FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of bearings, and more particularly it
relates to a cage for a bearing assembly.
BACKGROUND
Bearing lubrication plays a vital role in the performance and life of rollin5 g
element bearings. Lubrication is required to separate the parts moving relative to
one another, for example, balls, rollers and raceways, in order to reduce or
minimize friction and prevent wear. A lubricant is provided to minimize friction
between moving parts. The lubricant allows dissipation of frictional heat, prevents
10 overheating of the bearings, and protects the components from corrosion,
moisture, and the ingress of contaminants. Generally in bearings, cages are
constituted to separate and maintain symmetrical spacing between the balls or
rollers of a rolling bearing. The cages also hold the bearings together.
Typically, in case of ball bearings, ball cages (also known as ball bearing retainers
15 or separators) are also utilized to provide lubrication to the bearings by acting as a
reservoir for oils/grease (lubrication), or by supplying a solid film to the ball via
the cage material itself, or by means of a coating on the cage. Due to less space
between the ball and the ball cage, improper lubrication takes place. Therefore,
the structure of the cage plays vital role in improving the life and performance of
20 the bearing. Also, invariably all conventional cages produce high frictional forces
in the bearings due to their significant large abutment (elliptical contact) with
surfaces of other components, especially due to the rubbing movement.
Figure 1A depicts an isometric view of the cage 100, Figure 1B depicts a side
view of the cage 100 with balls 110 placed therein, Figure 1C an enlarged
25 sectional view of the cage 100 with ball 110, Figure 1D depicts an isometric view
of a bearing assembly, and Figure 1E shows a conventional cage 100 of figure 1D.
As seen from the Figure 1B, there is limited space between the walls 107 of a
conventional ball holding sockets 105 and the ball 110 held therein, which results
3
in improper lubrication. Accordingly, the frictional forces are high due to larger
contact area, which result in considerable heat generation. Further, the significant
high elliptical contact in such conventional cage structure leads to more noise.
Hence, there is a need of a cage for a bearing assembly that alleviates the
aforementioned drawbacks5 .
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are aimed to ameliorate one or more
problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative and are listed
herein below.
10 An object of the present invention is to provide a cage for a bearing assembly that
enhances lubrication of components.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cage that reduces frictional
losses and wear of the components.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cage that generates less
15 noise and heat.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cage that allows faster
heat dissipation from the surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cage that has a better
life compared to a conventional bearing cage.
20 Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from
the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
4
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a cage for bearing assembly. A cage is located
between an inner race and an outer race of a bearing. The bearing assembly
includes the cage having plurality of sockets and a plurality of balls. A plurality of
spaces is defined between the balls and internal walls of the sockets. In a5 n
embodiment, the cage is of metallic material. In another embodiment, the cage is
of polymeric material. In yet another embodiment, the cage is of composite
material.
In an embodiment, the sockets are defined by the walls surrounding a central
10 recess. In an embodiment, the sockets are connected to each other by arms. The
cage is formed by fastening two complementary elements to each other at the
arms. In an embodiment, the arms and the sockets are circularly arranged.
In an embodiment, the ball is disposed within each of the sockets. Each ball is
spaced apart from the walls of the central recess and is free to roll therein. In an
15 embodiment, each of the balls is a solid sphere. The diameter of each of the balls
is less than the distance between the opposite walls of the sockets. In an
embodiment, each ball protrudes from either side of the recess.
The spaces are formed between the boundary of the balls and the walls of the
central recess. The spaces provide additional pockets for holding a lubricant. In an
20 embodiment, the central recess is polygonal or hexagonal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A cage for bearing assembly, of the present disclosure will now be described with
the help of accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of a conventional bearing cage;
25 Figure 1B illustrates a side view of a conventional bearing cage with balls
disposed in its sockets;
5
Figure 1C illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a socket with ball of the
conventional bearing cage of Figure 1B;
Figure 1D illustrates an isometric view of a bearing assembly with the
conventional bearing cage;
Figure 1E illustrates a sectional view of the conventional bearing cage5 ;
Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a cage, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2B illustrates a side view of a cage with balls placed in its sockets, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
10 Figure 2C illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a socket with a ball, in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figure 2D illustrates an isometric view of a bearing assembly with the cage of
Figure 2A; and
Figure 2E illustrates a sectional view of the cage of Figure 2A.
15 LIST AND DETAILS OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE
DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING:
Reference numeral Elements associated with reference numeral
100 Conventional Bearing Cage
105 Conventional Ball Holding Sockets
107 Walls
6
110 Balls
200 Cage
205 Sockets
205A Central Recess
205B Arms
205C Fastening Members
207 Walls
210 Balls
215 Spaces
220 Inner Race
225 Outer Race
250 Bearing Assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Typically, in case of ball bearings, ball cages are utilized to provide lubrication to
the bearings by acting as a reservoir for lubricants such as oils, grease, etc. In
conventional ball bearings, balls are held within radial cages and the diameter of
the balls have to somewhat be equal to that of the cage. Due to less space betwee5 n
7
the ball and the walls of the ball cage, improper lubrication takes place. Also,
invariably the conventional cage produces high frictional forces in the bearings
due to their significant high abutment (elliptical contact) with surfaces of other
components, especially due to the rubbing movement.
The present disclosure envisages a cage for bearing assembly that enhance5 s
lubrication of other components and that alleviates the above mentioned
drawbacks.
The bearing cage (herein after referred to as “cage 200”) of the present disclosure
will now be described with reference to figure 2A to 2E, which do not limit the
10 scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The present disclosure discloses a bearing assembly (250) with a non-ring shaped
recess 205A for roller elements. A cage 200 is positioned between an inner race
220 and an outer race 225 of the bearing assembly (250). The bearing assembly
(250) includes the cage 200 comprising a plurality of sockets 205 and a plurality
15 of balls 210 disposed therein. The sockets 205 of the cage 200 are defined by
walls 207. The walls 207 surround a central recess 205A. Each central recess
205A is formed by at least one wall 207 having a non-ring shaped inner portion.
In an embodiment, the central recess 205A has a polygonal or a hexagonal shape.
The sockets 205 are connected to each other by arms 205B. The sockets 205 and
20 the arms 205B are circularly arranged. In an embodiment, the cage 200 is formed
by fastening two complementary elements to each other at the arms 205B. In an
embodiment, cage 200 is made of a metallic material.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cage 200 is
made of polymeric material. In still another embodiment, the cage 200 is made of
25 composite material.
In an embodiment, a ball 210 is disposed within each socket 205 such that each of
the ball 210 is being spaced apart from the walls 207 of the central recess 205A,
thereby allowing the balls 210 to roll freely within the sockets 205. In an
8
embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of each of the balls 210 is less
than the distance between the opposite walls of the socket 205. Further, the
diameter of each of the balls 210 is twice the width of the walls of the socket 205.
In an embodiment, each of the balls 210 protrudes from either side of the central
recess 5 ss 205A.
In an embodiment, at least one space 215 is defined between the boundary of the
ball 210 and the walls 207 of the central recess 205A. Further, each space 215
provides additional pockets for holding a lubricant. These pockets enhance the
lubrication characteristic of the bearing.
10 In an embodiment, the structure of the cage 200 allows the lubricant to have a
smooth flow through the plurality of spaces 215, thereby providing more
lubrication to the balls 210. Further, the cage 200 facilitates a significantly
reduced contact between the sockets 205 and the balls 210. Due to less contact
between the balls 210 and the sockets 205, friction and noise resulting from the
15 churning of the balls 210 reduces.
The cage 200 as depicted in Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of the cage
200 along with a socket (205), a central recess (205A), arms (205B), and fastening
members (205C).
Figure 2B depicts a side view of the cage 200 illustrated in Figure 2A and
20 showing a ball (210) inserted in each socket (205).
Figure 2C illustrates an individual socket (205) with a ball (210) therein.
The cage 200 as depicted in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C which illustrate respectively
an isometric view of the cage 200, a side view of the cage 200 with balls 210
placed in the sockets 205, and an enlarged sectional view of a single socket 205
25 with a ball 210 therein. As seen in Figure 2C, a plurality of spaces 215 is created
between the ball 210 and walls 207 of the sockets 205 due to the hexagonal shape
of the central recess 205A. In an embodiment, six spaces are formed at six corners
9
of the sockets 205. This facilitates smooth flow of the lubricant in addition to
enhanced heat dissipation rate, which restricts the temperature rise of the bearing.
Further, the contact between each of the sockets 205 and each of the balls 210 is
significantly less, thereby resulting in less frictional losses and reduces wear.
In an exemplary embodiment, the space 215 created due to the unique structure 5 of
the central recess 205A is approximately 3.5 times more than that of the
conventional circular shaped cage 100. The hexagonal cross section of the central
recess 205A provides more space than the conventional cage recess, which are
typically circular in shape.
10 TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The cage for bearings, in accordance with the present disclosure described herein
above has several technical and economic advantages including but not limited to
providing a cage that:
 enhances lubrication of components;
15  reduces frictional losses and wear of the components;
 generates less noise and heat;
 allows faster heat dissipation from its surface; and
 has a better life.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as
20 “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the
exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or
steps.
10
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or
more elements or mixtures or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of
the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a c5 ontext
for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these
matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the
field relevant to the disclosure, as it existed anywhere before the priority date of
this application.
10 While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of
the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can
be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment
without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in
the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
15 art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the
foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the
invention and not as a limitation.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof
are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following
20 description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques
are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The
examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways
in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of
skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples
25 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

WE CLAIM:
1. A cage (200) for a bearing assembly comprising a plurality of sockets (205),
each socket (205) formed by at least one wall (207) having a non-ring shaped
inner portion, said socket (205) defining a central recess (205A).
2. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a space (215) is 5 formed
between a central recess (205A) and a ball (210) disposed therein.
3. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balls (210) are solid
sphere.
4. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central recess (205A) is
10 formed by connecting a plurality of walls (207).
5. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central recess (205A) is
polygonal.
6. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central recess (205A) is
hexagonal.
15 7. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the diameter of said balls (210)
is less than the distance between opposite walls of said sockets (205).
8. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage (200) is made of
metallic material.
9. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage (200) is made of
20 polymeric material.
10. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage (200) is made of
composite material.
11. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sockets (205) are
connected to each other via arms (205B) using fastening members (205C).
12. The cage (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage (200) is formed by
fastening two adjacent sockets (205) to each other at said arms (205B).