Burnishing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a burnishing device (1) for burnishing a bearing component (2), in particular a bearing ring, wherein: the burnishing device (1) has a segmented process container comprising one or more subsegments; at least one of the subsegments is designed as a burnishing segment (18-1, 18-2) which can be acted on by a burnishing fluid; the burnishing device also has a retaining and rotation device (34); the retaining and rotation device (34) is designed to retain and rotate the bearing component (2); the retaining and rotation device (34) is designed to rotate the bearing component (2) in a horizontal plane about a stationary, substantially vertical axis such that the bearing component (2) can be moved so as to pass through the burnishing segment (18-1, 18-2) in order to burnish the surface of the bearing component (2) in segments.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Burnishing device

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present invention relates to a bluing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] Coating and surface finishing processes for bearing components such as rolling bearings and plain bearings, and particularly bearing rings, include black oxide coating, in which a black iron oxide conversion layer is formed on the steel surface of the bearing component. For large bearing rings, a rotational black oxide coating process can be used. This process involves suspending a large bearing ring with its axis horizontal over a fluid container, i.e., with its axis of rotation in the horizontal plane. The ring is in constant rotation and is partially immersed in the fluid container. A conveyor system moves the ring from container to container until the entire processing process, which comprises approximately 15 stations, is completed. Since the fluid containers are too small to immerse the entire ring, it is normally only immersed to a depth of 1 / 3 to 1 / 4 of its diameter.

[0007] However, even such a rotational blacking device reaches its limits when it comes to large bearing rings with a diameter of more than 2.5 m, but especially more than 3.0 m and, for example, up to 4 or 5 m. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that a conventional blacking system, both in the rotational and full-immersion processes, becomes very large for this upper ring size range and thus potentially uneconomical. Full-immersion processes are no longer realistically feasible for these ring sizes, both in horizontal and vertical ring positions, due to the space requirements, the tank size, and the thermal problems associated with the corresponding size. With the ring positioned vertically, a thermal stratification problem arises due to the great bath depth and the extreme hall height.In a horizontal ring position, the up to 15 tanks take up unacceptable floor space. In addition, the high air contact area of ​​the blacking bath leads to excessive sludge accumulation, unacceptable energy losses and severe temperature distribution problems, since bottom heating in the tank is not possible for technical reasons. In rotational blacking, in which the ring rotates about its horizontal axis, i.e. with its axis of rotation in the horizontal plane, and is partially immersed, the technical problem, in addition to thermal complications, is the weight of the bearing ring and the rollers that support this ring. The polymer rollers commonly used have a limited load capacity and, with some ring geometries, a rather small contact area. It is not permitted to guide a rolling bearing ring on its raceways, as these could be damaged.For example, the outer ring of a double-row tapered roller bearing has only a very limited workpiece width at its inner diameter at which roller suspension is possible. Supports on edges and radii are no longer possible with very high ring weights because the local mechanical pressure causes the ring to cut into the polymer rollers. With a ring weight of several tons, as is the case with rings over 2.5 m long, two sets of rollers are no longer sufficient. With more than two sets of rollers, a water-hydraulic system is required to ensure an even load on all rollers. This significantly complicates the rotation technology and increases investment and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the rings must rotate at very high speeds to prevent the surface in the air zone from drying out. This creates additional process-related problems in the largest ring size range.Extremely heavy rings also have very high rotational energy and pose the risk of falling if they become unstable in their position or require emergency stopping. All of these problems can be solved technically, so that under special conditions, a rotational bluing process up to, for example, 4.0 m in diameter is possible. However, the technical costs for this are high.

[0008] While small rolling bearings are high-volume mass products, very large bearings are series with limited quantities. It can be very uneconomical to maintain an extremely large blacking system that is nowhere near fully utilized by the number of such large bearing rings. If a blacking system is too large and primarily produces smaller goods, this increases the manufacturing costs because certain running costs such as energy and media consumption as well as depreciation are disproportionately high. Even if it is possible to perform rotational blacking up to a diameter of 4 m, for example, with the help of special technical equipment, it may be necessary for economic reasons to design the rotational blacking system for a smaller maximum diameter, for example 3 m. This ensures that the main production volume is offset by an acceptable production cost structure.However, the limited production volume of even larger rings must then be burnished using a completely different method, which must not involve the investment volume, size, or complexity of a conventional burnishing system or rotary burnishing system. The process for such rings may have a lower throughput, but must be kept minimal in terms of space requirements and system technology.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple and safe way of burnishing large bearing components, in particular bearing rings with a diameter of more than 3.0 m, with reduced space and investment requirements, in particular with a limited production volume.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] This object is achieved by a bluing device according to patent claim 1.

[0012] The bluing device is used for bluing a bearing component, in particular a bearing ring, and in particular a bearing ring with a diameter of more than 2.5 m, in particular more than 3.0 m. The bluing device has a single segmented process container comprising one or more sub-segments. At least one of these sub-segments can be supplied with a bluing fluid. Additionally, the process container can be operated with other fluids. The bluing device further comprises a holding and rotating device designed to hold and rotate the bearing component.

[0013] The process container is preferably round, with a larger diameter than the largest bearing ring to be machined, and accommodates this ring horizontally within it, i.e., with a vertical rotation axis. When inserting the ring into the process container, all segments are preferably empty of any liquid. As explained in more detail below, the blackening segment in the process container can only be filled, flooded, or otherwise exposed to the blackening fluid after the bearing component has been moved into the container.

[0014] In contrast to previous devices used for full-immersion processes or rotational browning, the process container provided here is designed to accommodate the entire bearing component. The bearing component can thus be simultaneously in all process steps required for the process, which are represented by the segments of the process container. However, unlike previously conventional devices, the individual process steps are not represented by a series of individual containers arranged one behind the other, but rather by individual segments of the segmented process container.

[0015] The holding and rotating device is designed to rotate the bearing component in a horizontal plane such that the bearing component can be moved continuously through the blackening segment in order to continuously blacken the surface of the bearing component. This means that the surface elements of the bearing component can be moved successively through all segments of the process container in a slow rotation. The axis of rotation of the bearing component is preferably stationary during rotation, in particular in the center of the process container. Furthermore, the axis of rotation is essentially vertical. However, it should be noted that due to slight fluctuations and / or movements of the bearing component in the horizontal and / or vertical plane, the axis of rotation is only approximately vertical and the axis of rotation can deviate from the vertical plane. This applies equally to the stationary arrangement.Here, too, the axis of rotation may deviate slightly from the center of the process vessel and / or oscillate or fluctuate around the center.

[0016] The horizontal ring position has the advantage that the bearing component can be easily placed on the holding and rotating device. The load of the bearing component can be easily distributed across several support rollers, at least three, of the holding and rotating device. These rollers can support the ring on its downward-facing end face, which is usually large and offers sufficient contact area. This eliminates the need for a complex water-hydraulic system to ensure an even load on all rollers, as the horizontal orientation makes it easier to distribute the load across multiple elements. The flat orientation in the horizontal plane also eliminates the risk of the bearing component falling or tipping over.

[0017] Within the scope of a bluing process, it would be possible to design and use the described bluing device for bearing rings with a diameter of 2.5 m or more, preferably 3.0 m, and to use a previously used rotary bluing system for smaller bearing rings up to 2.5 m in diameter.

[0018] As already explained, the holding and rotating device comprises a plurality of support rollers that can be arranged circumferentially around the bearing component and are designed to support and rotate the bearing component. As already explained, the bearing component, in particular the bearing ring, rotates with a vertical axis and can therefore be positioned horizontally on at least three support rollers. This reduces the load on each individual support roller.

[0019] As already explained, the process container can have several segments, wherein the blackening container present in conventional systems is only designed as one of the segments in the process container, and wherein the holding and rotating device is designed to rotate the bearing component through the several segments and also through the blackening segment. The support rollers described above can be used here. The support rollers are preferably located on the bottom of the segments. However, they are not arranged in the blackening segment(s) because the blackening liquid and the blackening sludge can damage the support rollers, in particular attack their material and block the bearings. In order to support and rotate the bearing component, the support rollers can therefore be arranged outside those segments, in particular the blackening segments, whose media would have a harmful effect on the rollers.Dry segments, as well as segments that are operated solely with water or low-concentration solutions, can be provided, which are well suited for accommodating support rollers. In this way, the bearing component is sufficiently supported, so that direct support within the bluing segment(s) is not necessary. According to a further embodiment, not just one but two segments are provided as bluing segments, which are spaced from each other by one or more other segments, wherein one of the segments arranged between the bluing segments is a rinsing segment. In this way, the bearing component can pass through two bluing baths in just one pass through the segments. In order to neutralize the bluing liquid between the two baths and to carry out the necessary intermediate quenching, the bluing liquid can be rinsed off in the rinsing segment between the two bluing segments, e.g.using cold water.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a drain segment is provided upstream and downstream of the bluing segment in the direction of rotation, with each drain segment designed to collect bluing fluid escaping from the bluing segment. It is not advisable to create a seal between the segment wall and the workpiece. Although the remaining gap can be adjusted using adjustable plates, a gap remains. When the bluing segment is filled, bluing fluid continuously flows through this gap into the two adjacent drain segments, where the fluid can be collected and returned to a treatment tank.

[0021] The segment walls between the bluing segment and the drain segment can also have an opening near the bottom, through which bluing fluid also continuously flows, and which is designed to ensure self-draining of the bluing segment after the feed pump is switched off. Furthermore, the same segment walls can also have an overflow through which excess bluing fluid continuously flows. This has the advantage that an unregulated pump with excess volume can supply the bluing segment, and it is always completely filled when the pump is switched on. Since this bluing segment requires an extremely high media change of bluing fluid to constantly contain hot and fresh bluing fluid, the high drain volumes do not represent a disadvantage.The drain quantities can be immediately drawn off from the always unfilled drain segments and fed into an external treatment tank, in which the browning fluid is recycled and made available again.

[0022] Since it is difficult to heat large or heavy bearing components using the bluing fluid, according to a further embodiment, an induction heating segment can be provided, in particular upstream of the bluing segment in the direction of rotation. The induction heating segment has at least one inductor designed to heat the surface of the bearing component by means of an inductive coupling before contact with the bluing fluid. It has been shown that the relevant factor is the temperature of the bluing fluid and not the temperature of the bearing component. The bearing component does not have to reach the same temperature as the bluing fluid; rather, the surface of the bearing component only needs to be heated to such an extent that the bluing fluid is not drastically cooled. For example, the temperature of the bearing component surface can be approximately 20-30 °C lower than the temperature of the bluing fluid.

[0023] The surface of a segment of the bearing component can be heated to the appropriate temperature by the induction heater before the segment of the bearing component is rotated into the blackening fluid or blackening segment. This ensures that the surface of the bearing component is at a sufficient temperature to ensure a proper reaction between the blackening fluid and the surface of the bearing component.

[0024] At the same time, the bearing component should not be overheated. Excessively high temperatures could lead to excessive evaporation of the various fluids used. Overheating could also damage the bearing component.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, one or more degreasing segments and / or rinsing segments are provided, in particular upstream of the blackening segment in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, one or more rinsing segments and / or drying segments can be provided, in particular downstream of the blackening segment in the direction of rotation. Depending on the processing, different segments can be temporarily filled with different liquids or otherwise pressurized, for example via inlets and outlets in the segments. Alternatively, spray nozzles can be provided which spray the bearing component with the respective liquid from above, below or from the sides. The spray nozzles can alternatively be designed as flood tubes, in which no spray-typical droplet distribution is generated, but in which an unatomized column of liquid strikes the workpiece with a high flow volume flow.Furthermore, the respective segments can have drains to remove the respective liquid from the segments. Depending on the desired functionality, the segments can be connected via lines to various treatment tanks located outside the process tank. Liquids such as water, acids, alkalis, solvents, or similar can be stored in the various tanks and made available as needed and processed in a closed loop. Once the liquids are drained from the segments, the respective liquid can either be disposed of or typically returned to the corresponding treatment tank. In any case, the respective segments can be connected via lines to a disposal tank or the respective treatment tanks.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the segments are separated from one another by separating elements, wherein the separating elements comprise seals, air blades, and / or adjustable plates. An air knife is an air nozzle that creates a closed air flow on the target surface in the form of a blocking wall, which pushes back liquid present on the target surface and prevents liquid from passing to the side behind the air blade. The separating elements between the segments can, as already described above, have recesses in which the bearing component is arranged, so that a part of the bearing component can be located in the interior of the corresponding segment.Especially in the area of ​​these recesses, the separating elements can be used with position-adjustable air blades or position-adjustable profiled plates to prevent fluids from escaping from the respective segments and transferring between the segments. If seals are used, these can be arranged so that they rest against the bearing component to achieve the best possible seal. Air blades, i.e. escaping air, can be used to wipe fluid from the bearing component as it passes through the air blade. Using adjustable plates or adjustable air blades has the advantage that the recesses in the segments can be adapted to different sizes and cross-sectional geometries of bearing components.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the segments are designed as ring segments or in the shape of a pie. If the segments are designed as ring segments, the browning device preferably has the shape of a donut, i.e., it represents a round container with an empty center. In the center of the donut, for example, a control unit, a container with liquids, part of the holding and rotating device, the rotary drive, or the like can be arranged. In this way, the space occupied by the browning device, for example in a warehouse, can be used effectively. In addition, the media-exposed segments then only have an extension between the smallest and largest provided ring and no impractical dead volume near the center.

[0028] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are set forth in the description, the drawings, and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features set forth in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so the features may also be present individually or in other combinations.

[0029] Short character description

[0030] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary and are not intended to define the scope of the invention. This scope is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0031] They show:

[0032] Fig. 1 : a schematic plan view of a bluing device;

[0033] Fig. 2: a schematic side view of a first type of separating element between the segments of the burnishing device of Fig. 1; and

[0034] Fig. 3: a schematic side view of a second type of separating element between the segments of the burnishing device of Fig. 1.

[0035] Detailed description of the invention

[0036] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by the same reference symbols.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a burnishing device 1 for burnishing a bearing component 2. In the embodiment shown here, the burnishing device 1 is depicted as a round process container with an empty center. The process container has an outer surface 4, an inner surface 6, and a base 8. The process container is segmented and has a plurality of segments. In the embodiment shown, some of the segments are provided multiple times, with identical segments being provided with the same reference symbol followed by a number. For example, the first segment 10-1 and the third segment 10-2 are identical. Identical segments are described in detail only once below for the sake of clarity.

[0038] Although the process vessel is depicted with an empty center, it should be noted that the individual segments, or even just some of the segments, can extend to the center. Furthermore, it is also possible to design the process vessel in any other shape than round. Furthermore, the individual segments can extend outward to different distances, meaning not all segments necessarily have to have the same radius. However, it is advantageous for all segments to have the same size in the radial direction.

[0039] In the blacking device 1, all pretreatment, coating, and post-treatment steps for blacking a bearing component 2, in this case a bearing ring 2, can be carried out. However, it should be noted that, depending on the application, some of the segments described below can be deactivated. It is also possible to deactivate some of the segments during a first revolution or during part of the first revolution of the bearing ring 2 and to activate them during a subsequent revolution or at a later point in time during the first revolution. This can be necessary or useful, in particular, since a specific processing sequence must be observed for each surface element of the bearing ring 2. Processing for a process step may therefore only be activated if the bearing ring surface located in the corresponding segment has already undergone the previous processing step.The segments that are not yet in the correct sequence can therefore be deactivated initially and only activated when needed. Furthermore, by activating and / or deactivating segments as needed, the browning device 1 can be used flexibly, e.g., for other purposes. For example, in this way the browning device 1 can also be used purely as a degreasing or rinsing device if the browning segments are deactivated accordingly. In this context, the speed of the rotating ring can then also be increased or decreased. Typically, the coating process, as it can be carried out by the browning device 1, consists of a total of only two ring revolutions (2x360°). The direction of rotation of the bearing ring 2 is indicated by the arrow. The direction of rotation can also be reversed, in which case the arrangement of the segments would change accordingly.

[0040] In contrast to previous rotational blacking processes, ring 2 rotates horizontally, not vertically. Ring 2 does not rotate quickly, but only completes two revolutions in total. The device 1 does not consist of numerous containers with a transport system that lifts ring 2 from container to container; instead, everything takes place in segments 10 - 28 within the same single process container. However, it would be possible to use two segmented process containers instead of one process container, for example, arranging the degreasing including rinsing steps in the first process container and the blacking including rinsing steps in the second process container. As described in more detail below, the temperature of ring 2 is supported by induction heaters, but below the blacking liquid temperature. The induction heaters are preferably kept dry and free from liquid contact.Segments 10–28 can be freely positioned and arranged in different sequences, for example, depending on the application. The segments can also be replaced with other segments. It is also possible to have free spaces between the segments, as long as bearing ring 2 can be transported or rotated.

[0041] Segments 10-28 are separated from each other by partitions 30-1-30-19. Partitions 30-1-30-19 can, for example, be welded vertical stainless steel plates. Each of these partitions 30-1-30-19 has an opening 32 through which the ring cross-section can pass from segment to segment during rotation.

[0042] In order to rotate the bearing ring 2 through the segments 10-28, support rollers 34f can be provided on the bottom 8 of the container segments. In the embodiment shown, the support rollers 34 are provided in segments 14-1, 14-2, and 28. However, the support rollers 34 can also be provided in any other segments, and more than three support rollers 34 can be provided. They can have a radial stop to keep the ring 2 axially centered. This radial stop can be readjusted for different ring sizes and thus adapted to different ring sizes. This is easily possible because all segment containers are empty when the device 1 is not in operation, so that the support rollers 34 are accessible and not submerged. It should be avoided to accommodate support rollers 34 in segments 18-1, 18-2 with black oxide finish, but all other segments are suitable for support rollers 34.The drive (not shown) which ensures the rotation is preferably located laterally above the container 1 and extends, for example, via a stainless steel chain drive which is accommodated in one of the water segments, at least down to one of the supporting rollers 34.

[0043] The usual processes for bluing are: degreasingl / water / degreasing2 / water / water / bluingl / cold water / bluing2 / cold water / hot water / water / dewatering fluid / oil.

[0044] In the embodiment shown here, the dewatering fluid is replaced with a warm air dryer, and the oil reservoir is eliminated because dewatering fluid and oil could contaminate the other segments during ring rotation. It should be noted that each ring section must complete each process step. This means that a final dewatering segment would also require the ring to complete a 360° rotation. The dewatering fluid would then drip into the degreasing and water segments, or even the bluing segments. It is therefore preferable to use an air dryer. The second rotation (2x360°) is selected to ensure that all surfaces are post-treated and dried. The fluids used are not endangered by fluid transfer. The ring will typically leave this coating line dry and should be manually oiled outside the line.Due to the desired drying effect, it is advantageous to carry out the final rinsing step with deionized or demineralized water to avoid drying stains.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the following segments are therefore provided: degreasing segment 10-1, room temperature / warm water rinse segment 12-1, degreasing segment 10-2, room temperature / warm water rinse segment 12-2, room temperature / warm water rinse segment 12-3, induction heating segment 14-1, drain segment 16-1, browning segment 18-1, drain segment 16-2, cold water rinse segment 20-1, induction heating segment 14-2, drain segment 16-3, browning segment 18-2, drain segment 16-4, cold water rinse segment 20-2, warm water rinse segment 22, room temperature rinse segment 24, deionized water rinse segment 26, drying segment 28.

[0046] The degreasing process is designed as a two-stage, two-method degreasing process in segments 10-1 and 10-2, first using an alkali hydroxide base in segment 10-1 and then a phosphate base in segment 10-2. This is important to ensure maximum cleanliness so that the subsequent bluing can work properly. Between and after the two degreasing segments 10-1 and 10-2, ring 2 is rinsed (segments 12-1 and 12-2). A double rinsing segment (12-2 and 12-3) can be provided, particularly after the second degreasing process. However, it is also possible to provide only one degreasing segment and fewer rinsing segments to simplify the process.

[0047] The rinsing fluids used are preferably alkaline; however, some sodium hydroxide may be added to water rinses to avoid the risk of corrosion, as the slow rotation leads to relatively long water contact times. Water with a high pH is non-corrosive. Sodium hydroxide is a natural component of browning and degreasing fluids and does not interfere with the processes, even if carried over.

[0048] The sizes of segments 10-28 are adapted to the duration of the individual process steps. For example, if a conventional blackening process had a time schedule for the various baths of 20+3+20+3+3+45+3+45+3+3+3+5+5=161 minutes, then a 20-minute degreasing cycle would be 20 / 161 of the total process and would correspond to a segment size of (20 / 161) x 360° = 45° in fixture 1. In this simplified calculation example, one revolution represents the entire process.

[0049] It is possible to construct the device 1 with one, two, or three bluing segments 18-1, 18-2. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide multiple bluing segments 18-1, 18-2, as these can then be switched on and off separately during rotation, thus filling the required segment 18-1, 18-2 more quickly and reducing the active bluing volume and the liquid surface in contact with air during part of the process. An interim water quench 20-1 between the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 provokes a surface temperature change and activates deeper oxidation, even if the subsequent bluing temperature level does not deviate. However, the detailed control process is very complex when using multiple bluing baths to achieve acceptable oxidation uniformity across the entire bearing ring.Therefore, it is easiest to use only one bluing segment and to accept a result analogous to a single-bath bluing instead of a two-bath bluing as sufficient.

[0050] To maintain a moderately elevated ring surface temperature, induction heaters 36-1, 36-2 can be provided in segments 14-1, 14-2. In segment containers 10-1, 12-1, 10-2, 12-2, 12-3, 20-1, 20-2 containing degreasing and water, the ring surface temperature must not exceed 100 °C. For example, induction heaters 36-1, 36-2 can be placed in front of segments 18-1, 18-2 containing black oxide. As shown here, they can also be positioned in additional, permanently empty, narrow segments 14-1, 14-2 to avoid liquid contact. An additional induction heater can also be added at the beginning of air drying segment 28. By heating the ring surface to approximately 120 °C, the water evaporates without much air circulation.

[0051] The external fluid tanks supplying the individual segments can contain all the fluid maintenance elements normally found in the process tanks. The external degreasing tanks can, for example, contain the oil separation system, as well as the heating and water supply. For blacking, the external fluid tank can contain the heating elements, water supply, level control, ATK control, and all devices normally found in or on a blacking tank. Device 1 and its segments preferably do not contain any heating elements for the fluids.

[0052] A settling zone should be provided for the external tank for processing the browning fluid, allowing proper sludge formation even when the fluid is pumped in large quantities. Pumping can be accomplished with a propeller in a steel tube, with the propeller drive shaft extending upwards from the fluid without intermediate bearings or seals. All support bearings and the pump motor can be located outside and above the browning; only the propeller and its drive shaft should be submerged. This prevents rapid aging from contact with the hot and highly alkaline fluid and its tendency to form salt deposits.

[0053] All steel pipes for the bluing fluid, i.e., from the preparation tank to the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2, and back, should be electrically heated and insulated. Electrical heating coils around the pipes can ensure that the fluid temperature does not drop, preventing salt deposits and encrustation.

[0054] The bluing fluid can be regenerated to the desired temperature and concentration in the external treatment tank. It can be pumped into the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 via heated steel pipes. During contact with ring 2 and the segment chamber 18-1, 18-2, the fluid cools by a few degrees, but is quickly exchanged and returned to the external treatment tank. Although the concentration can be controlled in the external treatment tank either by continuous or periodic boiling or reboiling (e.g., every 10 minutes), it is expected that the bluing in segments 18-1, 18-2 will take place just below the boiling point. Therefore, the chemical composition of the bluing fluid could advantageously be changed to an organic instead of an inorganic oxide donor. Organic oxide donors do not necessarily require the chemical instability of the boiling point for optimal oxygen transfer.With such modified oxide donors, lower process temperatures can be achieved at the same time.

[0055] As already explained above, the individual segments 10-28 can be separated from one another by separating elements 30-1-30-19. Seals can be provided at the openings 32 of the separating elements 30-1-30-19. If no seals are provided, fluid could escape from segment to segment via the gaps between the segment plate 30-1-30-19 and the ring 2 if the segments 10-28 were filled with fluid. Therefore, preferably all segments 10-16, 20-28, with the exception of the blackening segments 18-1, 18-2, are not filled with fluid, but rather have spray systems 38. These spray systems 38 can have multiple outlets for the respective fluid for spraying the bearing ring 2, like shower heads. The fluid can be sprayed drop by drop, like a shower, or it can be poured over the surface as a continuous fluid jet.External containers (not shown) can be provided in which the required fluids can be heated or cooled, cleaned, and maintained. The fluid volumes in such processing containers can be much smaller than in filled containers of a conventional immersion or rotational blackening system. The fluids can be pumped from these containers to the corresponding segments, where they spray around the ring 2 via the spray systems 38. At the bottom of each segment, the fluid is collected and returned to the external container via a drain 40 and pump or gravity flow. Within these segments 10 - 16, 20 - 28, no fluid level is built up. All fluids sprayed or poured over the bearing ring 2 immediately drain away and back into the external processing container.

[0056] The openings 32 in the segment plates 30, with the exception of segment plates 30-8, 30-9, 30-13, 30-14 around the burnishing segments 18-1, 18-2, can be equipped with air knives or blades 42 (see Fig. 2). Air knives 42 use a thin curtain of compressed air to prevent fluids on the ring surface 2 from entering the next segment. The fluid wetting is continuously pushed back on the surface of the bearing ring 2 during rotation and remains in the previous segment. The compressed air can be supplied to the air knives 42 via a line 44.

[0057] The bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 could theoretically also be equipped with spray nozzles. However, since the bluing fluid would almost immediately clog the spray nozzles with salt deposits, and atomized bluing fluid, in addition to being hazardous, tends to concentrate and dry on the workpiece, the quality of a bluing fluid spray would be rather poor. Therefore, instead of spray systems, flooding systems are provided in the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 as an alternative to segment filling. In this case, the ring 2 in the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 can be flushed with a high and continuous stream of bluing fluid via outlets 46 with large openings arranged above and around the ring 2, without the formation of drops or spray.Preferably, however, the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 are filled with bluing fluid during operation so that the ring segment located within the container segment 18-1, 18-2 is completely submerged. The segment plates 30-8, 30-9, 30-13, 30-14, which form the walls of the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2, cannot be sealed against the workpiece because sufficiently resistant sealing materials are not available. However, adjustable and preferably type-specifically shaped steel plates 48 (see Fig. 3) can be positioned such that the gap 50 between ring 2 and segment plate 30-8, 30-9, 30-13, 30-14 is limited on all sides, for example, to 5 mm. There are thus two different alternative possible operating modes for a bluing segment 18-1, 18-2. On the one hand, the flooding principle can be selected. Flooding systems then allow large volume flows of blackening fluid to flow continuously and without atomization over the bearing ring 2.The browning segment 18-1, 18-2 does not fill; instead, the liquid drains out the bottom and is returned to the treatment tank. In the alternative operating mode, an even larger volume flow is pumped directly into the browning segment 18-1, 18-2, which fills to the specified overflow height and remains filled until the pump is switched off. In this operating mode, the flooding systems are not necessary, as the ring segment in the browning segment 18-1, 18-2 is completely submerged.

[0058] Before and after each bluing segment 18-1, 18-2, there is a narrow and empty drain segment 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4, in which the bluing fluid escaping through this gap 50 is collected and pumped back. This results in a continuous and relatively high discharge of bluing fluid into these adjacent segments 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4. However, the pump volume that fills the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 is preferably designed to be large enough to compensate for this and even provide an overflow over the upper edges of the segment plates 30-8, 30-9, 30-13, 30-14 into the adjacent drain segments 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4. The overflow from above ensures that the bluing segments 18-1, 18-2 are completely filled without the need for precise control of the pump volume.The leaky system resembles a sink, where the water level can rise when the faucet is open, even if the drain is not closed, if the amount of water entering is greater than the amount of water leaving. Additional water jets for immediate quenching of the ring surface can be located in the area of ​​drain segments 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, and 16-4, particularly in drain segments 16-2 and 16-4 after the bluing segment 18-1 and 18-2. The sprayed water mixes with the draining bluing fluid, which would require a water supply anyway due to evaporation in the treatment tank.

[0059] To drain the bluing fluid, an outlet 52 can be provided at the lower end of the segment plates 30-8, 30-9, 30-13, 30-14. This outlet 52 can also lead to leaks into the drain segments 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4 during operation. However, due to the high volume of incoming bluing fluid, this has no negative impact on the overall bluing fluid level. As soon as the feed pump is switched off, the bluing fluid can flow through these outlets 52 by gravity into the adjacent drain segments 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4, from where it is pumped back into the external container. When the bluing segment 18-1, 18-2 is not in operation, it is empty, just like all the other segments.

[0060] As explained above, segments 10-28 can be individually switched on and off. One segment can be active while the next segment is inactive and dry. Ring 2 must rotate 2x360° (only two full revolutions) for complete processing. This is a very slow rotation and could take, for example, approximately 3.5 hours. When a fresh ring 2 is lifted into fixture 1, each surface must of course be treated in the correct order, starting with degreasing in segment 10-1. This means that initially, only the first degreasing segment 10-1 is switched on, leaving all other segments 10-2-28 dry. As the slow rotation progresses and the degreased surfaces reach the next segment 12-1 (water rinse), this segment 12-1 is activated in addition to the first segment 10-1. Gradually, more and more segments are activated to ensure correct surface processing.

[0061] The control and process of bluing is shown above in simplified form. In reality, it is somewhat more complicated. For example, a bluing segment can only be activated once the entire ring surface within it has been correctly pretreated, particularly degreasing. As rotation progresses, however, after initial activation, only the rearmost surface element or segment of the bearing ring spends the full bluing time within the bluing segment, while the frontmost surface element soon leaves the bluing segment again and is less blued. All subsequent surface elements of the bearing ring receive the full treatment duration. Consequently, the start of bluing is not a sudden transition from the blued to the unblued area, but a linear increase in bluing intensity up to the target value.This requires rotating the starting area back into the active bluing segment after a 360° bluing cycle to complete the bluing there as well. When starting the bluing process or when re-bluing the initially increasing bluing layer, the rotation speed is adjusted to avoid excessive variations in coating intensity. Since the potential layer growth diminishes significantly once the layer is completely finished, and the overlap was based on a gently linearly increasing bluing layer thickness, no step is visible or measurable at the end.

[0062] Another detailed problem concerns the transition between processing segments. With slow rotation of the ring, the time it takes for a burnished surface element, for example, to pass through the drain segment into the water quenching segment can be too long. Therefore, the necessary water replenishment for the draining concentrated burnishing fluid is not carried out in the processing tank, but rather in the drain segment by directly spraying the workpiece surface with water nozzles. Additional water nozzles for alkalized rinsing water can also be arranged at other transitions between the various segments.

[0063] Furthermore, it is possible to individually adjust the rotation speed and / or activate the segments individually. For example, if there is an increased need for degreasing and cleaning, it is possible to increase or decrease the rotation speed and keep only the degreasing and water segments 10, 12, 20, 22, 24, and 26 active. By allowing an additional 360° rotation and using the rotation only for cleaning purposes, this step can be intensified. This makes it possible to perform a ring rotation with only certain segments activated and to perform only a specific process step during a rotation instead of the entire machining process. It is also possible to change the rotation speed depending on the angle of rotation covered.For example, a moderate change in degreasing times or rinsing times does not lead to a different result, but the adjustment of the described initial blackening layer build-up curve is effective.

[0064] Alternatively, but usually not necessary, instead of one device 1, two could be used, one for all pretreatment steps and one for coating and post-treatment.

[0065] In summary, the device described here enables comprehensive and individually adaptable machining of a bearing component in a single device.

[0066] 1 Brummervomchtung

[0067] 2 Bearing component / bearing ring

[0068] 4 outer surface

[0069] 6 inner surface

[0070] 8 Floor

[0071] 10, 10-1, 10-2 degreasing segment

[0072] 12, 12-1 - 12-3 Room temperature hot water rinse segment

[0073] 14, 14-1, 14-2 Induction heating segment 14-1

[0074] 16, 16-1 - 16-4 drain segment

[0075] 18, 18-1, 18-2 bluing segment

[0076] 20, 20-1, 20-2 cold water rinsing segment

[0077] 22 Hot water rinsing segment

[0078] 24 Room temperature rinse segment

[0079] 26 Rinse segment with deionized water

[0080] 28 drying segment

[0081] 30, 30-1 - 30-19 Separating elements

[0082] 32 Opening

[0083] 34 support rollers

[0084] 36, 36-1, 36-2 Induction heaters

[0085] 38 spray systems

[0086] 40 processes

[0087] 42 air knives

[0088] 44 Compressed air line

[0089] 46 flooding systems

[0090] 48 customizable plates

[0091] 50 gap

[0092] 52 Outlet

Claims

Patent claims 1. A bluing device (1) for bluing a bearing component (2), in particular a bearing ring, wherein the bluing device (1) has a segmented process container which comprises one or more sub-segments, wherein at least one of the sub-segments is designed as a bluing segment (18-1, 18-2) and can be supplied with a bluing liquid, wherein the bluing device further has a holding and rotating device (34), wherein the holding and rotating device (34) is designed to hold and rotate the bearing component (2), characterized in that the holding and rotating device (34) is designed to rotate the bearing component (2) in a horizontal plane such that the bearing component (2) can be moved continuously through the bluing segment (18-1, 18-2) in order to bluing the surface of the bearing component (2).

2. Burnishing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding and rotating device (34) has a plurality of support rotating rollers which can be arranged circumferentially around the bearing component (2) and are designed to support and rotate the bearing component (2).

3. Burnishing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the process container has a plurality of segments (10 - 28), wherein the holding and rotating device (34) is designed to rotate the bearing component (2) through the plurality of segments (10 - 28).

4. Burnishing device according to claim 3, wherein two of the segments are provided as burnishing segments (18-1, 18-2) which are spaced apart from each other by one or more other segments (16-2, 20-1, 14-2, 16-3), wherein one of the segments between the The segments arranged between the burnishing segments (18-1, 18-2) are a rinsing segment (20-1).

5. Bluing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a drain segment (16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4) is provided in the direction of rotation before and after the bruising segment (18-1, 18-2), wherein the drain segment (16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4) is designed to collect bruising liquid emerging from the bruising segment (18-1, 18-2).

6. Burnishing device according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an induction heating segment (14-1, 14-2) is provided, in particular in the direction of rotation in front of the burnishing segment (18-1, 18-2), wherein the induction heating segment (14-1, 14-2) has at least one inductor (36-1, 36-2) which is designed to heat the surface of the bearing component (2) by means of an inductive coupling before contact with the burnishing liquid.

7. Burnishing device according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein one or more degreasing segments (10-1, 10-2) and / or rinsing segments (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 20-1) are provided, in particular in the direction of rotation upstream of the burnishing segment (18-1, 18-2).

8. Burnishing device according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein one or more rinsing segments (20-1, 20-2, 22, 24, 26) and / or drying segments (28) are provided, in particular in the direction of rotation after the burnishing segment (18-1, 18-2).

9. Burnishing device according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the segments (10 - 28) are separated from one another by separating elements (30-1 - 30-19), wherein the separating elements (30-1 - 30-19) comprise seals, air blades (42) and / or adjustable plates (48).

10. Burnishing device according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the segments (10 - 28) are designed as ring segments or cake-shaped.

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