MULTI-ROW THRUST BEARING WITH SIGMA CAGE
The multi-row thrust bearing with a sigma cage design addresses the inefficiencies of single-piece metal cages by using a multiple sigma configuration to enhance roller alignment and load distribution, resulting in improved load-bearing capacity and reduced misalignment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001458
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-02-16
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing roller thrust bearings with single-piece metal cages face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple rows of rollers, leading to potential misalignment and reduced load-bearing capacity.
A multi-row thrust bearing design featuring a cage with an annular portion and alternating first and second roller compartments, where each first compartment contains two radially aligned roller elements and each second compartment contains one roller element, arranged in a multiple sigma configuration to enhance roller alignment and load distribution.
The proposed design improves the load-bearing capacity and reduces misalignment by evenly distributing rollers across multiple compartments, resulting in a more efficient and stable thrust bearing performance.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: MULTI-ROW THRUST BEARING WITH A SIGMA CAGE PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit of provisional application serial number 63 / 310,790, filed on February 16, 2022. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to roller thrust bearings. More particularly, the present invention relates to a roller thrust bearing having multiple rows of rollers.
[0003] Thrust bearings are designed to support a predominantly axial load. In a prior art construction, a thrust bearing has a cage formed from a single piece of metal. The cage is in a shape that, in conjunction with specially configured openings, retains and guides a plurality of cylindrical roller elements. In cross-section, this type of cage has a shape similar to that of the Greek letter sigma.
[0004] Various prior art thrust bearings are shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 8,182,157 B2. Summary of the invention
[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a thrust bearing assembly comprising a cage having an annular portion. A first flange extends axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a second flange extends axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion. A first plurality of roller compartments are defined by the annular portion, the first roller compartments of the first plurality of roller compartments being uniformly spaced around the annular portion. A second plurality of roller compartments are defined by the annular portion, the second roller compartments of the second plurality of roller compartments being uniformly spaced around the annular portion such that each second roller compartment is disposed between adjacent first roller compartments.
[0006] According to this aspect, each first roller compartment has two radially aligned roller elements disposed therein and each second roller compartment has one roller element disposed therein. The annular portion of the cage defines an innermost valley, a first annular hill, a valley intermediate, a second annular hill and an outermost valley, all of which are concentric with each other.
[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first plurality of roller compartments are defined in all of the innermost valley, the first annular hill, the intermediate valley, the second annular hill, and the outermost valley. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the second plurality of roller compartments are defined only in the intermediate valley, the second annular hill, and the outermost valley.
[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, a first one of the two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller compartments extends adjacent the first annular hill and a second one of the two radially aligned roller elements in each of the first plurality of roller compartments extends adjacent the second annular hill. Respective ends of each of the first and second ones of the two radially aligned roller elements may be adjacent one of the valleys.
[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, respective ends of the roller member disposed in a respective one of the second roller compartments are adjacent one of the valleys. The annular portion of the cage may further define a hub portion radially within and concentric with the innermost valley.
[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the first plurality of roller compartments comprises at least ten roller compartments and the second plurality of roller compartments comprises at least ten roller compartments. For example, the thrust bearing assembly may have at least thirty of the roller elements. The cage may be formed from a unitary piece of metal.
[0011] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a thrust bearing assembly comprising a cage having an annular portion defining an innermost valley, a first annular hill, an intermediate valley, a second annular hill and an outermost valley, all of which are concentric with each other. A first plurality of roller compartments are defined by the annular portion, the roller compartments of the first plurality of roller compartments being uniformly spaced around the annular portion. The roller compartments of the first plurality of roller compartments are each defined throughout the innermost valley, the first annular hill, the intermediate valley, the second annular hill and the outermost valley. Two radially aligned roller elements are disposed in each roller compartments such that a first of the two radially aligned roller elements in each roller compartment extends adjacent the first annular hill, a second of the two radially aligned roller elements in each roller compartment extends adjacent the second annular hill, and respective ends of each of the first and second of the two radially aligned roller elements are adjacent one of the valleys.
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] A complete and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, addressed to those skilled in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which;
[0014] [Fig.l] is a top perspective view of a multi-row thrust bearing assembly having a multiple "sigma" cage in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the thrust bearing assembly shown in [Fig.l];
[0016] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional side view of the thrust bearing assembly shown in [Fig.l]; and
[0017] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of [Fig.l].
[0018] The repeated use of reference signs in this specification and the drawings is intended to represent identical or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure.
[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided for the purpose of explaining, not limiting, the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, features illustrated or described in one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to result in yet another embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0021] Referring now to Figures 1-3, a roller thrust bearing assembly 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bearing assembly 100 includes a roller retaining cage 110 formed of a suitable material (typically metal). The cage 110 retains a plurality of roller elements that extend in a radial direction relative to a central axis A ([Fig. 3]). In this case, a first plurality of roller elements 120 and a second plurality of roller elements 160 are rotatably received in configured openings defined in the cage 110. The first plurality of roller elements 120 are located radially inward of the second plurality of roller elements 160, as shown.
[0022] The roller retaining cage 110 includes an annular portion 112 located radially between a first annular flange 130 that extends axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 112 and a second annular flange 134 that extends axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 112. The annular portion 112 of the roller retaining cage 110 is substantially disc-shaped, as shown, with the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge being substantially concentric about the longitudinal central axis A. In this case, the first annular flange 130 and the second annular flange 134 are of substantially the same height but extend in opposite axial directions.
[0023] The annular portion 112 of the roller retaining cage 110 defines a first plurality of roller compartments 114 and a second plurality of roller compartments 116. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the edges of the roller compartments are configured to retain roller members for rotation therein. In this embodiment, each individual roller compartment of the first plurality of roller compartments 114 is configured to receive two roller members therein, the innermost roller member from the first plurality of roller members 120 and the outermost roller member from the second plurality of roller members 160. As shown, the roller members 120 and 160 in each of the first plurality of roller compartments 114 are aligned with each other in the radial direction such that they share a common rolling axis.The roller compartments 114 of the first plurality of roller compartments are angularly spaced in equal increments around the annular portion 112 of the roller retaining cage 110.
[0024] In this case, each roller compartment 116 of the second plurality of roller compartments receives a single roller element 160 from the second plurality of roller elements. The second plurality of roller compartments roller 116 is configured such that the roller members 160 are equidistant from the longitudinal central axis A of the thrust bearing assembly 100. The roller compartments 116 of the second plurality of roller compartments are spaced at equal angular increments about the annular portion 112 of the roller retaining cage 110, but are disposed between adjacent roller compartments 114 of the first plurality of roller compartments. Thus, the first plurality of roller compartments 114 and the second plurality of roller compartments 116 alternate about the angular extent of the roller retaining cage 110.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that ten first roller compartments 114 and ten second roller compartments 116 are provided. This allows for a total of thirty roller elements to be accommodated. Those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments are contemplated with fewer or more compartments and rolling elements, as needed or desired.
[0026] Referring now to [Fig. 4], some additional information regarding the construction of the roller retaining cage 110 can be explained in the simplest manner. In this embodiment, the roller retaining cage 110 defines a hub portion 170 located in a radial area between the innermost end of the roller members 120 and the first annular flange 130. A third annular flange 172 defines the outermost extent of the hub 170 in the radial direction. The radial area between the second annular flange 134 and the third annular flange 172 defines first and second annular hills 174 and 176 separated by an intermediate annular valley 178 (in the radial direction). An innermost annular valley 180 extends between the third annular flange 172 and the first annular hill 174.An outermost annular valley 182 extends between the second annular hill 176 and the second annular flange 134. (As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, whether a feature is referred to as a "hill" or a "valley" depends on which side of the cage 110 is considered the "top." For present purposes, the surface visible in [Fig. 1] is considered the top.) .
[0027] Referring now also to Figures 1-3, the first plurality of roller compartments 114 are defined both in hills 174 and 176 as well as in valleys 178, 180 and 182. In contrast, the second plurality of roller compartments 116 are defined only in hill 176, valley 182 and midway through valley 178. In each case, the associated roller member will extend (in the radial direction) completely across one of the hills such that an intermediate portion of the roller member will be adjacent the corresponding hill on both sides, with the respective ends of each roller member being adjacent one of the valleys.
[0028] The combination of multiple spaced hills with adjacent valleys forms a multiple sigma configuration (in this case, a double sigma configuration). Such a configuration provides a desirable roller diameter to roller length ratio compared to conventional sigma cage designs. While two such concentric hills and three valleys are illustrated above, those skilled in the art will recognize that the pattern could continue to provide three concentric annular hills, four concentric annular hills, etc., as needed or desired. The number of associated roller elements in such embodiments would typically multiply as additional hill-valleys are added.
[0029] It is thus seen that the present invention provides a novel thrust bearing configuration. Although one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.
Claims
1. Claims A thrust bearing assembly (100), comprising: a cage (110) having an annular portion (112), a first flange (130) extending axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a second flange (134) extending axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion; a first plurality of roller compartments (114) defined by the annular portion, the first roller compartments of the first plurality of roller compartments being uniformly spaced around the annular portion; a second plurality of roller compartments (116) defined by the annular portion, the second roller compartments of the second plurality of roller compartments being uniformly spaced around the annular portion such that each second roller compartment is disposed between adjacent first roller compartments; in which: each first roller compartment has two radially aligned roller elements (120, 160) disposed therein and each second roller compartment has one roller element (160) disposed therein; the annular portion of the cage defines an innermost valley (180), a first annular hill (174), an intermediate valley (178), a second annular hill (176) and an outermost valley (182), all of which are concentric with each other; each of said first plurality of roller compartments are defined in all of said innermost valley, said first annular hill, said intermediate valley, said second annular hill and said outermost valley; each of said second plurality of roller compartments are defined only in said intermediate valley, said second annular hill and said outermost valley; a first one of the two radially aligned roller elements in each of said first plurality of roller compartments extends adjacent said first annular hill; a second one of the two radially aligned roller elements in each of said first plurality of roller compartments extends adjacent said second annular hill; respective ends of each of the first and second ones of the two radially aligned roller elements extend beyond an associated one of the first annular hill (174) and the second annular hill (176) such that they are adjacent one of the valleys, and said cage is formed from a unitary piece of metal.
2. A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein respective ends of the roller member disposed in a respective one of said second roller compartments are adjacent one of the valleys.
3. A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the annular portion of the cage further defines a hub portion (170) radially within and concentric with said innermost valley.
4. The thrust bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of roller compartments comprises at least ten roller compartments and said second plurality of roller compartments comprises at least ten roller compartments.
5. A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least thirty of said roller elements.