Needle roller

Abstract

A needle roller (7) comprises a hollow cylindrical support core (1) having a longitudinal axis (5) and a support core cylinder wall (10) having an outer surface (18), and comprises a needle guard (2) having a hollow cylindrical needle guard body (21) and a plurality of outwardly projecting needle elements (20) fastened to the needle guard body. The needle sleeve is in contact with the outer surface of the supporting core cylinder wall. The support core cylinder wall comprises: a first main wall region (12a) extending in the axial direction and a second main wall region (12b) extending in the axial direction, each of the first and second main wall regions having a main wall thickness (W1); and an axially extending recessed region (14) having a wall thickness (W2) that is reduced in relation to the main wall thickness (W1). The recessed region is arranged axially between the first main wall region and the second main wall region. The recessed region results in a reduced weight of the support core compared to the support core without the recessed region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a needle roller, and more particularly to a needle roller for a perforation or fibrillation apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] To perforate a diaphragm, for example, in a perforation apparatus, the diaphragm is guided on a needle roller having outwardly projecting needle elements. As the diaphragm is guided on the needle roller and the needle roller rolls along the diaphragm, the diaphragm is perforated by the needle elements. In the case of fibrillation, plastic sheets are guided on needle rollers in a similar manner to produce fibrillated membranes, tapes, and fibers.

[0003] Needle rollers used for diaphragm perforation or fibrillation typically require high strength, stability, and abrasion resistance. Furthermore, these needle rollers are ideally heat-resistant so they can be used in processes performed at high temperatures, such as hot piercing. Therefore, needle rollers suitable for piercing and fibrillation are usually made of metal. For applications involving only small forces, plastics can also be used. These needle rollers typically have needle sleeves with outwardly projecting needle elements fastened thereto, arranged on a hollow cylindrical support core. The hollow cylindrical support core serves two purposes: firstly, to align the needle roller on the shaft, and secondly, to internally support and stabilize the needle sleeves arranged on the outer surface of the support core. The hollow cylindrical support core is, for example, made of high-grade steel with a wall thickness of several millimeters.

[0004] These needle rollers typically weigh several kilograms. This firstly has a detrimental effect on the energy required to transport multiple such needle rollers, especially since large quantities are usually transported at once. Secondly, this large mass has an adverse effect on the moment of inertia of the needle rollers, meaning that a significant amount of energy is required to rotate or brake them, or if the needle rollers are driven by a diaphragm, the membrane being processed may be subjected to significant stress. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a needle roller of the type described at the beginning, which has a reduced weight without having to suffer significant disadvantages in terms of needle roller stability, strength, heat resistance and wear.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the needle roller according to the invention as defined in independent claim 1. Particularly advantageous improvements and configurations of the needle roller according to the invention will be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] The core of this invention lies in: a needle roller comprising:

[0008] - A hollow cylindrical support core with a longitudinal axis and a support core wall with an outer surface, and

[0009] - A needle sleeve having a hollow cylindrical needle sleeve body and multiple outwardly protruding needle elements fastened to the needle sleeve body, the needle sleeve contacting the outer surface of the support core cylinder wall.

[0010] The supporting core wall includes: a first main wall region extending axially and a second main wall region extending axially, each of the first main wall region and the second main wall region having a main wall thickness; and a recessed region extending axially, the recessed region having a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness, the recessed region being arranged in the axial direction between the first main wall region and the second main wall region.

[0011] Because the needle sheath is arranged on the support core to contact the outer surface of the support core cylinder wall, the support core supports and stabilizes the needle sheath, and according to the embodiment, the support core can also support the needle element fastened to the needle sheath body from the inside out.

[0012] Furthermore, the support core can be used to arrange the needle roller on the shaft. The main wall area of ​​the support core provides the stability and rigidity necessary to ensure the transmission of torque from the shaft to the support core and thus to the needle roller, and to secure the support core (and thus the needle roller) to the shaft. In the recessed area, the support core primarily serves to support and stabilize the needle sleeve (and possibly the needle element) from the inside. Because the support core has a (one-piece) support core cylinder wall with different wall thicknesses in different regions along its axial length, a more optimized combination of stability and rigidity with lower weight can be achieved compared to cases with uniform wall thickness or multi-part support cores.

[0013] The needle sheath body is preferably made of one of the following materials: brass, bronze, steel (especially high-grade steel), aluminum, or plastic (especially polyoxymethylene). Correspondingly, the hollow cylindrical support core may also be made of one of the following materials: steel (especially high-grade steel), aluminum, plastic (especially polyoxymethylene), brass, or bronze.

[0014] The advantage of the needle roller according to the invention is that, on the one hand, the support core in the main wall region provides the stability and strength required to fasten the support core to the shaft; on the other hand, since the wall thickness in the recessed region is reduced relative to the main wall thickness, the support core has a significantly smaller mass and lighter weight compared to a needle roller without such a recessed region. The reduced wall thickness in the recessed region can, for example, correspond to less than half the thickness of the main wall over a large portion of its axial length.

[0015] Smaller mass and lighter weight are advantageous for transporting the needle roller or support core itself, as the support core typically weighs several kilograms. Weight savings facilitate transport and conserve energy during transit.

[0016] Furthermore, due to its smaller mass compared to a support core without recessed areas, the moment of inertia is also reduced. Therefore, a smaller torque is required to rotate the needle roller or to brake and stop it. In the case of a configuration where the needle roller is driven by a motor, a lower-power driver and brake can be used to control its rotation. In the case of a configuration where the needle roller is driven by a diaphragm, the diaphragm to be perforated or fibrillated experiences less stress due to the reduced moment of inertia.

[0017] Preferably, the support core wall has an inner surface, and the inner surface in the recessed region is offset radially outward relative to the inner surfaces in the first and second main wall regions.

[0018] The advantage of this is that the wall thickness of the support core can be reduced by changing the inner surface of the support core wall. At the same time, the cylindrical outer surface can be retained without altering the support core wall on its outer surface. Therefore, the needle sleeve can be supported from the inside along the entire length of the support core, while simultaneously reducing the wall thickness of the support core wall in the recessed region.

[0019] In a favorable configuration, the length of the recessed area extending in the axial direction corresponds to at least one-third, and especially at least two-thirds, of the total length of the support core.

[0020] As a result, a significant portion of the support core's weight can be saved. If the length of the recessed area extending axially corresponds to one-third of the total length of the support core, halving the wall thickness results in a weight reduction of approximately one-sixth; if the length of the recessed area extending axially corresponds to two-thirds of the total length of the support core, halving the wall thickness results in a weight reduction of approximately one-third.

[0021] Preferably, the recessed region includes an axially extending reinforcing region having a reinforced wall thickness that is less reduced relative to the main wall thickness compared to the wall thickness of a sub-region of the recessed region adjacent to the reinforcing region in the axial direction.

[0022] This is advantageous because the support core is reinforced in the recessed region due to the reinforcing area. This reinforcement is particularly advantageous if it is centrally located within the recessed region along the axial direction, because in this case, the recessed region is reinforced at the location where the support core would otherwise be most susceptible to deformation—that is, at the center of the recessed region along the axial direction. Furthermore, the reinforcement within the recessed region allows for a greater reduction in wall thickness in other parts of the recessed region, resulting in further increases in overall weight savings.

[0023] Advantageously, the support core wall has an end region extending in the axial direction toward the longitudinal end of the support core, in which the support core wall is shaped on its inner surface to be tapered toward the longitudinal end.

[0024] This allows the support core to be secured to the shaft by at least one drive ring with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, the end region offers manufacturing-related advantages, where the support core wall is shaped on its inner surface to taper towards the longitudinal end. Moreover, this shaped end region results in additional weight savings compared to a support core wall that is cylindrical on its inner surface (i.e., not conical, but with a constant wall thickness).

[0025] In an advantageous configuration, the inner surface of the supporting core wall is stepped in the axial direction at the transition from at least one main wall region to the recessed region.

[0026] The term "stepped" should be understood here as meaning that, within a shorter axial region, the inner surface of the supporting core wall is offset radially, i.e., stepped. In this case, there is a stepping motion radially outward at the transition from a main wall region to the recessed region. The advantage of this is that, in the recessed region, the wall thickness of the supporting core wall can be reduced equally along its entire length. Thus, for a given recessed region, the minimum reduction in wall thickness can largely maximize the reduction in weight.

[0027] In an alternative advantageous configuration, at the transition from at least one of these main wall regions to the recessed region, the support core wall has an axially extending transition region on its inner surface, in which the support core wall is shaped on its inner surface to be tapered in the axial direction from the main wall region toward the recessed region.

[0028] This type of support core is simple and economical to manufacture. Furthermore, it avoids sharp edges on the inner surface of the support core cylinder wall that could potentially damage the core and thus shorten its lifespan.

[0029] Advantageously, in the main wall region of the supporting core, the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical supporting core is in contact with the shaft.

[0030] This is advantageous because the support core contacts the shaft in a region of the support core cylinder wall with greater wall thickness, that is, in a region of the support core cylinder wall with maximum stability. This minimizes the risk of deformation caused by forces acting between the support core and the shaft.

[0031] In an advantageous configuration, the needle roller includes at least one driver arranged in one of the main wall regions of the support core cylinder wall for transmitting torque from the shaft to the hollow cylindrical support core, the at least one driver preferably being in the form of a screw or a slide key.

[0032] The advantage of this is that the transmission of torque from the shaft to the support core occurs in the main wall region, where the support core cylinder wall has the greatest wall thickness. Therefore, the risk of damage or deformation of the support core due to torque acting between the shaft and the support core is minimized. Furthermore, the main wall region, due to its relatively large wall thickness, provides sufficient space for a sufficiently large actuator. For example, a screw-type actuator, especially a flat-head screw, can be provided with a sufficiently long thread and thus securely anchored in the support core cylinder wall.

[0033] In another advantageous configuration, drive rings for transmitting torque from the shaft to the support core are arranged on the hollow cylindrical support core, particularly on both sides of the support core.

[0034] In this way, torque can be transmitted uniformly and symmetrically from the shaft to the support core relative to the longitudinal axis. This protects both the shaft and the support core. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0036] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal section of a first exemplary embodiment of a needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal section of a second exemplary embodiment of a needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal section of a third exemplary embodiment of the needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a needle roller according to the present invention, the needle roller being arranged on a shaft;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal section of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the support core of the needle roller according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal section of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the support core of the needle roller according to the present invention, the support core having a reinforcing region;

[0044] Figure 9This is a longitudinal section of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the support core of the needle roller according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 10 This is a longitudinal section of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the support core of the needle roller according to the present invention; and

[0046] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal section of the eighth exemplary embodiment of the support core of the needle roller according to the present invention.

[0047] The following points apply to the following descriptions: For clarity of the drawings, although reference numerals are included in the drawings, if they are not mentioned in the directly relevant parts of the specification, reference numerals should be referred to in the preceding or following parts of the specification. Conversely, to avoid overcomplication of the drawings, reference numerals irrelevant to immediate understanding are not included in all drawings. In such cases, reference should be made to other drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a needle roller 7 according to the present invention is shown, which is disposed on a shaft 6.

[0049] The needle roller 7 has a hollow cylindrical support core 1 and a needle sleeve 2 that contacts the outer surface 18 of the support core cylinder wall 10 of the hollow cylindrical support core 1. The needle roller 7 is here pressed tightly onto the outer surface 18 of the support core cylinder wall 10 of the support core 1 by hot pressing.

[0050] The needle sheath 2, made of, for example, brass, has a hollow cylindrical needle sheath body 21. A plurality of needle elements 20 protruding outward from the needle sheath body 21 are fastened to the needle sheath body 21. In this exemplary embodiment, only one needle sheath 2 is arranged on the support core 1, but in an alternative exemplary embodiment, multiple needle sheaths may also be arranged on the support core.

[0051] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 1 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 5 and a support core wall 10 that is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 5 and has an outer surface 18 and an inner surface 19. In the axial direction, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5, the support core wall 10 has different regions that differ in wall thickness.

[0052] The support core wall 10 has a first main wall region 12a extending axially and a second main wall region 12b extending axially, in which the support core wall 10 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 10 has an axially extending recessed region 14, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. The recessed region 14 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 1. The recessed region 14 includes a region 16 with a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. In the recessed region 14, the inner surface 19 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 12a, 12b.

[0053] The recessed region 14 has a first transition region 13a and a second transition region 13b extending axially at the respective transitions to the first main wall region 12a and the second main wall region 12b, respectively. In each transition region 13a, 13b, the supporting core wall 10 is formed on its inner surface 19 to taper towards the recessed region 14 from the corresponding main wall region 12a, 12b, that is, towards the region 16 with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0054] Furthermore, the support core wall 10 includes a first end region 11a extending axially, wherein the support core wall 10 is formed on its inner surface 19 to taper towards a first longitudinal end 31 of the support core 1. Correspondingly, the support core 1 includes a second end region 11b extending axially, wherein the support core wall 10 is formed on its inner surface 19 to taper towards a second longitudinal end 32 of the support core 1, the second longitudinal end being positioned opposite to the first longitudinal end 31.

[0055] The shaft 6, on which the needle roller 7 is mounted, is rotatable and can be driven by a drive motor or mounted freely. In the two main wall regions 12a and 12b, the inner surface 19 of the support core 1 contacts the outer surface 60 of the shaft 6. A first flat-head screw 41 is disposed in a corresponding threaded hole in the first main wall region 12a, and a second flat-head screw 42 is disposed in a corresponding threaded hole in the second main wall region 12b. The two flat-head screws 41 and 42 secure the support core 1 to the shaft 6, and each flat-head screw acts as a driver to transmit torque from the shaft 6 to the support core 1, and thus to the needle roller 7.

[0056] Figure 2 A side view of the first longitudinal end of an exemplary embodiment of a needle roller 7 disposed on shaft 6 is shown, wherein the needle roller is... Figure 1The image is shown in longitudinal section. Both the needle sheath body 21 and the supporting core wall 10 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 5. The needle element 20 protrudes radially outward from the needle sheath body 21. The main wall thickness W1 and the decreasing wall thickness W2 are constant in the circumferential direction. Line II shows... Figure 1 The cutting line of the longitudinal section.

[0057] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the needle roller 107 according to the invention is shown, which is disposed on the shaft 106.

[0058] The needle roller 107 has a hollow cylindrical support core 101 and a needle sleeve 102 that contacts the outer surface 118 of the support core cylinder wall 110 of the hollow cylindrical support core 101. Here, the needle roller 107 is pressed tightly against the outer surface 118 of the support core cylinder wall 110 of the support core 101 by hot pressing.

[0059] The needle sheath 102, made of, for example, brass, has a hollow cylindrical needle sheath body 121. A plurality of needle elements 120 protruding outward from the needle sheath body 121 are fastened to the needle sheath body 121.

[0060] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 101 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 105 and a support core wall 110 that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 105 and has an outer surface 118 and an inner surface 119.

[0061] The support core wall 110 has a first main wall region 112a extending axially and a second main wall region 112b extending axially, in which the support core wall 110 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 110 has an axially extending recessed region 114 having a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. The recessed region 114 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 101. The recessed region 114 includes a region 116 having a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. In the recessed region 114, the inner surface 119 is offset radially outward compared to the inner surfaces 119 in the two main wall regions 112a, 112b.

[0062] The recessed region 114 has an axially extending first transition region 113a and an axially extending second transition region 113b at the corresponding transitions to the first main wall region 112a and the second main wall region 112b, respectively. In each transition region 113a, 113b, the inner surface 119 of the supporting core wall 110 is shaped to taper towards the recessed region 114 from the corresponding main wall region 112a, 112b, that is, towards the region 116 with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0063] Furthermore, the support core wall 110 includes a first end region 111a extending axially, wherein the support core wall 110 is formed on its inner surface 119 to taper towards a first longitudinal end 131 of the support core 101. Correspondingly, the support core 101 includes a second end region 111b extending axially, wherein the support core wall 110 is formed on its inner surface 119 to taper towards a second longitudinal end 132 of the support core 101, the second longitudinal end being positioned opposite to the first longitudinal end 131.

[0064] The support core 101 is arranged on the shaft 106 by means of a first drive ring 141 and a second drive ring 142. The drive rings 141 and 142 each have a wedge-shaped profile and contact the inner surfaces 119 of the support core cylinder wall 110 in the first and second end regions 111a and 111b, respectively. The first drive ring 141 and the second drive ring 142 are fastened by a first fastening ring 171 and a second fastening ring 173, respectively, which are in turn fastened to the shaft 106 by flat-head screws 172 and 174, respectively. By means of the two fastening rings 171 and 173, the two drive rings 141 and 142 are pressed against the inner surfaces 119 of the two end regions 111a and 111b of the support core cylinder wall 110. This ensures that the friction between the drive rings 141, 142 and the inner surface 119 of the support core cylinder wall 110 is large enough to ensure that torque is transmitted from the shaft 106 to the support core 101, and thus to the needle roller 107.

[0065] Figure 4 A side view of the first longitudinal end 131 of an exemplary embodiment of a needle roller 107 disposed on a shaft 106 is shown. Figure 3 The view is shown in longitudinal section. Both the needle sleeve body 121 and the support core wall 110 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 105. The needle element 120 protrudes radially outward away from the needle sleeve body 121. The rotationally symmetrical fastening ring 171 is also shown in this side view. Line III-III shows... Figure 3 The cutting line of the longitudinal section.

[0066] Figure 5 A third exemplary embodiment of the needle roller 207 according to the present invention is shown, the needle roller 207 being disposed on the shaft 206.

[0067] The needle roller 207 has a hollow cylindrical support core 201 and a needle sleeve 202 that contacts the outer surface 218 of the support core cylinder wall 210 of the hollow cylindrical support core 201. Here, the needle roller 207 is pressed tightly onto the outer surface 218 of the support core cylinder wall 210 of the support core 201 by hot pressing.

[0068] The needle sheath 202, made of, for example, brass, has a hollow cylindrical needle sheath body 221. A plurality of needle elements 220 protruding outward from the needle sheath body 221 are fastened to the needle sheath body 221.

[0069] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 201 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 205 and a support core wall 210, which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 205 and has an outer surface 218 and an inner surface 219.

[0070] The support core wall 210 has a first main wall region 212a and a second main wall region 212b extending axially, in which the support core wall 210 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 210 has an axially extending recessed region 214, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. The recessed region 214 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 201. The recessed region 214 includes a region 216 with a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. In the recessed region 214, the inner surface 219 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 212a, 212b.

[0071] The recessed region 214 has an axially extending first transition region 213a and an axially extending second transition region 213b at the corresponding transitions to the first main wall region 212a and the second main wall region 212b, respectively. In each transition region 213a, 213b, the inner surface 219 of the supporting core wall 210 is shaped to taper towards the recessed region 214 from the corresponding main wall region 212a, 212b, that is, towards the region 216 with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0072] Furthermore, the support core wall 210 includes a first end region 211a extending axially, wherein the support core wall 210 is formed on its inner surface 219 to taper towards a first longitudinal end 231 of the support core 201. Correspondingly, the support core 201 includes a second end region 211b extending axially, wherein the support core wall 210 is formed on its inner surface 219 to taper towards a second longitudinal end 232 of the support core 201, the second longitudinal end being positioned opposite to the first longitudinal end 231.

[0073] Torque is transmitted from shaft 206 to support core 201 and thus to needle roller 207 via slide key 241 arranged in slide groove 261 of shaft 206. In a first main wall region 212a of the circumferential sub-region, slide key 241 contacts the inner surface 219 of support core cylinder wall 210. In both main wall regions 212a and 212b, except in the sub-region of the first main wall region 212a where slide key 241 contacts the inner surface 219 of support core cylinder wall 210, the inner surface 219 of support core 201 contacts the outer surface 260 of shaft 206.

[0074] The support core 201 is fastened to the shaft by a first fastening ring 271 and a second fastening ring 273. The first fastening ring 271 is fastened to the shaft 206 by a first flat-head screw 272, and the second fastening ring 273 is fastened to the shaft 206 by a second flat-head screw 274, thereby preventing the support core 201 from moving along the shaft 206 in the axial direction.

[0075] Figure 6 A side view of the first longitudinal end 231 of an exemplary embodiment of a needle roller 207 disposed on a shaft 206 is shown. Figure 5 The view is shown in longitudinal section. Both the needle sheath body 221 and the support core wall 210 are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 205. The needle element 220 protrudes radially outward away from the needle sheath body 221. The side view also shows the fastening ring 271, which is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 205. Line VV shows... Figure 5 The cutting line of the longitudinal section.

[0076] Figure 7 A fourth exemplary embodiment of a support core 301 for a needle roller according to the present invention is shown.

[0077] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 301 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 305 and a support core wall 310 that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 305 and has an outer surface 318 and an inner surface 319.

[0078] The support core wall 310 has a first main wall region 312a and a second main wall region 312b extending axially, in which the support core wall 310 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 310 has an axially extending recessed region 314, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. The recessed region 314 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 301. The recessed region 314 has a reduced wall thickness W2, which is constant in the axial direction along the recessed region 314. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. In the recessed region 314, the inner surface 319 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 312a, 312b.

[0079] At the corresponding transitions from the recessed region 314 to the first main wall region 312a and the second main wall region 312b, the inner surface 319 of the supporting core wall 310 is stepped in the axial direction in each case, that is, the inner surface 319 of the supporting core wall 310 is offset in the radial direction (which has a step) in a relatively short axial region in the axial direction.

[0080] Furthermore, the support core wall 310 includes a first end region 311a extending axially, wherein the support core wall 310 is formed on its inner surface 319 to taper towards a first longitudinal end 331 of the support core 301. Correspondingly, the support core 301 includes a second end region 311b extending axially, wherein the support core wall 310 is formed on its inner surface 319 to taper towards a second longitudinal end 332 of the support core 301, the second longitudinal end being positioned opposite to the first longitudinal end 331.

[0081] Figure 8 A fifth exemplary embodiment of a support core 401 for a needle roller according to the present invention is shown.

[0082] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 401 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 405 and a support core wall 410 that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 405 and has an outer surface 418 and an inner surface 419. In the axial direction, the support core wall 410 has multiple regions with different wall thicknesses.

[0083] The support core wall 410 has a first main wall region 412a extending axially and a second main wall region 412b extending axially, in which the support core wall 410 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 410 has an axially extending recessed region 414, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. In the recessed region 414, the inner surface 419 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 412a, 412b. The recessed region 414 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 401. The recessed region 414 includes a first region 416a and a second region 416b having a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. A reinforcing region 415 with a wall thickness W3 is arranged between two regions with constant wall thickness 416a and 416b. Compared with the adjacent regions 416a and 416b with a constant decreasing wall thickness W2, the wall thickness W3 is reduced by a smaller degree relative to the main wall thickness W1. That is, the wall thickness W3 is located between the main wall thickness W1 and the decreasing wall thickness W2.

[0084] At the corresponding transitions from the reinforced region 415 to the two adjacent regions 416a, 416b with a constant decreasing wall thickness W2, the inner surface 419 of the supporting core wall 410 is stepped in the axial direction in each case.

[0085] The recessed region 414 has an axially extending first transition region 413a and an axially extending second transition region 413b at the corresponding transitions to the first main wall region 412a and the second main wall region 412b, respectively. In each transition region 413a, 413b, the inner surface 419 of the supporting core wall 410 is shaped to be tapered from the corresponding main wall regions 412a, 412b toward the recessed region 414, that is, toward regions 416a, 416b with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0086] Furthermore, the support core wall 410 includes a first end region 411a extending axially, wherein the support core wall 410 is formed on its inner surface 419 to taper towards a first longitudinal end 431 of the support core 401. Correspondingly, the support core 401 includes a second end region 411b extending axially, wherein the support core wall 410 is formed on its inner surface 419 to taper towards a second longitudinal end 432 of the support core 401, the second longitudinal end being positioned opposite to the first longitudinal end 431.

[0087] Figure 9A sixth exemplary embodiment of a support core 501 for a needle roller according to the present invention is shown.

[0088] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 501 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 505 and a support core wall 510, which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 505 and has an outer surface 518 and an inner surface 519.

[0089] The support core wall 510 has a first main wall region 512a extending axially and a second main wall region 512b extending axially, in which the support core wall 510 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 510 has an axially extending recessed region 514, the recessed region 514 having a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. In the recessed region 514, the inner surface 519 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 512a, 512b. The recessed region 514 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 501. The recessed region 514 includes a region 516 having a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0090] The recessed region 514 has a first transition region 513a and a second transition region 513b extending axially at the corresponding transitions to the first main wall region 512a and the second main wall region 512b, respectively. In each transition region 513a, 513b, the inner surface 519 of the supporting core wall 510 is formed to be tapered and reinforced from the corresponding main wall regions 512a, 512b toward the recessed region 514, that is, toward the region 516 with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0091] Unlike the previous embodiments, the main wall regions 512a, 512b extend to the corresponding longitudinal ends 531, 532 of the support core 501, and therefore there are no tapered end regions on the inner surface of the support core cylinder wall.

[0092] Figure 10 A seventh exemplary embodiment of a support core 601 for a needle roller according to the present invention is shown.

[0093] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 601 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 605 and a support core wall 610 that is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 605 and has an outer surface 618 and an inner surface 619. In the axial direction, the support core wall 610 has multiple regions with different wall thicknesses.

[0094] The support core wall 610 has a first main wall region 612a extending axially and a second main wall region 612b extending axially, in which the support core wall 610 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 610 has an axially extending recessed region 614, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. In the recessed region 614, the inner surface 619 is offset radially outward compared to the two main wall regions 612a, 612b. The recessed region 614 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 601. The recessed region 614 has a reduced wall thickness W2, which is constant in the axial direction along the recessed region 614. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0095] At the corresponding transitions from the recessed region 614 to the first main wall region 612a and the second main wall region 612b, the inner surface 619 of the supporting core wall 610 is stepped in the axial direction in each case, that is, the inner surface 619 of the supporting core wall 610 is offset in the radial direction within a relatively short axial region (which has steps) in the axial direction.

[0096] The main wall regions 612a and 612b extend to the corresponding longitudinal ends 631 and 632 of the support core 601, respectively, and therefore there is no conical end region on the inner surface of the support core cylinder wall.

[0097] Figure 11 An eighth exemplary embodiment of a support core 701 for a needle roller according to the present invention is shown.

[0098] For example, a hollow cylindrical support core 701 made of high-grade steel has a longitudinal axis 705 and a support core wall 710 that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 705 and has an outer surface 718 and an inner surface 719.

[0099] The support core wall 710 has a first main wall region 712a and a second main wall region 712b extending axially, in which the support core wall 710 has a main wall thickness W1. Furthermore, the support core wall 710 has an axially extending recessed region 714, which has a wall thickness reduced relative to the main wall thickness W1. In the recessed region 714, the inner surface 719 is radially outwardly offset compared to the two main wall regions 712a, 712b. The recessed region 714 extends along a length LA, which in this exemplary embodiment corresponds to approximately two-thirds of the total length LG of the support core 701. The recessed region 714 includes a first region 716a and a second region 716b with a constant, reduced wall thickness W2. In this exemplary embodiment, the main wall thickness W1 is in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm, particularly in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, while the reduced wall thickness W2 is in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, particularly in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm. Between two regions 716a and 716b with constant wall thickness, there is a reinforcing region 715 with wall thickness W3. Compared with the adjacent regions 716a and 716b with constant decreasing wall thickness W2, the wall thickness is reduced by a smaller degree relative to the main wall thickness W1. That is, the wall thickness W3 is located between the main wall thickness W1 and the decreasing wall thickness W2.

[0100] At the corresponding transitions from the reinforced region 715 to the two adjacent regions 716a, 716b with a constant decreasing wall thickness W2, the inner surface 719 of the supporting core wall 710 is stepped in the axial direction in all cases, that is, the inner surface 719 of the supporting core wall 710 is offset in the radial direction within a relatively short axial region (which has steps) in the axial direction.

[0101] The recessed region 714 has a first transition region 713a and a second transition region 713b extending axially at the corresponding transitions to the first main wall region 712a and the second main wall region 712b, respectively. In each transition region 713a, 713b, the inner surface 719 of the supporting core wall 710 is shaped to taper towards the recessed region 714 from the corresponding main wall regions 712a, 712b, i.e. towards the regions 716a, 716b with a constantly decreasing wall thickness.

[0102] The main wall regions 712a and 712b extend to the corresponding longitudinal ends 731 and 732 of the support core 701, and therefore there is no conical end region on the inner surface of the support core cylinder wall.

Claims

1. A needle roller (7; 107; 207), including: - A hollow cylindrical support core (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601; 701) with longitudinal axes (5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705) and a support core cylindrical wall (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710) with outer surfaces (18; 118; 218; 318; 418; 518; 618; 718), and - A needle sleeve (2; 102; 202) having a hollow cylindrical needle sleeve body (21; 121; 221) and a plurality of outwardly projecting needle elements (20; 120; 220) fastened to the needle sleeve body, the needle sleeve contacting the outer surface of the support core cylinder wall. The supporting core wall is characterized by comprising: The first main wall region extending along the axial direction (12a; 112a; 212a; 312a; 412a; 512a; 612a; 712a) and a second main wall region (12b; 112b; 212b; 312b; 412b; 512b; 612b; 712b) extending axially, each of the first and second main wall regions having a main wall thickness (W1), and A recessed region (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) extending along the axial direction, the recessed region having a wall thickness (W2) that is reduced relative to the main wall thickness (W1), the recessed region being arranged in the axial direction between the first main wall region and the second main wall region.

2. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting core wall (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710) has an inner surface (19; 119; 219; 319; 419; 519; 619; 719), and the inner surface in the recessed region (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) is radially outwardly offset relative to the inner surface in the first main wall region and the second main wall region (12a, 12b; 112a, 112b; 212a, 212b; 312a, 312b; 412a, 412b; 512a, 512b; 612a, 612b; 712a, 712b).

3. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The length (LA) of the recessed region (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) extending in the axial direction corresponds to at least one-third, and in particular at least two-thirds, of the total length (LG) of the support core.

4. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The recessed regions (414; 714) include axially extending reinforced regions (415; 715) with a reinforced wall thickness (W3). The thickness of the reinforcing wall is less reduced relative to the main wall thickness (W1) compared to the wall thickness of the sub-regions (416a, 416b; 716a, 716b) adjacent to the reinforcing region (415; 715) in the axial direction of the recessed region.

5. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support core wall (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) has end regions (11a, 11b; 111a, 111b; 211a, 211b; 311a, 311b; 411a, 411b), which extend axially toward the longitudinal ends of the support core (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232; 331, 332; 431, 432; 531, 532; 631, 632; 731, 732). In the end region, the support core wall is shaped on its inner surface (19; 119; 219; 319; 419) to taper towards the longitudinal end.

6. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The inner surface (319, 619) of the supporting core wall (310; 610) is stepped in the axial direction at the transition from at least one of the main wall regions (312a, 312b; 612a, 612b) to the recessed region (314; 614).

7. The needle roller (7; 107; 207) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, At the transition from at least one of the main wall regions (12a, 12b; 112a, 112b; 212a, 212b; 412a, 412b; 512a, 512b; 712a, 712b) to the recessed region (14; 114; 214; 414; 514; 714), the supporting core wall (10; 110; 210; 410; 510; 710) has an axially extending transition region (13a, 13b; 113a) on its inner surface (19; 119; 219; 419; 519; 719). 113b; 213a; 213b; 413a, 413b; 513a, 513b; 713a, 713b), wherein the supporting core wall is formed to taper on its inner surface in the axial direction (5; 105; 205; 405; 505; 705) from the main wall region toward the recessed region.

8. The needle roller (7; 207) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, In the main wall region (12a, 12b; 212a, 212b) of the support core cylinder wall (10; 210), the inner surface (19; 219) of the hollow cylindrical support core (1; 201) is in contact with the shaft (6, 206).

9. The needle roller (7; 207) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The needle roller includes at least one driver arranged in one of the main wall regions (12a, 12b; 212a, 212b) of the support core cylinder wall (10; 210) for transmitting torque from the shaft (6; 206) to the hollow cylindrical support core (1; 201). The at least one driver is preferably in the form of a screw (41, 42) or a slide key (241).

10. The needle roller (107) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Drive rings (141, 142) for transmitting torque from the shaft (106) to the support core are arranged on the hollow cylindrical support core (101).

Images