Abstract:
A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly comprising of a steel or other metal skeleton overmolded with a plastic material.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Example aspects described herein relate to bearing assemblies, particularly of bearing rolling element guides or cages. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bearing assemblies are typically circular in shape, and generally comprise rolling elements sandwiched between raceways in bearing rings. Rolling elements take many forms, including spherical balls, rollers or various other configurations, such as cone-shaped tapered rollers or barrel-shaped spherical rollers. Bearing rolling element guides, or cages, retain rolling elements within a bearing assembly, while typically allowing for free rotation of the rolling elements within the cages, and rotation of the cages within the bearing assembly. Cages can be used to separate rolling elements from each other, generally at equal intervals, and hold rolling elements in alignment with respect to the bearing rings. Depending on the structure of the bearing, or the bearing design, cages may be linear or circular and made from a variety of materials, including, but, not limited to brass, steel, and various types of plastic. 
         [0003]    Broadly, there are two main types of bearing cages for so-called conrad or deep groove design bearings; “crown” or “snap” cages; and “ribbon” or “riveted” cages. The “snap” type has an annular side member and axial partitions projecting from said member. These partitions are typically parallel to each other and have open rolling element pockets, allowing said rolling elements to seat or “snap” into position within these open pockets. The “riveted” type is comprised of two pieces or halves, each half with an open pocket to accommodate a rolling element. The halves are assembled on opposite sides of the rolling element, the pockets surrounding the rolling elements, and contact at land surfaces at intervals between rolling elements, then are joined together at the mating surface using various types of fastening elements, such as rivets. 
         [0004]    Cages are guided by one of the available surfaces between the inner and outer rings. Cages may be guided by the inner land or surface, wherein, the cage&#39;s bore slides, or is guided by, the outer diameter of the inner ring. They may also be guided by the outer land, wherein, the cage&#39;s bore slides, or is guided by, the inner diameter of the outer ring. Finally, cage&#39;s may touch neither ring, and be guided by the rolling elements themselves. 
         [0005]    Some example bearing cages are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,247,847, 5,154,401 and 4,004,840. 
         [0006]    Different types and sizes of bearings require specifically designed bearing cages, taking into account bearing assembly size, operating conditions, and rolling element size, among other factors. It is understood that a particular design of bearing may incorporate a type of cage, but, may require variations in the cage to accommodate the specific bearing, for example choice of rolling element or material used. For example, high speed bearings, particularly with accompanying high operating temperatures or working environments, generally have cages made of steel. Interaction of steel balls in direct contact with steel cages can have negative impacts on wear and temperature. Molded plastic cages have advantages of weight, limitation of particulate generation and pliability relative to steel cages 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A new design for a bearing cage is disclosed. In one example embodiment of the invention, the cage comprises a steel or other metal skeleton overmolded with a plastic material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The above mentioned and other features and advantages of the embodiments described herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of at least one example embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. A brief description of those drawings now follows. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cage assembly according to one example embodiment herein described. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one half of the cage assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of the cage assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a half of the cage skeleton of  FIG. 1   
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the full cage skeleton assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures. The exemplification set out herein illustrates at least one embodiment, in at least one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any manner. Radially inward directions are from an outer radial surface of the cage, toward the central axis or radial center of the cage. Conversely, a radial outward direction indicates the direction from the central axis or radial center of the cage toward the outer surface. Axially refers to directions along a diametric central axis. “Cage” and “rolling element guides” are used interchangeably. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of cage assembly  1  according to one example embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of the cage assembly of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a half of the cage skeleton of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the full cage skeleton of  FIG. 1 . The following description should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 through 5 . Cage assembly  1  comprises a first half  10  and a second half  20 , joined by fastening elements  3 , such as rivets, extending through pre-formed holes or perforations  4 , extending through an axial length of cage halves  10  and  20 , respectively, comprising perforations  4 ′ in overmolded portions  30 ,  31  and perforations  4 ″ in cage skeletons  6 , 7 . . In this embodiment each cage half  10 ,  20  half contains stamped or formed metal cage skeleton  6 ,  7 , respectively. Cage skeletons  6 ,  7  are formed with multiple assembly land surfaces  24 ,  25 , and complementary multiple arched structures  26 ,  27 , such that, when land surfaces  24 ,  25  are aligned, arched structures  26 ,  27  form rolling element pocket  30 . In the embodiment shown, rolling element pocket  30  is a circular shape, such as for a ball. 
         [0016]    Each cage skeleton  6 , 7  is, in turn, overmolded with plastic  15 , such that at least the axial surfaces  16 ,  17  (see  FIG. 2 ) are covered with plastic  15 , such that plastic  15  forms a bond or is retained to surfaces  16 , 17  of cage skeletons  6 , 7 .  FIG. 3  shows separate overmolded portions  30 , 31  for illustrative purposes. Although overmolded portions  30 ,  31  may be separately formed and fixedly secured in cage assembly  1 , for example using fastening elements  3 , overmolded portions  30 ,  31  would typically be directly overmolded onto cage skeletons  6 , 7 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of cage half  20  of cage assembly  1 , of FIG. Cage half  10  is a mirror image of cage half  20  and includes the same features. In this example embodiment, cage skeleton  7  is formed of stamped metal, comprising land surfaces  25  and arched structures  27 . Cage skeleton  7  is, in turn, overmolded with plastic  15 , such as PEEK, bonded or retained to axial surfaces  16  and  17  of cage skeleton  7 . Holes  4 , extend from an outer axial face through an entire axial thickness of cage half  20 , through overmoled plastic  15  of overmolded portion  30 , and cage skeleton  7 . Land surfaces  24  of complementary cage half  10  aligns with land surfaces  25 , the two cage halves  10  and  20  are fixedly assembled together using fastening elements 3.1. 
         [0018]    In the foregoing description, example embodiments are described. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    In addition, it should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments, which highlight the functionality and advantages of the example embodiments, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture or construction of example embodiments described herein is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures. 
         [0020]    Although example embodiments have been described herein, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present example embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Cage Assembly 
           3  Fastening Elements 
           4  Through Holes or Perforations 
           4 ′ Overmolded Portion Perforation 
           4 ″ Cage Skeleton Perforation 
           6 , 7  Cage Skeleton 
           10 , 20  Cage Half 
           15  Plastic 
           16 , 17  Cage Skeleton Axial Surface 
           24 , 25  Land Surface 
           26 , 27  Arched Structure 
           30 , 31  Overmolded Portions