Rolling bearing arrangement

Abstract

Rolling bearing arrangement (1), comprising a rolling bearing (2) with an inner ring (3), an outer ring (4), rolling elements (5) and a cage (6), wherein the inner ring (3) has an inner ring raceway (7) and the outer ring (4) has an outer ring raceway (8), wherein the rolling elements (5) are arranged in a rolling manner between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (4), wherein the rolling bearing (2) further comprises a sealing arrangement (9) which is arranged between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (4), characterized in that the sealing arrangement (9) comprises a ring-like cover cap (10) which is L-shaped in cross section and whose axial leg rests on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and whose radial leg extends in the direction of the respective opposite ring (3, 4), wherein the sealing arrangement (9) further comprises a radially extending first seal (11) and an axially the first seal (11) has a radially extending second seal (12) spaced apart,wherein the first seal (11) has a first radial sealing lip (13) which rests resiliently on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and has a second radial sealing lip (14) which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap (10), wherein the second seal (12) has a third radial sealing lip (15) which rests resiliently on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and has a fourth radial sealing lip (16) which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap (10), and the second seal (12) has a first axial sealing lip (17) which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the first seal (11), and the first seal (11) has a second axial sealing lip (18) which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the radially extending leg of the cover cap (10) supports.,

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement comprising a rolling bearing with an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements and a cage, wherein the inner ring has an inner ring raceway and the outer ring has an outer ring raceway, wherein the rolling elements are arranged in a rolling manner between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein the rolling bearing further has a sealing arrangement which is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. Background of the invention

[0002] Rolling bearings are well known in the art. Agricultural applications, such as those found in agricultural machinery or vehicles like tractors, pose particular challenges for such bearings. Due to the surface traffic, such applications present very challenging load profiles for rolling bearings. At the same time, the penetration of contaminants into the bearing can damage it and lead to premature failure. Object of the invention

[0003] In light of the prior art, it is therefore the object of the invention to provide a rolling bearing arrangement which is improved with regard to its sealing properties. Description of the invention

[0004] This object is achieved by a rolling bearing arrangement, comprising a rolling bearing with an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements and a cage, wherein the inner ring has an inner ring raceway and the outer ring has an outer ring raceway, wherein the rolling elements are arranged in a rolling manner between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein the rolling bearing further comprises a sealing arrangement which is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a cross-sectionally L-shaped, ring-like cover cap, the axial leg of which bears against the inner ring or outer ring and the radial leg of which extends in the direction of the respectively opposite ring, wherein the sealing arrangement further comprises a radially extending first seal and a radially extending second seal axially spaced from the first seal, wherein the first seal has a first radial sealing lip,which rests resiliently on the inner ring or outer ring and has a second radial sealing lip which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap, wherein the second seal has a third radial sealing lip which rests resiliently on the inner ring or outer ring and has a fourth radial sealing lip which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap, and the second seal has a first axial sealing lip which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the first seal, and the first seal has a second axial sealing lip which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the radially extending leg of the cover cap.

[0005] This results in a rolling bearing arrangement with improved sealing properties, the sealing effect of which also has a low dependence on axial stresses.

[0006] First, the individual elements of the claimed subject matter of the invention are explained in the order in which they appear in the set of claims, and subsequently particularly preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are described.

[0007] Rolling bearings can be used, in particular, to transmit rotary motion with the lowest possible friction losses. Rolling bearings can be used, in particular, to fix axles and shafts. Depending on their design, they absorb radial and / or axial forces while simultaneously allowing the rotation of the shaft or the components mounted on an axle.

[0008] For this purpose, rolling elements are arranged between an inner and outer ring of the rolling bearing. Between these three main components—inner ring, outer ring, and the rolling elements—the friction within the rolling bearing is generally primarily rolling friction. Since the rolling elements in the inner and outer rings can preferably roll on hardened steel surfaces with optimized lubrication, the rolling friction of such bearings is relatively low.

[0009] The inner ring can, in particular, connect the shaft accommodating the rolling bearing to the rolling bearing or the rolling elements. In this case, the shaft can, in particular, be connected to the side of the inner ring's outer surface facing the shaft, with the rolling elements of the rolling bearing rolling on the inner ring raceway opposite this outer surface. The inner ring can be made of a metallic and / or ceramic material. It is generally conceivable for the inner ring to be constructed in one or more parts, particularly in two parts.

[0010] The outer ring can, in particular, connect the bearing location accommodating the rolling bearing to the rolling bearing or the rolling elements. In this case, the bearing location can, in particular, be connected to the side of the outer ring's circumferential surface facing the bearing, with the rolling elements of the rolling bearing rolling on the outer ring raceway opposite this circumferential surface. The outer ring can be formed from a metallic and / or ceramic material. It is generally conceivable for the outer ring to be constructed in one or more parts, particularly in two parts.

[0011] Depending on the bearing design, the rolling elements are shaped like a ball or a roller. They roll along the raceways of the bearing and are responsible for transferring the force acting on a radial rolling bearing from the outer ring to the inner ring and vice versa. In a thrust rolling bearing, the rolling elements transfer the forces acting on the thrust rolling bearing between the raceways. Roller-shaped rolling elements are also called roller rolling elements, and spherical rolling elements are called bearing balls.

[0012] A rolling bearing may have a cage, which guides the rolling elements. The cage is designed to space the bearing balls and / or roller rolling elements apart, for example, to minimize friction and heat generation of the rolling elements. Furthermore, the cage keeps the bearing balls and / or roller rolling elements at a fixed distance from each other during rolling, thereby achieving even load distribution. The cage can be constructed in one piece or in multiple pieces.

[0013] The rolling elements can roll within the rolling bearing, particularly on the inner raceway of the inner ring. For this purpose, the surface of the inner raceway can advantageously be designed to be abrasion-resistant, for example, by means of an appropriate surface treatment process and / or by applying an appropriate additional material layer.

[0014] The inner ring raceway can be flat or profiled. A profiled design of the inner ring raceway can, for example, serve to guide the rolling elements on the inner ring raceway. A flat design of the inner ring raceway, on the other hand, can, for example, allow a certain degree of axial displacement of the rolling elements on the inner ring raceway.

[0015] The rolling elements can roll within the rolling bearing, in particular on the outer ring raceway of the outer ring. For this purpose, the surface of the outer ring raceway can advantageously be designed to be abrasion-resistant, for example, through an appropriate surface treatment process and / or by applying an appropriate additional material layer. The outer ring raceway can be flat or profiled. A profiled design of the outer ring raceway can, for example, serve to guide the rolling elements on the outer ring raceway. A flat design of the outer ring raceway, on the other hand, can, for example, allow a certain degree of axial displacement of the rolling elements on the outer ring raceway.

[0016] A rolling bearing may have a sealing arrangement to prevent lubricant from escaping from the bearing or dirt or moisture from entering the bearing. For this purpose, the seals used may be equipped with one or more sealing lips that can be in contact with a component of the rolling bearing. These are designed to seal the bearing as effectively as possible over its entire service life, while also ensuring that friction caused by the seal is not excessive.

[0017] The sealing arrangement may further comprise a cover cap by means of which the seals can be protected from mechanical influences and / or dirt.

[0018] The sealing arrangement can further comprise one or more sealing lips that provide sealing contact between two relatively movable components. Sealing lips are preferably formed from an elastomeric material. Sealing lips often have an elastic spring effect, both to provide sufficient lip pressure for secure sealing and to compensate for tolerances between the relatively movable components.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be advantageous for the first seal and / or the second seal to each have a reinforcement. This can improve the structural stability of the corresponding seal.

[0020] It may further be advantageous for the reinforcement of the first seal to be substantially L-shaped in cross section and / or for the reinforcement of the second seal to be substantially L-shaped in cross section, whereby improved structural stability can be achieved in both the axial and radial directions of the corresponding seals.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, it may further be preferred that the reinforcement of the first seal is substantially L-shaped in cross section and is arranged in and / or on the first seal such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the inner ring or the outer ring. Furthermore, it may be advantageous that the reinforcement of the second seal is substantially L-shaped in cross section and is arranged in and / or on the second seal such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the axially extending leg of the cover cap.In particular, the mirror-image arrangement of the reinforcements of the first and second seals enables particularly advantageous axial and radial stability of the seals to be achieved.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it may be preferred that the third radial sealing lip of the second seal rests in a recess on the outer ring or inner ring, thereby enabling axial fixation of the seal.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be advantageous for the second axial sealing lip to rest in a groove formed in the cover cap. This allows for radial fixation of the sealing lip.

[0024] It may further be advantageous for the first radial sealing lip to be shaped such that it rests against both the outer ring or the inner ring and the cover cap. This provides a particularly advantageous sealing effect. Furthermore, in a further development of the invention, it may be preferred for the cover cap to be formed from a metallic material. Short description of the drawings

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings, without limiting the general inventive concept. The drawings are merely schematic in nature and serve exclusively to facilitate understanding of the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the different features of the various embodiments can be freely combined within the bounds of technical feasibility. They show: Fig. 1 a rolling bearing arrangement according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional view and Fig. 2 a detailed view of the sealing arrangement in a schematic cross-section. Detailed description of the drawings

[0026] The Fig. 1 shows a rolling bearing arrangement 1, comprising a rolling bearing 2 with an inner ring 3, an outer ring 4, rolling elements 5 and a cage 6. The rolling bearing has a rotation axis 21. In the example shown, the Fig. 1, the rolling bearing 2 is configured as a double-row angular contact ball bearing. The inner ring 3 has an inner ring raceway 7 and the outer ring 4 has an outer ring raceway 8, with the rolling elements 5 being arranged in a rolling bearing manner between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 4. The rolling bearing 2 further has a sealing arrangement 9 on each of the two end faces of the rolling bearing 2, which is arranged between the inner ring 3 and the outer ring 4. This is shown in the detailed view of the Fig.2 is explained in more detail.

[0027] The sealing arrangement 9 comprises an annular cover cap 10 with an L-shaped cross section, the axial leg of which rests against the inner ring 3 and the radial leg of which extends towards the outer ring 4. The sealing arrangement 9 further has a radially extending first seal 11 and a radially extending second seal 12 axially spaced from the first seal 11. The first seal 11 has a first radial sealing lip 13, which rests resiliently on the outer ring 4, and a second radial sealing lip 14, which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap 10. The sealing lips 15, 16, 17 of the second seal 12 are formed monolithically with the second seal 12, and the sealing lips 13, 14, 18 are formed monolithically with the first seal 11.

[0028] The cover cap 10 can be arranged on the inner ring 3 in such a way that it is axially movable. However, it is also possible for the cover cap 10 to be pressed onto the inner ring 3 in such a way that the cover cap 10 is axially fixed.

[0029] The second seal 12 has a third radial sealing lip 15, which rests elastically on the outer ring 4 and a fourth radial sealing lip 16, which rests elastically on the axially extending leg of the cover cap 10.

[0030] The second seal 12 further comprises a first axial sealing lip 17, which is resiliently supported in the axial direction against the reinforcement 19 of the first seal 11. The reinforcement 19 is formed from a metallic material and has correspondingly low friction losses between the sealing lip 17 and the reinforcement 19. The first seal 11 comprises a second axial sealing lip 18, which is resiliently supported in the axial direction against the radially extending leg of the metallic cover cap 10.

[0031] The first seal 11 and the second seal 12 each have a reinforcement 19. The reinforcement 19 of the first seal 11 and the second seal 12 are essentially L-shaped in cross-section. The reinforcement 19 of the first seal 11 is arranged such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements 5 and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the outer ring 4. The reinforcement 19 of the second seal 12 is arranged such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements 5 and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the axially extending leg of the cover cap 10.

[0032] The third radial sealing lip 15 of the second seal 12 rests in a recess 20 on the outer ring. The second axial sealing lip 18 rests in a groove formed in the cover cap 10.

[0033] The free distal end of the radial leg of the cover cap 10 forms a gap with the outer ring 4, which is sealed by a first seal 11. The first radial sealing lip 13 is shaped to rest against both the outer ring 4 and the cover cap 10.

[0034] It is understood that the sealing arrangement 9 shown can also be mirrored in the axial direction, so that the cover cap 10 rests with its axial leg on the outer ring 4.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. The above description is therefore not to be considered restrictive, but rather explanatory. The following claims are to be understood in such a way that a stated feature is present in at least one embodiment of the invention. This does not exclude the presence of further features. Where the claims and the above description define 'first' and 'second' features, this designation serves to distinguish between two similar features without establishing a priority. List of reference symbols 1 rolling bearing arrangement 2 rolling bearings 3 inner ring 4 Outer ring 5 rolling elements 6 cage 7 inner ring raceway 8 Outer ring raceway 9 Sealing arrangement 10 cover cap 11 first seal 12 second seal 13 first radial sealing lip 14 second radial sealing lip 15 third radial sealing lip 16 fourth radial sealing lip 17 first axial sealing lip 18 second axial sealing lip 19 Reinforcement 20 puncture 21 axis of rotation

Claims

[1] Rolling bearing arrangement (1), comprising a rolling bearing (2) with an inner ring (3), an outer ring (4), rolling elements (5) and a cage (6), wherein the inner ring (3) has an inner ring raceway (7) and the outer ring (4) has an outer ring raceway (8), wherein the rolling elements (5) are arranged in a rolling manner between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (4), wherein the rolling bearing (2) further comprises a sealing arrangement (9) which is arranged between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (4), characterized bythat the sealing arrangement (9) comprises a cross-sectionally L-shaped, ring-like cover cap (10), the axial leg of which rests on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and the radial leg of which extends in the direction of the respective opposite ring (3, 4), wherein the sealing arrangement (9) further comprises a radially extending first seal (11) and a radially extending second seal (12) axially spaced from the first seal (11), wherein the first seal (11) has a first radial sealing lip (13) which rests resiliently on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and has a second radial sealing lip (14) which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap (10), wherein the second seal (12) has a third radial sealing lip (15) which rests resiliently on the inner ring (3) or outer ring (4) and has a fourth radial sealing lip (16),which rests resiliently on the axially extending leg of the cover cap (10), and the second seal (12) has a first axial sealing lip (17) which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the first seal (11), and the first seal (11) has a second axial sealing lip (18) which is supported resiliently in the axial direction on the radially extending leg of the cover cap (10). [2] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first seal (11) and / or the second seal (12) each have a reinforcement (19). [3] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reinforcement (19) of the first seal (11) is substantially L-shaped in cross-section, and / or the reinforcement (19) of the second seal (12) is substantially L-shaped in cross-section. [4] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the reinforcement (19) of the first seal (11) is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and is arranged in and / or on the first seal (11) such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements (5) and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the inner ring (3) or the outer ring (4). [5] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reinforcement (19) of the second seal (12) is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and is arranged in and / or on the second seal (12) such that the free end of the axially extending short leg points in the direction of the rolling elements (5) and the free end of the radially extending long leg points in the direction of the axially extending leg of the cover cap (10). [6] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the third radial sealing lip (15) of the second seal (12) rests in a recess (20) on the outer ring (4) or inner ring (3). [7] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second axial sealing lip (18) rests in a groove formed in the cover cap (10). [8] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first radial sealing lip (13) is shaped so that it rests against both the outer ring (4) or the inner ring (3) and the cover cap (10). [9] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover cap (10) is formed from a metallic material.

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