Bearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device. The bearing device comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, a bearing seat and a sleeve which are coaxially arranged, the inner ring is rotatably arranged on the radial inner side of the outer ring, the outer ring is fixed relative to the bearing seat, and the inner ring is arranged without relative movement relative to the sleeve. The bearing device comprises a sealing ring and a sealing cover, the sealing cover is fixed to the radial inner side of the axial end of the outer ring and extends towards the inner ring, so that sealing fit is formed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and the sealing ring is installed between the bearing seat and the sleeve outside the axial end of the outer ring and the axial end of the inner ring. Therefore, sealing fit is formed between the bearing seat and the sleeve. The bearing device provided by the invention has an improved sealing structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bearings, and in particular to a bearing device with an improved sealing structure. Background Art

[0002] Bearings are widely used rotating support components. For example, wind turbines use bearings to rotatably support the main shaft on the bearing seat. When the bearing rotates, there is friction between the rolling elements inside the bearing and the outer and inner rings, so lubricants need to be filled for lubrication. At present, the main shaft bearings of wind turbines are usually open bearings and lubricated with grease. In order to ensure good lubrication of the bearings, labyrinth seals or contact seals on the bearing seats are generally used to prevent grease leakage. In this type of bearing, the grease in the bearing easily flows out of the bearing and into the bearing seat. In order to ensure the lubrication effect, more grease must be injected, resulting in an increase in the amount of grease used and an increase in lubrication costs. The labyrinth seal or contact seal of the bearing seat has a complex structure, is difficult to install, and has high processing costs. A large amount of grease is stored in the bearing seat, which needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly, increasing the difficulty and cost of maintenance. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a bearing device with an improved sealing structure.

[0004] The above technical problems are solved by a bearing device according to the present invention. The bearing device includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a bearing seat and a sleeve arranged coaxially, the inner ring is rotatably arranged on the radial inner side of the outer ring, the outer ring is fixed relative to the bearing seat, and the inner ring is arranged without relative movement with respect to the sleeve. The bearing device includes a sealing ring and a sealing cover, the sealing cover is fixed on the radial inner side of the axial end of the outer ring and extends toward the inner ring, so as to form a sealing fit between the outer ring and the inner ring, and the sealing ring is installed between the bearing seat and the sleeve outside the axial ends of the outer ring and the inner ring, so as to form a sealing fit between the bearing seat and the sleeve. Since the sealing cover between the bearing rings and the sealing ring between the bearing seats are used to provide double sealing, the sealing effect can be improved, the lubricant leakage can be reduced, the amount of lubricant used can be saved, and the lubrication cost can be reduced. At the same time, the sealing structure at the bearing seat can be significantly simplified compared with the prior art, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearing device may include a groove formed on one of the bearing seat and the sleeve, and the sealing ring is fixed in the groove. The sealing ring may be fixed in the groove by, for example, interference fit.

[0006] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring may have a sheet-like structure extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, so that the sealing ring has a simple structure that is easy to process and install.

[0007] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring can be made of felt. The felt sealing ring has low cost and good sealing effect.

[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring can be fixed on one of the bearing seat and the sleeve and contact and cooperate with the other, and the sealing ring can include a conductive material. Thus, the sealing ring can achieve electrical conduction between the bearing seat and the sleeve, thereby preventing current from passing through the rolling element and reducing electrical corrosion of the rolling element.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing cover and the inner ring may be clearance-fitted. In this case, the bearing device may preferably include a solid lubricant. The solid lubricant has low sealing requirements and is not prone to leakage.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearing device may include a sealing lip fixed on the sealing cover, the sealing lip extending from the radial inner periphery of the sealing cover toward the inner ring, and the sealing lip and the inner ring may be in contact and fit. In this case, the bearing device may include a solid lubricant or grease lubricant filled inside. In this case, the sealing cover and the sealing lip may also preferably include a conductive material. Thus, electrical conduction can be achieved between the outer ring and the inner ring through the sealing cover and the sealing lip, thereby preventing current from passing through the rolling element and reducing electrical corrosion of the rolling element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent elements with the same functions.

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a bearing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown of a bearing arrangement according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following detailed description and drawings are used to illustrate the principle of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a bearing device is provided, which is particularly suitable for a large bearing device of a main shaft of a wind turbine. Figure 1 to Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a bearing device according to the present invention is shown, wherein the bearing device is schematically shown as a self-aligning roller bearing. Those skilled in the art should understand that the bearing device of the present invention may also be other types of bearing devices.

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a bearing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the bearing device mainly includes an outer ring 1, an inner ring 2, rolling elements 3, a bearing seat 4 and a sleeve 5. The outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 are coaxially arranged cylindrical components, wherein the outer ring 1 is arranged radially outside the inner ring 2. Multiple rolling elements 3 are divided into one or more rows, and each row of rolling elements 3 is distributed between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 at intervals along the circumferential direction, and can roll around the central axis of the bearing device, along the outer ring 1 and the inner surface, and the outer surface of the inner ring 2. The inner ring 2 can rotate relative to the outer ring 1 around the central axis by the rolling of the rolling elements 3. The corresponding axial ends of the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 are roughly aligned in the axial direction. The space between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 of the bearing device is filled with lubricant for lubricating the rolling elements 3 and the raceway.

[0017] The outer ring 1 is fixed relative to the bearing seat 4. The bearing seat 4 is also a roughly cylindrical component around the central axis. The bearing seat 4 is covered on the radial outside and the axial ends of the outer ring 1. The inner ring 2 is arranged with no relative movement with respect to the sleeve 5. The bearing device includes two sleeves 5, which are also roughly cylindrical components around the central axis and are arranged at the axial ends of the inner ring 2, respectively, and the inner ring 2 is thus clamped between the two sleeves 5 in the axial direction. The axial ends of the bearing seat 4 correspond to the two sleeves 5 respectively.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the bearing device further includes a sealing cover 6 and a sealing ring 7. The sealing cover 6 is an annular component surrounding the central axis, which is fixed on the radial inner side of the axial end of the outer ring 1 and extends approximately radially toward the inner ring 2. The sealing cover 6 can be, for example, a metal ring or a rigid ring of other materials, and can be fixed on the outer ring 1 by, for example, interference fit or bonding. A sealing fit can be formed between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 through the sealing cover 6. At the same time, the sealing ring 7 is also an annular component surrounding the central axis, which is installed between the bearing seat 4 and the sleeve 5 outside the axial ends of the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2, thereby forming a sealing fit between the bearing seat 4 and the sleeve 5. As a result, the sealing cover 6 and the sealing ring 7 provide a double sealing effect on the lubricant inside the bearing.

[0019] Preferably, if Figure 1 As shown, the bearing device may include a groove formed on one of the bearing seat 4 and the sleeve 5, and the sealing ring 7 may be fixed in the groove. The groove may be a groove recessed in the radial direction. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, a groove is formed on the inner side of the bearing seat 4, thereby facilitating the installation of the sealing ring 7. Alternatively, the groove may also be formed on the outer side of the sleeve 5. The sealing ring 7 may preferably have a sheet-like structure extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, thereby facilitating insertion into the groove.

[0020] Preferably, the sealing ring 7 can be made of felt. This material is relatively cheap and has good wear resistance and sealing performance, and is therefore suitable as a sealing material.

[0021] Preferably, the sealing ring 7 fixed on one of the bearing seat 4 and the sleeve 5 can be in contact with the other, thereby providing a better sealing effect. In this case, the sealing ring 7 can include a conductive material so that the sealing ring 7 can conduct current between the bearing seat 4 and the sleeve 5, thereby preventing the current from directly flowing through the rolling element 3 and causing electrical corrosion to the rolling element 3.

[0022] Preferably, if Figure 1 As shown, the sealing cover 6 and the inner ring 2 can be loosely matched. That is, the sealing cover 6 and the inner ring 2 are not in direct contact. Therefore, there is no friction between the sealing cover 6 and the inner ring 2. In this case, the bearing device can be filled with solid lubricant. Solid lubricant has low fluidity and is not easy to leak, so the sealing effect requirement is low.

[0023] Figure 2 A bearing device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The bearing arrangements shown differ in that Figure 2 The bearing device shown additionally includes a sealing lip 8 fixed on the sealing cover 6. The sealing lip 8 is an annular component around the central axis, which extends from the radial inner periphery of the sealing cover 6 toward the inner ring 2. The sealing lip 8 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Preferably, the sealing lip 8 and the inner ring 2 can be in contact and fit, so that the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 form a contact and seal fit via the sealing cover 6 and the sealing lip 8. At this time, the bearing device can be filled with either solid lubricant or grease lubricant. In this case, the sealing cover 6 and the sealing lip 8 can also preferably include a conductive material, so that the sealing cover 6 and the sealing lip 8 can conduct current between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2, thereby preventing the current from directly flowing through the rolling element 3 and causing electrical corrosion to the rolling element 3.

[0024] The bearing device according to the present invention realizes double sealing through the sealing cover between the bearing rings and the sealing ring between the bearing seats, thereby improving the sealing effect, reducing the risk of leakage of the bearing device, and saving maintenance costs. At the same time, the better sealing effect also saves the amount of lubricant used and reduces the lubrication cost. In addition, the sealing structure at the bearing seat can be significantly simplified compared with the single seal in the prior art, which is easier to process, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0025] Although possible embodiments are described by way of example in the above description, it should be understood that there are still a large number of variations of embodiments through the combination of all known and other technical features and embodiments that are easily conceivable to the skilled person. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment is only an example and that such an embodiment in no way limits the scope of protection, application and configuration of the present invention. The above description is more to provide the skilled person with a technical guide for converting at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes can be made, especially changes in the functions and structures of the components, as long as they do not depart from the scope of protection of the claims.

[0026] Reference numerals list

[0027] 1 Outer ring

[0028] 2 Inner ring

[0029] 3 Rolling elements

[0030] 4 Bearing seat

[0031] 5 Sleeve

[0032] 6 Sealing cover

[0033] 7 Sealing ring

[0034] 8 Sealing lip

Claims

1. A bearing device, comprising an outer ring (1), an inner ring (2), a bearing seat (4) and a sleeve (5) arranged coaxially, wherein the inner ring (2) is rotatably arranged on the radial inner side of the outer ring (1), the outer ring (1) is fixed relative to the bearing seat (4), and the inner ring (2) is arranged with respect to the sleeve (5) without relative movement. It is characterized in that The bearing device comprises a sealing ring (7) and a sealing cover (6), wherein the sealing cover (6) is fixed on the radial inner side of the axial end of the outer ring (1) and extends toward the inner ring (2), thereby forming a sealing fit between the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2), and the sealing ring (7) is installed between the bearing seat (4) and the sleeve (5) outside the axial ends of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2), thereby forming a sealing fit between the bearing seat (4) and the sleeve (5).

2. The bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bearing device comprises a groove formed on one of the bearing seat (4) and the sleeve (5), and the sealing ring (7) is fixed in the groove.

3. The bearing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing ring (7) has a plate-like structure extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

4. The bearing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sealing ring (7) is made of felt.

5. The bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing ring (7) is fixed on one of the bearing seat (4) and the sleeve (5) and is in contact with the other one, and the sealing ring (7) comprises a conductive material.

6. The bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The sealing cover (6) is clearance-matched with the inner ring (2).

7. The bearing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bearing arrangement comprises a solid lubricant.

8. The bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The bearing device comprises a sealing lip (8) fixed on the sealing cover (6), wherein the sealing lip (8) extends from the radial inner peripheral edge of the sealing cover (6) toward the inner ring (2), and the sealing lip (8) is in contact with the inner ring (2).

9. The bearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bearing device includes a solid lubricant or a grease lubricant filled inside.

10. The bearing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The sealing cover (6) and the sealing lip (8) comprise an electrically conductive material.

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