STORAGE ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bearing arrangement having the features in the preamble of the main claim.

[0002] Such a bearing arrangement is known from practice. It comprises a bearing flange and a flange mount, which share a common longitudinal axis, a mutual axial stop, and a fixing device to secure the mutual stop position. The bearing flange has a radial collar or pipe flange that rests against one end face of the flange mount and is secured there with screws.

[0003] US2016223039A1 describes a driven wheel unit with a bearing arrangement. This includes a bearing flange, a flange mount, and a stop. A locking device clamps the bearing flange and the flange mount axially into a mutual stop position.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bearing arrangement.

[0005] The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim.

[0006] The fixing of the claimed bearing arrangement is designed as a wedge clamping means which can be actuated transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis and thereby clamps the bearing flange and the flange holder axially into the mutual stop position.

[0007] According to the invention, the wedge clamping means comprises clamping elements with a wedge surface arranged alternately on the bearing flange and on the flange receptacle and aligned transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis and capable of positively engaging with one another.

[0008] According to the invention, the clamping element arranged on the bearing flange is designed as a circumferential, annular groove and the other clamping element arranged on the flange receptacle is designed as one or more radial clamping pin(s), in particular as screw pin(s).

[0009] Furthermore, according to the invention, the groove has a greater axial width than the clamping pin and has an inclined side wall pointing towards the stop and forming a wedge surface.

[0010] The wedge clamping device can be arranged locally separate from the aforementioned axial stop. It can be activated as needed to secure the connection between the bearing flange and the flange holder, and deactivated to release the connection or for disassembly.

[0011] The claimed bearing arrangement has the advantage of requiring less manufacturing and assembly effort and also saving space. The bearing flange can be simplified and optimized for its primary function of accommodating and supporting the bearings, seals, etc. of a rotating body. For this purpose, the bearing flange can be designed, in particular, as a cost-effective turned part or cast part.

[0012] Furthermore, the contact area required for the axial stop can be significantly reduced. The previous space requirement for the screws can be eliminated. The bearing flange and flange mount can therefore be significantly smaller in diameter or cross-section.

[0013] The bearing flange and the flange receiver can be inserted into one another. They can be designed as rotationally symmetrical parts with a circular cross-section and a common central longitudinal axis. Alternatively, they can be inserted in a different way and have a different, e.g., prismatic, cross-section. The mutual position of the bearing flange and the flange receiver in the transverse direction, particularly in the radial direction, can be achieved by fitting surfaces. These can be selected with a higher overlap, particularly as a transition or interference fit. This allows the operating forces to be absorbed at least partially.

[0014] The claimed bearing arrangement further has the advantage that the fixation or wedge clamping device is more easily accessible from the outside. Particular advantages arise in conjunction with a robot structure on which the bearing arrangement is provided. The bearing mount can be a separate part or, for example, a housing-like part of the robot structure or another device.

[0015] The wedge-type clamping device also has the advantage of reliably securing the mutual stop position of the bearing flange and the flange mount. This allows for high axial clamping and contact forces to be developed. These allow the absorption of the remaining operating forces and secure the axial position of the bearing flange in the flange mount.

[0016] The wedge clamping device can be designed in different ways. The circumferential arrangement between the bearing flange and the flange mount offers the advantage of particularly good accessibility and direct force transmission.

[0017] The clamping elements according to the invention, which can engage one another in a form-fitting manner and are oriented transversely to the said longitudinal axis, can be designed in various ways. They have a wedge surface with which the feed movement of one clamping element, directed transversely to the longitudinal axis, can be converted into an axial adjustment and clamping movement for the said mutual stop position with little effort and with the development of high forces. Due to the transverse alignment and the mutual form-fitting engagement, the connection is also very reliable.

[0018] The inventive design of the clamping elements as a recess and an engaging projection is particularly favorable for the positive locking effect. The wedge surface can be formed particularly easily by an inclined recess wall. The number and arrangement of the projections can vary.

[0019] According to the invention, the recessed clamping element is designed as a circumferential, annular groove on the bearing flange, with one or more other projecting clamping elements engaging in the groove. These are mounted on the bearing flange and designed as adjustable radial clamping pins. A preferred embodiment is a screw pin that can be screwed in from the outside through a threaded hole in the flange housing.

[0020] The bearing flange and the flange receptacle can each be designed as a sleeve or tube and inserted into one another in the aforementioned manner, wherein they can have small stop surfaces to form a mutual stop. The bearing flange can have one or more receiving means for a bearing of a rotating body, for a seal, or the like. The flange receptacle can be designed, for example, as a housing-like part of a device, in particular an industrial robot.

[0021] A device, in particular an industrial robot, which is equipped with at least one such bearing arrangement also benefits from the advantages of the claimed bearing holder.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0023] The invention is illustrated schematically and by way of example in the drawings. In detail: Figure 1: a bearing arrangement with a bearing flange and a bearing holder as well as other parts in an axial longitudinal section and Figure 2: the bearing flange in individual representation and in an axial longitudinal section.

[0024] The invention relates to a bearing assembly (1) with a bearing flange (3) and a flange receptacle (4). The invention further relates to a device (2), in particular an industrial robot, equipped with such a bearing assembly (1). The invention further relates to a method for producing or forming such a bearing assembly (1).

[0025] The central longitudinal section of Figure 1The bearing arrangement (1) shown comprises a bearing flange (3) and a flange receptacle (4), which may have a common and preferably concentric longitudinal axis (6). The bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4) have a mutual axial stop (8) against which they can be mutually positioned in the direction of the longitudinal axis (6). The bearing arrangement (1) further comprises a fixing means for securing this mutual stop position of the bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4).

[0026] The bearing flange (3) and the flange holder (4) can be plugged together in an axial insertion direction or installation direction (7). The bearing flange (3) can be positively received and fixed in the flange holder (4).

[0027] The bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4) are each designed as a sleeve or tube. They have inner and outer shell contours that match each other at the circumferential contact area. They also have a mutually matched cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional shape can be circular, for example. Alternatively, it can be prismatic, oval, or shaped in another way.

[0028] To form the mutual axial stop (8), the bearing flange (3) has, at its rear end in the installation direction (7), a collar (16) that projects transversely, in particular radially, to the axis (6) and has a stop surface (17) facing the end in the installation direction (7). The collar (16) can be integrally formed on the sleeve. It can be annular and circumferentially encircling or interrupted.

[0029] The flange receiver (4) has a recess (27) on the inner casing at the front with a stop surface (28) facing away from the installation direction (7). Upon insertion, the collar (16) engages the recess (27), whereby the opposing stop surfaces (17, 28) come into contact. For the axial stop (8), a small transverse or radial overlap of, for example, flat-turned stop surfaces (17, 28) is sufficient. The recess (27) can be produced cost-effectively as a recess on the inner sleeve casing of the flange receiver (4).

[0030] The fixation is designed as a wedge clamping device (9). This can be arranged behind or in front of the axial stop (8) in the installation direction (7). The wedge clamping device (9) can be actuated transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis. In this case, the wedge clamping device (9) can clamp the bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4) axially into the mutual stop position on the axial stop (8) through its wedging effect. The wedge clamping device (9) is arranged circumferentially between the bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4). It is aligned transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis (6).

[0031] The wedge clamping device (9) has clamping elements (18, 19) with a wedge surface (20) arranged alternately on the bearing flange (3) and on the flange receptacle (4), aligned transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis (6), and capable of positively engaging one another. The positive wedge engagement can be released as needed, e.g., for disassembling the bearing flange (3).

[0032] To form the positive engagement, the clamping elements (18, 19) are designed as a recess and a projection. A wedge surface (20) can be arranged on one or both clamping elements (18, 19), in particular on the recess.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, a recessed clamping element (18) is arranged on the bearing flange (3). It is designed, for example, as a circumferential and preferably annular groove (21). The groove (21) is located on the outer surface (14) of the bearing flange (3). The annular groove can have a closed, circumferential ring shape, in particular a circular ring shape.

[0034] The recess (18), in particular the groove (21), is arranged, for example, behind the axial stop (8) in the installation direction (7). It can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the axial stop (8) or the stop surface (16) or, alternatively, at a distance in the axial direction.

[0035] One or more other projecting clamping elements (19) are arranged, for example, on the flange receptacle (4). In the illustrated embodiment, several projecting clamping elements (19) are arranged distributed in the circumferential direction. These can each be designed, for example, as a radial clamping pin (23), in particular as a screw pin. A screw pin can be received through a prepared threaded bore (23) on the casing of the flange receptacle (4). The screw pin can be inserted from the outside through the casing into the recess, in particular groove (21), by a screwing movement and can also be unscrewed again if necessary.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, there are at least two diametrically opposed clamping elements (19) or clamping pins (23) which engage in the recess (18) or groove (21) at different, in particular opposite, points.

[0037] The recess (18), in particular the groove (21), has a greater axial width in the installation direction (7) than the projection (19), in particular the clamping pin (23). In the embodiment shown, the recess (18), in particular the groove (21), has an inclined side wall (22) on the side facing away from the stop (8), which forms a wedge surface (20). The inclined position is related to the axis (6). The inclined side wall (22) points towards the stop (8).

[0038] The projection (19), in particular the clamping pin (23), can have a front head or a tip (24) with a conical shape. The cone can also form a wedge surface (20).

[0039] When the projection (19), in particular the clamping pin (23), is actuated transversely to the axis (6), its head (24) strikes the inclined side wall (22). The transversely or radially directed feed force is redirected into an axial clamping force directed in the installation direction (7), which presses the stop surfaces (17, 28) against each other.

[0040] In the arrangement shown, the bearing flange (3) is pulled into the stop position on the flange holder (4). If the wedge clamping device (9) is reversed in the installation direction (7) in front of the stop, the bearing flange (3) is pressed against it.

[0041] The bearing flange (3) and the flange receptacle (4) have mutually interacting pairs of guide surfaces (15, 26) on their circumference. These can each be designed as, for example, annular fitting surfaces. A guide surface (15) on the outer surface (14) of the bearing flange (3) can be arranged behind the wedge clamping device (9) in the installation direction (7), in particular in direct axial connection to the recess (18) or groove (21). The recess (18) or groove (21) is located between the guide or fitting surface (15) and the axial stop (8).

[0042] The guide or fitting surface (15) can be designed as a circumferential collar that protrudes slightly beyond the outer casing (14). The transverse or radial projection is smaller than that of the collar (16) and the stop surface (17). The guide or fitting surface (26) arranged on the flange receptacle (4) can also be offset in the transverse or radial direction.

[0043] One or more additional pairs of guide or fitting surfaces (15, 26) can be arranged downstream at a distance in the installation direction (7). Such an additional pair is arranged, for example, at the other end face of the bearing flange (3).

[0044] How Figure 1 and 2As can be seen from the drawing, the bearing flange (3) has on the inner casing (10) one or more receiving means (11) for a bearing (12) of a rotating body (5), for a retaining ring, for a seal (13) or the like. The inner casing (10) can be stepped, whereby a rolling bearing, in particular a roller bearing, arranged in axial proximity to the stop (8) can be clamped between the bearing flange (3) and the rotating body (5) and additionally secured with the retaining ring. A further bearing (12), designed, for example, as a needle bearing, can be arranged at the other end of the bearing flange (3). The seal (13) is arranged at the front end of the bearing flange (3) and seals the free space between the rotating body (5) and the inner casing (10).

[0045] The flange mount (4) can be designed, for example, as a housing-like part of a device (2). The device (2) can be, for example, an industrial robot. The flange mount (4) can be designed as a hollow part of a housing for a robot axis.

[0046] Modifications of the embodiments shown and described are possible in various ways.

[0047] A recessed clamping element (18) can be formed, for example, by several point-like or linear recesses distributed circumferentially on the outer surface (14) of the bearing flange (3). This can, for example, be a countersunk hole with a sloping side wall or flank.

[0048] A projecting clamping element (19) can be designed, for example, as a curved clamping jaw that is slidably guided in a jaw receptacle oriented transversely to the axis (6), is acted upon by a suitable feed device, and is locked in the clamping position. The clamping jaw can have an inclined surface or wedge surface on the front side, which interacts with a corresponding inclined counter-surface on the recess (18), in particular a ring-shaped curved groove (21).

[0049] In a modification, the clamping element (18) designed as a recess can be assigned to the bearing flange (3), and the clamping element (19) designed as a projection can be assigned to the flange receptacle (4). It is also possible to move a recessed clamping element (18) relative to a projecting clamping element (19).

[0050] The plug-in arrangement of the bearing flange (3) and the flange holder (4) can be interchanged, with the bearing flange (3) being arranged on the outside.

[0051] The aforementioned transverse alignment of the clamping elements (18, 19) to the axis (6) includes not only the perpendicular alignment shown, but also oblique alignments. The wedge surface design and the wedge clamping effect change accordingly. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0052] 1Bearing arrangement 2Device, industrial robot 3Bearing flange 4Flange mount 5Rotating body, shaft 6Axis 7Installation direction 8Axial stop 9Wedge clamping device 10Inner casing 11Receiving device 12Bearing 13Seal 14Outer casing 15Guide surface, mating surface 16Collar 17Stop surface 18Clamping element, recess 19Clamping element, projection 20Wedge surface 21Groove, annular groove 22Slanted side wall 23Dowel pin, screw pin 24Head, tip 25Pin receptacle, threaded hole 26Guide surface, mating surface 27Recess 28Stop surface

Claims

1. Bearing arrangement comprising a bearing flange (3) and a flange mount (4) with a longitudinal axis (6), these having a mutual axial stop (8) and a fixing means for securing the mutual stop position, wherein the fixing means is designed in the form of a wedge clamping means (9), which can be actuated transversely, in particular radially, in relation to the longitudinal axis (6), wherein the wedge clamping means (9) clamps the bearing flange (3) and the flange mount (4) axially into the mutual stop position and the wedge clamping means (9) comprises clamping elements (18, 19) which have a wedge surface (20) and are arranged alternately on the bearing flange (3) and on the flange mount (4), are oriented transversely, in particular radially, in relation to the longitudinal axis (6) and can grip one inside the other in form-fitting manner, characterized in that the clamping element (18) arranged on the bearing flange (3) is designed in the form of a circumferential, annular groove (21) and the other clamping element (19), which is arranged on the flange mount (4), is designed in the form of one or more radial spring pins (23), in particular screw-connection pins, wherein the groove (21) has a larger axial width than the spring pin (23) and comprises a sloping side wall (22), which faces the stop (8) and forms a wedge surface (20).

2. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wedge clamping means (9) is arranged circumferentially between the bearing flange (3) and the flange mount (4).

3. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing flange (3) and the flange mount (4) are designed in a sleeve-like manner, and such that they can be inserted one inside the other, and comprise stop surfaces (17,28) for forming the mutual stop (8).

4. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing flange (3) and the flange mount (4) comprise circumferential, mutually interacting guide surfaces (15,26), in particular mating surfaces, wherein the bearing flange (3) comprises one or more receiving means (11) for a bearing (12) of a body of rotation (5), for a seal (13) or the like.

5. Bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange mount (4) is designed in the form of a housing-like part of an apparatus (2), in particular of an industrial robot.

6. Apparatus, in particular industrial robot, having a bearing arrangement (1), which comprises a bearing flange (3) with a body of rotation (5) mounted therein, also comprising a housing-like flange mount (4), further comprising a mutual axial stop (8) and additionally comprising a fixing means for securing the mutual stop position of the bearing flange (3) and flange mount (4), characterized in that the bearing arrangement (1) is designed according to one of Claims 1 to 5.