Sensor-equipped rolling bearing, and rotation state detecting device

• US 20050031239A1
• Filed: 11/18/2002
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Hiroaki, Aoki, Mamoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,290,938 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/448
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/06 with a single row or balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/76 of ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/04 Indicating positive or negative direction of a linear movement or clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of a rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C

Abstract

A rolling bearing with sensor has an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements rollably disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, a sensor provided on one of the inner ring and the outer ring and a detection member provided on the other of the inner ring and the outer ring radially opposed to the sensor which is adapted to be sensed by the sensor. A first retaining member is fixed to the outer ring end surface of the outer ring and retains one of the sensor and the detection member. A second retaining member is fixed to the inner ring end surface of the inner ring and retains the other of the sensor and the detection member. At least one of the inner end surface and the outer end surface is arranged so as to be pressed axially without the sensor or the detection member.

Claims

1-56. -56. (canceled)

57. A rolling bearing comprising:

an inner ring;

an outer ring;

a rolling element rollably disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring;

a sensor provided on one of the inner ring and the outer ring;

a detection member provided on the other of the inner ring and the outer ring radially opposed to the sensor which is adapted to be sensed by the sensor;

a first retaining member fixed to the outer ring end surface of the outer ring which retains one of the sensor and the detection member; and

a second retaining member fixed to the inner ring end surface of the inner ring which retains the other of the sensor and the detection member;

wherein at least one of the inner end surface and the outer end surface is arranged so as to be pressed axially without the sensor or the detection member.

58. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 57, wherein the first retaining member or the second retaining member has a flange portion extending radially in contact with the inner ring end surface or the outer ring end surface;

and

at least one of the inner ring end surface and the outer ring end surface is arranged so as to be pressed axially via the flange portion.

59. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 58, wherein one of the inner ring and the outer ring is a stationary ring having an end surface;

and

the first retaining member or the second retaining member is mounted on the stationary ring with the flange portion in contact with the end surface of the stationary ring and retains the sensor.

60. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 57, wherein one of the inner ring and the outer ring is a stationary ring that includes an inner surface and an outer surface;

the first or second retaining member includes a mounting portion fittable on the inner or outer surface of the stationary ring;

the mounting portion has a forward end provided with a bent portion which is bent to rise radially.

61. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 60, wherein the other of the inner ring and the outer ring is a rotary ring;

one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member mounted on the rotary ring includes a radially extending wall having a surface facing to the rolling element;

the forward end of the bent portion protrudes from the surface of the radially extending wall in a direction opposite to the rolling element.

62. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 57, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member retain the sensor and the detection member with the sensor and the detection member opposed radially to each other.

63. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 62, wherein one of the sensor and the detection member retained by the first retaining member is disposed interior of the other of the sensor and the detection member retained by the second retaining member in a radial direction.

64. A rolling bearing comprising:

an inner ring;

an outer ring;

a rolling element rollably disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and

a plurality of sensors provided on one of the inner ring and outer ring;

wherein the plurality of sensors are disposed at the same position along an axial direction of the one of the inner ring and the outer ring.

65. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 64, further comprising a plurality of detection members sensible by the plurality of sensors;

wherein the detection members are provided on the other of the inner ring and outer ring opposed to the sensors at substantially the same axial position as the plurality of sensors.

66. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 65, wherein the detection member is an annular material having an outer surface and an inner surface;

and both of the outer surface and the inner surface are sensed by any one of the plurality of sensors.

67. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 66, wherein the outer surface and inner surface of the detection member have magnetized portions having different magnetization patterns formed thereon.

68. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 64, wherein the plurality of sensors are disposed at positions deviated circumferentially from each other.

69. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 64 further comprising a seal structure provided between the plurality of sensors and the rolling element.

70. The rolling bearing with sensor as claimed in claim 64, wherein the plurality of sensors include a magnetism sensor, a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor.

71. A rolling bearing comprising:

an inner ring;

an outer ring;

a rolling element rollably disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring;

a sensor provided on one of the inner ring and the outer ring;

a detection member sensible by the sensor, the detection member provided on the other of the inner ring and the outer ring radially and opposed to the sensor; and

a noise shield disposed in the vicinity of the sensor and the detection member.

72. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 71, wherein the sensor is a magnetism sensor which senses magnetism generated by the detection member.

73. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 71, further comprising

a first retaining member made of a magnetic material and fixed to the outer ring, the first retaining member retaining one of the sensor and the detection member;

and

a second retaining member made of a magnetic material fixed to the inner ring, the second retaining member retaining the other of the sensor and the detection member;

wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member act as the noise shield.

74. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 73, wherein at least one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member has a side wall extending radially on a side of the sensor and the detection member opposite to the rolling element;

and

the first retaining member and the second retaining member cover the sensor and the detection member while having a U-shaped cross section.

75. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 73, further comprising an interposing side wall radially extending and being disposed at a side of the sensor and the detection member to face the rolling element;

wherein the interposing side wall acts as a noise shield.

76. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 71, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member retain the sensor and the detection member with the sensor and the detection member opposed radially to each other.

77. A rotary state detecting device comprising:

an encoder mounted on a rotary member which rotates relative to a stationary member, the encoder including a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row; and

a sensor mounted on the stationary member and opposed to the encoder, the sensor for detecting the magnetic force of the plurality of magnetized regions;

wherein the plurality of magnetized regions have different magnetic flux densities.

78. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions includes a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

79. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions on the encoder are formed by N or S pole.

80. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, wherein the encoder is opposed to the sensor in a direction along an axis of the rotary member.

81. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, wherein the encoder is opposed to the sensor in a direction along a radial direction of the rotary member.

82. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions are arranged so that the magnetic flux density gradually increases or decreases.

83. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, further comprising a temperature measuring portion for measuring the temperature of the sensor or encoder or peripheral members.

84. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 77, further comprising a seal member for sealing the encoder and the sensor.

85. A bearing comprising:

an inner ring;

an outer ring;

an encoder mounted on one of the outer ring and the inner ring, the encoder including a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row; and

a sensor mounted on the other of the outer ring and the inner ring and being opposed to the encoder, the sensor for detecting a magnetic force of the plurality of magnetized regions;

wherein the plurality of magnetized regions have different magnetic flux densities with each other.

86. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions include a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

87. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions on the encoder include N or S pole.

88. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, wherein the encoder is axially opposed to the sensor.

89. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, wherein the encoder is radially opposed to the sensor.

90. The bearing as claimed in claim 85 , wherein the plurality of magnetized regions are arranged so that the magnetic flux density gradually increases or decreases.

91. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, further comprising a temperature measuring portion for measuring the temperature of the sensor or encoder or peripheral members.

92. The bearing as claimed in claim 85, further comprising a seal member for sealing the encoder and the sensor.

93. A rotary state detecting device comprising

a sensor mounted on a stationary member;

and

an encoder mounted on a rotary member which rotates relative to the stationary member, the encoder including a sensor opposing surface opposing to the sensor;

wherein a distance between the sensor opposing surface and the sensor changes positionally; and

the sensor measures a rotary state of the rotary member by measuring the change of the distance.

94. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93,

wherein the sensor opposing surface includes a plurality of sensor opposing surfaces;

and

the distances between the sensor opposing surfaces and the sensor are mutually different with respect to the plurality of sensor opposing surfaces.

95. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 94, wherein the encoder has a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row and provided on the sensor opposing surfaces, respectively.

96. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93, wherein the distance between the sensor opposing surface and the sensor gradually increases or decreases.

97. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 96, wherein the encoder has a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row and provided on the sensor opposing surfaces.

98. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 95, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions include a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

99. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions include a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

100. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93, wherein the encoder is opposed to the sensor in a direction along an axial direction of the rotary member.

101. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93, wherein the encoder is opposed to the sensor in a direction along a radial direction of the rotary member.

102. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93 further comprising a temperature measuring portion for measuring the temperature of the sensor or encoder or peripheral members.

103. The rotary state detecting device as claimed in claim 93, further comprising a seal member for sealing the encoder and the sensor.

104. A rolling bearing comprising:

an inner ring;

an outer ring;

a rolling element rollably disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring;

a sensor mounted on one of the outer ring and the inner ring; and

an encoder mounted on the other of the outer ring and the inner ring, the encoder including a sensor opposing surface opposed to the sensor;

wherein the distance between the sensor opposing surface of the encoder and the sensor changes positionally; and

the sensor measures a rotary state of the rotary member by measuring the change of the distance.

105. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 104, wherein the sensor opposing surface includes a plurality of sensor opposing surfaces;

and

the distances between the sensor opposing surfaces and the sensor are mutually different with respect to the plurality of sensor opposing surfaces.

106. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 105, wherein the encoder has a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row and provided on the plurality of sensor opposing surfaces, respectively.

107. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 104, wherein the distance between the sensor opposing surface of the encoder and the sensor gradually increases or decreases.

108. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 107, wherein the encoder has a plurality of magnetized regions arranged in a row and provided on the sensor opposing surface.

109. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 106, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions include a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

110. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 108, wherein the plurality of magnetized regions include a plurality of alternately arranged N and S poles.

111. The rolling bearing as claimed claim 104, wherein the encoder is opposed axially to the sensor.

112. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 104, wherein the encoder is opposed radially to the sensor.

113. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 104, further comprising a temperature measuring portion for measuring the temperature of the sensor or encoder or peripheral members.

114. The rolling bearing as claimed in claim 104, further comprising a seal member for sealing the encoder and the sensor.