SENSOR SET FOR BEARINGS, AND BEARING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Sensor sets for bearings are disclosed, e.g., for mechanical bearings. The set may include a plurality of modules, which may include one or more functional modules configured to measure bearing state variables. The functional modules may each have an electrical interface that is compatible with one another. At least one of the functional modules may be an acceleration measurement module configured to measure an acceleration which occurs on an oscillating component of the bearing. The acceleration measurement module may be configured to output an acceleration measurement signal. One or more infrastructure modules may be included for realizing communication tasks and/or for storing and/or processing pre-specified and/or recorded data. The infrastructure modules may each have an electrical interface such that they are interoperable with at least one of the functional modules. At least one of the infrastructure modules may be a signal evaluation unit configured to evaluate the acceleration measurement signal.

Claims

1. A sensor set for bearings, comprising: a plurality of modules, wherein the modules comprise: an acceleration measurement module for measuring an acceleration which occurs on an oscillating component of the bearing, which acceleration measurement module is configured to output an acceleration measurement signal; a further functional module for measuring a bearing state variable other than acceleration, wherein the acceleration module and the further functional module each have a compatible electrical interface and a compatible shape such that the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module are interchangeable in a bearing installation space; and a plurality of infrastructure modules for realizing communication tasks or for storing or processing pre-specified or recorded data, wherein the infrastructure modules each have an electrical interface such that they are interoperable with each of the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module, and wherein at least one of the infrastructure modules is a signal evaluation unit for evaluating the acceleration measurement signal.

2. The sensor set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acceleration measurement module comprises an acceleration sensor element.

3. The sensor set as claimed in claim 2, wherein the acceleration measurement module further comprises an A/D converter for converting an output signal from the acceleration sensor element into the acceleration measurement signal.

4. The sensor set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal evaluation unit is further designed to evaluate output signals from the further functional module.

5. The sensor set as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal evaluation unit is designed to link the acceleration measurement signal to the output signal from the further functional module.

6. The sensor set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module are each interoperable with the signal evaluation unit.

7. The sensor set as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supply management modules for supplying bearing components, wherein at least one of the supply management modules is configured to supply electrical energy to the acceleration measurement module and to the signal evaluation unit.

8. The sensor set as claimed in claim 1, wherein further functional module is designed to measure rotation speed, temperature, force, rotation angle, or lubricant quality.

9. A bearing arrangement comprising: a bearing for supporting a machine element; a fixing ring fixed to either an inner ring or outer ring of the bearing; an acceleration measurement module fixed to the fixing ring for measuring an acceleration which occurs on an oscillating component of the bearing, which acceleration measurement module is configured to output an acceleration measurement signal; a further functional module fixed to the fixing ring for measuring a bearing state variable other than acceleration, wherein the acceleration module and the further functional module each have a compatible electrical interface and a compatible shape such that the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module are interchangeable in the fixing ring; and a plurality of infrastructure modules fixed to the fixing ring for realizing communication tasks or for storing or processing pre-specified or recorded data, wherein the infrastructure modules each have an electrical interface such that they are interoperable with each of the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module, and wherein at least one of the infrastructure modules is a signal evaluation unit for evaluating the acceleration measurement signal.

10. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the acceleration measurement module comprises an acceleration sensor element.

11. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the acceleration measurement module further comprises an A/D converter for converting an output signal from the acceleration sensor element into the acceleration measurement signal.

12. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the signal evaluation unit is further designed to evaluate output signals from the further functional module.

13. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal evaluation unit is designed to link the acceleration measurement signal to the output signal from the further functional module.

14. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the acceleration measurement module and the further functional module are each interoperable with the signal evaluation unit.

15. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a plurality of supply management modules for supplying bearing components, wherein at least one of the supply management modules is configured to supply electrical energy to the acceleration measurement module and to the signal evaluation unit.

16. The bearing arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein further functional module is designed to measure rotation speed, temperature, force, rotation angle, or lubricant quality.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Further details, advantages and developments of the disclosure can be gathered from the following description of an embodiment of the disclosure with reference to the drawing.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic example of an acceleration measurement module.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a sensor bearing utilizing several modules including the acceleration module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a basic illustration of an acceleration measurement module 10 of a preferred embodiment of a sensor set according to the disclosure. The acceleration measurement module 10 comprises an acceleration sensor element 12 and an A/D converter 14 for converting an output signal from the acceleration sensor element 12. The acceleration sensor element 12 serves for measuring vibrations on a mechanical bearing (not shown). The acceleration measurement module 10 has a voltage supply and communications connection 16 by way of which it is supplied with electrical voltage and controlled. The voltage supply and communications connection 16 is compatible with corresponding connections of further modules (not shown) of the sensor set according to the disclosure, so that exchangeability is provided in this respect. The acceleration measurement module 10 has a mechanical connection 18 by way of which it can be incorporated into the mechanical bearing (not shown). The mechanical connection 18 is compatible with corresponding connections of further modules (not shown) of the sensor set according to the disclosure, so that exchangeability is provided in this respect. The acceleration measurement module 10 further has a connection for outputting an acceleration measurement signal 20 which comprises signal characteristic values in particular. The connection for outputting an acceleration measurement signal 20 is compatible with corresponding connections of further modules (not shown) of the sensor set according to the disclosure, so that exchangeability is provided in this respect too. The connection for outputting an acceleration measurement signal 20 is intended to be connected to a corresponding interface of a signal evaluation unit (not shown) of the sensor set according to the disclosure, so that the acceleration measurement signal can be evaluated in the signal evaluation unit (not shown).

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a sensor bearing. An acceleration module 10 is attached to a fixing ring 22. The fixing ring is then attached to either the inner bearing ring or outer bearing ring. Additionally, another function module 24 is attached to the fixing ring. Module 24 senses a state variable other than acceleration, such as rotation speed, temperature, force, rotation angle and/or lubricant quality. A group of infrastructure modules 26 are also attached to the fixing ring. At least one of the infrastructure modules 26 is a signal evaluation unit for evaluating the acceleration measurement signal and output signal from the other function module 24.

[0046] Each of the modules, including the acceleration module 10, other function module 24, and infrastructure modules 26 have compatible outer shapes and electrical and mechanical interfaces. Therefore, modules can be flexibly added and/or replaced as required.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0047] 10 Acceleration measurement module [0048] 12 Acceleration sensor element [0049] 14 A/D converter [0050] 16 Voltage supply and communications connection [0051] 18 Mechanical connection [0052] 20 Connection for outputting an acceleration measurement signal [0053] 22 Fixing ring [0054] 24 Other functional module [0055] 26 Infrastructure modules