# US 2025/0146529 A1 · Retainer cage and bearing device

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- Number: US 2025/0146529 A1
- Document ID: US20250146529A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/723,014
- Filed: 2022-11-30
- Published: 2025-05-08
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-28
- Assignees: Nsk Ltd.
- Applicants: NSK Ltd.
- Inventors: Shinichiro HAYASHI; Hironari SAKODA; Yasuhiro ARAKI; Masayuki SATO; Satoshi SHIMAZAKI; Daiju TAKAHASHI; Yusuke YOROZU; Shingo IMAI; Aya KIKUCHI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250146529A1

## CPC

- F16C 33/418: {Details of individual pockets, e.g. shape or ball retaining means}
- F16C 19/06: with a single row or balls
- F16C 33/414: {formed as one-piece cages, i.e. monoblock comb cages}
- F16C 33/416: {made from plastic, e.g. injection moulded comb cages}
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

Provided are a retainer cage and a bearing device capable of suppressing fluctuation of torque. A bearing device of the present disclosure includes: an inner ring having an outer circumferential track surface on an outer circumferential surface; an outer ring having an inner circumferential track surface on an inner circumferential surface; a plurality of balls disposed between the outer circumferential track surface and the inner circumferential track surface; and a retainer cage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A retainer cage comprising:
a plurality of columns disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring of a bearing device, the columns provided at equal intervals in a circumferential direction around an axis of the inner ring; and
a plurality of column joints connecting the columns to each other,
wherein a portion between the plurality of columns forms a pocket in which a ball is disposed,
the column has an end surface facing one direction out of axial directions parallel to the axis, and
the end surface has a recess recessed to another direction out of the axial directions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The retainer cage according to claim 1,
wherein the column has an opening that opens the recess inward in a radial direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The retainer cage according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the column has a distal end wall to be a bottom wall of the recess, and
the distal end wall is disposed to be shifted from a center of the ball in the axial directions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2, 3)

The retainer cage according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the column is provided with a through hole penetrating in the radial direction.

### Claim 5

A retainer cage comprising:
a plurality of retaining portions disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring of a bearing device, the retaining portions provided at equal intervals in a circumferential direction around an axis of the inner ring; and
a plurality of retaining portion joints connecting the retaining portions to each other,
wherein the retaining portion includes:
a bottom wall extending in the circumferential direction; and
a pair of facing walls extending in axial directions parallel to the axis from both ends of the bottom wall in the circumferential direction,
a space between the pair of facing walls forms a pocket in which a ball is disposed,
a thickness of the retaining portion joint in a radial direction is smaller than a thickness of the facing wall in the radial direction when viewed in the axial directions, and
when viewed in the axial directions, a central portion of the retaining portion joint in the radial direction is disposed to be shifted inward in the radial direction or outward in the radial direction with respect to a virtual circle passing through a center of each ball.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The retainer cage according to claim 5,
wherein, when viewed in the axial directions, the central portion of the retaining portion joint in the radial direction is disposed to be shifted outward in the radial direction with respect to the virtual circle passing through the center of each ball.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5, 6)

The retainer cage according to claim 5 or 6,
wherein the retaining portion joint is bent.

### Claim 8

A retainer cage comprising:
a plurality of retaining portions disposed between an inner ring and an outer ring of a bearing device, the retaining portions provided at equal intervals in a circumferential direction around an axis of the inner ring; and
a plurality of retaining portion joints connecting the retaining portions to each other,
wherein the retaining portion includes:
a bottom wall extending in the circumferential direction; and
a pair of facing walls extending in axial directions parallel to the axis from both ends of the bottom wall in the circumferential direction,
a space between the pair of facing walls forms a pocket in which a ball is disposed, and
the retaining portion joint is bent.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

A bearing device comprising:
an inner ring having an outer circumferential track surface on an outer circumferential surface;
an outer ring having an inner circumferential track surface on an inner circumferential surface;
a plurality of balls disposed between the outer circumferential track surface and the inner circumferential track surface; and
the retainer cage according to any one of claims 1 to 8.