A bearing unit including a radially outer ring, a radially inner ring, a row of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring, a containment cage for keeping the rolling bodies in position defined by a plurality of arched bridges and a plurality of flattened connecting elements interposed between the bridges, a sealing screen interposed between the radially inner ring and the radially outer ring made of composite material provided with an annular central portion having a toroidal surface, a radially inner lug, and a radially outer deflector projecting towards the cage, and a channel between the cage and the sealing screen, axially defined by the lug, the toroidal surface, and the deflector.

Disclosed is a bearing assembly for an electric motor for a vehicle, providing at least one main bearing configured to support a rotational element of the electric motor, and a sacrificial bearing. The main bearing includes at least one inner ring, at least one outer ring and at least one plurality of rolling elements. The sacrificial bearing provides an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. A value of a breakdown voltage for the sacrificial bearing is less than a value of the breakdown voltage for the at least one main bearing.

A bearing assembly for an electric motor for a vehicle, having at least one main bearing configured to support a rotational element of the electric motor, and a sacrificial bearing. The main bearing includes at least one inner ring having at least one inner raceway, at least one outer ring having at least one out raceway, and at least one plurality of rolling elements disposed between the raceways. The sacrificial bearing provides an outer ring having an outer raceway, an inner ring having an inner raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The sacrificial bearing is provided with an electrically conductive lubricant configured to lubricate the rolling elements of the sacrificial bearing. The main bearing is provided with an isolating lubricant configured to lubricate the rolling elements of the main bearing, wherein the isolating lubricant is electrically isolating.

A bearing assembly for an electric motor for a vehicle, having at least one main bearing configured to support a rotational element of the electric motor, and a sacrificial bearing. The main bearing includes at least one inner ring having at least one inner raceway, at least one outer ring having at least one out raceway, and at least one plurality of rolling elements disposed between the raceways. The sacrificial bearing provides an outer ring having an outer raceway, an inner ring having an inner raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The sacrificial bearing is provided with an electrically conductive lubricant configured to lubricate the rolling elements of the sacrificial bearing. The main bearing is provided with an isolating lubricant configured to lubricate the rolling elements of the main bearing, wherein the isolating lubricant is electrically isolating.

A gear unit for a motor vehicle having a drive shaft extending axially and mounted rotatably, and a worm gear shaft which cooperates with a worm gear wheel. A torque-transmitting coupling connects the drive shaft to one end of the worm gear shaft with the other end supported by a bearing. A pretension element loads the bearing and correspondingly the worm gear shaft so the worm gear shaft is biased or pressed against the worm gear wheel. The torque-transmitting coupling provides a suitable connection between the drive shaft and worm gear shaft.

A bearing retainer for use in a bearing is provided. The bearing includes an inner ring, rolling elements and an outer ring. The bearing retainer has a body. The body defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of openings extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The plurality of openings are adapted to retain the rolling elements in a spaced apart relationship. The body further defines opposed faces extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of face pockets formed in at least one of the faces of the body. The face pockets are adapted to storing lubrication. The body further includes a pathway from at least one face pocket of the body to the inner periphery of the body.

A bearing retainer for use in a bearing is provided. The bearing includes an inner ring, rolling elements and an outer ring. The bearing retainer includes a body. The body defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of inner walls. Each inner wall defines an opening extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The plurality of openings are adapted to receive one of the rolling elements. The inner walls are adapted to keep the rolling elements in a spaced apart relationship. At least one of the inner walls defines a aperture through the body. The aperture is adapted for storing lubrication therein.

The present invention provides a rack assist type electric power steering apparatus. The power steering apparatus includes: a ball nut coupled to a rack bar via balls to be rotated, and configured to cause the rack bar to slide; a bearing mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the ball nut so as to support rotation of the ball nut; and a support member coupled to at least one of a space between one side of an outer race of the bearing and a housing and a space between the other side of the outer race of the bearing and the housing so as to support the bearing.

A rolling bearing includes a cage constructed by coupling a pair of split members that are split into halves in an axial direction of the rolling bearing. At least one of the split members has an engagement portion that protrudes in the axial direction toward the other one of the split members. The other one of the split members has an engagement groove that extends along the axial direction and houses the engagement portion. The engagement groove has an insertion port through which the engagement portion is inserted in the axial direction. The insertion port is formed at an end of the engagement groove that is closer to the one of the split members. At least one circumferential face of the engagement groove includes a first inclined surface that increases a circumferential width of the insertion port toward the one of the split members.

A rolling bearing includes a cage constructed by coupling a pair of split members that are split into halves in an axial direction of the rolling bearing. At least one of the split members has an engagement portion that protrudes in the axial direction toward the other one of the split members. The other one of the split members has an engagement groove that extends along the axial direction and houses the engagement portion. The engagement groove has an insertion port through which the engagement portion is inserted in the axial direction. The insertion port is formed at an end of the engagement groove that is closer to the one of the split members. At least one circumferential face of the engagement groove includes a first inclined surface that increases a circumferential width of the insertion port toward the one of the split members.