Flexible bearing cage
View Patent ↗A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly formed with cantilevered arms, the arms flexibly adjusting to contact with a guide surface of an inner or outer ring of a bearing. Lubrication channels in a surface of the cage are also disclosed.
1. A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly comprising:
a cylindrical body having:
an inner and an outer radial surface;
a first and a second axial end;
a first and a second axial portion;
at least two cutout channels extending from the inner radial surface to the outer radial surface of said cage;
a compliant arm formed by the at least two cutout channels;
the first axial portion of the body extends from the first axial end of the body to the arm;
the second axial portion of the body extends from the first axial portion to the second axial end;
at least two grooves formed on the outer or inner radial surface of the body coincident with the second axial end and separated by a raised surface, wherein:
the first axial portion, the second axial portion and the arm have substantially the same material thickness.
2. The guide of claim 1 , wherein said guide is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel or bronze.
3. The guide of claim 1 , wherein, said at least two cutouts are angled linear channels.
4. The guide of claim 1 , wherein, said at least two cutouts are of a semi-circular form.
5. The guide of claim 1 , wherein, the raised surface is a knurled surface.
6. The guide of claim 1 , wherein, the compliant arm is of a triangular form.
7. The guide of claim 1 , wherein, the compliant arm is of a rectangular form.
8. A bearing assembly comprising:
an outer ring;
an inner ring;
a plurality of rolling elements; and
a cage including:
a cylindrical body having:
an inner and an outer radial surface;
a first and a second axial end;
a first and a second axial portion;
at least two cutout channels extending from the inner radial surface to the outer radial surface of said cage;
a compliant arm formed by the at least two cutout channels;
the first axial portion of the body extends from the first axial end of the body to the arm;
the second axial portion of the body extends from the first axial portion to the second axial end;
at least two grooves formed on the outer or inner radial surface of the body coincident with the second axial end and separated by a raised surface, wherein:
the plurality of rolling elements are retained in pockets and disposed between said inner and outer rings; and
the first axial portion, the second axial portion and the arm have substantially the same material thickness.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cage is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel or bronze.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein, said at least two cutouts of said cage are angled linear channels.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein, said at least two cutouts of said cage are of a semi-circular form.
12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein, the raised surface of said cage is a knurled surface.
13. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein, the compliant arm of said cage is of a triangular form.
14. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein, the compliant arm of said cage is of a rectangular form.