Rolling-element bearing

{
  "publication_number": "US9441673B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Rolling-element bearing",
  "abstract": "A rolling-element bearing includes a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component, a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component and at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured to hold a lubricant. The at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured such that during rotation of the second rolling-element bearing ring the at least one porous body substantially rotates with the second rolling-element bearing ring, and, due to this rotation, releases an amount of the lubricant. The at least one porous body is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the released amount lubricant when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A rolling-element bearing comprising: a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component; a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component; and at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured to hold a lubricant, wherein the at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured such that during rotation of the second rolling-element bearing ring the at least one porous body substantially rotates with the second rolling-element bearing ring, and, due to this rotation, releases an amount of the lubricant, wherein the at least one porous body is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the released amount lubricant when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary, and wherein the lubricant is a liquid and wherein the rolling-element bearing includes a seal which is liquid-permeable when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary with respect to the first rolling-element bearing ring.",
    "2. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein a maximum intake amount of the at least one porous body exceeds a total lubricant filling capacity of the rolling-element bearing.",
    "3. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one porous body is indirectly or directly mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring by a friction-fit connection, by an interference-fit connection, or by a materially-bonded connection.",
    "4. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is an oil and the at least one porous body comprises an oil-resistant material resistant to temperatures up to at least 75° C.",
    "5. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one porous body is adjacent to the seal, or is a part of the seal, or the seal comprises the at least one of the at least one porous body.",
    "6. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element bearing includes a first row of rolling elements and a second row of rolling elements, and wherein the at least one porous body is disposed between the first row of rolling elements and the second row of rolling elements.",
    "7. A motor vehicle wheel bearing comprising the rolling-element bearing according to claim 1.",
    "8. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one porous body is indirectly or directly mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring by a press-fit or by a dovetail connection, or by an adhering or by a welding.",
    "9. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is an oil and the at least one porous body comprises polyamide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.",
    "10. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 1, including a lubricating space between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring, wherein the at least one porous body is configured to absorb lubricant from the lubricating space and release the absorbed lubricant into the lubricating space.",
    "11. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 10, wherein the lubricant is an oil, wherein a liquid retaining capacity of the at least one porous body exceeds a volume of the lubricating space, wherein the at least one porous body is indirectly or directly mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring by a friction-fit connection, by an interference-fit connection, or by a materially-bonded connection, wherein the at least one porous body comprises polyamide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, wherein the rolling-element bearing includes a seal which is liquid-permeable when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary with respect to the first rolling-element bearing ring and wherein at least one of the at least one porous body is adjacent to the seal, or is a part of the seal.",
    "12. A rolling-element bearing comprising: a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component; a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component; and at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured to hold a lubricant, wherein the at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and configured such that during rotation of the second rolling-element bearing ring the at least one porous body substantially rotates with the second rolling-element bearing ring, and, due to this rotation, releases an amount of the lubricant, wherein the at least one porous body is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the released amount lubricant when the second rolling-element bearing ring is stationary, and wherein the at least one porous body reduces a free bearing volume to at most 25% of a free comparison bearing volume which corresponds to the free bearing volume of the rolling-element bearing without the at least one porous body.",
    "13. A rolling-element bearing comprising: a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component; a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component; a lubricating space between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring; at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring in communication with the lubricating space, the at least one porous body being configured to take in liquid from the lubricating space; and a sealing element between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring, the sealing element being incapable of forming a static liquid seal, wherein the at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and is configured to rotate with the second rolling-element bearing ring and is configured to release the liquid taken in from the lubricating space back into the lubricating space in response to rotation of the second rolling-element bearing, and wherein the at least one porous body is configured to absorb liquid from the lubricating space.",
    "14. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 13, wherein a liquid retaining capacity of the at least one porous body exceeds a volume of the lubricating space.",
    "15. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant is an oil and the at least one porous body comprises polyamide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.",
    "16. The rolling-element bearing according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant is an oil and the at least one porous body comprises a sponge-like body of polyamide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.",
    "17. A rolling-element bearing comprising: a first rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a stationary component; a second rolling-element bearing ring configured to be mechanically connectable to a rotating component; a lubricating space between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring; and at least one porous body disposed between the first rolling-element bearing ring and the second rolling-element bearing ring in communication with the lubricating space, the at least one porous body being configured to take in liquid from the lubricating space, wherein the at least one porous body is mechanically coupled to the second rolling-element bearing ring and is configured to rotate with the second rolling-element bearing ring and is configured to release the liquid taken in from the lubricating space back into the lubricating space in response to rotation of the second rolling-element bearing, wherein the at least one porous body is configured to absorb liquid from the lubricating space, and wherein a ratio of a volume of the lubricating space to a combined volume of the lubricating space and a volume of the at least one porous body is less than 25%."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Exemplary embodiments relate to a rolling-element bearing that can be used, for example, as a wheel bearing for an automobile, truck or other motor vehicle.\n\nRolling-element bearings are used in many areas of technology to guide and support two components that rotate relative to each other. One of the components is often immobile, fixed in space, or stationary relative to a machine with which it is used or connected. The component may be, for example, the housing of the machine or another equivalent or corresponding component. In the motor vehicle field, the component may be a transmission housing, an engine block, or an axle, shaft or other wheel support. Alternately, the rolling-element bearing can be a transmission bearing (a bearing for a transmission shaft), an engine bearing (a bearing that supports a shaft or other rotating part of an engine), or a wheel bearing. But similar challenges also arise in other fields of machine, factory, and vehicle engineering and rolling-element bearings are used in those fields as well.\n\nIn contrast to large bearings, such as are used, for example, in the wind power field, various lubricating concepts are often used in compact bearings. These bearings are often implemented as sealed bearings, bearings into which the required lubricant has been introduced during manufacturing or during assembly of the bearing. In this way lubrication can be provided for the entire service life of the bearing (for-life lubrication) or, alternatively, for a certain operating period, after which the lubricant must be changed during a servicing.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16C 33/6648",
    "F16C 19/386",
    "F16C 2326/02",
    "F16C 33/60",
    "F16C 33/6655",
    "F16C 33/7876"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16C 19/28",
    "F16C 19/38",
    "F16C 33/66",
    "F16C 33/78"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SKF AB"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Padelis Katsaros"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-06-06",
  "publication_date": "2016-09-13",
  "grant_date": "2016-09-13",
  "priority_date": "2013-06-06",
  "application_number": "US-201414297966-A",
  "family_id": "52005540",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}