Rolling element cage and displacement unit

A rolling element cage for a displacement unit, the rolling element cage comprising:

• a plurality of openings configured to each accommodate a rolling element of a plurality of rolling elements;
• a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a guide structure,
• wherein the plurality of openings are arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis and configured such that adjacent rolling elements of the plurality of rolling elements directly contact each other axially to transmit axial forces between the pin and the sleeve, and
• wherein the guide structure is positioned along an outer surface of the rolling element cage and laterally flanks two adjacent openings in the row.

A displacement unit for a vehicle, the displacement unit comprising,

• a pin including a plurality of external raceways;
• a sleeve including a plurality of internal raceways, the sleeve configured to receive at least a portion of the pin;
• a plurality of rolling elements;
• and
• a rolling element cage including a plurality of openings configured to each accommodate a rolling element of the plurality of rolling elements,
• wherein the rolling element cage is configured to be received around the pin and disposed radially between the pin and the sleeve,
• wherein the plurality of rolling elements are configured to be received at least partially within (i) the plurality of external raceways of the pin and (ii) the plurality of internal raceways of the sleeve,
• wherein the pin and the sleeve each include an end area where the plurality of external raceways and the plurality of internal raceways terminate, respectfully, the end area including a ramp and a plateau,
• wherein an outermost rolling element of the plurality of rolling elements is configured to engage the ramp when the displacement unit is in a compressed state, and
• wherein the plateau provides a space for an end face of the rolling element cage, such that, when the displacement unit is in the compressed state, the end face of the rolling element cage does not contact the pin or the sleeve and an axial force is transferred between the pin and the sleeve via the plurality of rolling elements.