Bearing cage, rolling element bearing and method

A bearing cage for retaining rolling elements of a rolling element bearing, the bearing cage being made of a sheet metal element and comprising,

• at least one cage pocket configured to receive at least one rolling element, the at least one cage pocket being formed by a first cage bar and a second adjacent cage bar, the first cage bar and the second cage bar extending axially between a first circumferentially extending element and a second circumferentially extending element axially displaced from the first circumferentially extending element, the first circumferentially extending element defining a first axially displaced ring element and the second circumferentially extending element defining a second axially displaced ring element,
• wherein a first one of the first cage bar and the second cage bar provides a first portion, wherein the first portion is constructed by folding a part of the sheet metal element,
• wherein the first portion extends in a radially outward direction of the cage from an axially extending fold provided on the cage bar,
• wherein the second circumferentially extending element is located proximate to and radially inward from a circumferential radially facing surface of the first cage bar and a circumferential radially facing surface of the second cage bar, the second circumferentially extending element comprising a radially facing surface extending between a first axially facing edge and a second axially facing edge,
• wherein the second one of the two adjacent cage bars of the at least one cage pocket provides a corresponding second portion adjacent the first portion, and wherein the second portion is constructed by folding a part of the sheet metal element such that the second portion extends in a radial direction of the cage and such that an axially extending fold is provided on the cage bar, and
• wherein the first circumferentially extending element provides at least one third portion, and wherein the at least one third portion is constructed by folding a part of the sheet metal element such that the third portion extends in an axial direction of the cage and such that a circumferentially extending fold is provided on the first circumferentially extending element.

A bearing cage for retaining rolling elements of a rolling element bearing, the bearing cage being made of a sheet metal element and comprising,

• at least one cage pocket configured to receive at least one rolling element, the at least one cage pocket being formed by a first cage bar and a second adjacent cage bar, the first cage bar and the second cage bar extending axially between a first circumferentially extending element and a second circumferentially extending element axially displaced from the first circumferentially extending element, the first circumferentially extending element defining a first axially displaced ring element and the second circumferentially extending element defining a second axially displaced ring element,
• wherein a first one of the first cage bar and the second cage bar provides a first portion,
• wherein the first portion is constructed by folding a part of the sheet metal element,
• wherein the first portion extends in a radially outward direction of the cage from an axially extending fold provided on the cage bar,
• wherein the second circumferentially extending element is located proximate to and radially inward from a circumferential radially facing surface of the first cage bar and a circumferential radially facing surface of the second cage bar, the second circumferentially extending element comprising a radially facing surface extending between a first axially facing edge and a second axially facing edge,
• wherein the second circumferentially extending element provides a profile in the circumferential direction of the bearing cage, the profile being in the form of an undulating wave.

A method for producing a bearing cage, the method comprising:

• providing a disk-shaped sheet metal element, wherein the disk-shaped sheet metal element presents a central bore and at least one opening arranged radially outwardly from the central bore, the opening providing two abutting side surfaces that extend in a radial direction of the disk-shaped element,
• folding a first portion of the disk-shaped element, wherein first portion comprises one of the radially extending side surfaces of the at least one opening, such that the first portion extends out from the disk-shaped element, wherein the first portion defines at least a portion of a first cage bar which forms part of at least one cage pocket configured to receive at least one rolling element, the at least one cage pocket being formed by the first cage bar and a second adjacent cage bar that extend axially between a first circumferentially extending element and a second circumferentially extending element axially displaced from the first circumferentially extending element, the first circumferentially extending element defining a first axially displaced ring element and the second circumferentially extending element defining a second axially displaced ring element, wherein the first portion is constructed by folding a part of the disk-shaped sheet metal element such that the first portion extends in a radial direction of the cage and such that an axially extending fold is provided on the cage bar, and
• folding the second circumferentially extending element forming features, that when formed, are located radially proximate and inward from a circumferential radially facing surface of the first cage bar and a circumferential radially facing surface of the second cage bar, defining a radially facing surface extending between a first axially facing edge and a second axially facing edge, the radially facing surface of the second circumferentially extending element having a larger surface area compared to a surface area of the first axially facing edge of the second circumferentially extending element.