Tapered roller bearing

Abstract

A tapered roller bearing (1) comprises an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), tapered rollers (4) arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a cage (5) for maintaining a regular circumferential spacing between the tapered rollers (4). An annular assembly area (21) is arranged on the radial periphery of the side, adjacent to the small axial end face of the inner ring (2), of the inner ring (2) and used for assembling a separable flange ring (7) for preventing the tapered rollers (4) and the retainers (5) from falling off from the inner ring (2). According to the invention, the flange ring (7) is formed with at least one fracture (8, 8 ') over the circumference, a pair of adjacent ends (8a, 8b) forming each fracture (8, 8') being arranged so as to be able to establish a circumferential constraint for fastening the flange ring (7) in the mounting area (21) by means of fastening means (9a, 9b). The release of the fastening devices (9a and 9b) enables the disassembly of the flange ring (7) to be very convenient, and the industrial pain point that the rolling body cannot be disassembled after the tapered roller bearing is assembled is thoroughly solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a tapered roller bearing, and more particularly to a tapered roller bearing with detachable retainer ring. BACKGROUND

[0002] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a conventional tapered roller bearing is shown. As shown in the figure, the tapered roller bearing 1 comprises a tapered inner ring (hereinafter referred to as "inner ring") 2 and a tapered outer ring (hereinafter referred to as "outer ring") 3. The inner ring 2 forms an integrated inner assembly with a set of tapered rollers 4 enclosed by a cage 5, and the outer ring 3 forms a separate outer assembly to form the tapered roller bearing 1 which can be assembled separately.

[0003] The integration of the inner assembly must be based on the condition that the small retaining lip 7 of the inner ring can prevent the cage 5 from falling off the inner ring 2 together with the tapered rollers 4. In order to "jump" over the small retaining lip during assembly, the cage needs to be expanded (in diameter) before it can be assembled with the rollers onto the inner ring. Furthermore, after being assembled with the rollers onto the inner ring, the cage needs to be contracted (to reduce its diameter to the level before expansion) to ensure that it and the rollers do not fall off the inner ring. During the expansion process, the cage is at risk of cracking; during the contraction process, the cage may scratch the surface of the rolling elements due to the deformation caused by contraction, thereby burying the hidden danger of premature failure of the bearing.

[0004] The reality calls for a tapered roller bearing that can avoid damage to the rollers and cage caused by the expansion and contraction process of the cage. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a tapered roller bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, tapered rollers arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a cage for maintaining regular circumferential spacing between the tapered rollers. The inner ring is provided with an annular assembly area on the radially outer periphery adjacent to the axial small end surface of the inner ring, and the assembly area is used to assemble a detachable retaining ring that prevents the tapered rollers and the cage from falling off the inner ring. The retaining ring is formed with at least one break in the circumferential range, and a pair of adjacent ends forming each break is arranged to be able to build a circumferential constraint that fastens the retaining ring in the assembly area by fastening devices.

[0006] The provision of the detachable flange ring makes it unnecessary to perform the shrinkage process on the retainer, thus not only simplifying the assembly of the inner assembly but also avoiding the possibility of causing damage to the rollers and the retainer. More importantly, the construction of the circumferential constraint between the pair of adjacent ends by the fastening device is a reversible process: tightening the circumferential constraint enables the fastening of the flange ring in the assembly area, and releasing the circumferential constraint allows the flange ring to be detached from the assembly area. This bidirectional operation makes the assembly and disassembly of the flange ring very convenient, and completely solves the industry's pain point that the rolling elements cannot be disassembled after the assembly of the tapered roller bearing.

[0007] Various embodiments of the present application and advantageous technical effects are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional tapered roller bearing;

[0009] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a tapered roller bearing equipped with a detachable flange ring according to the present application;

[0010] Figure 3A shows Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the detachable flange ring in

[0011] Figure 3B shows Figure 2 shows an overall structural view of the detachable flange ring in

[0012] Figure 4A shows Figure 3B shows an enlarged structural view of a pair of adjacent ends at any fracture in

[0013] Figure 4B shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a pair of adjacent ends in an axial view;

[0014] Figure 4C shows an enlarged structural perspective view of one of the adjacent ends;

[0015] Figure 4D shows an enlarged structural perspective view of the other adjacent end;

[0016] Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a tapered roller bearing equipped with another kind of flange ring; and

[0017] Figure 5B shows Figure 5A shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the flange ring shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following description, identical or similar reference numerals are always used to designate identical or similar components. Also, the terms indicating directions, such as "axial", "radial", and "circumferential", refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the components being described, unless otherwise defined or stated.

[0019] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a tapered roller bearing equipped with a detachable flange ring on the inner ring. As shown in the figure, the tapered roller bearing 1 comprises an inner ring 2, an outer ring 3, tapered rollers 4 disposed between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3, and a cage 5 for maintaining regular circumferential spacing between the tapered rollers 4. Among them, the inner ring 2 is provided with an annular assembly area 21 on the side of its axial small end face (left side in the figure). The assembly area 21 is formed on the radially outer periphery (upper side in the figure) of the inner ring 2, for assembling a detachable flange ring (referred to as "flange ring" for short) 7 that prevents the tapered rollers 4 and the cage 5 from falling off the inner ring 2. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a stepped protrusion 22 is formed on the assembly area 21, which is complementary in shape to the recess 72 (as shown more clearly) formed on the radially inner side of the flange ring 7, so as to prevent the flange ring 7 from falling off the inner ring 2. Figure 3A

[0020] Figure 3B A schematic view of the overall structure of the flange ring shown in Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in the figure, the flange ring 7 is formed with two breaks 8 and 8' in its circumferential direction, thus comprising two semicircular parts symmetrically distributed. Figures 4A-4C An enlarged schematic view of the structure of a pair of adjacent ends forming each break is further shown in the figure. As can be seen from the figure, a pair of adjacent ends 8a and 8b are both formed with circumferentially locally extending grooves 81a and 81b on their respective radially outer sides. Among them, each groove 81a, 81b is formed with a connecting adapter adjacent to the side wall 82a, 82b of the break 8 for connection purposes. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the connecting adapters 82a and 82b are respectively formed with bolt holes 83a and 83b allowing a bolt 9a to pass through, so that the two adjacent ends 8a and 8b can be connected together by screwing the bolt 9a and the nut 9b. In other words, the circumferential constraint of the flange ring 7 fastened in the assembly area 21 can be provided by the fastening connection of the bolt 9a and the nut 9b of the pair of adjacent ends 8a, 8b.

[0021] ​In the specific embodiments described above, the fastening connection between a pair of adjacent ends 8a and 8b is achieved by a screw-on engagement between bolt 9a and nut 9b. It is readily understood that other forms of fastening devices, including not only conventional fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) but also unknown mechanical structures, can achieve the purpose of the invention as long as they provide circumferential restraint to secure the retaining ring 7 within the equipment area 21. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the adapter is directly formed by the grooves 81a and 81b adjacent to the sidewalls 82a and 82b of the break 8. However, it is readily understood that any other form of adapter, as long as it reliably connects the fastening device to provide the necessary circumferential restraint to fasten the retaining ring to the inner ring, can achieve the purpose of the invention. Therefore, the realization of the invention is not limited by the type and form of the fastening device used between a pair of adjacent ends.

[0022] exist Figures 4A-4D In the illustrated embodiment, grooves 81a and 81b are formed radially outward from a pair of adjacent ends 8a and 8b, respectively, and their depth gradually increases in the direction toward the breaks 8 and 8'. This design aims to ensure that grooves 81a and 81b at least partially accommodate bolts 9a and / or nuts 9b, minimizing the risk of exposed bolts 9a and / or nuts 9b scratching adjacent components (e.g., rolling elements, bearing rings, etc.). Furthermore, grooves 81a and 81b are preferably configured to accommodate socket wrenches (not shown) so that the latter can be easily inserted for tightening bolts and nuts. The socket wrench is typically a socket with hexagonal or dodecagonal holes and may be equipped with handles, extension rods, or other accessories for tightening bolts or nuts in narrow spaces or deep recesses. "Suitable for accommodating socket wrenches" means that grooves 81a and 81b have circumferential sidewalls 84a and 84b that are generally parallel to the bolt 9a (axial direction) and a groove bottom slope 84c that does not impede insertion of the socket wrench into the groove.

[0023] Figure 5A This diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a tapered roller bearing equipped with another type of retaining ring. As can be seen from the diagram, a tapered surface 22 is formed within the assembly area 21, with its outer diameter gradually expanding towards the smaller end face. Corresponding to the tapered surface 22, as... Figure 5B As can be seen more clearly, the retaining ring 7 has a tapered surface 72 formed on its radially inner side, with its inner diameter gradually expanding towards the smaller end face. As a specific type of protrusion, the tapered surface 72 serves to prevent the retaining ring 7 from detaching from the inner ring 2. As a specific type of recess, the tapered surface 72 is complementary in shape to the tapered surface 22, which is a protrusion. More broadly, any form of protrusion or recess, as long as its structure is suitable for preventing the retaining ring from detaching from the inner ring, can achieve the purpose of this invention.

[0024] In the above description, the retaining ring 7 has two breaks 8 and 8' formed within its circumference, thus comprising two symmetrically distributed semicircular portions. Alternatively, the retaining ring 7 can also be formed with only one break, thereby achieving circumferential restraint of the retaining ring through a single fastening. Therefore, the achievement of the objective of this invention is not conditional on the number of breaks formed in the retaining ring, which provides users with the convenience and flexibility to select the number of breaks in the retaining ring according to the size of the bearing ring.

[0025] The assembly of the bearing inner components using the aforementioned retaining ring is simple and easy. It only requires pushing the inner ring into the cage that encloses the tapered rollers, and then fixing the retaining ring onto the assembly area of ​​the inner ring. This process eliminates the need for cage compression, greatly simplifying the assembly of the inner components. Furthermore, because the retaining ring in this invention is extremely easy to disassemble, it is particularly beneficial for inspecting and maintaining the rolling elements and inner ring raceways. The retaining ring can be easily removed from the inner ring simply by releasing the circumferential restraint of the fastening device. In other words, the assembly and disassembly of the retaining ring in this invention is reversible and does not damage the bearing components (e.g., the inner ring, rolling elements, and cage). This is impossible with conventional tapered roller bearings, where the inner components cannot be disassembled once assembled, otherwise damage to the cage and rollers is highly likely.

[0026] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above using a single-row tapered roller bearing as an example. However, the present invention is obviously also applicable to double-row tapered roller bearings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the tapered roller bearing with separable flange rings described above is not limited to the specific embodiments, and more general technical solutions will be defined by the appended claims. Any modifications and improvements to the present invention, as long as they conform to the limitations of the appended claims, fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tapered roller bearing (1) comprising an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), tapered rollers (4) disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a cage (5) for maintaining a regular circumferential spacing between the tapered rollers (4), wherein the inner ring (2) has an annular assembly area (21) on its radially peripheral side adjacent to its axial small end face, the assembly area (21) being used to assemble a separable retaining ring (7) for preventing the tapered rollers (4) and the cage (5) from detaching from the inner ring (2), characterized in that: The retaining ring (7) has at least one break (8, 8') in the circumferential range, and a pair of adjacent ends (8a, 8b) forming each break (8, 8') are configured to form a circumferential restraint that can be fastened to the assembly area (21) by means of fastening devices (9a, 9b).

2. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of adjacent ends (8a, 8b) are respectively formed with adapters (82a, 82b) for connecting the fastening devices (9a, 9b) and thus bearing the force applied by the latter.

3. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fastening device (9a, 9b) includes a bolt (9a) and a nut (9b), and the adapter (82a, 82b) has bolt holes (83a, 83b) formed therethrough, allowing the bolt (9a) to pass through. The adapter (82a, 82b) is subjected to the force by the screwing engagement of the bolt (9a) and the nut (9b).

4. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pair of adjacent ends (8a, 8b) are formed with grooves (81a, 81b) that at least partially accommodate bolts (9a) and / or nuts (9b), and the grooves (81a, 81b) are adjacent to the sidewalls (82a, 82b) of the breaks (8, 8') to form the adapter (82a, 82b).

5. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The grooves (81a, 81b) are formed radially outward from the pair of adjacent ends (8a, 8b) and gradually increase in depth in the direction toward the fracture (8, 8').

6. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The grooves (81a, 81b) are configured to be suitable for inserting a socket wrench to tighten bolts (9a) and / or nuts (9b).

7. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The grooves (81a, 81b) have circumferential sidewalls (84a, 84b) that are generally parallel to the bolt (9a) and a groove bottom slope (84c) that does not prevent the socket wrench from being inserted into the groove.

8. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The number of fractures (8, 8') is two, and they are symmetrically distributed in the circumferential direction.

9. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The assembly area (21) has protrusions (22) formed to prevent the flange ring (7) from falling off the inner ring (2).

10. The tapered roller bearing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The protrusion (22) is formed in the shape of a step or a slope.

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