Wear-resistant segmented bearing retainer made of composite material

Abstract

The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing retainer comprises a plurality of segments of retainer segmented assemblies, and each retainer segmented assembly is composed of two annular parts with radians and a plurality of window beams which are evenly spaced and connected with the two annular parts. First protrusions protruding out of the end faces are arranged on the upper surfaces and the lower surfaces of window beams at the two ends of the retainer segment assembly, second protrusions protruding out of the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface are arranged on the inner diameter walls and the outer diameter walls of annular parts at the two ends, the direct contact area of the retainer and the inner ring and the outer ring of the bearing is reduced, load dispersion is facilitated, abrasion is relieved, and the service life is prolonged. By adopting the local contact design, the retainer can more effectively cope with complex load conditions in the operation of the wind driven generator, even if the contact cannot be completely avoided, the abrasion degree can be obviously reduced by reducing the contact area and dispersing the load, the wear resistance of the retainer is improved, the service life of the retainer is prolonged, and the service life of the retainer is prolonged. And a powerful guarantee is provided for stable operation of the wind driven generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of cages, and particularly relates to a composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous advancement of the new energy sector, wind energy, as one of the earliest developed new energy sources, is increasingly accounting for a larger share of the power grid. Along with this trend, the manufacturing of wind turbine main units has also seen diversified development. Bearings, as a core component of the main unit, directly affect the generator's operating efficiency and lifespan through their selection and configuration. Especially in high-power wind turbines, bearings must withstand enormous wind loads, requiring a corresponding increase in the size of the main shaft and its bearings, potentially leading to an increase in the overall weight of the main unit. However, traditional one-piece cages may deform under the weight of large bearings. During bearing operation, this deformation causes unnecessary contact between the rolling elements and the cage, generating additional friction. This not only increases the bearing's operating temperature but also accelerates the wear of the cage and rolling element materials, ultimately leading to deformation of the cage and even the rolling elements, severely affecting the bearing's load-bearing capacity and service life.

[0003] To address this issue, segmented engineering plastic cages are currently used. The engineering plastic material used in these cages not only possesses sufficient strength but is also lightweight, contributing to improved bearing rotational performance. Simultaneously, it effectively reduces internal bearing friction, thus finding widespread application in high-power wind turbines. However, with increased practical use, segmented cage assemblies have exhibited premature failure. The reason lies in the fact that during wind turbine operation, the bearing must withstand various complex loads, including radial loads, axial loads, and even potential impact loads. These complex load conditions cause the segmented cage assembly to contact the inner and outer rings of the bearing, leading to wear and ultimately resulting in cage cracking, partial detachment, and other failures. A worn cage cannot effectively support the rolling elements, potentially causing deformation or damage to the rolling elements, further accelerating bearing wear and failure, thereby shortening the wind turbine's service life. Therefore, existing technology requires further improvement and enhancement. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage to at least solve or alleviate one or more technical problems in the prior art, or to at least provide a beneficial alternative.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage includes a multi-segmented cage assembly. The cage segmented assembly consists of two arc-shaped annular portions and multiple evenly spaced window beams connecting the two annular portions. The upper and lower surfaces of the window beams at both ends of the cage segmented assembly are provided with first protrusions protruding from the end faces, and the inner and outer diameter walls of the annular portions at both ends are provided with second protrusions protruding from the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The first and second protrusions contact the inner and outer rings of the bearing to reduce the contact area between the cage segmented assembly and the inner and outer rings, thereby reducing friction and extending the service life of the cage.

[0007] The aforementioned structure features a first protrusion protruding from the end faces of the upper and lower surfaces of the end beams of the cage segment assembly. This first protrusion, upon contact with the inner and outer rings of the bearing, locally concentrates stress, reducing the contact area and thus lowering friction and wear. Simultaneously, a second protrusion protruding from the inner and outer diameter surfaces of the annular portions at both ends is designed. This second protrusion further reduces the direct contact area between the cage and the inner and outer rings of the bearing, helping to distribute the load and reduce wear. By employing this localized contact design, the cage can more effectively cope with the complex load conditions during wind turbine operation. Even if contact cannot be completely avoided, the degree of wear can be significantly reduced by decreasing the contact area and distributing the load. This design not only improves the wear resistance of the cage but also extends its service life, providing a strong guarantee for the stable operation of the wind turbine.

[0008] In a preferred implementation, the width of the first protrusion matches the width of the window beam, and both ends extend to the upper side of the arcuate annular portion.

[0009] In a preferred implementation, the width of the second protrusion matches the ring width of the annular portion, and its length is not less than the spacing between adjacent window beams.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the cage segment assembly are manufactured using an integral molding process.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are made of tin bronze alloy and are connected to a cage segment assembly made of aluminum or aluminum alloy by welding.

[0012] The tin bronze alloy protrusions are welded together with the segmented aluminum or aluminum alloy cage components. The welded joints have high strength, which can ensure a firm connection between the protrusions and the cage, preventing loosening or detachment during use. Combining the excellent properties of tin bronze alloy with the lightweight and easy-to-process characteristics of aluminum or aluminum alloy, the overall performance of the cage can be significantly improved, meeting the needs of use under complex working conditions.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second protrusions are made of a wear-resistant material and are detachably connected to the cage segment assembly.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the cage segment assembly is made of engineering plastic or alloy material.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of both ends of the retainer segment assembly are provided with first insertion grooves, and a first protrusion is inserted into the first insertion groove. The inner and outer diameter walls of both ends of the retainer assembly are provided with second insertion grooves, and a second protrusion is inserted into the second insertion groove.

[0016] In a preferred implementation, the first and second protrusions have an arcuate profile to reduce contact wear.

[0017] In a preferred implementation, the width of the window openings in the cage segment assembly remains consistent from the inner diameter direction to the outer diameter direction, and is always greater than the diameter of the roller. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of one embodiment of the composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage of this application is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic top view of one embodiment of the composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage of this application is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 3 The illustration shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment in which the first and second protrusions of this application are detachably connected to a segmented bearing cage;

[0022] Label Explanation:

[0023] 1-Segmented cage assembly; 10-Annular portion; 11-Window beam; 12-Window opening; 13-First insertion slot; 14-Second insertion slot; 2-First protrusion; 3-Second protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. In this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the first feature being "upper" or "lower" than the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium.

[0026] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral unit; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. However, specifying a direct connection indicates that the two main bodies at the connection point are not connected by an intermediate structure, but are simply connected to form a whole through a connecting structure. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this utility model, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature.

[0028] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The specific solution adopted is as follows:

[0030] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this utility model provides a composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage, including a multi-segmented cage assembly 1. The cage segmented assembly consists of two arc-shaped annular portions 10 and multiple evenly spaced window beams 11 connecting the two annular portions. The upper and lower surfaces of the window beams at both ends of the cage segmented assembly are provided with first protrusions 2 protruding from the end faces, and the inner and outer diameter walls of the annular portions at both ends are provided with second protrusions 3 protruding from the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The first and second protrusions contact the inner and outer rings of the bearing to reduce the contact area between the cage segmented assembly and the inner and outer rings, thereby reducing friction and extending the service life of the cage.

[0031] To address the issue of premature failure of segmented cages under complex load conditions, the aforementioned structure incorporates a first protrusion extending from the upper and lower surfaces of the end beams at both ends of the segmented cage assembly. This first protrusion, upon contact with the inner and outer rings of the bearing, locally concentrates stress, reducing the contact area and thus decreasing friction and wear. Simultaneously, a second protrusion extending from the inner and outer diameter walls of the annular portions at both ends further reduces the direct contact area between the cage and the bearing's inner and outer rings, helping to distribute the load and reduce wear. This localized contact design allows the cage to more effectively cope with the complex load conditions encountered during wind turbine operation. Even if contact cannot be completely avoided, the reduction in contact area and load distribution significantly reduces wear. This design not only improves the cage's wear resistance but also extends its service life, providing a strong guarantee for the stable operation of the wind turbine.

[0032] Meanwhile, the ends, being the weakest point of the cage, are more susceptible to damage. By adding protrusions and a symmetrical design, the strength and wear resistance of the ends can be significantly improved, thereby extending the overall service life of the cage.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the width of the first protrusion 2 matches the width of the window beam, and its two ends extend to the upper side of the arcuate annular portion.

[0034] When the width of the first protrusion matches the width of the window sill, it ensures close contact and effective support between the protrusion and the sill, distributing and balancing the stress on the sill and improving the overall structural stability. If the protrusion is too narrow, its supporting area will decrease, leading to increased stress per unit area and thus increasing the risk of damage. Conversely, when the protrusion width is moderate, it can effectively distribute stress and reduce the likelihood of damage. If the protrusion width exceeds the width of the window sill, it may interfere with the rollers, affecting their normal rotation. Therefore, ensuring that the protrusion width matches the window sill width is crucial to avoiding such problems. The design of the first protrusion extending to the upper side of the curved annular portion at both ends strengthens the connection between the window sill and the curved annular portion, helping to reduce the risk of damage at the connection corners due to stress concentration.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the width of the second protrusion 3 matches the ring width of the annular portion, and its length is not less than the spacing between adjacent window beams. When the width of the second protrusion matches the ring width of the annular portion and its length is not less than the spacing between adjacent window beams, a tight connection between the protrusion and the annular portion can be ensured, forming a more integrated and stable structure. The width and length design can provide more uniform support force, which helps to disperse and balance the stress borne by the annular portion. This enhanced support force helps to improve the overall stability and load-bearing capacity of the structure.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the first protrusion 2 and the second protrusion 3 are made of tin bronze and are connected to the cage segment assembly made of aluminum or aluminum alloy by welding.

[0037] Tin bronze alloys possess high hardness and low wear rate, exhibiting excellent performance in friction and impact wear. This characteristic allows the protrusions to maintain shape and dimensional stability over extended periods of use, reducing performance degradation due to wear. By welding the tin bronze alloy protrusions to the segmented aluminum or aluminum alloy cage components, the high strength of the weld joint ensures a secure connection between the protrusions and the cage, preventing loosening or detachment during use. Combined with the alloy's superior properties and the lightweight and easily machinable characteristics of aluminum or aluminum alloys, the overall performance of the cage is significantly improved, meeting the demands of complex operating conditions.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second protrusions are made of wear-resistant materials, such as high-strength brass: Brass has good wear characteristics, can be cast and forged, has good machinability, and is easy to produce smooth pocket surfaces and guide surfaces. Furthermore, the combination of copper and steel results in low friction, and copper is rust-resistant, with minimal wear and chipping, leading to high reliability of the resulting solid cage; alloy steel: For applications requiring higher strength and wear resistance, alloy steel can be selected. Alloy steel improves hardness and wear resistance by adding other elements, enabling it to withstand greater loads and wear; or ceramic materials, some of which also have good wear resistance, such as alumina and silicon nitride.

[0039] The cage segment assembly can be made of engineering plastics or alloys, forming a composite cage segment. By combining the first and second protrusions made of wear-resistant material with the cage segment assembly made of engineering plastics or alloys, a composite cage segment with excellent performance can be constructed. This composite cage segment has the following advantages:

[0040] Improved abrasion resistance: The first and second protrusions of the abrasion-resistant material can significantly improve the abrasion resistance of the cage and extend its service life.

[0041] Enhanced structural strength: The segmented cage assembly made of alloy material provides sufficient structural strength to ensure stable operation of the bearing.

[0042] Optimized connection performance: The detachable connection method allows the first and second protrusions to be easily connected and disconnected, facilitating maintenance and replacement.

[0043] Choosing the right engineering plastic or alloy material according to specific needs allows composite material cages to be segmented to adapt to different working environments and conditions.

[0044] Specifically, the upper and lower surfaces of both ends of the retainer segment assembly are provided with first insertion grooves 13, and a first protrusion is inserted into the first insertion groove 13. The inner and outer diameter walls of both ends of the retainer assembly are provided with second insertion grooves, and a second protrusion is inserted into the second insertion groove 14.

[0045] The first and second protrusions are designed as detachable components of the cage segment assembly. When either protrusion wears, is damaged, or requires upgrading, it can be easily removed from the cage segment assembly and replaced with a new or improved protrusion. This reduces maintenance costs and improves equipment availability. Because the protrusions can be replaced individually, the most suitable material can be selected to manufacture them based on actual usage requirements and the working environment. For example, a cage segment assembly can be made of lightweight engineering plastics, allowing for the selection of protrusion materials with higher hardness and better wear resistance.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the first protrusion 2 and the second protrusion 3 have curved profiles to reduce contact wear. Sharp surface profiles can easily lead to stress concentration, increasing the risk of material breakage at the contact point. Curved profiles, on the other hand, can disperse stress, making the contact surface more uniform, thereby reducing the possibility of wear and damage.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the width of the window 12 of the cage segment assembly remains consistent from the inner diameter direction to the outer diameter direction, and is greater than the diameter of the roller.

[0048] When the width of the aperture in the cage segment assembly remains consistent from the inner diameter to the outer diameter, the machining process can be greatly simplified. This simplification and improved machining accuracy both contribute to lower manufacturing costs. When the aperture width is greater than the roller diameter, it is easier to insert the roller into the cage. This reduces resistance and difficulty during assembly, improving assembly efficiency and accuracy.

[0049] For any parts not mentioned in this utility model, existing technologies can be used or referenced.

[0050] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, and these should all be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage, comprising a multi-segmented cage assembly, characterized in that, The cage segment assembly consists of two arc-shaped annular sections and multiple evenly spaced window beams connecting the two annular sections. The upper and lower surfaces of the window beams at both ends of the cage segment assembly are provided with first protrusions protruding from the end faces, and the inner and outer diameter walls of the annular sections at both ends are provided with second protrusions protruding from the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The first and second protrusions contact the inner and outer rings of the bearing to reduce the contact area between the cage segment assembly and the inner and outer rings, reduce friction, and extend the service life of the cage.

2. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the first protrusion matches the width of the window beam, and its two ends extend to the upper side of the arc-shaped annular portion.

3. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the second protrusion matches the ring width of the annular portion, and its length is not less than the spacing between adjacent window beams.

4. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protrusion and the second protrusion are made of tin bronze alloy and are connected to the cage segment assembly made of aluminum or aluminum alloy by die casting process by welding.

5. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second protrusions are made of wear-resistant material and are detachably connected to the cage segment assembly.

6. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cage segment assembly is made of engineering plastic or alloy material.

7. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper and lower surfaces of both ends of the cage segment assembly are provided with first insertion grooves, and a first protrusion is inserted into the first insertion groove. The inner and outer diameter walls of both ends of the cage segment assembly are provided with second insertion grooves, and a second protrusion is inserted into the second insertion groove.

8. The composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second protrusions have curved profiles to reduce contact wear.

9. A composite material wear-resistant segmented bearing cage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the window openings in the cage segment assembly remains consistent from the inner diameter direction to the outer diameter direction, and is always greater than the diameter of the roller.

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