Split cage for a bearing
View Patent ↗A split rolling element guide for a bearing assembly for a balance shaft of an internal combustion engine, having two axial support faces and a plurality of axial cross members defining rolling element pockets. A plurality of radial cutouts at each pocket increase flexibility of the cage and allow for greater opening of the cage at the split portion.
1. A bearing assembly for a balance shaft of an internal combustion engine:
a split cage;
a plurality of rolling elements retained by said cage;
said cage having;
a circular body having an inner and outer surface, defining a thickness of material of the cage;
opposing axial support faces;
a plurality of rolling element pockets in said body defined by adjacent members, for retention of said rolling elements;
a plurality of cutouts at a radial surface in each of the axial support faces adjacent each of the pockets; and
the cutout defined by a circular segment; having a height no greater than half the thickness of the cage;
wherein the diameter of the circular segment defining the cutouts varies as the circumferential distance from the split portion of the cage increases.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cage is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel and bronze.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein there is a lockable feature at the split portion of the cage.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cutouts extend around an inner radial circumference of the cage.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the circular segment defining the cutouts decreases as the circumferential distance from the split portion of the cage increases.
6. A bearing assembly for a balance shaft of an internal combustion engine:
a split cage;
a plurality of rolling elements retained by said cage;
said cage having;
a circular body having an inner and outer surface, defining a thickness of material of the cage;
opposing axial support faces;
a plurality of rolling element pockets in said body defined by adjacent members, for retention of said rolling elements;
a plurality of cutouts at a radial surface in each of the axial support faces adjacent each of the pockets;
wherein the cutouts alternate from an inner to an outer radial circumference of the cage, such that no two adjacent pockets have a cutout on the same radial surface.
7. A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly comprising:
a circular body having an inner and outer surface, defining a thickness of material of the cage;
opposing axial support faces;
a plurality of axial cross members extending from one axial support face to an opposing support face;
a plurality of rolling element pockets in said body defined by adjacent cross members;
a plurality of cutouts at a radial surface in each of the axial support faces adjacent each of the pockets; and
the cutout defined by a circular segment; having a height no greater than half the thickness of the cage;
wherein the diameter of the circular segment defining the cutouts varies as the circumferential distance from the split portion of the cage increases.
8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said cage is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel and bronze.
9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein there is a lockable feature at the split portion of the cage.
10. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the cutouts extend around an inner radial circumference of the cage.
11. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the diameter of the circular segment defining the cutouts decreases as the circumferential distance from the split portion of the cage increases.
12. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the cutouts alternate from an inner to an outer radial circumference of the cage, such that no two adjacent pockets have a cutout on the same radial surface.