U.S. patent application number 16/861416 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-04 for multiple row thrust bearings.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to James Kevin BROWN, Benjamin KANDA, Alicia VIDAL ORTIZ.
Application Number | 20210341017 16/861416 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005910278 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210341017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BROWN; James Kevin ; et
al. |
November 4, 2021 |
MULTIPLE ROW THRUST BEARINGS
Abstract
A thrust bearing having an inner cage having inner cage pockets,
with inner rollers in the inner cage pockets, and a first outer
cage having a larger diameter than the inner cage and having first
outer cage pockets, with first outer rollers in the first outer
cage pockets. The inner cage and the first outer cage are axially
and radially aligned. A radially extending rim is provided on one
circumferential side of one of the inner cage or the first outer
cage that faces a facing circumferential side of the other of the
inner cage or the first outer cage. First and second radially
extending side tabs are provided on the facing circumferential side
of the other of the inner cage or the first outer cage that define
a circumferentially extending channel therebetween that receives
the radially extending rim to connect the cages together.
Inventors: |
BROWN; James Kevin; (Rock
Hill, SC) ; VIDAL ORTIZ; Alicia; (Puebla, MX)
; KANDA; Benjamin; (Hamtramck, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG |
Herzogenaurach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Schaeffler Technologies AG &
Co. KG
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
1000005910278 |
Appl. No.: |
16/861416 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 33/485 20130101;
F16C 19/305 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 33/48 20060101
F16C033/48; F16C 19/30 20060101 F16C019/30 |
Claims
1. A thrust bearing comprising: an inner cage having inner cage
pockets; inner rollers in the inner cage pockets; a first outer
cage having a larger diameter than the inner cage and having first
outer cage pockets; first outer rollers in the first outer cage
pockets; wherein the inner cage and the first outer cage are
axially and radially aligned; a radially extending rim on one
circumferential side of one of the inner cage or the first outer
cage that faces a facing circumferential side of the other of the
inner cage or the first outer cage; and at least one first radially
extending side tab and at least one second radially extending side
tab on the facing circumferential side of the other of the inner
cage or the first outer cage that define a circumferentially
extending channel therebetween that receives the radially extending
rim.
2. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein the first radially
extending side tab and the second radially extending side tab are
resilient and are configured for a snap fit over the rim.
3. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein the inner cage is
rotatable relative to the first outer cage with the rim sliding in
a circumferential direction in the circumferentially extending
channel.
4. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
radially extending side tab or the second radially extending side
tab extends continuously 360.degree..
5. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of
the first radially extending side tab with circumferential spaces
located therebetween.
6. The thrust bearing of claim 5, wherein there is a plurality of
the second radially extending side tab with circumferential spaces
located therebetween.
7. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein the radially extending
rim is located on the circumferential side of the inner cage, and
the first radially extending side tab and the second radially
extending side tab are located on the facing circumferential side
of the first outer cage.
8. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein the radially extending
rim is formed from a plurality of ring segments that are separated
by gaps through which at least one of the first radially extending
side tab or the second radially extending side tab are snapped
through.
9. The thrust bearing of claim 1, further comprising an outer rim
on a radially outer circumferential side of the first outer cage,
and a washer having a radially extending race located on one axial
side of the inner cage and the first outer cage on which the
rollers run, and an axially extending flange extending from a
radially outer side of the washer having retention tabs that engage
over the outer rim.
10. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
inner cage or the first outer cage are formed of a resilient
material.
11. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
inner cage or the first outer cage are molded from a polymeric
material.
12. The thrust bearing of claim 1, wherein a number of the first
outer cage pockets is greater than a number of the inner cage
pockets.
13. The thrust bearing of claim 1, further comprising: a second
outer cage having a larger diameter than the first outer cage and
having second outer cage pockets; second outer rollers in the
second outer cage pockets; wherein the inner cage, the first outer
cage, and the second outer cage are axially and radially aligned; a
second radially extending rim on one circumferential side of one of
the first outer cage or the second outer cage that faces a facing
circumferential side of the other of the first outer cage or the
second outer cage; and at least one third radially extending side
tab and at least one fourth radially extending side tab on the
facing circumferential side of the other of the first outer cage or
the second outer cage that define a second circumferentially
extending channel therebetween that receives the second radially
extending rim.
14. The thrust bearing of claim 13, wherein the third radially
extending side tab and the fourth radially extending side tab are
resilient and are configured for a snap fit over the second
radially extending rim.
15. The thrust bearing of claim 13, wherein the first outer cage is
rotatable relative to the second outer cage with the second
radially extending rim sliding in the circumferential direction in
the second circumferentially extending channel.
16. The thrust bearing of claim 13, wherein at least one of the
third radially extending side tab or the fourth radially extending
side tab extends continuously 360.degree..
17. The thrust bearing of claim 13, wherein there is a plurality of
the third radially extending side tab with circumferential spaces
located therebetween.
18. The thrust bearing of claim 17, wherein there is a plurality of
the fourth radially extending side tab with circumferential spaces
located therebetween.
19. The thrust bearing of claim 13, wherein the second radially
extending rim is located on the circumferential side of the first
outer cage, and the third radially extending side tab and the
fourth radially extending side tab are located on the facing
circumferential side of the second outer cage.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to thrust bearings, and more
particularly to thrust needle roller bearings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Encapsulated multiple row thrust bearings 1, 2 with two or
more stamped steel cages are known, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and
2A-2B. These arrangements utilize stamped sheet metal cages that
require proper cage orientation during assembly. Improper
orientation could cause damage during assembly and allow for a
missing cage and roller unit.
[0003] FIGS. 3A-3B show another known prior art thrust bearing 3.
This includes a single cage with two rollers within each cage
pocket. However, this arrangement does not allow for an increased
number of rollers in the second row, which limits the bearing's
load carrying capacity
[0004] FIG. 4 shows another multiple row thrust bearing 4 where the
rows formed by separate cages with rollers are not unitized or
encapsulated, and instead are provided as separate units. Here, the
end user must be sure to assemble both bearings into the end use
assembly. If one cage assembly is forgotten, then there is a risk
to the load carrying capacity.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide an improved thrust bearing
that addresses the issues with the known prior art. It would also
be desirable to provide a thrust bearing arrangement in a compact
and simple manner while still providing for cost savings.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides a thrust bearing comprising
having an inner cage having inner cage pockets, with inner rollers
in the inner cage pockets, and a first outer cage having a larger
diameter than the inner cage and having first outer cage pockets,
with first outer rollers in the first outer cage pockets. The inner
cage and the first outer cage are axially and radially aligned. A
radially extending rim is provided on one circumferential side of
one of the inner cage or the first outer cage that faces a facing
circumferential side of the other of the inner cage or the first
outer cage. First and second radially extending side tabs are
provided on the facing circumferential side of the other of the
inner cage or the first outer cage that define a circumferentially
extending channel therebetween that receives the radially extending
rim.
[0007] This arrangement allows for a multiple row thrust bearing
that eliminates the need for cage orientation during assembly,
allows for more rollers to be added to the larger diameter outer
rows for increased load carrying capacity, allows for unitized
assembly of multiple rows, which can preferably be "snapped"
together to act as one unit, while also allowing for independent
motion between cages.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first and second radially extending
side tabs are resilient and are configured for a snap fit over the
rim.
[0009] The inner cage is rotatable relative to the first outer cage
with the rim sliding in a circumferential direction in the
circumferentially extending channel.
[0010] In one arrangement, at least one of the first or second
radially extending side tabs extends continuously 360.degree..
[0011] In one arrangement, there is a plurality of the first
radially extending side tabs with circumferential spaces located
therebetween. Preferably, there is also a plurality of the second
radially extending side tabs with circumferential spaces located
therebetween. The first radially extending side tabs can be
circumferentially offset from the second radially extending side
tabs.
[0012] In one embodiment, the radially extending rim is located on
the circumferential side of the inner cage, and the first and
second radially extending side tabs are located on the facing
circumferential side of the first outer cage.
[0013] In one embodiment, the radially extending rim is formed from
a plurality of ring segments that are separated by gaps through
which at least one of the first radially extending side tabs or the
second radially extending side tabs are snapped through.
[0014] In one embodiment, there is an outer rim on a radially outer
circumferential side of the first outer cage, and a washer having a
radially extending race located on one axial side of the inner cage
and the first outer cage on which the rollers run, and an axially
extending flange extending from a radially outer side of the washer
having retention tabs that engage over the outer rim. This allows
for pre-assembly of the thrust bearing with a washer that forms one
of the races.
[0015] In one arrangement, at least one of the inner cage or the
first outer cage is formed of a resilient material.
[0016] In one arrangement, at least one of the inner cage or the
first outer cage is molded from a polymeric material.
[0017] In one embodiment, a number of the first outer cage pockets
is greater than a number of the inner cage pockets.
[0018] In one embodiment, a second outer cage is provided having a
larger diameter than the first outer cage and having second outer
cage pockets. Second outer rollers are located in the second outer
cage pockets. The inner cage, the first outer cage, and the second
outer cage are axially and radially aligned. A second radially
extending rim is provided on one circumferential side of one of the
first outer cage or the second outer cage that faces a facing
circumferential side of the other of the first outer cage or the
second outer cage. Third and fourth radially extending side tabs
are provided on the facing circumferential side of the other of the
first outer cage or the second outer cage that define a second
circumferentially extending channel therebetween that receives the
second radially extending rim.
[0019] Further outer cages with further rows of further rollers can
be assembled in a like manner for scalability of the present thrust
bearing design.
[0020] In one arrangement, the third and fourth radially extending
side tabs are resilient and are configured for a snap fit over the
rim.
[0021] The first outer cage is rotatable relative to the second
outer cage with the second rim sliding in a circumferential
direction in the second circumferentially extending channel.
[0022] In one arrangement, at least one of the third or fourth
radially extending side tabs extends continuously 360.degree..
[0023] In one embodiment, there is a plurality of the third
radially extending side tabs with circumferential spaces located
therebetween. Preferably, there is also a plurality of the fourth
radially extending side tabs with circumferential spaces located
therebetween. The third radially extending side tabs can be
circumferentially offset from the fourth radially extending side
tabs.
[0024] In one arrangement, the second radially extending rim is
located on the circumferential side of the first outer cage, and
the third and fourth radially extending side tabs are located on
the facing circumferential side of the second outer cage.
[0025] One or more of the above features can be used separately or
together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the
disclosure. In the drawings:
[0027] FIGS. 1-1C are, respectively, a plan view, a cross-sectional
view, and an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view of a
first prior art thrust bearing.
[0028] FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, a plan view and a
cross-sectional view of a second prior art thrust bearing.
[0029] FIGS. 3A and 3B are, respectively, a plan view and a
cross-sectional view of prior art thrust bearing.
[0030] FIGS. 4A-4C are, respectively, a plan view, a
cross-sectional view, and a cross-sectional view showing assembly
of two separate cage/roller assemblies of a fourth prior art thrust
bearing.
[0031] FIG. 5A is a plan view of a first embodiment of a thrust
bearing.
[0032] FIG. 5B is an enlarged detail showing a portion of the
thrust bearing of FIG. 5A.
[0033] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5C-5C in
FIG. 5B.
[0034] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5D-5D in
FIG. 5B.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an outer cage
showing an alternative configuration of the first and second
radially extending side tabs.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 5C showing an
alternate embodiment of the thrust bearing having three cage-roller
assemblies which are connected to one another in a self-retain
manner.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an inner cage
showing an alternate configuration of the radially extending rim as
a plurality of ring segments.
[0038] FIG. 9A is a plan view of a further embodiment of the thrust
bearing shown assembled with a washer that forms one radially
extending race which includes a flange that allows the washer to be
assembled with the cage-roller assemblies.
[0039] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9B-9B of
the thrust bearing shown in FIG. 9A.
[0040] FIG. 9C is an enlarged detail showing a portion of the
thrust bearing of FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "front," "rear,"
"upper" and "lower" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and away from the parts referenced in the
drawings. "Axially" refers to a direction along the axis of a
shaft. A reference to a list of items that are cited as "at least
one of a, b, or c" (where a, b, and c represent the items being
listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or
combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words
specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar
import.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, a first embodiment of a thrust
bearing 10 is shown. Thrust bearing 10 includes an inner cage 20
having inner cage pockets 22, best shown in FIG. 5b, with rollers
24 located in the inner cage pockets 22. A first outer cage 30 is
provided having a larger diameter than the first inner cage 20 and
having first outer cage pockets 32, with first outer rollers 34
being located in the first outer cage pockets 32. Here the inner
cage 20 and the outer cage 30 are axially and radially aligned.
[0043] In order to provide for improved assembly, the cages are
configured to "snap" into one another so that they are held
together in a unitized manner. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5C and
5D, a radially extending rim 26 is provided on one circumferential
side 25 of one of the inner cage 20 or the first outer cage 30,
preferably the inner cage 20 as shown, and faces a facing
circumferential side 35 of the other of the inner cage 20 or the
first outer cage 30, preferably, the facing circumferential side 35
of the first outer cage 30. The radially extending rim 26 is
preferably centrally located and is spaced inwardly from the first
and second axial sides of the inner cage 20.
[0044] Still with reference to FIGS. 5C and 5D, first and second
radially extending side tabs 36, 38 are located on the facing
circumferential side 35 of the other of the inner cage 20 or the
first outer cage 30, preferably the first outer cage 30, that
define a circumferentially extending channel 40 therebetween that
receives the radially extending rim 26. As shown in detail in FIGS.
5A and 5B, these first and second radially extending side tabs 36,
38 include circumferential spaces therebetween indicated at 37 in
FIG. 5d between the first radially extending side tabs 36, and
indicated at 39 in FIG. 5C for the second radially extending side
tabs 38.
[0045] The first and second radially extending side tabs 36, 38 are
preferably formed of a resilient material and are configured to
snap fit over the rim 26.
[0046] Any number of the first and second radially extending side
tabs 36, 38 can be used. In one embodiment, there are eight of the
first radially extending side tabs 36 and eight of the second
radially extending side tabs 38 that are spaced apart in the
circumferential direction. Preferably the first and second radially
extending side tabs 36, 38 are also offset from one another in the
circumferential direction.
[0047] The present arrangement allows the inner cage 20 to be
rotatable relative to the first outer cage 30, with the rim 26
sliding in the circumferential direction in the circumferentially
extending channel 40. Preferably, clearances are provided that are
at least about 0.05 mm between the radially extending rim 26 and
the facing portions of the facing circumferential side 35 of the
first outer cage 30 and the inwardly facing portions of the first
and second radially extending side tabs 36, 38.
[0048] In a preferred arrangement, at least one of the inner cage
20 or the first outer cage 30 are formed of a resilient material.
More preferably, at least one of the inner cage 20 or the first
outer cage 30 is molded from a polymeric material such as in an
injection molding process. The material can be polyester or any
other suitable polymer. However, those skilled in the art will
understand that the cages 20, 30 could be machined or stamped from
a variety of materials.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5A, a number of the first outer cage
pockets 32 is greater than a number of the first inner cage pockets
22. However, they can be equal if desired.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate configuration of the
side tabs 36, 38 is shown. Here, at least one of the first or
second radially extending side tabs 36, 38, and preferably the
first radially extending side tab 36, extends continuously
360.degree.. While only a single one of the radially extending side
tabs 36 is shown as extending continuously, the other side tab 38
could also extend continuously.
[0051] An alternate configuration of the radially extending rim is
shown in FIG. 8 where here a plurality of ring segments 26A, 26B
etc. are shown that are separated by gaps 27. The number of gaps 27
are preferably arranged to be aligned with at least one of the
first radially extending side tabs 36, or the second radially
extending side tabs 38, which can then be snapped through these
gaps 27. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of
ring segments 26A, 26B, etc. as well as the number of gaps 27 can
be adjusted to match up with various numbers of first and second
radially extending side tabs 36, 38, depending upon the particular
size and configuration of the thrust bearing 10.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the
thrust bearing 10' is shown. In FIG. 7, a cross section similar to
FIG. 5C is provided of the thrust bearing 10' which, in addition to
the inner cage 20 assembled with the inner rollers 24 and the first
outer cage 30 assembled with the first outer rollers 34, includes a
second outer cage 60 which has a larger diameter than the first
outer cage 30 and also includes second outer cage pockets 62 in
which second outer rollers 64 are located. Here the inner cage 20,
the first outer cage 30, and the second outer cage 60 are axially
and radially aligned. A second radially extending rim 42' is
located on one circumferential side 45 of one of the first outer
cage 30 or the second outer cage 60, preferably the first outer
cage 30, and faces a facing circumferential side 65 of the other of
the first outer cage 30 or the second outer cage 60, preferably of
the second outer cage 60. Third and fourth radially extending side
tabs 66, 68, similar to the first and radially extending side tabs
36, 38 discussed above, are provided on the facing circumferential
side 65 of the other of the first outer cage 30 or the second outer
cage 60, preferably the second outer cage 60, that define a second
circumferentially extending channel 70 therebetween that receives
the second radially extending rim 42'.
[0053] The third and fourth radially extending side tabs 66, 68 are
resilient and are configured for a snap fit over the second
radially extending rim 42'. This arrangement allows the first outer
cage 30 to be rotatable relative to the second outer cage 60 with
the second radially extending rim 42' sliding in a circumferential
direction in the second circumferentially extending channel 70.
[0054] As discussed above and shown in FIG. 6, in connection with
the first and second radially extending side tabs 36, 38, at least
one of the third or fourth radially extending side tabs, 66, 68
could also extend continuously 360.degree.. However, as shown above
in FIGS. 5A and 5B, preferably there is a plurality of the third
radially extending side tabs 66 with circumferential spaces located
therebetween and there is also a plurality of the fourth radially
extending side tab 68 with circumferential spaces located
therebetween. These radially extending side tabs 66, 68 can be
spaced apart or continuous similar to the radially extending side
tabs 36, 38. These side tabs 66, 68 are arranged to allow for a
snap fit over the second radially extending rim 42'.
[0055] It is also possible for the second radially extending rim
42' to be configured as a plurality of ring segments similar to
ring segments 26A and 26B shown in FIG. 8.
[0056] This arrangement can be applied to multiple rows of cages
with each larger cage having more rollers than the one or more
respective inwardly located cages in order to take advantage of the
larger circumference, and therefore increase the load carrying
capability of the entire assembled unit.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, another embodiment 10'' of a
thrust bearing is shown. This embodiment of the thrust bearing 10''
is identical to the first embodiment of the thrust bearing 10
discussed above; however, in addition to the cage-roller assemblies
20, 24; 30, 34, it further includes an outer rim 42 on a radially
outer circumferential side 43 of the first outer cage 30 which is
adapted to allow assembly with one or more washers. Here, a washer
50 having a radially extending flange with a race 52 is provided
that is located on one axial side of the inner cage 20 and the
first outer cage 30. The rollers 24, 34 are adapted to run on this
radially extending race 52. An axially extending flange 54 extends
from a radially outer side of the washer 50 and includes retention
tabs 56 that engage over the outer rim 42 in order to retain the
washer 50 with the cage-roller assemblies 20, 24; 30, 34 in a
pre-assembled manner. This provides for unitized assembly of
multiple rows with the race in a simple and cost effective
manner.
[0058] Having thus described the present embodiments in detail, it
is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified
in the detailed description of the disclosure, could be made
without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied
therein.
[0059] It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments
incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible
which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive
concepts and principles embodied therein.
[0060] The present embodiments and optional configurations are
therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this
embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
LOG OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0061] 1 Prior art thrust bearing [0062] 2 Prior art thrust bearing
[0063] 3 Prior art thrust bearing [0064] 4 Prior art thrust bearing
[0065] 10, 10', 10'' Thrust bearing [0066] 20 Inner cage [0067] 22
Inner cage pockets [0068] 24 Inner rollers [0069] 25 One
circumferential side [0070] 26 Radially extending rim [0071] 26A
Ring segment [0072] 26B Ring segment [0073] 27 Gaps [0074] 28
Radially extending rim [0075] 30 First outer cage [0076] 32 First
outer cage pockets [0077] 34 Outer rollers [0078] 35 Facing
circumferential side [0079] 36 First radially extending side tab
[0080] 37 Circumferential spaces [0081] 38 Second radially
extending side tab [0082] 39 Circumferential spaces [0083] 40
Circumferentially extending channel [0084] 42 Second radially
extending rim [0085] 43 Radially outer circumferential side [0086]
45 Circumferential side [0087] 50 Washer [0088] 52 Radially
extending race [0089] 54 Axially extending flange [0090] 56
Retention tabs [0091] 60 Second outer cage [0092] 62 Second outer
cage pockets [0093] 64 Second outer rollers [0094] 65 Facing
circumferential side [0095] 66 Third radially extending side tabs
[0096] 68 Fourth radially extending side tabs [0097] 70 Second
circumferentially extending channel
* * * * *