US 12,188,518 B2
Bearing arrangement for the mounting of a container processing carousel with respect to a base frame of a container processing apparatus in a beverage filling installation
Albert Echtenacher, Neutraubling (DE); and Markus Schoenfelder, Neutraubling (DE)
Assigned to KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
Filed by KRONES AG, Neutraubling (DE)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/060,493.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 131 574.3 (DE), filed on Dec. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0167850 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 19/54 (2006.01); B67C 7/00 (2006.01); F16C 25/08 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 19/548 (2013.01) [B67C 7/004 (2013.01); F16C 25/083 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bearing arrangement for mounting of a container processing carousel with respect to a base frame of a container processing apparatus in a beverage filling installing, comprising:
a bearing shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis;
a bearing cup that is rotatable relative to the bearing shaft;
an adjusted bearing assembly, arranged between the bearing shaft and the bearing cup, configured to mount the bearing cup with respect to the bearing shaft; and
a ring-shaped preload unit configured to impart a specified preload to the adjusted bearing assembly, wherein:
the ring-shaped preload unit comprises a plurality of spring assemblies that are distributed uniformly in a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis, and are configured to apply the specified preload to the adjusted bearing assembly,
the ring-shaped preload unit further comprises a nut element and a bracing ring,
the nut element comprises a threaded portion that engages with a correspondingly shaped threaded portion on the bearing shaft or the bearing cup,
the bracing ring is configured to transmit the specified preload to a bearing ring of the adjusted bearing assembly,
the plurality of spring assemblies are arranged between the nut element and the bracing ring,
the threaded portion on the bearing shaft or on the bearing cup comprises a thread provision part that is fixed to the bearing shaft or the bearing cup, and
the thread provision part is fixed to a) an end side or a flange extending in a radial direction of the bearing shaft, or b) an end side or a flange extending in a radial direction of the bearing cup.
 
13. A container processing apparatus for a beverage installation, comprising:
a base frame;
a container processing carousel that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation relative to the base frame; and
a bearing arrangement arranged between the base frame and the container processing carousel, the bearing arrangement configured to mount the container processing carousel on the base frame, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises:
a bearing shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis;
a bearing cup that is rotatable relative to the bearing shaft;
an adjusted bearing assembly, arranged between the bearing shaft and the bearing cup, configured to mount the bearing cup with respect to the bearing shaft; and
a ring-shaped preload unit configured to impart a specified preload to the adjusted bearing assembly, wherein:
the ring-shaped preload unit comprises a plurality of spring assemblies that are distributed uniformly in a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis, and are configured to apply the specified preload to the adjusted bearing assembly,
the ring-shaped preload unit further comprises a nut element and a bracing ring,
the nut element comprises a threaded portion that engages with a correspondingly shaped threaded portion on the bearing shaft or the bearing cup,
the bracing ring is configured to transmit the specified preload to a bearing ring of the adjusted bearing assembly,
the plurality of spring assemblies are arranged between the nut element and the bracing ring,
the threaded portion on the bearing shaft or on the bearing cup comprises a thread provision part that is fixed to the bearing shaft or the bearing cup, and
the thread provision part is fixed to a) an end side or a flange extending in a radial direction of the bearing shaft, or b) an end side or a flange extending in a radial direction of the bearing cup.
 
14. A method for preloading a bearing arrangement of a container processing apparatus as set forth in claim 13, comprising:
fixing the ring-shaped preload unit in a specified fixed state;
applying the ring-shaped preload unit to the bearing shaft or the bearing cup such that the ring-shaped preload unit is in contact with the bearing ring of the adjusted bearing assembly in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
securing a position of the ring-shaped preload unit on the bearing shaft or the bearing cup; and
releasing the specified fixed state.