Method for installing a pivot bearing

Abstract

A method for installing a pivot bearing for mounting a pivot lever of an application device for a disc brake, wherein the pivot bearing has an arcuate bearing shell (16) and a rolling-bearing cage (2) guided pivotably thereon, the shell and the cage being held, preferably latched, against one another by one or more holding means, wherein the method involves the bearing shell and the rolling-bearing cage being brought together until they come into contact, wherein, as they are being brought together, one of the two components is in an inclined position in relation to the other component until the two come into contact.

Description

[0001] Method for mounting a pivot bearing

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a pivot bearing according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A previous assembly method is described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. These figures show a disassembled pivot bearing 1 with a bearing shell 16 positioned parallel to a rolling element cage 2 in a manner known per se. Typically, automated assembly of these components to form a pivot bearing 1 can be achieved by bringing these two parts closer together in the radial direction while maintaining the parallel position until locking. A linearly movable hydraulic mechanism, for example, can be used for this purpose. During the locking process, the locking elements 7a or 7b can be partially or completely sheared off, particularly due to the design-related stability of the bearing shell.

[0004] However, the cohesion of a pivot bearing manufactured in this way without these additional retaining elements may be too weak to reliably prevent the pivot bearing from falling apart during transport, handling, and assembly. Even the precise and permanent positioning of the rolling element cage relative to the bearing shell cannot be maintained if the locking mechanism between the two components is weakened or destroyed during production. The cage slips, making assembly of the pivot bearing impossible, or incorrect assembly occurs between a brake lever and the pivot bearing.

[0005] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to realize a method for assembling a pivot bearing for the aforementioned purpose with a reliable holder between the components.

[0006] The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0007] A method according to the invention is used for assembling a special pivot bearing. This pivot bearing is designed to support a pivot lever of a disc brake application device, wherein the pivot bearing comprises an arcuate bearing shell and a roller bearing cage pivotably mounted thereon.

[0008] Both components are held together by one or more retaining elements. This can preferably be achieved by locking. The components are designed to be relatively rigid and stable for the aforementioned purpose.

[0009] The process involves bringing the bearing shell and the rolling element cage together until they come into contact. This can also involve bringing only one of the two components closer to the other.

[0010] According to the invention, one of the two components is inclined relative to the other component during assembly until they come into contact. This inclined position enables, for example, the bearing shell to be threaded along its edge into a U-shaped contour of a locking means of the rolling element cage and subsequent one-sided fastening of the free longitudinal side of the bearing shell with the respective retaining means of the rolling element cage.

[0011] This significantly reduces the risk of damage to the locking devices during assembly.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] Various inclinations of the bearing shell relative to the rolling element cage are possible, e.g., rolling, pitching, or yaw. The bearing shell is preferably inclined such that an angle of inclination is provided between the rotational or pivoting axis and a rolling surface of the bearing shell. In contrast, the rolling elements with the rolling element cage are arranged parallel to the rotational or pivoting axis. Thus, the angle of inclination is preferably a pitch angle. Rolling or yawing of the bearing shell, on the other hand, does not result in an inclination relative to the pivoting axis.

[0014] The retaining means(s) can be designed as clamping means; however, for reliable mounting, it is particularly advantageous if the retaining means(s) are designed as locking means or locking elements. Locking elements and locking means are used synonymously within the scope of the present invention. Advantageously, after the two components have been brought together, the bearing shell can be threaded at the edge under an undercut of the rolling element cage formed by the locking means. This prevents mechanical stress on one of the locking means of the pivot bearing.

[0015] The rolling element cage can furthermore have an arcuate section with a plurality of bearing pockets with rolling elements arranged therein. The rolling element cage can have a side rim on each of two longitudinal sides of the arcuate section for guiding the bearing shell. These side rims protrude from the arcuate section in a radially outward direction relative to the pivot axis of the pivot bearing, i.e., away from the pivot axis. The retaining means(s) are arranged on at least one of the side rims.

[0016] Each of the side edges can advantageously have at least one or more of the locking means.

[0017] At least one of the side edges advantageously has at least two locking means. This can, in particular, be the side edge to which the locking means are locked under elastic deformation. To ensure a consistent result regardless of the tilting direction of the two components relative to each other, both side edges can preferably be provided with two locking means each. This makes it irrelevant which side is threaded and which side is locked. This is particularly advantageous for machine production.

[0018] After threading, a parallel alignment of the rolling element cage and the bearing shell can advantageously be carried out, whereby during the parallel alignment a one-sided clipping of the two components takes place with elastic deformation of the locking means and / or one of the side rims.

[0019] The bearing shell can have one or two recessed grooves on the edge to accommodate a locking bar of the locking device. This prevents the bearing shell from breaking out in the pivoting direction. At the same time, the extent of radial elastic deformation is reduced due to the smaller edge dimension of the bearing shell. The joining and / or threading of the bearing shell and the rolling element cage can advantageously take place at an inclination angle of more than 10°.

[0020] The pivot bearing can be assembled using automated machine assembly, particularly without manual intervention. One possible implementation is a robotic arm.

[0021] In addition, the rolling bearing cage can have a guide vane that protrudes axially relative to the pivot axis. However, this guide vane only has an axially extending stop surface on one side for retracting the rolling element cage. The one-sided retraction is based on the realization that retraction on both sides is not absolutely necessary, especially since the pivot bearing also has a stop stop that prevents the bearing from over-pivoting.

[0022] A method according to the invention for assembling a pivot bearing is explained in more detail below with the aid of the attached figures. They show:

[0023] Fig. 1 is a rear view of a first embodiment of a pivot bearing for assembly according to the method according to the invention;

[0024] Fig. 2 a side view of the pivot bearing;

[0025] Fig. 3 a first perspective view of the pivot bearing;

[0026] Fig. 4 a second perspective view of the pivot bearing;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rolling element cage of the pivot bearing of the preceding figures;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pivot bearing for assembly according to the method according to the invention;

[0029] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pivot bearing of Fig. 6;

[0030] Fig. 8 shows a first view of the initial position of the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7 before assembly; Fig. 9 shows a second view of the initial position of the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7 before assembly;

[0031] Fig. 10 is a first view of a first step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7;

[0032] Fig. 11 is a second view of a first step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7;

[0033] Fig. 12 is a first view of a second step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7;

[0034] Fig. 13 is a second view of a second step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7;

[0035] Fig. 14 is a first view of a third step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7; and

[0036] Fig. 15 is a second view of a third step of assembling the components of the pivot bearing of Figs. 6 and 7.

[0037] Fig. 1-5 shows in detail an example of a pivot bearing 1 that can be produced according to the method according to the invention, in the form of a needle bearing for a disc brake, which can be used in particular for supporting the above-described pivot lever, which is also synonymously referred to as a rotary lever or brake lever, e.g., on the brake caliper of a disc brake. A corresponding positioning of a pivot bearing on a pivot lever is shown in Fig. 2 of DE 10 2020 101 014 B3. The pivot bearing 1 has a pivot axis A.

[0038] The pivot bearing 1 shown in Fig. 1-5, designed as a needle or roller bearing, has a circular arc-shaped bearing shell 16 and a rolling element cage 2 which can be pivoted relative to it, between which a set of rolling elements 18, here in the form of bearing needles, is arranged such that the bearing shell 16 is movably mounted on rolling elements, in particular roller bearings, relative to the rolling element cage 2.

[0039] The rolling element cage 2 can preferably be made of plastic and is provided with two lateral side ribs 5a, 5b oriented outwards perpendicular to the rolling element cage and having guide surfaces directed towards the bearing needles 18. The opposite side ribs 5a, 5b, together with two opposite end ribs, which each have the front end surfaces 12 and 13 of the rolling element cage, define a receiving space for the bearing needles 18. The receiving space is divided into bearing pockets 4, which are defined on one side by retaining webs 3 running parallel to the pivot axis A between the side ribs 5a, 5b. The retaining webs 3 prevent the rolling elements 18, e.g. the bearing needles, from falling out in the radial direction during assembly of the pivot bearing 1. At the rear, falling out is prevented by the bearing shell 16.

[0040] Guide means 6a and 6b, for example, arcuate projections, extend parallel to the side edges 5a, 5b. The guide means 6a and 6b extend toward the bearing shell 16 and enclose it laterally in a U-shape. In addition to the guide means 6a and 6b protruding from a side edge 5a, 5b, a locking element 7, for example, a locking strip 9, protrudes from the side edge 5a, 5b, which engages behind the bearing shell 16 and thus locks it to the rolling element cage.

[0041] For this purpose, the bearing shell 16 has recessed grooves 20 along the edge surfaces as corresponding locking means, into which the locking strip 9 engages.

[0042] At least one guide wing 21 protrudes in the axial direction (relative to the pivot axis A) from the outer surface 22 of the side edges 5a, 5b. This guide wing 21 is characterized by only one stop surface 10 in the axial extension. A corresponding return element of the brake or pivot lever can be attached here. The edge opposite the stop surface 10 is designed as an arcuate wing stiffener 11 and, due to its arcuate shape, does not allow a precisely positioned and repeatable stop of the aforementioned return element. The stop surface 10, however, allows the rolling element cage to be guided in one pivoting direction, while guidance in the opposite direction can be achieved by another stop, e.g. against the end surface 12 or the like. One advantage is the significantly lower risk of mechanical deformation of the guide wing due to the reduced mechanical load and the wing stiffener 11.

[0043] The bearing shell 16 can be manufactured from a flat metal sheet bent into a cylindrical section or a circular arc. Due to the choice of material, this is tribologically insensitive. It has two central recesses 17 on its sides, in particular waists, into which the locking strips 9 of the rolling element cage engage. The waists 17 extend such that the rolling element cage 2 is guided in the waists 17 of the bearing shell 16 with limited movement. Thus, the recesses 17, on the one hand, simply assume the function of movement-limiting stops and, on the other hand, securely guide the bearing shell 16 on the rolling element cage 2 and hold it in place in the installed position. The recessed grooves 20 extend in a circular arc at least as long as, or longer than, the waists 17.

[0044] Due to the waist, the bearing shell is divided into two curved end segments 25 and a likewise curved middle segment 26.

[0045] Fastening devices such as lugs 19, 24 and / or bores fix the rolling element cage 2 and / or the bearing shell 16 to the respective components which are to be mounted so as to be movable relative to one another, such as the brake calliper and the pivot lever of the disc brake.

[0046] The plastic rolling element cage 2 has a central recess 15 with several recess-like bearing pockets 4 for accommodating one, preferably two, of the rolling elements 18, each in the form of a bearing needle. The bearing shell 16, on the other hand, consists of a metal sheet, which, with the exception of the lugs 19, 24, can be easily manufactured in a single bending process, so that the pivot bearing according to the invention can be manufactured significantly more cost-effectively than comparable pivot bearings without any functional impairment.

[0047] Fig. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of a pivot bearing T. Elements with the same function as the pivot bearing in Fig. 1-5 are designated identically. In contrast to the variant in Fig. 1-5, this embodiment has two locking means 7a and 7b designed as locking lugs with corresponding locking strips for each side edge 5a and 5b. The arrangement of at least two locking lugs per side edge redundantly ensures that the pivot bearing is locked even if one of the locking means 7a or 7b shears off during assembly of the pivot bearing. A further difference to the variant in Fig. 1-5 is a recess, in particular a recess pocket 29, in at least one side edge or both side edges 5a and 5b below the locking means 7a or 7b.This facilitates - with reference to the pivot axis A of the pivot bearing - the axial elastic deformation of the side edges 5a and 5b and the mobility of the locking means 7a and 7b by this elastic deformation.

[0048] The assembly method according to the invention comprises several steps, which are explained with reference to Fig. 8-15.

[0049] Figs. 8 and 9 show the initial assembly situation. The bearing shell 16 and the rolling element cage 2 are spatially separated from each other and are to be assembled to form a pivot bearing 1.

[0050] The bearing shell 16 and the rolling element cage 2 are arranged parallel to each other and radially spaced from each other with respect to the pivot axis A of the pivot bearing 1. However, this orientation of the two components in the initial situation is not mandatory.

[0051] Figures 10 and 11 show the first step of assembly. The bearing shell 16 is brought toward the rolling element cage 2 in a tilted position relative to the orientation of the rolling element cage 2 until it comes into contact with the rolling element cage 2. It is also possible for the rolling element cage 2 to be brought toward the bearing shell 16 in a tilted position.

[0052] It is also possible for both components to be brought closer together. The tilted position of one of the components relative to the other is important. The angle of inclination between the two components can be significantly more than 10°, preferably more than 20°, for example, 30-60°.

[0053] In Fig. 10 and 11, the first longitudinal edge 27 of the bearing shell 16 is first threaded onto a side edge 5a behind the locking means 7a and 7b, before the bearing shell 16 is placed with the second longitudinal edge 28 on the locking means 7a and 7b of the second side edges 5b and is locked by gentle pressure with elastic deformation of these side edges 5b and / or the locking means 7a and 7b.

[0054] As can be seen in Fig. 12 and 13, after the one-sided threading of the recessed groove 20 under the locking strip 9 of the respective locking means 7a or 7b of the side rims 5a, the angle of inclination of the bearing shell 16 relative to the rolling element cage 2 is reduced until the bearing shell 16 rests on the opposite side rim 5b at the edge.

[0055] Finally, by applying slight pressure, a deformation of the locking means 7a and 7b and / or the side edge 5b can be enabled and an engagement of the bearing shell 16 by the locking means 7a, 7b can be achieved, forming a locking connection.

[0056] Figs. 14 and 15 then show the final position of the two aforementioned components, i.e., the bearing shell 16 and the rolling element cage 2, in the assembled state. Both sides of the bearing shell 16 are engaged behind the locking means 7a and 7b in the region of the longitudinal edges 27 and 28, and the locking strips 9 of the locking means 7a and 7b of the two side rims 5a and 5b are located in the recessed grooves 20.

[0057] When clipped in on one side, the contact between the bearing shell 16 and the locking means 7a, 7b, especially in the locking lug design, is particularly favorable, since the contact angle is more optimal here than with a simultaneous vertical locking of both side edges 5a and 5b during assembly. The one locking means or the multiple locking means 7a and 7b are subject to less wear than when both side edges are placed on the bearing shell simultaneously. At the same time, this enables an improved holding function due to the resulting stronger remaining undercut.

[0058] The provision of several locking means 7a and 7b arranged offset along a side edge 5a or 5b of the bearing shell 16 enables an additional improvement of the holding function of the rolling element cage 2 on the bearing shell 16. At least two locking means, preferably two locking lugs, are attached per side edge 5a or 5b.

[0059] At least two locking devices "clamp" the bearing shell 16 and the rolling element cage 2. This utilizes the "ideal" circular arc geometry of the rolling element cage 2 and a spread or expandable bearing shell 16. Unintentional displacement of the two components is made more difficult. This displacement could occur throughout the entire assembly and transport chain, including during assembly in the brake. The adjusted position of the rolling element cage 2 with rolling elements relative to the bearing shell 16 is maintained. This process thus optimizes assembly and improves the holding function between the rolling element cage 2 and the bearing shell 16.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 1 1' swivel bearing

[0062] 2 rolling element cage

[0063] 3 Holding bridge

[0064] 4 storage bags

[0065] 5a Side boards

[0066] 5b Side boards

[0067] 6a Guidance devices

[0068] 6b Guidance devices

[0069] 7, 7a, 7b locking element

[0070] 9 locking bar

[0071] 10 Stop surface

[0072] 11 Wing stiffening

[0073] 12 End face

[0074] 13 End face

[0075] 15 recess

[0076] 16 bearing shell

[0077] 17 recesses

[0078] 18 rolling elements

[0079] 19 Nose

[0080] 20 recessed grooves

[0081] 21 guide wings

[0082] 22 exterior surface

[0083] 24 Nose

[0084] 25 End segment

[0085] 26 Middle segment

[0086] 27 Longitudinal edge

[0087] 28 Longitudinal edge

[0088] 29 Recess pocket

[0089] A swivel axis

Claims

Claims 1. Method for assembling a pivot bearing (1, 1') for supporting a pivot lever of an application device of a disc brake, wherein the pivot bearing (1, 1') has an arcuate bearing shell (16) and a rolling bearing cage (2) which is pivotably guided thereon and which are held against one another by one or more holding means, preferably locked, wherein the method comprises bringing the bearing shell (16) and the rolling element cage (2) together until they come into contact, characterized in that one of the two components has an inclined position relative to the other component during the bringing together until they come into contact.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means or means are designed as a locking element (7, 7a, 7b).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after the joining, the bearing shell (16) is threaded at the edge under an undercut of the rolling element cage (2) formed by the locking element (7, 7a, 7b).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling element cage (2) has an arcuate section with a plurality of bearing pockets (4) with rolling elements (18) arranged therein and in that the rolling element cage (2) has on two longitudinal sides of the arcuate section a side edge (5a and 5b) for guiding the bearing shell (16), which protrude in a radially outward direction relative to the arcuate section with respect to the pivot axis (A) of the pivot bearing (1, 1'), wherein the holding means or means is arranged on at least one of the side edges (5a or 5b).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the side edges (5a, 5b) has at least one locking element (7, 7a, 7b) or several of the locking elements (7, 7a, 7b).

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one of the side edges (5a, 5b), preferably both side edges (5a, 5b), each has at least two of the locking elements (7, 7a, 7b).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after threading, a parallel alignment of the rolling element cage (2) and the bearing shell (16) takes place, wherein preferably during the parallel alignment a one-sided clipping in of the two components takes place with elastic deformation of the locking elements (7, 7a, 7b) and / or the side edges (5a, 5b).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing shell (16) has one or two edge-side recessed grooves (20) for receiving a locking strip (9) of the locking element (7, 7a, 7b).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining and / or threading of the bearing shell (16) and the rolling element cage (2) takes place at an angle of more than 10°.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly of the bearing shell (16) and the rolling element cage (2) of the pivot bearing (1, 1') is carried out as an automated machine assembly, in particular without manual intervention.

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