Cylindrical bearing integrated with temperature sensor

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cylindrical bearing of integrated temperature sensor, including outer ring, inner race, retainer and roller, be equipped with a radial mounting hole on the outer cylindrical surface of outer ring, install a temperature sensor in mounting hole, and the periphery of temperature sensor is sleeved with the locating ring, and the locating ring is inserted in the mounting hole. The tail of temperature sensor is connected with the signal transmission line that leads outward, is used for connecting external data acquisition system, and the mounting hole is filled with the filling glue for fixed and sealed, and the filling glue fills in the remaining space in sensor mounting hole, is used for fixing temperature sensor and signal transmission line, and plays the role of sealed and heat conduction. Temperature sensor directly embeds bearing outer ring and is close to the raceway, can fast, accurate perception real working temperature in the bearing interior, has eliminated the lag and inaccurate problem of traditional external temperature measurement mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bearing technology, specifically to a cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Bearings are crucial basic components in mechanical equipment, and their operating condition directly affects the reliability, accuracy, and lifespan of the entire equipment. Cylindrical roller bearings are widely used in industrial fields such as wind power, heavy machinery, machine tools, and motors due to their ability to withstand large radial loads. In these critical applications, bearing failure can lead to serious unplanned downtime and significant economic losses. When bearings operate under abnormal conditions (such as poor lubrication, improper installation, or overload), they are often accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature. Temperature is one of the most direct and critical parameters characterizing their operating status. Therefore, real-time monitoring of bearing operating temperature is an effective means of achieving predictive maintenance and equipment intelligence.

[0003] Currently, bearing temperature monitoring typically employs external proximity temperature measurement methods, such as installing thermocouples or Pt100 resistance thermometers on the bearing housing or nearby substrate. This method has significant drawbacks: First, the sensor does not directly contact the bearing races, resulting in a temperature lag and an inability to accurately reflect the true internal temperature of the bearing in real time. Second, installing external sensors requires additional structure and space, making placement difficult in compact equipment. Furthermore, external wiring is susceptible to interference and damage, leading to lower reliability. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor. This bearing integrates the temperature sensor directly into the outer ring of the bearing, enabling real-time and accurate monitoring of the bearing's operating temperature. It features a compact structure, convenient installation, and high reliability.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a cage disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a plurality of rollers movably disposed on the cage. Both the inner wall of the outer ring and the outer wall of the inner ring have raceways. The rollers are cylindrical and movably disposed between two opposing raceways. A radial mounting hole is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring. A temperature sensor is mounted in the mounting hole. A locating ring is sleeved around the temperature sensor and inserted into the mounting hole, ensuring the temperature sensor is tightly mounted at the bottom of the mounting hole. The sensing surface of the temperature sensor head faces the raceway inside the outer ring, making full contact with the outer ring metal to sense temperature changes. A signal transmission line is connected to the tail of the temperature sensor for connecting to an external data acquisition system. The mounting hole is filled with a filler adhesive for fixing and sealing. The filler adhesive fills the remaining space in the sensor mounting hole, fixing the temperature sensor and the signal transmission line, and also providing sealing and heat conduction.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning ring includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and several connecting blocks fixed between the outer ring and the inner ring, with the temperature sensor inserted inside the inner ring. The positioning ring keeps the temperature sensor stable and protects it.

[0007] Preferably, the mounting hole is a blind hole that extends inward from the outer surface to a position near the outer raceway, but does not penetrate into the raceway, so as to sense the temperature of the inner raceway of the outer ring to the greatest extent.

[0008] Preferably, the entrance of the mounting hole is provided with a radial guide groove for guiding the signal transmission line. The signal transmission line is smoothly led out to the outer surface of the bearing through this guide groove, avoiding damage to the cable.

[0009] Preferably, the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring is further provided with an axial lead groove, which is connected to the wire strip groove. The signal transmission line is partially accommodated in the lead groove and is fixed and protected by sealing tape or sealant covering it.

[0010] Preferably, the lead groove is filled with sealant, which is used to fix and protect the signal transmission line.

[0011] Preferably, the temperature sensor is a PT100 platinum resistance thermometer, a thermocouple, or an NTC thermistor.

[0012] Preferably, both the filler and the sealant are epoxy resin adhesives or silicone adhesives with high thermal conductivity.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The temperature sensor is directly embedded in the outer ring of the bearing and close to the raceway, which can quickly and accurately sense the real working temperature inside the bearing, eliminating the lag and inaccuracy problems of traditional external temperature measurement methods.

[0014] The sensor is integrated inside the bearing body, without requiring changes to the original bearing housing design. The structure is very compact, saving space, and is particularly suitable for installation environments with limited space.

[0015] The bearing is provided to the user as a complete sensing unit, eliminating the need for separate on-site sensor installation and calibration, thus avoiding installation errors. Built-in wiring and sealing protection enhance the system's resistance to mechanical damage and environmental interference, significantly improving reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning ring; Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image; In the diagram: 1-Outer ring, 2-Inner ring, 3-Cage, 4-Roller, 5-Race track, 6-Mounting hole, 7-Temperature sensor, 8-Positioning ring, 801-Outer ring, 802-Inner ring, 803-Connecting block, 9-Signal transmission line, 10-Filling adhesive, 11-Wire strip groove, 12-Lead groove. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] Please see Figures 1-5A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor includes an outer ring 1, an inner ring 2, a cage 3 disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a plurality of rollers 4 movably disposed on the cage. The outer wall of the cage 3 has a plurality of equidistant through holes, each containing a movably disposed roller 4. Both the inner wall of the outer ring 1 and the outer wall of the inner ring 2 have raceways 5. The rollers 4 are cylindrical and movably disposed between two opposite raceways 5. The inner ring, outer ring, rollers, and cage are typically made of high-carbon chromium bearing steel, such as GCr15 (Chinese grade) or AISI 52100 (American grade). After quenching and low-temperature tempering, this material achieves high and uniform hardness (HRC 60-65), exhibiting excellent wear resistance, fatigue strength, and contact fatigue life, meeting the requirements for heavy-duty applications.

[0019] A radial mounting hole 6 is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring 1. The depth of the hole is precisely calculated to ensure that its bottom is very close to the raceway of the outer ring 1 in order to obtain the fastest thermal response, while not affecting the mechanical strength and heat treatment performance of the raceway.

[0020] The mounting hole 6 is a blind hole, with its bottom close to the raceway of the outer ring 1 but not penetrating into it. A temperature sensor 7 (preferably a PT100 platinum resistance thermometer in this embodiment) is installed inside the mounting hole 6. A positioning ring 8 is sleeved around the temperature sensor 7. The positioning ring 8 includes an outer ring 801, an inner ring 802, and several connecting blocks 803 fixed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The temperature sensor 7 is inserted into the inner ring 802, and the outer ring of the positioning ring is tightly fitted into the mounting hole 6. The temperature sensing surface of the temperature sensor 7 faces the raceway 5. The mounting hole 6 is filled with a filler adhesive 10 (preferably epoxy resin in this embodiment) for fixing and sealing to ensure good contact between its temperature sensing element and the metal body of the outer ring.

[0021] The lead wire at the tail of the temperature sensor 7 is connected to the signal transmission line 6, which extends outward along the sensor mounting hole 4. A radial guide groove 11 for the signal transmission line 9 is provided at the entrance of the mounting hole 6, through which the signal transmission line 9 smoothly transitions to the outer surface of the outer ring 1. Subsequently, the signal transmission line 9 is placed within an axial lead groove 12 machined on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring 1. The cross-section of the lead groove 12 can be arc-shaped or rectangular, with sufficient depth and width to accommodate the signal transmission line 6.

[0022] Next, the gaps in the mounting hole 6 are completely filled with high thermal conductivity epoxy resin filler, which serves to fix the sensor, conduct heat, and seal against moisture. Finally, the lead groove 12 is filled with oil-resistant and high-temperature resistant sealant (epoxy resin is preferred in this embodiment) and covered on the signal transmission line 9 to fix and protect the signal transmission line 9, forming a complete and robust integrated sensor bearing.

[0023] The installation of this bearing is no different from that of an ordinary bearing. The connector at the end of signal transmission line 9 can be connected to an external data acquisition system (such as a PLC, SCADA system, or condition monitoring system) to read the bearing's temperature data in real time.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0025] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor, comprising an outer ring (1), an inner ring (2), a cage (3) disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a plurality of rollers (4) movably disposed on the cage, wherein the inner wall of the outer ring (1) and the outer wall of the inner ring (2) are provided with raceways (5), and the rollers (4) are cylindrical and movably disposed between two opposite raceways (5), characterized in that: The outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring (1) is provided with a radial mounting hole (6). A temperature sensor (7) is installed in the mounting hole (6). A positioning ring (8) is sleeved around the temperature sensor (7). The positioning ring (8) is inserted into the mounting hole (6). The head of the temperature sensor (7) faces the raceway (5). The tail of the temperature sensor (7) is connected to an outwardly extending signal transmission line (9). The mounting hole (6) is filled with filler glue (10) for fixing and sealing.

2. The cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning ring (8) includes an outer ring (801), an inner ring (802), and several connecting blocks (803) fixed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The temperature sensor (7) is inserted into the inner ring (802).

3. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting hole (6) is a blind hole, with its bottom close to the raceway of the outer ring (1) but not penetrating into the raceway.

4. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting hole (6) has a radial wire groove (11) at its entrance for guiding the signal transmission line (9).

5. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that: An axial lead groove (12) is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring (1). The lead groove (12) is connected to the wire strip groove (11), and the signal transmission line (9) is partially accommodated in the lead groove (12).

6. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lead groove (12) is filled with sealant for fixing and protecting the signal transmission line.

7. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The temperature sensor is a PT100 platinum resistance thermometer, a thermocouple, or an NTC thermistor.

8. A cylindrical bearing with an integrated temperature sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: Both the filler (10) and the sealant are epoxy resin adhesives or silicone adhesives with high thermal conductivity.

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