The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering, more specifically, relates to the unitized double row taper roller bearings.

BACKGROUND

Conventional unitized double row taper roller bearings, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, consist of taper rollers 14, 16 disposed between mutually facing raceways of radially placed outer ring means 12 and inner ring means. The inner ring means, as shown, consists of two inner rings 10, 11 Each of the inner rings 10, 11 comprises a tapered raceway formed on their respective outer annular surfaces. The outer ring means 12 consists of a single ring 12, carrying two tapered raceways formed on its inner annular surface. Between the raceways of the inner rings 10, 11 and the outer ring 12, two series of rolling elements 14, 16 are accommodated. These series are held apart by means of retainer cages 18, 20.

The rolling elements 14, 16 are taper rollers having their larger diameters towards an outer end of the inner rings 10, 11, and their smaller diameters facing each other, towards an inner end of the inner rings 10, 11. The rolling elements 14, 16, , hereinafter interchangeably referred to as taper rollers 14, 16, are positioned between two sets of flanges formed on the inner rings 10, 11 by way of grinding. One set of large flanges 30, 32 (shown in Figures 2, 3, 4) are formed along the outer end, while a set of small flanges 26, 28 (also shown in Figures 2, 3, 4) are formed along the inner end.

Figure 2 illustrates a prior art schematic representation depicting an axial sectional view of a unitized double row taper roller bearing 1. The axial sectional view shows the arrangement of two adjacently placed taper rollers 14, 16 positioned between the raceways of the outer ring 12 and the inner rings 10, 11, as described in Figure 1 also. More specifically, the taper roller 14 is disposed between a raceway of the common outer ring 12 and the inner ring 10 while the taper roller 16 is disposed between a raceway of the common outer ring 12 and the inner ring 11. The two rollers 14, 16 are separated and held in their respective positions by a pair of retainer cages 18, 20.

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of supporting arrangement for the taper rollers of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 1 of Figure 1. The two sets of flanges, large flanges 30, 32 and small flanges 26, 28 are disposed along the bigger outer diameter and the smaller outer diameter of the taper rollers 14, 16 respectively. The taper rollers 14, 16 are positioned between the large flanges 30, 32 and the small flanges 26, 28 in order to prevent them from escaping their respective paths. In addition, the retainer cages 18, 20 are used to retain the taper rollers 14, 16.

Figure 4 illustrate prior art’s grinding operation for simultaneously forming the large flange 30 and an inner small face 56 of the inner rings 10, 11 of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 1, as shown in Figure 1. As an example, grinding of the inner ring 10 is illustrated. A first grinding wheel 58 grinds the inner ring 10 at a point towards an outer side, i.e., along a larger cross-sectional area of a taper roller, to produce the large flange 30. A second grinding wheel 60, at the same time, grinds an inner side 56 of the inner ring 10, along a smaller cross-sectional area of a taper roller, while maintaining a constant gap from the large flange to the small flange for both the inner races 10, 11. The above-described operation enables to achieve the desired endplay or preload of both rows of taper rollers of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 1.

It is generally noted that conventional unitized double row taper roller bearings require a high degree of accuracy to form a gap between faces of a large flange and a small flange to get the desired endplay or preload for the taper rollers. In conventional unitized double row taper roller bearings, it is not easy to adjust the end-gap between the flanges after fabrication. With such configuration, there is no scope for adjustment of the taper rollers. In addition, the assembly of the taper roller bearing of the conventional unitized double row taper roller bearings is complex requiring high degree of accuracy. In addition, the grinding operation of forming the flanges on the inner race has to be performed at two points, thereby requiring an extra manufacturing step and thus requiring more time. Thus, conventional unitized double row taper roller bearings have many complexities and limitations associated with manufacturing and assembly thereof.

EP1064185B1 describes an axle-box bearing unit. The unit includes a series of rolling elements held apart from each other and retained in their position by use of cages. These cages are held stationary to the surface of inner races towards inner ends. It is not easy to regulate the position of the rollers once the large and small flanges are formed on the inner races.

EP1033504B1 describes a tapered roller bearing for a motor vehicle wheel hub. It describes a unique structure of a conical rolling surface of inner races (or half races) and axially inner ends of retainer cages. Instead of creating a small flange on the surface of the inner races, grooves are created which are followed by radially outwardly projecting borders. The flexible tongue structure of the axially inner end of the retainer cages engage into the grooves. In this way, the cages retain the rollers on the respective inner races. However, it is not easy to adjust the position of the rollers once the grooves are formed on the inner races. In addition, an extra manufacturing step is required for producing the grooves and the radially outwardly projecting borders on the inner races.

Despite all this advancement in the field of taper rollers bearings, there is a need to overcome the limitations of existing taper roller bearings in order to reduce complexity associated with manufacturing and to reduce the time required for manufacturing the taper roller bearing.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the arrangement 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.

An object of present disclosure is to provide a unitized double row taper roller bearing, wherein the rollers are adjustably supported between a flange formed at one end and an adjustable common sleeve ring at the other end, thereby eliminating the need of a high degree of accuracy.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a unitized double row taper roller bearing in which the endplay of the rollers is adjusted by a common sleeve ring.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a unitized double row taper roller bearing that has reduced manufacturing complexities associated therewith.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a unitized double row taper roller bearing that exhibits improved load bearing capacity.
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.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a unitized double row taper roller bearing comprises an outer ring having a first tapered raceway on its inner surface, a pair of inner rings each having a second tapered raceway on its outer surface, wherein threads are provided on said second tapered raceway of each of said inner rings near an inner end of said inner rings, two series of taper rollers operatively held between said first and second tapered raceways of said outer ring and said pair of inner rings by means of retainer cages, wherein a diameter of each taper roller decreases towards said inner end of said inner rings, a flange formed at an outer end of each of said inner rings supporting said taper rollers from one side of said inner rings, and a common sleeve ring having complementary threads on an inner surface, said complementary threads enable said common sleeve ring to be in a threaded engagement with said inner rings,

Typically, spacing between each of said flanges and the common sleeve ring is adjustable.

Typically, a position of said common sleeve ring is axially adjustable over said second tapered raceway of each of said inner rings.

Typically, one of the inner rings is adjustable with respect to the other through the common sleeve ring.

Typically, said common sleeve ring is moveable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The unitized double row taper roller bearing of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a conventional unitized double row taper roller bearing;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation depicting an axial sectional view of the conventional unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged view of supporting arrangement for the taper rollers of the conventional unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a grinding operation for simultaneously forming a large flange and a small flange on a raceway of an inner ring of the unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 1;
Figure 5a illustrates a schematic representation of an axial sectional view of a unitized double row taper roller bearing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein small flanges of the conventional taper roller bearing are replaced with a common sleeve ring 122 for adjustably supporting a taper roller between a large flange formed at one end of an inner race and the adjustable common sleeve ring placed at the other end;
Figure 5b illustrates an enlarged view of the common sleeve ring for the unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 4a in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the adjustment of the taper rollers of both the rows of the unitized double row taper roller bearing is attained by adjusting the common sleeve ring 122;
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figures 7a-7e illustrate assembly sequence of the unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the present disclosure. The description hereinafter relates purely to the examples and preferred embodiments of the disclosed unitized double row taper roller bearing.

The unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 described herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known parameters 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 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

Figure 5a illustrates a schematic representation of an axial sectional view of a unitized double row taper roller bearing 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Two series of taper rollers 106 and 108 are held in between mutually facing raceways of a common outer ring 104 and a pair of inner rings 100, 102. Thus, in this way, a series of taper rollers 106 is interposed between the outer ring 104 and the inner ring 100. Similarly, a row of the taper rollers 108 is interposed between the outer ring 104 and the inner ring 102.
Small flanges that required in the case of conventional taper roller bearings are done away with, in accordance with the present subject matter, through a common sleeve 122. The common sleeve 122 has threads 126 on its inner annular surface that pair with complementary threads 124 on an inner surface of the inner rings 100, 102, i.e., on the raceway, and towards an inner end of the inner rings 100, 102, where smaller cross-sectional faces of the taper rollers 106, 108 face each other. The inner rings 100, 102 and the common sleeve 122, through the threads on their respective surfaces, facilitate adjustment of an axial distance between the inner rings 100, 102.

Further, each series of the taper rollers 106, 108 are held apart by means of retainer cages 114,116. Further, a large flange 110, 112 is provided at an outer end of the respective inner ring 100, 102, as in the case of conventional taper roller bearings. Through the threads 126, the common sleeve 122 is adjustably mounted at an interface of the inner rings 100, 102. Due to this, the spacing between each of the outer, large flanges 110, 112 and the common sleeve 122 can be adjusted to adjust an endplay of the taper rollers sets 106, 108.

Figure 5b illustrates an enlarged view of the common sleeve 122 of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustment of the taper rollers sets 106, 108 on each row of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 is attained by adjusting the common sleeve 122. The first inner ring 100 and the second inner ring 102 are grinded at their outer sides, i.e., towards the outer end, for producing the flanges 110 and 112, respectively.

One advantage of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 of the present disclosure is that the small flange or groove as used in the conventional systems is not required along the inner sides of the inner rings 100, 102. The common sleeve 122 serves the purpose of achieving the desired endplay or preload between both the rows of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 and thus reducing the complexities associated with the manufacturing process.

In addition, the rollers 106, 108 are not held stationary in their paths because of the fixed small and large flanges, and are rather moveably supported by the retainer cages that hold onto the raceways of the inner rings 100, 102 through the common sleeve 122. Further, in the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 of the present disclosure, the taper rollers 106, 108 are held in their respective positions with the help of the large flanges 110, 112 on one side and the annular retainer cages, in an adjustable manner, unlike the conventional taper roller bearings. It is now possible to adjust a position of the common sleeve 122 once the taper rollers 106, 108 are placed in their respective positions. This helps maintain an endplay or preload of the taper rollers 106, 108. Further, with such configuration, an adjustment of the endplay or preload of the taper rollers 106, 108 is also achievable by actuation of common sleeve 122.

The common sleeve 122 can be axially moved to axially adjust its position over the raceway of the inner rings 100, 102 by means of its threadable engagement between the common sleeve 122 and the inner surface of the inner rings 100, 102. The common sleeve 122 provides comparatively more surface contact as compared to the weak point contact of the conventional unitized double row taper roller bearing 1. Thus, the common sleeve 122 provides a stronger means for holding the taper rollers 106, 108 in their respective paths, thereby increasing the load bearing capacity of the tapered rollers 106, 108 of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A placement of the common sleeve 122 is shown in between the inner rings 100 and 102.

Figures 7a-7e illustrate a sequence of assembly of the unitized double row taper roller bearing of Figure 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In sequence, firstly, the first inner ring 100 is placed around a metallic core. Then first set of rollers 106 and the first cage assembly 114 are placed around the first inner ring 100. Around the inner edges of the first ring 100, the common sleeve 122 is placed enveloping the inner edges. The outer ring 104 is then placed around the rollers 106 enveloping the rollers 106. Finally, the second inner ring 102 is placed along with the second set of rollers 108 and the second cage assembly 116.Although the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 of the present disclosure is described with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, other configurations of the unitized double row taper roller bearing 2 are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The technical advancements offered by the unitized double row taper roller bearing of the present disclosure are as follows:

• Need for precisely forming a gap between the large flange and the small flange for getting the desired endplay or preload is eliminated;
• A flange is required to be formed only at one side;
• Endplay of the adjacent rollers is adjusted by a common sleeve ring;
• Manufacturing complexities associated therewith are reduced; and
• Load bearing capacity is increased.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “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.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiment herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiment. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiment herein has been described in terms of preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiment herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiment as described herein.

CLAIMS:
1. A unitized double row tapered roller bearing (2) comprising:
an outer ring (104) having a first tapered raceway on its inner surface;
a pair of inner rings (100, 102) each having a second tapered raceway on its outer surface, wherein threads (124) are provided on said second tapered raceway of each of said inner rings (100,102) near an inner end of said inner rings;
two series of taper rollers (106, 108) operatively held between said first and second tapered raceways of said outer ring (104) and said pair of inner rings (100,102) by means of retainer cages (114, 116), wherein a diameter of each taper roller decreases towards said inner end of said inner rings (100,102);
a flange (110, 112) formed at an outer end of each of said inner rings supporting said taper rollers (106,108) from one side of said inner rings; and
a common sleeve ring (122) having complementary threads (126) on an inner surface, said complementary threads enable said common sleeve ring (122) to be in a threaded engagement with said inner rings(100,102.

2. The unitized double row tapered roller bearing (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein spacing between each of said flanges (110, 112) and the common sleeve ring (122) is adjustable.

3. The unitized double row tapered roller bearing (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position of said common sleeve ring (122) is axially adjustable over said second tapered raceway of each of said inner rings (100, 102).

4. The unitized double row tapered roller bearing (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said inner rings (100, 102) is adjustable with respect to the other through the common sleeve ring (122).

5. The unitized double row tapered roller bearing (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common sleeve ring is moveable.