Supply ring for integration into a rolling bearing device and rolling bearing device with the supply ring

Abstract

Supply ring (1, 10) for integration into a rolling bearing device (20, 30), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) can be arranged to be rotatable about a main axis (8) of the rolling bearing device (20, 30) for supplying the rolling bearing device (20, 30) with a lubricant, wherein the supply ring (1, 10) has a transport area (2) for receiving and transporting the lubricant, wherein the supply ring (1, 10) has a connection area (3) for a positive and / or force-fit connection with a rotatable bearing part (21, 22) of the rolling bearing device (20, 30), characterized by the fact that the transport area (2) and the connection area (3) are made of different materials.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a supply ring for integration into a rolling bearing device. The supply ring can be arranged to rotate around a main axis of the rolling bearing device for supplying the rolling bearing device with a lubricant. The supply ring has a transport area for receiving and transporting the lubricant and a connection area for positive and / or non-positive connection to a rotatable bearing part of the rolling bearing device. The invention also relates to a rolling bearing device with the supply ring.

[0002] Lubricant reservoirs for supplying a rolling bearing with lubricant are often used in slewing or medium-sized rolling bearings. Such rings can hold the lubricant and release it during rotation together with a rotating bearing ring, ensuring a continuous supply of a sufficient amount of lubricant to the rotating parts of the rolling bearing.

[0003] For example, EP 3 017 205 B1 describes a bearing assembly with a double-row rolling element bearing and an annular grease cartridge having a honeycomb structure with axially extending passages for the grease. The grease cartridge is arranged axially between two rows of bearing rings of the rolling element bearing.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a stable and easy-to-install lubricant supply ring. This object is achieved by a supply ring for integration into a rolling bearing device according to claim 1 and by a rolling bearing device according to claim 9. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description and / or the accompanying figures.

[0005] A supply ring for integration into a rolling bearing device is proposed. The rolling bearing device is, for example, a ball bearing or a roller bearing, in particular a cylindrical roller bearing or a tapered roller bearing. The rolling bearing device is preferably a slewing bearing and is particularly designed and / or suitable for use in wind turbines or large machines. Alternatively, the rolling bearing device is suitable and / or designed for supporting the wheels of a railway wagon. In particular, the rolling bearing device can have a diameter of at least 500 millimeters, preferably 1000 millimeters, especially at least 2000 millimeters, and especially a maximum of 5000 millimeters.

[0006] The supply ring is designed to supply the rolling bearing device with a lubricant, e.g., a grease. For this purpose, the supply ring can be arranged so as to be rotatable about a main axis of the rolling bearing device if it forms a component of the rolling bearing device.

[0007] The supply ring has a transport area in which the lubricant can be received and transported during rotation. For example, the transport area is circular and can be arranged concentrically and / or coaxially to the main axis. The supply ring also has a connecting area by means of which it can be positively and / or non-positively connected to a rotatable bearing part of the rolling bearing device. Preferably, the connecting area is circular and can be arranged concentrically and / or coaxially to the main axis. Optionally, the transport area and the connecting area are integrally connected to one another.

[0008] According to the invention, the transport area and the connecting area are made of different materials.

[0009] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the transport area is formed from a plastic material, e.g., a polymer. This allows the transport area to be easily manufactured using an injection molding or molding process. The connecting area is preferably formed from a metal, e.g., a steel alloy. This ensures the durability and stability of the connecting area and facilitates installation on the rotatable bearing part of the rolling bearing device. In particular, the connecting area can be securely pressed onto the rotatable bearing part.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the invention, the connecting region is arranged on a radial outer circumferential side of the transport region. Preferably, the connecting region completely surrounds the transport region. This is particularly the case when the supply ring is to be connected to and / or is connected to an outer ring of the rolling bearing device as the rotatable bearing part. For example, the transport region is designed as a metal ring that is arranged concentrically and / or coaxially to the annular transport region. The positive and / or non-positive connection can then be realized directly between the radially outer connecting region and the adjacent rotatable outer ring. Alternatively, the connecting region can be connected to the rotatable outer ring indirectly, preferably via at least one further component of the rolling bearing device.In this case, the connecting area is positively and / or non-positively connected to the at least one further component, wherein the component is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable outer ring.

[0011] Alternatively, the connecting region can be arranged on a radial inner circumferential side of the transport region. In particular, in this alternative implementation, the connecting region is completely surrounded by the transport region. This is particularly the case when the supply ring is to be connected to and / or is connected to an inner ring of the rolling bearing device as the rotatable bearing part. The positive and / or non-positive connection can then be realized between the connecting region and the rotatable inner ring. In particular, the connecting region can be connected directly to the rotatable inner ring. Alternatively, the connecting region can be connected indirectly to the rotatable inner ring, preferably via at least one further component of the rolling bearing device.In this case, the connecting area is positively and / or non-positively connected to the at least one further component, wherein the component is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotatable inner ring.

[0012] In one possible structural embodiment of the invention, the transport region has a plurality of receptacles for the lubricant. Preferably, the lubricant can be transported during and / or during the rotation of the supply ring in the receptacles in a direction of rotation of the rolling bearing device, e.g., from a 0 o'clock position to a 12 o'clock position, in particular by 360 degrees, around the main axis. Preferably, the lubricant flowing or flowing vertically downwards due to gravity, e.g., between a 5 o'clock position and a 7 o'clock position, can be received in the receptacles and transported in the direction of rotation to the 12 o'clock position. Optionally, the lubricant can flow out of the receptacles again between an 11 o'clock position and a 13 o'clock position, in particular into the bearing space of the rolling bearing device. This allows the rotatable parts of the rolling bearing device to be reliably and continuously supplied with lubricant.

[0013] In a further structural embodiment of the invention, each receptacle has at least one axial flow channel relative to the main axis. The flow channel preferably leads axially into the receptacle and axially out of it. Optionally, the flow channel forms at least a portion of the respective receptacle. In particular, the lubricant can flow into the receptacle through the flow channel and, after being transported around the main axis, flow out of the receptacle again. The flow direction within the flow channel and / or the respective receptacle is preferably ensured in an axial direction and in an axially opposite direction.

[0014] For example, the receptacles are designed and / or arranged in a honeycomb shape. The supply area preferably has a honeycomb structure, in particular in the style and structure of a honeycomb. The honeycomb shape of the receptacles and / or the honeycomb structure of the supply area ensures sufficient stability of the transport area and offers the possibility of efficiently designing the number and arrangement of the receptacles. In particular, the honeycomb shape and / or honeycomb structure allows a sufficient amount of lubricant to be absorbed and transported.

[0015] A rolling bearing device, in particular a large-diameter rolling bearing or a medium-sized bearing, with the supply ring according to the previous description and / or according to one of claims 1 to 8 forms a further subject of the invention. The rolling bearing device comprises a rotatable bearing part and a rotationally fixed bearing part, wherein the rotatable bearing part and the rotationally fixed bearing part are arranged concentrically and / or coaxially with the main axis. The rolling bearing device has a plurality of rolling elements that can roll on raceways of the rotatable bearing part and the rotationally fixed bearing part, in particular within a bearing space of the rolling bearing device.

[0016] One possible implementation of the invention provides for the rotatable bearing part to be an outer ring. Preferably, the supply ring is positively and / or non-positively connected to the outer ring via the connecting region arranged on the outer circumferential side of the transport region. In particular, the connecting region is pressed onto an inner circumferential side of the outer ring.

[0017] An alternative implementation of the invention provides that the supply ring is connected directly or indirectly to the inner ring via the connecting region arranged on the inner circumferential side of the transport region. In particular, the connecting region is pressed directly onto an outer circumferential side of the inner ring or onto another component that is non-rotatably connected to the inner ring.

[0018] A further subject of the invention is a rolling bearing device with a rotatable bearing part and a rotationally fixed bearing part, wherein the rotatable bearing part and the rotationally fixed bearing part are arranged concentrically and / or coaxially to a main axis of the rolling bearing device. The rolling bearing device comprises a plurality of rolling elements. The rolling elements are preferably arranged in a bearing chamber of the rolling element device and can roll on raceways of the rotatable bearing part and the rotationally fixed bearing part. Optionally, they can be rotatably mounted in a bearing cage. The rolling bearing device has the supply ring according to the previous description and / or according to one of claims 1 to 8.

[0019] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the rolling bearing device is designed as a double-row rolling bearing with two rows of rolling elements. Each row of rolling elements is preferably arranged in a partial region of the bearing space. The supply ring is preferably arranged axially between the two rows of rolling elements, wherein it divides the bearing space at least partially into a first partial region and a second partial region. In particular, the supply ring is arranged in the axial direction, e.g., centrally in the bearing space. This position of the supply ring has the advantage that the two rows of rolling elements and / or partial regions are actively fluidically connected to one another. The supply ring allows the lubricant to be pumped to each row of rolling elements and to the rotatable bearing part during rotation, supplying them continuously and in sufficient quantities with the lubricant.Functional impairments of the rolling bearing device and resulting downtimes and maintenance times due to a lack of lubricant can thus be avoided.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the invention, the rotatable bearing part is an outer ring of the rolling bearing device. Preferably, the supply ring is positively and / or non-positively connected to the outer ring via the connecting region arranged on the outer circumferential side of the transport region. This allows the supply ring to rotate together with the outer ring around the main axis, thereby absorbing the lubricant and transporting it up to 360 degrees around the main axis.

[0021] In an alternative possible implementation of the invention, the rotatable bearing part is an inner ring of the rolling bearing device. Preferably, the supply ring is connected directly or indirectly to the inner ring via the connecting region arranged on the inner circumferential side of the transport region.

[0022] For example, the inner ring is formed by a first inner ring part and a second inner ring part. A spacer ring is preferably arranged between the first inner ring part and the second inner ring part. The spacer ring is preferably connected to the two inner ring parts in a rotationally fixed manner, so that it can rotate together with the inner ring parts around the main axis.

[0023] In one possible implementation of the invention, the supply ring is positioned such that it is arranged concentrically and / or coaxially with the spacer ring and radially surrounds it. If the inner ring forms the rotatable bearing part, the supply ring is preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to the spacer ring by means of the connecting region, so that the supply ring can rotate together with the inner ring around the main axis.

[0024] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. These show: Fig. 1 shows an axial longitudinal section of a double-row rolling bearing device with a supply ring, relative to a main axis; Fig. 2 an axial plan view of the supply ring from the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the supply ring from the Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a detail of the rolling bearing device from the Fig. 1 with a spacer ring and the supply ring; Fig. 5 is an axial plan view of an alternative supply ring; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the alternative supply ring; Fig. 7 a detail of an axial longitudinal section of an alternative rolling bearing device with a spacer ring and the alternative supply ring.

[0025] Corresponding or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0026] The Fig. 1 shows an axial longitudinal section of a double-row rolling bearing device 20 with a supply ring 1, relative to a main axis 8. The rolling bearing device 20 is a double-row tapered roller bearing, which can be used in a large machine, in a wind turbine or as a bearing for wagon wheels.

[0027] The rolling bearing device 20 comprises an inner ring 21, an outer ring 22, a plurality of rolling elements 23, in particular tapered rollers, and two rolling bearing cages 24a, 24b. The inner ring 21 and the outer ring 22 are arranged coaxially and / or concentrically to the main axis 8 and enclose a bearing space between them, at least in some areas. The rolling elements 23 are arranged in two rows of rolling elements 25a, 25b and are rotatably held in the respective rolling bearing cages 24a, 24b. A first row of rolling elements 25a is arranged in a first partial area 28a of the bearing space, and the second row of rolling elements 25b is arranged in a second partial area 28b of the bearing space.

[0028] The inner ring 21 comprises a first inner ring part 26a and a second inner ring part 26b. A first row of rolling elements 25a can roll on a raceway of the outer ring 22 and on a raceway of the first inner ring part 26a. The second row of rolling elements 25b can roll on the raceway of the outer ring 22 and on a raceway of the second inner ring part 26b. The first and second inner ring parts 26a, 26b are connected to one another by a spacer ring 27. The spacer ring 27 is arranged centrally between the two inner ring parts 26a, 26b. It can therefore rotate together with the inner ring parts 26a, 26b.

[0029] The supply ring 1 is provided for supplying the rolling bearing device 20, in particular rotating parts of the rolling bearing device 20, with a lubricant. The lubricant is arranged in the bearing chamber. The supply ring 1 is arranged concentrically and / or coaxially with the spacer ring 27 and radially surrounds it. It is arranged centrally in the bearing chamber between the two rows of rolling elements 25a, 25b. The supply ring 1 fluidly connects the two sub-regions 28a, 28b of the bearing chamber, so that the lubricant can flow from the first sub-region 28a into the second sub-region 28b and vice versa.

[0030] The Fig. 4 shows a detail of the rolling bearing device 1 from the Fig. 1. The outer ring 22 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, and the inner ring 21 is arranged rotatably about the main axis 8. The inner ring parts 26a, 26b forming the inner ring can rotate together with the spacer ring 27 about the main axis 8.

[0031] The Fig. 7 shows a detail of an alternative rolling bearing device 30 in largely the same construction as the rolling bearing device 20 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. The alternative rolling bearing device 30 differs by an alternative supply ring 10 and in that the outer ring 22 is arranged rotatably about the main axis 8 and that the inner ring 21 is arranged rotationally fixed.

[0032] The supply ring 1 is in the Fig. 2 in an axial plan view and in the Fig. 3 in a perspective view. The alternative supply ring 10 is shown in the Fig. 5 in an axial plan view and in the Fig. 6 in a perspective view. The supply ring 1 or the alternative supply ring 10 comprises an annular transport region 2 and an annular connecting region 3. The connecting region 3 is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with the transport region 2.

[0033] The transport area 2 and the connecting area 3 are made of two different materials. The connecting area 3 is a metal ring, in particular a steel ring. As a result, the connecting area 3 has very stable properties, by means of which a press fit with the rotatable inner ring 21 according to the Fig. 1 or to the rotatable outer ring 22 according to the Fig. 7 can be realized. The transport area is a plastic ring, in particular a polymer ring, which allows simple and cost-effective production, e.g. by means of an injection or molding process.

[0034] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the supply ring 1 is connected to the two rotatable inner ring parts 26a, 26b in a rotationally fixed manner via the spacer ring 27. For this purpose, the supply ring 1 is pressed onto the spacer ring 27. The press fit is achieved via the connecting area 3 of the supply ring 1. The connecting area 3 forms an inner circumferential side of the supply ring 1, with the transport area 2 radially surrounding the connecting area 3.

[0035] With reference to the Fig. 7 is the alternative supply ring 10 with the rotatable outer ring 22 of the alternative rolling bearing device 30 ( Fig. 7) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the alternative supply ring 10 is pressed onto the outer ring 10 by means of the connecting region 3. The connecting region 3 forms an outer circumferential side of the alternative supply ring 10, radially surrounding the transport region 2.

[0036] The transport area 2 of the supply ring 1 ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) and the alternative supply ring 10 ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) has a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure is formed by a plurality of honeycomb-shaped receptacles 4. The honeycomb structure provides the transport area 2 with stability and the ability to hold and transport sufficient lubricant. Each receptacle 4 has an inflow and outflow channel 5 through which the lubricant can flow into and out of the respective receptacle 4 in an axial direction relative to the main axis 8 and in an axially opposite direction. The inflow and outflow channel 5 can form or encompass the receptacle 4.

[0037] When the supply ring 1 rotates together with the inner ring 21 according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 or the alternative supply ring 10 together with the outer ring 22 according to the Fig. 7, the lubricant can flow into the honeycomb-shaped receptacles 4 through the respective inlet channel 5 and be transported therein in a rotational direction around the main axis 8 up to 360 degrees. The rotational direction 14 can be clockwise ( Fig. 2) or counterclockwise.

[0038] During clockwise rotation 14, the lubricant can be taken up, for example, between a 5 o'clock position 6 and a 7 o'clock position 7 and transported in the direction of rotation up to a 1 o'clock position 13, preferably up to the 12 o'clock position 9, in particular up to an 11 o'clock position 11. There, the lubricant can flow out of the receptacles 4 back into the first storage space area 28a and into the second storage space area 28b. Thus, the lubricant that has flowed vertically downwards due to gravity, in particular to a 6 o'clock position 12, is transported back upwards, in particular to the 12 o'clock position 9, and distributed from there. The rotation of the supply ring 1 or the alternative supply ring 10 can achieve a pumping effect, by means of which the lubricant can be pumped through the flow channel 5 of the respective receptacle 4 in the axial direction or in the opposite axial direction.

[0039] In summary, the supply ring 1 and the alternative supply ring 10 can ensure a supply of the rotating parts of the rolling bearing device 20 and the alternative rolling bearing device 30, respectively, in particular the two rows of rolling elements 25a, 25b in the two bearing space areas 28a, 28b and the respective rotating bearing ring 21, 22. The positive and non-positive connection of the supply ring 1 with the rotatable bearing ring 21, 22 can be ensured via the metallic connection area. List of reference symbols 1 supply ring 2 Transport area 3 Connection area 4 Recording 5 Inlet and outlet channels 6 5 o'clock position 7 o'clock position 8 Main axis 9 12 o'clock position 10 Alternative supply ring 11 11 o'clock position 12 6 o'clock position 13 1 o'clock position 14 Rotation direction / clockwise 20 Rolling bearing device 21 inner ring 22 Outer ring 23 rolling elements 24a first rolling bearing cage 24b second rolling bearing cage 25a first row of rolling elements 25b second row of rolling elements 26a first inner ring part 26b second inner ring part 27 Spacer ring 28a first storage area 28b second storage area 30 alternative rolling bearing device QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 3 017 205 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Supply ring (1, 10) for integration into a rolling bearing device (20, 30), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) for supplying the rolling bearing device (20, 30) with a lubricant can be arranged to rotate about a main axis (8) of the rolling bearing device (20, 30), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) has a transport area (2) for receiving and transporting the lubricant, wherein the supply ring (1, 10) has a connecting region (3) for positive and / or non-positive connection to a rotatable bearing part (21, 22) of the rolling bearing device (20, 30), characterized by , that the transport area (2) and the connecting area (3) are made of different materials. [2] Supply ring (1, 10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the transport area (2) is circular and / or is made of a plastic material. [3] Supply ring (1, 10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the connecting region (3) is circular and / or is formed from a metal. [4] Supply ring (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting region (3) is arranged on a radial outer circumferential side of the transport region (2) and / or completely surrounds it. [5] Supply ring according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the connecting region (3) is arranged on a radial inner circumferential side of the transport region (2) and / or is completely surrounded by the transport region (2). [6] Supply ring (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the transport area (2) has a plurality of receptacles (4) for the lubricant, wherein the lubricant can be transported in the receptacles (4) during and / or upon rotation of the supply ring (1, 10) about the main axis (8). [7] Supply ring (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that each receptacle (4) has at least one axial flow channel (5) related to the main axis (8) for introducing the lubricant into the respective receptacle (4) and for discharging the lubricant from the respective receptacle. [8] Supply ring (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receptacles (4) are honeycomb-shaped and / or that the transport area (2) has a honeycomb structure. [9] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) with a rotatable bearing part (21, 22) and with a rotationally fixed bearing part (21, 22), wherein the rotatable bearing part (21, 22) and the rotationally fixed bearing part (21, 22) are arranged concentrically and / or coaxially to a main axis (8) of the rolling bearing device (20, 30), with a plurality of rolling elements (23), wherein the rolling elements (23) can roll on raceways of the rotatable bearing part (21, 22) and the rotationally fixed bearing part (21, 22), characterized by the supply ring (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Rolling bearing device (1, 10) according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable bearing part (22) is an outer ring (22), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) is positively and / or non-positively connected to the outer ring (22) via the connecting region (3) arranged on the outer circumferential side of the transport region (2). [11] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable bearing part (21) is an inner ring (21), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) is connected directly or indirectly to the inner ring (21) via the connecting region (3) arranged on the inner circumferential side of the transport region (2). [12] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the rolling bearing device (20, 30) is designed as a double-row rolling bearing with two rows of rolling elements (25a, 25b), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) is arranged axially between the two rows of rolling elements (25a, 25b). [13] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) according to claim 12, wherein the inner ring (21) is formed by a first inner ring part (26a) and a second inner ring part (26b), wherein a spacer ring (27) is arranged between the first inner ring part (26a) and the second inner ring part (26b), wherein the spacer ring (27) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first inner ring part (26a) and the second inner ring part (26b), wherein the supply ring (1, 10) radially surrounds the spacer ring (27). [14] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) according to claim 13, characterized by that the supply ring (1, 10) is positively and / or non-positively connected to the spacer ring (27) by means of the connecting region (3) if the inner ring (21) is designed to be rotatable. [15] Rolling bearing device (20, 30) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized by that the rolling bearing device (20, 30) is designed as a large rolling bearing.

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