Insulated bearing and method for its manufacture

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an insulated bearing, at least one of its outer rings and inner rings being provided as an insulated ring having a body further comprising: a raceway; an axial end surface; and a radial outer peripheral surface located radially away from the raceway. A surface of the body includes a material removal portion, and an insulating layer is overmolded on the body and formed into the material removal portion. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing an insulated bearing as described above, comprising: a gate used for an injection molding machine for overmolding the insulating layer is arranged so that the weld bead of the insulating layer after overmold avoids the main force load region of the insulated ring and / or is formed in the insulating layer where the thickness of the insulating layer is maximum.The present disclosure provides an insulated bearing and a manufacturing method thereof to solve the problem of electrical corrosion of bearings used in high-voltage environments. The present disclosure not only achieves good electrical insulation for the bearing but also further prevents axial and / or circumferential movement of the insulating layer, thereby significantly improving the electrical performance and service life of the insulating layer and the entire bearing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an insulated bearing and a manufacturing method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Bearings are widely used in various types of devices. Different applications often place different demands on bearings.

[0003] Taking electrical devices such as electric vehicles as an example, since their drive motor shafts, transmission shafts, etc., require the use of bearings, these types of bearings operate in a charged environment. As the charging voltage of electric vehicles is increasingly sought to increase in order to shorten charging times, the bearings on the motor shaft are also exposed to increasingly higher voltage environments. When current flows through the bearings, electrical corrosion will occur on the bearings.

[0004] Therefore, the state of the art calls for electrically insulating the bearings to prevent current from flowing through them. Common insulation solutions involve electrically insulating at least one of the following elements: the outer ring, the rolling elements, and the inner ring of the bearing. One solution, for example, is to apply an insulating coating to the outer ring, the inner ring, or the rolling elements, or even to manufacture the rolling elements directly from an insulating material such as ceramic.

[0005] Another solution is to mold an insulating layer onto the outer surface of the bearing's outer / inner ring, with the insulating layer overmolded on the outer peripheral surface opposite the raceway and the axial end surface. However, since the bearing tends to move at high speed and under high load, even though the insulating layer is overmolded onto the outer / inner ring, the insulating layer will inevitably undergo axial and / or circumferential movement after a long period of operation, which in turn leads to damage to the insulating layer and compromises the insulation of the entire bearing.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a technical solution that can provide effective insulation and effectively prevent movement of the insulation layer. SUMMARY

[0007] In response to the above-mentioned problems and needs, the present disclosure provides a new technical solution that solves the above-mentioned problems and achieves further technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

[0008] The present disclosure provides an insulated bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring is provided as an insulated ring having a body further comprising: a raceway; an axial end surface; a radial outer peripheral surface disposed radially away from the raceway; wherein a surface of the body includes a material removal portion, and an insulating layer is overmolded on the body and molded into the material removal portion.

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing an insulated bearing as described above, comprising: a gate used for an injection molding machine for overmolding the insulating layer is arranged so that the weld seam of the insulating layer after overmolding avoids the main force load area of the insulated ring and / or is formed in the insulating layer where the thickness of the insulating layer is maximum.

[0010] The present disclosure provides an insulated bearing and a manufacturing method thereof to solve the problem of electrical corrosion of bearings used in high-voltage environments. The present disclosure not only achieves good electrical insulation for the bearing but also further prevents axial and / or circumferential movement of the insulating layer, thereby significantly improving the electrical performance and service life of the insulating layer and the entire bearing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated ring according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of an insulated ring and an enlarged view of a knurling structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated ring according to a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a knurling structure in an insulated ring according to a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated ring according to a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a knurling structure in an insulated ring according to a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated ring according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are cross-sectional views of an insulated ring according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated ring according to a modification of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 is a schematic view for explaining the formation of the weld seam of the insulating layer; Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the position of each gate point in the manufacturing process of the insulated bearing according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and advantages of the technical solution of the present disclosure, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with the accompanying drawings of specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals in the drawings represent like components. It should be noted that a described embodiment is a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not the entire embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Compared to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, feasible embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may have fewer components, other components not shown in the accompanying drawings, different components, differently arranged components, or differently connected components, etc. Furthermore, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0013] Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used herein have their ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in the specification and claims of the patent application of this disclosure do not indicate order, quantity, or importance, but are used only to distinguish different components. When the number of components is not specified, there may be one or more components. Likewise, terms such as "a," "an," "the," and "these" do not necessarily imply a limitation on quantity. Similar terms such as "comprising" or "having" mean that the elements or objects listed before the terms cover the elements or objects listed after the terms and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects.Terms like "installation," "adjustment," "connection," or "coupling" are not limited to physical or mechanical installation, adjustment, and connection, but can also include electrical installation, adjustment, and connection, whether directly or indirectly. "Up," "down," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate the relative orientation relationship when using the device or the orientation relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. If the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative orientation relationship may also change accordingly.

[0014] For ease of explanation, the direction of the bearing's rotational axis is referred to as the axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. The term "inside" refers to the direction toward the inside of the bearing, while the term "outside" refers to the direction toward the outside of the bearing. Furthermore, the same reference numerals refer to components with the same or similar structure or function.

[0015] An insulated bearing according to the disclosure will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The insulated bearing according to the present disclosure includes an outer ring, an inner ring (not shown), and rolling elements (not shown) provided between the outer ring and the inner ring, and the like. Typically, the outer ring and the inner ring are also collectively referred to as rings. As mentioned above, at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring may be provided as an insulated ring to achieve insulation for the bearing.Therefore, the insulated ring of the insulated bearing according to the present disclosure comprises a body further comprising: a raceway; an axial end surface; a radial outer peripheral surface located radially away from the raceway; wherein a surface of the body (1) includes a groove, and an insulating layer is overmolded and embedded in the groove such that the groove effectively holds the insulating layer to prevent the insulating layer from axially / circumferentially moving. It is understood that the surface may be any suitable surface or surfaces on the body of the insulated ring (this surface, of course, does not include the raceway surface), and the groove may be groove(s) of any shape and any number formed on the surface.

[0016] The insulated bearing according to the disclosure is described below with reference to preferred embodiments of the disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate a first preferred embodiment according to the present disclosure. This embodiment and the other embodiments described below all take the outer ring of the bearing as an example to introduce the features of the insulated bearing and its insulated ring according to the present disclosure.

[0018] In particular, the body 1 of the insulated ring of the first preferred embodiment comprises: a raceway 2; an axial end face 3; a radial outer peripheral surface 4 disposed radially away from the raceway 2; an axial flange 5 projecting axially outwardly with respect to the axial end face 3 and having a radial inner peripheral surface 50 (see Fig. 2) facing the inside of the bearing, wherein the radial inner peripheral surface 50 includes an inner radial groove 51 (generally recessed in the radial direction); wherein the insulating layer 6 is overmolded onto the radial outer peripheral surface 4 and the axial flange 5, and the insulating layer 6 is embedded in the inner radial groove 51.

[0019] The left view of Fig. 1 shows a state in which the insulating layer 6 is not overmolded, and the right view of Fig. 1 shows a state after the insulating layer 6 has been overmolded.

[0020] It should be understood that the inner radial groove 51 can be formed by any suitable means, such as machining such as turning. The insulating layer 6 can be formed by any suitable overmolding means. According to the present disclosure, by providing such an inner radial groove 51, the molded insulating layer 6 is embedded in the inner radial groove, and thus, movement of the insulating layer 6 in the axial direction X can be effectively prevented.

[0021] In Fig. 2 shows a partial perspective view of the insulated ring and an enlarged view of part A. Furthermore, the inner radial groove 51 preferably also comprises a knurling structure 80. The knurling structure 80 is machined by a cutting tool to form an uneven structure on the surface of the inner radial groove 51, ie, tens or even hundreds of small notches 81 are machined in the inner radial groove 51. The knurling structure 80 can be, for example, a straight knurl. In addition, as in Fig. 2, the knurling structure 80 is formed on the side of the inner radial groove 51 that is farther from the raceway 2. However, according to actual requirements, in a preferred embodiment not shown, such a knurling structure may be formed on the other side of the inner radial groove 51 closer to the raceway 2 and / or at the bottom of the inner radial groove 51.

[0022] By machining the knurled structure 80 in the inner radial groove 51, the insulating layer 6 is further embedded into the notches 81 of the knurled structure 80, thereby strengthening the connection between the insulating layer 6 and the inner radial groove 51. Furthermore, since the knurled structures 80 are distributed along the circumferential direction of the ring body 1, circumferential movement of the insulating layer 6 can be prevented.

[0023] Fig. Figure 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In this preferred embodiment, the axial flange 5 of the body 1 of the insulated ring may include an axial groove(s) 53 (which is substantially recessed in the axial direction) on its axial outer end surface 52, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the axial groove 53, as shown in the right-hand view in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0024] Furthermore, the axial groove 53, as in Fig. 4, preferably also include a knurled structure 80, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the notches 81 of the knurled structure 80 to further reinforce the connection between the insulating layer 60 and the axial groove 53, thereby preventing circumferential movement of the insulating layer 6. The knurled structure 80 is formed, for example, at the bottom of the axial groove 53. According to an embodiment not shown, the knurled structure can be formed in side surfaces of the axial groove 53.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a further improvement of the first and / or second preferred embodiments. In this third preferred embodiment, the body 1 of the insulated ring further comprises a corner groove 7 provided at an interface between the radial outer peripheral surface 4 and the axial flange 5. Preferably, two corner grooves 7 are provided, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the corner grooves 7, as shown in the right-hand view of Figure 5. Fig. 5. By providing such corner grooves 7, movement of the insulating layer 6 in the axial direction can be effectively prevented.

[0026] Furthermore, the corner groove 7 may preferably, with reference to Fig. 6, also comprise a knurled structure 80, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the notches 81 of the knurled structure 80 to further strengthen the connection between the insulating layer 60 and the corner groove 7. As in Fig. 6, the knurling structure 80 is provided on the bottom of the corner groove 7. According to an embodiment not shown, the knurling structures 80 can also be provided on the side surface of the corner groove 7.

[0027] Fig. Figure 7 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Although Fig. 7 with reference to the cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of Fig. 5, it should be understood that this may be a modification of one of the previously described preferred embodiments or may be implemented separately.

[0028] In particular, in this fourth preferred embodiment, the radial outer peripheral surface 4 of the body 1 of the insulated ring may include an outer radial groove 41 (shown in dashed lines, substantially radially recessed). Preferably, two outer radial grooves are provided, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the outer radial grooves 41.

[0029] More preferably, the outer radial groove 41 may also comprise a knurling structure (not shown) arranged, for example, on the bottom and / or the side surfaces of the outer radial groove 41, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the notches of the knurling structure.

[0030] It should be understood that if such outer radial grooves 41 are formed only on the radial outer peripheral surface 4, and the outer radial grooves 41 exist independently of the other grooves mentioned above, the effect of preventing axial / circumferential movement of the insulated ring can also be achieved. Therefore, the axial flange 5 and its associated grooves can be omitted in the above preferred embodiment. Therefore, the positions of the outer radial grooves 41 can be flexibly adjusted, for example, they can be arranged at the interface between the radial outer peripheral surface 4 and the axial end surface 3, like the corner groove 7 in the third preferred embodiment of Fig. 5.

[0031] Since the insulated ring normally carries a certain radial force and the radial force acts mainly on a main force load area in the center of the insulated ring (as shown by the dashed ellipse in Fig. 7), therefore, a greater stress concentration is generated when an outer radial groove 41 is arranged in the center of the insulated ring. Therefore, it is further preferable that the outer radial groove 41 be arranged offset along the axial direction relative to the plane of symmetry P of the raceway (the plane of symmetry P of the raceway is perpendicular to the axial direction X, and the raceway 2 is generally symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry P of the raceway) so that the outer radial groove 41 is away from the main force load area of the insulated ring, thereby preventing the outer radial groove 41 from adversely affecting the force load condition of the bearing.

[0032] Since the grooves in the design of Fig. 6 are arranged at the corners so that there are no grooves on their radial outer peripheral surface 4, their force load condition is also relatively better than that in the embodiment of Fig. 7 and is more suitable for bearings that must withstand large radial forces.

[0033] According to another preferred modification of the present disclosure, each of the inner radial grooves 51, the axial groove 53, the corner groove 7, and the outer radial groove 41 described above may be provided as a continuous groove or a plurality of intermittent grooves in the circumferential direction. When a plurality of intermittent grooves are formed (not shown), the plurality of grooves may be evenly or unevenly spaced in the circumferential direction, and their number may be determined and adjusted according to actual needs, thus effectively preventing circumferential movement of the insulating layer.

[0034] According to another preferred modification of the present disclosure, in addition to providing knurling structures in various types of grooves as described above, a knurling structure (not shown) such as a net-like knurling may be provided on at least one of the radial outer peripheral surface 4 and the axial outer end surface 52 of the axial flange 5, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the notches of the knurling structure.

[0035] Preferably, the material of the insulating layer 6 may comprise one of the following: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyimide (PI). This type of material not only has good insulating properties but also offers a balance of strength and wear resistance, and according to the present disclosure, is more suitable for use in the insulated bearing. More preferably, in situations where the bearing must withstand a large force, reinforcing fibers may be added to the material of the insulating layer 6 to further increase the rigidity of the insulating layer 6. The reinforcing fiber is, for example, a glass fiber, etc. For example, PEEK-GF30 (30% glass fiber added to PEEK) may be used as the material of the insulating layer 6. In addition, the thickness of the insulating layer 6 can be appropriately adjusted according to the structure of the bearing, the requirements for insulation performance, etc.For example, in bearings commonly used in electric drive assemblies of electric vehicles, the thickness of the insulating layer 6 must be set to at least 0.45 mm, preferably between 0.6 mm and 1 mm, and more preferably 0.8 mm, in order to avoid electrical corrosion.

[0036] On the other hand, in the above-preferred embodiments, the molded insulating layer 6 forms the outermost layer of the insulated ring. Considering the application environment of the bearing, especially when the outer ring is manufactured as an insulated ring, since the outer ring usually contacts other components (such as the housing), a mating and / or kinematic relationship with other components may sometimes occur. Therefore, the insulating layer 6 formed by injection molding is not good enough to form an accurate match with other components due to its low dimensional accuracy. In addition, the insulating layer 6 is also prone to collision and wear during transportation of the bearing, and in the worst case, its insulation performance will be degraded.

[0037] According to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the present disclosure therefore further provides that an outer metal ring 9 is provided outside the insulating layer 6. The outer metal ring 9 covers at least the radially outer surface of the insulating layer 6. Preferably, the axial width of the outer metal ring 9 may be slightly larger than the axial width of the insulating layer 6.

[0038] During the manufacturing process of this insulated ring, for example, the outer metal ring 9 and the body 1 of the ring can first be placed in an injection mold, and then material of the insulating layer 6 in a liquid state is injected into the mold from a suitable position. The outer metal ring 9 can be bonded to and cover the radially outer surface of the insulating layer 6 after the insulating layer 6 is molded, thereby forming an insulated ring with the outer metal ring 9. Of course, the outer metal ring 9 can be bonded to and cover the radially outer surface of the insulating layer 6 by any other suitable means.

[0039] Since the outer metal ring 9 is a relatively rigid component, it is easier to control the dimensional accuracy, so that the entire ring and even the entire bearing can easily meet the requirements of fitting with other components, and the outer metal ring 9 is also provided with good wear resistance and collision resistance.

[0040] Preferably, the inner surface (such as the radial inner peripheral surface) of the outer metal ring 9 may also comprise a knurling structure 90, and the insulating layer 6 is further embedded in the groove of the knurling structure 90 of the outer metal ring 9 (not marked). Fig. 8B further shows the removal of the outer metal ring 9 after the insulating layer 6 is formed to show the state of the portion of the insulating layer 6 embedded in the knurled structure 90. This embedded connection between the knurled structure 90 and the insulating layer 6 can effectively prevent radial movement between the outer metal ring 9 and the insulating layer 6.

[0041] Preferably, the outer metal ring 9 includes a flange 91 extending radially from its outer periphery, the flange being embedded in a corner groove 61 of the insulating layer 6. With this arrangement, axial movement between the outer metal ring 9 and the insulating layer 6 can be further prevented.

[0042] Although Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B the addition of the outer metal ring 9 to the Fig. 5, it should be understood that according to other preferred embodiments not shown, the outer metal ring 9 may be different from those shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 shown preferred embodiments and will not be described and shown again.

[0043] According to the preferred embodiment of the disclosure described above, the restriction to the axial and / or circumferential movement of the insulating layer is achieved by providing the body of the ring with "grooves," whereby the specific shape and number of grooves are not limited in any way. In other words, those skilled in the art will understand that the principle of the present disclosure is to increase the resistance to the axial and / or circumferential movement of the insulating layer by removing some material from the body of the ring and allowing the shaped insulating layer to penetrate into these material-removed portions.

[0044] According to a further modification of the present disclosure, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, a chamfered portion (chamfered portions) 54 is provided at an interface between the radial outer peripheral surface 4 and the axial flange 5, and the insulating layer 6 can be formed into the chamfered portion 54. Since this chamfered portion 54 is inclined with respect to the axial direction and the radial direction, it can also provide resistance to the movement of the insulating layer 6 in the axial direction, and this resistance is the same as that of the "grooves" (such as the corner groove 7) of the previously described preferred embodiment (although the chamfered portion 54 differs from the specific shape of the previously described groove, both are portions with material removal). Preferably, a knurling structure 80, as described above, is also provided on the surface of this chamfered portion 54 to further restrict the movement of the insulating layer 6 in the circumferential direction.

[0045] In addition, the Fig. 9 may be combined with any of the above preferred embodiments if desired. For example, the beveled portion 54 may be used in the manner shown in Fig. 1-2, i.e., the ring may include both the groove 51 and the chamfered portion 54 to achieve a better effect in preventing axial and circumferential movement of the insulating layer 6. Further preferably, the chamfered portion(s) 54 may be provided as one continuous chamfered portion or a plurality of discontinuous chamfered portions in the circumferential direction.

[0046] In addition, the Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B shown outer ring 9 made of metal on the insulating layer 6 in the modification of Fig. 9 and will not be described again here.

[0047] Finally, it should be understood that, depending on the different bearings, there are cases in which the axial end surface 3 coincides with the axial outer end surface 52 of the axial flange 5; in other words, the ring may not comprise the axially projecting axial flange 5, but both sides of the body 1 comprise only axial end surfaces 3. In this case, grooves 51 are not present in the first preferred embodiment, so that even if only the portion with material removal (such as the grooves 53, 7, 41 or the chamfered portions 54) is provided in the embodiment of the Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 9, the effect of preventing axial / circumferential movement of the insulating layer 6 can also be achieved. For example, in an embodiment not shown in which the axial flange 5 is not provided, grooves such as the grooves 53 may be provided on the axial end surfaces 3; corner grooves such as the corner grooves 7 may be provided at the intersection parts between the axial end surfaces 3 and the radial outer peripheral surface 4; chamfered portions such as the chamfered portions 54 may be provided at the intersection parts between the axial end surface 3 and the radial outer peripheral surface 4.

[0048] In summary, the present disclosure provides for the provision of material removal portions (e.g., various grooves or chamfered portions) on the surfaces of the body of the insulated ring (i.e., on any suitable surfaces), as long as they provide resistance to the axial / circumferential movement of the insulating layer. Furthermore, according to the principle of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned knurling structure can also be understood as a form of a material removal portion.

[0049] As already mentioned, in the insulated bearing of the present disclosure, the insulating layer is applied to the insulated ring by overmolding, which is usually done by an injection molding machine. Fig. 10, it is generally true that when a gate point for an injection molding machine is set to inject the insulating layer material centrally in the axial direction from position A, the liquid insulating layer material in the mold flows along any possible flow direction of the ring 1. Viewed from the circumferential direction, the liquid insulating layer material hits the dashed line on the opposite side of the gate point A (ie, a position symmetrical by approximately 180° with respect to position A) and forms a weld there, that is, the weld is formed in the main force load area of the ring. However, in general, the strength of the weld is low, so the formation of the weld in this main force load area will affect the load and operation of the bearing and may lead to premature failure of the insulating layer itself.

[0050] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing an insulated bearing. This method is primarily optimized for the gate location used for the injection molding machine for overmolding the insulating layer, so that the weld seam of the overmolded insulating layer 6 avoids the main force load area of the insulated ring and / or is formed at a position where the thickness of the insulating layer 6 is maximum.

[0051] For example, the gate used for the injection molding machine can be placed at multiple positions according to the method of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 11 (referring to a cross-sectional view of the third preferred embodiment) and the Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9: for example, a gate point can be placed substantially opposite the inner peripheral surface 50 of the axial flange 5, as indicated by arrow A, which for the first preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 is more suitable; a gate point can be placed opposite the axial outer end surface 52 of the axial flange 5, as shown by arrow B, which is suitable for the second preferred embodiment of Fig. 3 and the fifth preferred embodiment of Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B is more suitable; a gate point can be arranged opposite the interface between the radial peripheral surface 4 and the axial flange 5, as shown by arrow C, which is suitable for the third preferred embodiment of Fig. 5, the third preferred embodiment of Fig. 7 and the four preferred embodiments and modifications of Fig. 9 is more suitable.

[0052] Of course, it should be understood that the preferred gate points specified above for various preferred embodiments are not limiting. Depending on actual needs, the gate points described above can be used in other preferred embodiments. Depending on actual needs, it is also possible to select multiple positions from the above-mentioned positions to provide multiple gate points for a particular preferred embodiment.

[0053] Finally, although not shown, those skilled in the art will understand that the inner and outer rings of the bearing are arranged on either side of the rolling elements, and the inner ring has a substantially symmetrical structure with the outer ring. For example, the inner ring also includes a raceway, an axial end surface, a radial outer peripheral surface (opposite the inner ring raceway and normally facing the rotating shaft), etc. Therefore, the inner ring may also include various types of grooves described in the preferred embodiment described above for retaining the insulating layer, and / or an outer metal ring bonded to and covering the insulating layer of the inner ring (and may be in contact with the rotating shaft), which is not described in detail here.That is, the “isolated ring” of the present disclosure may be the outer ring of the bearing or the inner ring of the bearing as long as it implements the principle of the present disclosure.

[0054] In summary, the present disclosure provides an insulated bearing and a manufacturing method therefor to solve the problem of electrical corrosion of bearings used in high-voltage environments. The present disclosure not only achieves good electrical insulation for the bearing but also further prevents axial and / or circumferential movement of the insulating layer, thereby significantly improving the electrical performance and service life of the insulating layer and the entire bearing.

[0055] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above-mentioned specific embodiments without departing from the concept of the present disclosure. Modifications and various technical features and structures proposed in the present disclosure can be implemented in various combinations without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] An insulated bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring is provided as an insulated ring having a body (1) further comprising: a career (2); an axial end face (3); a radial outer peripheral surface (4) arranged radially away from the raceway (2); wherein a surface of the body (1) comprises a material removal section and an insulating layer (6) is overmolded on the body (1) and formed into the material removal section. [2] An insulated bearing according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the body (1) includes a groove as the material removing portion, and the insulating layer (6) is overmolded on the body (1) and embedded in the groove. [3] Insulated bearing according to claim 2, wherein the body (1) comprises: an axial flange (5) projecting axially outwardly with respect to the axial end surface (3) and having a radial inner peripheral surface (50) facing the interior of the bearing, the radial inner peripheral surface (50) including an inner radial groove (51) as the groove; wherein an insulating layer (6) is overmolded on the radial outer peripheral surface (4) and the axial flange (5) and the insulating layer (6) is embedded in the inner radial groove (51). [4] Insulated bearing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the body (1) comprises an axial flange (5) projecting axially outwardly with respect to the axial end face (3), and further comprising an axial groove (53), the groove being provided on an axial outer end face (52) thereof, and the insulating layer (6) being embedded in the axial groove (53); or the body (1) comprises an axial groove, the groove being provided on the axial end surface (3), and the insulating layer (6) being embedded in the axial groove. [5] Insulated bearing according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the body (1) further comprises a corner groove (7), the groove being provided at an interface between the radial outer peripheral surface (4) and the axial flange (5), and the insulating layer (6) being embedded in the corner groove (7); or the body (1) further comprises a corner groove, the groove being provided at the interface between the radial outer peripheral surface (4) and the axial end surface (3), and the insulating layer (6) being embedded in the corner groove. [6] An insulated bearing according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the radial outer peripheral surface (4) further comprises an outer radial groove (41) as a groove, and the insulating layer (6) is embedded in the outer radial groove (41); preferably, the outer radial groove (41) is arranged offset along the axial direction relative to the symmetry plane (P) of the raceway. [7] Insulated bearing according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the body (1) comprises an axial flange (5) which projects axially outwardly with respect to the axial end surface (3) and has a chamfered portion (54) as the material removal portion at the interface between the radial outer peripheral surface (4) and the axial flange (5); or the body (1) further comprises a chamfered portion as the material removal portion provided at the interface between the radial outer peripheral surface (4) and the axial end surface (3). [8] An insulated bearing according to any one of claims 3-7, wherein at least one of the inner radial groove (51), the axial groove (53), the corner groove (7), the outer radial groove (41) and the chamfered portion (54) comprises a knurling structure (80), and the insulating layer (6) is embedded in the notches (81) of the knurling structure (80). [9] An insulated bearing according to any one of claims 3-7, wherein at least one of the inner radial groove (51), the axial groove (53), the corner groove (7), and the outer radial groove (41) is provided as one continuous groove or a plurality of discontinuous grooves in a circumferential direction; the chamfered portion is provided as one continuous chamfered portion or a plurality of discontinuous chamfered portions in the circumferential direction. [10] An insulated bearing according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein at least one of the radial outer peripheral surface (4), an axial outer end surface (52) of the axial flange (5) and the axial end surface (3) comprises a knurling structure, and the insulating layer (6) is further embedded in the notches of the knurling structure. [11] Insulated bearing according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the material of the insulating layer (6) comprises one of the following: polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide; wherein reinforcing fibers are preferably added to the material of the insulating layer (6) in order to increase the strength of the insulating layer (6); and / or the insulated bearing further comprises an outer metal ring (9) connected to the insulating layer (6) and covering at least one radially outer surface thereof; preferably, the inner surface of the outer metal ring comprises a knurled structure (90), and the insulating layer (6) is further embedded in the notches of the knurled structure of the outer metal ring (9); preferably the outer metal ring (9) comprises a flange (91) extending radially from its outer circumference, and the flange is embedded in a corner groove (61) of the insulating layer (6); preferably the thickness of the insulating layer (6) is set to 0.45 mm or more. [12] A method of manufacturing an insulated bearing according to any one of claims 1-11, comprising: a gate point used for an injection molding machine for overmolding the insulating layer is arranged so that the weld seam of the insulating layer (6) after overmolding avoids the main force load area of the insulated ring and / or is formed in the insulating layer (6) where the thickness of the insulating layer (6) is maximum.

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