Foil bearing and bearing block for receiving a foil bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a foil bearing (1, 1'), comprising: a bearing bushing (2, 2') having a central recess (4) that has a bearing surface (8) for rotatably supporting a shaft (6, 6'); a rotatably supported shaft (6, 6') that extends along a longitudinal axis (L) of the recess (4); and at least one bearing foil (16, 16') that is designed to be arranged in a gap (14) between the bearing surface (8) of the bearing bushing (2, 2') and a running surface (12) of the shaft (6, 6'). The bearing bushing has, on at least one side in the region of its recess (4), and / or the shaft (6, 6') has, on one shaft portion (10), an insertion surface (18, 18') that extends obliquely with respect to the bearing surface (8) on the recess (4) and / or with respect to the running surface (12) on the shaft (6, 6').

Description

[0001] Film storage and bearing block for holding a film storage

[0002] The invention relates to a foil bearing comprising a bearing bush with a central recess, wherein the recess has a bearing surface for rotatably receiving a shaft about a longitudinal axis, and at least one bearing foil arranged in the recess, which is configured to form a gap between itself and a running surface of the shaft. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a bearing block for receiving a foil bearing, comprising a passage of stepped diameter, which is configured to receive the bearing bush, and which has a section for inserting a shaft to be inserted into the bearing bush.

[0003] Such foil bearings are known in the art and are frequently used to support high-speed shafts. Such foil bearings, also known as fluid-dynamic bearings, have the property that when the shaft is stationary and operating at relatively low speeds, the shaft rotating in the bearing bush is in contact with the bearing foil arranged between the bearing surface of the bearing bush and the running surface of the shaft in at least one contact area. Thus, when the shaft rotates, friction occurs between the shaft and the bearing foil. Furthermore, the bearing foils can be used to keep the shaft, with its running surface, spaced from the bearing surface of the bearing bush in order to minimize the friction that occurs.

[0004] As the speed increases, pressure builds between the shaft and the bearing foil resting against the shaft's running surface, pressing the bearing foil against the bearing surface of the bearing bush. Above a shaft lift-off speed, a hydrodynamic force develops in the contact area between the bearing foil and the shaft, causing the shaft to lift off the inside of the bearing foil. The resulting lubricating wedge in foil bearings is filled with gas, often air, as a "lubricant." To ensure the creation of a lubricating gap between the bearing foil and the shaft, such foil bearings require high dimensional accuracy of the components to be joined.During the assembly of such foil bearings, especially when inserting a shaft into the recess of the bearing bushing, which is precisely matched to the outer diameter of the shaft, the shaft may become jammed in the recess at the beginning of the insertion movement, complicating assembly or even leading to surface damage. Especially if the bearings are to be assembled and installed mechanically rather than manually, error-free assembly is essential to ensure subsequent trouble-free operation of such a foil bearing.

[0005] The invention was therefore based on the object of specifying a foil bearing of the aforementioned type, a bearing block for receiving a bearing bush and a bearing arrangement by means of which the assembly of such a foil bearing can be simplified and without damage to a foil bearing, in particular one which is assembled by machine, can be avoided.

[0006] The invention solves the underlying problem according to a first aspect by a foil bearing of the aforementioned type with the features of the subject matter of claim 1. In particular, the invention is characterized in that the bearing bush has on at least one side in the region of its recess an insertion surface with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis and / or is designed to receive a shaft section of the shaft which has an insertion surface with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis.

[0007] The invention is based on the finding of providing or forming an inclined insertion surface on at least one component of the foil bearing, i.e. on the bearing bush or the shaft or on the bearing bush and the shaft, with the aid of which insertion surface the assembly, in particular the joining of the bearing bush and shaft, is simplified. In particular, the insertion surface on the bearing bush and / or the shaft is intended to counteract any jamming of the running surface of the shaft with the inside of the bearing foil arranged on the bearing surface of the bearing bush when the shaft is pushed into the recess in the bearing bush. The insertion surface on the bearing bush is preferably formed on one side in an end region of the recess.By means of the oblique course of the introduction surface, where "oblique" in this case is understood to mean not running parallel to the longitudinal axis, a guide section for the shaft is created, with which a radial offset of the longitudinal axes of the shaft and the recess of the bearing bush can be compensated. The introduction surface on a shaft to be inserted into a recess is preferably formed at an end of the shaft section that axially delimits the running surface of the shaft. In one possible embodiment of the foil bearing, an introduction surface is provided on at least one end section of the recess of the bearing bush and also at one end of a shaft section of the shaft, wherein the introduction surfaces on the bearing bush and the shaft slide against one another without jamming when the shaft is inserted into the recess in the bearing bush.An “inclined” insertion surface on the shaft means that it does not run parallel to the longitudinal axis around which the shaft rotates.

[0008] According to a preferred development of the invention, at least one insertion surface is formed on both sides of the bearing bush and / or along two shaft sections of the shaft that are arranged at a distance from one another. The double-sided design of the insertion surfaces on the bearing bush and / or the shaft simplifies assembly in that a shaft can be inserted with each of its ends into the corresponding recess of a bearing bush of the film bearing. With the double-sided design of insertion surfaces on the bearing bush, the shaft can preferably be inserted from both sides into the recess formed on the bearing bush and which receives the shaft. With the double-sided design of an insertion surface on the bearing bush, the insertion surfaces are each formed in the end regions of the recess on the bearing bush that receives the shaft.When insert surfaces are provided on both sides of the shaft, the shaft preferably has the insert surfaces at both ends of its running surface corresponding to the recess. Simply providing an insert surface on one side of the bearing bush and / or shaft results in a shortened design of the bearing surface and / or running surface. When insert surfaces are provided on both sides of the bearing bush and / or shaft, the insert surfaces each have oblique profiles with opposite angles to each other.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the insertion surface is designed as a circumferential chamfer and extends between an end face of the bearing bush or shaft and the bearing surface on the bearing bush or the running surface on the shaft. The provision of a chamfer provides a structurally simple option for designing an insertion surface with an inclined profile. Such a chamfer, which has a flat profile in the direction of extension, can be produced relatively easily on the bearing bush and the shaft using a machining process. The chamfer formed circumferentially on at least one side of the bearing bush and / or shaft creates, in particular, a conical insertion section.

[0010] Preferably, the insertion surface has an oblique profile with an angle a of less than 45°, preferably approximately 30°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bush. With a preferably acute angle between the insertion surface and the longitudinal axis of the bearing bush and / or the shaft defining the insertion surface, the assembly of the foil bearing according to the invention is further simplified. The cone angle of approximately 60° of the insertion surface provided in a preferred embodiment supports the tilt-free insertion of the shaft into the recess of the bearing bush. In a preferred embodiment of the foil bearing according to the invention, the insertion surface is convexly curved. Instead of a chamfer having a flat profile in the direction of extension, the insertion surface, which is also formed circumferentially at a respective end region of the recess on the bearing bush or the running surface of the shaft, can be designed similar to a rounded edge.A convexly curved insertion surface is defined as a protrusion in the direction of the surface normal that is positioned on the insertion surface. In other words, a rounded edge of a body between the bearing surface or raceway and the end face of the bearing bush or rotor is defined as a convex insertion surface.

[0011] The convex design of the insertion surface creates a smooth transition from the insertion surface to the bearing surface of the bearing bush or the running surface of the shaft, further assisting in jamming-free insertion of the shaft into the recess in the bearing bush. The convexly curved insertion surface preferably has an oblique profile with a changing pitch in the direction of extension. A preferred embodiment provides that the pitch at the insertion surface decreases with increasing distance from the end face on the bearing bush and / or shaft. In a preferred embodiment, it is sufficient if the convexly curved insertion surface has an edge at the transition to the bearing or running surface, thereby reducing the axial length of the insertion surface.

[0012] Preferably, by providing insertion surfaces on the bearing bush and the shaft, their length in the direction of the longitudinal axis can be reduced to half the length of an insertion surface otherwise only formed on one component of the foil bearing according to the invention. This makes it possible to compensate for the same radial offset, wherein the width of the bearing surface of the bearing bush and the running surface of the shaft is increased while the overall length remains the same. According to a preferred development of the foil bearing according to the invention, it is provided that the bearing foil has a width that corresponds to the width of the bearing surface of the bearing bush. The bearing foil arranged on the inside of the recess ends with its side edges directly at the respective ends of the running surfaces of the bearing bush.In particular, with the design of an introduction surface along a shaft section of the shaft, in particular at one end of the running surface, a step in the transition from the introduction surface on the bearing bush to the running surface created by the radially projecting bearing foil for the shaft moving along it can be easily compensated.

[0013] In a further development of the foil bearing according to the invention, the bearing foil has a width that is shortened compared to the width of the bearing surface of the bearing bush. This prevents an inwardly projecting step caused by the side edge of the bearing foil resting against the running surface of the bearing bush directly in the transition from the insertion surface to the bearing surface of the bearing bush, and a related sudden reduction in the free diameter of the recess. Especially when inserting a shaft end along the insertion surface, the end face of the shaft to be inserted into the recess from hitting it, which further simplifies the insertion of a shaft into the bearing bush. The side edge of the bearing foil is preferably at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 2 mm from the end of the bearing surface formed on the bearing bush.The shortened design of the bearing foil to the bearing surface of the bearing bush is provided at least on the side of the bearing bush which is intended for the insertion of the shaft.

[0014] According to a preferred development, the bearing foil is shortened on at least one end face of the bearing bush in such a way that a side edge defining the width of the bearing foil is aligned with the oblique course of the insertion surface. By arranging the side edge of the bearing surface in alignment with the insertion surface, the insertion of the shaft into the bearing bush is further simplified. A side edge of the bearing foil arranged in this way at a distance from the end of the bearing surface on the bearing bush forms a type of wedge that extends the insertion surface. Preferably, the distance of the side edge of the bearing foil to the respectively assigned end of the bearing surface of the bearing bush varies depending on the selected angle α of the insertion surface or the angle of the changing gradient of the insertion surface in the transition to the bearing surface.

[0015] Preferably, a plurality of bearing foils are arranged one above the other in the gap between the bearing surface of the bearing bush and the running surface of the shaft. By providing a plurality of bearing foils within the gap between the bearing bush and the shaft, different functions can preferably be realized by the different bearing foils. The bearing foil arranged on the outside is preferably designed as a spring foil. This applies a spring force to the running surface of the shaft, in particular over its entire circumference, in the radial direction, so that the shaft is held in the recess at as uniform a distance as possible from the bearing surface of the bearing bush. With a further running foil arranged between the spring foil and the running surface of the shaft, the friction between the running foil and the bearing foil when the shaft starts up is preferably kept as low as possible.

[0016] When using two or more foils, the side edges of all bearing foils are preferably designed to be shortened, at least on the side intended for inserting the shaft into the bearing bush, to the respective associated end of the bearing surface of the bearing bush. Preferably, the bearing foil in direct contact with the bearing surface of the bearing bush is shortened on at least one side by 0.5 to 2 mm relative to the width of the bearing surface of the bearing bush. Another bearing foil, designed, for example, as a running foil, is shortened on the corresponding side of the bearing bush by 0.5 to 2 mm relative to the width of the bearing foil. The side edges of several bearing foils are thus stepped relative to one another.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the foil bearing, the bearing foil arranged on the inside has an inner width dimension BMI that is shortened compared to an outer width dimension BMa of the bearing foil arranged on the outside, wherein the side edges of both bearing foils and at least one end region of the bearing bush are preferably arranged flush with the insertion surface. With such an inventive arrangement of the side edges of the bearing surfaces, an insertion region that extends the insertion surface is created for the shaft to be received in the bearing bush. The side edges of several bearing foils form, in particular, a wedge adapted to the angle of the insertion surface for simplified insertion of the shaft into the recess of the bearing bush. In particular, the mechanical insertion of a rotor shaft into the bearing bush is possible without jamming during the insertion process.

[0018] An advantageous development of the foil bearing according to the invention provides that an axially protruding locking element is arranged on an end face of the bearing bush. With the help of a directly visible locking element, the end of the bearing bush that is intended for insertion of the shaft is marked. This prevents a bearing bush intended for receiving a shaft from being inserted with its wrong end into, for example, a bearing block on a housing. The provision of a locking element, which is preferably designed as a locking pin, further simplifies the insertion of a shaft into a bearing bush intended for this purpose, both for manual assembly and for mechanical insertion of a shaft into the bearing bush. In addition, the locking element protruding from one end face of the bearing bush locks the bearing bush in the bearing block in the direction of rotation of the shaft.This prevents the bearing bush from rotating when the shaft guided in the bearing bush is driven.

[0019] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a bearing block for receiving a foil bearing, in particular a foil bearing according to one of the preceding claims, with a passage of stepped diameter, which is designed to receive the bearing bush and which has a section for inserting a shaft to be inserted into the bearing bush. A bearing block is to be understood, for example, as part of a housing receiving the bearing bush. Thus, a bearing block is not necessarily a component formed separately from other components of a device receiving the bearing block. However, the bearing block can also be a separately formed component of a device or a device. Furthermore, the bearing bush can be an integral part of the bearing block, so that the bearing block itself is part of the foil bearing according to the invention.The bearing block then preferably has at least one insertion surface on its passage into which the rotor / shaft is inserted.

[0020] The bearing block according to the invention achieves the object underlying the foil bearing in that the section of the passage intended for inserting the shaft is adapted in diameter to the insertion surface on the bearing bush accommodated in the bearing block. Thus, a passage formed on the bearing block for receiving the shaft has a section with a diameter that is at least as large as the largest dimension of the insertion surface formed at one end of the bearing bush to be inserted into the bearing block. In particular, the diameter of the passage on the bearing block intended for guiding the shaft through is selected depending on the length of the passage. The longer this section on the bearing block, the larger the diameter of the section for guiding the shaft through, which is arranged adjacent to the recess in the bearing bush.

[0021] A further development of the bearing block according to the invention provides that a recess is provided in the passage, extending in the axial direction and operatively connected to the locking element of the bearing bush. The recess inside the passage creates a possibility for producing a positive connection that secures the bearing bush in the direction of rotation of the shaft. The recess is formed in particular on a wall surface of the bearing block that extends in the radial direction and is designed in particular as a contact surface for the bearing bush to be inserted axially into the bearing block. For axially securing the bearing bush within the passage, a circumferentially extending recess for a corresponding securing element, in particular an inner securing ring, is preferably formed on the bearing block.By providing a recess on the outer surface of the passage, which is particularly cylindrical in shape, the axial movement of the bearing bushing out of the bearing block is counteracted during operation of a device aligned with such a bearing bush. The securing element, which can be an internal retaining ring, engages in the circumferential groove formed on the outer surface of the passage. Such an internal retaining ring is mounted on the bearing block, particularly after the bearing bushing has been inserted into the passage. The retaining ring preferably interacts with the recess in the passage of the bearing block in a form-fitting manner.

[0022] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a bearing arrangement with a foil bearing and a shaft which is mounted in the foil bearing so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the foil bearing having a bearing bush with a central recess, the recess having a bearing surface for rotatably supporting the shaft about the longitudinal axis, and at least one bearing foil which is arranged in the recess and is designed to form a gap between itself and a running surface of the shaft, the bearing bush having on at least one side in the region of its recess an insertion surface which runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis, and / or the shaft having a shaft section which is arranged within the bearing bush and which has an insertion surface which runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis.

[0023] The preferred embodiments and further developments described for the foil bearing according to the invention are also simultaneously preferred embodiments of the bearing block according to the invention and the bearing assembly according to the invention. The preferred embodiments and further developments described for the bearing block according to the invention, which relate to the foil bearing or the bearing assembly, are simultaneously preferred embodiments of the foil bearing or the bearing assembly.

[0024] The invention is described in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, the drawings, and the claims may be essential for further development of the invention, both individually and in any combination, provided they do not contradict one another technically.

[0025] They show:

[0026] Fig. 1: a view of a rotor-stator arrangement as an application example for a foil bearing according to the invention;

[0027] Fig.2: a view of a first embodiment of a film bearing according to the invention according to Fig.1 in section;

[0028] Fig. 3: a view of a second embodiment of a film bearing according to the invention;

[0029] Fig. 4: a further view of an embodiment of a film bearing according to the invention;

[0030] Fig. 5: a view of a fourth embodiment of a foil bearing according to the invention in section, and

[0031] Fig. 6: a view of another bearing arrangement according to the invention before inserting a foil bearing into a bearing block.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a rotor-stator assembly 100 as a possible application example for a foil bearing 1 according to the invention (Figs. 2-5). The rotor-stator assembly 100 comprises a stator 102 and a rotor 104 mounted for rotation relative to the stator 102. The rotor 104 comprises a shaft 6 extending through the stator, within which at least one magnet 106 interacting with the stator 102 is arranged. The rotor-stator assembly 100 forms an electric machine for generating a rotational movement of the rotor 104.

[0033] The rotor 104 is mounted on both sides of the stator 102 by means of foil bearings 1, 1'. The foil bearings 1 are designed as radial bearings and form a two-part or two-split foil bearing for the rotor 104. Furthermore, the foil bearings 1 have at least one bearing foil 16 for supporting the rotor 104, in particular in the radial direction relative to its longitudinal axis L.

[0034] A compressor wheel 108 is arranged at at least one end of the shaft 6 of the rotor 102 and is driven into rotation by the rotor-stator assembly 100. In the embodiment shown here, a compressor wheel 108 is arranged at each end of the shaft 6 of the rotor 104. Preferably, a two-stage compressor or a compressor-expander assembly is formed using the rotor-stator assembly 100 shown here.

[0035] Furthermore, the rotor-stator assembly 100 preferably has at least one axial air bearing (not shown in detail), such as a foil bearing or a spiral groove bearing. The axial air bearing supports the rotor 104 in an axial position relative to the stator 102 of the assembly 100 without contact against axial forces.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a foil bearing 1 of the rotor-stator assembly 100 from Fig. 1, which has a bearing bush 2 with a central recess 4 and a rotatably mounted shaft 6 extending along a longitudinal axis L of the recess 4. The bearing bush 2 has a bearing surface 8, which defines the recess 4 on the bearing bush 2.

[0037] The shaft 6 has a shaft section 10 received in the recess 4 of the bearing bush 2, which has a running surface 12. A gap 14 is formed between the bearing surface 8 of the bearing bush 2 and the running surface 12 of the shaft 6, in which gap at least one bearing foil 16, 16' is arranged. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in particular, two bearing foils 16, 16' are arranged in the gap 14 between the shaft 6 and the bearing bush 2.

[0038] In order to simplify, in particular, the insertion of the shaft 6 with its shaft section 10 into the recess 4 of the bearing bush 12, in the present embodiment, at least the bearing bush 2 has an insertion surface 18 at each end, which extends at an angle to the bearing surface 8 at the recess 4. In this case, "angled" is understood to mean unequally parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0039] In one possible embodiment, the shaft 6 optionally has at least one insertion surface 18' along its shaft section 10, which extends at an angle to the running surface 12 on the shaft 6. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, insertion surfaces are provided at each end of the running surface 12 of the shaft 6. This allows the shaft 6 and the bearing bush 2 to be operatively connected to the respective other component of the foil bearing 1 from both sides.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in particular, two bearing foils 16, 16' are arranged in the gap 14 between the shaft 6 and the bearing bush 2. In the present embodiment, both bearing foils 16, 16' preferably have an inner width dimension BMI and an outer width dimension BMa, respectively, which each correspond to the width B of the bearing surface 8 of the bearing bush 2.

[0041] The insertion surface 18' on the shaft 6 is, in particular, convexly curved. This counteracts the approximately equal width of the bearing foils 16, 16' and the bearing surface 8 of the recess 4 in this embodiment. When inserting the shaft 6 into the recess 4 of the bearing bush 2, the shaft end can easily slide off the shoulder created by the side edges 22, 22' of the bearing foils 16, 16' due to the curvature of the insertion surface 18' of the shaft 6. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a foil bearing 1 according to the invention, which comprises a bearing bush 2 identical to that in Fig. 2. The insertion surfaces 18 on the bearing bush 2 are designed as continuous chamfers and extend between the bearing surface 8 and an end face 20 defining the end of the bearing bush 2.

[0042] The insertion surfaces 18 have, relative to the longitudinal axis L of the bearing bush 2, an oblique course with an angle a of less than 45°, preferably approximately 30°.

[0043] The bearing foils 16, 16' in the gap 14 between the shaft 6' shown in Fig. 3 and the bearing bush 2 have an inner width dimension BMi and an outer width dimension BMa, respectively, which are each reduced compared to the width B of the bearing surface 8 on the bearing bush 2. Preferably, the inner bearing foil 16' in contact with the running surface 12 of the shaft 6' has an inner width dimension BMI that is further reduced compared to the outer width dimension BMa of the outer bearing foil 16 in contact with the bearing surface 8 of the bearing bush 2.

[0044] The bearing foils 16, 16' are, as a reference dimension, adapted with their width dimensions BML BMa to the width B of the bearing surface 8 and the angle a of the insertion surface 18 relative to the longitudinal axis L in such a way that the bearing foils 16, 16' with their side edges 22 defining the width dimension BMI, BMa are in alignment with the oblique course of the insertion surface 18 on the bearing bush 2.

[0045] Preferably, the shortened bearing foils 16, 16' with their side edges 22, 22' form a wedge that extends the course of the insertion surfaces 18 on the bearing bush 2. This means that the design of an insertion surface 18', as shown in Fig. 2, can be dispensed with on the shaft 6' accommodated in the bearing bush 2. Instead of the two bearing foils 16, 16' arranged in the gap 14 between the shaft 6 and the bearing bush 2, in other preferred embodiments only one bearing foil 16 is arranged. The one bearing foil 16 can have a width dimension BM that corresponds to the width B of the bearing surface 8 of the bearing bush 2 or, in an alternative embodiment, can be shortened compared to the bearing surface 8 on the bearing bush 2.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a possible third embodiment of a foil bearing 1' with a bearing bush 2', which, instead of having an insertion surface at each end of the bearing bush, has such an insertion surface 18 only on one side of the bearing bush 2'. On the opposite side, a conventional design of the bearing bush 2 is provided with a bearing surface 8 directly adjacent to the end face 20. With the one-sided design of the insertion surface 18, the insertion area for the shaft 6 accommodated therein is firmly defined.

[0047] Similar to Fig. 2, the two bearing foils 16, 16' have a width dimension BMI, BMa, each of which corresponds to the width B of the bearing surface 8. Instead of the two bearing foils shown, only one bearing foil or more than two bearing foils can be arranged in the gap 14.

[0048] The insertion surface 18, formed on only one side of the bearing bush 2', is in turn designed as a circumferential chamfer, which extends at an angle of preferably 30° to the longitudinal axis L of the bearing bush 2'. The insertion surface 18 on the bearing bush 2' has a planar profile in its axial cross-section along its extension direction, i.e., a constant chamfer angle. The shaft 6 accommodated in the bearing bush 2' has an insertion surface 18' at least at one, in particular at both ends of the shaft section 10, with a chamfer surface that is convexly curved in the axial cross-section.

[0049] A locking element 24 is arranged on the end face 20 of the bearing bush 2, which is provided with the insertion surface 18. The locking element 24, in this case a cylindrical pin, serves to lock the bearing bush 2' in a bearing block 30 receiving the bearing bush 2', Fig. 6, thereby preventing the bearing bush 2' from moving along with the shaft 6, which is set in a rotary motion within the bearing bush.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a foil bearing 1', which has a bearing bush 2' and a shaft 6'. Bearing foils 16, 16' are arranged in the gap 14 between the bearing bush 2' and the shaft 6', similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. The bearing foils 16, 16' are shortened, at least on the side of the bearing bush 2' designed as a one-sided insertion area, relative to the bearing surface 8 delimited by the insertion surface 18. The bearing foil 16 arranged on the outside is shortened to the width B of the bearing surface 8 of the bearing bush 2' and the bearing foil 16' arranged on the inside is in turn shortened compared to the bearing foil 16. The side edges 22, 22' of the bearing foils 16, 16' have a stepped design.

[0051] Preferably, the bearing foils 16, 16' have a width dimension BM such that the side edges 22, 22' at the end of the bearing bush 2' opposite the insertion area are aligned with the end face 20 and the side edges 22, 22' in the insertion area for the shaft 6' are aligned with the oblique course of the insertion surface 18 formed on the bearing bush 2'.

[0052] In the insertion area for the shaft 6', the insertion surface 18 and the offset side edges of the superimposed bearing foils 16, 16' form a wedge for simplified insertion of the shaft 6' into the recess 4 on the bearing bush 2'. The shaft 6' accommodated in the bearing bush 2' does not require an insertion surface 18'.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows a further bearing arrangement 130 according to the invention with at least one bearing block 30 for receiving a foil bearing 1, 1' shown in the embodiments according to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, consisting of a bearing bush 2, 2' and a shaft 6, 6' rotatably mounted in the bearing bush.

[0054] The bearing block 30 has a passage 32 with a stepped diameter, within which the bearing bush 2, 2' can be arranged. Furthermore, the bearing block 30 is designed to pass a shaft 6, 6' to be inserted into the bearing bush 2, 2'. The bearing block 30 has a section 34 on the passage 32 intended for passing the shaft 6, 6' through, which section is adapted in terms of its diameter to the dimensions of the insertion surface 18 formed on the bearing bush 2.

[0055] In the passage 32, particularly on the radially extending wall surface 36, a recess 38 is provided that extends in the axial direction and can be brought into operative connection with the locking element 24 arranged on the bearing bush 2'. The locking element 24 is pushed into the recess 38 upon insertion of the bearing bush 2' into the passage 32 on the bearing block 30 and forms a positive connection with the recess. This counteracts co-rotation of the bearing bush 2, 2' together with a shaft 6, 6' accommodated in the bearing bush and set in a rotary motion.

[0056] In one possible embodiment of the bearing arrangement 130, the bearing block 30 has a recess 40 extending in the circumferential direction, which is designed to receive a securing element (not shown in detail), whereby the bearing bush 2' is secured within the passage 32 in the axial direction.

[0057] The insertion surface 18, 18' on the bearing bush 2, 2' and the shaft 6, 6' is shown disproportionately large compared to the other parts / areas on the bearing bush and shaft in order to better explain the actual concept of the invention. As can be seen particularly in Fig. 6, the bearing block 30 is shown on a reduced scale compared to the bearing bush 2', which is to be accommodated within the passage 32 on the bearing block 30.

[0058] Identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numbers.

[0059] Reference symbol (part of the description):

[0060] 1 , 1 ' Foal camp

[0061] 2, 2' bearing bush

[0062] 4 recess

[0063] 6, 6' wave

[0064] 8 storage space

[0065] 10 wave section

[0066] 12 Tread

[0067] 14 gap

[0068] 16 outer storage film

[0069] 16' inner storage film

[0070] 18, 18' insertion area

[0071] 20 frontal area

[0072] 22, 22' side edge

[0073] 24 locking element

[0074] 30 bearing block

[0075] 32 passage

[0076] Section 34

[0077] 36 wall area

[0078] 38 recess

[0079] 40 Deepening

[0080] 100 rotor-stator arrangement

[0081] 102 Stator

[0082] 104 Rotor

[0083] 106 Magnet

[0084] 108 Compressor wheel

[0085] 130 Bearing arrangement

[0086] B Width storage area

[0087] BM width dimension storage film:

[0088] BMI inner width measurement

[0089] BlVIa outer width dimension

[0090] L Longitudinal axis a Angle

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Foil bearing (1, 1'), with a bearing bush (2, 2') with a central recess (4), wherein the recess (4) has a bearing surface (8) for rotatably supporting a shaft (6, 6') about a longitudinal axis (L), and at least one bearing foil (16, 16') arranged in the recess, which is designed to form a gap (14) between itself and a running surface (12) of the shaft (6, 6'), characterized in that the bearing bush has on at least one side in the region of its recess (4) an insertion surface (18) with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis (L), and / or is designed to receive a shaft section (10) of the shaft (6, 6'), which has an insertion surface (18') with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis (L).

2. Foil bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one insertion surface (18, 18') is formed on both sides of the bearing bush (2, 2') and / or along two shaft sections (10) of the shaft (6, 6') arranged at a distance from one another.

3. Foil bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion surface (18, 18') is designed as a circumferential chamfer and extends between an end face (20) of the bearing bush (2, 2') or shaft (6, 6') and the bearing surface (8) on the bearing bush (2, 2') or the running surface (12) on the shaft.

4. Foil bearing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insertion surface (18, 18'), relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the bearing bush (2, 2') or shaft (6, 6'), has an oblique course with an angle a of less than 45°, preferably about 30°.

5. Foil storage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion surface (18, 18') is convexly curved.

6. Foil bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing foil (16, 16') has a width dimension (BM, BMI, BMa) which corresponds to the width of the bearing surface (8) of the bearing bush (2, 2').

7. Foil bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing foil (16, 16') has a width dimension (BM, BML BMa) that is shortened in comparison to the width (B) of the bearing surface (8) of the bearing bush (2, 2').

8. Foil bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing foil (16, 16') is shortened to the bearing surface (8) on at least one end face (20) of the bearing bush (2, 2') in such a way that a side edge (22, 22') defining the width dimension (BM, BML BMa) of the bearing foil (16, 16') is aligned with the oblique course of the insertion surface (18, 18').

9. Foil bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several bearing foils (16, 16') are arranged one above the other in the gap (14) between the bearing surface (8) of the bearing bush (2, 2') and the running surface (12) of the shaft (6, 6').

10. Foil storage according to claim 9, characterized in that the inside arranged storage foil (16') has an inner width dimension (BM) that is shortened compared to an outer width dimension (BMa) of the outside arranged storage foil (16, 16'), wherein preferably the side edges (22, 22') of both storage foils (16, 16') are aligned in at least one end region with the profile of the introduction surface (18, 18'). 11 . Foil storage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an axially projecting locking element (24) is arranged on an end face (20) of the bearing bush (2, 2').

12. Rotor-stator arrangement (100) or bearing arrangement (130), with a foil bearing (1, 1'), and a shaft (6, 6') rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (L) in the foil bearing, wherein the foil bearing (1, 1') has a bearing bush (2, 2') with a central recess (4), wherein the recess (4) has a bearing surface (8) for rotatably supporting the shaft (6, 6') about the longitudinal axis (L), and at least one bearing foil (16, 16') arranged in the recess, which is designed to form a gap (14) between itself and a running surface (12) of the shaft (6, 6'), characterized in that the bearing bush (2, 2') has on at least one side in the region of its recess (4) an insertion surface (18) with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis (L), and / or the shaft (6,6') has a shaft section (10) arranged within the bearing bush, which has an insertion surface (18') with a course inclined to the longitudinal axis (L).

13. Bearing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the foil bearing is designed according to one of claims 2 to 11.

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