Rolling bearing guide ring

A rolling bearing comprising:

• a guide ring having an annular shape with a centered axial opening along a center axis, the guide ring comprising:
• a base portion extending in an axial direction,
• a first side portion extending in a radial direction from a first axial end portion of the base portion, and
• a second side portion extending in a radial direction from a second axial end portion of the base portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are integrally formed with the base portion of a one-piece sheet material, the first side portion having a first radially outer end and the second side portion having a second radially outer end,
• a first cage support extending from the first radially outer end of the first side portion in a direction towards the second side portion and ending at a first cage support axial end,
• a second cage support extends from the second radially outer end of the second side portion in a direction towards the first side portion and ends at a second cage support axial end,
• wherein a radial outer opening exists axially between the first cage support axial end and the second cage support axial end such that the first and second radially outer ends of the first and second side portions are not connected by a solid, continuous segment such that the first and second side portions are joined only by the base portion;
• and
• a first row of rolling elements and a second row of rolling elements,
• wherein the first side portion is abutting an axial end portion of at least one rolling element of the first row of rolling elements arranged on a first axial side of the guide ring,
• wherein the second side portion is abutting an axial end portion of at least one rolling element of the second row of rolling elements arranged on a second axial side of the guide ring,
• the first and second side portions of the guide ring are configured to flex axially inwardly upon movement of the first row of rolling elements and the second row of rolling elements in relation to the guide ring due to the radial outer opening, thereby providing improved load distribution and uniform running of the at least one of the first row of rolling elements and the second row of rolling elements, and wherein the first and second side portions are resilient such that the first and second side portions are able to return to their original position after flexing axially inwardly.

A method for manufacturing a guide ring for controlling a position of at least one of rolling elements and a bearing cage in relation to an inner ring of a rolling bearing, the method comprising steps of:

• providing a workpiece of sheet material to be formed into the guide ring,
• forming the workpiece by bending action such that the workpiece is provided with an annular shape having a center axis,
• providing a first side portion by forming the workpiece, and
• providing a second side portion by forming the workpiece,
• wherein a base portion of the workpiece is formed between the first and second side portions, the base portion extends in an axial direction,
• the first side portion extends in a radial direction from a first axial end portion of the base portion, and
• the second side portion extends in a radial direction from a second axial end portion of the base portion,
• providing a first cage support extending from a first radially outer end of the first side portion in a direction towards the second side portion and ending at a first cage support axial end,
• providing a second cage support extending from a second radially outer end of the second side portion in a direction towards the first side portion and ending at a second cage support axial end,
• wherein a radial outer opening exists axially between the first cage support axial end and the second cage support axial end such that the first and second radially outer ends of the first and second side portions are not connected by a solid, continuous segment such that the first and second side portions are joined only by the base portion,
• the first and second side portions of the guide ring are configured to flex axially inwardly upon movement of the rolling elements in relation to the guide ring due to the radial outer opening, thereby providing improved load distribution and uniform running of the rolling elements, and wherein the first and second side portions are resilient such that the first and second side portions are able to return to their original position after flexing axially inwardly.