Lagerring

Abstract

Disclosed is a bearing ring (1) having a sandwich structure of at least three layers (2, 4-1, 4-2, 6), wherein the first layer (2) at least partially forms a running surface (8), the second layer (6) is arranged as an intermediate layer on the first layer (2), and the third layer (4-1, 4-2) is at least partially arranged on the intermediate layer (6) and is designed as a split ring.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing ring according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for producing such a bearing ring according to the preamble of patent claim 9. Technical background

[0002] In rolling or plain bearings, it may be necessary to optimize one or more bearing components with regard to electrical insulation, weight, or similar. For electrical insulation, for example, it is 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 are not met, or at least not sufficiently met, such as load-bearing capacity, etc. The same applies to weight. If a bearing component is made from 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.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bearing ring which has sufficient load-bearing capacity while at the same time being able to provide additional functionalities reliably and permanently. Summary of the invention

[0004] This object is achieved by a bearing ring according to patent claim 1 and a method for producing a bearing ring according to patent claim 9.

[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. This allows the first and third layers to meet the requirements for the running surface and the surface opposite the running surface, e.g., with regard to load-bearing capacity, while also adding further functionalities to the bearing ring through the intermediate layer.

[0007] In order to enable different geometries of the first layer forming the running surface and the second intermediate layer, the third layer is designed as a split ring. This has the advantage that this layer can be pushed onto the second layer after the first and second layers have been manufactured and assembled. In this way, for example, the first layer, i.e. the running surface or raceway, can be made very robust because the split ring can be arranged around this running surface, or the first layer and the second layer, or pushed onto them. The geometry of the split ring can therefore fully adapt to the geometry of the first layer and the intermediate layer and does not represent any restriction on these geometries.

[0008] It should be noted that the first layer, i.e., the layer forming the running surface, can be the innermost or outermost layer. This means that the bearing ring can be an inner ring or an outer ring. The third layer, i.e., the split ring, is arranged either around the outer circumference or within the inner circumference of the bearing ring. In this context, "sliding" therefore refers to either sliding into the inner circumference or sliding onto the outer circumference of the bearing ring.

[0009] The split ring can be either radially or axially split. In both cases, the split ring can simply be arranged around the first layer and the intermediate layer. As explained in more detail below, the split ring can either be manufactured as a single piece and then split, e.g., by breaking, or can be manufactured as two separate parts.

[0010] 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 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, to simultaneously achieve additional 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In particular, the material of the third layer, i.e. the split ring, is suitable for being split, for example by breaking. In this case, the ring is manufactured in one piece and then broken radially or axially by a tool. This has the advantage that the two halves of the ring can be finish-machined before splitting and, after splitting, can simply be pushed onto the first and second layers. If the split ring is manufactured from two parts, this has the advantage, for example, that both parts can be manufactured from inexpensive sheet metal parts. This can result in less precise manufacturing, and the two parts can then be finish-machined, e.g., by grinding.

[0018] 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. The second material can further comprise paper, glass, and / or semiconductors or other materials that fulfill corresponding desired functions.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The fibers and / or fillers can be of different sizes and shapes (e.g., spheres or rolls, or any other shape and size, such as broken shapes). They can range from a powder form 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).

[0023] 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.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, at least one additional element is embedded in the intermediate layer. The at least one additional element can be an electronic device, a lubricant and / or a lubricant depot. 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, these are insulated in the intermediate layer and are not exposed to any current flow or electrical charge through the first or third layer. Alternatively, the at least one additional element can be embedded in contact with the first and / or the third layer. This can in turn have the advantage that, in the case of electronic devices, e.g.If these are sensors, measurements can be taken directly on the first and / or third layers through contact with these layers. 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.

[0025] Electronic devices as additional elements can be, for example, sensors, chips, and / or cables. These electronic devices can therefore be easily integrated directly into the bearing ring. Until now, this required sensors to be attached to the outside of the bearing ring, which, however, 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] To improve the bond and durability between the first layer and the second layer, or between the second layer and the third layer, the first layer and / or the second layer can have a textured surface. This textured surface can have depressions and elevations, can be roughened by laser treatment or sandblasting, or can have a textured surface through any other processing, e.g., lathe scoring, knurling, or similar. In either case, the textured surface can enable better adhesion of the second layer, as it cannot slip off the textured surface but is held in place by static friction.

[0028] According to a further aspect, a method for producing a bearing ring as described above is proposed. According to the method, the first layer is first provided as a raceway ring. The first layer can, in particular, have a sufficient thickness to provide sufficient stability for the running surface of the raceway ring.

[0029] The intermediate layer is then applied to the first layer. This can be done, for example, by overmolding the first layer or spraying it onto the first layer. The second or intermediate layer can also be applied to the first layer using a 3D printing process, a coating process, brushing, or other application methods.

[0030] Finally, the third layer is slid onto the second layer or the combination of the first and second layers as a split ring. Because the split ring is slid onto the second layer from two sides, it can encompass the combination of the first and second layers, allowing for a wide range of geometry, especially of the raceway ring, and is not restricted as would be the case with a single-piece ring as the third layer.

[0031] As described above, the split ring can be made as two separate pieces or can be made as a single piece ring and then split.

[0032] The first layer, which provides the running surface, can be designed, in particular, as an inner raceway ring, and the third layer, i.e., the split ring, can be designed, in particular, as an outer ring, between which the intermediate layer is arranged. However, it is also possible to design the first layer as an outer ring with a running surface and the third layer as an inner ring.

[0033] 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 the features may also be present individually or in other combinations. Short character description

[0034] 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.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective sectional view of a bearing ring according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of the bearing ring of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3: a schematic perspective view of a bearing ring according to a second embodiment. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by the same reference symbols.

[0037] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a bearing ring 1. Although a ball bearing outer ring is shown here, the bearing ring 1 can generally be used in a rolling bearing, e.g. a ball or roller bearing, or in a plain bearing.

[0038] The bearing ring 1 is constructed in a sandwich structure with three layers 2, 6, 4-1, 4-2. 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 4-1, 4-2 is at least partially arranged on the intermediate layer 6 and forms the surface 10-1, 10-2 opposite the running surface. The third layer 4-1, 4-2 is designed as a split ring and can, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, be axially divided into two parts 4-1, 4-2, or can, as shown in Fig. 3, be radially divided into two parts 4-1, 4-2.

[0039] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the bearing ring 1 is depicted as an outer ring, with the running surface being formed by the inner surface 8 and the surface opposite the running surface being formed by the outer surface 10-1, 10-2. However, it should be noted that the outer surface can also be the running surface and the inner surface the surface opposite the running surface. In this case, the inner layer would be formed as a split ring.

[0040] 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. It should be noted that in the case of a split inner ring, this should preferably be axially split, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown.

[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, 4-1, 4-2 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 the functionality of the first and third layers 2, 4-1, 4-2. For example, the material of the intermediate layer 6 can serve to dampen vibrations, to electrically insulate the first and third layers 2, 4-1, 4-2 or to reduce the weight of the entire bearing ring 1.Other functionalities can also be provided by this intermediate layer 6.

[0042] 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. If the intermediate layer 6 is only intended to prevent electrical current flow through the bearing ring 1, a thin intermediate layer 6 is sufficient. This applies in particular to direct voltages, where a relatively thin insulator layer with a desired dielectric strength is sufficient. For high-frequency currents, an electrical capacitance that is as small as possible is required to achieve the desired high impedances. In this case, the intermediate layer 6 should therefore be thicker.Furthermore, the geometry of the sandwich structure should be coordinated with the connection dimensions of the bearing seat in order to avoid short circuits and / or flashovers through the air.

[0043] 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, mica paper, paper impregnated with phenolic resin, or any other filler. 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.

[0044] In one embodiment, the intermediate layer 6 may have grooves 16, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. 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.

[0045] In a further embodiment, it is possible to embed sensors in the intermediate layer 6. For this purpose, sensors, monitoring systems, or the like can be embedded in the intermediate layer 6. The sensors can be, for example, thermocouples, vibration sensors, or load sensors. By embedding them in the intermediate layer 6, the sensors can be mounted close to the running surfaces to improve data accuracy when recording information, for example, from rolling elements rolling on the running surface 8. Such sensors can be used to detect vibrations in the bearing, for example.

[0046] The sensors can either be embedded directly into the intermediate layer, without contact with the first or third layer 2, 4-1, 4-2, or they can be in contact with one of the layers 2, 4-1, 4-2. For example, the sensors can be placed on layer 2 and then overmolded with the intermediate layer 6.

[0047] Similar to the embedding of the sensors, it is also possible to embed lubrication into the intermediate layer 6. For example, one or more lubricant reservoirs or depots 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.

[0048] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the intermediate layer 6 can have a geometry with a bevel 18 running towards the two end faces 12 and a subsequent step 20. Such a geometry of the intermediate layer 6 and the round geometry of the inner layer 2 is possible because the split ring 4-1, 4-2 is pushed over the layers 2 and 6 from the two end faces 12. In this way, the raceway ring 2 can be made thicker because the split ring 4-1, 4-2 is not pushed around the raceway ring 2 as a whole, but can encompass the raceway ring 2 from the two end faces 12. The intermediate layer 6 can either be applied to the raceway ring 2 beforehand or can be injected afterwards between the raceway ring 2 and the split ring 4-1, 4-2.

[0049] As already explained, the split ring 4-1, 4-2 can have an axial division 14 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) or a radial pitch 22 ( Fig.3). In both cases, the raceway ring 2 can have any geometry, since the split ring 4-1, 4-2 can be pushed onto it from two sides.

[0050] 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. At the same time, however, the bearing ring's external dimensions remain unchanged, so it can replace conventional bearing rings with the same dimensions. Furthermore, the bearing ring's geometry, particularly the geometry of the running surface and the corresponding layer, is not restricted by the split third layer or ring. List of reference symbols 1 bearing ring 2 first layer / raceway ring 4-1, 4-2 third layer / split ring 6 Intermediate layer 8 Tread / inner surface 10-1, 10-2 outer surface 12 end faces 14 axial pitch 16 grooves 18 Bevel 20th level 22 radial pitch

Claims

[1] Bearing ring (1) with a sandwich structure of at least three layers (2, 4-1, 4-2, 6), characterized by that the first layer (2) at least partially forms a running surface (8), the second layer (6) is arranged as an intermediate layer on the first layer (2) and the third layer (4-1, 4-2) is at least partially arranged on the intermediate layer (6) and is designed as a split ring. [2] Bearing ring according to claim 1, wherein the third layer (4-1, 4-2) is divided axially or radially. [3] Bearing ring according to claim 1 or 2, 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 (4-1, 4-2) is formed from a third material, wherein the second material is different from the first and the third material. [4] Bearing ring according to 3, wherein the first material and the third material are identical or wherein the first and the third material are different. [5] Bearing ring according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second material of the intermediate layer (6) comprises a material which fulfils an insulating, damping and / or weight-reducing function. [6] Bearing ring according to claim 5, 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. [7] Bearing ring according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second material is fiber-reinforced and / or comprises fillers. [8] Bearing ring according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (2) and / or the third layer (4-1, 4-2) have a structured surface with respect to the second intermediate layer (6). [9] Method for producing a bearing ring (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: Providing the first layer (2) as a raceway ring, Arranging the second layer (6) as an intermediate layer on the first layer (2); and Sliding or inserting the third layer (4-1, 4-2) as a split ring onto or into the second layer (6). [10] The method according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises manufacturing the third layer (4-1, 4-2) by manufacturing a ring and dividing the ring or by manufacturing the ring as separate parts.

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