Gear module with a fixed ring

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear module for a transmission, comprising at least one gear (2a, 2b) arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (1), which for rotatable mounting is provided with at least one rolling bearing (5) fitted on an end face bearing seat (6), which is fixed by a fixing ring (7) arranged in a circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1) near the end face to axially secure its mounting position, the fixing ring being provided with a mounting edge (11) directed radially inwards, starting from an axially central portion (10), for engaging in the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1), and with a deformation edge (12) extending radially outwards in the mounted state, for engaging behind the rolling bearing (5) fitted on the end face bearing seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gear module for a transmission having at least one gear arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft, wherein for the rotatable mounting of the shaft, at least one rolling bearing is provided on the shaft, which is fitted onto an end face bearing seat and fixed by a fixing ring. In addition, the present invention relates to a specific method for installing the rolling bearing.

[0002] The field of application of the present invention mainly extends to a transmission configuration using a gear module consisting of a shaft and at least one gear arranged thereon. This can be, for example, a spur gear stage of a transmission, which can also be configured as an intermediate shaft module. Usually, a gear module of the type under consideration here has rolling bearings on both sides, and standardized rolling bearings are usually used, which are fitted onto the bearing seats at the respective shaft ends. The solution according to the present invention is specialized in axially securing the installation of the rolling bearing and optionally adjacent gears using a specific fixing ring.

Background Art

[0003] German Patent Application Publication No. 19955390 discloses a profiled snap ring for ensuring the relative position of two rolling bearings arranged axially adjacent to each other via an aligned bore formed by an inner ring of the bearing. Each of these has adjacent inner grooves for receiving the profiled snap ring. The snap ring has a corresponding U-profile and is slotted so that it can be introduced into the desired position via the bore using an installation tool to reduce the diameter. However, the structural requirement of mounting the snap ring via the bore is not necessarily met to ensure the installation position of the rolling bearing.

[0004] In the general case of the specification of German Patent Application Publication No. 102007030982, the rolling bearing fitted onto the shaft end in the region of the bearing seat is axially secured using at least one snap ring as a fixing ring, and the fixing ring is releasably inserted into the circumferential groove of the shaft, i.e., the outer groove, near the end face. On the opposite side, the rolling bearing is in contact with the shaft shoulder as an axial stop. The end of the shaft projects beyond the face of the rolling bearing for the installation of the fixing ring, which requires additional axial space.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further improve the general gear module in which the snap ring fixes the rolling bearing so that the rolling bearing can be easily and reliably fixed by the fixing ring in the region of the shaft end without requiring additional axial installation space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This object is achieved by the gear module according to claim 1. For the installation method related thereto, refer to claim 12. Each dependent claim referring to claim 12 reproduces an advantageous development of the present invention.

[0007] The present invention includes the technical teaching that a fixing ring for axially securing the installation position of a rolling bearing or the like on a shaft has, on one side, an installation edge directed radially inward for engaging in a circumferential groove of the shaft starting from the axial center, and on the other side, a deformed edge for engaging behind the fitted rolling bearing that extends radially outward in the installed state.

[0008] The advantages of the solution according to the invention are, in particular, that the substantially zigzag-shaped fixing ring can be accommodated at least largely in the bore area inside the bearing, whereby, for the configuration of the fixing ring, a protruding shaft end is not required. This results in a saving of axial installation space due to the space-saving accommodation of the gear module according to the invention in the transmission. With the rolling bearing fitted on top, optionally, a gear arranged adjacent to the bearing seat, such as a spline part, can also be fixed simultaneously. However, in contrast to the prior art considered at the beginning, the fixing ring according to the invention should not be classified as separable connecting means, but rather as a fixed connecting means by the engagement of the deformed edge of the fixing ring behind the component.

[0009] This particular fixing ring is installed as part of the installation of the rolling bearing on the shaft of the gear module according to the following installation steps, - inserting the installation edge of the fixing ring, which extends radially inwards, into the outer groove of the end face of the shaft, - fitting the rolling bearing onto the bearing seat of the shaft on which the fixing ring is installed, - deforming the fixing ring so as to form a deformed edge extending radially outwards for engagement behind the fitted rolling bearing. This is preferably done using a bending die as a tool.

[0010] A particular feature of this installation method is that the fixing ring is first fitted to the shaft and then the rolling bearing is fitted onto the bearing seat, and a firm component connection is produced only by the final edge deformation of the fixing ring.

[0011] According to an optional upstream installation step, before the fixed ring is inserted into the circumferential groove of the shaft in the region of the bearing seat or at least before installing the rolling bearing, preferably, the shaft of the bevel gear is inserted into the spline part across the bearing seat up to the shaft shoulder as an axial stop. With this configuration, the gear is also fixed in the desired axial position by the fixed ring together with the rolling bearing.

[0012] The circumferential groove of the shaft near the end face is preferably positioned such that in the installed state, at least most of the fixed ring is accommodated within the bore of the rolling bearing. A corresponding change in the axial position of the circumferential groove can occur over the entire length of the axial center part of the fixed ring.

[0013] According to a further measure for improving the present invention, it is proposed that the deformed edge of the fixed ring is accommodated in the region of the radially inner edge recess inside the rolling bearing in the installed state. As a result, the fixed ring can be completely accommodated in the bore region of the rolling bearing. However, as an alternative, if a slight axial overhang caused by the deformed edge is acceptable, it is possible to leave the corresponding bearing inner ring of the rolling bearing unmachined.

[0014] The fixed ring according to the present invention generally has two legs in its final state, is preferably made from a formed sheet-like metal strip material, and is provided with a separation slot for elastic diameter adjustment, which gives the fixed ring according to the present invention a snap ring function for facilitating installation.

[0015] According to a further measure for improving the present invention, it is proposed that the deformed edge and / or the installation edge of the fixing ring is at an angle α ≦ 90° with respect to the axial central part. As a result, axial elasticity is imparted to the fixing ring, so that the fixing ring can exert an axial contact pressure on the end face of the bearing and, optionally, on an adjacent gear or another adjacent component fitted on the shaft. Thereby, an installation without axial play is ensured.

[0016] As an alternative to the continuous deformed edge, this can also consist of individual forming tabs arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and being interrupted in this respect. This can be bent with a relatively low forming force and can also be carried out manually using a bending punch as a tool.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gear module preferably serves to form a gear ratio step which can correspond in particular to an intermediate shaft module of the gear, and a first gear is provided, and a second gear is fitted on a spline portion adjacent to the bearing seat. The fitted second gear is preferably provided with a helical gear, and the progression of this helical gear presses the gear against a shaft shoulder or another accessory component as an axial stop during operation. As a result, the axial force component generated from the helical gear does not affect the fixing ring.

[0018] As a further measure for improving this configuration, a relief groove is incorporated with respect to the shaft between the second gear mounted on the spline portion and the rolling bearing mounted on the adjacent bearing seat portion of the shaft, whereby it is proposed that in this configuration, it is the second gear rather than the shaft shoulder that forms the axial stop for the rolling bearing. As a result, an installation without axial play of the fitted gear via the fixing ring on the shaft end face is also achieved, with the rolling bearings arranged therebetween.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the gear module, the first gear is provided with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the second gear. As a result, the first gear can be configured integrally with the shaft, i.e., not as an additional component requiring installation. The side surface of the first gear facing the second gear preferably forms an axial stop for the second gear that fits onto the spline portion of the shaft, which further contributes to minimizing the axial installation space.

[0020] Further measures for improving the present invention are illustrated below together with the description of two preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention using figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2

Figure 2a

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] According to FIG. 1, a gear module for a transmission (not shown) essentially consists of a small - diameter gear 2a directly molded on a rotatable shaft 1 configured as a hollow shaft. The small - diameter gear 2a is combined with a second gear 2b adjacent to the small - diameter gear 2a on the spline portion 3 of the shaft 1. Both the first small - diameter gear 2a and the second large - diameter gear 2b are provided with helical gears 4.

[0023] The shaft 1 is rotatably mounted on both sides, and here only one rolling bearing 5 is shown. The rolling bearing 5 is fitted on the end - face bearing seat portion 6 of the shaft 1. The axial target positions of both the second gear 2b and the rolling bearing 5 are fixed by a fixing ring 7.

[0024] According to the detail D shown in FIG. 1a, the fixing ring 7 is inserted into the circumferential groove 8 of the shaft 1 near the end - face. On the opposite side, a two - leg angled fixing ring 7 engages behind the rolling bearing 5 to axially secure the installation position. The fixing ring 7 engages with the inner radial edge recess 9 of the rolling bearing 5 on the outer - edge side portion, so a protruding installation is realized here.

[0025] According to an alternative detail D’ visible in FIG. 1b, since such an edge recess is not provided, the fixing ring 7’ causes a slight axial overhang here.

[0026] In Figure 2, the fixed ring 7 is shown as a single component. Referring to the enlarged detailed view G of the related Figure 2a, the fixed ring 7 has an installation edge 11 that starts from a central portion 10 extending axially and is directed radially inward to engage a circumferential groove (not shown) of the shaft. On the other side, the fixed ring 7 has a deformed edge 12 that extends radially outward in the installed state to engage behind a rolling bearing (not shown here). This results in a two-legged angled shape similar to a Z shape. In this embodiment, the deformed edge 12 is at an angle of α < 90° with respect to the axial central portion 10 so as to avoid the movement of the component fixed in the axial direction.

[0027] According to Figure 3, the two-legged contoured fixed ring 7 is made from a formed sheet-like metal strip material and is provided with a separation slot 13 for elastic diameter adjustment during installation.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the fixed ring 7’ shown in Figure 4, the deformed edges are spaced apart from each other circumferentially and consist of individual formed tabs 14 (examples) that form interrupted radial edge regions.

[0029] The installation of the rolling bearing 5 onto the shaft 1 of the gear module using the fixed ring 7 is carried out according to the following installation steps.

[0030] According to Figure 5a, the fixed ring 7 is initially in a relaxed state, inserted into the circumferential groove 8 of the shaft 1, and pre-tensioned, as a result of which its diameter decreases. The rolling bearing 5 is placed in the installation preparation position.

[0031] According to Figures 6a and 6b, the rolling bearing 5 is fitted onto the bearing seat 6 of the shaft 1 via the pre-tensioned fixed ring 7.

[0032] With respect to FIGS. 7a and 7b, the fixing ring 7 is finally deformed by bending so as to form a deformed edge 12 that extends radially outward to engage behind the mounted rolling bearing 5. This creates an inseparable axial lock for the axially mounted bearing 5 fitted thereon and, optionally, for a gear or the like pre-fitted on the end of the shaft.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, departures therefrom that are within the scope of protection of the following claims are also contemplated. For example, with the fixing ring that is the subject of the present invention, it is also possible to fix components other than rolling bearings in the axial installation position on the shaft.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1 Shaft 2 Gear 3 Spline portion 4 Helical gear 5 Rolling bearing 6 Bearing seat 7 Fixing ring 8 Circumferential groove 9 Edge recess 10 Central portion 11 Installation edge 12 Deformed edge 13 Separation slot 14 Forming tab 15 Relief groove

Claims

1. A gear module for a transmission having at least one gear (2a, 2b) arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (1), wherein for the rotatable mounting of the shaft (1), the shaft is provided with at least one rolling bearing (5) fitted thereon on an end face bearing seat (6), and the rolling bearing is fixed by a fixing ring (7) arranged in a circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1) near the end face in order to axially secure the installation position. The fixing ring (7) has, on one side, a radially inwardly directed installation edge (11) starting from the axial central part (10) for engaging in the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1), and on the other side, a deformed edge (12) for engaging behind the fitted rolling bearing (5) extending radially outward in the installed state. The gear module is characterized in that the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1) near the end face is arranged within the bore of the rolling bearing (5) when the fixing ring (7) is in the installed state.

2. A gear module for a transmission having at least one gear (2a, 2b) arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (1), wherein for the rotatable mounting of the shaft (1), the shaft is provided with at least one rolling bearing (5) fitted thereon on an end face bearing seat (6), and the rolling bearing is fixed by a fixing ring (7) arranged in a circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1) near the end face in order to axially secure the installation position. The fixing ring (7) has, on one side, a radially inwardly directed installation edge (11) starting from the axial central part (10) for engaging in the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1), and on the other side, a deformed edge (12) for engaging behind the fitted rolling bearing (5) extending radially outward in the installed state. The gear module is characterized in that the two-legged profiled fixing ring (7; 7') is made of a formed sheet-like metal strip material and has a separation slot (13) for elastic diameter adjustment.

3. The deformed edge portion (12) of the fixed ring (7) in the set state is accommodated in the region of the radially inner edge recess (9) of the rolling bearing (5), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The deformed edge portion (12) and / or the installation edge portion (11) of the fixed ring (7) extend at an angle of 90° or less with respect to the axial center portion (10), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The deformed edge portion (12) of the fixed ring (7') is configured as a discontinuous deformed edge portion (12) consisting of individual formed tabs (14) arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, characterized in that the gear module according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A first gear (2a) is provided on the shaft (1) for forming a gear ratio stage, and the second gear (2b) is fitted onto a spline portion (3) adjacent to the bearing seat portion (6), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A relief groove (15) is provided between the second gear (2b) fitted onto the spline portion (3) and the rolling bearing (5) fitted onto the adjacent bearing seat portion (6) with respect to the shaft (1) so that the second gear (2b) forms an axial stop for the rolling bearing (5), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 6.

8. A helical gear (4) is provided on the second gear (2b) fitted onto the spline portion (3), and the progression of the helical gear (4) presses the second gear (2b) against the shaft shoulder as an axial stop during operation, characterized in that the gear module according to claim 6.

9. The first gear (2a) is integrally formed with the shaft (1) and has a smaller diameter than the second gear (2b), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 6.

10. The side surface of the first gear (2a) facing the second gear (2b) forms an axial stop for the second gear (2b) fitted onto the spline portion (3) of the shaft (1), characterized in that the gear module according to claim 6.

11. A method for mounting a rolling bearing (5) on a shaft (1) of a gear module according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the following mounting steps, - inserting the installation edge (11) of the fixed ring (7) into the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1); - fitting the rolling bearing (5) onto the bearing seat (6) of the shaft (1) with the fixed ring (7) inserted; - deforming the fixed ring (7) so as to form the deformation edge (12) extending radially outward for engagement behind the mounted rolling bearing (5).

12. A method for mounting a rolling bearing (5) on a shaft (1) of a gear module according to claim 6, comprising the following mounting steps, - inserting the installation edge (11) of the fixed ring (7) into the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1); - fitting the rolling bearing (5) onto the bearing seat (6) of the shaft (1) with the fixed ring (7) inserted; - deforming the fixed ring (7) so as to form the deformation edge (12) extending radially outward for engagement behind the mounted rolling bearing (5), characterized in that, before the step of inserting the fixed ring (7) into the circumferential groove (8) of the shaft (1), or at least before installing the rolling bearing, the second gear (2b) is fitted onto the spline portion (3) of the shaft (1) via the bearing seat (6).

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