Ball bearing for permitting linear movement and method for making same

US6132092A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SKF Linearsysteme GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Ludwig Edelmann · Premich, DE
• Hermann Glockner · Schweinfurt, DE
• Uwe Mayer · Schweinfurt, DE
• Henryk Velde · Werneck, DE
• Lothar Walter · Schweinfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 6, 1998
• Grant date: Oct 17, 2000
• Expiry date: Feb 6, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C43/06
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A ball bearing for permitting linear movements includes a cage having an inner surface that is adapted to surround a shaft, a plurality of axial guide tracks for receiving load-bearing balls and axial return tracks for receiving non-load-bearing balls. A cover is provided at each end of the cage, with each cover being provided a turn-around track that connect an end of one guide track with an end of an adjoining return track. The guide tracks and the return tracks have a slit extending along the length of the tracks and opening radially inwardly. To enable economical production of the bearing with relatively simple tools and universal use of a single cage for different ball bearings, the lateral guide walls of both the guide tracks and the return tracks possess the same cross-sectional configuration and, in the radial outer area of the cage, are provided with axially extending grooves. The cage is manufactured with breaking points distributed around the outer circumference of the cage for permitting radially outer portions of the cage to be removed.