Bearing cage for a roller bearing

Abstract

A cage segment for a roller bearing, having two mutually opposite circumferential webs and at least two mutually opposite connecting webs which connect the two circumferential webs to each other and, with the circumferential webs, form a pocket for receiving a rolling body, wherein at least one of the connecting webs has, on a pocket side, at least one first guide face and, on a surroundings side opposite the pocket side, a second guide face, wherein the first and the second guide face have a first portion which runs in a straight line in the radial direction, wherein the first guide face has a second portion which extends in the direction of a rolling body received in the pocket, and the second guide face has a second portion which extends in the direction of a rolling body resting on the surroundings side of the cage segment, wherein the second portion of the first guide face is arranged radially on a first side of the reference circle, and the second portion of the second guide face is arranged radially at least partially on a second side of the reference circle.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Bearing cage for a rolling bearing

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present invention relates to a bearing cage for a rolling bearing according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rolling bearing, in particular a roller bearing, for the rotatable mounting of a first machine part relative to a second machine part, in particular for the rotatable mounting of a rotor shaft of a wind turbine.

[0005] Given the growing demand for ever larger rolling bearings, for example, in wind turbines, cage designs for ever greater mechanical loads are required. As the size of the rolling bearing increases, so does the weight of the rolling elements used. The diameter of the rolling elements used can also be increased to achieve a higher load rating for the rolling bearing with the same rolling bearing size. However, as the rolling element diameter increases, the weight of the rolling element generally also increases. Given the higher weight of the rolling elements, increasingly stable cage arrangements are therefore required.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a cage design which is suitable for use in large rolling bearings in which rolling elements with a high dead weight are used.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] This object is achieved by a bearing cage according to patent claim 1. The following proposes a cage segment for a rolling bearing, in particular for a roller bearing. For example, the rolling bearing can be a cylindrical roller bearing, a tapered roller bearing, etc. The cage segment comprises two opposing circumferential webs and at least two opposing connecting webs which connect the two circumferential webs to one another and, together with the circumferential webs, form at least one pocket for receiving a rolling element. The circumferential webs can each extend between a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end of the cage segment. In particular, the circumferential webs can each begin at one of the connecting webs and end at one of the connecting webs. The circumferential webs can have different lengths. Furthermore, the connecting webs can have different lengths.

[0009] The peripheral webs and the connecting webs have pocket sides that define the pocket, and surrounding sides opposite the pocket sides. At least one of the connecting webs has at least one first guide surface on its pocket side and a second guide surface on its surrounding side.The at least one first and the at least one second guide surface have at least a first section which runs straight in the radial direction, wherein the at least one first guide surface has at least a second section which extends in the direction of a rolling element received in the pocket and the at least one second guide surface has at least a second section which extends in the direction of a rolling element lying on the surrounding side of the cage segment, wherein the second section of the first guide surface is arranged radially on a first side of the pitch circle, and the second section of the second guide surface is arranged radially at least partially on a second side of the pitch circle which is opposite the first side.

[0010] The pitch circle is the circle on which the centers of the rolling elements move when the rolling bearing is in use. Furthermore, the expression “the first section runs straight in the radial direction” means that the first section has essentially no curvature along the radial direction. Furthermore, the first and second guide surfaces can be designed to at least partially encompass a rolling element in its circumferential direction. Preferably, the first side of the pitch circle lies radially inward and the second side of the pitch circle lies radially outward. Furthermore, the second section of the first guide surface and the second section of the second guide surface can be designed to lift the cage segment, for example to avoid excessive contact of a part of the cage segment with a part of the rolling bearing, such as a raceway.In particular, the shape of the second section of the second guide surface can be selected such that the cage segment is only raised to such an extent that it does not come into contact with the second section of the first guide surface and vice versa.

[0011] The cage segment has the advantage of being suitable for use in very large rolling bearings and withstanding the loads encountered there. The cage segment is particularly suitable for use in rolling bearings that utilize heavy rolling elements. Furthermore, the cage segment is characterized by its ease of assembly, low cost, and low weight. The pocket shape allows for secure mounting of the rolling element and reliable guidance of the cage segment on the rolling element.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the second section can be concave or wrap-around. This means that the second section can have a curvature that is adapted to the rolling element. This can, for example, reduce or prevent rotation of the cage segment about a rotational axis of the rolling element.

[0013] Alternatively, the second section can be straight. In a case where the second section is straight, the second section can extend at an inclination angle to the radial direction that lies between 10° and 37.5°, preferably between 15° and 32.5°. This can, for example, reduce or prevent rotation of the cage segment about a rotation axis of the rolling element.

[0014] In addition, the first guide surface may further comprise at least a third portion provided in the radial direction between the first portion of the first guide surface and the second portion of the first guide surface, which third portion is in non-contact with the rolling element. According to a further preferred embodiment, the second portion of the second guide surface is connected to the first portion of the second guide surface. Furthermore, the second guide surface may comprise at least a third portion extending in the direction of a rolling element resting on the surrounding side of the cage segment and being arranged on the side of the first portion of the second guide surface opposite the second portion. This may make it possible to raise the cage segment, for example to avoid excessive contact of a portion of the cage segment with a portion of the rolling bearing, such as a raceway.Preferably, the third section of the second guide surface has an identical shape to the second section of the second guide surface. Alternatively, the shape of the third section of the second guide surface and the second section of the second guide surface can differ. In particular, the third section of the second guide surface can have a curvature that is adapted to the rolling element. Alternatively, the third section of the second guide surface can be straight.

[0015] Furthermore, the first guide surfaces and the second guide surfaces, in particular their second sections, can have an identical or different shape. All connecting webs can be identically designed on their pocket sides and / or surrounding sides.

[0016] The first guide surfaces and the second guide surfaces can be configured for sliding contact with the rolling element. The first guide surfaces and the second guide surfaces can each encompass the same circumferential area of ​​the rolling element. Alternatively, one of the guide surfaces can encompass a larger circumferential area of ​​the rolling element than the other.

[0017] The first and second guide surfaces can extend on the surrounding sides and / or the pocket sides of the connecting webs over a part, in particular over at least 30, preferably 50%, more preferably 60%, more preferably 75%, more preferably 90% of the length of the connecting webs.

[0018] The circumferential webs and the connecting webs can each have inner raceway sides that, when the cage segment is installed, point toward an inner rolling element raceway of the rolling bearing, and outer raceway sides that, when the cage segment is installed, point toward an outer rolling element raceway of the rolling bearing. The inner raceway sides and / or the outer raceway sides of the circumferential webs can each be configured as flat, convex, concave, and / or free-surface surfaces in the region of the same pocket. The inner raceway sides and / or the outer raceway sides of the connecting webs can each be configured as flat, convex, concave, and / or free-surface surfaces.

[0019] The cage segment can have exactly one pocket. A cage segment designed in this way is characterized by particularly high mechanical stability and extremely versatile applicability.

[0020] The cage segment can be made of plastic and / or metal. The cage segment is preferably manufactured using a casting process. For example, the cage segment can be formed using an injection molding process and / or a die-casting process. A cage segment designed in this way is characterized in particular by its low weight, its cost-effective production, and comparatively high flexibility. In particular, the cage segment can be made of polyamide, partially aromatized polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, a polyaryletherketone, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polylactate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyphthalamide, polyacetal, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide, polyamideimide, polysulfone, polyphenylene ether, polyarylamide, polybenzimidazole, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or liquid-crystalline polymers.The cage segment is particularly preferably made of polyphenyl sulfide or polyether ether ketone. Both materials are characterized by very good aging resistance and a long service life, so that the cage segment can be used over a very long operating period. Furthermore, the cage segment can be formed from a light metal and / or a light metal alloy, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the cage segment can be made from a fiber-reinforced plastic and / or a metal-reinforced plastic. For example, a metal frame can be overmolded with a plastic to obtain the cage segment.According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one connecting web on the surrounding side and / or pocket side has a first region and a second region in the axial direction. For example, a radially extending recess can be provided between the first region and the second region. Furthermore, the connecting web can have a first thickness in the circumferential direction in the first region and a second thickness in the second region, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are different or the same. This can make it possible to adjust the play between the rolling element and the cage segment. In particular, if the rolling element is a tapered roller, the play between the cage segment and a large diameter of the tapered roller can be adjusted independently of the play between the small diameter of the tapered roller and the cage segment.Furthermore, deviations due to manufacturing tolerances can be accommodated, and / or if the first and second thicknesses are changed together, it is also possible to adjust the dimension of an end gap. Furthermore, the angle at which the two connecting webs extend relative to each other can also be easily adjusted, allowing the same casting mold to be used for both a cage segment for tapered rollers and a cage segment for cylindrical rollers.

[0021] Preferably, the cage segment can be rolling element guided and / or ring guided and have at least one guide shoe which is provided on at least one connecting web and / or circumferential web and which is designed to guide the cage segment on at least part of a bearing ring. For example, the part of the bearing ring can be a shoulder of the bearing ring. In particular, the guide shoe can be designed as a projection which is provided for supporting the cage segment on at least part of the bearing ring. The part of the bearing ring, for example a shoulder, can be formed on the inner ring and / or the outer ring. For example, at least one guide shoe can be provided in the region of a corner of the cage segment, i.e. in a region in which a circumferential web and a connecting web meet. Alternatively, at least one guide shoe can be provided on a circumferential web.

[0022] The cage segment can have a marking to clearly identify the installation position. This facilitates the correct installation of the cage segment in the rolling bearing. According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one circumferential web on the pocket side has a radially extending recess designed to divide the pocket side of the circumferential web into a first section and a second section. In particular, the first section of the circumferential web and the second section of the circumferential web can be designed as a contact surface for an end face of the rolling element.

[0023] Preferably, if the cage segment is manufactured by a casting process, in particular an injection molding process, a gate point can be located between the two sections, i.e. in the radially running recess. This has the advantage that the rolling element does not come into contact with the gate point. This means that the gate point can be made larger, for example. This makes it possible to reproduce unrestricted filling and pressure behavior in line with injection molding requirements. Alternatively, a gate point can also be provided at a different location. For example, a gate point can be provided on a surrounding side of at least one circumferential web. This also has the advantage that the rolling element does not come into contact with the gate point and the gate point can advantageously be made larger. It is also possible to provide the gate point on the inner and / or outer raceway sides of the cage segment opposite the raceways.Here, too, contact with the rolling elements can be advantageously avoided, whereby the advantages mentioned above are also achieved.

[0024] Furthermore, at least one circumferential rib can have at least one groove on at least one radial edge, which is designed to guide a lubricant to the rolling elements accommodated in the pocket. This allows sufficient lubricant to reach the pocket.

[0025] The invention further relates to a rolling bearing for the rotatable mounting of a first machine part relative to a second machine part. The rolling bearing has rolling elements, each having a rotational axis. Furthermore, the rolling bearing has cage segments, each accommodating at least one rolling element and each having a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end. The cage segments are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing such that a rolling element is arranged between each two cage segments. This rolling element is not accommodated in a cage segment and permanently prevents contact between these two cage segments.

[0026] A rolling bearing designed in this way is characterized by good running properties and a long service life.

[0027] The cage segments can be guided by rolling elements and / or rings. This has the advantage of enabling very precise and low-wear guidance.

[0028] The individual cage segments are preferably not mechanically connected to one another. This has the advantage that the cage segments can be moved relative to one another, thus preventing deformation and the resulting increased friction and wear. Furthermore, the individual cage segments ensure that the load acting on each cage segment is isolated, meaning that no loads from rolling elements in other areas act on the circumference of the cage segment.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Short character description

[0031] 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.

[0032] They show:

[0033] Fig. 1: a schematic view of a rolling bearing according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2: a first perspective view of a cage segment for a rolling bearing according to a first embodiment,

[0034] Fig. 3 : a second perspective view of the cage segment for a rolling bearing according to the first embodiment,

[0035] Fig. 4: a side view of the cage segment for a rolling bearing according to the first embodiment,

[0036] Fig. 5: a front view of the cage segment for a rolling bearing according to the first embodiment,

[0037] Fig. 6: a perspective view of a cage segment for a rolling bearing according to a second embodiment,

[0038] Fig. 7 and 8: a schematic view of various embodiments for a first guide surface of a cage segment,

[0039] Fig. 9 and 10: a schematic view of various embodiments for a second guide surface of a cage segment,

[0040] Fig. 11 : a side view of a cage segment for a rolling bearing according to a third embodiment, and

[0041] Fig. 12: a perspective view of a cage segment for a rolling bearing according to a fourth embodiment.

[0042] Detailed description of the invention

[0043] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by the same reference symbols.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a rolling bearing 1 according to the present invention. The rolling bearing 1 can, in particular, be a roller bearing, such as a cylindrical roller bearing or a tapered roller bearing.

[0045] The rolling bearing 1 has an inner ring 2 with a thrust rim 4 or a guide rim and an inner rolling element raceway 6 or an inner ring raceway. In the illustration in Fig. 1, the inner rolling element raceway 6 is partially concealed by the thrust rim 4. The rolling bearing 1 also has an outer ring 8 with an outer rolling element raceway 10 or outer ring raceway. In addition, the rolling bearing 1 has a set of rolling elements 12 that roll on the inner rolling element raceway 6 and on the outer rolling element raceway 10. The rolling elements 12 rotate about their axes of rotation (not shown in the figure), with respect to which the rolling elements 12 are rotationally symmetrical. In addition, the rolling elements 12 run axially against the thrust rim 4 with respect to their axes of rotation. The rolling bearing 1 also has several cage segments 20, each of which contains a rolling element 12 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0046] However, only every second rolling element 12 is arranged in a cage segment 20, so that in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing 1, a cage segment 20 with a rolling element 12 and a rolling element 12 without a cage segment 20 alternate. Cage segments 20 following one another in the circumferential direction are permanently spaced apart by a rolling element 12. This means that the cage segments 20 do not touch each other, regardless of the respective operating state of the rolling bearing 1.

[0047] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the cage segments 20 are guided by rolling elements, i.e., they are supported by the rolling elements 12. Alternatively, the cage segments can also be guided on the inner ring 2 or the outer ring 8. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a so-called mixed guide, in which the cage segments 20 are guided by both rolling elements and rings. Details of the design of the cage segments 20 are explained with reference to Figs. 2 to 12.

[0048] The inner ring 2 can, for example, be arranged on a shaft (not shown). The shaft can, in particular, be a rotor shaft of a wind turbine. The outer ring 8 can be arranged in a housing (not shown), which can, in particular, be part of a rotor bearing of a wind turbine.

[0049] Figs. 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of the cage segment 20 in a perspective view. The cage segment 20 has two circumferential webs 22 arranged at a distance from one another, which extend in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing 1 when the cage segment 20 is installed.

[0050] Furthermore, the cage segment 20 has two connecting webs 24 arranged at a distance from one another, which connect the two circumferential webs 22 to one another. In this way, a pocket 26 is formed for receiving a rolling element 12. Depending on whether the rolling elements are cylindrical rollers or tapered rollers, the two connecting webs run parallel or slightly inclined to one another. In a tapered roller bearing, the two circumferential webs 22 have different lengths and the pocket 26 has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. In a cylindrical roller bearing, the two circumferential webs 22 have the same length and the pocket 26 has the shape of a rectangle. The length of the circumferential webs 22 is considered to be the external dimension of the circumferential webs 22 from a first circumferential end 13 to a second circumferential end 14 of the cage segment 20.If the first circumferential end 13 and the second circumferential end 14 of the circumferential webs 22 are not oriented parallel to each other, the arithmetic mean of the outer dimension can be used.

[0051] The sides of the circumferential webs 22 and the connecting webs 24 that define the pocket 26 are also referred to below as pocket sides. Similarly, the sides of the circumferential webs 22 and connecting webs 24 opposite the pocket sides are also referred to below as surrounding sides, unless they define another pocket 26. This condition is generally met for the circumferential webs 22, unless it is a multi-row cage segment 20 in which several rolling elements 12 are arranged axially one behind the other. In the case of the connecting webs 24, this condition is met when the respective connecting web 24 is arranged in the region of the first circumferential end 13 or the second circumferential end 14 of the cage segment 20, ie for the first connecting web 24 and the last connecting web 24 of the cage segment 20 relative to the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing 1. Since the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 to Fig.12 has only a single pocket 26, each circumferential web 22 and each connecting web 24 in this embodiment each has a pocket side and a surrounding side.

[0052] As already mentioned, the circumferential webs 22 of a single-row cage segment 20 each have a pocket side and a surrounding side, even if the cage segment 20 has more than one pocket 26. In contrast, the connecting webs 24 in such a case can each have either one or two pocket sides and thus either one or no surrounding side. A connecting web 24 arranged between two pockets 26 has two pocket sides and no surrounding side. A connecting web 24 which is terminal in the circumferential direction and which only delimits a single pocket 26 has a pocket side and a surrounding side. In addition to the pocket side and, if applicable,On the surrounding side, the circumferential webs 22 and the connecting webs 24 each have an inner raceway side which, in the installed state, faces the inner rolling element raceway 6 of the rolling bearing 1 and an outer raceway side which, in the installed state, faces the outer rolling element raceway 10 of the rolling bearing.

[0053] The circumferential webs 22 are, in particular, formed integrally with the connecting webs 24. This integral design can be achieved, for example, by manufacturing the cage segment 20 as a plastic injection-molded part. Furthermore, the circumferential webs 22 and the connecting webs 24 are flush with one another with their surrounding sides in the region of the first circumferential end 13 and the second circumferential end 14, i.e., neither the circumferential webs 22 protrude beyond the connecting webs 24 nor the connecting webs 24 protrude beyond the circumferential webs 22.

[0054] The connecting webs 24 have a first guide surface 28 on their pocket sides and a second guide surface 30 on their surrounding sides. The first and second guide surfaces 28, 30 have a first section 32, 34 that runs straight in the radial direction. Furthermore, the first guide surface 28 has a second section 36 that extends in the direction of a rolling element accommodated in the pocket. The second guide surface 30 also has a second section 38 that extends in the direction of a rolling element 12 that rests on the surrounding side of the cage segment. The second section 36 of the first guide surface 28 is arranged radially on a first side of the pitch circle 33, and the second section 38 of the second guide surface 30 is arranged radially at least partially on a second side of the pitch circle 33, which is opposite the first side.

[0055] Furthermore, the first guide surface 28 further comprises a third portion 37 which is provided in the radial direction between the first portion 32 and the second portion 36, wherein the third portion 37 is designed such that it is contactless with the rolling element 12.

[0056] The first guide surface 28 and second guide surface 30 are designed for the sliding guidance of the cage segment 20 on a rolling element 12 arranged within the cage segment 20 and on two rolling elements 12 arranged on both sides directly adjacent to the cage segment 20. The first guide surface 28 and the second guide surface 30 each include only those areas that can contact the outer surface of a rolling element 12 in the operating state of the rolling bearing 1 without deformation of the cage segment 20.

[0057] The first and second guide surfaces 28, 30 each have at least one second section 36, 38 in the radial direction, which extends in the direction of the rolling element 12. This enables the guide surfaces 28, 30 to at least partially encompass the rolling element. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 7, 11 and 12, the second section 36 of the first guide surface 28 is straight. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 6 and 10 to 12, the second section 38 of the second guide surface 30 is designed as a wrap. This means that the second section 38 has a curvature that is adapted to the rolling element 12. The first and second guide surfaces 28, 30 are designed differently in terms of their shape on the pocket side and on the surrounding side.

[0058] The cage segment 20 is shoulder-guided and has a guide shoe 40 at each of its corners, which is designed as a projection and serves to support the cage segment 20 on the shoulder of the inner ring 2. A bulge 42 can be provided between the guide shoes 40, which allows a lubricant, in particular a lubricating oil, to be applied to the rolling element 12 accommodated in the pocket 26.

[0059] On the pocket side of the circumferential web 22, a radially extending recess 44 is provided, which is designed to separate the pocket side of the circumferential web 22 into a first section 46 and a second section 48. In particular, the first and second sections 46, 48 of the circumferential web can be designed as a contact surface for an end face of the rolling element 12. If the cage segment 20 is manufactured by an injection molding process, an injection point can preferably be located between the two sections 46, 48, i.e. in the radially extending recess 44. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a cage segment 20 for a rolling bearing 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment. The cage segment of Fig. 6 differs from the cage segment 20 shown in Figs. 2 to 5 in that the cage segment 20 of Fig.6 has three guide shoes 40 instead of four guide shoes 40, wherein one of the three guide shoes is provided substantially in the middle of one of the circumferential webs 22 and the other two guide shoes 40 are each provided at the corners of the opposite circumferential web 22.

[0060] Fig. 7 and 8 show a schematic view of various embodiments of a first guide surface 28 of a cage segment 20.

[0061] As already described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5, the first and second guide surfaces 28, 30 each have a second section 36, 38 in the radial direction, which extends in the direction of the rolling element 12. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the second section 36 of the first guide surface 28 can be straight. Furthermore, in the first guide surface 28, a third section 37 can be provided between the first section 34 and the second section 36, which is provided in the radial direction between the first section 34 and the second section 36 and is designed to be non-contact with the rolling element 12. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, the second section 36 of the first guide surface 28 can have a curvature with a constant or variable radius.

[0062] 9 and 10 show a schematic view of various embodiments of a second guide surface 30 of a cage segment. As can be seen in Fig. 9, the second section 38 of the second guide surface 30 can be straight. Optionally, the second guide surface 30 can have a third section 39, as indicated by the dashed line 39, which extends in the direction of the rolling element 12 resting on the surrounding side of the cage segment 20 and is arranged on the side of the first section 32 of the second guide surface 30 that is opposite the second section 38. The third section 39 can, as shown in Fig. 9, have the same shape as the second section 38 or have a shape different from the shape of the second section 38. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 10, the second section 38 can have a curvature with a constant or variable radius.It is also possible to provide the second guide surface 30 shown in Fig. 10 with a third section 39, as indicated in Fig. 9.

[0063] In a case in which the second section 36, 38 or the third section 39 of the second guide surface 30 is straight, the second section 36, 38 or the third section 39 of the second guide surface 30 can extend at an angle of inclination to the radial direction which is between 10° and 37.5°, preferably 15 and 32.5°.

[0064] Fig. 11 shows a side view of a cage segment 20 for a rolling bearing according to a third exemplary embodiment. The cage segment of Fig. 11 differs from the cage segment 20 shown in Figs. 2 to 5 in that in the cage segment 20 of Fig. 11 the connecting webs 24 on the surrounding side have a first region 50 and a second region 52 in the axial direction, which are separated from one another by a radially extending recess 54. Furthermore, the connecting web can have a first thickness in the first region 50 and a second thickness in the second region 52 in the circumferential direction, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are the same or different. This means that the thicknesses of the two regions 50, 52 can be adjusted independently of one another. This makes it possible, for example, to adjust the regions 50, 52 independently of one another in the event of a deviation from the casting process.Furthermore, a clearance between the rolling element 12 and the cage segment 20 can be adjusted via the thicknesses of the areas 50, 52.

[0065] Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a cage segment 20 for a rolling bearing 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The cage segment of Fig. 12 differs from the cage segment 20 shown in Figs. 2 to 5 in that the cage segment 20 of Fig. 12 does not have guide shoes 40 and is thus guided only by rolling elements. List of Reference Symbols

[0066] 1 rolling bearing

[0067] 2 inner ring

[0068] 4 leading edge

[0069] 6 inner ring raceway

[0070] 8 Outer ring

[0071] 10 Outer ring raceway

[0072] 12 rolling elements

[0073] 13 first circumference end

[0074] 14 second circumference end

[0075] 20 cage segments

[0076] 22 circumferential web

[0077] 24 connecting bridge

[0078] 26 bag

[0079] 28 first guide surface

[0080] 30 second guide surface

[0081] 32, 34 first section

[0082] 33 pitch circle

[0083] 36, 38 second section

[0084] 37, 39 third section

[0085] 40 Guide shoe

[0086] 42 bulge

[0087] 44 recess

[0088] 46 first section

[0089] 48 second section

[0090] 50 first area

[0091] 52 second area

[0092] 54 Deepening

Claims

Patent claims Bearing cage for a rolling bearing 1. Cage segment (20) for a rolling bearing (1), in particular a roller bearing, with two opposing circumferential webs (22) and at least two opposing connecting webs (24) which connect the two circumferential webs (22) to one another and, together with the circumferential webs (22), form at least one pocket (26) for receiving a rolling element (12), wherein the circumferential webs (22) and the connecting webs (24) have pocket sides which delimit the pocket (26) and surrounding sides opposite the pocket sides, wherein at least one of the connecting webs (24) has at least one first guide surface (28) on its pocket side and a second guide surface (30) on its surrounding side, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second guide surface (28, 30) have at least one first section (32, 34) which runs straight in the radial direction,wherein the at least one first guide surface (28) has at least one second section (36) extending in the direction of a rolling element (12) received in the pocket, and the at least one second guide surface (30) has at least one second section (38) extending in the direction of a rolling element (12) lying on the surrounding side of the cage segment (20), wherein the second section (36) of the first guide surface (28) is arranged radially on a first side of the pitch circle (33), and the second section (38) of the second guide surface (30) is arranged radially at least partially on a second side of the pitch circle (33), which is opposite the first side.

2. Cage segment (20) according to claim 1, wherein the second portion (36, 38) has a curvature adapted to the rolling element (12).

3. Cage segment (20) according to claim 1, wherein the second portion (36, 38) is straight.

4. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first guide surface (28) further comprises at least a third portion provided in the radial direction between the first portion of the first guide surface and the second portion of the first guide surface, which is non-contact with the rolling element.

5. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second section of the second guide surface (30) is connected to the first section of the second guide surface (30), and wherein the second guide surface (30) further comprises at least a third section which extends in the direction of a rolling body (12) lying on the surrounding side of the cage segment and is arranged on the side of the first section of the second guide surface which is opposite the second section.

6. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one connecting web (24) on the surrounding side and / or pocket side has at least a first region (50) and a second region (52) in the axial direction, wherein a radially extending recess (54) is provided between the first region (50) and the second region (52).

7. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cage segment (20) is guided by rolling elements and / or rings and has at least one guide shoe (40) which is provided on at least one connecting web (24) and / or circumferential web (22) and which is designed to guide the cage segment on at least part of a bearing ring.

8. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one circumferential web (22) on the pocket side has a radially extending recess (44) which is designed to separate the pocket side of the circumferential web (22) into a first section (46) and a second section (48).

9. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cage segment (20) is made of plastic and / or metal.

10. Cage segment (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one circumferential web has at least one groove on at least one radial edge, which is designed to guide a lubricant to the rolling element received in the pocket.

11. Rolling bearing (1), in particular roller bearing, for the rotatable mounting of a first machine part relative to a second machine part, with Rolling elements (12), in particular rollers, each having an axis of rotation, cage segments (20), each receiving a rolling element (12), wherein the cage segments (20) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 10, and wherein the cage segments (20) are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing (1) in such a way that between each two cage segments (20) there is arranged a rolling element (12) which is not received in a cage segment (20) and which permanently prevents these two cage segments (20) from touching each other.

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