DE20120266U1 - Slide bearing body and plain bearing with plain bearing body - Google Patents

Description

Igus injection molded parts for industry GmbH 51147 Cologne

Plain bearing body and plain bearing with plain bearing body

The invention relates to a plain bearing body made of plastic for supporting components that are movable relative to the bearing body, wherein the bearing body has a receptacle with a width and at least one plain bearing surface for the component to be supported. The invention further relates to a plain bearing with at least one plain bearing body.

Plain bearing bodies of this type are known, for example, as bearing bushes, in particular as press-fit bushes. Irrespective of this, the bearing body is usually surrounded by a housing that absorbs the forces exerted on the bearing body by the mounted component.

The component to be supported, e.g. a shaft, push rod, bearing journal or the like, is arranged in the bearing body with a bearing clearance, whereby the bearing clearance must be selected taking into account swelling, e.g. due to water absorption, manufacturing accuracy, thermal expansion and shape deviation. On the other hand, the bearing clearance leads to increased noise emissions during operation of the device provided with the plain bearing, which can be described as rattling.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the plain bearing has a high

damping in order to achieve smoother running and a longer service life of the plain bearing.

Furthermore, the plain bearing should be easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

The invention is based on the object of creating a plain bearing body or a plain bearing with a bearing body which meets the above-mentioned requirements with regard to low noise emissions, simpler assembly, good damping properties against dynamic forces and easy manufacturability.

The problem is solved by a bearing body that has at least one resiliently deformable area that protrudes, reducing the width of the receptacle, and against which the component arranged in the receptacle can be placed. For this purpose, the resiliently deformable area can protrude directly into the receptacle or preferably in the direction of the receptacle, which also includes the extension of the receptacle beyond the bearing area defined by the sliding surface, which also reduces the free opening width of the receptacle. As a result, if the component to be stored is suitably dimensioned, at least one resiliently deformable area can rest against the component to be stored without play, so that undesirable rattling is avoided.

Preferably, at least two resiliently deformable areas are provided between which the component to be supported can be arranged in the holder with a centering action of the latter. For this purpose, the resilient areas can be designed in such a way that they hold the section of the component to be supported assigned to the plain bearing in the holder in the respective installation position without any additional support means without play. The component to be supported can load the respective resilient area with its gravity. The

The section of the component to be supported assigned to the plain bearing can be from one to several times the length of the plain bearing, for example up to two, five or ten times the length of the latter or more. The component to be supported can have a weight that is equal to that of a solid profile made of a light metal such as aluminum or up to the weight of a corresponding solid profile made of steel or even a heavier metal, whereby the cross-section of the component to be supported can correspond to that of the holder, apart from a necessary play. In order to exert the corresponding self-adjusting effect or holding force on the component to be supported, the spring-elastic areas are designed accordingly, for example with regard to their number, angular extent around the holder, material thickness and/or modulus of elasticity. The spring-elastic areas are preferably arranged in pairs diametrically opposite one another on the bearing body or evenly distributed around the circumference of the bearing body.

The two spring-elastic regions, between which the component to be stored can be arranged, can be connected to one another in one piece and can be designed, for example, as a ring-like spring bar that completely surrounds the receptacle and which is elastically expanded when the component to be stored is introduced into the receptacle. Preferably, two to twelve or more spring-elastic deformable regions are arranged distributed around the circumference of the receptacle, for example four to eight spring-elastic regions. The angular extent of the spring-elastic regions can be 5 to 180°, preferably 30 to 90°, particularly preferably 45 to 75°, in particular approximately 60°.

The at least one spring-elastic region can be arranged adjacent to a sliding region, in particular in the circumferential direction at the level of a sliding region, or also opposite a sliding region.

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Preferably, the spring-elastic regions are designed in such a way that the component to be supported can be placed against a sliding surface adjacent to the deformable region under elastic deformation of the regions, so that after overcoming the elastic retaining forces of the deformable region, the component can be received in a sliding manner by the sliding region.

The spring-elastic areas are preferably made of a material with a low sliding coefficient compared to the component to be supported, for example of the same material as the sliding surface. The at least one or all of the spring-elastic areas can, for example, act on the component to be supported in a linear or strip-like manner, whereby when the transverse load on the component is low, the contact surface of the spring-elastic areas on the component acts like sliding surfaces. When the transverse load is higher, the supported component then comes into contact with the actual sliding surface, which can absorb high forces and transfer them to the bearing housing. For this purpose, the spring-elastic area protruding over the sliding surface can be moved back, preferably pivoted back, by the component to be supported at least to the level of the sliding surface.

Preferably, the spring-elastic areas are designed as spring tongues, which protrude with a free end into or towards the holder, so that the component to be supported can rest against the spring tongue in the area of the free end of the spring tongue. However, the spring-elastic area can also be held on two sides or in another way.
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Preferably, the at least one spring-elastic region, particularly preferably all of them, is arranged within the cross-sectional area of the sliding bearing, which is arranged radially at the same height or radially inward to the outer boundary surface of the sliding region and/or the press-in region. The spring-elastic regions are thus preferably

preferably not radially outward from the press-in area and/or the sliding area.

The press-in area of the plain bearing is preferably designed in such a way that it can be fixed in a non-positive and/or positive manner in a receptacle of the corresponding housing, at least in relation to the direction of movement of the component to be supported, without the sliding area, in particular the sliding surface, being deformed. For this purpose, the press-in area can have, for example, an outwardly protruding area, for example a spherically curved area, which can be fixed in the housing receptacle.

The bearing body can have at least one end face that delimits the receptacle on the outside, with the resiliently deformable regions preferably being arranged on one or both end faces of the bearing body, preferably on one or both end faces of the plain bearing region, i.e. immediately adjacent to the sliding surface. At least one or all of the resilient regions can also be arranged in suitable recesses or depressions in the bearing body that are open towards the receptacle or on intermediate pieces between the plain bearing region and the resilient region.

The bearing body is preferably designed in the form of a sleeve and has a longitudinal axis, whereby the spring-elastic regions can extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the bearing body. The spring-elastic regions can form an angle of 0.5° to 20° with the longitudinal axis, whereby larger and smaller angles can also be present depending on the choice of material or application. The angle between the direction of extension of the inner side of the spring-elastic region facing the receptacle and the longitudinal axis of the bearing body is preferably in the range of 1° to 10°, particularly preferably between 3° and 5°.

The radial extension of the spring-elastic webs is preferably between half and the entire wall thickness of the bearing body, preferably the spring-elastic area merges flush into the bearing area of the bearing body on the inside or outside.

The length of the spring-elastic area can be 1 to 10 mm, but is not limited to this, preferably between 2 - 5 mm.

The spring-elastic region preferably protrudes in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm from the sliding surface in the direction of the receptacle or into it, without being limited thereto, preferably approx. 0.3 to approx. 1 mm, for example approx.

0.5 mm. The extent of the radial protrusion from the plain bearing surface in the direction of the recess can be used to determine the tolerance range of components to be supported, which can still be supported without play by the bearing body according to the invention.

Preferably, the spring-elastic region is chamfered on the front side facing the receptacle, wherein the chamfer preferably extends in the radial direction from the side of the spring-elastic region facing the receptacle to beyond the sliding surface.

Preferably, the spring-elastic region has a recess at least at the level of the region that protrudes furthest in the direction of the receptacle or into it on the side facing away from the receptacle, so that the spring-elastic region can be arranged completely between the sliding surface and the outer boundary surface of the bearing body. Preferably, the recess of the spring-elastic region extends over its entire longitudinal extent, so that the entire spring-elastic region can be arranged completely in the region between the outer boundary surface and the sliding surface of the bearing body.

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Preferably, the recess is dimensioned such that when the area of the spring-elastic area that extends furthest into the receptacle is aligned with the sliding surface of the bearing body, there is still some play between the surface of the spring-elastic area facing away from the receptacle and the outer boundary surface of the bearing body or its extension in the direction of the spring-elastic area. For this purpose, the spring-elastic area can taper accordingly in the direction of its free end.

Adjacent spring-elastic regions can be created by axial cuts in a sleeve-like bearing body, whereby the cuts can extend into the sliding surface. Irrespective of this, the cuts preferably have only a small angular extension in relation to the central circumference of the bearing body, for example 10° to 2° or less, so that the spring-elastic regions extend almost completely around the receptacle. The cuts can be V-shaped, in particular with side surfaces directed towards the central longitudinal axis of the bearing body, preferably with parallel side surfaces whose central plane can be directed towards the central longitudinal axis of the bearing body.

According to a further development, retaining webs that can be bent transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bearing body can be formed on the front ends of the bearing body, which can be pivoted away from the receptacle beyond the outer boundary surface of the bearing body. The retaining webs are preferably connected to the bearing body via articulated connections, which can be designed in particular as plastically and/or elastically deformable areas such as film hinges. The articulated connections are each preferably made of a thermoplastic material. This allows the webs to be flanged outwards, whereby the bearing body can be fixed securely to the associated bearing housing at one or both ends, preferably with the webs resting fully on the

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Housing. For this purpose, the webs can be deflected by more than 15, preferably by approximately 30-100° or more, particularly preferably by approximately 60-90° or more relative to the longitudinal axis of the bearing body. The angular extent of the retaining webs can be in the range specified above for the spring-elastic areas, without being limited to these.

Preferably, the webs are separated from one another by incisions, which preferably open into the incisions between adjacent spring-elastic regions, preferably being arranged in alignment with these.

The pivotable webs are preferably arranged in the bearing body cross-sectional area between the outer boundary surface and the sliding surface, preferably flush with one or both of these surfaces.

The pivotable webs can be provided, for example, at the free ends of the spring-elastic areas or at their front sides or at one or both front sides of the holder.

The bearing body can be designed in the form of a sleeve, preferably in the form of a fully closed sleeve or bushing into which the component to be supported can be inserted from the front. The bearing body can also be designed with a slot running through the longitudinal direction, for example in accordance with the plain bearing according to WO 97/40281. The bearing body can also be designed from two or more divided bearing shells, with means being provided for securing the bearing shells to one another.

If the bearing body is designed as a press-in bush, the press-in area can, for example, radially surround the bearing area or be axially separated from it.
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The sliding surface of the plain bearing body according to the invention

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preferably extends completely over the bearing body or around the circumference of the bearing area of the component to be supported, preferably also over the entire length of the bearing area of the plain bearing body. If necessary, several spaced-apart plain bearing surfaces can also be provided, which are preferably evenly distributed over the receptacle of the bearing body, for example in the form of web-shaped plain bearing areas according to WO 97/40281.

The sliding surface of the bearing body can be cylindrical, in the form of a polygonal prism, conical or in another suitable shape and can be adapted to the component to be supported. For example, the plain bearing can be used in combination with shafts, push rods with a triangular to hexagonal or other cross-section or with other components to be supported. The plain bearing can be designed as a radial plain bearing or as an axial plain bearing. The component to be supported can be guided in the plain bearing in an axial and/or rotational and/or pivoting manner, i.e. can be rotated in opposite directions around the longitudinal axis.

The bearing body according to the invention preferably consists of a thermoplastic material. The bearing body is preferably manufactured as a one-piece component, e.g. by injection molding, with the spring-elastic regions preferably consisting of the same material as the bearing region providing the sliding surface.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a plain bearing with a bearing housing and with a bearing body according to the invention.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a plain bearing according to the invention with a component mounted therein, in particular a shaft, push rod or bearing journal mounted therein, wherein the spring-elastic projections rest against the mounted component without play, preferably under prestress.

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The invention is described below by way of example and explained in more detail using the example figures. They show:

Fig.l is a sectional view of a bearing body according to the invention according to a first embodiment (Fig. la), a detailed view of the same in sectional view (Fig. lb) and a perspective view of the same (Fig. lc),
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Fig.2 is a sectional view of a bearing body according to the invention in a second embodiment (Fig. 2a) and a perspective view of the same (Fig. 2b),

Fig.3 a sectional view of a plain bearing with bearing body according to Figure 1 and mounted shaft in sectional view,

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a bearing body according to the invention in a sectional view (Fig. 4a), a detailed view of the same (Fig. 4b) and a perspective view of the same (Fig. 4c),

Fig.5 a plain bearing with bearing body according to Figure 4 with mounted shaft in sectional view (Fig. 5a) and in perspective view (Fig. 5b).

Figure 1 shows a plain bearing body 1 according to the invention in the form of a sleeve-like cylindrical press-in bush, which is made as a one-piece component from thermoplastic material and has a receptacle 2 for a component to be supported, such as a shaft. The plain bearing body 1 has an inner circumferential surface facing the receptacle 2 as a sliding surface 3 and an outer boundary surface 4. The surfaces 3, 4 represent cylindrical surfaces, they can also have another suitable geometry in adaptation to the component to be supported.

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Six spring-elastic, deformable areas in the form of spring bars 6 protrude from both end faces 5 of the holder 2, distributed over the circumference thereof, with the spring bars being arranged on each of the end faces in such a way that the corresponding shaft 22 (Fig. 3) can be arranged between them. The spring bars 6 have an area that protrudes in the direction of the holder 2, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed in the form of a nose 7 that extends over the circumferential extent of the spring bar. According to the exemplary embodiment, the spring bar has a circumferential extent of 60°, a length of approx. 2.5 mm and an angle to the bearing body longitudinal axis of approx. 2-5° on the inside facing the holder.

Furthermore, the spring bars 6 have bevels 9 at the free ends adjacent to the receptacles 2, which extend in the radial direction beyond the sliding surface 3 and facilitate the introduction of the component to be supported into the receptacle 2.

On the side opposite the receptacle 2, the spring bars 6 are provided with a recess 10 which is designed in such a way that when the nose 7 is aligned with the sliding surface 3, the spring bar can be arranged completely in the area between the sliding surface 3 and the outer boundary surface 4 of the plain bearing when the shaft 22 (Fig. 3) rests against the sliding surface. Furthermore, the recess 10 also has a certain excess so that the spring bar 6 can be arranged with play in the cross-sectional area of the bearing body mentioned. The shoulder of the spring bar 6 merges at the end 11 in alignment with the sliding surface 3 and the outer boundary surface 4 into the plain bearing area 12, which provides the sliding surface 3 facing the receptacle 2.

The spring bars 6 are separated from each other by notches 13.

whose circumferential extent is only a few degrees, so that the spring bars 6 essentially completely surround the receptacle 2.

Figure 2 shows a modification of the bearing body according to the invention according to Figure 1, wherein identical features are provided with identical reference numerals. In contrast to the bearing body according to Figure 1, with which they otherwise correspond, the spring bars 6 are only provided on one end face 5 of the receptacle 2, so that the plain bearing area 12 has a free end face 15. The axial length of the plain bearing area in comparison to the axial length of the spring bars 6 is here significantly greater than that according to the example according to Figure 1, the bearing body 2 can be obtained in terms of manufacturing technology or by logic by dividing the bearing body 1 in the circumferential direction.

Figure 3 shows a plain bearing 20 with a bearing body 1 according to Figure 1, which is accommodated in a housing 21. The housing 21 protrudes on both sides over the front ends of the spring bars 6, whereby in the installed state - but also in the dismantled state - the spring bars 6 rest against the shaft 22 without play, preferably under a certain preload. It goes without saying that the housing can also be flush with the front ends of the spring bars. At the level of the sliding surface 3, a very small amount of play is provided between the shaft 22 and the sliding surface 3, which can be in the range of 0.05 to 3/10mm, without being restricted to these values. The spring bars 6 are designed in such a way that when the component to be supported is subjected to transverse forces, which are to be expected when the corresponding device is operated as intended, the component comes into contact with the plain bearing surface 3 with deformation of the spring bars 6, so that, as with conventional plain bearings, optimal self-lubrication for the shaft is provided by the sliding area and the forces acting on the bearing body can be transferred to the bearing housing. This makes it possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the bearing and/or the shaft.

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while ensuring that the shaft is always supported without play.

In a plain bearing with bearing bodies according to Figure 2, two or more bearing bodies can be arranged next to one another in the housing in the axial direction, whereby the bearing bodies can abut one another at the end or be axially spaced from one another. Adjacent bearing bodies preferably lie with the end faces 15 opposite one another, whereby the spring webs 6 of the plain bearing openings 25 for receiving the leading component of the initially adjacent bearing body are preferably arranged facing outwards. Several bearing bodies according to Figure 1 can also be arranged in a housing or the plain bearing can have different bearing bodies of different designs.

Figure 4 shows a further development of a bearing body according to Figure 1, wherein identical features are provided with identical reference numerals. In contrast to the bearing body 1, which otherwise corresponds to it, retaining webs 31 are formed on the free end faces 30 of at least one, preferably several, spring webs 6 by means of material weakenings 32, e.g. in the form of articulated connections. The bearing body 1 is also manufactured here as a one-piece component made of thermoplastic material. The articulated connections are designed in the form of film hinges. The retaining webs 31 have the same angular extension as the spring webs 6 formed on them, whereby the angular extensions can also be different. The incisions 13, which separate the adjacent spring webs 6, merge flush into the incisions 33 between adjacent retaining webs 31.

According to the embodiment, the retaining webs 31 are arranged entirely in the cross-sectional area between the outer boundary surface 4 and the sliding surface 3 of the bearing body, which facilitates the insertion of the bearing body into the housing. According to the embodiment, the radial inner and outer surfaces

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33,34 the retaining web 31 is arranged flush with the surfaces 3,4 of the bearing body. The retaining webs 31 are also provided with bevels 35 on their front outer edge facing away from the receptacle 2.
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As shown in Figure 5, the bearing body according to Figure 4 can be arranged in a housing 40, with the spring bars β still arranged inside the housing and the retaining bars 31 resting flat against the front side 41 of the housing, so that the bearing body is secured against displacement in one direction. Corresponding retaining bars can also be arranged on the front side of the spring bars 6 of the opposing bearing bodies or on the front sides 15 of a bearing body according to Figure 2.

The retaining webs can also be attached at a circumferential distance from one another directly on one end face of the plain bearing body and spring-elastic areas can be provided between the retaining webs, which protrude towards or into the receptacle.

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LIPPERT, STACHOW, SCHMIDT & PARTNERS Patent Attorneys - European Patent Attorneys - European Trademark Attorneys

P.O. Box 30 02 08 , D-51412 Bergisch Gladbach Telephone +49 (O) 22 04.92 33-0 Fax +49 (0) 22 04.6 26 06

15

Good/th 12 December 2001

Igus Injection Molded Parts for Industry GmbH 51147 Cologne

Plain bearing body and plain bearing with plain bearing body List of reference symbols

1 Plain bearing body 2 Recording 3 Sliding surface 4 outer boundary surface 5 Front side 6 Spring bar 7 Nose 8th Longitudinal axis 9 chamfer 10 Recess 11 End 12 Plain bearing area 13 incision 15 Front side 20 bearings 21 Housing 22 Wave 25 End 30 Front side 31 Holding bridge 32 Material weakening 33 Inner surface 34 Exterior surface 35 chamfer 40 Housing 41 Front side

Claims (17)

1. A sliding bearing body made of plastic for supporting components that are movable relative to the bearing body, the bearing body having a receptacle with at least one sliding bearing surface for the component to be supported, and the receptacle having a width, characterized in that at least one resiliently deformable region ( 6 ) is provided which protrudes while reducing the width of the receptacle ( 2 ) and against which the component ( 22 ) arranged in the receptacle ( 2 ) can be placed. 2. Bearing body according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two, preferably diametrically opposed, spring-elastic regions ( 6 ) are provided, between which the component to be supported ( 22 ) can be arranged in the receptacle ( 2 ) under centering engagement of the same. 3. Bearing body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) is designed such that the component to be supported ( 22 ) can be placed against a sliding surface ( 3 ) adjacent to the spring-elastic region ( 6 ) with elastic deformation thereof. 4. Bearing body according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) is designed as a spring tongue, which projects with its free end ( 11 ) beyond the sliding surface ( 3 ) in the direction of the receptacle ( 2 ) and that the component to be guided ( 22 ) can be placed against the spring tongue in the region of the free end ( 11 ) of the latter. 5. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) protrudes axially and/or radially from at least one end face ( 5 ) of the receptacle. 6. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the bearing body ( 1 ) is designed like a sleeve and that the at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) extends essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis ( 8 ) of the bearing body ( 1 ). 7. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) is provided with a chamfer ( 9 ) on the end face on the side facing the receptacle ( 2 ). 8. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the bearing body ( 1 ) has an outer boundary surface ( 4 ) and that the spring-elastic regions ( 6 ) each have a recess ( 10 ) at least at the level of the region ( 7 ) protruding furthest into the receptacle ( 2 ), preferably over its entire longitudinal extent, which is dimensioned such that the spring-elastic regions ( 6 ) can be arranged partially or completely at the level of the bearing body cross-sectional region between the outer boundary surface ( 4 ) and the sliding surface ( 3 ). 9. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that a plurality of spring-elastic regions ( 6 ) separated by axial incisions ( 13 ) are provided on at least one end face of the bearing body ( 1 ). 10. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that retaining webs ( 31 ) are formed at least on one end region of the bearing body ( 1 ) transversely to its longitudinal axis ( 8 ) and can be deflected outwards beyond the outer boundary surface ( 4 ) and placed on an assignable housing. 11. Plain bearing body according to claim 10, characterized in that the holding webs ( 31 ) are formed by means of material weakenings ( 32 ) on at least one end face of the bearing body ( 1 ) and/or at least one end face of a spring-elastically deformable region ( 6 ). 12. Plain bearing body according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the holding webs ( 31 ) are arranged in the cross-sectional area between the sliding surface ( 3 ) and the outer boundary surface ( 4 ) of the bearing body ( 1 ). 13. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the bearing body ( 1 ) is designed as a one-piece component. 14. Plain bearing body according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the bearing body ( 1 ) is designed as a press-in bushing. 15. Plain bearing with a bearing housing and at least one bearing body according to one of claims 1-14. 16. Plain bearing according to claim 15 with a component mounted in the bearing. 17. Plain bearing according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one spring-elastic region ( 6 ) rests against the components ( 22 ) mounted in the bearing, preferably under prestress.