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 11 and a rolling bearing according to claim 12.

[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 2009 004 657B4 describes a rolling bearing cage having two side rings between which a number of webs are arranged, such that a receiving pocket for a rolling element is formed between two adjacent webs, the side rings being connected by a number of side ring segments by means of a positive locking connection. DE 10 2009 004 657B4 discloses a cage segment according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] EP 2 213 894 A1 describes a rolling bearing cage of a rolling bearing, comprising a ring-shaped circumferential element from which web elements branch off, between which rolling elements of the rolling bearing can be arranged, wherein the circumferential element comprises a plurality of identical sector elements. Each of the sector elements has at least one projection which can be loosely engaged with at least one corresponding lateral recess of one of the rolling elements of the rolling bearing, wherein the initially loose sector and web elements are connected to each other to form the cage.

[0005] 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.

[0006] This task is accomplished by a cage segment for a rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, a rolling bearing cage according to claim 11 and a rolling bearing according to claim 12.

[0007] The following describes a cage segment for a rolling bearing cage, particularly for large rolling bearings. The cage segment can, in particular, 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. Furthermore, the cage segment comprises a pocket-shaped receptacle for receiving a rolling element, the receptacle being bounded on at least one side by a profiled semi-finished product. Preferably, the profiled semi-finished product has at least one longitudinally extending recess. The profiled semi-finished product can also be made of metal, in particular of light metal, preferably aluminum. The use of a light metal has the advantage that the cage segment is lighter. In the case of a large rolling bearing, this can, in particular, be a rolling bearing with a diameter of more than one meter.

[0008] The cage segment can be a single segment or a multi-segment segment. A single segment can accommodate one rolling element. A multi-segment cage segment is one that can accommodate several rolling elements. For this purpose, the cage segment can have multiple pockets, with each pocket capable of accommodating at least one rolling element. Profile blanks can be purchased easily and cost-effectively by the meter and cut to the required length. This eliminates the need for complex machining processes such as cutting and bending, and especially for subtractive machining. As a result, the cage segment can be produced with minimal material usage and / or a high material utilization rate, thus making it cost-effective, particularly for small production runs.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the profile semi-finished product has at least a first side element and a second side element, wherein a connecting element is provided which is designed to connect the first side element and the second side element to each other. The connecting element makes it possible not only to manufacture individual sides of the cage segment from the profile semi-finished product, but also to join several elements made of profile semi-finished product.

[0010] Preferably, the cage is formed entirely from a profile semi-finished product. In particular, the various profile semi-finished products required to form the cage can be connected by means of connecting elements. The cage segment itself can also be formed entirely from profile semi-finished products. The use of profile semi-finished products also has the advantage that the individual side elements from which the cage element is composed can be standardized. This also makes it possible to provide a modular system for cage segments, from which each cage segment can be individually assembled. This is particularly advantageous for small production runs. Furthermore, by using a modular system for cage segments, the time required to bring a cage segment, a rolling bearing cage, and / or a rolling bearing to market maturity can be reduced.

[0011] According to the claimed invention, at least one element is provided that is designed to interact with a coupling element, wherein the element is further configured to be detachably fastened to the profile semi-finished product. Alternatively (not claimed), the element can also be designed to interact with the rolling element and / or a flange of the rolling bearing cage and / or a raceway of the rolling bearing cage, wherein the element is further configured to be detachably fastened to the profile semi-finished product. For example, the element can be fastened to the profile semi-finished product by means of at least one longitudinally extending recess. Furthermore, the at least one element can be made of the same material as the profile semi-finished product or of a different material, such as plastic. In particular, this allows the material used for the element to be adapted to the intended function of the element.Furthermore, at least one element can be provided with a profile and / or texture, depending on its intended use. Additionally, the element's detachable mounting allows for maintenance. For example, the element can be easily replaced during maintenance of the rolling bearing in case of wear.

[0012] Preferably, the element is provided on a side facing the receiving element and / or on a side facing away from the receiving element and / or on a side facing the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing cage and / or on a side facing away from the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing cage. In particular, the position at which the at least one element is arranged can be selected depending on the intended function. According to a further embodiment, the at least one element can be fastened to the profile semi-finished product by means of at least one fastening means. Preferably, the fastening means is a spacer that can be inserted into the at least one longitudinally extending recess of the profile semi-finished product, and / or a screw. For example, the at least one element can be arranged between at least two spacers in the at least one longitudinally extending recess in such a way that the element can be held in position. Furthermore, different spacers of varying lengths can be provided.This allows the positioning of the element on the cage segment to be easily adjusted by inserting a spacer of a different length.

[0013] According to the claimed invention, the element is at least a guide element configured to guide the cage segment on a rolling element raceway and / or on a flange, or at least a coupling element configured to interact with a coupling means to connect the cage segment to at least one other cage segment. Alternatively (not claimed), the element can also be a retaining element for a rolling element configured to hold the rolling element, and / or at least a guide element configured to guide the cage segment on a rolling element.

[0014] By changing the position of the retaining element on the cage segment, for example in a tapered roller bearing, end clearance in the bearing, which can arise due to tolerance accumulation, can be compensated for by moving the retaining element axially. This can be achieved, for example, using spacers of different lengths, as mentioned above. In other words, particularly in the case of a tapered roller bearing, the end clearance in the bearing, which is advantageously within a predetermined range but is not the same for all bearings due to the accumulation of manufacturing tolerances, can be adjusted accordingly. Specifically, by moving the retaining element, the distance or clearance to the individual tapered roller can be changed by altering the contact point due to the tapered shape.

[0015] The cage segments can be further held together by the coupling element, thereby increasing the stability of the cage assembly and / or simplifying cage assembly. The coupling element, which can be, for example, a rope, wire, or ring and has a defined preload, guides the cage segments.

[0016] Preferably, the coupling element can be designed as an eyelet through which the coupling means can be threaded. If the coupling element is designed as eyelets, the coupling means can be easily passed through these eyelets and removed again if necessary. The coupling means 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 means can be hooked, clipped, or snapped.

[0017] 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.

[0018] According to yet another aspect, a rolling bearing, in particular a roller bearing, has 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 described above.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 appended claims.

[0021] They show: Fig. 1: a top view of a cage segment according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a sectional view through the cage segment of the Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3: a perspective partial exploded view of the cage segment of the Fig. 1Fig. 4: a perspective view of a detail of the cage segment; Fig. 5: a perspective view of an area of ​​a cage segment according to a second embodiment; Fig. 6: an exploded view of a rolling bearing cage according to a third embodiment; and Fig. 7: a perspective view of a detail of a rolling bearing cage according to a first embodiment.

[0022] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0023] With regard to the Figs. 1 to 3 A cage segment 1 according to a first embodiment is shown. Fig. 1 shows a top view of cage segment 1, which Fig. 2 shows a section along line AA and the Fig. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the cage segment of the Fig. 1 .

[0024] The cage segment 1 comprises four side elements 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, which together form a pocket-shaped receptacle 2 designed to receive at least one rolling element. The side elements 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4 are made of a profile semi-finished product, preferably made of metal, in particular of light metal, for example aluminum.

[0025] During the Figs. 1 to 3 In the embodiment shown, the side elements 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4 each have the same shape with a substantially rectangular cross-section with two long sides 6 and two short sides 8. Alternatively, side elements 4 can also be used that have a different cross-sectional shape, such as a square shape, a triangular shape, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, at least one surface of the side element 4 is provided with at least one longitudinally extending recess 10, wherein the recess is designed as a rail so that an element can be inserted into the recess. The recess is furthermore narrowed towards the surface and wider towards the bottom of the recess. In particular, two longitudinally extending recesses 10-1, 10-2 are provided on one surface of each side element 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4. Alternatively, side elements 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4 made from a profile semi-finished product can also be used, which have more or fewer longitudinally extending recesses 10.

[0027] The respective side elements 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4 are connected via corresponding connecting elements 12 ( Fig. 3The connecting elements 12 are connected to form the pocket-shaped receptacle 2. The connecting elements 12 are designed to be inserted into at least one of the longitudinally extending recesses 10 and to be attached to the respective side elements 4 by means of a fastening device (not shown). Depending on the requirements of the cage segment 1, the fastening device can be a positive-locking, a force-locking, or a material-locking connection. Furthermore, the connecting elements 12 can be designed to connect two side elements 4 made of profile material at a substantially right angle, for example, if the rolling element to be accommodated is a cylindrical roller, or at an angle other than 90 degrees, for example, if the rolling element to be accommodated is a tapered roller.

[0028] Furthermore, each of the side elements 4-1 and 4-3 is provided with two retaining elements 14 for rolling elements on the side facing the receptacle 2 and two retaining elements 14 on the side facing away from the receptacle 2. The retaining elements 14 are designed to hold a rolling element in the receptacle. The retaining elements 14 are made of the same material as the side elements 4-1 to 4-4. Alternatively, the retaining elements 14 can also be made of a different material, such as plastic. In addition, the retaining elements 14 can be profiled and / or textured to, for example, better retain lubricants, thus improving the lubrication of the rolling elements.

[0029] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows one way in which the retaining element 14 can be attached to the element 4. For this purpose, the retaining elements 14 are inserted into at least one of the longitudinal recesses 10 provided on the corresponding surface of the respective side element 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, with a spacer 16 being inserted between the respective retaining elements 14 and between the connecting elements 12 and the retaining elements 14. This allows the connecting elements 12 to be used to clamp the retaining elements 14 via the spacers 16 and thus hold them in position. By changing the position of the retaining element 14 on the respective side element 4-1, 4-3, end play in the bearing, which may occur, for example, due to tolerance accumulation, can be compensated for by moving the retaining element 14 in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the side elements 4-2, 4-4. This can be achieved, for example, by using spacers 16 of different lengths.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of a cage segment 1 according to a second embodiment. The cage segment of the Fig. 4 differs from cage segment 1 of the Figs. 1 to 3 by an angled connecting element 12, which, unlike the connecting element used in the Fig. 3 As can be seen, it is not inserted into the longitudinal recess 10, but can be screwed onto the ends of the elements 4 from the outside to form the cage segment 1.

[0031] Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of cage segment 1. In the one shown in the Fig. 6 In the cage segment 1 shown, the retaining elements 14 are attached to the side elements 4 by means of a screw 18, in particular in a detachable manner. This advantageously makes it possible to remove the retaining elements 14 for maintenance or to easily replace them during maintenance in case of wear.

[0032] In the above described Figs. 1 to 6 Retaining elements 14 are shown as examples of elements that can be attached to the side elements 4. However, the invention is not limited to retaining elements for rolling elements. It is also possible to attach other types of elements to the cage segment 1 using the described fastening methods. For example, an element can be attached that is suitable for serving as a guide element for the cage segment. For this purpose, such a guide element can be designed to interact, for example, with a rolling element, a bearing raceway, and / or a guide flange to guide the cage segment. Depending on the function of the attached element, it can be attached to the cage segment at a corresponding position. For example, the element can be attached to a surface facing the receptacle 2 and / or a surface facing away from the side element 4, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6a retaining element is shown. Furthermore, the element can also be attached to a surface of the side element facing the raceway and / or the flange. Additionally, an element can be provided that is designed as a coupling element and interacts with a coupling means to connect the cage segment to at least one other cage segment. This allows, for example, several cage segments to be joined to form a rolling bearing cage.

[0033] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a rolling bearing cage 20 according to a first embodiment. Preferably, the rolling bearing cage 20 can be used with large rolling bearings with a diameter of more than 1 meter. The rolling bearing cage 20 has several cage segments 1, as described above, and several retaining elements 14, wherein the retaining elements 14 are, for example, as shown in the Fig. 1As shown, the rolling elements 22 are attached to both a surface of the side element 4 facing the receptacle 2 and a surface of the side element 4 facing away from the receptacle 2. Therefore, in the rolling bearing cage 20, every second rolling element 22 is guided in a receptacle 2 of the cage segment 1, while the other half of the rolling elements 22 are guided between two cage segments 1. Alternatively, one cage segment can be provided for each rolling element. The rolling elements 22 roll on an inner raceway 26 of an inner ring 24 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.

[0034] The use of profile semi-finished products for manufacturing cage segment 1 enables the rapid and cost-effective production of a rolling bearing cage, as profile semi-finished products can be easily and inexpensively purchased by the meter and cut to the required length. This eliminates the need for complex machining processes such as cutting and bending, and especially for subtractive machining. As a result, cage segment 1 can be manufactured with minimal material usage and / or a high degree of material utilization, thus making it cost-effective, particularly for small production runs.

[0035] The use of profile semi-finished products also has the advantage that the individual elements 4, 14, from which the cage element 1 is composed, can be standardized, particularly in the way they can be connected to one another, so that the cage segment can be easily adapted for different types. This also makes it possible to provide a modular system for cage segments 1, from which each cage segment 1 can be individually assembled. This is particularly advantageous for small production runs. Furthermore, by using a modular system for cage segments 1, the time required to bring a cage segment 1, a rolling bearing cage 20, and / or a rolling bearing to market maturity can be reduced. Reference symbol list

[0036] 1 Cage segment 2 Mount 4 Element 6 Long side 8 Short side 10 Recess 12 Connecting element 14 Retaining element 16 Spacer 18 Screw 20 Roller bearing cage 22 Rolling element 24 Inner ring 26 Inner raceway

Claims

1. Cage segment (1) for a rolling-bearing cage (20), in particular for slewing bearings, in particular a roller bearing, having a pocket-shaped receptacle (2) for accommodating a rolling body (22), wherein the receptacle (2) is delimited on at least one side by a semi-finished profile, wherein provision is made of at least one element which is configured to be releasably fastenable to the semi-finished profile, characterized in that the element is at least one guide element which is configured to guide the cage segment on a rolling-body raceway and / or on a rim, or is at least one coupling element which is configured to interact with a coupling means so as to connect the cage segment to at least one further cage segment.

2. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the semi-finished profile has at least a first side element (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4) and a second side element (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4), wherein provision is made of a connecting element (12) which is configured to connect the first side element (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4) and the second side element (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4) to one another.

3. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptacle (2) is formed entirely from a semi-finished profile.

4. Cage segment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-finished profile has at least one longitudinally extending recess (10).

5. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the element (14) is provided on a side of the cage segment (1) that faces towards and / or on a side thereof that faces away from the receptacle (2) and / or on a side of the cage segment (1) that faces towards and / or faces away from the axis of rotation of the rolling-bearing cage.

6. Cage segment (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 5, wherein the element (14) is fastenable to the semi-finished profile by means of the at least one longitudinally extending recess (10).

7. Cage segment (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 5 to 6, wherein the at least one element (14) is fastenable to the semi-finished profile by means of at least one fastening means (16, 18).

8. Cage segment (1) according to Claim 7, wherein the fastening means (16, 18) is a spacer (16) which is insertable into the at least one longitudinally extending recess (10) of the semi-finished profile, and / or is a screw (18).

9. Cage segment (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 5 to 8, wherein the element (14) is a holding element (14) for a rolling body (22), which is configured to hold the rolling body (22), and / or is at least one guide element which is configured to guide the cage segment (1) on a rolling-body raceway (26) and / or on a rim and / or on a rolling body (22), and / or is at least one coupling element which is configured to interact with a coupling means so as to connect the cage segment (1) to at least one further cage segment (1).

10. Cage segment (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the semi-finished profile is produced from metal, in particular from lightweight metal, preferably from aluminium.

11. Rolling-bearing cage (20) having a plurality of cage segments (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10.

12. Rolling bearing, in particular roller bearing, having at least one inner ring (24) and at least one outer ring, wherein rolling bodies (22) are arranged between the inner ring (24) and the outer ring, wherein the rolling bodies (22) are held by a rolling-bearing cage (20) according to Claim 11.