Sensor bearing assembly, associated sensing support and pulley unit

Abstract

A sensor bearing assembly comprises: a sensor body (11); a bearing (12) including an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis (X-X '); the pulse ring is fixed to the outer ring; and a sensor device (16) for detecting a rotational parameter of the pulse ring, the sensor device comprising at least one sensor element supported by the sensor body (11) and cooperating with the pulse ring. The sensor body (11) is provided with an inner through-hole (26) having a non-circular cross-section (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sensor bearing assembly, including a bearing, a pulse ring, a sensor device, and a sensor body supporting the sensor device.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a sensing support and a pulley unit associated with such a sensor bearing assembly.

[0003] This invention relates to a sensor bearing assembly, particularly suitable for lifting systems, such as those used in autonomous forklifts. Background Technology

[0004] Autonomous forklifts are typically used to transport loads by lifting and lowering them using forks. The forks are driven by a motor, a pulley system, and a flexible drive that transmits power from the motor to the pulleys.

[0005] Typically, autonomous forklifts measure the height of the forks relative to the ground with the help of at least one telemeter, which is mounted separately on the stationary part of the forklift.

[0006] The installation of this type of telemetry instrument is delicate, as extreme care must be taken to ensure accurate positioning for reliable measurements. Furthermore, measurement accuracy can vary depending on environmental operating conditions (such as strong light, dust particles, etc.), and measurement reliability can be easily compromised if the telemetry beam does not reflect well.

[0007] Furthermore, this design does not allow for compact measuring equipment, and the telemetry instrument may be subject to accidental impacts. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages.

[0009] The present invention relates to a sensor bearing assembly comprising: a sensor body; a bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring centered on an axis, the inner ring being fixed to the sensor body; a pulse ring fixed to the outer ring of the bearing; and a sensor device for detecting a rotation parameter of the pulse ring, the sensor device comprising at least one sensor element supported by the sensor body and cooperating with the pulse ring.

[0010] The sensor body is provided with an inner through-hole having a non-circular shaped section.

[0011] Such a sensor bearing assembly optimizes compactness and allows an increased integration. The shape of the sensor body allows to obtain an integrated anti-rotation means.

[0012] For example, the sensor body comprises a central ring delimiting an axial length of the sensor body and a base radially protruding from the central ring, the inner ring of the bearing abutting against the base in the axial direction.

[0013] Advantageously, the base and the central ring form a planar lateral face of the sensor body. Such a design helps to optimize compactness.

[0014] Preferably, the inner through-hole of the sensor body comprises two opposite parallel flat surfaces. Such opposite parallel flat surfaces represent an anti-rotation means for blocking rotation of the sensor body relative to a support.

[0015] For example, the pulse ring comprises a radial portion fixed to the outer ring of the bearing and radially protruding inwardly relative to the outer ring, and an axial portion protruding in the axial direction in a chamber provided on the base of the sensor body. Such a design helps to optimize compactness.

[0016] Preferably, the axial portion is provided with a plurality of detection targets.

[0017] In one embodiment, the detection targets of the plurality of detection targets are equally spaced over a circumference of the axial portion.

[0018] Advantageously, the sensor device is provided with a cable extending radially outwardly with respect to the base and at a predetermined angle. Such a configuration reduces the risk of accidental impact of the cable.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present application relates to a sensing support comprising: a support having two opposite-facing arms; and a sensor bearing assembly as specified above. The sensor bearing assembly is mounted on the support with a pin inserted in an inner through-hole of the sensor body and in two opposite holes provided on each of the arms. The transverse section of the pin matches respectively the section of the inner through-hole of the sensor body and the section of each of the two opposite holes, so that any relative rotation between the sensor bearing assembly and the support is prevented.

[0020] According to another aspect, the present application relates to a pulley unit comprising: a sensing support as specified above; a pulley mounted on the outer ring of the bearing of the sensor bearing assembly; and a flexible drive mounted on the pulley. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The present application and its advantages will be better understood through a detailed description of a specific embodiment given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings on which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sensor bearing assembly according to one example of the present application,

[0023] - Figure 2 is a cross-section along the axis II-II of Figure 1

[0024] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pulley unit comprising Figure 1 a sensor bearing assembly according to one example of the present application, and

[0025] - Figure 4 is Figure 3 ​Exploded view of the pulley unit. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 The sensor bearing assembly 10 shown above is particularly suitable for equipping autonomous forklifts.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sensor bearing assembly 10 includes a sensor body 11, a bearing 12, and a pulse ring 14. Figure 2 (See above) and a sensor device 16 supported by a sensor body 11. A bearing 12 and a pulse ring 14 form a sensor bearing unit. The sensor device 16 detects the rotational parameters of the pulse ring 14 and includes at least one sensor element 17 supported by the sensor body 11 and cooperating with the pulse ring 14.

[0028] Bearing 12 includes an inner ring 18 and an outer ring 20. The inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20 are concentric and extend axially along the bearing rotation axis X-X', which extends in the axial direction. The outer ring 20 surrounds the inner ring 18 radially. The inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20 are made of steel.

[0029] The pulse ring 14 is fixed to the outer ring 20 of the bearing 12, and the sensor device 16 is fixed to the sensor body 11.

[0030] In the example shown, the bearing 12 also includes two rows of rolling elements 22, provided here in the form of balls, between raceways (not shown) formed on the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20.

[0031] The bearing 12 also includes a cage (not shown) for maintaining regular circumferential spacing of the rolling elements 22. The bearing 12 also includes a seal 23 arranged radially between the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20 to define an enclosed space in which the rolling elements 22 are disposed.

[0032] The outer ring 20 has a cylindrical inner surface or hole 20a and a cylindrical outer surface 20b radially opposite to the hole 20a. In the example shown, an annular raceway for the rolling element 22 is formed by the hole 20a, which points radially inward. A groove (not shown) is also formed on the hole 20a, into which the seal 23 is secured.

[0033] In this example, the outer ring 20 is also provided with two opposite radial lateral faces 20c and 20d that define the outer surface 20b of the outer ring in the axial direction.

[0034] The outer ring 20 is provided with a recess 24 extending axially inwards from the lateral face 20c. The recess 24 and the lateral face 20d delimit the bore 20a of the outer ring. The recess 24 is provided with a groove 24a.

[0035] Similarly to the outer ring 20, the inner ring 18 is provided with a cylindrical inner surface or bore 18a and a cylindrical outer surface 18b opposite the bore 18a in the radial direction. In the example shown, a toroidal raceway for the rolling elements 22 is formed by the outer surface 18b, the raceway pointing radially outwards.

[0036] The inner ring 18 is further provided with two opposite radial lateral faces 18c, 18d axially delimiting the bore 18a and the outer surface 18b of the inner ring.

[0037] In particular as Figure 1 The sensor body 11 is provided with an inner through-hole 26 having a non-circular section 28. The through-hole 26 comprises two opposite parallel flat surfaces 28a, 28b and two opposite concave surfaces 28c, 28d connected to the flat surfaces 28a, 28b.

[0038] The sensor body 11 comprises a central ring 30 and a base 32. The base 32 and the central ring 30 form a plane lateral face lib of the sensor body 11.

[0039] The central ring 30 extends axially and delimits an axial length of the sensor body 11. The central ring 30 is provided with an inner surface or bore 30a and a cylindrical outer surface 30b opposite the bore 30a in the radial direction. The bore 30a forms the through-hole 26 of the sensor body 11.

[0040] The base 32 protrudes radially from the central ring 30, forming a shoulder 34.

[0041] The inner ring 18 is fixed to the sensor body 11. Preferably, the bore 18a is fixed to the cylindrical outer surface 30b and the lateral face 18c abuts axially against the shoulder 34.

[0042] As mentioned above, in the disclosed example, the pulse ring 14 is fixed to the outer ring 20. The pulse ring 14 includes a radial portion 14a and an axial portion 14b. The radial portion 14a is fixed to the outer ring 20, for example, by press-fitting it to the recess 24 and the groove 24a. The radial portion 14a protrudes radially inward relative to the outer ring 20. The axial portion 14b protrudes axially into a chamber 36 disposed on the base 32 of the sensor body 11.

[0043] The axial portion 14b of the pulse ring 14 is provided with a plurality of detection targets 14c facing the sensor element 17 in the radial direction. Preferably, the detection targets 14c are equidistantly spaced on the circumference of the axial portion 14b.

[0044] The pulse loop 14 and the sensor element 17 can be constructed using any suitable technology, such as sensing, optical, or magnetic techniques. In the case of magnetic techniques, the pulse loop 14 may include alternating north and south poles, and the sensor element 17 may include a Hall effect sensor.

[0045] Preferably, the sensor device 16 includes a sensor housing 16a that supports and protects the sensor element 17. The sensor device 16 also includes a cable 16b supported by the sensor housing 16a and including electrical wires (not shown). The cable 16b extends radially outward relative to the base 32 at a predetermined angle.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the sensor bearing assembly 10 is particularly suitable for use in the pulley unit 36, and more generally (or more typically) in the sensing support 38.

[0047] Here, the sensing support 38 includes a support 40 having two opposite-facing arms 42a and 42b, and a sensor bearing assembly 10 as described above.

[0048] The sensor bearing assembly 10 is mounted on the support 40, wherein the pin 44 is inserted into the through hole 26 of the sensor body 11 and into two opposing holes 43a, 43b provided on each of the arms 42a, 42b. Figure 4The cross-section 43c of each of the two holes 43a and 43b is the same as the cross-section 28 of the through hole 26 of the sensor body 11.

[0049] The transverse section 44a of pin 44 matches the section 28 of the through hole of sensor body 11 and the section 43c of each of the two holes 43a and 43b, respectively, thereby preventing any relative rotation between sensor bearing assembly 10 and support 40.

[0050] In the example shown, the pulley unit 36 ​​includes a sensing support 38, a pulley 46, and a flexible drive 48. Here, the pulley 46 is a sprocket wheel mounted on the outer ring 20 of the bearing 12 of the sensor bearing assembly 10. The pulley 46 is driven by the flexible drive 48 mounted on the pulley 46. Here, the flexible drive 48 is a chain drive. Alternatively, the flexible drive 48 can be a belt, rope, or cable.

[0051] In the example shown, the sensor bearing assembly is provided with a rolling bearing comprising two rows of rolling elements. Alternatively, the rolling bearing may include a different number of rows of rolling elements, such as one row or at least three rows of rolling elements. In the example shown, the rolling elements are balls. Alternatively, the rolling bearing may include other types of rolling elements, such as rollers. In another variation, the rolling bearing may also be provided as a sliding bearing without rolling elements.

Claims

1. A sensor bearing assembly (10), comprising: -Sensor body (11), - A bearing (12) comprising an inner ring (18) and an outer ring (20) centered on an axis (X-X'), the inner ring (18) being fixed to the sensor body (11). - Pulse ring (14), fixed to the outer ring (20) of the bearing (12), and - A sensor device (16) for detecting the rotational parameters of the pulse ring (14), the sensor device (16) comprising at least one sensor element (17) supported by the sensor body (11) and cooperating with the pulse ring (14). The sensor body (11) is characterized by having an inner through hole (26) with a non-circular cross-section (28).

2. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor body (11) includes a central ring (30) defining the axial length of the sensor body (11) and a base (32) protruding radially from the central ring (30), the inner ring (18) of the bearing abutting the base (32) axially.

3. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base (32) and the central ring (30) form the planar side surface (11b) of the sensor body (11).

4. The sensor bearing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The inner through hole (26) of the sensor body (11) includes two opposing parallel flat surfaces (28a, 28b).

5. The sensor bearing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pulse ring (14) includes a radial portion (14a) and an axial portion (14b). The radial portion (14a) is fixed to the outer ring (20) of the bearing (12) and protrudes radially inward relative to the outer ring (20). The axial portion (14b) protrudes axially into a chamber (36) disposed on the base (32) of the sensor body (11).

6. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The axial portion (14b) is provided with a plurality of detection targets (14c).

7. The sensor bearing assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection targets (14c) of the plurality of detection targets (14c) are equidistantly spaced on the circumference of the axial portion (14b).

8. The sensor bearing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The sensor device (16) is provided with a cable (16b) that extends radially outward relative to the base (32) at a predetermined angle.

9. A sensing support (38), comprising: - Support member (40), having two opposing arms (42a, 42b), and - The sensor bearing assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The sensor bearing assembly (10) is characterized in that it is mounted on the support member (40), wherein a pin (44) is inserted into the inner through hole (26) of the sensor body (11) and into two opposing holes (43a, 43b) provided on each of the arms (42a, 42b), the transverse section (44a) of the pin (44) being matched with the section (28) of the inner through hole (26) of the sensor body (11) and the section (43c) of each of the two opposing holes (43a, 43b), thereby preventing any relative rotation between the sensor bearing assembly (10) and the support member (40).

10. A pulley unit (36), comprising: -The sensing support (38) according to claim 9, -Pulley (46), mounted on the outer ring (20) of the bearing (12) of the sensor bearing assembly (10), and - A flexible actuator (48) is mounted on the pulley (46).

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