DE102014224130A1 - bearing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a member about an axis of rotation comprises a plurality of rolling elements disposed on a circumference about the rotation axis, a bearing cage for supporting the rolling elements in an axial direction, and an outer ring for supporting the rolling elements on the radial outer side thereof, wherein at a first axial end of the outer ring on a circumference about the axis of rotation alternately first and second tabs are arranged. The first tabs are directed radially inwardly to limit the axial position of the bearing cage, and the second tabs are radially outward to be axially attached to the member to be supported.

Description

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement. In particular, the invention relates to a bearing assembly with a radial roller bearing.

A rolling bearing for receiving radial bearing forces comprises a number of rolling elements, which are arranged on a circumference about an axis of rotation. The rolling elements are accommodated in a bearing cage, which supports the rolling elements in the axial direction and usually ensures a distance between adjacent rolling elements on the circumference about the axis of rotation. On the radial outer side of the rolling elements, an outer ring is arranged, which is also referred to as a bearing shell. On the radial inner side may be provided an inner ring into which an axle or shaft can be inserted. In another embodiment, the inner ring can be omitted and the rolling elements roll off directly on the radial surface of the axle or shaft.

An axial position of the bearing assembly described on an element to be supported is usually defined in a first axial direction by a collar, a web or other axial stop. At the other axial end of the bearing assembly is often a securing element such as an inner or outer locking ring used for axial fixation.

This type of axial securing to the element to be stored requires a complex assembly, which can be associated with increased manufacturing costs. In addition, it requires a relatively large axial space. An arrangement of rotating elements can therefore be less compact in the axial direction and a constructive space for the arrangement of elements in the region of the bearing assembly can be reduced. The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a bearing assembly, which is superior in at least one of these aspects of a known bearing assembly. The invention solves this problem by means of a bearing arrangement with the features of the independent claim. Subclaims give preferred embodiments again.

A bearing assembly according to the invention for rotatably supporting a member about an axis of rotation comprises a plurality of rolling elements, which are arranged on a circumference about the axis of rotation, a bearing cage for supporting the rolling elements in an axial direction and an outer ring for supporting the rolling elements on the radial outer side, wherein on a first axial end of the outer ring on a circumference about the axis of rotation alternately first and second tabs are arranged. The first tabs are directed radially inwardly to limit the axial position of the bearing cage, and the second tabs are radially outward to be axially attached to the member to be supported.

The bearing assembly requires little axial space and can be easily attached to the element to be stored, for example by pressing until the second tabs abut the element to be stored axially. The outer ring with the tabs can thus be configured to be integrated with the axial securing device. In addition, the bearing assembly may form a separately manageable assembly, so that the attachment of the bearing assembly to the element to be stored can be done easily and quickly. Additional fasteners can be omitted. As a result, production costs can be saved. In addition, the bearing assembly may be disassembled, so be separated from the element to be stored again. For the attachment of the element to the tabs different embodiments are possible.

One of the second tabs preferably extends in a radially outer region in a first portion axially in the direction of the outer ring and in a subsequent second portion radially inwardly. The second, radially inwardly facing portion may rest against a contact surface of the element to be supported and prevent by form or adhesion an axial removal of the bearing assembly from the element to be stored. A separate securing element for the axial attachment of the bearing assembly on the element to be stored can be omitted thereby. The attachment of the bearing assembly can be further simplified and even done without tools.

Preferably, the first and second portions subtend an angle of less than about 90 degrees. As a result, the second portion may be steep enough radially inwardly to secure the bearing assembly in an axial direction to the member to be supported. Preferably, the tab further comprises a third portion adjoining the second portion, the third portion extending radially outwardly and enclosing an angle of at least about 90 ° with the second portion.

The third section can serve as an assembly aid. During axial attachment of the bearing assembly to the member to be supported, the third portion extending obliquely outwardly may engage the member and bend the second portion radially outwardly from the first portion. Depending on the nature of the element to be stored, a transition region between the second and the third section can engage, for example, on a radial depression of the element to be supported, so that the bearing arrangement is axially secured.

Preferably, the outer ring is integrally formed with the tabs. Also further, firmly connected to the outer ring elements may be integrally formed with the outer ring. This allows the bearing assembly to be simple and inexpensive to produce. At a second axial end of the outer ring may be arranged a radially inwardly facing portion for limiting an axial position of the bearing cage. This may be, for example, a circumferential, radially inwardly pointing web. Alternatively, one or more radially inwardly pointing tabs may be provided. As a result, the axial position of the bearing cage can be limited in both directions. In a further embodiment, adjacent second tabs are connected to each other by means of a web. The web may, for example, extend along a circumference about the axis of rotation. An axial and / or radial strength of the second webs can be increased thereby.

In a further embodiment, the bearing arrangement also comprises the element to be supported, wherein on the element to be supported axial recesses for receiving the second portions of the second tabs are provided. The axial recesses may be provided specifically for receiving the second or third portion of the tabs. In particular, boundary surfaces for bearing the second tabs may be provided on the recesses, wherein the boundary surfaces preferably support a positive connection of the radially inwardly facing second portions of the second tabs. In one embodiment, each second tab is associated with a recess in the element to be stored. In another embodiment, the element to be supported comprises a bearing surface running around the axis of rotation for the purpose of fitting all correspondingly formed second tabs. Preferably, the element to be supported on an undercut for radial engagement of the second tab.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

1 and 2 a bearing assembly;

2 and 3 the bearing arrangement of 1 on a centrifugal pendulum;

5 - 7 the bearing arrangement of 1 to 4 in a further embodiment;

8th - 10 the bearing arrangement of 1 to 7 without element to be stored;

11 and 12 the bearing arrangement of 8th - 10 without rolling elements and bearing cage;

13 a centrifugal pendulum with another bearing assembly;

14 another view of the bearing assembly of 13

15 a detail of the bearing assembly of 13 ;

16 the bearing arrangement of 14 without element to be stored;

17 the element to be stored for the bearing assembly of 14 ;

18 the centrifugal pendulum of 13 with the bearing assembly in a further embodiment and

19 a detail of the bearing assembly of 18 represents.

1 and 2 show a bearing assembly 100 for the rotatable mounting of an element to be stored 105 around a rotation axis 110 , In various embodiments, the bearing assembly comprises 100 also the element to be stored 105 , The bearing arrangement 100 is adapted to be pushed onto a shaft or axle and the element 105 to store in the radial direction with respect to the shaft or axis. The bearing arrangement 100 includes several rolling elements 115 on a circumference around the axis of rotation 110 are arranged, a bearing cage 120 for supporting the rolling elements 115 in an axial direction and an outer ring 125 for supporting the rolling elements 115 on the radial outside.

The rolling elements 115 can be designed spherical, barrel, conical or cylindrical. For rolling elements 115 , whose shape deviates from the spherical shape, extend their longitudinal axes 130 preferably parallel to the axis of rotation 110 , The camp cage 120 fixes the rolling elements 115 usually in both axial directions. In addition, the bearing cage 120 preferably arranged to intervals of the rolling elements 115 on the circumference around the axis of rotation 110 observed. In addition, the bearing cage 120 make sure the rolling elements 115 are held radially inwardly to a mounting of the rolling elements 115 on the outer ring 125 to facilitate. The camp cage 120 can be produced, for example, from a sheet or plastic.

The outer ring 125 comprises a number of tabs extending in a radial direction at a first axial end. First tabs 135 have radially inward and second tabs 140 radially outward. The first tabs 135 and second tabs 140 are preferably alternately on one Circumference around the axis of rotation 110 arranged. It is further preferred that the tabs 135 . 140 integral with the outer ring 125 are formed. The tabs 135 . 140 can with the tabs during a manufacturing process of the outer ring 135 . 140 first point in an axial direction and then be bent radially inward or outward.

In one embodiment, adjacent second tabs 140 each by means of a bridge 145 connected with each other. The bridges 145 can the second tabs 140 annularly connect with each other. The second tabs 140 extend in a first section 150 Preferably in the purely radial direction, the direction of extension closes with the axis of rotation 110 an angle of about 90 °. At least one second tab 140 joins the first section 150 a second section 155 on, with the sections 150 and 155 preferably at an angle of less than about 90 °. The extension direction of the second section 155 points to the axis of rotation 110 to and includes with this an acute angle. To the second section 155 can become a third section 160 connect the sections 155 and 160 preferably an angle of at least about 90 ° with each other. The extension direction of the third section 160 runs from the axis of rotation 110 path. Radii at the transitions between the sections 150 and 155 respectively 155 and 160 can depend on the material of the second tabs 140 , a desired bending hardness of the second tabs 140 or depending on a nature of the element to be stored 105 to get voted.

The element to be stored 105 includes a contact surface 165 to attach the second tab 140 , The shown contact surface 165 is about the axis of rotation 110 formed circumferentially. This is followed by the contact surface 165 Preferably, substantially the extension direction of the second section 155 the second tab 140 , In particular, it is preferred that the element to be stored 105 has an undercut through the contact surface 165 is limited. This requires the angle between the first section 150 and the second section 155 the second tab 140 be increased against the tension of the tab material when the outer ring 125 with the second tab 140 in the axial direction, in the representation of 1 to the right, from the element to be stored 105 should be deducted. The spring tension of the second tab 140 in this area ensures the axial position of the outer ring 125 , Preferably, another contact surface 170 on the element to be stored 105 provided, which are parallel to the first section 150 the second tab 140 extends so that the outer ring 125 with the second tab 140 is secured in the opposite axial direction.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment is on the axial side of the outer ring 125 , the first tabs 135 and the second tabs 140 axially opposed, a radially inwardly facing portion 175 intended. The section 175 is preferably integral with the outer ring 125 executed.

2 and 3 show the bearing arrangement 100 from 1 on a centrifugal pendulum 200 , The centrifugal pendulum 200 includes a pendulum flange 205 that's about the axis of rotation 110 is rotatably arranged, and a number of pendulum masses 210 on a circumference around the axis of rotation 110 are arranged offset. Every pendulum mass 210 is in the plane of rotation opposite the pendulum flange 205 slidably mounted, with a displacement in or against the direction of rotation of the pendulum 205 also a radial position of the pendulum mass 210 changed. The pendulum flange 205 is the element to be stored 105 of the 1 and 2 , The bearing arrangement 100 is for supporting the pendulum flange 205 in the axial direction on the pendulum flange 205 appropriate. Here is the pendulum flange 205 in the area of the bearing arrangement 100 designed as in the 1 and 2 is shown. The bearing arrangement 100 Can also be used for other purposes than for the bearing of the pendulum flange 205 of the centrifugal pendulum 200 but may be particularly suitable for this purpose.

5 to 7 show the bearing arrangement 100 from 1 in a further embodiment. It shows 7 a longitudinal section through the element to be stored 105 , Unlike in the 1 to 4 illustrated embodiment is the contact surface 165 not around the element here 105 educated. Instead, every second tab is for 140 a dedicated recess 215 at the element 105 provided, wherein the recess 215 optionally in the axial direction through the entire element 105 runs or may be formed in the form of a blind hole. Again, it is preferred that the contact surface 165 an undercut is limited, leaving the second section 155 the second tab 140 a positive connection to the element 105 ensures.

8th to 10 show the bearing arrangement 100 of the 1 to 7 without the element to be stored 105 , 11 and 12 show the bearing arrangement 100 of the 8th to 10 without rolling elements 115 and bearing cage 120 ,

13 to 17 show the bearing arrangement 100 in a further embodiment. Unlike the ones related to the 1 to 12 described embodiments include the second tabs 140 here only a first section 150 which extends radially outward. The securing of the bearing arrangement 100 in the axial direction and optionally also in the circumferential direction by means of a fixing element 305 after the attachment of the outer ring 125 with the tabs 135 . 140 , the rolling elements 115 and the storage cage 120 on the element to be stored 105 attached to this. The first paragraph 150 the second tab 140 lies axially between the fixing 305 and an axial abutment surface 310 of the element 105 , Preferably, the element is 105 another axial contact surface 315 provided at the fixing element 305 radially outside the first section 150 the second tab 140 is applied. As a result, acting in the axial direction clamping force of the fixing 305 be limited. The fixing element 305 For example, by screws, rivets, welding or soldering to the element 105 be attached.

13 shows the centrifugal pendulum 200 with this embodiment of the bearing assembly 100 , 14 shows a longitudinal section through the bearing assembly 100 , 15 shows a detail of 14 in a different perspective. 16 shows the bearing assembly 100 without the element to be stored 105 , 17 shows the element to be stored 105 in a longitudinal section, before the contact surface 310 was finished. The contact surface 310 For example, by turning or milling in the area of the other contact surface 315 getting produced.

18 and 19 show the bearing arrangement 100 the embodiment of the 13 to 17 in a variant. 18 shows the centrifugal pendulum 200 with this embodiment of the bearing assembly 100 and 19 shows a detail of 18 , In the present variant is waived, the contact surfaces 310 and 315 at the element 105 axially offset. Accordingly, the fixing element lies 305 radially outside the first section 150 the second tab 140 axially not initially on the element 105 at. Only in a section lying radially further out is there a contact between the fixing element 305 and the element to be stored 105 , wherein between this section and the at the second tab 140 adjacent portion a radial portion of the fixing 305 lies.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 bearing arrangement

105

 to be stored element

110

 axis of rotation

115

 rolling elements

120

 bearing cage

125

 outer ring

130

 longitudinal axis

135

 first tab (radially inward)

140

 second tab (radially outward)

145

 web

150

 first section

155

 second part

160

 third section

165

 contact surface

170

 additional contact surface

175

 section

200

 centrifugal pendulum

205

 pendulum

210

 pendulum mass

215

 recess

305

 fixing

310

 contact surface

315

 additional contact surface

Claims (10)

Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) for rotatably supporting an element ( 105 ) about a rotation axis ( 110 ), comprising the following elements: - several rolling elements ( 115 ), which are on a circumference about the axis of rotation ( 110 ) are arranged; - a bearing cage ( 120 ) for supporting the rolling elements ( 115 ) in an axial direction; - an outer ring ( 125 ) for supporting the rolling elements ( 115 ) on the radial outside thereof; - Wherein at a first axial end of the outer ring ( 125 ) on a circumference about the axis of rotation ( 110 ) alternately first ( 135 ) and second tabs ( 140 ) are arranged and - the first tabs ( 135 ) radially inwardly to the axial position of the bearing cage (FIG. 120 ), and - the second tabs ( 140 ) radially outward to axially on the element to be stored ( 105 ) to be installed. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein one of the second tabs ( 140 ) in a radially outer region in a first section ( 150 ) axially in the direction of the outer ring ( 125 ) and in a subsequent second section ( 155 ) extends radially inwardly. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 2, wherein the first ( 150 ) and the second section ( 155 ) enclose an angle of less than 90 °. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tab ( 140 ) in a third section ( 160 ), which refers to the second section ( 155 ), extends radially outward, and the second and third sections ( 160 ) includes an angle of at least about 90 °. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer ring ( 125 ) with the tabs ( 140 ) is integrally formed. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at a second axial End of the outer ring ( 125 ) a radially inwardly facing portion ( 175 ) for limiting an axial position of the bearing cage ( 120 ) is arranged. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein adjacent second tabs ( 140 ) by means of a web ( 145 ) are interconnected. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising the element to be stored ( 105 ), whereby on the element to be stored ( 105 ) axial recesses for receiving the second sections ( 155 ) of the second tabs ( 140 ) are provided. Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolling bodies ( 115 ) are cylindrical and longitudinal axes ( 130 ) of the rolling elements ( 115 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 110 ). Bearing arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the element to be stored ( 105 ) an undercut for the radial engagement of the second tab ( 140 ) having.

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