bearing

Abstract

This invention proposes a bearing comprising: an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring is overmolded with a connecting material; and a sensor, at least a portion of which is overmolded within the connecting material. Compared to existing technologies, this invention provides a simpler and more reliable means of connecting a sensor to the bearing, increasing connection strength and reducing costs. Furthermore, the overmolding method of this invention eliminates the need for additional connecting components and provides no additional space for sensor mounting, thus enabling a more compact structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bearing, and more particularly to a bearing that integrates a sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Bearings are widely used in various equipment. As bearings are often critical moving parts in equipment, their operating condition has a crucial impact on equipment performance. Bearing operating conditions include various aspects, such as bearing temperature, bearing vibration, raceway condition, cage posture, and lubricating oil condition. Timely detection of these conditions allows for early assessment of bearing health and the implementation of targeted interventions.

[0003] Measures for real-time monitoring of different operating states of bearings have emerged in this field. For example, one prior art involves integrating a sensor into a cage to monitor certain operating parameters of the bearing. Another prior art proposes machining grooves into bearing components (e.g., outer or inner rings) and embedding the sensor in the grooves using an interference fit. Still other prior art proposes mounting the sensor to the outer periphery of the bearing using additional fixing devices.

[0004] However, these existing technologies all suffer from problems such as poor installation structure reliability, limited detection targets, high installation costs, inconvenient installation, and large space occupation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems and needs mentioned above, this disclosure proposes a novel technical solution that solves the aforementioned problems and brings about other technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

[0006] The present invention provides a bearing comprising: an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring is overmolded with a connecting material; and a sensor, at least a portion of the sensor being overmolded in the connecting material.

[0007] Compared to existing technologies, this invention provides a simpler and more reliable method for connecting sensors to bearings, increasing connection strength and reducing costs. Furthermore, the overmolding method of this invention eliminates the need for additional connecting components and provides no extra space for sensor mounting, resulting in a more compact structure. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a front view and a partial enlarged view of part A of the bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0010] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0011] Compared to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, feasible embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may have fewer components, other components not shown in the drawings, different components, components arranged differently, or components with different connections, etc. Furthermore, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0012] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Where the number of components is not specified, the number of components may be one or more; similarly, the terms “a,” “the,” “described,” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or “including,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “install,” “set,” “connect,” or “link,” and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical installation, setting, or connection, but may include electrical installation, setting, or connection, whether direct or indirect. “Above,” “below,” “left,” “right,” etc., are used only to indicate the relative positional relationship of the equipment during use or the positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0013] For ease of explanation, the direction of the bearing's axis of rotation is referred to as the axial direction in this document, and the direction perpendicular to this axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. The term "inner / inward" refers to the direction toward the inside of the bearing, while the term "outer / outward" refers to the direction toward the outside of the bearing.

[0014] The bearing according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] like Figure 1As shown, a bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: an outer ring 1, an inner ring 2, and a sensor 3. The outer ring 1 is overmolded with a connecting material 4, and at least a portion of the sensor 3 is also overmolded in the connecting material 4.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, this invention provides a simpler and more reliable method for connecting sensors to bearings, increasing connection strength and reducing costs. Furthermore, the overmolding method of this invention eliminates the need for additional connecting components and provides no extra space for sensor mounting, resulting in a more compact structure.

[0017] It should be understood that various connecting materials can be selected, as long as they can form a robust, molded connection with the outer ring 1 and the sensor 3. For example, the connecting material 4 can be an insulating material, such as rubber or resin. Using an insulating material as the connecting material not only increases the bearing's resistance to electro-corrosion but also brings other beneficial effects (described later).

[0018] This invention can be applied to the connection between various types of sensors and bearings.

[0019] For example, sensor 3 can be a vision sensor, having a sensor body 31 and a camera 33. Camera 33 extends from sensor body 31 and has a field of view facing the sensed area in the bearing. Preferably, according to... Figure 1-2 The camera shown is oriented such that the sensed area can cover the raceway of the inner ring 2, thereby enabling imaging of the raceway to obtain sensed images of raceway wear, raceway color changes, etc., which can then be used to further assess the current condition of the bearing.

[0020] Although not shown, according to other preferred embodiments of the invention, the sensed area may cover at least one of the raceway of the outer ring 1, the cage 5, and the rolling elements 6, thereby enabling visual sensing of wear and color changes of the outer ring raceway, cage orientation, rolling element condition, lubricant condition around the rolling elements, etc.

[0021] In existing technologies, due to limitations in sensor installation location and method, it is often difficult to find sensors capable of effectively and accurately visually sensing the internal structure of bearings, such as the outer / inner raceway, for bearing applications. However, compared to sensing other parameters or conditions of bearings (such as temperature, vibration, noise, etc.), visual sensing of the internal structure of bearings has irreplaceable advantages and necessity, because some bearing problems can only be detected and addressed early through visual sensing. This invention, by proposing the sensor installation method described above, achieves a simple integration of a visual sensor onto the bearing, allowing the camera to be placed as close as possible to the area to be sensed, thus enabling close-range visual imaging.

[0022] More preferably, the visual sensor 3 also has an adjustment member 32 disposed between the sensor body 31 and the camera 33, so that the field of view of the camera 33 can be adjusted by adjusting the adjustment member 32. That is, the present invention can change the field of view of the camera according to actual needs, thereby changing the target or area to be sensed, so that different targets or areas can be sensed with a single sensor without the need for additional sensors. For example, as... Figure 1-2 In the shown state, camera 33 performs visual sensing of the raceway of the inner ring 2; depending on new sensing needs, by adjusting the field of view of camera 33 upwards, it can perform visual sensing of the rolling element 6, the jaws of the cage 5 (not shown in the figure), and even the raceway of the outer ring 1. Additionally, camera 33 can also have a focus adjustment function to perform visual sensing of parts of interest at different distances within the field of view.

[0023] Specifically, the adjusting element 32 may be, for example, a deformable sleeve (not shown), which may be, for example, a flexible metal tube. The transmission line between the sensor body 31 and the camera 33 may be disposed in the deformable sleeve, so that the field of view of the camera 33 can be changed by manually bending the deformable sleeve to perform visual sensing for different sensed areas. In addition, in order to adapt to the working environment and working requirements of the bearing, the deformable sleeve preferably has at least one of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.

[0024] According to another alternative embodiment, the adjustment member 32 may be a wire (not shown) wound around the transmission line between the sensor body 31 and the camera 33. After the wire is wound, the field of view of the camera 33 can also be changed by manually bending it. The wire may be, for example, a metal wire, and preferably, the wire has at least one of the following properties: abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance; for example, it may be a high-density tungsten wire.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the vision sensor 3 may further include an illumination element (not shown), such as an LED light, which emits illumination light towards the sensed area to enhance the effect of vision sensing. Preferably, the illumination element can be integrated into the camera 33, for example, it can be positioned adjacent to the camera 33 so that it can illuminate following the field of view of the camera. More preferably, the illumination element can be independent of the camera 33, and the illumination element can have another adjustment element arranged around a conductor to adjust the illumination range of the illumination element; that is, the illumination element can have independent adjustability.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention (not shown), sensor 3 may be an infrared temperature sensor having a sensor body and a photoelectric detection head (not shown). Figure 1Similar to the aforementioned visual sensor, the photoelectric probe of the infrared temperature sensor can extend from the sensor body and be positioned toward the sensed area in the bearing, for example, to perform non-contact temperature sensing of the outer raceway, inner raceway, rolling elements, or parts of interest on the cage.

[0027] Preferably, and with Figure 1 Similar to the preferred embodiment, the infrared temperature sensor may also have an adjustment element configured around the transmission line between the sensor body and the photodetector head, thereby adjusting the sensing position of the photodetector head by adjusting the adjustment element. Preferably, the adjustment element can be a deformable sleeve, and the transmission line is disposed in the deformable sleeve; and preferably, the deformable sleeve can have at least one of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance. Alternatively, the adjustment element can be a wire wound around the transmission line; and preferably, the wire can have at least one of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance, for example, it can be a high-density tungsten wire.

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention (not shown), the sensor 3 may be a contact sensor. Preferably, the contact sensor may have a sensing element that is in direct contact with at least one of the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2. Preferably, the contact sensor 3 may be a contact temperature sensor 3 or a contact vibration sensor 3, thereby enabling direct sensing of the temperature or vibration of the outer / inner ring.

[0029] Preferably, utilizing the sensor configuration structure described above, sensor 3 can be a multifunctional sensor, capable of performing multiple sensing functions. This allows for more efficient and cost-effective comprehensive monitoring of the bearing's operating status. For example, it can simultaneously monitor raceway temperature and vibration conditions, or capture changes in lubricant conditions through a visual sensor. For instance, a multifunctional sensor may possess at least two of the following functions: temperature sensing, vibration sensing, and visual imaging.

[0030] Furthermore, this invention proposes that the sensor body 31 may also include a wireless communication module for transmitting sensing signals, thereby avoiding the structural complexity and installation inconvenience caused by wired transmission of sensing signals. Moreover, to accommodate this type of sensor capable of wirelessly transmitting sensing signals, this invention also proposes that the connecting material 4 be set as an insulating material and that the sensor body 31 be separated from the outer ring 1 by the insulating material. This reduces the electromagnetic interference field caused by the metal outer ring 1 on the signal transmission antenna, preventing the metal outer ring from affecting the range and stability of signal transmission.

[0031] Preferably, the sensor body 31 of the sensor 3 may also include an energy harvester and a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester. The energy harvester may be configured as an electromagnetic energy harvester, a wireless radio frequency energy harvester, a piezoelectric energy harvester, a thermal energy harvester, or other suitable wireless energy harvesters. The energy harvester is configured to supply electrical energy to the rechargeable battery, thereby charging the rechargeable battery and ensuring that the sensor can continuously sense the bearing for a long time, avoiding the inconvenience of frequent battery replacements.

[0032] The rechargeable battery is also configured to power the electrical components of the sensor (3), such as the camera, LED lights, wireless communication module, etc. as previously described. Preferably, the sensor body 31 of the sensor 3 also has a backup battery to power the electrical components of the sensor (3) in the event that the rechargeable battery is depleted or malfunctions.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 3 can be flexibly positioned at any suitable location on the outer ring of the bearing. For example... Figure 1-2 As shown, sensor 3 is molded onto the right axial end face of outer ring 1. However, it should be understood that, in order to adapt to different sensing requirements or bearing installation space conditions, sensor 3 can be molded onto the left axial end face of outer ring 1, or sensor 3 can be molded onto the outer circumferential surface of outer ring 1.

[0034] More preferably, the outer ring 1 may include a groove for accommodating the sensor body 31 of the sensor 3. This is particularly advantageous when the sensor body 31 is large, so that the size of the bearing does not increase significantly after the sensor 3 is molded by covering it with connecting material, thus achieving a more compact appearance.

[0035] Finally, those skilled in the art will understand that although in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, sensor 3 is overmolded onto the outer ring 1, depending on the specific bearing structure and detection requirements, the sensor can also be overmolded onto the inner ring, and other connection structures, adjustment components, lighting components, etc., can be equivalently applied to embodiments where the sensor is overmolded onto the inner ring. Moreover, when more parameters and more detailed sensing of the bearing are required, multiple sensors can even be overmolded at suitable locations on the outer and / or inner rings. Therefore, the present invention proposes overmolding the sensor onto at least one of the outer and inner rings.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above specific embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, and various combinations can be made to the various technical features and structures proposed in this disclosure without exceeding the protection scope of this disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bearing, comprising: Outer ring (1) and inner ring (2), wherein at least one of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) is covered with a connecting material (4). Sensor (3), at least a portion of which is encapsulated and molded in the connecting material (4).

2. The bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The sensor (3) is a vision sensor, which has the following characteristics: Sensor body (31); and A camera (33) extends from the sensor body (31) and has a field of view toward the sensed area in the bearing; Preferably, the sensed area covers at least one of the raceway of the outer ring (1), the raceway of the inner ring (2), the cage (5) of the bearing, and the rolling elements (6) of the bearing.

3. The bearing as described in claim 2, wherein, The visual sensor also has an adjustment member (32) disposed between the sensor body (31) and the camera (33), thereby adjusting the field of view of the camera (33) by adjusting the adjustment member (32).

4. The bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The adjusting component (32) is a deformable sleeve, and the transmission line between the sensor body (31) and the camera (33) is arranged in the deformable sleeve; preferably, the deformable sleeve has at least one of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance; or The adjusting element (32) is a wire wound around the transmission line between the sensor body (31) and the camera (33); preferably, the wire has at least one of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.

5. The bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The vision sensor also includes an illumination element that emits illumination light toward the sensed area; Preferably, the lighting element is integrated into the camera (33); or Preferably, the lighting element is independent of the camera (33) and has another adjustment element arranged around the wire of the lighting element to adjust the lighting range of the lighting element.

6. The bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The sensor (3) is an infrared temperature sensor, which has the following characteristics: Sensor body; and A photoelectric probe extends from the sensor body and is configured to face the sensed area in the bearing; Preferably, the infrared temperature sensor further includes an adjustment element configured to surround the transmission line between the sensor body and the photoelectric probe, thereby adjusting the sensing position of the photoelectric probe by adjusting the adjustment element; Preferably, the adjusting member is a deformable sleeve, and the transmission line is disposed within the deformable sleeve; preferably, the deformable sleeve has at least one of the following properties: wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high temperature resistance; or The adjusting element is a wire wound around the transmission line; preferably, the wire has at least one of the following properties: abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.

7. The bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The sensor (3) is a contact sensor, and wherein: Preferably, the contact sensor has a sensing element that is in direct contact with at least one of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2); Preferably, the contact sensor is a contact temperature sensor or a contact vibration sensor; or The sensor (3) is a multifunctional sensor that has at least two of the following functions: temperature sensing, vibration sensing, and visual imaging.

8. The bearing according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The connecting material (4) is an insulating material.

9. The bearing as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The sensor body (31) of the sensor (3) further includes a wireless communication module for transmitting sensing signals, and the sensor body (31) is separated from at least one of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) by an insulating material; and / or The sensor body (31) of the sensor (3) has an energy harvester and a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester. The energy harvester is configured to supply electrical energy to the rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable battery is configured to supply power to the electrical components of the sensor (3). Preferably, the sensor body (31) of the sensor (3) also has a backup battery to supply power to the electrical components of the sensor (3) when the rechargeable battery is out of power or malfunctions.

10. The bearing according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The sensor (3) is encapsulated and molded on the circumferential surface or either axial end surface of at least one of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2); Preferably, at least one of the outer ring (1) and the inner ring (2) includes a groove for receiving the sensor body (31) of the sensor (3).

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