embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the present invention in a schematic principle diagram;

[0035] FIG. 8 : A further embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention in different schematic principle representations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Including Figure 1A 1B and 1C schematically show embodiments of a rolling bearing 1 according to the invention in different principle illustrations. Figure 1A The rolling bearing 1 is shown in a top view in the axial direction. Figure 1B A cross-sectional view according to section AA is shown. Figure 1C A perspective view is shown. The rolling bearing 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has an inner ring 3 and an outer ring 2 as two bearing rings. The inner ring 3 is arranged radially inside the outer ring 2. The two bearing rings each form a guide section, wherein the guide sections jointly form a guide for the rolling bodies 4, which are in this case balls. The guide sections of the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2 point toward each other in the radial direction and are therefore opposite each other in the radial direction, as can be seen in particular from Figure 1B It can be seen that the rolling bodies 4 are held against the guide sections between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2. In addition, the rolling bearing 1 has a bearing cage 5 which is arranged radially between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2 in a segmented manner surrounding the balls or rolling bodies 4 and ensures that the rolling bodies 4 or balls are positioned at uniform angular distances from each other.

[0037] Including Figure 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D schematically show different views on the outer ring 2 or the components of the outer ring 2 in different schematic diagrams. The outer ring 2 includes a sliding ring 22 and a stabilizing ring 21. Here, the sliding ring 22 is made of a sliding material, in this case a friction polymer. The sliding ring 22 preferably constructs at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, in particular the main part, preferably the entire radial inner side of the outer ring 2, which is generally advantageous according to the present invention. The sliding ring 22 constructs the guide section 20 of the outer ring 2, wherein the guide section hooks the rolling body 4 on both axial sides and has a circular segment-shaped cross section. The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the circumferential ring around the axis. In addition, the guide section 20 is directly adjacent to the introduction section 220. In this introduction section, the sliding ring 22 has an introduction bevel. Inside this introduction bevel, the outer ring 2 has an inner diameter that decreases along the axis from its axial end toward the guide section 20. The guide section 20 is suitable for reliably guiding the rolling body 4, which is configured as a ball here, and the introduction section 220 is used to simply introduce the ball into the guide section 20 during the assembly of the rolling bearing 1. In addition, the sliding ring 22 and the stabilizing ring 21 have a plurality of protrusions 211, 212, 222, 223. The corresponding protrusions of the protrusions 211, 212 of the stabilizing ring 21 are respectively received in the associated recesses of the sliding ring 22, wherein the recess is formed between two adjacent protrusions 222, 223 of the sliding ring 22. Here, adjacent protrusions refer to being adjacent along a circumferential ring around the axis. In particular, from Figure 2A and 2C When viewed together, it can be seen that the stabilizing ring 21 and the sliding ring 22 each have a radial protrusion 212, 223, wherein the radial protrusion 223 of the sliding ring 22 is wider than the radial protrusion 212 of the stabilizing ring 21, wherein the radial protrusions 212, 223 each have an increased width extending in their radial direction into the radial receiving portion respectively assigned thereto to form an undercut. Figure 2A 2 . It can be seen that due to these undercuts, radial relative movements of the sliding ring 22 and the stabilizing ring 21 are effectively prevented. In the illustrated embodiment, the stabilizing ring 21 and the sliding ring 22 each have two groups of projections. The first group of projections 222, 211 is arranged at the first axial end of the respective ring, and the second group of projections 212, 223 is arranged at the second axial end of the respective ring. The guide section 20 and the rolling bodies extend with their axial extension essentially outside the axial extension of the projections. By the interaction of the projections 211, 212, 222, 223, the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in the radial direction and in the axial direction. In this case, approximately 30% of the axial extension of the ring is formed by the projections 211, 212, 222, 223.

[0038] Including Figure 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, the inner ring 3 or parts of the inner ring 3 are shown in schematic principle diagrams in different views. The inner ring 3 has a stabilizing ring 32 and a sliding ring 31. The sliding ring 31 surrounds the stabilizing ring 32 circumferentially. In this case, the stabilizing ring 32 is configured as a receptacle for receiving a shaft. Since the stabilizing ring 32 is made of a hard second plastic, it is suitable for being configured to be pressed against the shaft. As explained above with reference to FIG. 2 for the outer ring 2, the stabilizing ring 32 and the sliding ring 31 each have projections 313, 321, 322, which, as explained in relation to the outer ring 2 of FIG. 2, are staggered with each other, that is, the respective projections of the projections are embedded in the recesses configured between the projections of the other ring and assigned to it. The sliding ring 31 preferably configures at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least the main part, preferably the entire radial outer side of the inner ring 3, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. On this radial outer side, the sliding ring 31 forms a guide section 30 of the inner ring 3, which is radially opposite to the guide section 20 of the outer ring 2 in the rolling bearing 1 and has a circular segment-shaped cross section similar to the guide section 20 of the outer ring 2, in which the rolling bodies 4 (here balls) are guided and held with undercuts acting in the axial direction. The sliding ring 31 also forms an introduction section 310 adjacent to the guide section 30, in which the outer diameter of the inner ring 3 increases continuously from its axial end toward the guide section 30, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. As can be seen from the combined view of FIGS. 1-3, the guide sections 20, 30 and the introduction sections 220, 310 are all radially opposite, which is particularly advantageous not only for the assembly of the rolling bearing 1 but also for the guidance of the rolling bodies 4 in the assembled rolling bearing 1.

[0039] Including Figure 4A 4B and 4C, another embodiment of the rolling bearing 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in different principle diagrams. Figure 4A A plan view along the axial direction is shown. Figure 4B A cross section along section AA is shown. Figure 4C A plan view of a rolling bearing 1 is shown. The rolling bearing 1 has an inner ring 3 and an outer ring 2. Rolling bodies 4 in the form of balls are arranged radially between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 2 and are held in a bearing cage 5 at a constant angular spacing from one another. For similar parts of the rolling bearing 1 according to FIG. 4 , reference is made to the explanation of the rolling bearing 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 . In the following, only the differences between the rolling bearing according to FIG. 4 and the rolling bearing 1 mentioned above are discussed. At this point, FIGS. 4 to 6 are discussed in general terms, which are each related to the rolling bearing shown in FIG. 5 . In the description including Figure 5A5B, 5C and 5D, the outer ring 2 or the components of the outer ring 2 are schematically shown in different views in principle diagrams. Fig. 6A 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F, the inner ring 3 or components of the inner ring 3 are schematically shown in different views as principle diagrams.

[0040] The outer ring 2 has a sliding ring 22 which forms the guide section 20 of the outer ring 2 and a stabilizing ring 21 which completely surrounds the sliding ring 22, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. The sliding ring 22 forms the entire radial inner side of the outer ring 2, and the stabilizing ring 21 forms the entire radial outer side of the outer ring 2. The stabilizing ring 21 forms a flange 215. The flange 215 is constructed to protrude radially. Particularly advantageously, the flange 215 is suitable as a stop when the rolling bearing 1 is assembled with its outer ring 2 in an external component of the device by press fit. The inner ring 3 also has a stabilizing ring 32 and a sliding ring 31. The sliding ring 31 completely surrounds the stabilizing ring 32 and forms the main part of the radial outer side of the inner ring 3, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. Accordingly, according to the invention, it is generally advantageous that the sliding ring 22 of the outer ring 2 forms the main part of the radial inner side of the outer ring 2. The sliding ring 31 of the inner ring 3 and the sliding ring 22 of the outer ring 2 form guide sections 30, 20 of the inner ring 3 or outer ring 2, respectively, which are adjacent to the introduction sections 310, 220. The guide sections 20, 30 and the introduction sections 220, 310 are radially opposite to each other. The stabilizing ring 32 of the inner ring 3 forms a radially protruding flange 325. In particular, it can be seen from Figures 4-6 together that the flange 315 radially covers the rolling body 4 on the axial side. Here, the flange 325 is in a sliding contact with the sliding ring 22 of the outer ring 2, thereby ensuring low friction on the one hand and reliable protection of the rolling body 4 on the other hand. A recess 323 is provided in the flange 325, through which the sliding ring 30 of the inner ring 3 extends. This ensures a particularly good form-locking between the sliding ring 31 of the inner ring 3 and the stabilizing ring 32. Furthermore, the stabilizing ring 32 has a set of projections at its two axial ends, wherein two adjacent projections of these projections respectively form recesses 321, 322 between them. The projections 311, 312 formed by the sliding ring 31 are arranged in these recesses 321, 322. Accordingly, the sliding ring 22 and the stabilizing ring 21 of the outer ring have projections 2121, 2122, 2221 connected in an alternating manner.

[0041] exist Figure 7In the figure, a bearing cage 5 of an embodiment of a rolling bearing 1 according to the invention is shown in a schematic diagram. According to the invention, it is generally advantageous if the bearing cage 5 is designed as a ring which is closed around the axis and has a plurality of rolling element receptacles 51 which are spaced apart from one another at the same angular spacing with respect to rotation about the axis. These rolling element receptacles 51 are designed to receive rolling elements 4 designed as balls 4 so that they surround these rolling elements over more than half of their circumference, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. This ensures that the balls are particularly well fixed relative to one another by means of the bearing cage 5.

[0042] Including Fig. 8A , 8B, 8C and 8D, another embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention or a component of a rolling bearing according to the invention is schematically shown in principle diagrams in different views. Only the differences from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 will be discussed below. The rolling bearing 1 according to FIG. 8 has an outer ring 2 and an inner ring 3, which are constructed to the greatest extent similar to the outer ring 2 or inner ring 3 of the embodiment according to FIGS. 4-6. However, the stabilizing ring 32 of the inner ring 3 has a radially protruding projection 320 on its radial inner side. This radially protruding projection 320 usually extends over at least 50% of the axial extension of the inner ring 3, here over its entire axial extension. By virtue of the protruding projection 320 being constructed by the stabilizing ring 32 and protruding radially inwardly from its inner side, the protruding projection 320 can be particularly advantageous for the rotationally fixed mounting of the inner ring 3 of the rolling bearing 1 on an internal component of the device, which has a receiving portion corresponding to the protruding projection 320.

[0043] Reference numerals list

[0044] 1 Rolling bearing

[0045] 2 Outer Ring

[0046] 3 Inner Ring

[0047] 4 Rolling elements

[0048] 5 Bearing cage

[0049] 20Guide section

[0050] 21 Stabilizing ring

[0051] 22 Sliding ring

[0052] 30 Guide section

[0053] 31 Sliding ring

[0054] 32 Stabilizing ring

[0055] 220 Import section

[0056] 211 salient

[0057] 212 protrusion

[0058] 215 flange

[0059] 222 protrusion

[0060] 223 Protrusion

[0061] 310 Import section

[0062] 311 salient

[0063] 312 protrusion

[0064] 313 Protrusion

[0065] 321 Protrusion

[0066] 322 protrusion

[0067] 323 Protrusion

[0068] 325 flange

[0069] 2121 Protrusion

[0070] 2122 Protrusion

[0071] 2222 protrusion

Claims

1. A rolling bearing, in particular a ball bearing, comprising an inner ring and an outer ring as two bearing rings rotatable relative to each other about an axis, wherein the inner ring and the outer ring each form a guide section of a guide arranged between the bearing rings and circumferentially around the axis, wherein: The guide section formed by the inner ring is radially opposite the guide section formed by the outer ring, and rolling bodies, in particular balls, are arranged in the guide distributed around the axis and bear against the two guide sections, so that when the bearing rings rotate relative to each other around the axis, the rolling bodies roll on the two guide sections. It is characterized in that At least one of the bearing rings has a sliding ring which forms a guide section of the bearing ring, and a stabilizing ring which rests against the sliding ring circumferentially around the axis, wherein the sliding ring is produced from a first plastic and the stabilizing ring is produced from a second plastic, wherein the first plastic is softer than the second plastic, and wherein the rolling bodies are supported in the guide in particular without lubricant.

2. The rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the bearing rings has a sliding ring and a stabilizing ring, wherein the sliding ring of the inner ring in particular surrounds the stabilizing ring of the inner ring, wherein the stabilizing ring of the outer ring surrounds the sliding ring of the outer ring.

3. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling bodies have a contact surface on the slide ring that is at least five times larger than that on the stabilizing ring, wherein the stabilizing ring is in particular spaced apart from the rolling bodies.

4. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first plastic has a hardness of a Shore D value of less than 75, in particular less than 70, in particular less than 65, wherein the second plastic has a hardness with the following Shore D value, which is at least 5 greater, in particular at least 10 greater, in particular at least 15 greater, in particular at least 65, in particular at least 70, in particular at least 75 greater than the Shore D value of the first plastic.

5. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first plastic is a sliding material.

6. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The friction coefficient between the rolling element and the first plastic is smaller than the friction coefficient between the rolling element and the second plastic, and / or The first plastic contains a higher proportion of lubricant than the second plastic.

7. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling bodies are rotatably supported and guided at a fixed angular spacing relative to one another in a bearing cage which surrounds the axis, wherein the bearing cage is arranged radially between the guide sections of the inner ring and the outer ring and is in particular manufactured from a sliding material, wherein in particular the inner ring, the outer ring and the bearing cage are each manufactured from plastic.

8. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling body is produced from a material which has a greater hardness than the first plastic and in particular than the second plastic, wherein the rolling body is produced in particular from glass, metal, plastic or ceramic.

9. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The slide ring and the stabilizing ring bear against one another in a form-fitting manner both in the direction along the axis and perpendicularly to the axis.

10. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The stabilizing ring and the sliding ring each have a projection distributed around the axis, wherein a recess is respectively provided between two adjacent projections, wherein a corresponding projection of the projections of the stabilizing ring is arranged in a corresponding recess of the recesses of the sliding ring, and a corresponding projection of the projections of the sliding ring is arranged in a corresponding recess of the recess of the stabilizing ring, wherein the projection of the sliding ring extends in particular over at least 30% of the axial extension of the sliding ring, and the projection of the stabilizing ring extends over at least 30% of the axial extension of the stabilizing ring.

11. The rolling bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that: At least some of the protrusions of the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring are constructed as radial protrusions, and some of the recesses are constructed as radial recesses, wherein corresponding radial protrusions of the radial protrusions of the stabilizing ring are arranged in corresponding radial recesses in the radial recesses of the sliding ring, and corresponding radial protrusions of the radial protrusions of the sliding ring are arranged in corresponding radial recesses in the radial recesses of the stabilizing ring, wherein the radial protrusions of the sliding ring are in particular wider than the radial protrusions of the stabilizing ring.

12. The rolling bearing according to claim 11, characterized in that: At least some of the radial projections each have a width which increases along the radial extension of the radial projection into a radial receptacle respectively assigned to the radial projection in order to form an undercut.

13. The rolling bearing according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The stabilizing ring and the sliding ring respectively have a first group of protrusions and a second group of protrusions, wherein the two groups of protrusions are arranged on opposite axial ends of the stabilizing ring or the sliding ring, and the rolling body is axially arranged between the two groups of protrusions, and / or the first group of protrusions is constructed as axial protrusions and the second group of protrusions is constructed as radial protrusions, wherein the corresponding protrusions of the first group are arranged in particular around the axis within the same angular area as the associated protrusions of the second group.

14. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The slide ring has a greater extension in the radial direction than the stabilization ring, averaged over a circumferential ring around the axis.

15. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guide sections respectively hook onto the rolling bodies on their two axial sides, wherein, in particular, the guide sections each have a cross-section in the form of a circle segment with which they surround the axis, wherein, in particular, the bearing rings are fixed relative to each other in their axial position by hooking onto the rolling bodies on two axial sides by the two guide sections.

16. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one of the guide sections adjoins, at one of its axial ends, an introduction section having an introduction bevel, wherein, in particular, the bearing ring having the guide section has an outer diameter which increases as the introduction section runs along the axis, or has an inner diameter which decreases as the introduction section runs along the axis.

17. Bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sliding ring and the stabilizing ring are arranged pressed against each other in a radial press fit and / or are produced by an injection molding process, wherein the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring are especially produced by a multi-component injection molding process and / or one of the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring is injected onto the other of the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring.

18. Bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one of the bearing rings, in particular the inner ring, has a flange, which extends radially along the rolling body and covers the rolling body on one of the axial sides of the rolling body, wherein the flange is in particular formed by the stabilizing ring and the flange in particular abuts against a sliding ring of another of the bearing rings in a circumferentially sliding manner around the axis.

19. The rolling bearing according to claim 18, characterized in that Recesses distributed around the axis are provided in the collar, wherein either the collar is formed by the stabilizing ring and the sliding ring extends in a section into the recesses, or the collar is formed by the sliding ring and the stabilizing ring extends into the recesses.

20. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The inner ring has a projection on its radial inner side and / or the outer ring has a projection on its radial outer side for engaging in a rotationally fixed manner in a first component which is supported by the rolling bearing so as to be rotatable relative to a second component.

21. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The inner ring has a receiving portion for receiving a shaft on its radial inner side, wherein the receiving portion has a diameter of at least 1 cm, in particular at least 5 cm, and wherein the outer ring has an outer diameter, which is less than 4 cm, in particular less than 3 cm, in particular at least 1 cm larger than the diameter of the receiving portion of the inner ring.

22. A device comprising an outer component, in particular a frame component or a transmission component, an inner component, in particular a shaft or another transmission component, and a rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The inner ring is connected to the inner component and the outer ring is connected to the outer component in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular by a press fit, and these components are rotatably connected to each other via the rolling bearing, wherein the device is in particular a bicycle and the outer component is a bicycle frame, in particular a wheel fork of the bicycle frame or a transmission element of a bicycle transmission of the bicycle, and the inner component is a wheel axle, a pedal support shaft or another transmission element of the bicycle transmission.

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