Rolling bearing comprising three concentric rings

Abstract

A rolling bearing (1) comprises: an inner ring (10), an outer ring (20) and an intermediate ring (30), the inner ring (10), the outer ring (20) and the intermediate ring (30) are arranged concentrically about a central axis (XX ') such that the intermediate ring is arranged radially between the inner ring and the outer ring,-at least one row of rolling elements between the outer ring and the intermediate ring,-at least one row of rolling elements between the intermediate ring and the inner ring, the inner ring (10) comprises a radially inner circumferential portion (12) with gear teeth (13), and the outer ring (20) comprises a radially outer circumferential portion (22) with gear teeth (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rolling bearings comprising three concentric rings, in particular to the field of large-diameter rolling bearings used in tunnel boring machines. Background Art

[0002] Large-diameter rolling bearings typically consist of two concentric inner and outer rings, with at least one row of rolling elements radially interposed between the rings. It is known to provide gear teeth on one of the inner and outer rings to drive the ring in rotation via a suitable drive component. Such a bearing is known from US-2017-0356491-A1.

[0003] Rolling bearings with three concentric rings are also known. For example, in DE-102004035587-A1, at least one of the rings is provided with an axial extension on which a bevel gear is arranged. This arrangement significantly increases the width of the bearing.

[0004] It seems there is room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and an intermediate ring, such that the rings are concentrically arranged about a longitudinal axis, and the intermediate ring is radially arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. At least one row of rolling elements is interposed between the outer ring and the intermediate ring, and at least one row of rolling elements is interposed between the intermediate ring and the inner ring.

[0006] Still according to the invention, the inner ring comprises a radially inner circumferential portion having gear teeth, and the outer ring comprises a radially outer circumferential portion having gear teeth.

[0007] According to further advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a rolling bearing may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0008] The gear teeth of the inner ring, the gear teeth of the outer ring and the rows of rolling elements are substantially aligned in the radial direction.

[0009] A first set of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the outer ring and the intermediate ring, and a second set of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the intermediate ring.

[0010] A first row of crossed rollers is provided between the outer ring and the intermediate ring, and a second row of crossed rollers is provided between the inner ring and the intermediate ring.

[0011] Thanks to the invention, the inner ring and the outer ring can be driven in rotation independently of one another.

[0012] The rolling bearing according to the invention is compact in the axial direction.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, a machine comprises: a rolling bearing according to the invention, a frame attached to the intermediate ring, a first drive component ( / means) for driving the outer ring to rotate, a second drive component for driving the inner ring (10) to rotate, a first machine element attached to the outer ring (20) and a second machine element attached to the inner ring.

[0014] According to further advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a machine may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0015] - the first drive member comprises a plurality of gears meshing with the gear teeth of the outer ring, and the second drive member comprises a plurality of gears meshing with the gear teeth of the inner ring.

[0016] - The plurality of gears of the first drive component are simultaneously meshed with (the gear teeth of) the outer ring, and the plurality of gears of the second drive component are simultaneously meshed with (the gear teeth of) the inner ring.

[0017] - The gears and the rows of rolling elements are substantially aligned in the radial direction.

[0018] - The machine is a tunnel boring machine, and the first machine element and the second machine element are drilling wheels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of a particular embodiment given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] - Figure 1 A rolling bearing according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in longitudinal section,

[0021] - Figure 2 A second embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention is shown in longitudinal section, and

[0022] - Figure 3 A rolling bearing according to the invention is shown schematically in a longitudinal view.

[0023] 1 Rolling bearing

[0024] 2 frames

[0025] 3 machines

[0026] 4First machine element

[0027] 5 Second machine element

[0028] 6. First drive component

[0029] 6a gear

[0030] 7 Second drive component

[0031] 7a gear

[0032] 8The first set of three rows of rollers

[0033] 8' second set of three rows of rollers

[0034] 9The first set of cross rollers

[0035] 9' second set of cross rollers

[0036] 10 inner circle

[0037] 11 Attachment parts

[0038] 12 radial inner circumference

[0039] 13 gear teeth

[0040] 20 outer ring

[0041] 21 Attachment parts

[0042] 22 radial outer circumference portion

[0043] 23 gear teeth

[0044] 30 middle circle

[0045] 31 Attachment parts

[0046] 32 First protrusion

[0047] 33 second protrusion 40 sealing member DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figures 1 to 3 The rolling bearing 1 is shown to comprise an inner ring 10, an outer ring 20 and an intermediate ring 30. The three rings are arranged concentrically around a longitudinal axis XX'. The intermediate ring 30 is arranged radially between the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0049] At least one row of rolling elements is arranged between the outer ring and the middle ring, and at least one row of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the middle ring.

[0050] The intermediate ring comprises a plurality of attachment features 31 for securing the bearing to the frame 2 of the machine 3 .

[0051] The outer ring comprises a plurality of attachment features 21 for fixing the first machine element 4 to the bearing.

[0052] The outer ring comprises a radially outer circumferential portion 22 on which gear toothing 23 is arranged.

[0053] The inner ring comprises a plurality of attachment features 11 for fixing the second machine element 5 to the bearing.

[0054] The inner ring comprises a radially inner circumferential portion 12 on which gear teeth 13 are arranged.

[0055] The gear teeth and rolling element rows of the inner and outer rings are essentially aligned in the radial direction. This makes the rolling bearing very compact in the axial direction. In fact, its axial compactness is the same as that of a rolling bearing without gear teeth.

[0056] The machine comprises a first drive part 6 having at least one gear wheel 6 a for meshing with the gear teeth 23 of the outer ring 20 .

[0057] The machine further comprises a second drive part 7 having at least one gear wheel 7 a for meshing with the gear teeth 13 of the inner ring 10 .

[0058] The inner and outer rings are driven to rotate independently of each other.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the attachment features of the inner ring, outer ring and middle ring are through holes with threaded portions, and a plurality of screws (not shown) are used to secure the middle ring to the frame of the machine, the outer ring to the first machine element, and the inner ring to the second machine element.

[0060] Figure 1 A first preferred embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention is shown.

[0061] The outer circle consists of two adjacent circles, and the inner circle consists of two adjacent circles.

[0062] The first group 8 of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the outer ring and the middle ring, and the second group 8 ′ of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the middle ring.

[0063] The middle ring includes two radial projections 32 and 33. The first radial projection 32 extends radially outward toward the outer ring, and the second radial projection 33 extends radially inward toward the inner ring. The first radial projection has three raceways for the first set 8 of three rows of rolling elements, and the second radial projection has three raceways for the second set 8' of three rows of rolling elements.

[0064] Each set of three rows of rolling elements consists of two axial rows and one radial row.

[0065] Preferably, the rolling elements are cylindrical rollers.

[0066] Based on the loads applied to the rolling bearing in operation, certain parameters of the rolling bearing, such as the size and number of teeth for each gear tooth, or the type, size and number of rolling elements, can be selectively adjusted.

[0067] Figure 2 Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is similar to the following aspects Figure 1 There is a first row 9 of crossed rollers between the outer ring and the middle ring, and a second row 9' of crossed rollers between the middle ring and the inner ring.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rolling bearing comprises a plurality of sealing devices ( / sealing components / seals) 40 for protecting the row of rolling elements from external contamination.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown above, the gear teeth 23 of the outer ring 20 extend over the entire radial outer circumference 22 of the outer ring, and the gear teeth 13 of the inner ring 10 extend over the entire radial inner circumference 12 of the inner ring.

[0070] The first drive member 6 comprises a plurality of gears arranged around an outer ring. Preferably, the gears are arranged at regular circumferential distances relative to each other.

[0071] The second drive member 7 comprises a plurality of gears arranged in the holes of the inner ring. Preferably, the gears are arranged at regular circumferential distances relative to each other.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the first drive component includes eight gears and the second drive component includes six gears.

[0073] Advantageously, a plurality of gears of the first drive member mesh simultaneously with the gear teeth of the outer ring.

[0074] Advantageously, a plurality of gears of the second drive member mesh simultaneously with the gear teeth of the inner ring.

[0075] The gears of the first drive member and the second drive member are substantially aligned with the rolling element rows in the radial direction. Therefore, there is no tilting moment exerted on the bearing by the drive member, and no tilting moment exerted on the drive member by the bearing.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rolling bearing is of a large-diameter type, the machine is a tunnel boring machine, the first machine element is a first drilling wheel, and the second machine element is a second drilling wheel. Furthermore, the outer ring and the inner ring are driven in rotation in opposite directions, for example, the inner ring is driven clockwise and the outer ring is driven counterclockwise. Thus, the first drilling wheel and the second drilling wheel are driven in opposite directions.

Claims

1. A rolling bearing (1), comprising: - an inner ring (10), an outer ring (20) and an intermediate ring (30), said inner ring (10), said outer ring (20) and said intermediate ring (30) being arranged concentrically around a central axis (XX') such that said intermediate ring is arranged radially between said inner ring and said outer ring, - at least one row of rolling elements (8, 9) between said outer ring and said intermediate ring, - at least one row of rolling elements (8', 9') between said intermediate ring and said inner ring, Characterized in that the inner ring (10) comprises a radially inner circumferential portion (12) having gear teeth (13), and the outer ring (20) comprises a radially outer circumferential portion (22) having gear teeth (23), The gear teeth (13) extend over the entire radial inner circumference (12) of the inner ring (10), and the gear teeth (23) extend over the entire radial outer circumference (22) of the outer ring (20), the gear teeth (13) of the inner ring (10), the gear teeth (23) of the outer ring (20) and the rolling element rows (8, 8', 9, 9') being substantially aligned in the radial direction, The plurality of gears of the first drive component meshing with the gear teeth (23) of the outer ring and the plurality of gears and rolling element rows of the second drive component meshing with the gear teeth (13) of the inner ring are substantially aligned in the radial direction.

2. The rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that The gear teeth (13) of the inner ring (10), the gear teeth (23) of the outer ring (20) and the rolling element rows (8, 8', 9, 9') are substantially aligned in the radial direction.

3. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A first set (8) of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the outer ring and the middle ring, and a second set (8') of three rows of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the middle ring.

4. The rolling bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A first row (9) of crossed rollers is provided between the outer ring and the middle ring, and a second row (9') of crossed rollers is provided between the inner ring and the middle ring.

5. Rolling bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling bearing further comprises a sealing member for protecting the rolling chamber accommodating the row of rolling elements from external contamination.

6. A machine (3) comprising: - rolling bearing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a frame (2), attached to said intermediate ring (30), - a first driving member (6) for driving the outer ring to rotate, - a second driving member (7) for driving the inner ring (10) in rotation, - a first machine element (4), attached to said outer ring (20), and - A second machine element (5) attached to said inner ring (10).

7. The machine according to claim 6, characterized in that The first drive component includes a plurality of gears meshing with the gear teeth of the outer race, and the second drive component includes a plurality of gears meshing with the gear teeth of the inner race.

8. The machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The plurality of gears of the first driving component are engaged with the outer ring at the same time, and the plurality of gears of the second driving component are engaged with the inner ring at the same time.

9. The machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The gears and the rows of rolling elements are substantially aligned in the radial direction.

10. The machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The machine is a tunnel boring machine, and the first machine element and the second machine element are drilling wheels.

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