JP4201800B2 - Roller bearing for spindle support of wind power generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a roller bearing, a spacer, and a main shaft support structure for a wind power generator, and more particularly, to a large roller bearing, a main shaft support structure for a wind power generator that includes a spacer and a large roller bearing included in a large roller bearing. Is.

  The roller bearing is generally composed of an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a cage that holds the plurality of rollers. There are various types of cages for holding rollers, such as resin cages, press cages, shaving cages, and welded cages, depending on the material and manufacturing method. ing. In addition, the cage is usually composed of a single piece, that is, an annular part.

  A roller bearing that supports a main shaft of a wind power generator to which a blade for receiving wind is attached needs to receive a large load, so that the roller bearing itself is also large. If it does so, each structural member which comprises a roller bearing, such as a roller and a holder | retainer, will also become large sized, and production and assembly of a member will become difficult. In such a case, if each member can be divided, production and assembly are facilitated.

  Here, a technique relating to a split type retainer in which a retainer included in a roller bearing is divided by a dividing line extending in a direction along the axis is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 1408248A2 (Patent Document 1). FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cage segment which is a split type cage disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, the cage segment 101a includes a plurality of pillar portions 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, and 103e extending in a direction along the axis so as to form a plurality of pockets 104 that accommodate the rollers, and a plurality of pillars. It has the connection parts 102a and 102b extended in the circumferential direction so that the parts 103a-103e may be connected.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the roller bearing including the cage segment 101a shown in FIG. The configuration of the roller bearing 111 including the cage segment 101a will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The roller bearing 111 holds the outer ring 112, the inner ring 113, the plurality of rollers 114, and the plurality of rollers 114. A plurality of cage segments 101a, 101b, 101c and the like. The plurality of rollers 114 are held by a plurality of cage segments 101a and the like in the vicinity of a PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) 105 where the roller behavior is most stable. The cage segments 101a that hold the plurality of rollers 114 are arranged so that the circumferentially adjacent cage segments 101b and 101c having the same shape and the outermost pillar portions 103a and 103e abut on each other. ing. A plurality of cage segments 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, etc. are connected to each other and incorporated in the roller bearing 111 to form one annular cage included in the roller bearing 111.
European Patent Publication EP1408248A2

  One annular retainer described above is formed by arranging a plurality of retainer segments in a circumferential direction. In order to form a single annular cage by connecting a plurality of cage segments in the circumferential direction, a circumferential gap in consideration of thermal expansion or the like is required.

  Here, if this circumferential clearance is too wide, the cage segments move greatly in the circumferential direction, and adjacent cage segments collide with each other, so that abnormal noise may be generated or the cage segments may be damaged. In addition, the cage segment thermally expands as the temperature rises, but if this circumferential clearance is narrow, the thermal expansion eliminates the gap between adjacent cage segments, and the adjacent cage segments Will push each other. The circumferential stress caused by this thermal expansion causes friction and wear of the cage segment, which also causes breakage of the cage segment.

  Here, according to Patent Document 1, when the cage segments are brought into contact with each other and arranged in the circumferential direction, the dimension of the last gap generated between the first cage segment and the last cage segment is determined. A technique is disclosed in which the circumferential clearance is made appropriate by defining the circumference of the circle passing through the center of the cage segment as 0.15% or more and less than 1%.

  However, since each cage segment is manufactured independently, each cage segment has a dimensional error in the circumferential direction. When the cage segments having such dimensional errors are arranged in the circumferential direction, the dimensional errors are also accumulated. Therefore, in order to make the circumferential clearance within the above-mentioned predetermined range, each cage segment must be manufactured with high accuracy, and the productivity of the cage segment deteriorates. Bearing productivity will also deteriorate.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a roller bearing with good productivity.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer with good productivity.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a main shaft support structure for a wind power generator with good productivity.

The present invention relates to a roller bearing for rotatably supporting a main shaft of a wind power generator, and forms an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a pocket for holding the roller. A plurality of column portions extending in the direction along the axis, and a connecting portion extending in the circumferential direction so as to connect the plurality of column portions, and sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of resin cage segments are arranged between the first cage segment and the last cage segment in which the plurality of cage segments are sequentially arranged without gaps, and between the first cage segment. With a metal spacer to adjust the final clearance so that it is within the proper range to prevent the cage segments from being pushed by thermal expansion and to prevent breakage due to the collision between the cage segments . The metal spacer includes a pair of end portions located at both ends in the axial direction and a center portion located between the pair of end portions, and the axial interval between the pair of end portions is an axis of the pair of connecting portions. An oil groove penetrating in the circumferential direction is provided on the inner diameter surface side and the outer diameter surface side of the central portion.

  The cage segment has a relatively complicated shape, and a large number is required for one roller bearing. Therefore, the productivity of the cage segment can be improved by making the cage segment made of resin and manufacturing it by injection molding or the like. On the other hand, the spacer for adjusting the clearance dimension has a relatively simple shape, and at least one spacer for each row of the raceway surface is sufficient for one roller bearing. Further, since the spacer is provided to adjust the dimensional error accumulated in the circumferential direction, the required shape, specifically, the circumferential dimension of the spacer is different. If such a spacer is made of, for example, resin and is manufactured by injection molding that requires an expensive mold, it cannot be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, the spacer can be made of metal and manufactured by a sand mold or cutting, so that it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. As a result, the productivity of the roller bearing can be improved.

  Here, the cage segment is a unit body obtained by dividing one annular cage by a dividing line extending in a direction along the axis so as to have at least one pocket for accommodating the rollers. A plurality of cage segments are connected to the roller bearing in a circumferential direction to form one annular cage. The first cage segment is the cage segment that is placed first when the cage segments are sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction, and the last cage segment is the adjacent cage segment. The cage segments are arranged last when they are brought into contact with each other and sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction. A plurality of cage segments are connected to the roller bearing in a circumferential direction to form one annular cage. The cage segment has at least one pocket that accommodates the roller, and is different from a spacer that does not have a pocket that accommodates the roller.

  Preferably, the spacer is made of gunmetal. Since the spacer rotates in the roller bearing together with the cage segment, a certain degree of lubricity is required. Here, by comprising in this way, the slidability of a spacer becomes favorable and the lubricity of a spacer can be improved.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the spacer is disposed between the first retainer segment and the last retainer segment connected in the circumferential direction, and is made of metal.

  Since such a spacer is made of metal, it can be easily manufactured by a sand mold or a cutting process. If it does so, since the metal mold | die by injection molding etc. is not required, it can manufacture easily and cheaply.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the main shaft support structure of the wind power generator includes a blade that receives wind power, a main shaft that is fixed to the blade, and that rotates with the blade, and is incorporated in a fixing member to rotate the main shaft. And a roller bearing that is freely supported. The roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, a plurality of column portions extending in a direction along the axis so as to form a pocket for holding the roller, and the plurality of columns. A plurality of retainer segments made of resin, which are connected in series in the circumferential direction between the outer ring and the inner ring, and the plurality of retainer segments are sequentially arranged without gaps. Arranged between the first cage segment and the last cage segment arranged in series, the last gap between the first cage segment is prevented from being pushed against the cage segments due to thermal expansion and retained. And a metal spacer for adjusting to be within an appropriate range for preventing breakage due to collision between the vessel segments .

  Since the main shaft support structure of such a wind power generator includes a roller bearing with good productivity, the main shaft support structure itself of the wind power generator also has high productivity.

  According to the present invention, the cage segment has a relatively complicated shape, and a large number is required for one roller bearing. Therefore, the cage segment is made of resin and manufactured by injection molding or the like. By doing so, the productivity of the cage segment can be improved. On the other hand, the spacer for adjusting the clearance dimension has a relatively simple shape, and at least one spacer for each row of the raceway surface is sufficient for one roller bearing. Further, since the spacer is provided to adjust the dimensional error accumulated in the circumferential direction, the required shape, specifically, the circumferential dimension of the spacer is different. If such a spacer is made of, for example, resin and is manufactured by injection molding that requires an expensive mold, it cannot be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, the spacer can be made of metal and manufactured by a sand mold or cutting, so that it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. As a result, the productivity of the roller bearing can be improved.

  In addition, since such a spacer is made of metal, it can be easily manufactured by a sand mold or cutting. If it does so, since the metal mold | die by injection molding etc. is not required, it can manufacture easily and cheaply.

  Moreover, since the main shaft support structure of such a wind power generator includes a roller bearing with good productivity, the productivity becomes good.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cage segment 11a included in the tapered roller bearing according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cage segment 11a shown in FIG. 2 taken along a plane that includes the line III-III in FIG. 2 and is perpendicular to the axis. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cage segment 11a shown in FIG. 2 cut along a plane that passes through the center of the column 14a and is orthogonal to the circumferential direction. From the viewpoint of easy understanding, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of tapered rollers 12a, 12b, 12c held by the cage segment 11a are indicated by dotted lines. Moreover, PCD22 is shown with a dashed-dotted line.

  With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, first, the structure of the cage segment 11a included in the tapered roller bearing will be described. The cage segment 11a has a shape in which one annular cage is divided by a dividing line extending in the direction along the axis so as to have at least one pocket for accommodating the rollers. The cage segment 11a includes four column portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d extending in the direction along the axis so as to form pockets 13a, 13b, and 13c that hold the tapered rollers 12a, 12b, and 12c. A pair of connecting portions 15a and 15b extending in the circumferential direction so as to connect the four column portions 14a to 14d, and a pair of protruding portions 16a and 16b positioned in both ends in the axial direction and protruding in the circumferential direction. Including.

  The pair of connecting portions 15a and 15b and the pair of protrusions 16a and 16b are connected in the circumferential direction to form one annular cage when the plurality of cage segments 11a are incorporated in the tapered roller bearing. , Has a predetermined radius of curvature in the circumferential direction. Of the pair of connecting portions 15a and 15b and the pair of protruding portions 16a and 16b, the connecting portion 15a located on the small diameter side of the tapered rollers 12a to 12c and the curvature radius of the protruding portion 16a are larger on the large diameter side of the tapered rollers 12a to 12c. It is comprised smaller than the curvature radius of the connection part 15b and protrusion 16b which are located in.

  When the cage segment 11a is disposed with the other cage segments and the end faces 21a and 21b in contact with each other, the pair of protrusions 16a and 16b causes the cage segment 11a to be interposed between the cage segment 11a and the other cage segment. Forming a pocket for receiving the tapered roller;

  Guide surfaces 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d are provided on the inner diameter side and outer diameter side of the column portions 14a to 14d located on both sides in the circumferential direction of the pockets 13a to 13c. With this configuration, the cage segment serves as a roller guide, and movement of the cage segment 11a in the radial direction is restricted. On the outer diameter side and the inner diameter side of the column portions 14a to 14d, oil grooves 19 and 20 penetrating in the circumferential direction are provided in a shape recessed inward or outward in the radial direction at a central portion in the axial direction. The oil grooves 19 and 20 improve the circulation of the lubricant.

  Here, the cage segment 11a is made of resin. The cage segment 11a described above has a relatively complicated shape, and a large number is required for one roller bearing. Therefore, the cage segment 11a having the same shape can be easily manufactured by making the cage segment 11a from resin, for example, by injection molding or the like.

  Next, a spacer that is included in the tapered roller bearing according to the embodiment of the present invention and that adjusts the circumferential clearance such as the cage segment 11a that is continuous in the circumferential direction will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spacer 26 included in the tapered roller bearing. The structure of the spacer 26 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The spacer 26 includes end portions 27 a and 27 b located at both ends in the axial direction and a central portion 28 located between the end portions 27 a and 27 b. . The axial distance between the end portions 27a and 27b is the same as the axial distance between the pair of connecting portions 15a and 15b included in the cage segment 11a. In addition, oil grooves 30a and 30b penetrating in the circumferential direction are provided on the inner diameter surface side and the outer diameter surface side of the central portion 28.

  Here, the spacer 26 is made of metal. With this configuration, the spacer 26 can be easily manufactured by a sand mold, a cutting process, or the like. Therefore, when the spacer 26 is made of resin, an expensive mold necessary for injection molding is not required, and the spacer 26 can be manufactured at low cost.

  The spacer 26 is preferably made of gun metal. With this configuration, the sliding performance of the spacer 26 can be improved. Specifically, CAC301 is mentioned as a gun metal.

  Next, the configuration of the tapered roller bearing including the cage segment 11a and the spacer 26 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tapered roller bearing 31 in which a plurality of cage segments 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and the like and a spacer 26 are arranged in the circumferential direction, as viewed from the axial direction. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by VII in FIG. Here, since the cage segments 11b, 11c, and 11d have the same shape as the cage segment 11a, description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 6, the tapered rollers 34 held by the cage segment 11a and the like are omitted. In addition, here, among the plurality of cage segments 11a to 11d, the cage segment arranged first is the cage segment 11a, and the cage segment arranged last is the cage segment 11d.

  6 and 7, the tapered roller bearing 31 includes an outer ring 32, an inner ring 33, a plurality of tapered rollers 34, a plurality of cage segments 11 a to 11 d, and a spacer 26. The cage segments 11a to 11d are sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction. Here, first, the cage segment 11a is arranged first, and then the cage segment 11b is arranged so as to contact the cage segment 11a. Thereafter, the cage segment 11c is arranged so as to contact the cage segment 11b, the cage segments are sequentially arranged, and finally the cage segment 11d is arranged. Further, between the adjacent two cage segments 11a, 11b, etc., a tapered roller 34 is disposed in the pocket 35 to be formed, except between the first cage segment 11a and the last cage segment 11d. The

  In this way, the cage segments 11a to 11d are arranged in the circumferential direction. The tapered roller 34 disposed between the adjacent cage segments 11a to 11d can also receive a load applied to the tapered roller bearing 31.

  Next, the arrangement state of the spacer 26 arranged between the first cage segment 11a and the last cage segment 11d will be described. FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by I in FIG. With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the cage segments 11a and the like are successively arranged so as to contact each other, and in the gap 39 generated between the cage segment 11a and the cage segment 11d, The spacer 26 is arranged. By doing so, the dimension of the last clearance 40 in the circumferential direction generated between the cage segment 11a and the spacer 26 can be easily set in a range. The last gap is the first cage segment when the cage segments 11a to 11d and the like are arranged without a gap on the circumference, and the last cage segment 11d and the spacer 26 are arranged without a gap. 11a and the maximum clearance between the first retainer segment 11a and the spacer 26 disposed between the last retainer segment 11d.

  Here, the circumferential gap 39 is a gap dimension obtained by accumulating circumferential dimension errors of the cage segments 11a to 11d that are independently manufactured, and thus does not have a predetermined fixed dimension. That is, it differs depending on the dimensional accuracy of the cage segments 11a to 11d arranged in the circumferential direction. In order to make the dimension of the gap 39 that does not become a constant dimension appropriate to the dimension of the last gap 40 by the spacer 26, the spacer 26 has an appropriate last gap 40 according to the dimension of the gap 39. It is necessary to adjust the dimension in the circumferential direction.

  When the spacer 26 used for such an application is manufactured by injection molding for manufacturing a certain size, that is, a certain shape in large quantities, for example, a plurality of molds having slightly different circumferential dimensions are required. Therefore, the cost becomes high. Further, the spacer for adjusting the clearance dimension has a relatively simple shape, and at least one spacer for each row of the raceway surface is sufficient for one roller bearing. Therefore, it is unsuitable to manufacture by injection molding as resin.

  In this way, even if various circumferential dimensions are required, for example, if the spacer is made of metal as a sand mold, the shape of the mold can be easily changed and inexpensively. Can be manufactured. Further, when the spacer 26 is made of metal and is manufactured by cutting, the spacer 26 can be cut according to the required dimensions, so that the spacer 26 having a more appropriate circumferential dimension is manufactured. be able to.

  In such a tapered roller bearing 31, since the last clearance 40 is within an appropriate range, even when the cage segments 11a to 11d are thermally expanded, the adjacent cage segments 11a to 11d are not pressed against each other. Moreover, generation | occurrence | production of abnormal noise etc., the damage by the collision of adjacent cage | basket segments 11a-11d, etc. can be prevented.

  In addition, the spacer 26 rotates in the circumferential direction together with the cage segments 11a to 11d. However, since the spacer 26 is made of gun metal, its slidability is good. Then, during rotation, the spacer 26 is less likely to wear the outer ring 32, the inner ring 33, and the adjacent cage segment. Therefore, the members constituting the tapered roller bearing 31 are not worn or damaged.

  8 and 9 show an example of a main shaft support structure of a wind power generator to which a roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied as a main shaft support bearing 75. FIG. The casing 73 of the nacelle 72 that supports the main components of the main shaft support structure is installed on the support base 70 via a swivel bearing 71 at a high position so as to be horizontally rotatable. A main shaft 76 that fixes a blade 77 that receives wind power to one end is rotatably supported in a casing 73 of the nacelle 72 via a main shaft support bearing 75 incorporated in a bearing housing 74. Is connected to a speed increaser 78, and the output shaft of the speed increaser 78 is coupled to the rotor shaft of the generator 79. The nacelle 72 is turned at an arbitrary angle by the turning motor 80 via the speed reducer 81.

  A main shaft support bearing 75 incorporated in the bearing housing 74 is a roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and holds an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of rollers disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and the rollers. A plurality of pillars extending in the direction along the axis so as to form pockets, and a connecting part extending in the circumferential direction so as to connect the plurality of pillars, and sequentially connecting the outer ring and the inner ring in the circumferential direction. And a plurality of resin cage segments arranged in the circumferential direction, and a metal spacer arranged between the first cage segment and the last cage segment connected in the circumferential direction.

  Since the main shaft support bearing 75 supports the main shaft 76 that fixes the blade 77 that receives large wind force at one end, a large load is applied. Then, it is necessary to make the main shaft support bearing 75 itself large. Here, the spindle support structure of the wind power generator is excellent because the productivity of roller bearings is good even when the cage segment is formed by dividing one annular cage to improve productivity. As such, productivity is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the spacer includes the central portion and the end portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have another shape, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The shape may bulge in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, it is not necessary to arrange a roller between adjacent cage segments, or a roller may be arranged between the spacer and the cage segment.

  In the above embodiment, the cage segment has a protrusion protruding in the circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a type having no protrusion, that is, a column part on the outer side in the circumferential direction. The present invention is also applied to a cage segment having a configuration in which is arranged.

  In the above embodiment, the cage segment has three pockets for accommodating the rollers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cage segment may have four or more pockets. Since the cage segment having such a configuration has many pockets provided with guide surfaces, the cage segment is more stably arranged in the radial direction.

  In the above embodiment, the tapered roller is used as the roller provided in the roller bearing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cylindrical roller, a needle roller, a rod roller, or the like may be used.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The roller bearing according to the present invention is effectively used when good productivity is required.

  The spacer according to the present invention is effectively used when it is provided in a roller bearing that requires good productivity.

  Further, the main shaft support structure of a wind power generator according to the present invention can be effectively used when good productivity is required.

It is an expanded sectional view at the time of arrange | positioning a spacer between the 1st retainer segment and the last retainer segment. It is a perspective view of a cage segment included in a tapered roller bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing at the time of cut | disconnecting the holder | retainer segment shown in FIG. 2 by the plane orthogonal to an axis | shaft including line III-III in FIG. It is sectional drawing at the time of cut | disconnecting the holder | retainer segment shown in FIG. 2 with the plane which passes along the center of a pillar part and is orthogonal to the circumferential direction. It is a perspective view which shows the spacer contained in a tapered roller bearing. It is a schematic sectional drawing of a tapered roller bearing at the time of arranging a plurality of cage segments and spacers in the circumferential direction. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the adjacent retainer segment. It is a figure which shows an example of the main shaft support structure of the wind power generator using the tapered roller bearing which concerns on this invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the main shaft support structure of the wind power generator shown in FIG. 8. It is a perspective view of the retainer segment in the past. It is sectional drawing at the time of cut | disconnecting the holder | retainer segment shown in FIG. 10 by the plane containing a pillar part and orthogonal to an axis | shaft.

Explanation of symbols

  11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Cage segment, 12a, 12b, 12c Tapered roller, 13a, 13b, 13c Pocket, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Pillar part, 15a, 15b Connecting part, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d Guide surface, 19, 20, 30a, 30b Oil groove, 21a, 21b End surface, 22 PCD, 26 Spacer, 27a, 27b End, 31 Tapered roller bearing, 32 Outer ring, 33 Inner ring, 39 Clearance, 40 Last clearance, 70 Support base, 71 Swivel seat bearing, 72 Nacelle, 73 Casing, 74 Bearing housing, 75 Spindle support bearing, 76 Spindle, 77 Blade, 78 Speed increaser, 79 Generator, 80 Turning motor, 81 Reducer.

Claims (2)

A roller bearing for rotatably supporting a main shaft of a wind power generator,
Outer ring,
Inner ring,
A plurality of rollers disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring;
A plurality of pillars extending in a direction along the axis so as to form pockets for holding the rollers, and a pair of connecting parts extending in the circumferential direction so as to connect the plurality of pillars; the outer ring and the inner ring A plurality of resin cage segments arranged in series in the circumferential direction between,
The plurality of cage segments are arranged between the first cage segment and the last cage segment, which are sequentially arranged without gaps, and the last gap between the first cage segments is a cage by thermal expansion. preventing jostling between segments, and Bei example a spacer made of metal for adjusting such that the appropriate range to prevent damage due to collision between the retainer segments,
The metal spacer includes a pair of end portions located at both ends in the axial direction and a central portion located between the pair of end portions, and an axial interval between the pair of end portions is the pair of couplings. The roller bearing is the same as the axial spacing of the portion, and is provided with an oil groove penetrating in the circumferential direction on the inner diameter surface side and the outer diameter surface side of the central portion .   The roller bearing according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is made of gun metal.

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