Modular shaft system for supporting at least one bearing component

Abstract

Disclosed is an axle (1) for supporting at least one bearing part (2, 4), wherein the at least one bearing part is arranged circumferentially around the axle; the axle system comprises at least two axle segments (6, 8) which are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction; at least one of the two axle segments has an axial through hole (10) and the other of the two axle segments has an axial blind hole or an axial through hole (12); the at least two axle segments are coupled to each other by means of a bolt (14), which is arranged in the axial through-hole and the axial blind hole or in the axial through-hole; each of the at least two axle segments has circumferentially arranged stop elements (36, 38); at least one bearing part is arranged between the stop elements; and the bolt is designed to exert a preload on the at least one bearing component via the stop element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular axle system for supporting at least one bearing component according to the preamble of patent claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Axles, in particular drive shafts, are often used to support bearing components. Such bearing components can be gears, such as gear pairs, or rolling or sliding bearings. In order to fix the bearing component (such as a rolling or sliding bearing or the inner ring of a gear) to the axle, a screw connection is currently used, which is either welded to the axle, fixed by a shaft-hub connection (such as a key, parallel key), or fixed by a screw connection (i.e. a screw-nut pair) and preloaded on the axle, or both. In particular, welding of the gear pair has the disadvantage that if the gear or one of the gears is worn, it is no longer easy to replace it. On the other hand, the use of screw-nut pairs leads to an increased axial space requirement, which may not be available, or there may be insufficient space for assembly tools. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an axle system, in particular for a drive axle, which has advantages with regard to component replacement by supporting, positioning and / or clamping or fixing with a defined axial force while requiring less space.

[0004] This object is achieved by a modular shaft system for supporting at least one bearing component according to patent claim 1 .

[0005] The proposed modular axle system is designed for supporting at least one bearing component. In particular, the axle system is not only used to support at least one bearing component, but also for positioning and / or clamping or fixing with a predefined force, as explained in more detail below.

[0006] The bearing component can be the inner ring of a plain or rolling bearing, such as a ball or roller bearing, or another type of bearing. Alternatively, the bearing component can be a gear, such as a gear of a gear pair. The at least one bearing component can also be a rolling bearing pair or a pair of rolling bearings with a common outer ring. Furthermore, more than one bearing component can be supported on the shaft, such as two gears of a gear pair, a double-row bearing assembly, a rolling bearing or plain bearing pair, or a combination thereof. In this case, the at least one bearing component is arranged circumferentially around the axle.

[0007] To ensure the proper seating of bearing components on an axle system (also referred to below as an axle), specifically to ensure a predetermined position of at least one bearing component on the axle system during operation, a modular axle system comprises at least two axle segments arranged in series in the axial direction. In addition to the predetermined position, a defined axial preload, such as an axial compressive force, can also be achieved as an anti-rotation protection or to set a defined bearing preload. This increases the bearing's service life and rigidity.

[0008] In this arrangement, at least one of the two axle segments has an axial through-hole. The other axle segment may also have an axial through-hole. Alternatively, however, the other axle segment may only have an axial blind hole that does not extend over the entire axial length of the axle segment. The two axle segments are coupled to each other using screws disposed in the axial through-hole and the axial blind hole or through-hole. This coupling includes aligning the two axle segments and connecting them to each other.

[0009] Each of the at least two axle segments has circumferentially arranged stop elements, wherein the at least one bearing component is arranged between the stop elements. This means that, viewed in the axial direction, the at least one bearing component is held in its axial position from both sides by the stop elements. In particular, the at least one bearing component can be arranged under preload or with clearance by virtue of defined final geometric conditions (i.e., clearance or interference).

[0010] The screw is then designed to apply a preload to the axle system, in particular to at least one bearing component via the stop element. This preload, generated by the interaction between at least two stop elements and the screw, secures the bearing component on the axle in a predetermined position between the two stop elements.

[0011] Compared to previous arrangements requiring welded joints or screw-nut joints, only stop elements are required, and these take up less space, particularly compared to screw-nut joints. Furthermore, the preload allows for a predetermined bearing component preload and / or bearing component play to be achieved during assembly, which can also be maintained during operation. Furthermore, if at least one bearing component is worn, simple replacement is possible, as only the two axle segments need to be disassembled again by loosening the screws in order to remove the bearing component from the axle and replace or repair it.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the screw has a stop surface at one axial end, which abuts against the first end face of the first axle segment. This stop surface, on the one hand, serves to support the screw against the stop surface, thereby preventing it from slipping through the through-hole in the first axle segment. Furthermore, pressure can be applied to the first axle segment via this stop surface, thereby indirectly applying preload to the entire axle system. The preload on at least one bearing component is set using defined final geometric conditions.

[0013] The screw has an external thread at least at its other axial end, and the through-hole or blind hole in the second axle segment has a corresponding internal thread at least in a partial area. Alternatively, the screw can have an external thread along its entire length or a portion of its length. In the area without internal threads, the outer diameter of the screw, including the threads, is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the first axle segment and smaller than the diameter of the second axle segment. This allows the screw to be passed through the first and second axle segments until the external threads on the screw engage the internal threads on the second axle segment, thereby clamping the axle system. If the screw has threads along only a portion of its length, this passage is improved, as the unthreaded portion of the screw can easily pass through the first and second axle segments, thereby reducing the risk of jamming.

[0014] The screw thus serves to connect the two axle segments and clamp them together. This clamping simultaneously applies a preload to the at least one bearing component. By means of the interaction between the internal and external threads of the screw and the through-hole, the preload between the first and second axle segments, and thus the preload between the stop elements, and thus the preload on the at least one bearing component, can then also be controlled by means of a defined clearance or defined interference. If the screw is screwed in further, the preload increases; on the other hand, if the screw is screwed out again, the preload decreases.

[0015] The axle system can also be configured so that the screws can be tightened up to their maximum permissible tightening torque to robustly preload the modular axle system against axial forces, transverse forces, and bending moments. Simultaneously, the geometric conditions between the axle elements interacting with the stop element and the overall width of the at least one bearing component define the preload or clearance on the axle. Furthermore, the positive-locking protection of the screws against rotation secures the preloaded axle system in an operationally reliable manner.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the first and second axle segments have corresponding alignment elements to coaxially align the two axle segments with one another. In particular, the alignment element can include an axially oriented projection in the form of a cylindrical housing, arranged on an end face of one of the axle segments, and a corresponding recess, arranged on an end face of the other axle segment, wherein the projection is designed to engage in the recess. These interacting projections and recesses enable particularly good alignment of the first and second axle segments. The two axle segments can also have additional interengaging elements and / or use additional elements separate from the two axle segments to improve the alignment and connection of the two axle segments and to set the preload of at least one bearing component.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the second axial end face of the first axle segment and the first axial end face of the second axle segment are arranged with a clearance or geometric interference relative to each other, wherein the screw is designed to adjust a defined preload force acting on the at least one bearing component by adjusting the tensile stress generated by the screw. In this case, in particular, the size of the clearance or interference is adapted, which in turn sets the preload on the at least one bearing component. By adapting this clearance, the preload between the first and second axle segments, and thus the preload between the stop elements, and thus the preload on the at least one bearing component, is adapted and controlled.

[0018] The screws or their clamping of the two axle segments provide defined geometric conditions (particularly in the form of clearance or interference). The resulting defined geometric conditions (clearance or interference) that lead to preload or clearance for the at least one bearing component are formed by the interaction of the clearance / interference at the ends of the axle element with the overall width of the at least one bearing component and the defined position of the axle component's stop element. This controlled geometric arrangement allows for robust and discretely adaptable preload or clearance for the at least one bearing component that is operationally reliable. The resulting geometrically defined clearance / interference is responsible for the preload.

[0019] The tensile stress in the screw can also be increased to a maximum. This maximum tensile stress in the screw, applied to the material's limits, increases the overall preload in the axle system and, therefore, the rigidity of the axle, for example, when used in a transmission. At the same time, the at least one bearing component can be preloaded with a lower axial force, since the resulting geometrically defined clearance or interference between the two axle segments determines the individual axial preload on the at least one bearing component.

[0020] By means of defined resulting geometric conditions (clearance or interference), the modular axle system allows for various axial preload forces for at least one bearing component on a single axle system with a single threaded joint.

[0021] An axle system may include more than two axle segments. In this case, two adjacent axle segments may each have corresponding projections and recesses that engage with each other and are designed to coaxially center the axle segments relative to one another. As already described above, it is possible for one axle segment to have a projection (e.g., a collar) and the adjacent axle segment to have a recess. An axle segment may also have projections at both axial ends or recesses at both axial ends. However, the two adjacent axle segments should have corresponding elements that can engage with each other to ensure a secure connection and coaxial alignment between the two adjacent axle segments.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the further axle segment also has a further circumferential stop element for the at least one bearing component and / or for one or more bearing components. It should be noted here that, in order to be able to apply a predetermined preload to the respective bearing component, the stop elements arranged on both sides of the bearing component should preferably be provided on two different axle segments. In this case, the respective stop elements for the bearing components do not have to be provided on two adjacent axle segments; on the contrary, the further axle segment can also be arranged between them. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide two stop elements for each bearing component; on the contrary, a plurality of support components can also be arranged between two stop elements. The stop element can also serve as a stop element for two bearing components, for example, for one bearing component in one axial direction and for the other bearing component in another, opposite axial direction.

[0023] In either case, by virtue of the resulting geometrically defined clearance / interference, a preload can be applied to one or more bearing components via the combination of the axle segment and its stop element, as well as the screw. In this way, the preload on the bearing component can be adapted in a simple manner simply by adapting the engagement of the screw in the axle, i.e., by adapting the resulting geometric conditions, in particular the defined clearance or interference of the axle segment.

[0024] The bearing components can be one or more bearing inner rings, for example, of a plain or rolling bearing, a rolling bearing pair or pairs of rolling bearings, or a gear. Alternatively, more than one bearing component can be provided, wherein two or more bearing components can, for example, include gears and / or bearing inner rings. The shaft can also support a combination of bearing inner rings and gears, wherein each bearing component or each pair of bearing components can be supported with an individual axial preload.

[0025] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are indicated in the description, the drawings and the claims. In this context, the combinations of features indicated in the description and the drawings are particularly purely illustrative, and the features can therefore also exist alone or in different combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. This is limited only by the appended claims.

[0027] In the attached figure:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an axle system for supporting a bearing component;

[0029] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an axle system for supporting and defining axial preload of a pair of bearings having a common outer ring;

[0030] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 A schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an axle system for supporting and defining axial preload of multiple bearing components, in particular gears and rolling bearing pairs; and

[0031] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 A perspective view of an embodiment of the shaft in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0033] Figure 1 An axle system 1, hereinafter referred to as an axle, is shown for supporting bearing components 2 and 4, wherein the maximum axial preload is shown here by way of example, as explained in more detail below. The bearing components 2 and 4 can be, for example, two gears of a gear pair or two inner rings of a double-row rolling or plain bearing. Alternatively, only one bearing component 2 can be provided, in which case the following description applies mutatis mutandis.

[0034] Axle system 1 includes a first axle segment 6 and a second axle segment 8 . Both axle segments 6 and 8 have through-holes 10 and 12, respectively. To connect the two axle segments 6 and 8 to each other, screws 14 are arranged in these through-holes 10 and 12. Screws 14 (e.g., mounting bolts) have a stop surface 16 at one axial end that abuts an end surface 18 of the first axle segment 6 . Interacting with end surface 18, stop surface 16 prevents screw 14 from being fully inserted into through-holes 10 and 12. Furthermore, stop surface 16 serves to press the two axle segments 6 and 8 together. At the other axial end, opposite stop surface 16, screw 14 has an external thread 20 surrounding its shank.

[0035] In its through-hole 12, the second axle segment 8 has an internal thread 22, which interacts with the external thread 20 of the screw 14. By means of the contact between the stop surface 16 and the end face 18 of the first axle segment 6 and by means of the internal thread 22 of the second axle segment 8, the two axle segments 6, 8 can be preloaded by means of the screw 14. In addition, the two axle segments 6, 8 can have alignment elements, such as projections and corresponding recesses, in order to align the two axle segments 6, 8 with each other and connect them to each other.

[0036] For example, the first axle segment 6 can have a cylindrical projection 24 on an axial end, which faces the second axle segment 8. The second axle segment 8 can in turn have a corresponding recess 26, into which the projection 24 can engage.

[0037] The two axle segments 6, 8 can contact one another at the end faces 28, 30. Alternatively, a gap 32 can also be provided between the end faces 28, 30, which gap defines or determines the preload exerted on the bearing components 2, 4 due to the screw 14 or its engagement in the internal thread 22, as well as the geometric position of the stop elements 36, 38 and the overall width of the bearing components 2, 4. In the same way, as with the end faces, the gap 34 formed between the projection 24 and the recess 26 due to the screw 14 and its engagement in the internal thread 22 can define and determine the preload on the bearing components 2, 4, as well as the position of the stop elements 36, 38 and the overall width of the bearing components 2, 4.

[0038] In practice, it should be determined which gap 32, 34 should dominate the preload. The other gap must then be similarly larger in each case in order to avoid impairing / hindering the desired adjustment action of the preload on the bearing components 2, 4. Depending on the situation, it is then free to choose which gap (gap 32 between the end faces or gap 34 between the collar and the recess) serves as the main gap / interference for defining / setting the preload.

[0039] The size of the main gap of the two gaps 32, 34 serves to control the clamping of the two axle segments 6, 8 against each other. The other gap is then designed to be correspondingly larger in each case. The smaller the gaps 32, 34, the tighter the two axle segments 6, 8 are clamped together and the higher the preload. Figure 1 The maximum axial preload is shown by way of example in FIG.

[0040] The bearing components 2, 4 supported on the axle 1 are held in their axial position between two stop elements 36, 38, each formed on the first axle section 6 and the second axle section 8. The preload acting on one or both bearing components 2, 4 and applied by the two stop elements 36, 38 is controlled by the main gap 32, 34, respectively, between the first axle section 6 and the second axle section 8. The smaller the gap 32, 34, respectively, the greater the preload acting on the bearing components 2, 4 via the stop elements 36, 38. By clamping the two axle sections 6, 8, the pressure acting on the contact surface 40 between the two bearing components 2, 4 can also be controlled.

[0041] With the axle 1 described here, the preload acting on the bearing components 2, 4 can thus be adapted and controlled in a simple manner. No additional screw-nut connections are required on the stop elements 36, 38 for axially securing the bearing components 2, 4. Furthermore, the bearing components 2, 4 do not have to be welded to the axle 1 and can therefore also be removed again and, for example, easily replaced when necessary.

[0042] The screw 14 not only clamps the two axle segments 6 , 8 together, but also aligns them with one another and, via the projection 24 and the corresponding recess 26 , coaxially aligns them with one another and clamps them.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, a double-row bearing assembly can also be supported on the axle. As shown here, the two bearing components 2, 4 can be the inner rings of rolling bearings, in this case tapered roller bearings. Alternatively, other bearing assemblies or plain bearings can also be supported on the axle.

[0044] Here, the two tapered roller bearings each include two inner rings 2, 4 and respective outer rings 42, 44. Respective tapered rollers 46, 48 are supported between the inner rings 2, 4 and the outer rings 42, 44.

[0045] The two inner rings 2, 4 are arranged between the stop elements 36, 38 and are axially preloaded to increase or ensure the life and rigidity of the bearing assembly. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the bearing pair forms a preloaded fixed bearing pair. If only one rolling bearing is supported, the two stop elements 36 , 38 will bear against the two axial sides of the inner ring 2 or the two axial sides of the inner ring 4 .

[0046] As in Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, the through-holes of the two axle sections 6, 8 can also be constructed as blind holes in the second axle section 8. Figure 2As shown, the axle 1 can be connected to another element 50, such as a needle bearing, in this case a floating bearing in the assembly. However, it should be noted that this is merely illustrative and the axle can also be coupled to other elements.

[0047] Figure 3 An axle 1 is shown that includes more than two axle segments 6, 8. As shown here by way of example, in this case, not all axle segments need to have corresponding projections and recesses that can engage with one another. It is only necessary for each axle segment to have a through-hole through which a screw 14 can pass. Here, viewed in the axial direction, only the last axle segment 8 has an internal thread 22, into which the external thread 20 of the screw 14 can engage.

[0048] Except in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition to the axle segments 6 and 8 described in the previous section, the axle 1 shown here has additional axle segments 52 and 54. In this case, the first axle segment 52 forms a thickened washer located in front of the first axle segment 6. The screw 14 passes through the washer 52 and rests against it via its contact surface 16. Here, the washer 52 also forms a stop element that contacts a bearing component 58, which can be, for example, a gear. By way of example, the gap between the thickened washer 52 and the stop element 36 illustrates the application of maximum tensile stress on the screw, which also preloads the gear and secures it against rotation on the axle segment 6.

[0049] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the further bearing components 2, 4 and the bearing inner ring 60 and the bearing inner ring 66 are supported on the axle 1, and the further bearing components 2, 4 are already combined on the axle 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The description may include, for example, two gears of a gear pair. Bearing inner ring 60 is a tapered roller bearing comprising a bearing inner ring 60, a bearing outer ring 62, and tapered rollers 64 arranged between bearing inner ring 60 and bearing outer ring 62. A second tapered roller bearing also comprises a bearing inner ring 66 and a corresponding bearing outer ring 68, as well as tapered rollers 70 arranged between bearing inner ring 66 and bearing outer ring 68.

[0050] As an example, Figure 3 The axle system in FIG. 1 exhibits a geometrically predetermined preload between the two tapered roller bearings, which is applied by the two bearing inner rings 60 , 66 . Consequently, the two gaps 82 , 84 are closed by the force exerted by the screw 14 . At the same time, the visible gaps 86 , 88 achieve maximum axial preload, fixation, and security against rotation of the bearing components 2 , 4 , and 58 , depending on the tensile stress of the screws.

[0051] Other bearing elements or other combinations of bearing elements are likewise possible, and those described here should be understood merely as examples intended to illustrate the many possible uses of specific preloads on various bearing elements in the shaft system 1 .

[0052] In the example of axle 1 shown here, bearing element 58 (e.g., a gear) is held in its axial position between ring 52, which serves as a stop element, and stop element 36 of first axle segment 6. Stop element 36 simultaneously serves as a stop element for bearing inner ring 60, which is held on its other side by stop element 72, which is provided by axle segment 54. The two bearing elements 2, 4 are then held in their axial position and placed under preload by stop elements 72 and 74.

[0053] Here, the stop element 74 is formed by the intermediate element 56, which, as shown here by way of example, is not in direct contact with the through-hole, but is formed as a ring around the axle segments 54, 8. Here, the element 56 is also held in its axial position by both axle segments 54, 8 and is therefore both itself preloaded and serves as a preload element for the bearing components 2, 4. The inner ring 66 of the second tapered roller bearing is in turn held in its axial position and preloaded by the stop element 74 of the intermediate element 56 and the stop element 38 of the axle segment 8.

[0054] As in Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, axle segments 6, 54, and 8 each have a projection and a recess that can engage with one another. In the example shown here, only the recesses and projections 24 and 76 of axle segments 6 and 54 engage with one another. The projection 78 of axle segment 54 does not engage in the recess 26 of axle segment 8, but instead serves as a support for the intermediate element 56. In the example shown here, the recess 26 of axle segment 8 has a support surface 80 that forms a tapered section of axle segment 8. The intermediate element 56 can then rest on this support surface 80 and be coaxially centered.

[0055] In the embodiment shown here, as already mentioned before, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As described, the preload on the bearing elements 2, 4, 58, 60, 66 can be controlled by screwing the screw 14 in or out and thereby adjusting the respective gap 82, 84, 86, 88. This is achieved by the gaps formed between the respective axle segments 52, 6, 54, 56, 8, the size of which can be adapted according to the desired preload on the bearing elements 2, 4, 58, 60, 66.

[0056] By the axle system shown here, the bearing component can therefore be supported on the axle in a space-saving and replaceable manner and the bearing component can also be fixed in an axial position. In addition, a defined preload can be applied to the bearing component.

[0057] Reference Signs List

[0058] 1 Modular axle system

[0059] 2 bearing components

[0060] 4 bearing components

[0061] 6First axle section

[0062] 8 Second axle section

[0063] 10 through holes

[0064] 12 through holes

[0065] 14 screws

[0066] 16 stop surface

[0067] 18 end faces

[0068] 20 external thread

[0069] 22 internal thread

[0070] 24 protrusions

[0071] 26 recesses

[0072] 28 end face

[0073] 30 end face

[0074] 32 gaps

[0075] 34 gap

[0076] 36 stop element

[0077] 38 stop element

[0078] 40 contact surface

[0079] 42 outer ring

[0080] 44 outer ring

[0081] 46 tapered roller

[0082] 48 tapered roller

[0083] 50 gearbox

[0084] 52 axle section

[0085] 54 axle section

[0086] 56 intermediate components

[0087] 58 supporting elements

[0088] 60 bearing inner ring

[0089] 62 bearing outer ring

[0090] 64 tapered roller

[0091] 66 bearing inner ring

[0092] 68 bearing outer ring

[0093] 70 tapered roller

[0094] 72 stop element

[0095] 74 stop element

[0096] 76 concavity

[0097] 78 protrusions

[0098] 80 support surface

[0099] 82 gap

[0100] 84 gap

[0101] 86 gap

[0102] 88 gap

Claims

1. A modular axle system (1) for supporting at least one bearing component (2, 4), wherein: The at least one bearing component (2, 4) is arranged circumferentially around the axle system (1), The invention is characterized in that the axle system (1) comprises at least two axle segments (6, 8), the at least two axle segments (6, 8) being arranged in series in the axial direction, wherein at least one of the two axle segments (6) has an axial through-hole (10), and wherein the other of the two axle segments (8) has an axial blind hole or an axial through-hole (12), wherein the at least two axle segments (6, 8) are coupled to each other by means of screws (14), the screws (14) being arranged in the axial through-hole (10) and the axial blind hole or the axial through-hole (12), wherein each of the at least two axle segments (6, 8) has circumferentially arranged stop elements (36, 38), wherein the at least one bearing component (2, 4) is arranged between the stop elements (36, 38), and wherein the screws (14) are designed to exert a preload on the at least one bearing component (2, 4) via the stop elements (36, 38).

2. The modular axle system of claim 1, wherein: The screw (14) has a stop surface (16) at one axial end, which abuts against a first end surface (18) of the first axle segment (6), wherein the screw (14) has an external thread (20) at least at the other axial end, and wherein the blind hole or the through hole (12) in the second axle segment (8) has an internal thread (22), the external thread (20) of the screw (14) engaging in the internal thread (22).

3. The modular axle system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first and second axle sections (6, 8) have corresponding alignment elements (24, 26) in order to align the two axle sections (6, 8) coaxially with each other.

4. The modular axle system of claim 3, wherein: The alignment element (24, 26) comprises an axially oriented projection (24) in the form of a cylindrical housing arranged on an end face of one of the axle segments (6, 8) and a corresponding recess (26) arranged on an end face of the other axle segment (6, 8), wherein the projection (24) is designed to engage in the recess (26).

5. The modular axle system of claim 3, wherein: The second axial end face of the first axle segment (6) and the first axial end face of the second axle segment (8) are arranged with a clearance (32) or geometric interference relative to each other, wherein the screw (14) is designed to adjust a defined preload force acting on the at least one bearing component (2, 4) by adjusting the tensile stress generated by the screw (14).

6. A modular axle system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The axle system (1) has further axle segments (52, 54, 56), wherein in each case two adjacently arranged axle segments (6, 8, 52, 54, 56) have corresponding projections (24, 78) and recesses (76, 80) which engage with one another and are designed to center the axle segments coaxially relative to one another.

7. The modular axle system of claim 5, wherein: The further axle segment (52, 54, 56) has a further circumferential stop element (72, 74) for the at least one bearing component (2, 4) or the further bearing component (58, 60, 65).

8. A modular axle system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one bearing component (2, 4) is one or two bearing inner rings.

9. A modular axle system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The axle system (1) is designed to support two or more bearing components (2, 4, 58, 60, 65), wherein each bearing component or pair of bearing components can be supported with a respective axial preload.

10. The modular axle system of claim 8, wherein: The two or more bearing components (2, 4, 58, 60, 65) include gears and / or bearing inner rings.

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