Ball bearings and methods for assembling ball bearings

Abstract

To provide a ball bearing comprises: a holder; and a plurality of balls held in the holder, where the balls are arranged one behind another and at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction about an axis of rotation of the ball bearing.SOLUTION: The holder is assembled from at least two or exactly two holder parts which are joined to one another in a materially bonded manner by welding and / or bonding and completely enclose the balls in a circumferential surface extending around the axis of rotation. In the ball bearing of the present invention, a first holder part is formed as a snap holder having axial webs which project in the direction of the axis of rotation from a closed base ring, where ball pockets are formed between the axial webs; the first holder part encloses the balls along outer circumference of the balls by 180° or more, holds the balls in a shape-bonded manner while forming an undercut, and limits displacement of the balls within the circumferential surface in the direction of the at least one other second holder part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball bearing including a cage and a plurality of balls held by the cage as described in the upper concept of claim 1, and a method of assembling a ball bearing including an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, a cage, and balls.

[0002] In particular, in the deep groove ball bearing to which the present invention relates, since the balls are in close contact with both surfaces of the rolling path of the inner bearing ring and the rolling path of the outer bearing ring not only in the radial direction but also in the axial direction of the ball bearing, the inner bearing ring, the outer bearing ring, and the balls do not move relative to each other in the axial direction, that is, in the direction of the rotation axis of the ball bearing. The deep groove ball bearing is mainly designed to absorb radial forces, but nevertheless, it can also absorb a small axial force. For example, the axial load capacity is at least about 10% of the radial load capacity. Therefore, the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring each have two flanges, that is, two convex portions extending adjacent to the sides of the balls in the radial direction, and these convex portions contact the balls and guide them in the axial direction. That is, the movement of the balls in the axial direction is restricted.

[0003] Based on the four flanges, it is not possible to pre - mount the balls in a cage closed on both sides in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis and in the direction of the rotation axis, that is, in the axial direction, and provide them in the space between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. Rather, the balls are initially provided between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring without using a cage, for example, through radial filling openings in the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, or by positioning the rings eccentrically relative to each other, dispersed in the circumferential direction, and subsequently, a bearing cage formed as a crowned cage or a snap cage is inserted between the balls in the direction of the rotation axis, that is, in the axial direction.

[0004] During insertion, the axial web, which stands upright on the closed base ring of the bearing cage, snaps into place above the balls, thereby locking the balls into ball pockets formed between the axial webs. Based on the fact that the balls are snapped or locked in the cage in this way, and that the balls are held in the cage by shape coupling in the circumferential and axial directions with a predetermined amount of play, this cage is called a snap cage, and the name crown cage derives from its crown-shaped configuration, which comprises a base ring and an axial web that extends from the base ring in the axial direction and has a free end in particular.

[0005] The drawback of such snap cages or crown cages is that, in ball bearings with high rotational speeds, such as 200,000 revolutions per minute or more, which is particularly relevant to the present invention, the free end of the axial web may bend outward due to centrifugal force, which can impair the motion characteristics of the ball bearing and increase wear.

[0006] Furthermore, unlike machined cages which can be guided by two flanges, this type of crown-shaped cage is guided radially by only one flange, usually one flange on the inner ring of the bearing. As a result, its dynamic stability during operation is lower compared to guided by two flanges. The structural mechanical stability of the crown-shaped cage is also reduced compared to machined cages.

[0007] Accordingly, DE 10 2019 206 954 A1 proposes a cage for a ball bearing assembled from two cage components, the two cage components being joined to each other by material bonding by being assembled in the form of two parts and subsequently ultrasonic welding. Thus, a deep groove ball bearing with a cage closed on both sides can also be formed. A drawback of the above embodiment is that the two cage components, which may have the same shape as each other, cannot each hold the balls by shape bonding in the axial direction, as in the case of a conventional snap cage. Furthermore, because the joint is positioned on the axis of the ball pocket, and therefore positioned relative to the balls which are arranged sequentially in the circumferential direction, the ball pocket wears most strongly in the circumferential direction, thus further accelerating wear.

[0008] In DE 10 2016 221 801 A1, a corresponding cage is disclosed, assembled from two cage components, the joint being positioned relative to a ball between the two cage components in the circumferential direction.

[0009] DE 78 10515 U1 and DE 26 05 634 A1 disclose bearing cages made of welded plastic for spherical roller bearings.

[0010] JP 2007 198583 A, JP 2018 66433 A, and JP2005 180 666 A show another bearing cage consisting of two joined parts.

[0011] US 2002 / 0081048 A1 discloses a rolling bearing comprising a cage component having claws and a retaining ring.

[0012] The problem that this invention is based on is to provide a ball bearing and a method for assembling a ball bearing, wherein the cage of the ball bearing is closed on both sides in the axial direction, the ball bearing is particularly wear-resistant and suitable for high rotational speeds, and the ball bearing can also be formed as a deep groove ball bearing.

[0013] The problems of the present invention are solved by the ball bearing and method described in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe advantageous and particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] The ball bearing according to the present invention comprises a cage and a plurality of balls that are held in the cage and are arranged in a sequential front-to-back direction and at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis of the ball bearing. The cage is assembled from at least two cage components, preferably exactly two, which are joined to each other by material bonding, particularly by welding, ultrasonic welding and / or bonding, and completely enclose the balls within a circumferential surface that extends (virtually) about the rotation axis. Thus, the cage is formed to be closed at both ends in the axial direction corresponding to the direction of the rotation axis of the ball bearing.

[0015] Another advantageous joining method for the two retainer components by material bonding is laser transmission welding.

[0016] According to the present invention, the first retainer component is formed as a snap retainer component and therefore has axial webs that rise from a closed base ring in the direction of the axis of rotation, with ball pockets formed between these axial webs. The retainer can be inserted between the balls located between the inner ring and outer ring of the bearing and snapped into place, at which point the balls are locked between the axial webs. Therefore, the first retainer component can also be called a crown-shaped retainer component, and the axial webs, in particular, have a free end on the side opposite to the base ring. The first retainer component surrounds the balls within the aforementioned circumferential surface by more than 180° along its outer circumference, forming an undercut and holding the balls by shape coupling, so that the displacement of the balls in the direction of at least one other retainer component, i.e., the second retainer component, within the circumferential surface is restricted. Holding by shape coupling is understood to mean holding the balls with a predetermined amount of play within the retainer, and therefore the balls are movable or transferable over a relatively small area within the retainer.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, only the first retainer component has a guide surface for the balls, which the balls make direct contact with at least temporarily. Thus, the second retainer component serves only to stabilize the first retainer component and is positioned at a distance from the balls. In such embodiments, the second retainer component can be formed, for example, as a sufficiently flat ring, which in particular has an axial projection that engages with an axial recess of the first retainer component, or has an axial recess that engages with an axial projection of the first retainer component.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second retainer components have guide surfaces for the balls, with which the balls make at least temporary direct contact, but the guide surface in the first retainer component is larger than the guide surface in the second retainer component, and in particular extends more than 180° along the outer circumference of each ball, and in this case also extends within the aforementioned circumferential surface. In such an embodiment, particularly, harmonized and low-vibration ball guiding can be achieved.

[0019] Particularly preferable for joining by ultrasonic welding, one of the cage components, especially the second cage component, has an energy director or axial projection which engages with a recess in the other cage component, especially the first cage component, which forms a molten chamber for the material molten by ultrasonic welding. This prevents material from flowing outward from the cage component, thus preventing interference with precise contact of the cage with the inner or outer ring of the bearing.

[0020] When the joint between at least two retainer components, particularly between exactly two retainer components, is established by laser transmission welding, the heating for welding the retainer components is performed by the absorption of laser beam energy in at least one of the two retainer components, preferably just one. The material of at least one retainer component is transparent to the laser beam, and is such that the laser beam can at least pass through the retainer component to the welding location. In particular, the other retainer component absorbs the energy of the laser beam at the welding location, so that the energy of the laser beam is converted into heat at the joint or near the welding location, and this heat locally melts the components or their materials involved, establishing the desired material bond after cooling. Preferably, the component / retainer component has a wall thickness that allows less laser beam penetration than the component that is transparent to the laser beam.

[0021] The second retainer component can preferably be held in the first retainer component by shape coupling in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and radially with respect to the axis of rotation, or the first retainer component can preferably be held in the second retainer component by shape coupling in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and radially with respect to the axis of rotation. This makes it possible to achieve very precise centering of the two retainer components relative to each other. For example, the first retainer component has a radial projection that engages with a radial recess in the second retainer component, and / or the second retainer component has a radial projection that engages with a radial recess in the first retainer component.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the first retainer component contacts the radially inner or radially outer contact surface of the second retainer component using its radially outer or radially inner contact surface. This achieves the desired radial guide.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, the first retainer component contacts the opposing contact surface of the second retainer component with a contact surface that extends obliquely with respect to the radial direction in the direction of the rotation axis. Thus, when the first retainer component is viewed in an axial plan view, the axial webs can form a conical gap between them, the side walls of which extend obliquely with respect to the radial direction of the ball bearing. This also achieves shape-coupled retention of the second retainer component by the first retainer component in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis and simultaneously in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the first cage component forms an inner flange guide or an outer flange guide of the cage on the inner ring or outer ring of the bearing, the first cage component preferably extends over the entire extent of the cage in the direction of the rotation axis. Thus, the inner flange guide or outer flange guide is not interrupted by the joint between the first cage component and the second cage component.

[0025] Particularly preferable is a ball bearing comprising an inner ring and an outer ring, each forming a rolling path for the balls, in which case the ball bearing is formed as a radial bearing or radial thrust bearing, particularly as a deep groove ball bearing with two flanges on the inner ring and two flanges on the outer ring. Such bearings are particularly suitable for high-speed rotation and can be manufactured at a lower cost than bearings in which one flange on the inner and / or outer ring is modified to a conical geometric shape or completely omitted and subsequently replaced with a convex or conical portion, etc.

[0026] In the method according to the invention for assembling a ball bearing, balls are positioned in the rolling path between the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring, and subsequently, a first cage part is inserted in the direction of the rotational axis of the ball bearing, i.e., the axial direction, wherein the axial webs are each inserted between two balls arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the balls are locked in the ball pockets. Subsequently, the first cage part and the second cage part are joined to each other in the direction of the rotational axis, i.e., the axial direction, and are joined to each other by material bonding by adhesion and / or welding, in particular by ultrasonic welding.

[0027] In an embodiment in which an energy director is provided on the first cage part and / or the second cage part, the energy introduced by vibration can be focused by the energy director, whereby the material of the other cage part is locally melted as desired. At the same time, the material at the free end of the energy director can be melted. As the material, in particular thermoplastic plastics such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone) are conceivable. However, other materials, particularly preferably plastics such as thermoplastic polymers, are also conceivable.

[0028] Providing a melting tank has the advantage that the melt is collected at a predetermined position and is prevented from flowing out from the contact surface between the first cage part and the second cage part. Thereby, a uniform weld seam having higher strength can be formed, and an uncontrollable outflow of the cooling melt, which may protrude from the two cage parts beyond the defined area of the seam position and impair the function of the cage, is avoided.

[0029] During joining, by guiding the two cage parts relative to each other in the radial and circumferential directions during the welding process, it is ensured that the seam regions of the two cage parts do not shift relative to each other, thereby not adversely affecting the welding process and the welding result.

[0030] By restricting other moving directions and tilting directions, it is achieved that they can only move axially relative to each other, and axial rocking is also achieved, which is advantageous for the proposed ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, with the above guides, two cage parts are welded to each other at the precisely intended positions, thereby avoiding the impairment of the functionality of the cage.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the guides in the radial and circumferential directions between two cage parts are carried out radially inside in the second cage part or radially outside in the first cage part when joining these cage parts, thereby achieving self - reinforcement against the spreading of the first cage part at high rotational speeds of the ball bearing. The guiding of the cage in the flange of the bearing ring is preferably carried out in the bearing inner ring using the first cage part, so that the cage guided in the inner flange will not have its function impaired by the interface surface between the two cage parts.

[0032] Preferably, for ultrasonic welding, a frequency in the range of 20 kHz to 70 kHz is selected. The vibration brought about by ultrasonic welding elastically deforms the material of the cage part and induces intermolecular friction. Furthermore, friction occurs between the contact surfaces of the two cage parts, generating heat together with the intermolecular friction, and accordingly, the material of the cage melts. Preferably, a relatively short cooling period is provided, during which the two cage parts are pressed against each other under pressure, thereby enabling the melted material to solidify homogeneously.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the energy injection is limited to a relatively small contact surface between the two cage parts. Thereby, with a relatively small amount of energy injection, melting of the cage material in a narrowly defined local range can be realized.

[0034] According to one embodiment described herein, an energy director is provided on at least one of the retainer components, and this type of energy director forms a linear or point-like contact surface between the two retainer components, and is usually formed as the tip of one of the two retainer components. In this case, the tip can be melted and spread evenly around the convex portion supporting the tip between the first and second retainer components, and solidified in a melting bath. The tip is, for example, V-shaped before melting.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, one of the two retainer components, the first retainer component and / or the second retainer component, is provided with a plurality of V-shaped recesses, into which an axial projection of the other retainer component having at least a substantially flat end face enters each V-shaped recess. This also achieves a linear contact area between the two retainer components, which can then be melted, thereby allowing the two retainer components to further penetrate each other and to receive and solidify the molten material in the recesses.

[0036] During melting, the two retainer components can be advantageously pressed against each other. The melting of the energy director when pressure is applied allows the two retainer components to reach their geometrically required final positions.

[0037] The material of the retainer component can preferably be fiber-reinforced. However, this is not essential.

[0038] The melting of the retainer material by ultrasonic welding can be achieved, for example, with an energy injection period of 150 to 550 milliseconds.

[0039] The amplitude of the vibration is, for example, 5 μm to 50 μm.

[0040] In laser transmission welding, special geometric shapes such as energy directors and / or molten baths are not required. According to one embodiment, the retainer component can be configured as a simple disk without a specified height, depth, or similar geometric shape. For example, the retainer component has the shape of a flat annular disk.

[0041] The retainer components can be positioned relative to each other radially and, if necessary, circumferentially, by, for example, an alignment device, and can be pressed against each other axially or simply brought into contact with each other to minimize and / or close the gaps between the retainer components. Subsequently, as described above, the retainer components can be joined to each other by laser transmission welding.

[0042] To weld retainer components together at various welding locations, laser beams can be introduced sequentially at these locations, or in parallel at these locations. By performing welding in a desired order, for example, alternately or in a star pattern along the radius, i.e., by preventing directly adjacent welding locations from being directly welded in the circumferential direction, welding distortion can be minimized or avoided. Welding distortion can also be avoided by welding various locations or all welding locations simultaneously.

[0043] Welding without switching the laser beam on or off is also possible. In this case, the laser beam can be guided from welding point to welding point in a continuous circular path, and the path extends accordingly to pass through the planned welding points. At the planned welding points, material bonding is achieved after the materials involved have cooled, and since melting does not occur in the gaps created by the ball pockets, no changes are induced in the rolling elements present in those ball pockets.

[0044] The present invention will be described illustratively below with reference to examples and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0045] [Figure 1] A first embodiment of a ball bearing according to the present invention is shown, comprising a two-part cage before the cage components are fully joined and welded together. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an axial cross-sectional view of the retainer. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows an axial cross-sectional view of the retainer in the region of the energy director and the corresponding recess containing the melting tank. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows the molten tank in which the two retainer components are fully welded and joined. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an axial plan view of the retainer in a fully welded and joined state. [Figure 6] This shows an axial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a retainer consisting of two parts. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a two-part retainer with the two retainer components fully welded and joined together. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a radial cross-sectional view of the retainer. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram of the method according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram of the ball bearing according to the present invention, which includes an inner ring and an outer ring, is shown. [Figure 11] This shows the melting of the energy director in the melting tank. [Figure 12] An embodiment in which an energy director is not provided is shown. [Figure 13] Figure 12 shows a perspective plan view of the melting tank according to the embodiment shown. [Figure 14] Another embodiment of a two-part retainer is shown, with the two retainer components welded together. [Figure 15] Figure 14 shows the first retainer component of the retainer shown. [Figure 16] Figure 14 shows the second retainer component of the retainer shown.

[0046] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a ball bearing according to the present invention, including a cage 1 assembled from a first cage component 1.1 and a second cage component 1.2. The first cage component 1.1 has a base ring 1.1.1 that is closed in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis of the ball bearing, and axial webs 1.1.2 that stand upright on the base ring 1.1.1 in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the rotation axis, and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, with ball pockets 1.1.3 formed between the axial webs 1.1.2, and balls 2 are held in these ball pockets 1.1.3 with a predetermined amount of play by shape coupling. The balls 2 are simply schematically shown by dashed lines. Since the first cage component 1.1 is formed as a snap cage component, the balls 2 are locked in the ball pockets 1.1.3 in the axial direction between the inner ring and outer ring of the bearing (not shown here) when the first cage component 1.1 is inserted.

[0047] The second retainer component 1.2 is formed substantially as a flat ring and has a contact surface 13 that extends radially and circumferentially and is closed in the circumferential direction, and when the two retainer components 1.1 and 1.2 are fully joined, this contact surface 13 and the end face 14 of the axial web 1.1.2 are in flush contact.

[0048] As can be seen particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the end face 14 has a recess 5 into which an energy director 4 protruding from the contact surface 13 engages when the two retainer parts 1.1 and 1.2 are joined. Since the energy director 4 is wedge-shaped, line contact is achieved at the bottom of the recess 5. Since the energy director 4 does not completely fill the recess 5, each recess 5 forms a molten pool for the molten material. When the two retainer parts 1.1 and 1.2 are welded, the molten material from the energy director 4 and the molten material from the bottom of the recess 5 are collected in the recess 5, and at the same time, the second retainer part 1.2 is moved further toward the first retainer part 1.1 in the axial direction until the contact surface 13 contacts the end face 14.

[0049] This state is shown in Figure 4. The molten material forms a seam over the entire surface between the remaining protrusions of the energy director 4 and the bottom and side walls of the recess 5, and possibly between the contact surface 13 and the end surface 14.

[0050] To center the two retainer parts 1.1 and 1.2 relative to each other during joining, the first retainer part 1.1 has a radially outer contact surface 8, and the second retainer part 1.2 has a radially inner contact surface 9, and these two contact surfaces slide relative to each other when joined. Furthermore, the first retainer part 1.1 has a radial projection 6 that engages with a radial recess 7 in the second retainer part 1.2. This achieves circumferential guiding or alignment of the axial web 1.1.2 and the second retainer part 1.2.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the radially inner surface of the first cage component 1.1 extends over the entire axially extending portion of the cage 1, thereby forming an uninterrupted inner flange guide for the cage 1 in the bearing inner ring (not shown). However, this is not essential.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5, only the first retainer component 1.1 forms the guide surface 3 for the ball 2. The second retainer component 1.2 does not have a guide function for the ball 2 and is positioned at a distance from the ball 2.

[0053] Figure 5 shows, in a schematic plan view of the end face of the second cage component 1.2 in a fully joined state, how the second cage component 1.2 is held by the first cage component 1.1 by shape coupling in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the ball bearing and in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the ball bearing, through the contact surfaces 8 and 9, as well as the radial protrusion 6 and radial recess 7.

[0054] The second embodiment, shown in Figures 6 to 8, differs from the first embodiment in that both the first retainer component 1.1 and the second retainer component 1.2 form guide surfaces 3 for the ball 2. The second retainer component 1.2 also has axial webs 15, which, in the circumferential direction, enter between the axial webs 1.1.2 of the first retainer component 1.1 and together with the axial webs 1.1.2 define a ball pocket 1.1.3.

[0055] Furthermore, this embodiment differs in that, as can be seen particularly in Figure 8, shape coupling is performed between the second retainer component 1.2 and the first retainer component 1.1 in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. Here, Figure 8 shows a radial cross-sectional view along the end face 14 of the axial web 1.1.2 of the first retainer component 1.1.

[0056] The space defined in the circumferential direction by the axial web 1.1.2 is conical in shape when viewed in plan, because the contact surfaces 8 and 9 extend in the direction of the rotation axis of the ball bearing, i.e., in the axial direction, and are inclined with respect to the radial direction.

[0057] For other details, please refer to the descriptions in Figures 1 to 4, where the corresponding component is indicated by its corresponding reference numeral.

[0058] Figure 9 schematically illustrates the method according to the present invention for assembling the ball bearing shown in Figures 1 to 8, but the balls positioned between the inner and outer rings of the bearing are omitted. Rather, only the joining and welding of the first cage component 1.1 and the second cage component 1.2 are shown. The two cage components 1.1 and 1.2 are positioned relative to each other in the axial direction, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 1 and 6. Subsequently, the sonotrode 20 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus 21 is positioned over the second cage component 1.2, and ultrasonic waves are introduced into the second cage component 1.2 via the sonotrode 20. At this time, the material of the energy director 4 melts, and possibly the material of the other cage components in contact with each other melts, forming a welded joint. Axial pressure is maintained until the material solidifies. Subsequently, the sonotrode 20 can be withdrawn.

[0059] Figure 9 illustrates that the energy director 4 is located in the first retainer component 1.1. This is also possible in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8. However, it is equally possible to place the energy director 4 in the second retainer component 1.2, which is preferable in terms of energy introduction.

[0060] Figure 10 schematically shows a ball bearing according to the present invention, which is formed as a deep groove ball bearing. In this figure, since the inner ring 10 and the outer ring 11 of the bearing each have two flanges 12, the balls are guided not only in the radial direction but also in the axial direction on both sides of the rolling paths of the inner ring 10 and the outer ring 11 of the bearing. Furthermore, the balls 2 are guided within the cage 1.

[0061] Figure 11 schematically illustrates again how the material at the tip of the energy director 4 and the material in contact with it melt in the recess 5 to form a bonding seam between the first retainer part 1.1 and the second retainer part 1.2. At the same time, the recess 5 forms a melting chamber that prevents the molten material between the first retainer part 1.1 and the second retainer part 1.2 from leaking out undesirably.

[0062] In the embodiments shown in Figures 12 and 13, energy directors are not provided on the retainer parts 1.1 and 1.2. The axial projection 16 of the second retainer part 1.2 has a sufficiently flat end face and forms a linear contact surface with the V-shaped recess 5 in the axial cross-section of the first retainer part 1.1. Therefore, linear vibration transmission occurs between the first retainer part 1.1 and the second retainer part 1.2.

[0063] In the embodiments shown in Figures 12 and 13, the recess 5 may be provided on the second retainer component 1.2, as in the other embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 11, and the corresponding protrusion may be provided on the first retainer component 1.1.

[0064] Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the ball bearing according to the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as above are used for the corresponding components. Unlike the above embodiment, the second cage component 1.2 is formed as a flat, disc-shaped annule. The first cage component 1.1 also has a base ring 1.1.1 that is closed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the ball bearing, and axial webs 1.1.2 that stand upright on the base ring 1.1.1 in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the rotation axis, and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, with ball pockets 1.1.3 formed between the axial webs 1.1.2. In particular, as can be seen from Figures 15 and 16, the contact surface 13 of the second cage component 1.2 is flat and rests on the similarly flat end face 14 of the axial web 1.1.2 of the first cage component 1.1.

[0065] Such a retainer 1 can be manufactured, for example, by laser transmission welding of two retainer components 1.1 and 1.2. Preferably, the second retainer component 1.2, which is considerably thinner in the axial direction, is manufactured from a laser-transmissive material, in contrast to the first retainer component 1.1 or its material, which absorbs the laser beam at least at the end face 14 of the axial web 1.1.2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Cage 1.1. First retainer component 1.1.1 Base Ring 1.1.2 Axial Web 1.1.3 Ball pocket 1.2 Second retainer component 2 balls 3 Guide surface 4 Energy Director 5 recesses 6 Radial protrusions 7 Radial recess 8 Contact surface 9 Contact surface 10 Bearing inner ring 11. Outer ring of bearing 12 Brims 13 Contact surface 14 End face 15 Axial web 16 Axial protrusion 20 Sonotoro 21 Ultrasonic welding equipment

Claims

1. The bearing comprises a cage (1) and a plurality of balls (2) that are arranged in a sequential front-to-back direction and at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the ball bearing and are held by the cage (1). The retainer (1) is assembled from at least two or exactly two retainer components (1.1, 1.2), the at least two or exactly two retainer components being joined to each other by welding and / or adhesive, and completely enclosing the ball (2) within a circumferential surface extending around the axis of rotation. The first retainer component (1.1) is formed as a snap retainer having an axial web (1.1.2) that rises from a closed base ring in the direction of the axis of rotation, with ball pockets (1.1.3) formed between the axial webs (1.1.2), the first retainer component (1.1) surrounds the ball (2) by 180° or more along the outer circumference of the ball (2), forming an undercut to hold the ball (2) by shape coupling, and restricts the displacement of the ball (2) in the direction of at least one other second retainer component (1.2) within the circumferential surface. The second retainer component (1.2) is held by the first retainer component (1.1) by shape coupling in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation and in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, and / or the first retainer component (1.1) is held by the second retainer component (1.2) by shape coupling in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation and in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. A ball bearing characterized in that the first cage component (1.1) has a radial projection (6) that engages with a radial recess (7) in the second cage component (1.2), and / or the second cage component (1.2) has a radial projection (6) that engages with a radial recess (7) in the first cage component (1.1).

2. The ball bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer components (1.1, 1.2) are joined to each other by ultrasonic welding.

3. The ball bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer components (1.1, 1.2) are joined to each other by laser beam transmission welding.

4. The ball bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that only the first retainer component (1.1) has a guide surface (3) for the ball (2), and the ball (2) is in direct contact with the guide surface (3) at least temporarily.

5. The ball bearing according to claim 1, wherein the first retainer component (1.1) and at least one second retainer component (1.2) have guide surfaces (3) for the balls (2) that the balls (2) make direct contact with at least temporarily, and the guide surface (3) in the first retainer component (1.1) is larger than the guide surface (3) in the second retainer component (1.2) and extends 180° or more along the outer circumference of each ball (2).

6. The ball bearing according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the cage components (1.1, 1.2), the second cage component (1.2), has an axial projection (16) and / or an energy director (4) that engages with a recess (5) in the other cage component (1.1, 1.2), the first cage component (1.1), and the recess (5) forms a molten chamber for material molten by ultrasonic welding.

7. The ball bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cage component (1.1) is in contact with the radially inner or radially outer contact surface (9) of the second cage component (1.2) at a radially outer or radially inner contact surface (8).

8. The ball bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the first retainer component (1.1) is in contact with the opposing contact surface (9) of the second retainer component (1.2) by a contact surface (8) that extends in the direction of the rotation axis and obliquely with respect to the radial direction.

9. The ball bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first retainer component (1.1) extends over the entire extent of the retainer (1) in the direction of the rotation axis.

10. The ball bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a bearing inner ring (10) and a bearing outer ring (11) that each form a rolling path for the ball (2) to roll, wherein the ball bearing is formed as a radial bearing or a radial thrust bearing.

11. The ball bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that the ball bearing is formed as a deep groove ball bearing having two flanges (12) on the inner ring (10) of the bearing and two flanges (12) on the outer ring (11) of the bearing.

12. A method for assembling a ball bearing according to claim 10, 14.1 A step of positioning the ball (2) in the rolling path between the inner ring (10) and the outer ring (11) of the bearing, 14.2 Next, the first retainer component (1.1) is inserted in the direction of the rotation axis of the ball bearing, the axial web (1.1.2) is inserted between two balls (2) that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the balls (2) are locked into the ball pockets (1.1.3), 14.3 A method for assembling a ball bearing, comprising the steps of: joining the first cage component (1.1) and the second cage component (1.2) to each other in the direction of the rotation axis, and joining the first cage component (1.1) and the second cage component (1.2) by welding and / or bonding.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first retainer component (1.1) and the second retainer component (1.2) are joined to each other by material bonding using ultrasonic welding.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first retainer component (1.1) and the second retainer component (1.2) are joined to each other by material bonding using laser transmission welding.

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