Bearing assembly

A bearing assembly having a non-locating-bearing function, and configured to rotatably support a first component relative to a second component while permitting relative axial displacement of the first and second components,

• the bearing assembly comprising:
• a bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements being configured for transmitting radial and axial forces, wherein at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring includes a first radially extending surface forming a first axial end of the at least one of the inner ring and outer ring, a second radially extending surface forming a second axial end of the at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring, and an at least partially cylindrical surface extending entirely between and connecting the first and second radially extending surfaces,
• a bearing support, which includes a support section having an at least partially cylindrical seat surface configured for receiving the at least partially cylindrical surface of the at least one of the inner and outer bearing rings such that, in cross-section, the at least partially cylindrical seat extends entirely across and entirely overlaps the at least partially cylindrical surface, and forming a sliding seat for the at least one of the inner and outer bearing rings, which allows a relative displacing in the an axial direction between the support section and the at least one of the inner and outer bearing rings,
• wherein the bearing support includes centering means for centering the bearing support relative to one of the first and second components,
• wherein the bearing support is configured to be attached to one of the first and second components,
• wherein a spring element is disposed on or in the bearing support, the spring element being configured for generating a spring force in the axial direction between the bearing support and the at least one of the inner and outer bearing rings, the spring element being formed from a segment of the bearing support, the spring element directly contacting the second radially extending surface of the at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring and applying the spring force thereto in a direction towards the first radially extending surface, and wherein the spring force applied by the spring element axially preloads the bearing such that no component of the bearing assembly is configured to apply an axial force, that is opposite in direction to the spring force applied by the spring element, directly to the first radially extending surface of the at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring or a portion of the at least partially cylindrical surface that extends in a direction having a radial dimension.