The invention relates to a bearing support for retaining at least two adjacently-disposed bearings, wherein the rotational axes of the at least two bearings are parallel and spaced relative to one another and wherein each bearing includes a bearing outer ring having a cylindrical circumferential surface.
Bearing supports of this type are known in various designs in the prior art. For example, DE 298 02 228 U1 shows a bearing support in the shape of a planar plate, in which pot-shaped recesses are formed by a deep drawing process; the recesses form a cylindrical seating surface for a roller bearing. Then the outer rings of the roller bearing are pressed into the recesses. In this way, it is possible to support two roller bearings close to one another with their rotational axes oriented parallel to one another. For example, such a bearing assembly is required in transmission gears when two gear shafts must be supported close to one another.
The bearing support is manufactured from a steel plate, mostly for cost reasons. Due to the geometrical relationships, the entire circumference of the abutment surface of the bearing seat is not available when the bearings move closer and closer together. Moreover, a spandrel-like imperfection is created at the point where the bearings are the closest to one another, which imperfection does not facilitate a radial support of the bearing. In case of closely-adjacent bearings, it is also disadvantageous that the bearing support does not provide a completely-enclosed radial bearing guide in the area of the bearing seat. A 360° encircling support of the bearing does not result in the radial direction, because the small axial spacing and the manufacturing process of the bearing support (in most cases, by deep-drawing) cannot realize it. Consequently, high shape- and positional imprecisions of the bearing seat are possible in the bearing support, which can adversely affect the useful life of the bearing. Depending on the application, in case a complete radial support of the bearing is required, it cannot be ensured by known bearing supports. The current trend towards minimizing the installation space leads to axial spacings that, in case of deep-drawn recesses of a bearing support, do not allow for a 360° encircling bearing seat.
The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve a bearing support of the above-mentioned type, so that it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. Accordingly, a reliable manufacturing, simple and cost-efficient solution should be created, which can ensure, in case of a bearing support of the above-mentioned type, that a stable radial guidance of the bearing is also possible around the entire circumference of the bearing outer ring for bearings that are disposed closely together.
The solution of this object by the invention is characterized in that the bearing support is comprised of at least two portions, wherein the one portion is formed as a component having cylindrical openings for receiving the circumferential surfaces of the bearing outer rings at least across a portion of the width of the bearing outer rings and around the entire circumference of the bearing outer rings, wherein the second portion is formed as a support plate and wherein the two portions of the bearings support are connected with one another.
The first portion of the bearing support is preferably formed as a one-piece component.
Alternatively, it is also possible to form the first portion of the bearing support using multiple layers, which are stacked one on top of another and have an identical shape. The advantage of this solution is that, in case the first portion is manufactured by stamping, thinner sheets can be produced more precisely and simply. Preferably, the stacked layers are formed in a planar manner; as mentioned above, they are preferably produced by using a stamping process.
The number of stacked layers can be also connected with one another. This connection can be produced by a material bonding connection, in particular by welding or soldering.
As viewed in the direction of the rotational axes of the bearings, the first portion of the bearing support preferably has the shape of an eight (in the case of two bearings to be supported).
The connection between the first and the second portion of the bearing support can be produced by a material bonding connection, in particular by welding.
In addition or in the alternative, this connection can be also produced by an interlocking-fit, in particular by disposing at least one clip ring. In this case, it is preferably intended that at least one clip ring is disposed in a lateral end portion of the bearing support, which clip ring contacts an end side of the bearing ring and which clip ring is disposed in a groove in the circumferential surface of the bearing outer ring. In this case, it is particularly preferred that two clip rings are disposed in both lateral end portions of the bearing support.
The second portion of the bearing support can have pot-shaped recesses for receiving the first portion of the bearing support, into which the first portion is inserted.
Alternatively, it is also possible that one of the axial ends of the first portion of the bearing support sits on the second portion of the bearing support and the two portions are connected with each other at the meeting point.
The second portion of the bearing support is preferably comprised of sintered metal or cast metal, as long as a stamped part is not preferred.
The invention thus provides a closed insert and/or a closed support (first portion of the bearing support), which can be solidly formed or constructed from multiple layers. Using the insert, it is ensured that, although the bearing outer ring is not necessarily supported across its entire width, it is supported around its entire circumference. A lack of support in the area of the closest adjacency of the two bearings is therefore prevented; a deep-drawn support plate with pot-shaped recesses cannot provide such support for the bearings according to the prior art. The insert is connected with a support plate (second portion of the bearing support), which is disposed on a further machine part, e.g., on a transmission housing.
With the inventive proposal, it is possible in an advantageous way to integrate a complete, i.e. 360° encircling, radial support of the bearing into the bearing support and/or the bearing support component. As a result, an improved roundness of the bearing track results and thus a longer useful life of the bearing.
The first portion of the bearing support (insert, support) can be manufactured, e.g., by a sintering process, a stamping process or a casting process. The first portion can be either inserted into a support plate with recesses provided for the first portion or it itself can serve as a supporting element for the bearing, wherein in this case the second portion of the bearing support, in effect, represents a flange, with which the first portion is connected. The first portion can be connected with the second portion using known methods, which methods are based on an interlocking-fit, a material bonding connection and/or a friction-fit.
The proposed solution is preferably utilized in transmissions, wherein automobile transmissions, in particular, come into consideration. However, the proposed solution can also be utilized in other applications, in which two bearings must be supported close to one another.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings.
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The solution according to
The solution according to
In
Here, the bearing outer ring 3 is fixed in the bearing support 1 by clip rings 9 that are inserted into grooves 11 (annular grooves) in the circumferential surface 4 of the bearing outer ring 3. The clip rings 11 contact the bearing support 1 on both end sides 10, wherein the left end side 10 is directly contacted in
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Further, it can be seen that clip rings 9 leave an axial clearance remaining between them and the bearing support 1. This is in no way disadvantageous for many utilizations (namely, in the case of a floating bearing).
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2008 045 495.8 | Sep 2008 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2009/006306 | 9/1/2009 | WO | 00 | 5/26/2011 |