RING-SHAPED ROLLING BEARING CAGE

• US 20120195539A1
• Filed: 02/01/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.KG (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.KG (INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: FICK, Matthias, WINKLER, Manfred, FRIEDRICH, Peter, KRUEGER, Michael, SAEBSCH, Steffen, SCHAEFERS, Heinz, ENDERS, Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 9,249,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/523
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/74 with snap-fit, e.g. by clips
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/504 with two segments, e.g. two semicircular cage parts

Abstract

A ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage, which has cage pockets for receiving rolling elements. The cage is formed by a first and a second cage segment. Adjoining ends of the cage segments are connected to one another by suitable connection assemblies. At least one of the assemblies permits a change of the cage diameter when the cage temperature changes. The suitable assembly, on one side, is configured as a joint mechanism and, on another side, as a locking mechanism, and at least one of the assemblies has a lash. A rolling bearing cage configured with the joint mechanism and the locking mechanism can be mounted with low time expenditure in a simple and reliable manner over a shaft, particularly in the case of an idler pinion mourning.

Claims

1. A ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage, comprising:

a first cage segment having cage pockets;

a second cage segment having cage pockets;

a first connecting means and second connecting means for connecting adjoining ends of the first cage segment and the second cage segment to one another,

wherein at least one of the connecting means permits a change of a diameter of the cage when a temperature of the cage changes, and

wherein the first connecting means is a joint mechanism and the second connecting means is a locking mechanism, and the at least one connecting means includes a lash.

2. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein the joint mechanism comprises a first hinge bushing arranged on a front end of the first cage segment and a second hinge bushing arranged on a front end of the second cage segment, which adjoins the front end of the first cage segment, said first hinge bushing and said second hinge hushing being connected to each other by positive engagement.

3. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein the joint mechanism comprises a projection formed on a front end of the first cage segment and a recess formed in a front end of the second cage segment, which adjoins the front end of the first cage segment.

4. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 3, wherein the projection has a cross-sectional shape of a ball head and the recess has a cross-sectional shape of a ball socket.

5. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 4, wherein the ball socket surrounds the ball head over at least ⅔

of the cross-sectional shape of the ball head.

6. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein the joint mechanism comprises a first recess formed in a front end of the first cage segment, a second recess formed in a front end of the second cage segment that adjoins the front end of the first cage segment, and a coupling element arranged in first recess and the second recess so as to connect the first cage segment and the second cage segment bar by positive engagement.

7. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 6, wherein the first recess and the second recess each have a cross-section resembling a ball socket, the coupling element has a one-piece configuration and comprises a first ball head, a second ball head, and a constriction arranged between the first ball head and the second ball head.

8. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 7, wherein the first recess and the second recess each surround one of the ball heads over at least ⅔

of a cross-sectional shape of the ball head and the second ball head respectively.

9. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first tongue section on one end of the first cage segment and a second tongue section on one end of the second cage segment, which adjoins the one end of the first cage segment.

10. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 9, wherein the first tongue section and the second tongue section each comprise at least one radial elevation and one radial depression.

11. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 10, wherein the lash is formed between a surface of the radial elevation and an adjoining surface of the depression, said surfaces being connected through a straight-dined transition.

12. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1, wherein the joint mechanism and the locking mechanism each extend over a width of the first cage segment and the second cage segment.