Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes a first sheet metal ring section, at least one second sheet metal ring section, and a plurality of bridges connecting the first ring section and the at least one second ring section to each other, adjacent pairs of the bridges forming pockets configured to receive at least one rolling element. At least one edge of the first ring section and/or at least one edge of the at least one second ring section and/or of one of the bridges is at least partially formed by laser cutting. Also a method of forming a sheet metal bearing cage at least partially by laser cutting.

Abstract: A bearing cage segment of a sheet metal cage includes first and second sheet metal ring sections and bridges therebetween defining a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements. A first circumferential joint edge of the segment is configured to connect to a second circumferential joint edge of the segment or to a second joint edge of another segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one alignment element, such as a projection or contour, that is configured to align the first joint edge radially, axially and/or circumferentially against the second joint edge which may include a complementary alignment element such as a recess or complementary contour.

Abstract: A method of forming a bearing cage segment includes punching a plurality of openings in a sheet metal band to form a plurality of pockets separated by a plurality of bridges, the bridges having a length direction transverse to a length direction of the band and having a width in the length direction of the band and having a thickness in a direction perpendicular the length direction and to the width, and laser cutting the sheet metal band along one of the plurality of bridges transversely to the length direction of the band to form a joint edge.

Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes a first ring section, at least one second ring section, and a plurality of bridges connecting the first and second ring sections to each other and defining a plurality of pockets between the bridges. The bearing cage segment includes first and second circumferentially directed joint edges, the first joint edge is configured to connect to the second joint edge of the bearing cage segment or to a second joint edge of another sheet metal bearing cage segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one body of welding material projecting from the joint edge. The body of welding material may be pressed against the second joint edge while leaving a gap between the joint edges, and the welding material can be liquified by a resistance welding process to connect the joint edges.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bearing cage includes providing a bearing cage blank made from a metal plate, the cage blank including a cylindrical flange extending from a disk-shaped wall, punching a plurality of first openings through the cylindrical flange in a first direction to form a plurality of snap surfaces, and punching a plurality of second openings through the cylindrical wall in a second direction opposite the first direction to form a plurality of pockets. The second openings intersect at least two of the first openings, and punching the pockets removes a body of material from between the at least two of the first openings. Also a bearing cage formed by the method.

Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes a first sheet metal ring section, at least one second sheet metal ring section, and a plurality of bridges connecting the first ring section and the at least one second ring section to each other, adjacent pairs of the bridges forming pockets configured to receive at least one rolling element. At least one edge of the first ring section and/or at least one edge of the at least one second ring section and/or of one of the bridges is at least partially formed by laser cutting. Also a method of forming a sheet metal bearing cage at least partially by laser cutting.

Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes a first ring section, at least one second ring section and a plurality of bridges connecting the first and second ring sections and forming pockets for receiving at least one rolling element. The first ring section and/or the at least one second ring section includes a circumferentially facing joint edge configured to be connected to another circumferentially facing joint edge to form a to-be-formed pocket. The joint is spaced from the plurality of bridges, and the joint edge is formed by laser cutting. The joint edge may include a chamfer on a radially outer side and/or on a radially inner side.

Abstract: A sheet-metal bearing cage segment has a first ring section, at least one second ring section and a plurality of bridges connecting the first ring section and the at least one second ring section to each other such that a pocket for receiving at least one rolling element is formed between each circumferentially adjacent pair of the bridges. The first and/or second ring section includes at least one recess on the radially inner side and/or the radially outer side.

Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes first and second ring sections, bridges connecting the ring sections to form pockets for rolling elements and a circumferentially facing joint edge configured to be connected to another circumferentially facing joint edge. The joint edge is disposed such that it will be located in one of the bridges after the joint edge is connected to the another circumferentially facing joint edge.

Abstract: A bearing cage segment of a sheet metal cage includes first and second sheet metal ring sections and bridges therebetween defining a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements. A first circumferential joint edge of the segment is configured to connect to a second circumferential joint edge of the segment or to a second joint edge of another segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one alignment element, such as a projection or contour, that is configured to align the first joint edge radially, axially and/or circumferentially against the second joint edge which may include a complementary alignment element such as a recess or complementary contour.

Abstract: A sheet metal bearing cage segment includes a first ring section, at least one second ring section, and a plurality of bridges connecting the first and second ring sections to each other and defining a plurality of pockets between the bridges. The bearing cage segment includes first and second circumferentially directed joint edges, the first joint edge is configured to connect to the second joint edge of the bearing cage segment or to a second joint edge of another sheet metal bearing cage segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one body of welding material projecting from the joint edge. The body of welding material may be pressed against the second joint edge while leaving a gap between the joint edges, and the welding material can be liquified by a resistance welding process to connect the joint edges.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing cage includes a first side ring and a second side ring connected to the first side ring by a plurality of bridges defining a plurality of pockets configured to receive a rolling-element. The first side ring includes a joint at which the first side ring is configured to be opened to increase a diameter of the first side ring, and the first side ring and the second side ring and the plurality of bridges are made of steel and an outer diameter of the second side ring is greater than 500 mm.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing cage includes a first side ring and a second side ring connected to the first side ring by a plurality of bridges defining a plurality of pockets configured to receive a rolling-element. The first side ring includes a joint at which the first side ring is configured to be opened to increase a diameter of the first side ring, and the first side ring and the second side ring and the plurality of bridges are made of steel and an outer diameter of the second side ring is greater than 500 mm.

Abstract: A roller bearing cage includes the following features: The cage comprises an annular circumferential element, from which bridge elements branch off, roller bodies of the roller bearing being disposable between the bridge elements, the circumferential element comprises a plurality of uniform section elements, and the initially-loose section elements and bridge elements are connected with each other to form the cage.

Abstract: A centering assembly (100; 200; 400) serves to center a bearing ring (123; 423) in a circular opening (111) of a holding element (110; 210; 510; 610). The centering assembly (100; 200; 400) includes at least three centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) that are each elastically deformable in the radial direction of the bearing ring. The centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) are respectively disposed in recesses (114; 214; 514; 614) defined around a circumferential edge of the circular opening. The centering elements urge the bearing ring to be centered relative to the holding element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rolling-element bearing cage includes clamping a cage blank in the radial direction using a clamping element in a first position where the cage blank is processed. Then, the cage blank is rotated relative to the clamping element to a second position where the cage blank is further processed. A device for manufacturing a rolling-element bearing cage includes the clamping element, which remain stationary together with a tool for processing the cage blank, while only the cage blank is rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel bearing unit (1) for a vehicle wheel, comprising a hub element (2, 3, 2?) which has an axially (a) extending cylindrical section (4) to be supported by a bearing arrangement (5) and which has a radially (r) extending flange section (6) for fixing the vehicle wheel and/or a brake disk at a face side (7) of the flange section (6), wherein the bearing arrangement (5) has an outer ring (8). To ensure a firm and cost effective axial connection between the hub element and the outer ring, the invention is characterized in that the outer ring (8) has a radially extending insection (9) at its a outer circumference (10), wherein the axially (a) extending cylindrical section (4) of the hub element (2, 3, 2?) is deformed partially (11) so that a section of it interferes in the insection (9) for axially fixing the hub element (2, 3, 2?) relatively to the outer ring (8). The invention also relates to a method for producing a wheel bearing unit.

Abstract: A bearing cage for a rolling element bearing includes a plurality of individual bearing cage segments configured to respectively accommodate rolling elements in rolling element pockets formed by the bearing cage segments. Each bearing cage segment includes a first coupling device disposed on a first axial end thereof. A first lamellar support ring defines first and second ring halves that are connected to each other, are axially adjacent to each other are biased towards each other. The first ring half extends through the respective first coupling devices of the plurality of bearing cage segments and the second ring half is disposed on an axially-inner side or an axially-outer side of the first coupling devices such that the first coupling devices are clamped between the first and second ring halves.

Abstract: A centering assembly (100; 200; 400) serves to center a bearing ring (123; 423) in a circular opening (111) of a holding element (110; 210; 510; 610). The centering assembly (100; 200; 400) includes at least three centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) that are each elastically deformable in the radial direction of the bearing ring. The centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) are respectively disposed in recesses (114; 214; 514; 614) defined around a circumferential edge of the circular opening. The centering elements urge the bearing ring to be centered relative to the holding element.

Abstract: A bearing support is configured to retain at least two bearings disposed closely adjacent to each other in a parallel relationship. Each bearing includes a bearing outer ring having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. A support part includes a recess configured to hold the at least two bearings. At least one junction portion is defined in the support part adjacent portions of the cylindrical circumferential surfaces of the bearings that are not filled by the bearings when the bearings are inserted into the support part. The support part is connected with a cover part that axially abuts on the bearings. The cover part includes at least one support element that extends into the junction portion between the bearings in the assembled state of the bearing support and at least partially fills the junction portion.