DE102007051235A1 - Cage for a rolling bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cage for a roller bearing (1), comprising a body of the cage (5) and a contact element (8, 9), which is feasible with the body of the cage (5) and an electrically conductive connection between a first bearing ring (2) of the rolling bearing (1) and a second bearing ring (3) of the rolling bearing (1) produces. The invention further relates to a rolling bearing (1). The invention solves the problem of providing a cage for a rolling bearing and a rolling bearing, wherein an electrically conductive connection between the two bearing rings (2, 3) of the rolling bearing (1) is improved.

Description

Field of the invention

The The invention relates to a cage according to claim 1 for a rolling bearing and a rolling bearing according to claim 11th

Out The practice is known between an inner ring and an outer ring a rolling bearing to provide an electrically conductive connection. The electrically conductive connection allows power between to guide the two bearing rings, as well as, signals from the to transmit first bearing ring to the second bearing ring.

DE 697 12 543 T2 describes a rolling bearing with a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring and a cage. An electrically conductive contact is mediated by the body of the cage, which contacts both the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring and forms a sliding contact with the two bearing rings. It is disadvantageous that the body of the cage must be electrically conductive. Unfavorable is further that the body of the cage constantly and simultaneously must be in contact with both bearing rings, otherwise the electrical contact tears off. A further disadvantage is that the sliding contact on both bearing rings and on the body of the cage causes a high material stress, the sliding contact hinders mutual rotation of the two bearing rings. Unfavorable is further that the point at which electricity enters or exits into the interior of the bearing, is formed flat and that the flow of current in the interior of the bearing, ie between the two bearing rings, especially so the current path is difficult to control.

DE 299 16 854 U1 proposes to connect the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring by means of an electrically conductive tab. The tab is arranged between the two end faces of the two bearing rings. A disadvantage here is that the respective end faces must be accessible and the tab requires additional space. In addition, the tab is not protected against environmental influences, since the tab is disposed outside of the rolling bearing final seal.

Object of the invention

It The object of the invention is a cage for specify a rolling bearing and a roller bearing, wherein an electrically conductive connection between the two bearing rings of the rolling bearing is improved.

Summary of the invention

These The object is achieved by a cage according to claim 1 and by a rolling bearing according to claim 11 solved.

The with the body of the cage feasible contact element allows an electrically conductive connection between the two bearing rings also in the event that the body the cage made of an electrically non-conductive material consists. It is no longer necessary that the body the cage contacts both bearing rings simultaneously; much more it is sufficient if the contact element contacts both bearing rings and the cage only one of the two bearing rings, the leads the cage, contacted. It is also advantageous that the points where the contact element the two bearing rings contacted, are adjustable, so that is recognizable and controllable, which current path the current in the area between the two bearing rings occupies. This can be worn like aging of the lubricant due to current flow or avoid a change of rolling elements or at least steer. With regard to the configuration of the contact element there is a constructive degree of freedom that can be exploited to a permanent electrically conductive connection if possible low influence on other components of the rolling bearing for as many types of cages as possible exploit.

Preferably it is provided that the contact element is a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of the first bearing ring and the second part the second bearing ring with the body of the cage electrically conductive connects. The body of the cage serves in this case as an electrically conductive connection of the two parts of the contact element.

Preferably it is provided that the contact element is integrally formed and with a first contact portion, the first bearing ring and with a second contact portion touches the second bearing ring. Here it is no longer necessary that the body of the cage is electrically conductive. Next, the contact element opposite be formed electrically isolated from the body of the cage.

Preferably it is provided that the contact element is a U-shaped having bent portion, and that of the U-shaped bent Section contacted one of the bearing rings. The curvature in the region of the bottom of the 'U' thereby causes the contact element a change in the relative direction of rotation of the two bearing rings to each other no mechanical resistance opposes. Alternatively to this the contact element may be formed as a tongue, which with a End portion rests against the respectively associated bearing ring.

Regarding the U-shaped bent portion is preferably provided that the U-shaped bent portion in the axial direction is turned off. The point at which the section becomes the Bearing ring contacted, in the axial direction opposite to the Tread of the rolling elements moved, so that the contact of the section no additional Wear in the area of the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements causes.

Preferably is provided that the contact element against the associated bearing ring mechanically acted upon. Due to the mechanical loading Ensures that a mechanical contact is constant is present and a sliding contact is formed.

Preferably is provided that the body of the contact element of a resilient-elastic Material consists, for example of a spring steel. To this Way can be an additional spring element, which mechanically applied to the contact element, avoid, and the Construction simplifies. An admission of the contact element can be easily done by bending the body achieve the contact element located in contact with the bearing ring.

The Contact element can be attached to the body of the cage be, for example, by a welded or glued connection.

alternative For this purpose, the contact element on the body of the cage be accommodated slidably or rotatably mounted. The contact element may be formed, for example, as a rod whose two ends contact the bearing rings, and the rod can be attached to the body of the Cage be rotatably mounted, wherein a spring element the Bar against the body of the cage and supports acted upon against the two bearing rings. The staff or more generally the contact element may instead of or in addition to the rotatable storage also displaceable on the body of the cage be excepted, for example, differences in orbital speeds be able to compensate for the two bearing rings. You can do this the ends of the rod are designed in the manner of an anchor, wherein engages the respective anchor in an undercut, which in the respective bearing ring is arranged. Instead of an undercut no other suitable guide device provided be in a associated with the rod guide device intervenes. Instead of the undercut or the groove can also be a be provided with the staff or more generally the contact element cooperates with its ends or other sections. The circumferential survey points to grooves or undercuts the advantage of being lubricants, grease or other ingredients how particles can not stick.

alternative to a storage of the contact element on the body of the cage For example, the contact element can be structurally separated from the cage be loosely attached to, for example, the body of the cage. or lying on it, while passing through the body of the cage become. In this way, already existing, in installation position equip existing cages with a contact element or the contact element can be easily replaced.

Especially Preferably, the contact element is designed as a world spring, the - starting of an imaginary circular shape - at least one radial projecting and a radially recessed portion has, wherein the sections are usually arcuate are to a U-shaped con tact sections with the respective Form bearing ring. Such corrugated springs can be the cage Just add and be through the body of the cage carried along, without necessarily on the body of the cage to be attached. Corrugated springs are inexpensive to obtain and have the advantage of at least damp vibrations between the two bearing rings to be able to.

Further Advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent Claims and from the description of a preferred Embodiment.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying Drawings described and explained in detail.

Brief description of the drawings

1 shows a schematic cross section through an embodiment of a cage according to the invention and by an embodiment of a rolling bearing according to the invention, and

2 shows a perspective view of the embodiments 1 ,

Detailed description the drawing

1 shows a rolling bearing 1 with a first bearing ring 2 and a second bearing ring 3 as well as one of several cylindrical rolling elements 4 by means of a cage 5 be guided. The body of the cage 5 has a first end face 6 and a second end face spaced in an axial direction 7 on.

On the body of the cage 5 is at the first end face 6 a first contact element 8th and at the second end face 7 a second contact element 9 attached. The two contact elements 8th . 9 are similarly constructed, so that in the following only the contact element 8th will be described in more detail.

2 shows the rolling bearing 1 with the cage 5 , the rolling elements 4 and the contact element 8th , It can be seen that the contact element 8th is formed in two parts and a first part 10 comprising an electrically conductive connection between the first bearing ring 2 and the body of the cage 5 and a second part 11 , which provides an electrically conductive connection between the second bearing ring 3 and the body of the cage 5 , The body of the cage 5 is electrically conductive, so over the first part 10 , the body of the cage 5 and the second part 11 of the first contact element 8th an electrically conductive connection between the first bearing ring 2 and the second bearing ring 3 is made.

As in 2 recognizable is not just a single first part 10 or only a single second part 11 of the contact element 8th provided, but the first contact element 8th includes several first parts 10 of which only two are shown, as well as several second parts 11 of which only three are recognizable. Each of the first parts 10 and the second parts 11 of the contact element 8th is similarly constructed and comprises a cable with an electrical conductor and a cable sheath, wherein the cable sheath in the region of contact with the first bearing ring 2 or to the second bearing ring 3 is recessed to a sliding contact between the conductor and the associated portion of the bearing ring 2 . 3 train. In this case, each of the contact elements 8th . 9 , here especially each of the parts 10 . 11 of the first contact element 8th a U-shaped bent section 12 on, the respective bearing ring 2 . 3 contacted. The section 12 is in 2 only for one of the parts 10 . 11 of the first contact element 8th identified by a reference numeral.

In the embodiment described above were each several first parts 10 or several second parts 11 of the first contact element 8th intended. It is understood that the first parts 10 or the second parts 11 may each be combined to form a single element, which is designed as a corrugated spring and is configured circumferentially, that has no ends. The respective wave spring connects the first bearing ring 2 with the body of the cage 5 or the second bearing ring 3 with the body of the cage, so that the first contact element in this case comprises two corrugated springs. The corrugated springs mentioned can be attached to the body of the cage 5 be attached or loose to the cage 5 rest and with the cage 5 be carried along. It is further understood that instead of two corrugated springs, the two bearing rings 2 . 3 with the interposition of the cage body 5 electrically conductively connect, a single wave spring may be provided as a contact element, the first portion of the first bearing ring 2 and the second section of the second bearing ring 3 electrically conductively contacted, wherein the arranged between the two portions of the region of the single wave spring on the body of the cage 5 attached or removed from the cage 5 on this loosely lying or adjacent to the movement of the cage 5 is carried.

In the embodiment described above contacted the contact elements 8th . 9 each a section of the bearing ring 2 . 3 , in a plane perpendicular to the bearing axis arranged plane the contact element 8th . 9 , wherein the contact element 8th . 9 was formed substantially flat in this plane. It is understood that the contact element 8th . 9 perpendicular to this plane, parked in the axial direction, in particular with its contact with the bearing ring 8th . 9 forming section can be bent, wherein the bending by a mechanical loading of the contact element 8th . 9 is achieved as soon as the contact elements 8th . 9 made of an elastic, in particular a resilient-elastic material, and it is ensured that the region of the contact of the contact element 8th . 9 with the respective bearing ring 2 . 3 from the raceway of the rolling elements 4 is spaced.

Instead of the contact elements described above 8th . 9 each with approximately U-shaped first parts 10 or second parts 11 For example, a contact element may be formed by a substantially rigid, straight or curved rod having a first portion of the first bearing ring 2 and with a second portion of the second bearing ring 3 contacted. The first or second portion of the rod may be formed as an end portion of the body of the rod, wherein the end portion is designed dome-shaped. Alternatively, the end portion of the rod may be curved to form a U-shaped portion, wherein in the region of the U-shaped portions of the sliding contact between the contact element and the two bearing rings 2 . 3 takes place. The rigid rod can attach to the body of the cage 5 be arranged rotatably and, for example, acted upon by a spring element to the sliding contact to the two bearing rings 2 . 3 constantly produce. The rod or, more generally, the contact element may be at an angle to the body of the cage 5 be attached or stored, so that the contact area with the first bearing ring 2 in the axial direction a distance to the contact region with the second bearing ring 3 wherein, for example, the contact area with the first bearing ring 2 closer to the first face 6 and the contact area with the second bearing ring 3 closer to the second end face 7 is moved.

It is further understood that instead of a rigid rod and a tongue of an elastic rule material can be provided to form the contact element.

1

roller bearing

2

first bearing ring

3

second bearing ring

4

Cage

5

rolling elements

6

first end face of the cage 4

7

second end face of the cage 4

8th

first contact element

9

second contact element

10

first part of the first contact element 8th

11

second part of the first contact element 8th

12

U-shaped section

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 69712543 T2 [0003]
• - DE 29916854 U1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Cage for a rolling bearing ( 1 ), comprising a body of the cage ( 5 ) and a contact element ( 8th . 9 ) connected to the body of the cage ( 5 ) and that an electrically conductive connection between a first bearing ring ( 2 ) of the rolling bearing ( 1 ) and a second bearing ring ( 3 ) of the rolling bearing ( 1 ). Cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element ( 8th . 9 ) a first part ( 10 ) and a second part ( 11 ), the first part ( 10 ) the first bearing ring ( 2 ) and the second part ( 11 ) the second bearing ring ( 3 ) with the body of the cage ( 5 ) electrically conductively connects. Cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element is integrally formed and with a first contact portion of the first bearing ring ( 2 ) and with a second contact section, the second bearing ring ( 3 ) touched. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact element has a U-shaped bent portion ( 12 ), and that the U-shaped bent portion (FIG. 12 ) one of the bearing rings ( 2 . 3 ) contacted. Cage according to claim 4, characterized in that the U-shaped bent portion ( 12 ) is turned off in the axial direction. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact element ( 8th . 9 ) against the assigned bearing ring ( 2 . 3 ) is mechanically acted upon. Cage according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact element ( 8th . 9 ) consists of an elastic material. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact element ( 8th . 9 ) on the body of the cage ( 5 ) is attached. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact element on the body of the cage ( 5 ) is mounted rotatably or displaceably. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact element of the cage ( 5 ) is structurally separated. Rolling bearing, comprising a first bearing ring ( 2 ), a second bearing ring ( 3 ), a cage ( 5 ), and an electrically conductive connection between the first bearing ring ( 2 ) and the second bearing ring ( 3 ), characterized in that the electrically conductive connection to the body of the cage ( 5 ) provided contact element ( 8th . 9 ) comprising the first bearing ring ( 2 ) and the second bearing ring ( 3 ) electrically conductively connects, and that the contact element ( 8th . 9 ) with the cage ( 5 ) is feasible. Use of a corrugated spring as a contact element in a rolling bearing ( 1 ), wherein the corrugated spring with the cage ( 5 ) is arranged guideway and an electrically conductive contact between a first bearing ring ( 2 ) and a second bearing ring ( 3 ) of the rolling bearing ( 1 ).