Bearing arrangement having a sensor rolling element

Abstract

A bearing arrangement having an inner race and an outer race, between which rolling elements are disposed, the rolling elements being accommodated in a bearing cage. At least one rolling element is designed as a sensor rolling element, and the bearing cage is designed as a pin cage having multiple pin elements that at least partially accommodate the rolling elements and the at least one sensor rolling element, and a sensor rolling element for a bearing arrangement of this kind are disclosed.

Claims

1. A bearing arrangement comprising: an inner race; an outer race; rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race, the rolling elements being accommodated in a bearing cage, wherein at least one rolling element is designed as a sensor rolling element, the sensor roller element comprising a sensor module disposed within an interior of a tubular sleeve; and a sensor data providing device disposed within the interior of the tubular sleeve, the sensor data providing device is provided in signal communication with the sensor module, wherein the bearing cage is configured as a pin cage having multiple pin elements, wherein the pin elements engage with the sleeve interior at each respective end of (a) each of the the rolling elements and (b) the hollowed portion at each respective end of the sleeve of the at least one sensor rolling element.

2. The bearing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bearing cage further comprises at least one first bearing cage segment and one second bearing cage segment.

3. The bearing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pin element is configured as two mutually spaced holding elements in an area in which the sensor rolling element is accommodated, wherein the holding elements engage into correspondingly designed recesses in the sensor rolling element.

4. The bearing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pin element is designed as a continuous pin for a sensor rolling element.

5. The bearing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor rolling element is configured as a sleeve having a sleeve interior, in which at least one sensor module for detecting at least one bearing variable is accommodated.

6. The bearing arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor module is accommodated in the sleeve, centered with respect to an axis of rotation (D) of the sensor rolling element.

7. The bearing arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor module is accommodated in the sleeve interior circumferentially and radially spaced from an axis of rotation (D) of the sensor rolling element.

8. The bearing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bearing arrangement further comprises at least one current-providing element and/or at least one data transmission element and/or at least one amplifier, and wherein the at least one current-providing element and/or the at least one data transmission element are/is disposed on the sensor module.

9. The bearing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the current-providing element is configured as an inductively operating generator and/or as a battery.

10. The bearing arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the inductively operated generator further comprises at least one rotor, which has at least one coil, and a stator, which has at least one magnet, and wherein the stator is disposed on the bearing cage and the rotor is disposed on the sensor rolling element.

11. A bearing arrangement comprising: an inner race; an outer race; and rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race, the rolling elements being accommodated in a bearing cage; wherein at least one rolling element is designed as a sensor rolling element, wherein the bearing cage is configured as a pin cage having multiple pin elements that at least partially accommodate the rolling elements and the at least one sensor rolling element, wherein the pin element is designed as a continuous pin for a sensor rolling element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal cross-section of a first exemplary embodiment of the bearing arrangement according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal cross-section of a second exemplary embodiment of the bearing arrangement according to the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal cross-section of a third exemplary embodiment of the bearing arrangement according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Identical or identically functioning elements are labeled with the same reference numbers in the following.

(6) FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a schematic illustration of a longitudinal cross-section of a bearing arrangement 1 of a roller bearing having a sensor rolling element 2 which is accommodated in a bearing cage 4. The bearing cage 4 is disposed between a bearing inner race and a bearing outer race (not shown), as usual, and is designed for separating and guiding the rolling elements. In this case, the forces acting on the roller bearing, such as, for example, rotational speeds, temperatures, or pressures can be measured and transmitted to an external receiver (not shown) with the aid of the sensor rolling element 2.

(7) FIGS. 1 to 3 also show that the bearing cage 4 is designed as a pin cage and provides pin elements which are accommodated in a central hole formed in the rolling elements. A conventional pin element cannot be utilized, however, since the sensor rolling element 2 provides at least one sensor module 8 which is designed for detecting the at least one bearing variable. In order to nevertheless utilize the advantage of a pin cage, the pin cage provides a pin element 6 in the area of the sensor rolling element 2, which pin element is designed especially for holding the sensor rolling element 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment, whereas FIG. 3 shows a second possible embodiment of the pin element 6 and the sensor rolling element 2. In both embodiments, however, the sensor rolling element 2 provides a sleeve 10 having a sleeve interior 12, wherein the sleeve interior 12 is designed for accommodating at least one sensor module 8 which is fastened on an inner surface 26 of the sleeve 10.

(8) In the special embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pin element 6 is designed as two mutually spaced holding elements 14, 16. In this case, the holding elements 14, 16 engage into the sleeve interior 12 of the sensor rolling element 2. The two holding elements 14, 16 extend into a portion 18, 20 along an axis of rotation D of the sensor rolling element 2. However, they are mutually spaced in such a way that they form a space 22 between themselves for accommodating the sensor module 8. The holding elements 14, 16 themselves are integral with the bearing cage 4, although they can also be designed as elements to be attached separately.

(9) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the pin element 6 can also be designed as a continuous pin, which has a reduced diameter d.sub.B in a portion 24. In addition, fastening elements 23, 25 are provided for fixing the pin element 6, via which fastening elements the pin element 6 is connected to the bearing cage 4. A design which is at least partially integral with the bearing cage 4 is also possible here, of course.

(10) In turn, the sensor module 8 can extend across the entire sleeve interior 12, centered with respect to the axis of rotation D, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to arrange the sensor module 8 circumferentially and radially spaced from an axis of rotation D of the sensor rolling element 2, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, multiple sensor modules 8 can also be arranged circumferentially in the sleeve 10. Alternatively, it is also possible to design the sensor module 8 having an annular shape.

(11) As is also shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, at least one current-providing element 28 in the form of a generator having a rotor 30, which provides a coil, and a stator 32, which provides a magnet, is formed on the sensor rolling element 2. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotor 30 is connected to the sensor rolling element 2, whereas the stator 32 is connected to the bearing cage 4. Therefore, a current can be generated as a result of a rotary motion of the sensor rolling element 2 relative to the bearing cage 4, which current is provided in the sensor module 8 via the coil of the rotor 30. In this case, the rotor 30 and the stator 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, are situated close to one another, in order to provide for particularly effective current generation.

(12) It is also clear from FIGS. 1 to 3 that a preferably wireless data transmission element 34, for example, an antenna, is disposed on the sensor rolling element 2, which antenna wirelessly transmits electromagnetic waves, in particular radio waves, to an external receiver (not shown). In order to effectively transmit the signal to the receiver, a through-hole 36 is provided in one of the holding elements 14, 16, preferably the holding element 16 situated opposite the data transmission element 34, as shown in FIG. 1; the through-hole makes a trouble-free transmission of the signals out of the bearing interior possible.

(13) If large distances must be covered, or if a low-powered data transmission element 34 will be used, an amplifier 38 can also be used, which is disposed in the through-hole 36, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

(14) In summary, with the aid of the bearing arrangement according to the invention and with the aid of the associated sensor rolling element, a roller bearing can be provided, in the case of which the sensor rolling element can be easily replaced. In this case, the rolling elements and the at least one sensor rolling element are accommodated in one, preferably segmented, pin cage which makes it possible to easily access and replace the sensor rolling element(s). In order to accommodate a pin element in the sensor rolling element, the pin element can be shaped like a dumbbell, for example, or can provide two separate holding elements, which are not connected to one another and provide a space between them for accommodating at least one sensor module.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(15) 1 bearing arrangement 2 sensor rolling element 4 bearing cage 6 pin element 8 sensor module 10 sleeve 12 sleeve interior 14, 16 holding element 18, 20 portion 22 space 24 portion 23, 25 fastening element 26 inner surface 28 current-providing element 30 rotor 32 stator 34 data transmission element 36 through-hole 38 amplifier D rotational axis d.sub.B small pin diameter