Self-aligning roller bearing

Abstract

A self-aligning roller bearing (1) comprising an inner bearing ring element (2), an outer bearing ring element (3), and at least a series of roller elements (4) arranged between the inner and outer bearing ring elements (2, 3), wherein the inner bearing ring element (2) has a retaining flange (21) provided on a first axial side of the roller bearing (1), the retaining flange (21) being designed to prevent the roller elements (4) from falling out of the roller bearing (1) through a first axial opening (Ax) between the inner and outer bearing ring elements (2, 3) on the first axial side, the roller bearing (1) further comprising a first sealing ring element (5) arranged on the first axial side for sealing the first axial opening (Ax), the first sealing ring element (5) being rotatable with respect to the inner bearing ring element (2) and bearing against a sealing mating surface (23) of the inner bearing ring element. (2) seals,wherein the retaining flange (21) provides at least one filling recess (22) which is designed to allow the roller elements (4) to be inserted between the inner and outer bearing ring elements (2, 3) during the assembly of the roller bearing (1), and the sealing mating surface (23) is arranged axially outside the at least one filling recess (22).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a self-aligning roller bearing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a self-aligning roller bearing which has at least one sealing ring element for sealing a space between an inner and an outer bearing ring element of the roller bearing. BACKGROUND

[0002] Rolling bearings are well-known mechanical components used to support the rotation of, for example, shafts or axles in rotating applications. There are different types of rolling bearings, which use rollers and / or balls as the rolling elements.

[0003] A common type of rolling bearing is a self-aligning roller bearing, known for its ability to accommodate heavy loads and shaft misalignment. The outer and inner bearing rings are designed to allow for relative misalignment with respect to the bearing's axis of rotation. This self-alignment capability is achieved through the use of barrel-shaped rollers and corresponding raceway surfaces on the respective outer and inner bearing rings. The bearing can be configured, for example, as a single-row or double-row roller bearing.

[0004] Self-aligning roller bearings can be equipped with sealing rings to prevent foreign bodies / contaminants from entering the bearing and also to provide lubrication within the bearing. Such a bearing is known, for example, from US Patent US 8,979,386 B2, which discloses a roller bearing having a sealing element that is removable from an axial end face of the bearing. SUMMARY

[0005] In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved self-aligning roller bearing. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a self-aligning roller bearing that has improved sealing and lubrication functionality and also simplifies the assembly / removal of the bearing.

[0006] The aforementioned and other tasks are at least partially accomplished by the subject matter as disclosed in claim 1. Preferred and advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and in the corresponding description and drawings.

[0007] According to the invention, the aforementioned and other problems are at least partially solved by a self-aligning roller bearing comprising an inner bearing ring element, an outer bearing ring element, and at least one series of rolling elements arranged between the inner and outer bearing ring elements. The inner bearing ring element has a retaining flange provided on a first axial side of the roller bearing, the retaining flange being configured to prevent the rolling elements from falling out of the roller bearing through a first axial opening between the inner and outer bearing ring elements on the first axial side. The roller bearing further comprises a first sealing ring element arranged on the first axial side for sealing the first axial opening, the first sealing ring element being rotatable with respect to the inner bearing ring and sealing against a sealing mating surface of the inner bearing ring.Furthermore, the retaining flange has at least one filling recess designed to allow the roller elements to be inserted between the inner and outer bearing ring elements via the at least one filling recess during assembly of the roller bearing, and wherein the sealing mating surface is arranged axially outside the at least one filling recess. For clarity only, "axially outside" means that the sealing mating surface is arranged axially outside the filling recess relative to an axial center of the bearing, i.e., the filling recess is arranged axially between the axial center of the bearing and the sealing mating surface.

[0008] By providing the aforementioned embodiment, an improved self-aligning roller bearing with enhanced sealing performance can be provided. In particular, the provision of the sealing mating surface, as specified herein with respect to the at least one filling recess, ensures a complete seal between the first sealing ring element and the inner bearing ring element. This results in improved sealing performance for the roller bearing, which features the at least one filling recess. Thus, the present invention provides high sealing performance, good service life due to the retaining flange, and simplified assembly / disassembly of the bearing thanks to the at least one filling recess.The improved sealing performance can prevent contaminants / foreign bodies from entering the bearing, and it can also prevent lubricants, such as grease or oil, from leaking out of the bearing.

[0009] Optionally, the sealing surface can also be arranged radially within the at least one filling recess. By further arranging the sealing surface radially within the position of the filling recess, assembly / disassembly of the bearing can be simplified while maintaining the improved sealing performance. "Radially within" in this context means that the sealing surface is located at a radial distance from the central / rotational axis of the roller bearing that is less than the radial distance from the central / rotational axis of the roller bearing to the at least one filling recess.

[0010] This document uses the terms "axial" and "radial". Unless otherwise specified, axial refers to an axial extension of the roller bearing that is parallel to the central / rotational axis of the roller bearing. Radial refers to an extension of the roller bearing that is perpendicular to the axial extension.

[0011] Optionally, the sealing surface can be chamfered outwards, meaning the surface slopes downwards from the axial center of the roller bearing. Such a sealing surface shape can further simplify sealing performance and facilitate the assembly / disassembly of the roller bearing.

[0012] Optionally, the roller bearing can also include a lubrication reservoir, which is defined as a cavity extending along the circumference of the inner bearing ring element and further defined by an axial gap between the retaining flange and the first sealing ring element, and a radial gap between the sealing mating surface and the outermost radial position of the retaining flange. By designing the roller bearing to include a lubrication reservoir within this defined space, improved lubrication of the bearing can be provided. This can also be advantageous in preventing contaminants / foreign bodies from entering the bearing, as the lubrication reservoir can act as an additional sealing barrier.

[0013] Optionally, the first sealing ring element can have a removable elastic sealing ring that seals against the sealing surface. Again, optionally, the removable elastic sealing ring can be attached to the first sealing ring element via a circumferential groove provided on the first sealing ring element. By providing the above optional advantageous features of the first sealing ring element, manufacturing, assembly, etc., can be simplified.Furthermore, the circumferential groove can be provided by at least one first and one second separate disc-shaped ring element, which can be connected by one or more fastening elements inserted into one or more corresponding bores extending through the first and the second disc-shaped ring element, wherein the one or more fastening elements are designed such that they can only be released from the roller bearing in an axially outward direction. This provides a more reliable design that can reduce the risk of unnecessary bearing failures.

[0014] Optionally, the removable elastic sealing ring can have a circumferential sealing lip that seals against the sealing mating surface.

[0015] Optionally, the first sealing ring element can be non-rotatably connected to the outer bearing ring element.

[0016] Optionally, the roller elements can be solid roller elements. This is particularly advantageous for demanding applications that involve high loads. A solid roller element can be defined as a roller element that is not hollow and has a material core at its center.

[0017] Optionally, the roller bearing can also be designed in such a way that at least one of the roller elements can only be inserted between the bearing rings via the at least one filling recess in order to fully assemble the roller bearing.

[0018] Optionally, the roller bearing is a large roller bearing with an outer diameter of 1000 millimeters or more. A further option is a large roller bearing with an outer diameter of 1100, 1200, 1300, or 1400 millimeters or more. It has been realized that the invention is particularly advantageous for large bearings, since large bearings are preferably equipped with a filling recess to simplify assembly and disassembly.

[0019] Optionally, the self-aligning roller bearing can be a spherical roller bearing. Furthermore, optionally, the self-aligning roller bearing can be a double-row bearing, such as a double-row spherical roller bearing.

[0020] Optionally, the inner bearing ring element can further comprise a second retaining flange provided on a second axial side, which is located on a side axially opposite to the first axial side of the self-aligning roller bearing. Optionally, the second retaining flange can be designed to prevent the roller elements from falling out of the roller bearing through a second axial opening between the inner and outer bearing ring elements on the second axial side. Furthermore, the roller bearing can also comprise a second sealing ring element located on the second axial side to seal the second axial opening, wherein the second sealing ring element is rotatable with respect to the inner bearing ring and seals against a second sealing mating surface of the inner bearing ring.Furthermore, the second retaining flange can have at least one filling recess designed to allow the roller elements to be inserted between the inner and outer bearing ring elements via the at least one filling recess during the assembly of the roller bearing, and wherein the second sealing mating surface is arranged axially outside the at least one filling recess. List of characters

[0021] Exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a double-row spherical roller bearing according to the state of the art; Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of a self-aligning roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of part of a self-aligning roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a self-aligning roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of part of a self-aligning roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing details of the connection of the first sealing ring element with the bearing outer ring.

[0022] The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not necessarily to scale. It is understood that the embodiments shown and described are exemplary and that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It should also be noted that some details in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to better describe and illustrate the invention. Throughout the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements unless expressly stated otherwise. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-section of a double-row spherical roller bearing. 100 the state of the art is represented, which includes an inner ring 20 , an outer ring 30 , which is the inner ring 20 radially opposite, and several roller elements 40 exhibits the features between the ring elements20 and 30 are arranged. The barrel-shaped roller elements 40 and corresponding raceway surfaces of the bearing rings 20 and 30 are designed in such a way that the bearing rings 20 and 30 relative to an axis of rotation X of the camp 100 They may be misaligned. As can be seen further, the inner ring shows 20 at the axial ends of the bearing 100 Flanges used to prevent the rollers from coming out of the bearing 100 fall out. The bearing also has a cage. 60 up to the role elements 40 to keep them apart and to maintain a distance between them. Furthermore, the camp 100 with a guide ring 70 between the rows of rollers to guide the rollers 40 equipped.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-section of part of a self-aligning roller bearing. 1 illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bearing 1 has an inner bearing ring element 2 , an external bearing ring element 3 and at least a number of role elements 4 on, which are located between the inner and outer bearing ring element 2 , 3 are arranged. The inner bearing ring element 2 and the outer bearing ring element 3 are arranged to be relative to a rotational axis X of the roller bearing 1 to rotate. The roller bearing 1 It also exhibits a self-aligning capability, which means that the inner bearing ring element 2 and the outer bearing ring element 3 relative to the axis of rotation X They may be misaligned. The inner bearing ring element 2 features a retaining flange 21on, which is located on a first axial side of the roller bearing 1 is provided for, whereby the retaining flange 21 is designed to prevent the roller elements from 4 from the roller bearing 1 from a first axial opening Ax between the inner and outer bearing ring element 2 , 3 fall out on the first axial side. Furthermore, the retaining flange has 21 at least one filling recess 22 on, which is designed to allow the roller elements to move between the inner and outer bearing ring elements 2 , 3 about at least one filling recess 22 during the assembly of the roller bearing 1 be introduced. The roller bearing 1 Furthermore, it features a first sealing ring element. 5 on, which is arranged on the first axial side to form the first axial opening Ax to seal, whereby the first sealing ring element 5 regarding the inner bearing ring element 2 is rotatable and against a sealing surface 23 of the inner bearing ring element 2 seals, whereby the sealing surface 23 axially outside the at least one filling recess 22 is arranged. As can be seen in the figure, "axially outside" means that the sealing mating surface 23 closer to the outer periphery of the camp 1 than the retaining flange 21 on the first axial side of the bearing 1 is arranged. The sealing mating surface 23 In this embodiment, it is also radial within the filling recess. 22 arranged. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing mating surface 23 beveled outwards.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a roller bearing. 1 , as it is in Fig. 2 is shown, with the difference that the first sealing ring element 5 not shown, in order to illustrate the design of the inner ring element 2 better illustrated. Here the mounting flange can be used. 21 , the filling recess 22 and the sealing surface 23 of the inner ring 2 more clearly visible. The filling recess 22 is a recess extending axially on the retaining flange 21 provided, whereby the recess has a radius large enough to allow the roller elements 4 into the camp 1 about at least one filling recess 22 to be introduced. As can also be seen in this figure, the chamfered sealing surface is 23 axially outside and radially inside, or radially below, the filling recess 22 arranged. Furthermore, the sealing surface is 23an integral part of the inner ring 2 , which is optional.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-section of a self-aligning roller bearing. 1 illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the view focuses on the axial end of the inner ring. 2 , where the retaining flange 21 and the sealing surface 23 are arranged. The sealing surface 23 is axially outside and radially inside, or radially below, which has at least one filling recess. 22 arranged, which is not shown in this figure. Here is a detailed view of a first sealing ring element. 5 illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first sealing ring element 5 has a first disc-shaped ring element 51 and a removable elastic sealing ring 52 on, which against the sealing surface23 by means of a sealing lip 521 seals. The elastic sealing ring 52 and the sealing lip 521 are preferably made of an elastic rubber material. The disc-shaped ring element 51 It can be made, for example, from a metal sheet, a polymer material, or a combination thereof. If the disc-shaped element is made from a metal sheet, it may have been produced using a laser cutting process. Furthermore, the disc-shaped element can 51 have a coating, e.g. for corrosion protection. The removable elastic sealing ring 52 is partially in an extensive groove 53 of the sealing ring element 5 arranged. In this embodiment, the groove 53 provided by three separate ring parts, which form the disc-shaped ring element 51 , an intermediate ring element 531and an additional disc-shaped ring element 532 are. The elements 51 , 531 and 532 are through fastening elements 54 connected, which are in boreholes 55 are introduced, which are distinguished by the 3 separate inner ring elements 51 , 531 and 532 extend. The fasteners 54 are designed as bolts with a bolt head that is on the outside of the bearing 1 is arranged. The design allows the bolts to be positioned. 54 only axially outwards from the bearing 1 to be resolved. As will continue to be done by Fig. 4 can be seen, the roller bearing 1 a lubrication reservoir 7 a cavity designed for storing lubricants such as grease or oil. The reservoir 7 extends along the circumference of the inner ring element 2 and is furthermore divided by an axial gapx1 between the retaining flange 21 and the first sealing ring element 5 and through a radial gap r1 between the sealing surface 23 and defined at the outermost radial position of the retaining flange. For example, the axial gap x1 can be from 5 to 100 millimeters, such as 5 to 90, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, or 5 to 30 millimeters. Furthermore, for example, the radial gap r1 can be from 5 to 100 millimeters, such as 5 to 90, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, or 5 to 30 millimeters. It was found that such a reservoir 7 It can improve the lubrication of the bearing and can also be used as an additional sealing barrier to prevent contaminants / foreign bodies from entering the interior of the bearing. 1 enter where the role elements 4 are arranged. The cavity7 It does not necessarily need to be pre-filled with lubricant; rather, the cavity can be... 7 through lubricant during the rotation of the bearing 1 can be filled. Furthermore, the lubrication reservoir can be filled. 7 It is also advantageous in that it has an elastic sealing ring. 52 during the operation of the warehouse 1 It can lubricate, which in turn extends the service life of the sealing ring. 5 can increase.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a self-aligning roller bearing. 1 According to an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows an example of how the first sealing ring element 5 with the outer ring 3 can be connected. The sealing ring 5 is with the outer ring 3 connected by screws (not shown) that are inserted into holes 56 are introduced, which are in the outer ring 3are provided. Additionally, the sealing ring is included. 5 in a groove 31 on the outer ring 3 arranged so that the sealing ring is not located outside the axial end of the outer ring 3 The design extends, providing a compact storage layout. The figure also shows that the storage area... 1 a cage, or bracket, 6 for the roller elements 4 exhibits.

[0028] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. It would be obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments and modifications to the embodiments specified above are also possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the design of only one axial side of the roller bearing has been described in detail herein. However, the second axial side of the bearing can also have a similar or identical design to the first axial side of the bearing according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 8979386 B2

[0004]

Claims

[1] Self-aligning roller bearing which features, an inner bearing ring element an external bearing ring element at least a series of roller elements arranged between the inner and outer bearing ring element, wherein the inner bearing ring element has a retaining flange provided on a first axial side of the roller bearing, the retaining flange being designed to prevent the roller elements from falling out of the roller bearing through a first axial opening between the inner and outer bearing ring elements on the first axial side, the roller bearing further comprising a first sealing ring element which is arranged on the first axial side for sealing the first axial opening, wherein the first sealing ring element is rotatable with respect to the inner bearing ring and seals against a sealing mating surface of the inner bearing ring, wherein the retaining flange provides at least one filling recess designed to allow the roller elements to be inserted between the inner and outer bearing ring elements during the assembly of the roller bearing, and the sealing surface is arranged axially outside the at least one filling recess. [2] Roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the sealing mating surface is arranged radially within the at least one filling recess. [3] Roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the sealing mating surface is chamfered outwards. [4] Roller bearing according to claim 1, which further comprises a lubrication reservoir having a cavity extending around the circumference of the inner bearing ring element and further defined by an axial gap between the retaining flange and the first sealing ring element and a radial gap between the sealing mating surface and a radially outermost position of the retaining flange. [5] Roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing ring element has a detachable elastic sealing ring which seals against the sealing mating surface. [6] Roller bearing according to claim 5, wherein the detachable elastic sealing ring can be attached to the first sealing ring element via a circumferential groove provided on the first sealing ring element. [7] Roller bearing according to claim 6, wherein the circumferential groove is provided by at least a first and a second separate disk-shaped ring element, which can be connected by one or more fastening elements which are inserted into one or more corresponding bores which extend through the first and the second disk-shaped ring element, wherein the one or more fastening elements are designed such that they can only be released axially outwards from the roller bearing in one direction. [8] Roller bearing according to claim 5, wherein the releasable elastic sealing ring has a circumferential sealing lip that seals against the sealing mating surface. [9] Roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing ring element is non-rotatably connected to the outer bearing ring element. [10] Roller bearings according to claim 1, wherein the roller elements are solid roller elements.

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