Cage for a bearing assembly and manufacturing method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9752618-B2
Application number	US-201414782379-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 3, 2014
Priority date	Apr 5, 2013
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

A method for producing an annular-shaped cage for a rolling bearing assembly. The method comprises steps of: (a) providing a workpiece contained in a plane having a first side and a second side; (b) forming an annular-shaped cage from the workpiece, the annular-shaped cage having a U-shaped cross section such that portions of the first side of the workpiece face each other; and (c) forming a plurality of windows in the workpiece for receiving and positioning a set of rolling elements.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An annular-shaped cage assembly for a rolling bearing assembly, the annular-shaped cage assembly comprising:
an annular-shaped cage having a U-shaped cross-section and a plurality of windows for receiving and positioning a set of rolling elements,
the plurality of windows is arranged spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the annular-shaped cage,
a locking ring engageable with an open side of the annular-shaped cage for securing the set of rolling elements,
the locking ring is provided with an integrated seal for sealing the locking ring to the annular-shaped cage.

2. The annular-shaped cage assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped cage is formed from a one-piece sheet material.

3. The annular-shaped cage assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped cage assembly further comprises a clip.

4. A method for producing an annular-shaped cage for a rolling bearing assembly, the method comprising steps of:
providing a workpiece contained in a plane having a first side and a second side wherein the workpiece is provided in a form of a longitudinal workpiece, the longitudinal workpiece having two opposing longitudinal edges, a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge;
forming an annular-shaped cage from the workpiece, the annular-shaped cage having a U-shaped cross section such that portions of the first side of the workpiece face each other; and
forming a plurality of windows in the workpiece for receiving and positioning a set of rolling elements.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the workpiece for forming the annular-shaped cage is a one-piece sheet material.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the U-shaped cross section is formed by roll-forming.

7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the U-shaped cross section is formed in accordance with one of:
(a) after the step of forming the annular-shaped cage, or
(b) before the step of forming the annular-shaped cage.

8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein after the step of forming the annular-shaped cage, the first transverse edge and the second transverse edge are attached together by a clip.

9. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of windows is formed by removing pieces of material from the workpiece.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the pieces of material are removed by one of:
a step of punching,
a step of laser cutting, or
a step of water cutting.

11. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the workpiece is made of metal.

12. A method for producing an annular-shaped cage for a rolling bearing assembly, the method comprising steps of:
providing a workpiece contained in a plane having a first side and a second side;
forming an annular-shaped cage from the workpiece by bending the workpiece about a transverse axis, the annular-shaped cage having a U-shaped cross section such that portions of the first side of the workpiece face each other; and
forming a plurality of windows in the workpiece for receiving and positioning a set of rolling elements.

Assignees

• Skf Ab

Inventors

• Lindèn Hans

Classifications

• F16C33/4658

  comprising three annular parts, i.e. three piece roller cages · CPC title

• B21D53/12

  cages for bearings · CPC title

• F16C33/427

  from two parts, e.g. ribbon cages with two corrugated annular parts · CPC title

• F16C33/485

  with two or more juxtaposed cages joined together or interacting with each other · CPC title

• F16C33/545 Primary

  rolled from a band · CPC title