Instrumented rolling bearing

• US 7,367,714 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Niarfeix, François, Chaussat, Sylvain
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce; William C.
• Application Number:
  US10/783,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20040202392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 384/448, 384/517, 384/518, 384/563
• US Class Current: 384/448
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/06 with a single row or balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2380/26 Dynamo-electric machines or combinations therewith, e.g. electro-motors and generators in general H02K
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/083 with resilient means acting axially on a race ring to preload the bearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/583 Details of specific parts of races
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C

Abstract

Instrumented rolling bearing device of the type including a non-rotating race, a rotating race, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between two raceways of the rotating and non-rotating races, and an assembly for detecting rotation parameters including a non-rotating sensor assembly and a rotating encoder, and an elastic member intended for axially prestressing the rolling bearing, retained axially on the sensor, the elastic member being of annular shape and having a diameter smaller than or equal to that of the outer race of the bearing, the elastic member including a supporting surface designed to be in contact with an element outside the bearing device in order to exert, directly or indirectly, by reaction, an axial force on the non-rotating race in a direction opposite to the detection assembly.

Claims

1. An instrumented rolling bearing device comprising:

a non-rotating race provided with a raceway;

a rotating race provided with a raceway;

at least one row of rolling elements arranged between said raceways of the rotating and non-rotating races;

an assembly for detecting rotation parameters comprising a non-rotating sensor assembly and a rotating encoder; and

an elastic member intended for axially prestressing the rolling bearing, retained axially on the sensor assembly, the elastic member being of annular shape and having an outer diameter smaller than or equal to that of the outer race of the bearing, the elastic member comprising a supporting surface designed to be in contact with an element outside said bearing device in order to exert, directly or indirectly, by reaction from the above element outside said device, an axial force on the non-rotating race in a direction opposite to the detection assembly;

wherein a portion of the non-rotating sensor assembly axially retains said elastic member on the sensor assembly.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the elastic member is a corrugated washer.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, in which the sensor assembly comprises a body fitted with means for retaining the elastic member.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, in which said retaining means comprise at least one finger.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2, in which the sensor assembly comprises a printed circuit and at least one sensor element supported by the printed circuit, the elastic member being in contact with the printed circuit on an opposite side to the sensor element.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensor assembly comprises a body fitted with means for retaining the elastic member.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, in which said retaining means comprise at least one finger.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensor assembly comprises a printed circuit and at least one sensor element supported by the printed circuit, the elastic member being in contact with the printed circuit on an opposite side to the sensor element.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which the elastic member is arranged axially between the printed circuit and means for retaining said elastic member, forming part of the sensor assembly.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, in which the rolling elements transmit said axial prestress.

11. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which the rolling elements transmit said axial prestress.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the rolling elements transmit said axial prestress.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the elastic member for axially prestressing the rolling bearing pushes the non-rotating race away from said assembly for detecting rotation parameters.