Split flange bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing (400) comprising a bearing housing and a bearing core which is placed in the bearing housing and has a receptacle (21) in the form of a passage extending through the bearing core along a bearing axis, the bearing core having a radial outer surface (24), by means of which it bears against a corresponding inner surface (44) of the bearing housing, the inner surface of the bearing housing and the outer surface of the bearing core radially and axially engaging behind one another, thus securing a radial and axial position of the bearing core relative to the bearing housing, the bearing housing having a flange (45) which is positioned radially outside the receptacle and in which is provided at least one mounting passage (43) through which a fastening means provided for mounting the bearing can be passed, and the bearing housing having a plurality of housing elements (4) and the bearing core having a plurality of core elements (2), the core elements together forming the receptacle and the housing elements together forming the mounting passage, and the housing elements overlapping beyond a radial portion and the mounting passage being placed inside the radial portion.

Description

[0001] Split flange bearing

[0002] The invention relates to a bearing according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a set for realizing such a bearing and a use of such a set for realizing such a bearing.

[0003] A bearing of this type comprises a bearing housing and a bearing core arranged within the bearing housing. Typically, the bearing housing surrounds the bearing core circumferentially around a bearing axis, so that the bearing core is held in a defined radial position relative to the bearing housing. Furthermore, the bearing core and bearing housing interlock along the bearing axis, so that the bearing core is positioned in a defined axial position relative to the bearing housing. The bearing core can be...

[0004] The bearing housing must be defined by its design within a radial or axial position range relative to the housing, or its position relative to the housing must be fixed in such a way that, starting from the bearing's intended operating state, in which it is positioned in a defined radial and axial position relative to the housing, it cannot perform any translational movement in the radial or axial direction relative to the housing, but at most a rotational movement. It should be noted here that the term "axial" or "axial directions" describes a direction parallel to the bearing axis, whereas the term "radial" or "radial direction" describes any direction perpendicular to the bearing axis. The bearing axis is uniquely defined with reference to the bearing core.When referring to the bearing axis in the definitions of other bearing components, and when the bearing core is rotatable relative to the bearing housing about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the bearing axis, the reference is made by defining a rotation angle of 0° about the axis of rotation. The bearing core has a receptacle designed to receive a shaft. Accordingly, the receptacle is designed as a passage extending along the bearing axis through the bearing core, so that a shaft can be inserted axially into the passage such that it extends beyond the bearing core on both axial sides. In the intended operating condition of the bearing, an inner surface formed by the bearing housing encloses an outer surface formed by the bearing core, so that the bearing core is positioned relative to the bearing housing as described, with the inner surface of the bearing core defining the receptacle.The bearing housing has a flange radially outside the receptacle and thus radially outside its outer surface surrounding the bearing core, in which at least one, and in particular several, mounting holes are provided. A fastening element, for example a screw, can be passed through each mounting hole, so that the bearing can be attached to a counterpart, for example a frame or other machine component, by means of one or more such fastening elements.In a typical application, a bearing of this type is used in a machine arrangement, to which the present invention also relates, wherein the machine arrangement comprises a shaft in addition to the bearing, the shaft being arranged in the bearing receptacle, its shaft axis being parallel to the bearing axis, and the shaft being rotatably mounted in the receptacle, but being fixed in its radial position by the bearing so that it is secured against radial translation relative to the bearing. In particular, the invention relates to such a machine arrangement, wherein the bearing is arranged in a shaft section along the shaft axis, the axial end of which is concealed by a machine part, such that the respective axial end of the shaft section is accessible only after disassembly of the machine part or disassembly of the shaft from the machine part.In such a machine arrangement, a conventional bearing can only be axially removed from the shaft after the appropriate disassembly has been carried out. For example, the machine part could be a housing part enclosed by the machine arrangement, such as a housing part to which the bearing is also attached. Alternatively, the machine part could be a drive unit enclosed by the machine arrangement, such as a motor, like an electric motor, where the drive unit is designed to rotate the shaft around its axis. The drive unit is thus connected to the shaft and accordingly defines a section of the shaft, so that the bearing can only be axially removed from the shaft after appropriate disassembly at the end of the shaft section defined by the drive unit during operation.In such an arrangement, the bearing itself is fixed to a corresponding component by means of its flange, so that the shaft is held relative to this component.

[0005] With bearings of this type, particularly in the application described above, the problem arises that the bearing core needs to be replaceable for maintenance purposes. Therefore, the aim is to design the bearing housing and bearing core in such a way that the bearing core can be removed from the housing and replaced with an identical one. However, it has proven difficult to ensure both robust fixation of the bearing housing and reliable positioning and retention of the bearing core within the housing, as well as easy replacement of the bearing core, especially in machine configurations where the bearing is located in an axial section along the shaft axis that is concealed at its axial ends by a machine component.While this problem generally exists in bearings of this type, it has proven to be particularly problematic in so-called spherical bearings, to which the invention specifically relates, and in which the bearing core is designed in the manner of a spherical cap and thus has a spherical outer surface, so that, in order to compensate for alignment tolerances between the shaft axis and the bearing, the bearing core in the intended operating state of the bearing is rotatable relative to the bearing housing not only about the bearing axis, but also about a rotation axis perpendicular to the bearing axis, at least over a certain angular range, for example, an angular range of at least 5°, in particular at least 10°, in particular at least 15°, in particular by at least 5° and less than 40°, in particular by at least 10° and less than 30°.Especially with such bearings, the robust guidance of the bearing core in the bearing housing and at the same time the guarantee of the removableness of the bearing core from the bearing housing, or its replaceability, is particularly difficult to achieve.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a bearing or a set for realizing a bearing or a use of a set for realizing a bearing, with which at least one disadvantage of generic bearings, sets or uses is at least partially eliminated.

[0007] As a solution to the problem underlying the present invention, the invention proposes a bearing with the features according to claim 1. The bearing comprises a bearing housing and a bearing core arranged in the bearing housing. The bearing core has a receptacle designed as a through-passage extending along a bearing axis through the bearing core. The bearing core has a radial outer surface with which it abuts a corresponding inner surface of the bearing housing. The inner surface of the bearing housing and the outer surface of the bearing core interlock radially and axially, thereby defining a radial and axial position of the bearing core relative to the bearing housing, so that the bearing core—except for possible clearance—cannot undergo any radial or axial translational movement relative to the bearing housing.The overlapping of the inner surface of the bearing housing and the outer surface of the bearing core can be achieved, for example, by providing corresponding projections and recesses on the inner and outer surfaces, and / or by designing the outer surface of the bearing core as a spherical surface and the inner surface of the bearing housing as a spherical surface corresponding to the spherical outer surface. Preferably, the bearing housing surrounds the bearing core both axially and radially. The bearing housing has a flange arranged radially outside the receptacle, in which at least one mounting opening is provided through which a fastening element for mounting the bearing can be inserted.The mounting bushing thus has a mounting axis, which preferably runs parallel to the bearing axis and extends through the flange along which the fastening element can be inserted from one end of the mounting bushing along the mounting axis and attached at the other end to a corresponding counterpart. The fastening element can be, for example, bolt-like and / or screw-like or clamping or locking device-like.

[0008] The housing comprises several housing elements, and the bearing core comprises several core elements. The core elements together form the receptacle, and the housing elements together form the mounting bushing. The housing elements overlap over a radial section, with the mounting bushing located within this radial section. The radial section is an area whose planar extent extends along two mutually perpendicular radial directions, each perpendicular to the bearing axis. Thus, the mounting bushing is located outside the receptacle, allowing the shaft to be inserted into the receptacle, as is typical for bearings of this type, without the mounting bushing obstructing this insertion.Furthermore, by forming the mounting opening jointly with several housing elements, the fastening means used to mount the bearing to a counterpart ensures that the housing elements are fixed relative to each other. This is particularly advantageous for the easy replacement of the bearing core or easy disassembly of the bearing and for the robust design of the bearing housing. In one embodiment according to the invention, the bearing has exactly two housing elements and exactly two mounting openings, each of the two mounting openings being formed jointly by both housing elements.In one embodiment, the bearing has exactly two housing elements as well as at least two mounting ports and at least one further mounting port, wherein the at least two mounting ports are each formed jointly by both housing elements and the at least one further mounting port is formed by each of only one of the two housing elements.

[0009] In one embodiment, each housing element encloses a different angular segment of the core element. This angular segment refers to an angle relative to a rotation about the bearing axis. Accordingly, each housing element forms a different angular segment of the inner surface of the bearing housing. Thus, in the bearing's intended operating state, where the core is located in the housing and the inner surface of the housing encloses the outer surface of the core, the housing elements are positioned on opposite sides or across different angular segments of the outer surface of the core. In another embodiment, each core element encloses a different angular segment of the receptacle. Each core element therefore forms a different angular segment of the inner surface of the core, with which the core surrounds the receptacle around the bearing axis.The receptacle forms a circumferential boundary around the bearing axis. In the advantageous embodiments described, for example, the various housing elements can overlap over an overlap angle section, but outside the overlap angle section, they each enclose the bearing core over a different angle section, or alternatively, they can enclose exclusively different angle sections of the core element. Similarly, it can be provided that the core elements overlap over an overlap angle section and, outside the overlap angle section, each form a different angle section with which they enclose the receptacle, or that the core elements enclose exclusively different angle sections of the receptacle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the housing elements are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that, for the realization of the bearing and simultaneous arrangement of a shaft aligned with its axis along the bearing axis in the bearing receptacle, they can be positioned on a different radial side of the shaft, each associated with a different housing element. Thus, the housing elements are designed in such a way that they can be positioned on a different radial side of the shaft, each associated with a different housing element, whereby the bearing is realized in the course of their arrangement on the respective radial sides of the shaft.This offers the distinct advantage that the bearing housing, and thus the bearing itself, can be mounted radially from the outside of the shaft. This allows for the removal of the bearing core from the housing by disassembly. Starting from the bearing's intended operating state, in which the shaft is positioned within the housing, the housing elements are moved radially away from the shaft, thereby releasing the bearing core. Thus, the bearing core can be replaced without having to axially remove the bearing housing from the shaft.Thus, the advantageous embodiment allows the bearing housing to be removed from the shaft, starting from the intended operating state in which a shaft is arranged in the receptacle and extends axially on both sides beyond the bearing, while the shaft remains in the same axial position range in which it is arranged in the intended operating state. This axial position range has an axial extension length that is less than the axial extension length of the bearing. Particularly preferably, the housing elements are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that, to realize the bearing, they can first be arranged as described on a radial side of the shaft to which they are each assigned, and then, after the housing elements have been arranged on the radial sides of the shaft, the housing elements can be moved axially relative to one another along the shaft axis.Axial mobility can be, for example, purely translational mobility along the shaft axis, or mobility achieved by rotating the housing elements relative to each other about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the shaft axis, whereby such rotation moves sections of the housing elements axially towards each other. By designing the housing elements to correspond to each other in such a way that they can first be brought radially towards the shaft and then moved axially relative to each other, thus realizing the bearing, axial engagement of the housing elements in the realized bearing can be ensured, while simultaneously ensuring easy mounting and removal of the bearing housing from the shaft.In one embodiment, the core elements are designed to correspond to each other in such a way that, for the realization of the bearing and simultaneous arrangement of the shaft, aligned with its axis along the bearing axis, in the bearing receptacle, they can each be positioned on a different radial side of the shaft, each associated with a specific core element. Thus, the bearing can be realized by arranging both the core elements and the housing element radially from the outside of the shaft. For example, a core element and a housing element can each be assigned to the same radial side of the shaft. However, it is also fundamentally possible for the different core elements to be assigned to different radial sides of the shaft than the different housing elements. This is essential for the advantageous design.

[0011] In this embodiment, the bearing can be realized by moving core elements and housing elements radially towards the shaft from the outside. The arrangement of core elements and housing elements on the radial sides of the shaft simultaneously creates the bearing and positions the shaft within the bearing receptacle. With this particularly advantageous embodiment, for example, an electric motor as the drive and another machine component as the output can remain connected to the shaft unchanged, while the bearing is arranged axially between the drive and output on the shaft, as explained, or removed from it. Particularly preferred for realizing the bearing and simultaneously positioning the shaft, aligned with its axis along the bearing axis, within the bearing receptacle, are the housing elements and core elements being radially movable towards each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bearing has a sleeve arranged in the mounting bore, the sleeve having several sleeve sections offset from one another along its sleeve axes, one of the sleeve sections being enclosed by at least one of the housing elements and another of the sleeve sections being enclosed by at least one other of the housing elements.

[0013] In one embodiment, each housing element is assigned a sleeve section, wherein each sleeve section is enclosed only by its assigned housing element. In another embodiment, at least one sleeve section is enclosed by only one housing element, and the other sleeve section is enclosed by several, in particular exactly two, housing elements. In yet another embodiment, only a first housing element encloses a first sleeve section, and the first and a second housing element each enclose a second sleeve section, wherein, in particular, the first housing element directly abuts the second sleeve section, and the second housing element abuts a section of the first housing element that directly encloses the second sleeve section, and thus indirectly abuts the second sleeve section by means of the second housing element.The first housing element can, as explained in the present embodiments, have an axial projection section that is inserted into a receiving section of the second housing element. Preferably, the sleeve is fixed in the first housing element in an interference fit. For example, the sleeve, with its first sleeve section, can be enclosed in an interference fit by a section of the first housing element. Preferably, the first housing element rests directly against the first sleeve section and / or the second sleeve section, particularly in an interference fit. The sleeve is, for example, designed in the manner of a hollow cylinder, wherein the cylinder axis of the hollow cylinder corresponds to the sleeve axis.By being enclosed in a first section by a first housing element and in a second section by a second housing element, the sleeve can, on the one hand, ensure the housing elements are fixed relative to each other, and on the other hand, provide a particularly robust guide for a fastening element. Preferably, the sleeve extends with its axis parallel to the bearing axis. Preferably, the sleeve extends along its axis at least completely across the extent of the bearing housing, and in particular, beyond the bearing housing on both sides. Preferably, the sleeve is made of a harder material than the housing elements. Preferably, the housing elements are held in position relative to each other by the sleeve. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the sleeve rests against each of the housing elements, each of which encloses one of its sleeve sections.In one embodiment, the sleeve rests directly against at least one, and in particular only against exactly one, of the housing elements, while it does not rest directly against at least one other housing element. Instead, one housing element extends between the sleeve and the other housing element, with the other housing element nevertheless also enclosing the sleeve, namely the sleeve and a section of the first housing element surrounding the sleeve. Preferably, the assembly opening in which the sleeve is arranged is formed by exactly two housing elements, each of which encloses a corresponding section of the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is fixed in an interference fit in at least one of the housing elements that forms at least one section of the assembly opening in which it is arranged.Due to the press-fit arrangement, the sleeve is positioned particularly reliably relative to this housing element and fixed to it. Preferably, the bearing has several sleeves and several mounting holes, each sleeve being arranged in a different mounting hole and, as explained, enclosed by several, in particular exactly two, housing elements.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing elements overlap axially within a specific radial area. This radial area can include, or be formed by, the radial section in which the mounting bushing is located. Preferably, the housing elements overlap both radially and axially within this radial area. The axial overlap in the radial area ensures a particularly robust fixation of the housing elements relative to one another.

[0015] In one embodiment, a first housing element has an axial projection section, and a second housing element has an axial receiving section. In the intended operating state of the bearing, the projection section is arranged in or inserted into the receiving section. For example, to create the bearing, the housing elements can first be moved radially towards each other and then axially towards each other, whereby the axial movement inserts the projection section into the receiving section. Preferably, the projection section and the receiving section each form at least one section of the mounting guide.This allows the projecting section and the receiving section to be designed in a particularly space-saving manner and to be especially robust, for example, by stabilizing them relative to each other through the mounting opening and / or by providing a sleeve within the mounting opening. In one embodiment, the bearing has a sleeve as described above, wherein the sleeve is fixed in the projecting section of the first housing element in an interference fit, and wherein, in the intended operating state of the bearing, the projecting section extends over a section of the sleeve running along the sleeve axis between the second housing element and the sleeve.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first and second housing elements each have an axial projection section and an axial receiving section, wherein the axial projection section of each housing element is inserted into or arranged in the axial receiving section of the other housing element. This ensures a particularly advantageous fixation of the two housing elements relative to each other. In one embodiment, each receiving section and the projection section inserted into it each form at least one section of a specific mounting bore. Exactly one receiving section from one of the housing elements and exactly one projection section from the other housing element thus form a corresponding pair of sections, each forming a different section of exactly one specific mounting bore.

[0017] In the design form, a sleeve of the bearing is fixed in a press fit in each projecting section.

[0018] In one embodiment, the bearing has several mounting openings, wherein the housing elements overlap over several different radial sections, and each of the radial sections is assigned one of the mounting openings, with each mounting opening being arranged within its respective radial section. Preferably, the radial sections together form the radial area described above. In one embodiment, the bearing has at least one further mounting opening formed by only a single one of the housing elements.By having, on the one hand, mounting openings formed by several, in particular exactly two, housing elements, and on the other hand, further mounting openings formed by a single housing element, a simple design of the bearing, a robust fixing of the housing elements to one another, and a robust fixing of the bearing housing to a mating part can be particularly advantageously ensured. It is generally preferred that a sleeve, as described herein, is arranged in each mounting opening as well as in each further mounting opening, in particular fixed in an interference fit. The sleeve can generally advantageously provide stabilization of the mounting opening and generally advantageously extend along its sleeve axis, as described herein, at least to the two ends of the mounting opening provided along the sleeve axis.This ensures that the housing bearing can be fixed by a fastening device while applying a high pressing force along the sleeve axis, generated by the fastening device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the bearing has exactly two housing elements. In one embodiment, the bearing has exactly two core elements. By providing exactly two housing elements and / or exactly two core elements, the bearing can be manufactured particularly easily and, moreover, mounted radially from the outside of a shaft particularly easily. In one embodiment, the core elements are made of plastic, in particular each of exactly one or more injection-molded parts. In one embodiment, the housing elements are made of plastic, in particular each of exactly one or more injection-molded parts. In one embodiment, the sleeve is made of a metal or of a harder plastic than the housing elements. In one embodiment, the core elements are made of a sliding material. In one embodiment, the housing elements are made of a sliding material.The sliding material is generally preferably a tribologically optimized plastic. For example, polymers can be used to create a tribologically optimized plastic; such as the thermoplastics polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene, as well as phenolic resins among thermosets. To further reduce friction, these plastics can contain lubricants, in particular finely divided solid lubricants, such as polymeric solid lubricants, waxes, molybdenum disulfide, or graphite. Such lubricant-containing polymers are also called tribopolymers. In one embodiment, the bearing core is designed like a spherical cap with a spherical outer surface.Thanks to its spherically shaped outer surface, the bearing core is pivotably mounted relative to the bearing housing perpendicular to the bearing axis, allowing it to rotate relative to the bearing housing about an axis perpendicular to the bearing axis over a certain angular range. Preferably, however, the bearing core is secured against translational movement relative to the bearing housing with respect to both the axial and radial directions. Preferably, each of the two core elements forms a different section of the spherical outer surface of the spherical cap.

[0020] In one embodiment, the core elements face each other with radially and axially extending end faces. Preferably, the core elements lie radially adjacent to each other with their end faces facing each other, free of undercuts, so that their end faces do not interlock. In one embodiment, the core elements are rotatable relative to each other about an axis perpendicular to the bearing axis. Preferably, the rotatability is ensured starting from an operating state of the bearing in which the housing elements are fixed in position relative to each other and the core elements together form the bearing receptacle, but no shaft is arranged in the receptacle. Preferably, the core elements can be removed from the bearing housing after such a rotation relative to each other about the aforementioned axis. Preferably, the core elements are only secured against removal from the bearing housing by the arrangement of a shaft in the receptacle.

[0021] In one embodiment, the housing elements are identical. In another embodiment, the core elements are identical. By using identical parts, the bearing can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively. In one embodiment, the housing elements each have a lattice structure radially outside their inner surface. In another embodiment, the core elements each have a lattice structure radially within their outer surface. Preferably, the lattice structure extends exclusively radially within the outer surface of the core elements or radially outside the inner surface of the housing elements, so that the inner surface of the bearing housing or the outer surface of the bearing core is not formed by the lattice structure. By providing the lattice structure, the bearing can be designed to be particularly cost-effective, material-saving, and robust at the same time.By omitting the lattice structure from both the inner surface of the bearing housing and the outer surface of the bearing core, the inner and outer surfaces can be designed to correspond advantageously to each other and, moreover, slide against each other with particularly low friction and reliability during rotation about the bearing axis. In one embodiment, the core elements project axially beyond the flange on at least one axial side of the housing elements. This allows the bearing to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively and, moreover, thanks to the considerable axial extension of the core elements, provides reliable guidance of a shaft in the receptacle and reliable guidance of the core elements through the bearing housing. Preferably, the housing elements, with the sections they form on the inside of the bearing housing, extend axially beyond the flange accordingly.

[0022] The invention further relates to a set for realizing a bearing according to the invention. The set comprises, as components of the set, several housing elements and several core elements.

[0023] The housing elements and core elements can be designed in various embodiments as described herein in connection with embodiments of the bearing according to the invention. Furthermore, the set can include several sleeves as additional components, which can be designed accordingly, as described in the embodiments of the bearing according to the invention. In an operating state of the set, the components of the set are positioned relative to each other such that the bearing is formed by the components. The operating state of the set describes a specific arrangement of the components of the set relative to each other.

[0024] As a further solution to the problem underlying the invention, the invention further proposes the use of an inventive set for realizing an inventive bearing. According to the inventive use, the housing elements are moved radially towards each other until they jointly form an inner surface that circumferentially surrounds the core elements around the bearing axis. In one embodiment, the housing elements are then moved axially towards each other, i.e., after they have been moved radially towards each other as described, until they abut each other axially within a radial area. Preferably, the housing elements overlap both radially and axially within the radial area, particularly as explained here with regard to the inventive embodiment of the bearing.In one embodiment, the core elements are moved radially towards each other until they together form an outer surface enclosed by the inner surface formed by the housing elements and together enclose a receptacle provided for receiving a shaft. In one embodiment, pairs of core element and housing element are first formed, after which these pairs are moved radially towards each other, wherein, in particular, the core elements and / or housing elements are moved towards each other as previously described. Each of the pairs preferably comprises at least one housing element and at least one core element, and in particular exactly one housing element and exactly one core element.

[0025] The various solutions according to the invention and their embodiments can have features which are described here in connection with

[0026] The implementation forms of other solutions and / or in connection with generic implementation forms are explained or are evident to the person skilled in the art from the explanations.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to four figures and examples.

[0028] They show:

[0029] Figure 1: In a schematic principle representation, an exploded view of a first embodiment of the bearing according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 2: Various schematic representations of different views of components of the execution form according to Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 3: In a schematic principle representation, an exploded view of a second embodiment of a bearing according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 4: Various schematic representations of different views of components of the execution form according to Figure 3.

[0033] Figures 1 and 2, comprising Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2D, show various embodiments of a bearing 400 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows an exploded view. Figure 2a shows a top view of the bearing 400 along the bearing axis X. Figure 2B shows a sectional view of the bearing 400 along the bearing axis X. Figures 2c and 2d show the bearing 400 in a partially disassembled state, with Figure 2c showing the partially disassembled state from a top oblique view and Figure 2d from a bottom oblique view. The embodiment of a bearing 400 according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 is explained below with reference to all the figures mentioned.

[0034] The bearing 400 according to the invention comprises exactly two housing elements 4, exactly two core elements 2, and exactly two sleeves 3. The two housing elements 4, the two core elements 2, and the sleeves 3 are identical. The two housing elements 4 together form two mounting openings 43, each housing element 4 forming an axial section of each mounting opening 43. In each mounting opening 43, exactly one sleeve 3 is arranged in each of the mounting openings 43 during the operating state of the bearing 400. Each sleeve 3 is fixed in one of the housing elements 4 in an interference fit. Each housing element 4 has an axial projection section 41 and a corresponding axial receiving section 42. Each of the sleeves 3 is fixed in the projecting section 41 of each of the housing elements 4 in a press fit.Each of the housing elements 4 further forms an angular segment of the inner surface 44 of the bearing housing formed jointly by the housing elements 4. To realize the bearing 400 on a shaft, the two housing elements 4 can first be brought radially towards or arranged on opposite sides of the shaft, after which they can be rotated about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the shaft axis. This causes the projecting section 41 of each housing element 4 to be inserted into the receiving section 42 of the other housing element, resulting in an axial relative movement of the housing elements 4 towards each other. A slight torsion of the housing elements 4 may occur during this process.In bearing 4, each housing element 4 in which the respective sleeve 3 is press-fitted encloses this sleeve 3 over at least the predominant part of its extension along its sleeve axis, whereas the respective other housing element 4 encloses the sleeve with its receiving section 42, wherein the projecting section 41 of one housing element 4 extends within a sleeve section of the sleeve 3 between the sleeve 3 and the receiving section 42 of the other housing element.

[0035] With its inner surface 44, the bearing housing, or rather the two housing elements 4, enclose the bearing core 20 in the operating state. The bearing core 20 is formed by two core elements 2. Each core element 2 forms an angular segment of the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20. The outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20 corresponds to the inner surface 44 of the bearing housing. In this case, the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20 is spherically shaped, so that the bearing core 20 as a whole is shaped like a spherical cap. Due to the spherical shape of the outer surface 24 and the corresponding spherical shape of the inner surface 44, the outer surface 24 and the inner surface 44 have a cross-sectional shape resembling a segment of a circular arc on their radially opposite sides in a cross-section that runs radially along the bearing axis X.The circular arc segments formed by inner surface 44 and outer surface 24 run parallel to each other.

[0036] Both the housing elements 4 and the core elements 2 each have a lattice structure outside their inner surface 44 and outside their outer surface 24, respectively, which makes them particularly material-efficient and robust. The housing elements 4 together form a flange 45 of the bearing housing, within which the mounting holes 43 are provided and which includes the radial sections or the radial area in which the housing elements 4 overlap radially and axially, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. In the present case, the core elements 2 are each manufactured from a sliding material as a one-piece injection-molded component, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. The core elements 2 each form an angular section of an inner surface 21 of the bearing core 20, which defines or radially limits the receptacle 210 of the bearing 400. A shaft (not shown) can be inserted into the receptacle 210.The receptacle 210 of the bearing 400 is generally preferably cylindrical and therefore suitable for accommodating a cylindrical shaft.

[0037] The core elements 2 have radially and axially extending end faces 22, which, in the intended operating state of the bearing 400, face each other. Their facing end faces 22 do not interlock, so that, advantageously according to the invention, they lie against each other without undercut. Due to the spherical design of the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20 and the inner surface 44 of the bearing housing, the bearing core 20 is secured against radial and axial translation in the intended operating state of the bearing 400 by the bearing housing encompassing the bearing core 20 both radially and axially, or rather, gripping it from behind.By arranging the flange of the bearing 400 radially outside the receptacle 210 and radially outside the inner surface 44 and also the outer surface 24, and furthermore by having the core elements 2 and also the housing elements 4 project axially beyond the flange 45, the flange ensures, firstly, simple and secure fixing of the bearing 400 to a counterpart, and secondly, due to the sufficient axial extension of the inner surface 44 of the bearing housing, the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20 and the inner surface 21 of the bearing core 20, sufficiently robust guidance of the bearing core 20 in the bearing housing and of a shaft in the receptacle 210 is ensured.

[0038] Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of a bearing 100 according to the invention in various schematic diagrams. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the bearing 100. Figure 4 comprises Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, which show different views of the bearing 100. Figure 4a shows a view of the bearing 100 along the bearing axis X. Figure 4b shows a sectional view of the bearing 100 along the bearing axis X. Figures 4c and 4d show the bearing 100 in a partially disassembled state, with Figure 4c showing a top oblique view and Figure 4d showing a bottom oblique view.Due to the similarities between the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 and the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the following section will focus in detail on those features of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 that distinguish it from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bearing 100, like the previously described bearing 400, has exactly two housing elements 1 and exactly two core elements 2. However, in addition to two mounting openings 13, each formed jointly by both housing elements 1, the bearing 100 has two further mounting openings 16, each formed by only one of the two housing elements 1. In each mounting opening 13 and each further mounting opening 16, one of the sleeves 3 is fixed in an interference fit.The respective sleeve 3, which is arranged in one of the mounting through-holes 13, is fixed in the projecting section 11 of the respective housing element 1 in an interference fit and can be axially inserted, together with the projecting section 11, into the corresponding receiving section 12 of the other housing element 1 to form the bearing 100. As explained in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the intended operating state each of the housing elements 1 forms a section of the inner surface 14 of the bearing housing of the bearing 100, which in the operating state axially and radially surrounds the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20.

[0039] Figures 2c and 2d, on the one hand, and 4c and 4d, on the other, further show that the bearing 100, 400 according to the invention can be arranged on a shaft particularly easily in the advantageous embodiments shown. This is because each core element 2 can be arranged on each housing element 1, 4 with the section of the outer surface 24 of the bearing core 20 formed by it abutting the section of the inner surface 14, 44 of the bearing housing formed by the respective housing element 1, 4, so that each housing element 1, 4 and each core element 2 form a pair, whereby these two pairs can be moved radially towards each other and can be arranged on opposite sides of a shaft, which, after the bearing 100, 400 has been realized, is then located in the receptacle 210 of the respective bearing 100, 400.In this process, these pairs are first moved radially towards each other and then axially towards each other, thereby ensuring an axial interlocking of the housing elements 1,4 of the two pairs.

[0040] Starting from the partial disassembly states shown in Figures 2c, 2d and 4c, 4d, the respective bearing 100,400 can thus be assembled or mounted radially around a shaft in a particularly simple and generally advantageous manner according to the invention, as explained. The shaft is located in the receptacle 210 of the respective bearing 100,400 after the respective bearing 100,400 has been realized.

[0041] Ma / wj 2 June 2025

[0042] Applicant: igus GmbH

[0043] 51147 Cologne

[0044] Split flange bearing

[0045] Reference symbol list

[0046] 1 housing element

[0047] 2 Core element

[0048] 3 sleeves

[0049] 4 Housing element

[0050] 11th lead section

[0051] 12 Recording section

[0052] 13 Assembly procedure

[0053] 14 interior surface

[0054] 15 flange

[0055] 16 further assembly steps

[0056] 20 Bearing core

[0057] 21 interior surface

[0058] 22 end faces

[0059] 24 outdoor area

[0060] 41st lead section

[0061] 42 Recording section

[0062] 43 Assembly procedure

[0063] 44 interior surface

[0064] 45 flange

[0065] 100 bearings

[0066] 200 storage

[0067] 210 recording

[0068] 400 bearings

[0069] X bearing axis

Claims

Claims 1. Bearing (100, 400) comprising a bearing housing and a bearing core arranged in the bearing housing, the bearing core having a receptacle (210) designed as a through-passage extending along a bearing axis (X) through the bearing core, wherein the bearing core has a radial outer surface (24) with which it abuts a corresponding inner surface (14, 44) of the bearing housing, wherein the inner surface (14, 44) of the bearing housing and the outer surface (24) of the bearing core engage radially and axially, defining a radial and axial position of the bearing core relative to the bearing housing, wherein the bearing housing has a flange (15, 45) arranged radially outside the receptacle (210) in which at least one mounting through-passage (13, 43) is provided through which a fastening means provided for mounting the bearing (100, 400) can be passed, characterized in that the bearing housing has several housing elements (1,4) and the bearing core has several core elements (2), wherein the core elements (2) together form the receptacle (210) and the housing elements (1, 4) together form the mounting guide, wherein the housing elements (1, 4) overlap over a radial section and the, The mounting feedthrough (13, 43) is arranged within the radial section.

2. Bearing (100, 400) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the housing elements (1, 4) encloses a different angular segment, with respect to a rotation about the bearing axis, of the core element, and / or that each of the core elements encloses a different angular segment, with respect to a rotation about the bearing axis, of the receptacle.

3. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing elements (1, 4) are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that they can be arranged on a different radial side of the shaft, each associated with the respective housing element (1, 4), to realize the bearing (100, 200) and simultaneously arrange a shaft aligned with its shaft axis along the bearing axis (X) in the receptacle (210) of the bearing (100, 400), in order to realize the bearing (100, 200) and simultaneously arrange a shaft aligned with its shaft axis along the bearing axis (X) in the receptacle (210) of the bearing (100, 400), wherein in particular after the housing elements (1, 4) have been arranged on the radial sides of the shaft the housing elements (1, 4) are movable axially along the shaft axis to realize the bearing (100, 400).

4. Bearing according to claim 3, characterized in that the core elements (2) are designed to correspond to each other in such a way that they enable the realization of the bearing (100, 200) and simultaneous arrangement of the shaft axis The shaft aligned along the bearing axis (X) in the receptacle (210) of the bearing (100, 400) can be arranged on a different radial side of the shaft, each associated with the respective core element (1, 4), in particular for the realization of the bearing (100, 200) and simultaneous arrangement of the shafts with their shaft axis along the bearing axis. (X) aligned shaft in the receptacle (210) of the bearing (100, 400) the housing elements (100, 400) together with the core elements (2) can be moved radially towards each other.

5. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing (100, 400) has a sleeve (3) which is arranged in the mounting opening (13, 43), wherein the sleeve (3) has several sleeve sections offset from one another along its sleeve axis, wherein one of the sleeve sections is enclosed by at least one of the housing elements (1, 4) and another of the sleeve sections is enclosed by at least one other of the housing elements (1, 4), wherein in particular the housing elements (1, 4) are held in position relative to each other by the sleeve (3).

6. Bearing according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (3) is fixed in at least one of the housing elements (1, 4) in a press fit.

7. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing elements (1, 4) overlap axially within a certain radial area.

8. Bearing according to claim 7, characterized in that a first of the housing elements (1, 4) has an axial projection section (11, 41) which is inserted into an axial receiving section (12, 42) of a second of the housing elements (1, 4), wherein in particular the projection section (11, 41) and the receiving section (12, 42) each form at least one section of the assembly feedthrough (13, 43).

9. Bearing according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and the second housing element (1, 4) each have an axial projection section (11, 41) and an axial receiving section (12, 42), wherein the axial projection section (11, 41) of the respective housing element (1, 4) is inserted into the axial receiving section (12, 42) of the respective other housing element (1, 4), wherein in particular the respective receiving section (12, 42) and the respective projecting section (11, 41) inserted into it each form at least one section of a certain of the mounting through-holes (13, 43), wherein in particular the sleeve is fixed in the first housing element (1, 4) in a press fit.

10. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing has several mounting openings (13, 43), wherein the housing elements (1, 4) overlap over several different radial sections and each of the radial sections has one of the Mounting feedthroughs (13, 43) are assigned, which are arranged within the radial section assigned to them.

11. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing has at least one further mounting opening (13, 43) which is formed by only one of the housing elements (1, 4).

12. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing has exactly two housing elements (1, 4) and / or exactly two core elements (2).

13. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core elements (2) and in particular the housing elements (1, 4) are made of plastic, in particular of exactly one or more injection-molded parts, wherein in particular the sleeve (3) is made of a metal or of a harder plastic than the housing elements.

14. Bearing according to claim 13, characterized in that the core elements (2) and in particular the housing elements (1, 4) are made of a sliding material.

15. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing core is in the manner of a spherical cap with a spherical outer surface (24) is formed, wherein the bearing core is pivotably mounted relative to the bearing housing perpendicular to the bearing axis.

16. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core elements (2) have radially and axially extending end faces towards each other, wherein in particular the core elements (2) are rotatable relative to each other about an axis perpendicular to the bearing axis (X) and in particular are removable from the bearing housing after such rotation.

17. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing elements (1, 4) are identical and / or that the core elements (2) are identical.

18. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing elements (1, 4) radially outside their inner surface (14) and / or the core elements (2) radially inside their outer surface (14) each have a lattice structure.

19. Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core elements (2) are at least on one axial side of the Housing elements (1, 4) are understood to be axially across the flange.

20. Set for realizing a bearing according to one of the preceding claims, the set comprising as components of the set several housing elements (1, 4) and several core elements (2) and in particular several sleeves (3), wherein in an operating state of the set its components are positioned to each other in such a way that the bearing is formed by the components.

21. Use of the set according to claim 20 for realizing a bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the housing elements (1, 4) are moved radially towards each other until they together form an inner surface which surrounds the core elements (2) around the bearing axis (X), wherein in particular the housing elements (1, 4) are subsequently moved axially towards each other until they are axially abutting each other within a radial area, wherein in particular the core elements (2) are moved radially towards each other until they together form an outer surface to be enclosed by the inner surface formed by the housing elements (1, 4) and together enclose a receptacle (210) provided for receiving a shaft.

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