阅读说明：本技术 卡环和包括卡环的轴承组件 (Snap ring and bearing assembly comprising snap ring ) 是由 塞巴斯蒂安·丁克尔 沃尔夫冈·G·伦格 约翰内斯·罗普 于 2021-03-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开一种卡环(10),所述卡环(10)用于支撑包括内圈(2)和外圈(4)的轴承组件(1)中的滚动元件(6),其中,所述滚动元件(6)布置在所述内圈(2)与所述外圈(4)之间,其中,所述卡环(10)是环形的,并且能够配置在所述内圈(2)或所述外圈(4)上,其中,所述卡环(10)的轴向端侧包括凹部(26),所述凹部(26)被构造为使得工具能够从所述轴承组件(1)的外部引入所述凹部(26)中,以将所述卡环(10)从所述轴承组件(1)拆下。(A snap ring (10) for supporting rolling elements (6) in a bearing assembly (1) comprising an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (4), wherein the rolling elements (6) are arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), wherein the snap ring (10) is annular and configurable on the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4), wherein an axial end side of the snap ring (10) comprises a recess (26), the recess (26) being configured such that a tool can be introduced into the recess (26) from outside the bearing assembly (1) for detaching the snap ring (10) from the bearing assembly (1).)

1. Snap ring (10) for supporting rolling elements (6) in a bearing assembly (1) comprising an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (4), wherein the rolling elements (6) are arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), the snap ring (10) being annular and configurable on the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4), characterized in that an axial end side of the snap ring (10) comprises a recess (26), the recess (26) being configured such that a tool can be introduced into the recess (26) from outside the bearing assembly (1) for detaching the snap ring (10) from the bearing assembly (1).

2. Snap ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (26) is configured as a non-continuous recess or as a continuous opening in the axial direction.

3. Snap ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the snap ring (10) consists of metal, in particular the snap ring (10) consists of steel.

4. Snap ring according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension (B) of the recess (26) in the radial direction corresponds to a range of 50-70% of the surface (B) of the snap ring (10) in the radial direction.

5. Snap ring according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snap ring (10) is a split ring (14).

6. Snap ring according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess (26) is arranged close to the opening (24).

7. Snap ring according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snap ring (10) comprises a radially extending flange (16), which flange (16) is configured to engage into a corresponding groove (18) in an inner ring (2) or an outer ring (2) of the bearing assembly (1).

8. Bearing assembly (1) comprising an inner ring (2), an outer ring (4) and rolling elements (6) arranged between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (4), characterized in that the bearing assembly (1) comprises a snap ring (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the snap ring (10) is engaged with the inner ring (2) or the outer ring (4).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a snap ring (snap ring) for supporting rolling elements in a bearing assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a bearing assembly comprising such a snap ring according to the preamble of claim 8.

Background

In a bearing assembly comprising an inner ring and an outer ring with rolling elements disposed therebetween, a snap ring may be used to support the rolling elements. Such a snap ring may be snapped into one of the bearing rings (for example, the snap ring may be snapped into one of the bearing rings with a groove in the bearing ring) and there the snap ring serves as a flange for supporting the rolling elements, in particular the rollers.

To remove such snap rings from the bearing assembly again, until now special pliers have been used to grasp (capture) the rings, widen or press them together with the gap present in the snap ring, and pull the snap ring out of the bearing assembly. To this end, some clasps, in the vicinity of the gap, comprise other materials, including holes capable of introducing a pair of pliers. Where the pliers can press the rings together or pull them apart. However, up to now special tools are required for this purpose. Furthermore, in the previous solutions, the two ends of the snap ring are moved towards each other by engagement on both sides of the opening. However, this results in self-locking of the snap ring.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a snap ring that can be detached (removed) from a bearing assembly in a simple manner using standard tools.

This object is achieved by a snap ring according to claim 1 and a bearing assembly according to claim 8.

The snap ring is used for supporting rolling elements in a bearing assembly, in particular a miniature bearing assembly, in particular a roller bearing, comprising an inner ring and an outer ring, wherein the rolling elements, in particular rollers, are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The snap ring is annular and can be snapped into the inner ring or the outer ring, preferably into the outer ring. The snap ring thus serves as a support flange for the rolling elements.

To allow the snap ring to be easily removed from the bearing assembly, the axial end side of the snap ring comprises a recess configured such that a tool can be introduced into the recess from outside the bearing assembly to remove the snap ring from the bearing assembly. Here, a tool (which may be a standard tool, such as a screwdriver) may be introduced into the recess to pry the snap ring out of the bearing assembly on one side. For this purpose, the snap ring is pressed together (in the case of arrangement on the outer ring) or pulled apart (in the case of arrangement on the inner ring), and then one side of the snap ring is first lifted out of the bearing ring in the radial direction and subsequently pulled out of the entire bearing assembly in the axial direction.

Due to the recess, the snap ring can be removed from the bearing assembly using standard tools. Since only one recess is provided, simple manufacture of the snap ring can be further achieved. In addition, in this way, the snap ring can be lifted at one end. Thus, self-locking that may occur in a previous snap ring is avoided.

According to one embodiment, the recess is configured as a non-continuous recess or as a continuous opening in the axial direction. Preferably, the recess is configured as a discontinuous recess sufficient to allow engagement of a tool into the recess. Due to the discontinuous recess, stability of the snap ring can be ensured.

In particular, the snap ring may be made of metal, for example the snap ring may be made of steel. This also increases the stability of the snap ring.

In particular, an extension of the recess in the radial direction may be in a range of 50% to 70% of a surface of the snap ring in the radial direction. Due to this radial extension of the recess, it is ensured that sufficient material remains on the snap ring, so that the stability of the snap ring is not impaired. In particular, the extension may be dimensioned such that a standard tool can engage into the recess.

In particular, the snap ring may be an open ring. Due to the opening, one end of the snap ring can be lifted during the removal of the snap ring from the inner ring or the outer ring, so that the snap ring can be lifted out of the corresponding bearing ring and removed from the bearing assembly without problems. Furthermore, the snap ring may be widened (during removal from the inner ring) or pressed together (during removal from the outer ring).

According to a preferred embodiment, the recess is arranged close to the opening. In this manner, the tool can engage as a leverage tool near the opening and lift one side of the snap ring to remove the snap ring from the bearing assembly. Thus, unlike previous snap rings, self-locking is avoided.

According to one embodiment, the snap ring comprises a radially extending flange configured to engage into a corresponding groove in a raceway of an inner or outer ring of the bearing assembly. A part of the snap ring is thus arranged inside the inner ring or the outer ring, wherein the part of the snap ring outside the bearing ring can be used as a flange (/ rib) for the rolling elements.

According to another aspect, a bearing assembly is presented, the bearing assembly comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. In particular, the bearing assembly may be a roller bearing. The bearing assembly includes a snap ring as described above, wherein the snap ring engages either the inner race or the outer race.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are indicated in the description, the drawings and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features specified in the description and the figures are merely exemplary here, so that the features can also be present individually or in other combinations.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings. Here, the exemplary embodiments and combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope is only limited by the pending claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a bearing assembly including a snap ring; and

fig. 2 shows the snap ring of fig. 1 in a plan view.

In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

1 bearing assembly

2 inner ring

4 outer ring

6 rolling element

8-shaft

10 clasp

12 holding rack

14 open ring (open ring)

16 Flange

18 groove

20 abutting surface

22 abutting surface

Angle alpha

24 opening

26 recess

b radial width of recess

Radial width of B snap ring

L circumferential extension of recess (circumferential extension)

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a bearing assembly 1 (in particular a roller bearing) comprising an inner ring 2 and an outer ring 4. The rolling elements 6 are arranged between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 4. For example, the bearing assembly 1 may be arranged on the shaft 8. A flange (flange)10 may be provided for supporting the rolling elements 6, the flange 10 being in engagement with the outer ring 4 in the embodiment shown. As an alternative, the flange 10 can also be provided on the inner ring 2. Furthermore, a cage 12 may be provided for holding the rolling elements 6.

Here, the flange 10 is implemented by a snap ring (snap ring). The snap ring 10 is formed by a split ring 14. Furthermore, the snap ring 10 comprises a radially extending flange 16. The flange 16 may engage into a corresponding groove 18 of the outer race 4. Due to the flange 16, the snap ring 10 is thus fixed in the outer ring 4. The angle α between the flange 16 and the split ring 14 may in particular be 90 ° or less.

The end surface 20 of the snap ring 10 forms an abutment surface for the rolling element 6. Due to the surface 22 of the split ring 14, the snap ring 10 may abut (abut against) the outer ring 4.

In order to be able to detach the snap ring 10 from the bearing assembly 1 again (remove) in a simple manner, the snap ring 10 is provided as a split ring comprising radial openings 24. Due to the opening 24, the snap ring 10 can be pressed together to be removed from the bearing assembly 1.

Furthermore, the axial end side of the snap ring 10 comprises a recess 26, into which recess 26 a standard tool can be engaged to lift the snap ring 10 from the bearing assembly 1. The snap ring 10 may be lifted (lift) at the location of the recess 26 using a standard tool, such as a screwdriver. Removal from the bearing assembly 1 is simplified as the snap ring 10 is prevented from self-locking, as compared to previous snap rings which could only be pressed together. In particular, the width B or the extension B of the recess 26 in the radial direction may correspond to 50% to 70% of the width B of the side surface 22 of the snap ring 10.

The circumferential extension L of the recess 26 can be configured arbitrarily and should in any case be of sufficient size that a standard tool (such as for example a screwdriver) can be engaged into the recess 26. The recesses 26 may be configured as non-continuous recesses or as continuous openings.

Due to the recess 26, standard tools can be introduced into the recess 26 in a simple manner. The mastering tool can then lever the snap ring up and lift the snap ring out of the bearing assembly 1 (lift out).

Due to the snap ring described herein, the snap ring can be applied in a simple manner in the bearing assembly and can be detached from the bearing assembly again without the use of special tools. Furthermore, the manufacture of the snap ring is simplified, since only corresponding recesses need to be provided in a conventional snap ring.