Pre-stressed rolling bearing, notably for a steering column

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9422980-B2
Application number	US-201414223333-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2014
Priority date	Mar 22, 2013
Publication date	Aug 23, 2016
Grant date	Aug 23, 2016

Abstract

A rolling bearing includes a first ring, a second ring and a row of rolling elements disposed between the first ring and the second ring. The first ring has a housing, at least two raceway elements are mounted in the housing and at least one pre-stressing element is mounted in the housing. The at least one pre-stressing element is provided with at least one portion having a circumferential extension of less than 360° in sliding contact with the second ring.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A rolling bearing comprising:
a first ring,
a second ring and
a row of rolling elements disposed between the first ring and the second ring, the first ring having a housing, at least two raceway elements mounted in the housing and at least one pre-stressing element mounted in the housing, wherein
the at least one pre-stressing element is provided with at least one portion having a circumferential extension of less than 360° in sliding contact with the second ring.

2. The rolling bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion in sliding contact with the second ring has a circumferential extension equal to or less than 45°.

3. The rolling bearing according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one portion in sliding contact with the second ring defines two adjacent edges that are circumferentially spaced equal to or less than 45°.

4. The rolling bearing according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one portion in sliding contact with second ring defines edges having all the same shape.

5. The rolling bearing according to claim 4 , wherein the second ring is an inner ring and wherein the pre-stressing element provides a plurality of portions in sliding contact with the inner ring, the portions being circumferentially equally spaced.

6. The rolling bearing according to claim 5 , wherein the pre-stressing element is made from elastic material stiffened by an additive material for wear resistance due to friction.

7. The rolling bearing according to claim 6 , wherein the pre-stressing element is annular and is provided with a first portion maintained in the housing and at least one second portion in sliding contact with the second ring.

8. The rolling bearing according to claim 7 , wherein the axial length of the first portion is higher than or equal to the axial length of the second portion.

9. The rolling bearing according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one second portion extends radially from a root of the first portion, the root being offset axially towards the rolling elements.

10. The rolling bearing according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one portion provides at least one bended portion in sliding contact with the second ring.

11. The rolling bearing according to claim 10 , wherein the pre-stressing element is maintained by an axial maintaining portion so as to prevent expansion or creep of the pre-stressing element.

12. The rolling bearing according to claim 11 , wherein the housing provides an outer axial portion and two radial lateral flanges, each flange extending radially from the outer axial portion and the pre-stressing element is disposed axially between one lateral flange of the housing and at least one raceway element.

13. The rolling bearing according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one raceway element is an annular wire.

14. A steering column for an automotive vehicle, comprising;
a chassis with a mounting support,
a shaft, and
at least one rolling bearing according to claim 1 .

15. The rolling bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the pre-stressing element comprises an elastic body.

16. A rolling bearing comprising:
a first ring;
a second ring; and
a row of rolling elements disposed between the first ring and the second ring, the first ring having a housing;
at least two raceway elements mounted in the housing; and
at least one elastic body mounted in the housing, wherein the at least one elastic body is provided with at least one portion having a circumferential extension of less than 360° and in sliding contact with the second ring.

17. The rolling bearing according to claim 16 , wherein each of the at least two raceway elements comprises an annular wire.

18. The rolling bearing according to claim 16 , wherein the elastic element is stiffened by an additive material for wear resistance due to friction.

19. The rolling bearing according to claim 16 , wherein the housing includes a radially extending portion and wherein the elastic body is compressed between the radially extending portion and one of the at least two raceway elements.

Assignees

• Bussit Sylvain
• Hermle Wilfried
• Jansen Daniel
• Jullien Tommy
• Lepine Thomas
• Mauvisseau Franck
• Montboeuf Bruno
• Pintz Lucia
• Waeschle Heiko
• Skf Ab

Inventors

• Bussit Sylvain
• Hermle Wilfried
• Jansen Daniel
• Jullien Tommy
• Lepine Thomas
• Mauvisseau Franck
• Montboeuf Bruno
• Pintz Lucia
• Waeschle Heiko

Classifications

• F16C25/083 Primary

  with resilient means acting axially on a race ring to preload the bearing · CPC title

• B62D1/16

  Steering columns · CPC title

• F16C33/78

  with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members {(F16C33/761 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16C19/06

  with a single row or balls · CPC title

• F16C33/30 Primary

  Parts of ball or roller bearings · CPC title