STOCK HOLDER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing cage according to claim 1.

[0002] In rolling bearings, cages are often used to guide and uniformly space the rolling elements. Part of the cage can also act as a spacer between the rolling elements. Depending on the size of the rolling elements, a certain material thickness may be necessary, particularly in the areas where the rolling elements contact the cage. This thickness is required to compensate for the gap between the rolling elements and, especially with large rolling elements, to withstand their weight. However, achieving this necessary material thickness during the manufacturing of rolling element contact zones can be difficult due to the high forces involved.

[0003] A rolling bearing cage is typically designed for a specific rolling bearing, so even a small change in the rolling element geometry, such as a change in rolling element length, may necessitate redesigning and / or replacing the entire rolling bearing cage. The lubrication requirements may also change due to altered rolling element geometries, potentially requiring modifications to the rolling bearing cage.

[0004] JP 2009 243556 A describes a bearing cage with pockets into which a frame is inserted, the frame being provided with sliding sections for a rolling element held in the pocket. Another bearing cage of this type is known from DE 10 2008 034922 A1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a bearing cage that can be easily and flexibly adapted to different rolling element geometries and / or requirements for the rolling bearing cage.

[0006] This problem is solved by a bearing cage according to claim 1.

[0007] The following proposes a bearing cage, particularly for large rolling bearings, comprising a first and a second side part and several web elements connecting the side parts. The side parts and the web elements form cage pockets designed to accommodate rolling elements. The rolling bearing can be, in particular, 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. Preferably, the bearing cage is made of metal, especially sheet metal, and / or plastic. Furthermore, the bearing cage can be made of a solid material. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing cage can be designed as a single piece or in multiple parts.

[0008] To enable easy and flexible adaptation of the bearing cage to various rolling element geometries and / or requirements, the web elements feature at least one recess, designed as a notch or cutout, extending through the entire wall thickness of the respective web element. An insert element is accommodated in this recess, designed to contact the rolling elements held in the pockets. Furthermore, the insert element has rolling element contact surfaces that, during use, face the rolling elements held in the pockets and are curved in the area of ​​these contact surfaces.

[0009] In addition, according to a further advantageous embodiment, recesses can also be provided in the first and / or second side part in which further insert elements are accommodated.

[0010] In other words, the first and second side plates or elements and at least one web element form a cage frame that can be adapted to different bearing cage configurations using insert elements. This allows, for example, the same cage frame to be used for different rolling elements, with only the insert element being replaced. Furthermore, the insert element has the advantage that the first and / or second side plates and / or at least one web element can be made thinner, as any differences in spacing between the rolling elements can be compensated for by the insert element.In addition to saving weight and material, this has the further advantage that the thinner first and / or second side part and / or web element allows more rolling elements to be accommodated in the rolling bearing, especially in large rolling bearings, thereby increasing the performance and / or service life of the rolling bearing.

[0011] As mentioned above, the recess extends through the entire wall thickness of the web element. The recess can also extend through the entire wall thickness of the side part. Alternatively, the recess can extend only partially through the wall thickness of the side part and, for example, be designed as a blind hole. Furthermore, the bearing cage can be guided on the rolling elements, or alternatively, the bearing cage can guide the rolling elements. Additionally, an insert element can be accommodated in more than one recess, for example, in two recesses.

[0012] Preferably, the insert element can have a shape suitable for guiding the rolling element and / or the bearing cage. For example, the insert element can be designed to come into contact with the rolling element. Furthermore, the insert element can be provided on a side facing the rolling element, in the area of ​​the rolling element contact surface, with a shape and / or structure that depends on that of the rolling element to be received in the pocket. The insert element can also be designed to provide a raceway guide for the bearing cage. The combination of bearing cage and insert element allows the various requirements placed on a bearing cage to be distributed between two components.In this context, the bearing cage can serve as a frame and basic structure, which is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, whereas the insert element can be designed to adapt the bearing cage to different rolling element geometries.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the insert element is designed to adapt the dimensions of the cage pocket to the received rolling element. Preferably, the thickness of the insert element differs from the thickness of the first side part and / or the second side part and / or a web element. For example, if the insert element is arranged on one of the side parts of the bearing cage, a length of the rolling element can be compensated for, and if the insert element is arranged on a web element, a diameter of the rolling element can be compensated for. This allows, for example, a standardized cage frame to be used for rolling elements of different sizes, so that it is not necessary to provide a corresponding cage frame for each rolling element size. Instead, the difference in the geometries between the rolling element and the formed pocket can be compensated for by the insert element.In particular, this also allows a prototype to be produced quickly and easily.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally to guiding the bearing cage and / or rolling element, the insert element can be configured as a lubricant reservoir, preferably having a structured surface, and / or preferably being made of a solid lubricant material. For example, the insert element can be made of a sponge-like material, a porous material, and / or a sintered material, which can further be configured to store a lubricant, for example, in its pores. Furthermore, the insert element can have at least a first zone and a second zone, the zones differing in at least one functional property. For example, one zone can be configured to store lubricant, and another zone can be configured as a damping element.In particular, the first and second zones may be made of different materials.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment, the insert element is designed as a damping element, preferably being made of an elastic material. For example, the insert element can be made of a hard, abrasion-resistant foam. This reduces impacts and / or shocks to the rolling element, as there is no steel-to-steel contact. This advantageously prevents damage to adjacent rolling elements and / or the bearing cage, particularly with large and / or heavy rolling elements, as material chipping is reduced.

[0016] Preferably, the insert element is detachably or permanently attached in the at least one recess. For example, common joining methods can be used to securely attach the insert element in the at least one recess. For example, the at least one insert element can be attached in the at least one recess by positive locking, force locking, and / or material locking. For example, the insert element can be attached by clipping, gluing, overmolding, injection molding, and / or welding.

[0017] Furthermore, the insert element can be made of a metal, preferably brass and / or steel, and / or of a plastic, in particular an abrasion-resistant plastic. This advantageously allows for the provision of an insert element with high strength. Alternatively or additionally, the insert element can also be made of another material, such as wood, felt, ceramic, etc. Preferably, the at least one insert element can be cut, in particular laser-cut, punched, and / or nibbled, which in turn results in low tooling costs. Alternatively or additionally, the insert element can be provided with pores, e.g., made from a cast or sintered workpiece, so that it can store lubricants due to its pores and thus be designed as a lubricant reservoir.

[0018] As mentioned above, at least one recess in the web element and optionally in at least one side panel is designed as a notch or a cutout. A recess is specifically one that extends through the entire wall thickness of the side panel and / or web element, with the material of the side panel and / or web element forming a closed frame around the recess. In contrast, with a cutout, the material does not form a closed frame but is open at least on one side, so that the insert element can also be inserted into the recess by sliding it in.

[0019] According to another aspect, an insert element for a bearing cage described above is proposed.

[0020] 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 bearing cage as described above.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] They show: Fig. 1 : a schematic view of part of a bearing cage according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 : a schematic sectional view through the bearing cage of the Fig. 1 , and Fig. 3 : a perspective view of the insert element of the Fig. 2 .

[0024] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0025] Fig. 1 bis 3 show a storage box fig 1 according to an embodiment that is particularly suitable for large rolling bearings. The bearing cage fig 1 The cage frame consists of a first side part 2, a second side part 4, and several web elements 6 that connect the side parts 2 and 4. The side parts and the web elements form cage pockets 8 designed to accommodate at least one rolling element (not shown). The bearing cage fig 1 It can be used, for example, in a roller bearing, i.e., in a rolling bearing with roller-shaped rolling elements, such as tapered rollers, cylindrical rollers, barrel rollers, needle rollers, and the like. Preferably, the bearing cage is made of metal, in particular sheet metal, and / or plastic. Furthermore, the bearing cage can be made of a solid material.

[0026] To the cage base frame of the storage box figs 1 To be able to adapt more flexibly to the requirements placed upon them, the web elements 6 have a recess 10 ( Fig. 2 ) in which an insert element 12 ( Fig. 2 ) is included, which is designed to contact at least the included rolling element. Additionally, the first and / or second side part 2, 4 can also be provided with a recess 10 and an insert element 12.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 10 is formed as a hollow into which the insert element 4 can be inserted. Alternatively, the recess can also be designed as a notch into which the insert element 12 can be inserted. The insert element 12 can be fastened in the recess 10 using a conventional joining method, for example, positive locking, force locking, and / or material locking. The insert element 12 can also be detachably or permanently fastened in the recess 10. For example, the insert element can be fastened by clipping, gluing, and / or welding. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 10 extends through the entire wall thickness of the web element 6.

[0028] The recess is, as in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the insert element 12, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 3 As shown, the insert element 12 is used. For this purpose, the insert element 12 has a circumferential projection 14, which allows the insert element 12 to rest against the web element 6 and thus be held in the recess 10. Of course, other configurations besides a circumferential projection 14 can also be used to hold the insert element 12 in the recess 10. For example, instead of a circumferential projection 14, several separate projections can be provided. If the recess 10 is designed as a notch, a groove can also be provided, either in the insert element or in the recess, into which a corresponding projection can be inserted.

[0029] To the cage base frame of the storage box figs 1 To adapt to other requirements, such as new rolling elements, the insert element 12 is designed to come into contact with the rolling element and, for example, to hold the rolling element in the pocket 8 in a desired position or to prevent the bearing from moving. fig 1 During use, the bearing cage guide moves radially outwards. For this purpose, the surfaces 16, 18 of the insert element 12, which face the rolling element during use, are provided with a curvature in the area of ​​the rolling element contact surface. In this case, a change to the insert element 12 allows for a change in the bearing cage guide, for example from a raceway guide to a rolling element guide.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, these surfaces can also be provided with a structure, for example to improve lubricant supply to the rolling element. The thickness of the insert element 12 differs from the thickness of the web element 6 and / or the side parts 2, 4, so that a gap advantageously exists between the rolling element and the bearing housing. fig 1 can be balanced out.

[0031] The insert element 12 is preferably made of an abrasion-resistant material, such as a metal, preferably brass and / or steel, and / or a plastic. Alternatively or additionally, the insert element 12 may have pores. For example, the insert element 12 may be made of a cast or sintered workpiece, so that it can store lubricant due to the pores and thus serves as a lubricant reservoir. In this case, the insert element 12 serves as a wear part that can be replaced when the lubricant stored in the insert element 12 is depleted. Furthermore, the insert element 12 may also be made of a solid lubricant material.

[0032] Depending on the material of the insert element 12, it can also have damping properties and be designed as a damping element that reduces shocks and / or impacts on the rolling element. For this purpose, the insert element 12 can be made of a hard, abrasion-resistant foam. Preferably, the insert element 12 can be cut, in particular laser-cut, punched, and / or nibbled, which in turn results in only low tooling costs.

[0033] As further in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the insert element 12 in the illustrated embodiment has a first zone 20 and two second zones 22. The two zones 20, 22 differ from each other, in particular, in one material property. For example, the first zone 20 is designed to store lubricant, and the second zones 22 are designed as damping elements.

[0034] In summary, it is proposed to use a storage box fig 1 to be provided with recesses 10 in the web elements 6, into which separate insert elements 12 are inserted. This makes it possible to provide a cage base frame formed from the side parts 2, 4 and the web elements 6, which can be adapted to the individual requirements of the storage cage by means of the insert elements 12. fig 1 can be adapted. Bezugszeichenliste

[0035] 1 Storage cage 2 Side panel 4 Side panel 6 Web element 8 Pocket 10 Recess 12 Insert element 14 Cantilever 16, 18 Surface 20, 22 Zone

Claims

1. Bearing cage (1), in particular for large-diameter rolling bearings, having a first and a second lateral part (2, 4) and a plurality of web elements (6) connecting the lateral parts, wherein the lateral parts (2, 4) and the web elements (6) form cage pockets (8) which are conceived to receive rolling elements, characterized in that the web elements (6) have at least one recess (10) which is formed as a recess or notch and extends through the entire wall thickness of the respective web element (6), wherein incorporated in the recess (10) is an insert element (12) which is conceived to contact the rolling elements received in the pockets, and the insert element (12) has rolling element contact surfaces (16; 18) which in use respectively face the rolling elements received in the pockets and are provided with a curvature in the region of the rolling element contact surfaces (16; 18).

2. Bearing cage (1) according to Claim 1, wherein at least one lateral part (2; 4) has at least one recess (10) in which is received an insert element (12) that is conceived to contact the rolling elements received in the pockets.

3. Bearing cage according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert element (12) has a shape which is suitable for guiding the rolling element and / or the bearing cage (1).

4. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) is conceived to adapt a dimension of the cage pocket (8) to the received rolling element.

5. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a thickness of the insert element (12) differs from a thickness of the first lateral part (2) and / or the second lateral part (4) and / or the web element (6).

6. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) is designed as a lubricant reservoir, wherein preferably the surface of the insert element (12) is provided with a structuring, and / or the insert element (12) is produced from a solid lubricant material.

7. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) is designed as a damping element, wherein preferably the insert element (12) is produced from an elastic material.

8. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) is releasably or non-releasably fastened in the at least one recess (10).

9. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) is produced from a metal, preferably from brass and / or steel, and / or from a plastics material, wherein the at least one insert element (12) is preferably cut, in particular laser-cut, punched and / or nibbled.

10. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element (12) has at least one first zone (20) and one second zone (22), wherein the zones (20, 22) differ in terms of at least one functional property.

11. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing cage (1) is formed from metal, in particular metal sheet, and / or from plastics material.

12. Bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing cage (1) formed integrally or in multiple parts.

13. Insert element (12) for a bearing cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims.