Marking for identifying rolling element in rolling bearing
Markings on rolling elements allow for precise identification and risk assessment, improving the reliability and performance of reused bearings by tracking their properties and usage history without affecting lubrication.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025087224
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-03
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-15
AI Technical Summary
The service life of rolling bearings is often lower than that of reusable rolling elements due to a lack of information about individual elements, making it difficult to estimate when a bearing failure is likely to occur.
Providing rolling elements with unique markings, such as numerical, alphabetical, or two-dimensional codes, that can be read optically, electronically, or spectroscopically, to identify and track their properties and usage history, reducing the risk of counterfeiting and improving failure estimation.
Enables accurate identification and risk assessment of reused rolling elements, enhancing their reliability and reducing the risk of premature failure by integrating markings that do not interfere with the lubricating film, thus maintaining bearing performance.
Smart Images
Figure 2025182683000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The invention relates to a rolling element for a rolling bearing according to the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]
[0002] Depending on the type and / or material of the rolling elements and / or the application in which they are used, the service life of the rolling bearing in which they are used may be lower than the service life of the rolling elements, which may be reusable, for example when the rolling bearing is being repaired.
[0003] However, in the case of rolling bearings with reused rolling elements, it is important to have as much information as possible about the individual rolling elements in order to be able to estimate when a bearing failure is likely to occur and / or how long the operational life of the reused rolling elements may be. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide rolling elements which can be identified even after use in a rolling bearing. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] This object is achieved by a rolling element for a rolling bearing according to claim 1.
[0006] The following text discloses a rolling element for a rolling bearing, the rolling surface of which is provided with at least one marking designed to identify the rolling element.
[0007] The marking may be specially designed to uniquely identify the rolling element. The marking may in particular be a numerical marking, an alphabetical marking, a symbol marking, a color marking, a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or another suitable marking. These types of markings allow the rolling element on which they are provided to be identified.
[0008] The marking may be a combination of two or more types of marking. For example, the marking may be a combination of at least two of the following: a numerical marking, an alphabet marking, a symbol marking, a color marking, a one-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code. This allows the rolling element to be identified.
[0009] In particular, the at least one marking can be read optically, electronically, magnetically, interferometrically and / or spectroscopically.
[0010] Since the markings are provided on the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements, the rolling elements can be any type of rolling element: they can be rollers, cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers, needle rollers, barrel rollers, balls, etc.
[0011] Providing a marking can make it possible to identify the rolling element, for example the marking can be a unique marking associated with exactly one single rolling element.
[0012] Preferably, at least one marking may be designed to identify the rolling bearing, the set of rolling elements, and / or the individual rolling elements, which makes it easier to estimate the load to which the rolling elements have been subjected.
[0013] Furthermore, an association between the marking and at least one property of the rolling element can be stored in the database, which can include, for example, the material of the rolling element, the material class, the material quality, the production date, the type and / or duration of the first use in which the rolling element was utilized, etc. This can make it easier to estimate the risks that may arise when this rolling element is reused.
[0014] Advantageously, the marking can also be used to reduce the risk of counterfeiting. This makes it possible to verify whether the rolling element is an original product or a counterfeit. It also makes it easier to estimate the risk that arises when this rolling element is used. For example, if the rolling element is used in an application known to expose it to high loads, the risk that the rolling element will fail will be greater than in applications that expose the rolling element to lower loads. It may also be possible for the database to store whether a rolling bearing has failed and for what reason. The reason for the failure may also provide clues that make it possible to estimate the risk of failure when already used rolling elements are reused.
[0015] In particular, the marking may be a marking that does not interfere with the usability of the rolling element in a rolling bearing. In particular, the marking may be selected so that it does not destroy the lubricating film formed by the lubricant in the rolling bearing in which the rolling element on which the marking is provided is used. That is, the lubricating film formed in the rolling bearing is not impaired by the presence of the marking. This makes it possible to ensure the proper operation of the rolling element and the rolling bearing in which the rolling element is used. For example, the marking may be a color, a coating, ions implanted in the substrate of the rolling element, depressions, protuberances, etc.
[0016] The marking can preferably include at least one notch on the rolling surface of the rolling element. The notch can be, for example, a notch made in the base material of the rolling element using a laser. The notch can also be made using a mechanical tool. Providing a notch has the advantage that the marking can be easily, quickly, and conveniently read. The notch can also have the advantage that it is robust and cannot be easily removed. The notch can also reduce the risk that the marking may melt as a result of interaction with the lubricant.
[0017] The dimensions and / or shape of the notches can be specifically selected so that they do not adversely affect the performance of the rolling element and / or the performance of the rolling bearing in which the rolling element is used. In particular, the dimensions and / or shape of the notches can be selected so that they do not destroy the lubricating film formed by the lubricant in the rolling bearing in which the rolling element provided with the marking is used. That is, the lubricating film formed in the rolling bearing is not impaired by the presence of the at least one notch. Since the respective requirements of the rolling bearing and the rolling element are highly application-dependent, the dimensions and / or shape of the notches can also be selected based on the intended application and / or the lubricant used. This makes it possible to use the rolling element in a rolling bearing despite the at least one notch without excessively reducing the service life of the rolling element and / or the rolling bearing.
[0018] Furthermore, the markings may be of a size that corresponds to a surface imperfection that is acceptable for the application. In particular, the diameter and / or depth of the markings may be selected so that they correspond to a diameter and / or depth of a surface imperfection of the rolling element that is also within or less than an acceptable range for the intended application of the rolling element. For example, the notch may have a diameter in the range between 0.5 μm and 10 μm. Additionally, the notch may have a depth in the range between 0.5 μm and 10 μm.
[0019] In addition, at least one marking may include multiple notches. For example, the multiple notches may form a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code may be, for example, a Data Matrix Code (DMC), a QR Code (registered trademark), a dot code, or another suitable two-dimensional code. The multiple notches may also form a barcode or another code suitable for storing required information about the rolling element. Providing a multiple-notch marking has the advantage that more information can be stored in the marking. In addition, multiple notches make it possible to provide a marking that is more robust and can be read even after the rolling element has been used in a rolling bearing.
[0020] Optionally, the notches of the marking may be located within a range having a particular size. For example, this makes it possible to ensure that when markings are provided on multiple rolling elements, the markings are located at the same position on each rolling element. This can make it easier and / or faster to read the markings.
[0021] In addition, particularly when the marking is a plurality of notches, it is possible to ensure that the notch density is within a certain range. The term "notch density" can be particularly understood as meaning the number of notches per a given range. For example, the occurrence of rolling element damage and / or damage to rolling bearings may be more likely the higher the density of surface irregularities on the rolling elements. In other words, the risk of damage occurring increases the more closely the notches are packed together. Distributing multiple notches over a certain range makes it possible to ensure that the notch density on the surface is below a certain density.
[0022] The specific density may then depend on various parameters, such as the type of application, the lubricant utilized, the material of the rolling elements, and / or the raceway in which the rolling elements roll. For example, a specific range may be 0.1 mm 2 and 10mm 2 Between, preferably 0.5 mm 2 and 5mm 2It may range between.
[0023] Additionally, the notches may be filled with a filler material different from the material of the rolling element, which can, for example, mitigate the effect of the notches on the surface quality of the rolling element and / or on the surface of the race and / or improve the performance of the rolling element.
[0024] In particular, the filler material may be a solid lubricant and / or a contrast agent and / or a fluorescent material. For example, the solid lubricant used to fill the notch may be molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), graphite, or polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE). The use of a solid lubricant as a filler material may have the particular advantage of making the lubricant film in the rolling bearing more stable, thereby further reducing the risk of rolling bearing failure due to marking.
[0025] The contrast agent can be a material that contrasts well with the substrate of the rolling element, especially for the selected readout process. The fluorescent material used can be, for example, a material that has a different fluorescence than the substrate. For example, this can make it easier and / or faster to read the marking. Alternatively, this can make it impossible for a third party to identify the marking.
[0026] Preferably, the rolling elements may be made of ceramic. Ceramic rolling elements can be very expensive and / or energy-intensive to produce, but can have a long service life. In addition, because ceramic rolling elements can have high hardness, they can generally be reused. For these reasons, it is desirable to provide as much information as possible about the rolling element and / or its original application in order to be able to estimate the risk of premature failure as closely as possible.
[0027] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are set forth in the description, the drawings and the claims. In particular, the feature combinations specified in the description and in the drawings are purely exemplary here, and therefore the features can also be present individually or in other combinations.
[0028] The present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The embodiments and combinations shown in the examples are purely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, the latter being solely defined by the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0029] [Figure 1] 1 shows a rolling element for a rolling bearing according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] 4 shows a rolling element for a rolling bearing according to a second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Identical or functionally identical parts will be identified hereinafter by the same reference signs.
[0031] Figure 1 illustrates a rolling element 1 for a rolling bearing. The rolling element 1 illustrated in Figure 1 may in particular be a ball. Alternatively, the rolling element 1 may be another type of rolling element, such as a roller, a cylindrical roller, a tapered roller, a needle roller, a barrel roller, etc. In addition, the rolling element 1 may be made of ceramic.
[0032] In order to identify the rolling bearing in which the rolling element 1 is utilized, the set of rolling elements in which the rolling element 1 is utilized, and / or the individual rolling elements 1, the rolling surface 2 of the rolling element 1 is provided with at least one marking 4 designed to identify the rolling element 1.
[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the marking 4 is a two-dimensional code, such as a Data Matrix code (DMC). However, it is also conceivable to use other types of marking 4. For example, the marking 4 can be a numeric marking, an alphabetic marking, a symbol marking, a color marking, a one-dimensional code, or a combination of the above-mentioned markings. In particular, the marking 4 can be read optically, electronically, magnetically, by interferometry, and / or by spectroscopy.
[0034] 1, the marking 4 is formed by a plurality of notches 6, which together form a two-dimensional code. The notches 6 may be introduced into the surface 2 of the rolling element 1, for example mechanically and / or using a laser.
[0035] To prevent the notches 6 from interfering with the use of the rolling element 1 in the rolling bearing, the dimensions and / or depth of the notches 6 are selected so that they do not destroy the lubricating film formed by the lubricant in the rolling bearing. For example, the notches 6 may have a diameter ranging between 0.5 μm and 10 μm. In addition, the notches may have a depth ranging between 0.5 μm and 10 μm.
[0036] By preference, the markings are located in specific ranges 8 having specific sizes. The size of the markings 4 is 0.1 mm 2 and 10mm 2 Between, preferably 0.5 mm 2 and 5mm 2 It may range between.
[0037] Additionally, the notches 6 may be filled with a filler material different from the material of the rolling element 1. By filling the notches, it is possible to mitigate, for example, the influence of the notches 6 on the surface quality of the rolling element 1 and / or on the surface of the race and / or to improve the performance of the rolling element 1.
[0038] In particular, the filler material may be a solid lubricant and / or a contrast agent and / or a fluorescent material. For example, the solid lubricant used to fill the notch 6 may be molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), graphite, polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE). The use of a solid lubricant as a filler material may have the particular advantage of making the lubricant film in the rolling bearing more stable, thereby further reducing the risk of failure of the rolling bearing due to the markings 4.
[0039] The contrast agent can be a material that contrasts well with the substrate of the rolling element, especially for the selected readout process. The fluorescent material used can be, for example, a material that has a different fluorescence than the substrate. For example, this can make it easier and / or faster to read the marking. Alternatively, this can make it impossible for a third party to identify the marking.
[0040] 2 illustrates a rolling element 1 according to a second embodiment. The rolling element 1 in FIG. 2 differs from the rolling element 1 in FIG. 1 in that the rolling element 1 is provided with two markings 4-1 and 4-2. Each of the markings 4-1 and 4-2 may be suitable for identifying the rolling element 1 on its own, or the markings 4-1 and 4-2 may be designed to identify the rolling element 1 in combination with each other. It is also conceivable that the first marking 4-1 is associated with a first piece of information about the rolling element 1 and the second marking 4-2 is associated with a second piece of information about the rolling element 1.
[0041] In summary, providing at least one marking on the rolling surface of the rolling element makes it possible to obtain information about the rolling element and / or about the original use in which the rolling element was used, and this information makes it possible to estimate the risk of premature failure as closely as possible. This makes it possible to reuse the rolling element and thus reduce costs. Furthermore, an association between the marking and at least one property of the rolling element can be stored in a database. The properties can include, for example, the material of the rolling element, the material class, the material quality, the production date, the type of original use in which the rolling element was used, etc. This can make it easier to estimate the risks that may arise when this rolling element is reused. [Explanation of symbols]
[0042] 1 Rolling element 2 Rolling surface 4, 4-1, 4-2 marking 6 notches 8. Range
Claims
1. A rolling element (1) for a rolling bearing, the rolling surface (2) of which is provided with at least one marking (4) designed to identify said rolling element (1).
2. 2. The rolling element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the marking (4) comprises at least one notch (6) in the rolling surface (2) of the rolling element (1).
3. 3. The rolling element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one marking (4) comprises a plurality of notches (6).
4. 4. The rolling element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of notches (6) of the marking (4) are located within a range (8) having a specific size.
5. 5. Rolling element (1) according to claim 4, wherein the notches (6) are filled with a filler material different from the material of the rolling element (1).
6. 6. The rolling element (1) according to claim 5, wherein the filler material is a solid lubricant and / or a contrast agent and / or a fluorescent material.
7. 7. The rolling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one marking (4) is a two-dimensional code.
8. 8. The rolling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one marking (4) can be read optically, electronically, magnetically, interferometrically and / or spectroscopically.
9. 9. The rolling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolling element (1) is made from ceramic.
10. 10. The rolling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rolling element (1) is a ball.
11. 11. Rolling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one marking (4) is designed to identify a rolling bearing, a set of rolling elements and / or an individual rolling element (1).