Lagerring

Abstract

A bearing ring (1) with a sandwich structure of at least three layers (2, 4, 6) is disclosed, wherein the first layer (2) forms at least partially a running surface (8), wherein the second layer (6) is arranged as an intermediate layer on the first layer (2), wherein the third layer (4) is arranged at least partially on the intermediate layer (6), and wherein at least one additional element (18, 20) is embedded in the intermediate layer (6).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing ring according to the preamble of claim 1. Technical background

[0002] In rolling or plain bearings, it may be necessary to monitor one or more bearing components. This typically involves sensor rolling elements or external sensors that can be mounted near the bearing or on components of the bearing. However, this requires either designing one of the rolling elements as a sensor rolling element or locating sensors in some other way near bearing components. The former represents a significant cost factor, as these sensor rolling elements must be manufactured separately. If the sensors have to be located outside of the rolling elements near bearing components, this often has the disadvantage that the sensors are too far away from, for example, running surfaces to be able to take accurate measurements.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bearing ring which enables improved accommodation of sensors. Summary of the invention

[0004] This object is achieved by a bearing ring according to patent claim 1.

[0005] A bearing ring typically has a raceway and a surface opposite the raceway. The raceway can be either the inner or outer surface, depending on whether the bearing ring is an outer ring or an inner ring.

[0006] The bearing ring proposed here has a sandwich structure consisting of at least three layers. The first layer at least partially forms the running surface, the second layer is arranged as an intermediate layer on the first layer, and the third layer is arranged at least partially on the intermediate layer. This sandwich structure makes it possible to use different materials for the various layers and in this way to meet the requirements for the running surface and the surface opposite the running surface, e.g. with regard to load-bearing capacity, using the first and third layers, as well as to add further functionalities to the bearing ring using the intermediate layer. In particular, an additional element can be embedded in the intermediate layer.

[0007] By embedding it directly into the intermediate layer, the additional element can be installed directly in the bearing ring and does not need to be attached to the bearing ring from the outside. This protects the additional element. It is also positioned in close proximity to the running surfaces and / or rolling elements without the need for additional sensor rolling elements or similar components.

[0008] According to a further embodiment, the at least one additional element is an electronic device. Furthermore, the additional element can be a lubricant and / or a lubricant reservoir. The at least one additional element can be completely embedded in the intermediate layer, e.g., in openings or grooves formed therein, i.e., without contact with the first or third layer. This has the advantage that, for example, in the case of electronic devices, they are insulated in the intermediate layer and are not exposed to any current flow or electrical charge through the first or third layer.

[0009] Alternatively, the at least one additional element can be embedded in contact with the first and / or third layer. This can in turn have the advantage that, in the case of electronic devices, e.g., sensors, measurements can be taken directly on these layers via contact with the first and / or third layer. If the additional element is a lubricant or a lubricant reservoir, the intermediate layer can preferably have lubricant outlets, e.g., grooves, leading from the additional elements to the outside. A combination of different additional elements can also be embedded in the intermediate layer.

[0010] Electronic devices as additional elements can be, for example, sensors, chips, and / or cables. These electronic devices can thus be easily integrated directly into the bearing ring. As already explained, this previously required sensors to be attached to the outside of the bearing ring, which could then be damaged from the outside. Another alternative used to date was sensor rolling elements, in which the sensors are arranged in the rolling element, for example in the bore of a sensor roller. However, the solution proposed here of integrating sensors directly into the bearing ring is easier to implement than such sensor rollers and has the further advantage that data and measurements can be recorded and taken directly on the bearing ring.It is therefore not necessary to take measurements through a sensor rolling element and then transfer this information to a bearing ring in order to obtain information about the bearing ring.

[0011] It should be noted that one or more sensors can be embedded in the intermediate layer. A combination of different sensors can also be embedded in the intermediate layer. Alternatively, the intermediate layer itself can serve as a sensor, e.g., a varistor, PTC, or similar. In this case, the intermediate layer can be made of a suitable material, such as a polycrystalline ceramic, particularly a semiconducting one.

[0012] The intermediate layer can also optimize the bearing ring with regard to electrical insulation, weight, or similar. For example, for electrical insulation, it has previously been known to manufacture one of the bearing components, e.g., a ring or a rolling element, from an insulating material. However, this can have the disadvantage that other requirements for the corresponding bearing component, such as load-bearing capacity, are not met, or at least not sufficiently met. The same applies to weight. If a bearing component is made of a lighter material, this can have a negative impact on load-bearing capacity. Alternatively, it is possible to apply coatings to the outer surfaces of a bearing ring.However, this can also impair the load-bearing capacity and / or the coating, which can serve as electrical insulation, for example, is damaged by the usual load on a bearing ring and can then no longer fulfil its function.

[0013] In order to ensure good load-bearing capacity of the running surface that comes into contact with rolling elements or a counter-running surface, as well as the surface opposite the running surface, which comes into contact with a housing, for example, the running surface of the bearing ring proposed here can be made of a first material and the surface opposite the running surface can be made of a third material. The first and third materials can be identical or different from one another. However, in order to simultaneously achieve further functionalities that cannot be provided by the first and third materials, the intermediate layer consists of a second material that is at least partially arranged between the first and third materials. The second material differs from the first and third materials.In this way, the intermediate layer can easily provide one or more additional functions without compromising the functionalities of the bearing ring itself, which are provided by the first and third materials. For example, the intermediate layer can serve for damping, electrical insulation, or to save bearing steel.

[0014] As described, the intermediate layer can add additional functionality to the bearing ring. At the same time, the bearing ring itself remains unchanged. This means that the bearing ring corresponds to a conventional bearing ring in both its external dimensions and handling. It can therefore be easily integrated into existing systems or bearings, or even replaced with bearing rings used in those systems. Furthermore, the proposed bearing ring can provide reduced machining effort and / or reduced energy consumption compared to existing bearing types.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the bearing ring has an inner and an outer circumferential surface and a first and a second end face, wherein the intermediate layer extends from the first end face to the second end face (where the raceway is the inner or outer circumferential surface). The intermediate layer extends in particular circumferentially, preferably continuously.

[0016] This means that the intermediate layer can extend completely throughout the bearing ring, thus providing the functionality provided by the third material across the entire bearing ring. This is advantageous, for example, when the third material provides damping or electrical insulation.

[0017] The intermediate layer can also run obliquely and, in cross-section, extend, for example, from the first to the second end face and also to the inner and / or outer surface. Alternatively, the intermediate layer can also extend from the inner to the outer surface and also to the first and / or second end face. This can be particularly advantageous for angular contact ball bearings or angular contact roller bearings, where an oblique load occurs on the surfaces and thus also on the intermediate layer.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, as already mentioned above, the first material and the third material can be identical. For example, the first and third materials can be hardened, e.g., hardened steel, in order to withstand the loads that occur due to contact with a housing, rolling elements, or a counter-running surface.

[0019] Preferably, the first material and / or the third material may comprise metal (e.g., steel, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, etc.), ceramic, and / or composite materials, particularly non-polymer-based composite materials. These materials are particularly resistant to the aforementioned loads exerted on the running surface and the surface opposite the running surface.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the second material of the intermediate layer comprises a material that fulfills an insulating, damping, and / or weight-reducing function. For example, the second material can be a plastic, in particular a polymer, thermoset, thermoplastic, a plastic composite, and / or a ceramic plastic. Alternatively, the second material can also be a metal, such as aluminum, e.g., aluminum foam.

[0021] In order to increase the load-bearing capacity of the second material, it can be fiber-reinforced, e.g. with carbon fibers. Alternatively or additionally, the second material can be given additional functionality by providing the second material with fillers. These fillers can, for example, be materials that can dampen the bearing ring, i.e. reduce noise and / or vibrations. Such fillers can also prevent chatter and the resulting chatter marks and / or fretting corrosion. Furthermore, such fillers can also achieve electrical insulation; in this case, the fillers can contain, for example, ceramics such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, rutile, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon nitride, glass, etc.In particular, materials can be used that increase the electrical impedance of the intermediate layer and can thus prevent electrical discharge.

[0022] In general, fillers can provide mechanical and / or functional properties. These properties can include, for example, thermoelectric properties and / or thermophysical properties, increased and / or reduced mechanical stress, detection of mechanical strain (via piezoelectric elements, color change, etc.), haptic properties, optical properties, odor properties, reduced and / or increased surface tension, wettability of the interlayer (e.g., addition of lubricants), corrosion properties, or a combination of the listed properties.

[0023] Generally speaking, the intermediate layer, particularly due to the fillers it contains, can have properties that ensure that the intermediate layer reacts to temperature, electrical stress, mechanical stress and / or mechanical strain.

[0024] The fibers and / or fillers can be of different sizes and shapes. They can range from a powder in the micrometer range to individual particles in the millimeter range. The fibers and / or fillers can also have different aspect ratios (e.g., from spheres to long fibers).

[0025] The intermediate layer can have grooves in areas that are free of the first and / or the third layer, which grooves are designed to receive elements. The areas of the intermediate layer are areas of the intermediate layer that are accessible from the outside. Elements can engage or snap into the grooves provided in these exposed areas, wherein these elements are, for example, seals that can be used to seal the bearing ring against other surfaces. The elements can also be brushes, in particular grounding brushes, to dissipate electrical charge from the bearing ring. The intermediate layer can also have a plurality of grooves on each exposed side, so that a plurality of elements can be received on each side.

[0026] According to a further aspect, a method for producing a bearing ring as described above is proposed. According to the method, the intermediate layer can be injected or filled between the first and third layers. At the same time, the additional elements can be embedded in the intermediate layer.

[0027] For this purpose, two rings, each consisting of the first and second layers, are arranged relative to one another, and then the intermediate layer is injected or filled between these two rings, possibly with the prior arrangement of one or more intermediate elements. This can be done using injection molding, vacuum casting, foaming, or similar technologies. By injecting or filling the intermediate layer, the first and third layers are bonded together. Alternatively, the intermediate layer can also be applied to the first or third layer using a 3D printing process or by coating processes. The other layer can then be applied to the 3D-printed or coated intermediate layer and, for example, glued or otherwise bonded to it.

[0028] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are set forth in the description, the drawings, and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features set forth in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so that the features may also be present individually or in other combinations. Short character description

[0029] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary and are not intended to define the scope of the invention. This scope is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic sectional view of a bearing ring according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a schematic perspective partial sectional view of a bearing ring according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3: a schematic sectional view of a bearing ring according to a second embodiment Fig. 4: a schematic sectional view of a bearing ring according to a third embodiment; Fig. 5: a schematic sectional view of a bearing ring according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 6: a schematic perspective sectional view of a bearing ring according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. 7: a schematic sectional view of a bearing ring according to the fifth embodiment; and Fig. 8: a perspective sectional view of a bearing ring according to a sixth embodiment. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by the same reference symbols.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a bearing ring 1. Although in Fig. 1 shows a ball bearing outer ring, the bearing ring 1 can generally be used in a rolling bearing, e.g. a ball or roller bearing, or in a plain bearing.

[0033] The race 1 is constructed in a sandwich structure with three layers 2, 6, 4. The first layer 2 at least partially forms a running surface 8. The second layer 6 represents an intermediate layer arranged on the first layer 2. The third layer 4 is at least partially arranged on the intermediate layer 6 and forms the surface 10 opposite the running surface.

[0034] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the bearing ring 1 is shown as an outer ring, wherein the running surface is formed by the inner circumferential surface 8 and the surface opposite the running surface is formed by the outer circumferential surface 10. However, it should be noted that the outer circumferential surface 10 can also be the running surface and the inner circumferential surface 8 the surface opposite the running surface.

[0035] In the following, the bearing ring 1 is described in the design of an outer ring, although all designs are transferable to all alternative designs mentioned above.

[0036] One or more additional elements 18, 20 are embedded in the intermediate layer 6. These additional elements 18, 20 can generally represent sensor technology. For this purpose, sensors, monitoring systems, or the like can be embedded in the intermediate layer 6. The sensors 18 can be, for example, thermocouples, vibration sensors, load sensors. By embedding them in the intermediate layer 6, the sensors 18 can be mounted close to the running surfaces in order to improve data accuracy when recording information, for example, from rolling elements rolling on the running surface 8. Such sensors 18 can be used, for example, to detect vibrations in the bearing.

[0037] The sensors 18 can either be embedded directly into the intermediate layer without contact to the first or third layer 2, 4, or they can be in contact with one of the layers 2, 4. As in Fig. 2, the sensors 18 can be placed on the layer 2 and then overmolded with the intermediate layer 6.

[0038] The sensors 18 can be designed as NFC or other wireless sensors. Alternatively, it is also possible to connect the sensors 18, for example, to a readout electronics system via cables 20 that are embedded in and led out of the intermediate layer 6.

[0039] The position and orientation of the sensors 18, whereby only one sensor 18 can be embedded in the intermediate layer 6, can depend on the type of sensor. If information from the running surface 8 is to be recorded, the sensor 18 can be arranged in contact with the first layer 2 (for the design of Fig. 2). However, if information from a housing is to be captured, the sensor 18 can be arranged in contact with the third layer 4.

[0040] Similar to the embedding of the sensors 18, it is also possible to embed lubrication into the intermediate layer 6. For example, one or more lubricant reservoirs or depots, such as the sensors 18, can be embedded in the intermediate layer 6. During operation, lubricant can be dispensed from these lubricant depots. Alternatively, one or more grooves or recesses can be provided in the intermediate layer 6 to allow oil flow. This eliminates the need to provide additional lubrication grooves or the like.

[0041] In order to provide high load-bearing capacity of the running surface and the surface opposite the running surface, the first and third layers 2, 4 are made of materials, e.g. hardened steel, which are capable of providing both a stable and load-bearing running surface that can withstand contact with rolling elements or a counter-running surface, as well as a load-bearing surface opposite the running surface that can withstand contact with a housing, e.g. The intermediate layer 6, on the other hand, can be made of materials such as polymer, duromer or other plastics, which provide a functionality different from that of the first and third layers 2, 4. For example, the material of the intermediate layer 6 can serve to dampen vibrations, to electrically insulate the first and third layers 2, 4 or to reduce the weight of the entire bearing ring 1.Other functionalities can also be provided by this intermediate layer 6.

[0042] In addition to embedding sensors 18 in the intermediate layer 6, the intermediate layer 6 can provide further functionalities, as explained below. It should be noted that although the intermediate layer 6 is Fig. 3 to 8 without sensors, these can also be embedded in the intermediate layer 6 in these embodiments.

[0043] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the intermediate layer 6 can be designed in different radial and circumferential dimensions and shapes. This may depend on the desired functionality. If the intermediate layer 6 is intended to achieve a weight reduction, the intermediate layer 6 should occupy more volume of the entire bearing ring 1, as shown in Fig. 3. If the intermediate layer 6 is only intended to prevent an electric current flow through the bearing ring 1, a thin intermediate layer 6 is sufficient, as shown in Fig. 4. This is especially true for DC voltages, where a relatively thin insulating layer is sufficient, which has a desired dielectric strength. For high-frequency currents, an electrical capacitance is required. This is as small as possible in order to achieve the desired high impedances. In this case, the intermediate layer 6 should therefore be thicker, as shown, for example, in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the geometry of the sandwich structure should be coordinated with the connection dimensions of the bearing seat to avoid short circuits.

[0044] If the bearing ring 1 is a bearing ring for an angular contact ball bearing or an angular contact roller bearing, as in Fig. 5, the intermediate layer 6 can extend according to the bevel of the running surface 8. In this case, the intermediate layer 6 can extend as far as the outer circumferential surface 10, since in this case the load from the bearing ring 1 to a housing (not shown) is not transferred in the region of the circumferential surface 10 in which the intermediate layer 6 is located, but only in the region of the circumferential surface 10 in which the third layer 4 is provided. The intermediate layer 6 therefore does not have to withstand high loads in the region of the circumferential surface 10, but can instead serve there, for example, for damping or the like.

[0045] The intermediate layer 6 can be formed from filled (e.g. ceramics such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, rutile, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, glass and silicon nitride, etc.) or (fiber or particle) reinforced polymers, as in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Such an intermediate layer 6 is particularly well suited to preventing electrical discharge by significantly increasing the electrical impedance. Due to this intermediate layer structure 6, very low capacitances with very high impedance values ​​can be achieved.

[0046] In one embodiment, the intermediate layer 6 may have grooves 16, as in Fig. 8. Additional elements can engage in these grooves 16, which either represent the functionality of the intermediate layer 6 or enable additional functionality. For example, these additional elements can be grounding brushes that can come into contact with another element of a bearing. Alternatively, these additional elements can be seals or the like. These can contact elements surrounding the bearing to seal the bearing.

[0047] In summary, the bearing ring described here can provide the usual functionality of a bearing ring, including the load-bearing capacity of the inner and outer surfaces, as well as additional functionality through the embedded additional elements. At the same time, however, the bearing ring does not change its external dimensions, so it can replace conventional bearing rings with the same dimensions. List of reference symbols 1 bearing ring 2 inner surface 4 Exterior surface 6 Intermediate layer 8 Tread / inner surface 10 outer surface 12 end faces 14 fillers 16 grooves 18 Sensor / additional element 20 cables

Claims

[1] Bearing ring (1) with a sandwich structure of at least three layers (2, 4, 6), wherein the first layer (2) at least partially forms a running surface (8), wherein the second layer (6) is arranged as an intermediate layer on the first layer (2), wherein the third layer (4) is at least partially arranged on the intermediate layer (6), and wherein at least one additional element (18, 20) is embedded in the intermediate layer (6). [2] Bearing ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additional element (18, 20) is an electronic device. [3] Bearing ring according to claim 2, wherein the at least one additional element is in contact with the first and / or the third layer (2, 4). [4] Bearing ring according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electronic device is a sensor (18) and / or a cable (20). [5] Bearing ring according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (2) is formed from a first material, the intermediate layer (6) is formed from a second material and the third layer (4) is formed from a third material, wherein the second material is different from the first and the third material. [6] Bearing ring according to claim 5, wherein the second material of the intermediate layer (6) comprises a material which fulfils an insulating, damping and / or weight-reducing function. [7] Bearing ring according to claim 6, wherein the second material is a plastic, in particular a polymer, duromer, thermoplastic, a plastic composite, and / or a ceramic plastic, and / or a metal. [8] Bearing ring according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second material is fiber-reinforced and / or comprises fillers. [9] Bearing ring according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first material and / or the third material comprises one of the group consisting of metal, ceramic, composite materials, in particular non-polymer-based composite materials. [10] Bearing ring according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate layer (6) has grooves (16) in areas which are free from the first and / or the third layer (2, 4) which are designed to receive elements.

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