Ring-shaped rolling bearing cage
View Patent ↗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.
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 in an installed state of the cage, whereby the cage is allowed to expand when a temperature of the cage changes during operation; and
wherein the first connecting means is a concentric hinge joint mechanism and the second connecting means is a locking mechanism, and the at least one connecting means includes a lash for permitting the change in diameter.
2. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1 , wherein the concentric hinge 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 bushing being connected to each other by positive engagement in a concentric nesting arrangement.
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 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.
7. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 6 , wherein the first tongue section and the second tongue section each comprise at least one radial elevation and one radial depression.
8. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 7 , 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-lined transition.
9. The rolling bearing cage according to claim 1 , wherein the concentric hinge joint mechanism and the locking mechanism each extend over a width of the first cage segment and the second cage segment.
10. 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 for connecting respective first circumferential ends of the first and second cage segments to one another; and,
a second connecting means including:
a second circumferential end of the first cage segment including a substantially annular portion; and,
a second circumferential end of the second cage segment including a distal portion wrapped about at least a portion of the substantially annular portion.
11. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 10 , wherein a line orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage passes through the substantially annular portion and the distal portion.
12. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 10 , wherein a line in a circumferential direction passes through the substantially annular portion and the distal portion.
13. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 10 , wherein in response to a change in a diameter of the cage during operation of the cage the substantially annular portion and the distal portion are arranged to pivot with respect to each other.
14. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 10 , wherein a line in a circumferential direction passes through, in sequence, the first cage segment, a lash gap, the distal portion, and the annular portion.
15. 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 for connecting respective first circumferential ends of the first and second cage segments to one another; and,
a second connecting means including:
a second circumferential end of the first cage segment including a first curved portion,
a second circumferential end of the second cage segment including a second curved portion in contact with the first curved portion, wherein in response to a temperature change of the cage during operation of the cage the first and second curved portions are arranged to pivot with respect to each other to accommodate a change in a diameter of the cage.
16. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 15 , wherein a line orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage passes through the first and second curved portions.
17. The ring-shaped metal rolling bearing cage in claim 15 , wherein a line in a circumferential direction passes through the first and second curved portions.