Segmented retainer of rolling bearing
By designing a segmented structure and a honeycomb-shaped hollowed-out plastic cage, the problems of adhesive wear and stress concentration of traditional metal cages under high-speed and corrosive conditions were solved, achieving improved lightweight, self-lubricating and corrosion resistance of the bearing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EAST CHINA JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Traditional metal cages are prone to adhesive wear, stress concentration, and fatigue fracture under high-speed, high-low temperature alternating, or corrosive conditions, and are also heavy and have low material utilization efficiency.
The plastic retainer adopts a segmented structure, combined with a honeycomb-shaped hollow area, and is designed into several independent segmented structures. Each segment includes bosses and grooves connected by pins, and has a honeycomb-shaped hollow area inside. It is made of PEEK plastic.
It significantly reduces frictional energy consumption and noise levels, improves impact resistance, reduces stress concentration, reduces weight and enhances self-lubrication, and improves the rotational flexibility and corrosion resistance of bearings.
Smart Images

Figure CN224120550U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bearing technology, and in particular to a rolling bearing cage. Background Technology
[0002] A rolling bearing is a precision mechanical component that converts sliding friction into rolling friction, reducing friction loss, significantly reducing energy consumption, and improving mechanical transmission efficiency. A rolling bearing generally consists of four parts: an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements, and a cage. The cage is used to evenly isolate the rolling elements and guide their movement.
[0003] While traditional metal cages possess high mechanical strength, they suffer from drawbacks such as heavy weight, high inertia, and susceptibility to adhesive wear with rolling elements under high-speed, high-low temperature alternating, or corrosive conditions. Furthermore, their integral structural design easily leads to stress concentration, particularly under frequent start-stop cycles or impact loads, which can cause fatigue fracture. Compared to honeycomb structures, traditional cage structures are heavier, have lower material utilization efficiency, and stress concentration at the pocket edges can become fatigue sources, potentially generating significant centrifugal forces at high speeds. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this utility model is to propose a segmented cage for rolling bearings. This plastic cage has low density, good self-lubrication, and resistance to chemical corrosion, significantly reducing the bearing's frictional energy consumption and noise level. The segmented structure, with multiple independent arc-shaped segments, effectively disperses alternating loads and thermal stress, reduces the risk of local deformation, and improves impact resistance. Furthermore, the honeycomb-shaped hollow area reduces stress concentration and effectively disperses centrifugal and impact forces. Through biomimetic design and material innovation, the honeycomb structure cage overcomes the performance bottlenecks of traditional cages.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a segmented cage for rolling bearings, comprising: several independent segmented structures, which together form a cage assembly; each segmented structure includes multiple cage pockets, with adjacent cage pockets arranged at certain intervals; a channel located between the pockets of the same segment; each segmented structure having a boss and a groove at its end; the boss and groove being connected by a pin; pin holes being provided on the boss and groove; and honeycomb-shaped hollow areas regularly arranged inside each segmented structure.
[0006] Furthermore, multiple cage pockets in each independent segment structure are evenly spaced.
[0007] Furthermore, each independent segment structure has three cage pockets.
[0008] Furthermore, in each independent segment structure, the channel is located between pockets in the same independent segment and connects two adjacent pockets.
[0009] Furthermore, each independent segment structure has a boss and a groove at its end, and the boss and groove in each independent segment structure are connected by a pin.
[0010] Furthermore, honeycomb-shaped perforated areas are evenly distributed on the sides of each independent segment structure.
[0011] The cage described in this invention is made of PEEK plastic, which has a specific gravity of about 1 / 5 that of metal. This material significantly reduces the weight of the bearing, improves its self-lubricating properties, and greatly reduces the operating load on the rolling elements.
[0012] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are:
[0013] The cage structure employs a segmented design, which, compared to other structures, significantly reduces the cage's constraint on the rolling element rotation during bearing operation, enhancing the bearing's rotational flexibility and facilitating installation and disassembly. The honeycomb-shaped perforated structure further reduces overall weight, optimizes internal space, minimizes stress concentration, and effectively disperses centrifugal and impact forces.
[0014] The cage is made of plastic, which significantly reduces the weight of the bearing, improves its self-lubrication and corrosion resistance, and reduces the operating load on the rolling elements. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an independently segmented structure of a segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to the present invention;
[0016] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of an independently segmented structure of a segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to the present invention;
[0017] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an independently segmented structure of a segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to the present invention;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the pin structure of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the partial connection of the independent segmented structure of this utility model.
[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0021] 1. Cage pocket; 2. Honeycomb-shaped perforated area; 3. Boss; 4. Groove; 5. Channel; 6. Pin hole; 7. Pin. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.
[0023] Figure 1-5 The illustrated segmented cage for a rolling bearing includes: several independent segmented structures that form the entire cage body; each segmented structure contains multiple cage pockets 1, which are arranged at certain intervals; channels 5 located between the same segmented pockets 1; each segmented structure has a boss 3 and a groove 4 at its end; the boss 3 and the groove 4 are connected by pins 7; pin holes 6 are formed on the boss 3 and the groove 4; and honeycomb-shaped hollow areas 2 are regularly arranged inside each segmented structure.
[0024] In a specific embodiment of this utility model, multiple retainer pockets 1 in each independent segment structure are evenly and equidistantly arranged.
[0025] In a specific embodiment of this utility model, each independent segment structure has three retainer pockets.
[0026] In a specific embodiment of this utility model, a channel 5 is provided between the cage pockets 1 in each independent segment structure to connect each pocket 1, so that the lubricating oil can flow better inside the cage, resulting in better lubrication and reducing the wear of the rolling elements on the cage.
[0027] In a specific embodiment of this utility model, each independent segment structure end includes a boss 3 and a groove 4. The boss 3 and the groove 4 in each independent segment structure are connected by a pin 7, so that the independent segment structure forms the entire cage frame.
[0028] Furthermore, in each independent segment structure, the pin hole 6 is located on the boss 3 and the groove 4, and its shape is a hexagonal hole.
[0029] In a specific embodiment of this utility model, the honeycomb-shaped hollow area 2 is evenly distributed inside each independent segment structure, which can further reduce the overall weight, optimize the internal spatial structure, reduce stress concentration, and effectively disperse centrifugal force and impact force.
[0030] Preferably, the channel 5 is circular in shape, which can effectively simplify the processing technology, improve the production efficiency of the cage, and thus reduce the production cost.
[0031] Preferably, the honeycomb-shaped perforated area 2 has a hexagonal structure. Hexagons have good geometric stability, and their sides are evenly stressed, which can effectively disperse external loads. This prevents the cage from deforming due to stress during operation, ensuring the normal operating trajectory of the rolling elements. This not only further reduces the weight of the cage itself, but also helps to reduce stress concentration, effectively disperse centrifugal force and impact force, and absorb vibration.
[0032] In a specific embodiment of this invention, the cage is made of PEEK plastic, which has a specific gravity approximately 1 / 5 that of metal, resulting in a significant reduction in bearing weight. More importantly, it greatly reduces the operating load on the rolling elements. Furthermore, it possesses self-lubricating properties at high temperatures, effectively reducing wear and increasing lifespan.
[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. All equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and concept of the present utility model, should be covered within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A segmented retainer for a rolling bearing, characterized in that, include: The cage consists of several independent segmented structures that form the entire cage frame. Each segmented structure includes multiple cage pockets (1), with adjacent cage pockets (1) arranged at certain intervals. There are also channels (5) located between the same segmented pockets (1). Each segmented structure has a boss (3) and a groove (4) at its end. The boss (3) and the groove (4) are connected by a pin (7). The boss (3) and the groove (4) have pin holes (6). The interior of each segmented structure has a honeycomb-shaped hollow area (2) arranged in a regular pattern.
2. A segmented retainer for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: In each independent segment structure, multiple cage pockets (1) are evenly spaced.
3. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each independent segment structure has 3 cage pockets (1).
4. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: In each independent segment structure, the channel (5) is located between the pockets (1) of the same segment structure and connects adjacent pockets (1).
5. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each independent segment structure has a boss (3) and a groove (4) at the end. The boss (3) and the groove (4) in each independent segment structure are connected by a pin (7) to form a cage as a whole.
6. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: In each independent segment structure, the pin hole (6) is located on the boss (3) and the groove (4), and its shape is a hexagonal hole.
7. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pin (7) has a hexagonal structure.
8. A segmented cage for a rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sides of each independent segment structure are evenly distributed with honeycomb-shaped hollow areas (2).