US 12,140,187 B2
Bearing assembly for an electric motor, and electric motor
Azeez Abdul, Utrecht (NL); Hendrik Anne Mol, Varik (NL); and Frank Fiddelaers, Gorinchem (NL)
Assigned to Aktiebolaget SKF, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed by Aktiebolaget SKF, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/881,022.
Claims priority of application No. 102021208508.3 (DE), filed on Aug. 5, 2021; and application No. 102021214391.1 (DE), filed on Dec. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0037573 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 19/06 (2006.01); F16C 19/52 (2006.01); F16C 33/66 (2006.01); F16C 41/00 (2006.01); H02K 5/173 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 41/002 (2013.01) [F16C 19/06 (2013.01); F16C 19/52 (2013.01); F16C 33/6633 (2013.01); H02K 5/1735 (2013.01); F16C 2202/32 (2013.01); F16C 2380/26 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bearing assembly for an electric motor for a vehicle, comprising:
(i) at least one main bearing configured to support a rotational element of the electric motor, the main bearing comprising at least one inner ring providing at least one inner raceway, at least one outer ring providing at least one outer raceway, the inner and outer rings being in relative rotation, and at least one plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, one of the inner and outer rings being coupled in rotation with the rotational element of the electric motor, and
(ii) a sacrificial bearing comprising an inner ring with an inner raceway, an outer ring with an outer raceway, the inner and outer rings being in relative rotation, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, one of the inner and outer rings of the sacrificial bearing being coupled in rotation with the rotational element of the electric motor, the other of the inner and outer rings of the sacrificial bearing being grounded, wherein
(iii) the sacrificial bearing is provided with a conductive lubricant configured to lubricate the rolling elements of the sacrificial bearing, wherein the conductive lubricant is electrically conductive, wherein
(iv) the sacrificial bearing also supports the rotational elements and is allowed to be damaged due to electric current or voltage before any damage occurs in the main bearing, and wherein
(v) the at least one main bearing is an electrically isolated bearing.