BEARING ASSEMBLY FOR BEARING A DEVICE

Abstract

A bearing assembly for mounting a device, such as batteries or battery cases, includes a bearing and a receiving structure having a receiving opening that extends along a longitudinal axis. The bearing may have an elastomer body having a core that comprises a through-opening extending along the longitudinal axis for a connecting element. The bearing may further have a bearing element and an outer surface in the shape of a cylinder jacket extending about the longitudinal axis. In embodiments, the elastomer body bears against a contact surface of the bearing element, the receiving opening has an inner surface in the shape of a cylinder jacket, and the bearing is connected by an interference fit to the inner surface and the elastomer body having a conical area of effect. The invention provides, inter alia, a bearing assembly that can be premounted without a large degree of effort.

Claims

1. A bearing assembly for mounting a device, the bearing assembly comprising: a bearing having an elastomer body having a core that comprises a through-opening extending along a longitudinal axis for a connecting element, and a receiving structure having a receiving opening that extends along the longitudinal axis, wherein the bearing has a bearing element, the bearing has an outer surface in a shape of a cylinder jacket that extends about the longitudinal axis, the elastomer body bears against a contact surface of the bearing element, the receiving opening has an inner surface in the shape of a cylinder jacket, and the bearing is connected by an interference fit to the inner surface and the elastomer body having a conical area of effect.

2. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a battery or a battery case.

3. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact surface is conical in relation to the longitudinal axis.

4. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact surface is annular and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner surface has a projection having a bearing surface extending radially with respect to the longitudinal axis as an axial stop for the bearing element.

6. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly has a second bearing with a second bearing element disposed or arranged along a joint longitudinal axis, and the bearing element and the second bearing element are oriented toward one another.

7. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer body is connected in a firmly bonded manner to the bearing element.

8. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing has a sleeve element that is disposed or arranged between the elastomer body and the inner surface, the sleeve element bearing with a first surface against the inner surface and with a second surface against the elastomer body.

9. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sleeve element is connected fixedly to the bearing element.

10. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer body is disposed or arranged between a pretensioning element and the bearing element, the elastomer body bearing against the pretensioning element and the pretensioning element.

11. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pretensioning element comprises a disc.

12. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pretensioning element overlaps the bearing element in an axial direction in relation to the longitudinal axis.

13. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core tapers along the longitudinal axis at least in one portion.

14. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer body has a radial free path in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis in the direction of the core and/or in the direction of the inner surface.

15. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing element is composed of a cast material.

16. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bearing element is composed of plastic or aluminum.

17. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein most of the bearing element and most of the conical area of effect are disposed inside the receiving opening.

18. The bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interference fit acts radially around the conical area of effect.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional representation of a first embodiment of the bearing assembly;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of a second embodiment of the bearing assembly;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional representation of a third embodiment of the bearing assembly;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional representation of a fourth embodiment of the bearing assembly; and

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional representation of a fifth embodiment of the bearing assembly.

[0046] The entirety of the bearing assembly is referred to herein by the reference number 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] A first embodiment of the bearing assembly 10 is represented in FIG. 1 in a sectional representation. The bearing assembly 10 has, in this embodiment, two bearings 12 and a receiving structure 30. The receiving structure 30 has a receiving opening 14 which extends along a longitudinal axis A. In this embodiment, the receiving opening 14 is a through-opening. It is not ruled out in this case that the receiving opening 14 can be a blind hole.

[0048] The receiving opening 14 has an inner surface 18 which is formed to be cylinder barrel-shaped.

[0049] The bearings 12 are, in this embodiment, embodied to be structurally identical. Reference is therefore made below only to a bearing 12.

[0050] The bearing 12 has a core 22 with a through-opening. For example, a connecting element 34, which can be e.g. a screw or a bolt, can be guided through into the through-opening. The core 22 is, in this embodiment, formed to be cylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis A.

[0051] Radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A, the bearing 12 has an elastomer body 24 which can be connected to the core 22 in a firmly bonded manner. The elastomer body 24 can be vulcanized e.g. onto the core 22.

[0052] The elastomer body 24 has a conical shape at least in an area of effect 11. This area of effect 11 extends about the longitudinal axis A. A spacing, which acts as a first radial free path 36 for the bearing 12, can be provided between the area of effect 11 with the conical shape and the core 22.

[0053] Compressive stresses in the elastomer body 24 are induced by the conical shape in the case of an axial deflection. As a result, the bearing 12 has overall a progressive rigidity in the axial direction.

[0054] The area of effect 11 is restricted in FIG. 1 by an imaginary conical surface 15. Outside the area of effect 11 with the conical shape, the elastomer body 24 can have in relation to the longitudinal axis A a diameter which can be smaller than the diameter of the receiving opening 14. A dead range 13 of the elastomer body 24 which only takes up minimal or no shear stresses in contrast to the conical area of effect 11 is disposed or arranged in the region outside the area of effect 11. On the contrary, compressive stresses dominate in this region, wherein shear stresses can still also occur in individual regions.

[0055] The bearing 12 furthermore has a bearing element 26 which has a contact surface 28. The elastomer body 24 bears against the contact surface 28 with the region which has the conical shape. The contact surface 28 is formed in a corresponding manner to the conical shape of the elastomer body 24. The elastomer body 24 can be vulcanized onto the contact surface 28. The elastomer body 24 can nevertheless alternatively bear against the contact surface 28 in a loose manner.

[0056] The bearing element 26 has an outer surface 16 which is formed in a cylinder barrel shape. The bearing element 26 as an adapter thus converts the conical shape of the elastomer body 24 into a cylindrical shape.

[0057] The bearing 12 is disposed or arranged in the receiving opening 14, wherein the bearing element 26 was introduced first into the receiving opening 14.

[0058] The bearing element 26 has, in this embodiment, prior to introduction into the receiving opening 14 transverse to the longitudinal axis A, a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the receiving opening 14 in the range from 1 μm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm. An interference fit between the outer surface 16 of the bearing element 26 and the inner surface 18 of the receiving opening 14 is therefore produced during introduction of the bearing 12 into the receiving opening 14.

[0059] The interference fit between the outer surface 16 and the inner surface 18 fastens the bearing 12 in the receiving opening 14 without the need for screwing and reduces or avoids the risk of the bearing 12 falling out of the receiving opening 14.

[0060] The receiving opening 14 furthermore has a projection 40 which is disposed or arranged at a distance from the access point of the receiving opening 14. The projection 40 projects out of the inner surface 18 and reduces the diameter of the receiving opening 14 at its position.

[0061] The bearing 12 can therefore only be introduced up to the projection 40 into the receiving opening 14. The projection 40 thus acts as a stop for the bearing 12 and brings about a positive fit in the axial direction between the bearing 12 and the receiving structure 30. In this embodiment, the bearing element 26 bears against the projection 40. Forces which act in the axial direction on the bearing 12 are transmitted via the bearing element 26 to the projection 40. A slipping out of the bearing 12 as a result of axial forces which act on the bearing 12 into the receiving opening 14 is thus avoided.

[0062] The bearing 12 furthermore has a pretensioning element 20 which bears against the elastomer body 24 and against the core 22. Here, the pretensioning element 20 can be connected in a firmly bonded manner to the elastomer body 24. The elastomer body 24 is disposed or arranged between the pretensioning element 20 and the bearing element 26. The pretensioning element 20 can be disposed or arranged on a side of the elastomer body 24 opposite the bearing element 26. In the axial direction, the pretensioning element 20 overlaps with the bearing element 26.

[0063] The diameter of the elastomer body 24 in relation to the longitudinal axis A outside the region with the conical shape can be reduced to the outer diameter of the pretensioning element 20.

[0064] During mounting of the bearing assembly 10, the pretensioning element 20 bears on a side opposite the elastomer body 24 either against a connecting element 34 or against a fastening structure 32. The fastening structure 32 can be e.g. a chassis or a frame. The pretensioning element 20 can be formed as a disc.

[0065] A holding force which acts into the receiving opening 14 is transmitted to the bearing 12 via the pretensioning element 20.

[0066] In this embodiment, the two bearings 12 are disposed or arranged at two access points of the receiving opening 14, wherein the bearing elements 26 of the bearings 12 are directed toward one another. The pretensioning elements 20 of the two bearings 12 are disposed or arranged on sides of the bearings 12 which point away from one another.

[0067] The connecting element 34 is formed in this embodiment as a screw with which the bearing assembly 10 is fastened with a nut to the fastening structure 32.

[0068] For this purpose, the two bearings 12 premounted in the receiving structure 30 by means of the interference fit can be disposed or arranged without a great deal of effort at an intended position on the fastening structure 32. The entire bearing assembly 10 can be fastened to the fastening structure 32 by means of the connecting element 34. A user can hold the bearing assembly 10 during fastening e.g. to the receiving structure, wherein the bearings 12 remain in the receiving opening 14 by means of the interference fit in every orientation of the receiving opening 14.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the bearing assembly 10. The reference numbers which are already known from FIG. 1 show the same elements as in FIG. 1.

[0070] In contrast to the embodiment from FIG. 1, the bearing assembly 10 from the embodiment from FIG. 2 has a core 22 and a pretensioning element 20 which are formed in one piece or of the same material. The number of parts of the bearings is thus reduced.

[0071] The receiving structure 30 from FIG. 2 in the axial direction is further formed to be longer than in FIG. 1. The bearing 12 represented at the bottom in FIG. 2 is therefore introduced deeper into the receiving opening 14 than the bearing 12 represented at the top in FIG. 2.

[0072] Since the elastomer body 24 outside the region with the conical shape has a smaller diameter than the receiving opening 14, a second radial free path 38 is produced between the elastomer body 24 of the bearing 12 represented at the bottom and the inner surface 18 of the receiving opening 14 represented at the bottom. The edge of the pretensioning element 20 directed radially outwards in relation to the longitudinal axis A acts in cooperation with the corresponding inner surface 18 as a radial stop.

[0073] The bearing 12 can thus have a high degree of progression in the radial direction.

[0074] It should be noted at this point that the one-piece embodiment of the core 22 and the pretensioning element 20 is independent of the position of the bearing 12 in the receiving opening 14. These two features can be provided independently of one another.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the bearing assembly 10. The reference numbers which are already known from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the same elements as in FIG. 3.

[0076] In contrast to the embodiments from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the core 22 has a non-cylindrical shape. The core 22 tapers from the pretensioning element 20 along the longitudinal axis A.

[0077] The core 22 is furthermore formed as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 in one piece with the pretensioning element 20.

[0078] Here, the core 22 can have a tapering shape without being formed in one piece with the pretensioning element 20.

[0079] The rigidity characteristics of the elastomer body 24 can be adapted with the tapering shape of the core 22.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the bearing assembly 10. The reference numbers which are already known from FIGS. 1 to 3 show the same elements as in FIG. 4.

[0081] The core 22 and the pretensioning element 20 are formed in one piece as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, but can also be provided separately from one another.

[0082] In contrast to the previous embodiments, the bearing element 26 has an annular contact surface 28 which extends about the longitudinal axis A, wherein the longitudinal axis A is disposed or arranged perpendicular to a plane which comprises the contact surface 28. The annular contact surface 28 is thus oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The bearing element 26 is formed in this embodiment as a disc and overlaps the pretensioning element 20 in the axial direction.

[0083] Between an inner delimitation of the annular contact surface 28 facing the longitudinal axis A and the access point of the receiving opening 14, an imaginary conical surface 15 can divide the elastomer body 24 into the area of effect 11 and the dead range 13. Almost no shear stresses are induced in the dead range 13 as a result of axial deflection movements. On the contrary, compressive stresses dominate here and in isolated cases tensile stresses during a deflection movement. In addition to compressive and tensile stresses, shear stresses can also be induced only into the area of effect of the elastomer body 24 by means of axial deflection movements.

[0084] The overlapping brings about highly progressive characteristics of the elastomer body 24 during a deflection movement between the pretensioning element 20 and the bearing element 26.

[0085] The elastomer body 24 furthermore has, instead of a region with a conical shape, a region with a cylindrical shape. In addition or as an alternative to the bearing element 26, the region with the cylindrical shape of the elastomer body 24 can contribute to or solely bring about the interference fit between the bearing 12 and the inner surface 18. The bearing element 26 can then, for example, have a smaller diameter than the receiving opening 14 and be spaced apart from the inner surface 18.

[0086] The elastomer body 24 with a correspondingly annular surface bears against the contact surface 28. The elastomer body 24 can bear against the annular contact surface 28 in a loose manner. Alternatively, the elastomer body 24 can be vulcanized onto the annular contact surface 28.

[0087] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the bearing assembly 10. The reference numbers, which are already known from FIGS. 1 to 4, show the same elements as in FIG. 5.

[0088] The core 22 and the pretensioning element 20 are formed in one piece as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, but can also be provided separately from one another.

[0089] In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the bearing 12 has a sleeve element 29 which is disposed or arranged between the elastomer body 24 and the inner surface 18. Prior to the introduction of the bearing 12 into the receiving opening 14, the sleeve element 29 can have a diameter in relation to the longitudinal axis A, which is greater in the range from 1 μm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm, than the diameter of the receiving opening 14. An interference fit is thus brought about between the sleeve element 29 and the inner surface during introduction of the bearing 12 into the receiving opening 14.

[0090] The sleeve element 29 is in this embodiment in one piece with or from the same material as the bearing element 26. Alternatively, the sleeve element 29 can have a component which is separate from the bearing element 26.

[0091] The invention is not restricted to one of the embodiments described above, but rather can be modified in various ways.

[0092] For example, the bearing element 26 can thus have a stepped region on the side which is disposed or arranged on the projection 40. A step can then bear in the axial direction against the projection 40, wherein the next step in the radial direction can bear against the projection 40 and is disposed or arranged further inward in the radial direction than the projection 40.

[0093] Alternatively or additionally, the elastomer body 24 can extend around the pretensioning element 20 and bear against a radially outwardly disposed or arranged side of the pretensioning element 20.

[0094] It is furthermore conceivable that the bearing element 26 on the outer surface 16 can have an elastomer layer. It is furthermore conceivable that alternatively or additionally the inner surface 18 can have an elastomer layer. The radial pretensioning force for the interference fit between the outer surface 16 and the inner surface 18 is then brought about by the elastomer layer.

[0095] All of the features and advantages which arise from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both alone and in the widest possible range of combinations.