CAGE SEGMENT FOR A ROLLER BEARING CAGE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cage segment for a rolling bearing cage according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a rolling bearing cage with a plurality of cage segments according to claim 9 and a rolling bearing according to claim 10.

[0002] Rolling elements in rolling bearings can be guided and held by bearing cages. This can be beneficial not only during operation but also during assembly. Bearing cages can be manufactured from metal using various processes or from plastics, for example, by injection molding. Due to the material's temperature properties and required strength, it may be necessary to use a glass fiber reinforced plastic, such as PEEK. However, especially with large bearings, the sheer quantity of material required, particularly for plastics with high per-kilogram costs, can make these cages very expensive. Larger metal cages are typically manufactured by first rolling solid material and then machining it.The known methods have in common that they require, on the one hand, a high amount of material, and on the other hand, a combination of several, sometimes complex, manufacturing processes with different machine tools, so that production can be complex and / or costly.

[0003] DE 10 2019 115335 A1 describes a spacer for a ball bearing comprising a strip section of sheet metal bent into a ring having two concavely curved contact surfaces for rolling elements. This document discloses a cage segment according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2015 206533 A1 describes a cage segment of a rolling bearing cage, consisting of two side plates arranged at a distance from each other in the axial direction of the cage and two transverse plates arranged at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the cage, wherein the two transverse plates are rigidly connected to the two side plates, and wherein the two transverse plates and the two side plates form a pocket for receiving a rolling element. The side plates each have a groove at their two ends facing the circumferential direction of the cage, and each of the two axial ends of the transverse plates has an axially extending web, the webs of the transverse plates are arranged in corresponding grooves of the side plates, and the transverse plates are rigidly connected to the side plates in the area of ​​the webs.

[0005] US 3 820 867 A describes a segmented retaining ring for a ball bearing.

[0006] DE 10 2016 216 286 A1 describes a segmented rolling bearing cage made of a series of cage segments assembled to form a cage ring, wherein the cage segments each consist of two side plates extending substantially in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing cage and at least one transverse web connecting the side plates to each other, wherein furthermore the side plates of adjacent cage segments adjoin each other via end faces formed thereon, and wherein means for connecting the cage segments to each other are provided.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cage segment for a rolling bearing cage that can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

[0008] This task is accomplished by a cage segment for a rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, a rolling bearing cage according to claim 9 and a rolling bearing according to claim 10.

[0009] The following proposes a cage segment for a multi-part rolling bearing cage, particularly for large rolling bearings. The cage segment can specifically be a cage segment for a roller bearing, i.e., a rolling bearing with roller-shaped rolling elements, such as tapered rollers, cylindrical rollers, barrel rollers, needle rollers, and the like. To reduce material usage and manufacturing effort, the cage segment is provided as a kit in a preliminary manufacturing stage. It consists of one or more flat sheet metal components, which are designed to be assembled to form the cage segment. In its assembled form, the cage segment has at least one joint where two ends of the sheet metal components are joined to form a pocket suitable for receiving at least one rolling element. That is to say, one sheet metal component is joined at its ends.By using sheet metal, the cage segment can be made thinner compared to a conventional cage segment, especially one made of plastic. Besides saving weight and material, this has the further advantage that the resulting smaller distance between the rolling elements allows for more rolling elements to be accommodated in the bearing, particularly in large bearings, thus increasing the bearing's performance. A large bearing, in particular, can have a diameter of more than one meter.

[0010] The metal sheet can be, in particular, a metal sheet plate, a metal sheet strip, especially a coiled metal strip, or the like. Metal sheet can be processed and shaped easily and cost-effectively, for example by cutting, laser cutting, embossing, stamping, and bending. Furthermore, machining processes can be avoided, thus increasing material utilization.

[0011] Preferably, one or more sheet metal components of the cage segment are cut from a sheet of metal, in particular by laser cutting, punching, and / or nibbling. In other words, the parting lines required for the cage segment are provided in the sheet metal by cutting, punching, nibbling, or the like. This means that first the contour of the cage segment is cut or punched into the sheet metal, and then the shape of the cage segment is removed from the sheet metal. A laser, a punching tool, a nibbling machine, or the like can be used for this purpose.

[0012] According to the claimed invention, at least one of the sheet metal components of the cage segment pre-stage is provided with at least one functional element, wherein the at least one functional element is formed. Preferably, the functional element is stamped, deep-drawn, and / or bent. Furthermore, the at least one functional element can be formed on the cage segment in the pre-stage of production. Forming it in the pre-stage of production, i.e., before the cage segment is assembled, simplifies the provision of the functional element. The positioning of the functional element in the flat pre-stage of the cage segment can also be carried out more precisely and quickly.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the cage segment, when installed in a rolling bearing, has a length defined by the axial length of the rolling element to be accommodated in the cage segment, a width defined by the diameter of the accommodating rolling element, and a height, wherein the height of the cage segment is substantially uniform across its length. The height refers in particular to the extension of the cage segment, when installed in a rolling bearing, in a radial direction of the rolling bearing. Due to the substantially uniform height of the cage segment across its length, the cage segment material can form a frame, particularly around the functional elements, thereby increasing the stability of the functional element and / or the cage segment.

[0014] The at least one functional element is a retaining element configured to interact with a rolling element to hold the rolling element, wherein the retaining element faces the pocket and / or away from the cage segment in its assembled form. In particular, a retaining element can be configured to hold a rolling element received in the pocket of the cage segment within the cage segment, especially at a desired position. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining element can be configured as a tab so that a rolling element can be snapped into the cage segment and the rolling element does not detach from the cage segment, for example, even during overhead mounting. For example, the retaining element can be configured to prevent the cage segment from moving radially outward and / or to ensure that the cage segment remains around the rolling element.Furthermore, at least one functional element can be a guide element designed to interact with a flange to guide the cage segment, with the guide element facing the flange in the assembled form of the cage segment. By guiding the cage on a flange of the rolling bearing, it is advantageously possible to eliminate the need for a separate guide for the rolling bearing cage on a raceway of the rolling bearing, thereby increasing the service life of the raceways.

[0015] Furthermore, at least one of the sheet metal components is equipped with at least one functional element, which is a connecting element designed to interact with a coupling element to connect the cage segment to another cage segment. The coupling element can additionally hold the cage segments together, thereby increasing the stability of the cage assembly and / or simplifying cage assembly. The coupling element, which can be, for example, a cable, wire, or ring and has a defined preload, guides the cage segments.

[0016] Preferably, the connecting element can have at least one eyelet through which the coupling element can be threaded. If the connecting elements are designed as eyelets, the coupling element can be easily inserted through these eyelets and removed again if necessary. The coupling element is not fixed to the eyelets but can move within them. This ensures that there is no restriction of play between the cage segments, and thus the rolling elements, nor of movement between the cage segments. Alternatively, the eyelets can also be designed as open hooks or tabs into which the coupling element can be hooked, clipped, or snapped.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment, the cage segment has a first alignment element at the first end and a second alignment element at the second end at the joining point, wherein the second alignment element is complementary to the first alignment element, and wherein the first and second alignment elements interact to fix the first end and the second end in at least a first direction. For example, the alignment elements can be configured to align the first end and the second end such that the cage segment has a smooth or stepless surface opposite a raceway of a rolling element ring. Furthermore, the alignment element can also be configured to provide an adjustment option in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so that the joining point is suitable for compensating manufacturing tolerances.Furthermore, the first and second alignment elements can be configured to interlock. For example, the first alignment element can have a first toothing and the second alignment element can have a second toothing complementary to the first toothing.

[0018] According to another aspect, a rolling bearing cage, particularly for large rolling bearings, with a plurality of cage segments, as described above, is proposed. A plurality of cage segments can be connected, at least temporarily, via a coupling element. For example, every second rolling element can be guided in a cage segment. Alternatively, one cage segment can be provided for each rolling element. For example, the outer diameter of the rolling bearing cage can be more than 1200 mm.

[0019] According to yet another aspect, a rolling bearing, in particular a large rolling bearing, is proposed with at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring, wherein rolling elements are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, the rolling elements being held by a rolling bearing cage as described above.

[0020] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are specified in the description, the drawings, and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features specified in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so that the features may also exist individually or in different combinations.

[0021] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. These exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in them are purely illustrative and do not define the scope of protection of the invention. The scope of protection is defined solely by the pending claims.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a cage segment according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a first perspective view of a sheet metal component of the cage segment of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3: a second perspective view of a sheet metal component of the cage segment of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 4: a perspective view of a rolling bearing cage according to a first embodiment, Fig. 5: a perspective view of a cage segment according to a second embodiment; Fig. 6: a perspective view of a cage segment according to a third embodiment, and Fig. 7: a perspective view of a cage segment according to a fourth embodiment.

[0023] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0024] With regard to the Fig. 1 bis 3 A cage segment 1 according to a first embodiment is shown. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of cage segment 1, which Fig.2 shows a perspective view of the surface of the unfolded cage segment 1 facing away from pocket 2. Fig. 1 , and the Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the surface of the unfolded cage segment 1 facing pocket 2. Fig. 1 .

[0025] Cage segment 1 comprises a sheet metal component 4 joined at a joint 6 to form a pocket 2 designed to receive at least one rolling element. Cage segment 1 of the Fig. 1 In a preliminary stage of production, it consists of a kit with a flat sheet metal component 4.

[0026] To assemble the cage segment 1 from the sheet metal component 4, the sheet metal component 4 is bent at predetermined corner regions 8 and joined at its two ends, forming the joint 6. The assembled cage segment 1 forms the pocket 2, which is suitable for receiving at least one rolling element, with the corner regions 8 forming the corners of the cage segment 1.

[0027] At the ends of the metal sheet component 4, a first alignment element 10 and a second alignment element 12, which is complementary to the first alignment element 10, are provided. In the Fig. 1 bis 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment elements 10, 12 are rectangular toothed sections. However, other shapes, such as wavy, triangular, and / or polygonal, are also conceivable. The two alignment elements 10, 12 can, for example, be punched and / or cut. The alignment elements 10, 12 are designed to align the cage segment 1 at the joining point 6 such that the cage segment can be joined together. In particular, the alignment elements 10, 12 are designed to fix the joined sides in a first direction perpendicular to the surface of the pocket 2 and to provide adjustability in at least one direction perpendicular to the first direction, which is suitable for compensating for manufacturing tolerances and the like.

[0028] Furthermore, four retaining elements 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4 facing the pocket 2 are provided on the cage element 1. These retaining elements are designed to hold the rolling element 32 in the pocket 2 at a desired position. Above the retaining elements 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, four tabs 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4 inclined towards the pocket are also provided. These tabs are designed to hold a rolling element in the pocket 2 and / or to prevent the cage segment 1 from moving radially outwards during use. Additionally, four further tabs 18-1, 18-2, 18-3, 18-4 are provided on the side of the cage segment 1 facing away from the pocket. These tabs are designed to hold a rolling element that is guided on the outside of the cage segment 1. Furthermore, guide elements 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 are provided on the surfaces of the cage segment facing a rim of a rolling bearing, which are designed to guide a rolling bearing cage on a rim of the rolling bearing.This advantageously eliminates the need for a guide between the rolling bearing cage and a raceway of the rolling bearing, thereby increasing the service life of the raceways. Furthermore, connecting elements 22 are provided on the cage segment to which coupling elements can be attached to join the individual cage segments 1 to form a rolling bearing cage. The shape of the connecting elements 22 depends essentially on the selected coupling element.

[0029] Preferably, functional elements, such as the retaining elements 14, the tabs 16, 18, the guide elements 20, and the connecting elements 22, are formed on the cage segment 1 by forming processes such as embossing, deepening, and / or bending. Furthermore, it is advantageous to form at least one functional element on the sheet metal component 4. That is, the sheet metal component 4 is cut from a sheet of metal, and before the sheet metal component 4 is assembled into the cage segment 1, the functional elements are formed while still flat. This simplifies the forming of the functional elements and allows for more precise and faster positioning of the functional elements in the flat form of the sheet metal component 4.

[0030] Fig. 4 A perspective view shows a section of a rolling bearing cage 30, in which the cage segment 1 of the Fig. 1 is used. Preferably, the rolling bearing cage 30 can be used with large rolling bearings with a diameter of more than one meter. The rolling bearing cage 30 has several cage segments 1, as described above, and several coupling elements 24, wherein the coupling elements 24 are located in the Fig. 4 have a flat, elongated shape. In the Fig. 4 The coupling elements 24 are attached to the cage segment by means of the connecting elements 22. The connecting elements 22 can be designed as threaded holes and / or pins and / or openings, wherein a correspondingly complementary coupling means, such as a screw, a pin or an opening, is arranged on the coupling element.

[0031] For example, in the Fig. 1 As shown, tabs 16, 18 are arranged on both a surface of cage segment 1 facing pocket 2 and a surface of cage segment 1 facing away from pocket 2. These tabs are designed to hold rolling elements 32. Therefore, in the rolling bearing cage 30, every second rolling element 32 is guided in a pocket 2 of the cage segment 1, while the other half of the rolling elements 32 are guided between two cage segments 1. Alternatively, one cage segment 1 can be provided for each rolling element 32. The rolling elements 32 roll on an inner raceway 28 of an inner ring 26 and on the outer raceway of an outer ring (not shown) of a rolling bearing to allow relative rotation of the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0032] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a cage segment 1 according to a second embodiment. The cage segment 1 of the Fig. 5 In contrast to cage segment 1, the Fig. 1 Four sheet metal components 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, each joined at the corners of cage segment 1. For this purpose, each sheet metal component 4-1 to 4-4 is provided with a first alignment element 10 and a second alignment element 12, by means of which the sheet metal components 4-1 to 4-4 are joined together.

[0033] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a cage segment 1 according to a third embodiment. The cage segment of Fig. 6 includes, as does the cage segment of the Fig. 5 Four sheet metal components 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, each joined at the corners of cage segment 1. For this purpose, the respective sheet metal components 4-1 to 4-4 are welded together directly via a butt or fillet weld without alignment elements 10, 12.

[0034] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a cage segment 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The cage segment of Fig. 7 In contrast to the cage segment, this includes the Fig. 1 Two sheet metal components 4-1, 4-2, joined together at two joints 6-1, 6-2. Furthermore, the cage segment 1 of the Fig. 7 The connecting elements 22 are eyelets, which can interact, for example, with a coupling element that can be threaded through them, such as a rope or wire. If the connecting elements 22 are designed as eyelets, the coupling element can be easily inserted through these eyelets and removed again if necessary. The coupling element is not fixed to the eyelets but can move within them. This ensures that there is no restriction of play between the cage segments 1, and thus the rolling elements 32, nor of movement between the cage segments. Alternatively, the eyelets can also be designed as open hooks or tabs into which the coupling element can be hooked, clipped, or snapped.

[0035] To reduce material usage and manufacturing effort, it is proposed to manufacture the cage segment 1 from a sheet metal part, thus eliminating the need for a material- and effort-intensive machining process. In a preliminary manufacturing stage, the cage segment 1 is supplied as a kit consisting of one or more flat sheet metal components 4. These components are equipped with functional elements designed to hold and guide rolling elements, guide the cage segment, and / or connect the cage segments to one another. The functional elements can be integrated into the sheet metal components before the sheet metal components 4 are joined at their ends to form the finished cage segment 1.This allows cage segment 1 to be manufactured with low material usage and / or a high material utilization rate, as well as with relatively little labor and therefore cost-effectively, especially in small quantities. Bezugszeichenliste

[0036] 1 Cage segment 2 Pocket 4 Sheet metal component 6 Joining point 8 Corner 10 First alignment element 12 Second alignment element 14 Retaining element 16 Tab 18 Tab 20 Guide element 22 Connecting element 24 Coupling element 26 Inner ring 28 Inner raceway 30 Rolling bearing cage 32 Rolling elements

Claims

1. Cage segment (1) for a multi-part rolling bearing cage (30), in particular for large-diameter rolling bearings, wherein in a preliminary stage of production, the cage segment (1) is present as a kit consisting of one or a plurality of flat sheet metal components (4), wherein the sheet metal components (4) are designed to be assembled to form the cage segment (1), wherein the cage segment (1) in its assembled form has at least one joint (6) at which two ends of the metal sheet components (4) are joined together to form a pocket (2) that is suitable for receiving at least one roller-shaped rolling element (32), wherein at least one of the metal sheet components (4) is provided with at least one holding element (14, 16, 18) that is designed to interact with the rolling element (32) to hold the rolling element (32), wherein the holding element (14, 16, 18) in the assembled form of the cage segment (1) faces and / or faces away from the pocket (2), the at least one holding element (14, 16, 18) being formed, characterized in that at least one of the metal sheet components is furthermore provided with at least one connecting element which is conceived to interact with a coupling element in order to connect the cage segment to a further cage segment, the connecting element being formed.

2. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the one or the plurality of metal sheet components (4) of the cage segment (1) are cut, in particular laser-cut, punched and / or nibbled, from a metal sheet3. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the metal sheet components (4) of the precursor of the cage segment (1) is furthermore provided with at least one functional element (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), the at least one functional element (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) being formed.

4. Cage segment according to Claim 3, wherein the cage segment (1), in a state installed in a rolling bearing (30), has a length defined by the axial length of the rolling element (32) able to be accommodated in the cage segment (1), a width defined by the diameter of the rolling element (32) able to be accommodated, and a height, the height of the cage segment (1) being substantially identical across the cage segment.

5. Cage segment (1) according to one of Claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one functional element (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) is formed on the cage segment (1) in the preliminary stage of production.

6. Cage segment (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the functional element (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) is embossed, is deep drawn and / or bent.

7. Cage segment according to one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the at least one functional element (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) is a guide element (20) which is conceived to interact with a rim in order to guide the cage segment (1), the guide element (20) in the assembled form of the cage segment (1) facing the rim.

8. Cage segment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cage segment (1) has at the joint (6) on the first end a first alignment element (10) and on the second end a second alignment element (12), wherein the second alignment element (12) complements the first alignment element (10), and wherein the first and second alignment elements (10, 12) interact in order to fixedly establish the first end and the second end in at least one first direction.

9. Rolling bearing cage (30) having a plurality of cage segments (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of cage segments (1) are connectable at least temporarily by way of a coupling element, the coupling element interacting with at least one connecting element (22).

10. Rolling bearing having at least one inner ring (26) and at least one outer ring, wherein rolling elements (32) are disposed between the inner ring (26) and the outer ring, the rolling elements (32) being held by a rolling bearing cage (30) according to Claim 9.