FR3032018A1 - CAGE OF BEARING IN SHEET AND ASSOCIATED BEARING - Google Patents

Abstract

A roll cage (10) formed of a single sheet metal part comprises at least a first end ring (12) defining a reference axis (100) of the cage (10), the first ring (12) forming an axial end annular flange (20), and spacers (16) extending axially from the first end ring (12) away from the annular axial end flange (20), and disposed on a common geometrical envelope (200) centered on the reference axis (100), the spacers (16) delimiting between them housing cavities (18) for rolling bodies. The first ring (12) has windows forming cutouts (24) and retaining tabs (26) partially overlapping the windows (24) and protruding radially outwardly from the windows (24).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a roll cage made of sheet metal and to a bearing comprising such a cage. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART [0002] In its simplest form, a tapered roller bearing generally comprises an inner ring, also called a cone, an outer ring also called a bowl, conical rollers rolling on tracks formed on the cone and the bowl, and a roller guide cage. In the case of so-called biconical bearings, the outer ring has two raceways located opposite two inner rings, each corresponding to a row of rollers and a cage. The inner ring is generally provided with collars which border the raceway and are radially projecting with respect to this raceway, so that the inner ring forms with the rollers and the ring a coherent subassembly which is is positioned inside the outer ring by an axial movement during the assembly of the bearing. For this purpose, the outer ring is generally free of collars. To give coherence to the complete bearing before it is mounted on a machine member, provision may then be made for the cage to be provided with elastic retaining tongues which fit and snap into a groove provided for this purpose in the outer ring. . Examples of such cages are given in DE 27 39 367, US 5 009 525. Or if making plastic cages of this type by molding does not pose any particular problem, it is more difficult to manufacture them low. metal cost, for large diameter or high load applications. The same type of problem occurs with cylindrical roller bearings or angular contact ball bearings. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art.

To do this, it is proposed, according to a first aspect of the invention, a rolling cage formed of a single piece of sheet metal, comprising: at least one first end ring defining a reference axis of the cage, the first annulus forming an axial end annular flange, and spacers extending axially from the first end ring away from the axial end annular flange, and disposed on a geometrically controlled envelope of common revolution centered on the reference axis, the spacers delimiting between them housing cavities for rolling bodies. [0004] According to the invention, the first ring comprises cutouts forming windows and retaining tongues partially covering the windows and protruding radially outwards with respect to the windows. By window means here an opening having a periphery or a closed frame, here constituted by the constituent material of the first ring. The presence of the windows makes it possible to form the retaining tabs by a cutting tool 15 passing through the windows, for example by puncturing. The cage can be stamped, the stamping and puncturing operations can be simultaneous or successive. The annular edge closed continuous end guarantees the mechanical strength of the cage. The shape of the windows and the tabs agree as the tabs result from cutting the windows. This shape 20 can be for example triangular, rectangular or square. Preferably, each of the retaining tongues is elastically deformable, to snap into a groove provided for this purpose in the outer ring of the bearing. According to a preferred embodiment, each of the retaining tongues 25 has a connection base to the first ring and a projecting free end. Advantageously, this projecting end may be located axially between the connection base to the first ring and the annular axial end flange of the first ring. The orientation of the retaining tabs is then optimal to achieve the desired elastic retention function. This form is particularly suitable for a cage for tapered roller bearing, whose first ring is a large ring, located with respect to the spacers opposite the top of the reference cone of the cage. It is also suitable for a cylindrical roller bearing or a ball bearing. Alternatively, the connection base to the first ring is located between the projecting free end and the annular axial end flange of the first ring. The shrinkage of the retaining tabs is then easier, but the mounting in the outer ring of the bearing may be less easy to control. This form is particularly adapted to a tapered roller bearing cage, the first ring of which is a small ring, located with respect to the spacers on the top side of the reference cone of the cage. It is also suitable for a cylindrical roller bearing or a ball bearing. According to one embodiment, the free end of each retaining tongue is positioned axially recessed relative to the axial end flange 15 of the first ring. According to one embodiment, the free ends protruding retaining tongues are positioned on the same circle preferably having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the axial end flange of the first ring. According to one embodiment, the windows and the retaining tabs are disposed in an axial extension of at least some of the spacers. In the junction zones between the first end ring and the spacers, more material is provided, allowing the windows to be cut without weakening the cage. In one embodiment, the windows and retaining tabs are equal in number to the spacers. Preferably, the cage comprises a second ring, the spacers extending from the first ring to the second ring. Alternatively, the cage may be a cage called comb cage, the first ring is the only ring. The cells may have a shape suitable for guiding rolling bodies of any shape resulting from the revolution of a curve about an axis, in particular of cylindrical rollers, conical rollers, barrel rolls, needles or balls. According to one embodiment, the common casing is cylindrical, and the cage is particularly adapted to a cylindrical roller bearing, needle or ball. In another embodiment, the common envelope is tapered. Such a cage may be more particularly intended for a tapered roller bearing, an angular contact ball bearing or a rolled roller bearing. According to one embodiment, the spacers extend from the first ring towards the top of the common conical geometrical envelope. The first ring will then be a ring of large diameter, that is to say of diameter greater than or equal to that of the spacers. According to an alternative embodiment, the spacers extend from the first ring in an axial direction opposite the vertex of the common conical geometrical envelope. The first ring will then be a ring of small diameter, that is to say of diameter greater than or equal to that of the spacers. According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a bearing 20 comprising: - an inner ring forming an inner race, - an outer ring forming an outer race, and an annular groove of retaining, - rolling bodies traveling on the inner raceway and the outer raceway, and a roller guide cage having retaining tabs housed in the annular retaining groove, the guide cage being a cage of rolling as described above. According to a preferred embodiment, the bearing is a tapered roller bearing. The inner ring preferably has at least one collar turned towards the inner race, and preferably two collars located on either side of the inner race and turned towards it. The outer ring 5 is preferably without a roller guide collar. According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method of manufacturing a cage as described above, from a sheet, the method according to which the cage is made by stamping and tongues. Retention are carried out by puncturing the windows during the drawing or at the end thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate: FIG. 1, an isometric view of a cage according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is another isometric view of the cage of Figure 1; - Figure 3, a sectional view of the cage of Figure 1; - Figure 4, an axial sectional view of a bearing according to the first embodiment of the invention, incorporating the cage of Figure 1; - Figure 5, an axial sectional view of a bearing incorporating a cage according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6, an axial sectional view of a bearing incorporating a cage according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7, an axial sectional view of a bearing incorporating a cage according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements are marked with identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0022] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a tapered roller bearing cage (10) made of sheet metal, for example steel or aluminum, having a large end ring. 12, a small end ring 14 and spacers 16 5 extending between the large end ring 12 and the small end ring.

The end rings 12 define a reference axis 100 of the cage 10, and the spacers 16 are arranged on a common conical geometrical envelope 200 centered on the reference axis 100. The spacers 16 delimit between them cells 18 of housing for tapered rollers. The large ring 12 forms a large annular flange 20 of axial end of the cage 10, and the small ring 14 a small annular flange 22 of axial end of the cage 10, the cage being axially entirely between the large annular end flange 20 and the small end annular flange 22. [0024] The large ring 12 has cutouts forming windows 24 and 15 retaining tabs 26 partially covering the windows 24. These retaining tabs 26 protrude radially outwardly relative to the windows 24. Each of the retaining tongues 26 has a base 28 for connection to the large ring 12 and a projecting free end 30 situated axially between the base 28 for connection to the large ring 12 and the annular axial end flange 20 of the large ring 12. The free projecting ends 30 of the retaining tabs 26 are positioned on a same circle centered on the reference axis 100 and having a diameter D1 greater than the outer diameter D2 of the axial end flange 20 of the large ring 12. [0026] The windows 24 and the retaining tongues 26 are equal in number to the spacers 16 and are arranged in an extension axial axis of the spacers 16. [0027] In Figure 4 is illustrated a tapered roller bearing 32 incorporating the cage 10 of Figures 1 to 3. This bearing 32 comprises an inner ring 34 forming an inner race 36, an outer ring 38 forming an outer raceway 40, and tapered rollers 42 running on the inner raceway 36 and the outer raceway 40, disposed in the cells 18 of the cage 10. The inner ring 34 has a large collar 44 and a small flange 46, facing towards each other and towards the inner raceway 36 and protruding radially outwardly relative to the rolling path 36. These collars 44, 46 frame the rollers 42 and contribute where appropriate to their guidance. The outer ring 38 is free of collars, but has an annular retention groove 48 lined, on a side opposite the raceway 40, by an annular rib 50, the smallest diameter D3 is smaller than the diameter D1 the circle on which are positioned the free ends 10 of the tongues 26. and preferably greater than the diameter D2 of the end flange 20 of the cage 10. The retaining tongues 26 are dimensioned so as to be elastically deformable, so that it is possible to assemble the coherent subassembly constituted by the inner ring 34, the rollers 42 and the cage 10 inside the outer ring 38 by introducing this subassembly axially until that the tabs 26 deform at the passage of the rib 50 and snap inside the groove 48. The groove 48 is preferably sufficiently deep and wide to allow the retaining tabs 26 to find their unsolicited position, without contact with the groove 48. Note that the spacers 16 of the cage 10 are located radially outside a pitch cone 300 of rotation of the rollers 42. [0030] The cage 10 of Figures 1 to 3 can be made from a sheet of steel or aluminum, by stamping. The windows 24 can be obtained by a partial cut, known as a burst, which simultaneously forms the tongues 26.

The puncture operation can be carried out during the drawing or after it. Various variants are possible, in particular on the orientation of the tongues, their positioning relative to the spacers. It is also possible to position the tabs on the small ring, or on both rings. Finally, the cage may have only one end ring. In FIG. 5 is illustrated a tapered roller bearing 32 incorporating a cage 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially by the positioning of the tabs 26 formed by window cutting. 24 in the small end ring 12 of the cage 10.

The bearing 32 has an inner race 34 forming an inner raceway 36, an outer race 38 forming an outer raceway 40, and tapered rollers 42 running on the inner raceway 36 and the outer race 40, The inner ring 34 has a large flange 44 and a small flange 46, rotated towards each other and towards the inner race 36 and protruding radially outwardly by relative to the raceway 36. These collars 44, 46 frame the rollers 42 and contribute where appropriate to their guidance. The outer ring 38 is free of collars, but has a straight or chamfered retaining shoulder 148 which functions to retain the free ends 30 of the tongues 26. [0033] In FIG. cylinders incorporating a cage according to a third embodiment of the invention, having cutouts forming windows 24 and tabs 26, which penetrate a groove 48 of the outer ring, similarly to the first embodiment of the invention. invention. FIG. 7 illustrates an angular contact ball bearing incorporating a cage 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first embodiment essentially in the shape of the cells, suitable for guiding balls 42. 25

Claims (7)

REVENDICATIONS1. Rolling cage (10) formed of a single sheet metal part, comprising: - at least a first end ring (12) defining a reference axis (100) of the cage (10), the first ring (12) forming an axial end annular flange (20), and - spacers (16) extending axially from the first end ring (12) away from the axial end annular flange (20), and arranged on a set geometric envelope of common revolution (200) centered on the reference axis (100), the spacers (16) delimiting between them housing cavities (18) for rolling bodies, characterized in that the first ring ( 12) comprises window-shaped cutouts (24) and retaining tabs (26) partially covering the windows (24) and protruding radially outwardly from the windows (24). 2. Bearing race according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the retaining tongues (26) is elastically deformable. 20 3. Bearing race according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the retaining tongues (26) has a base (28) for connection to the first ring (12) and an axially located free end (30). between the base (28) for connection to the first ring (12) and the annular axial end flange (20) of the first ring (12). 4. A bearing race according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the retaining tabs (26) has a projecting free end (30) and a connection base (28) to the first ring (12). ) located axially between the projecting free end (30) and the axial end annular flange (20) of the first ring (12). 3032018 5. 5 6. 10 7. 158. 9. 10. 11. 10 Bearing race according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the free end (30) of each retaining tongue (26) is positioned axially recessed by relative to the axial end flange (20) of the first ring (12). Roll cage according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the free projecting ends (30) of the retaining tongues (26) are positioned on the same circle having a diameter (D1) greater than an outside diameter ( D2) of the axial end flange (20) of the first ring (12). Rolling cage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windows (24) and the retaining tongues (26) are arranged in an axial extension of at least some of the spacers (26). Roll cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windows (24) and the retaining tongues (26) are equal in number to the spacers (16). Roll cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cage (10) is stamped and the retaining tongues (26) are punctured. Rolling cage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cage (10) comprises a second ring (14), the spacers (16) extending from the first ring (12) to the second ring (14). Rolling cage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common envelope (200) is cylindrical. 12. Bearing race according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the common envelope (200) is conical. 13. Bearing race according to claim 12, characterized in that the spacers (16) extend from the first ring (12) to the top of the common conical geometrical envelope (200). Bearing (32) comprising: - an inner ring (34) forming an inner raceway (36), - an outer race (38) forming an outer raceway (40) and an annular retaining groove (48). ), - rolling bodies (42) circulating on the inner race (36) and the outer race (40), and 15 - a cage (10) for guiding the rolling bodies (42) having retaining tabs (26) housed in the annular retaining groove (48), characterized in that the guide cage (10) is a bearing cage (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. A method of manufacturing a rolling cage (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rolling cage (10) is made by stamping and the retaining tongues (26) are achieved by puncturing windows (24) during stamping or after stamping. 25