Rolling bearing device and ring with sensor for the rolling bearing device

Abstract

A rolling bearing with sensor includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a sensor having a detecting part detecting a state of the rolling bearing and a circuit part connected to the detecting part. The detecting part and the circuit part are attached to the rolling bearing.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A rolling bearing with sensor, comprising; 
 an inner ring;    an outer ring;    a plurality of rolling elements disposed between said inner and outer rings;    a retainer for retaining said rolling elements;    a sensor having a detecting part detecting at least one of a rotating speed, a vibration, a temperature and a humidity, a transmitting part transmitting an output of said detecting part or a signal obtained by processing said output, a control part controlling said transmitting part based on the output of said detecting part, and a power source for supplying a power to said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part; and    a receiving device disposed a part from said transmitting part attached to said rolling bearing, for receiving said output or said signal transmitted from said transmitting part.    
   
   
       19 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , wherein said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part are disposed on one of said inner and outer rings, and 
 said power source is disposed on a member for fixing said one of said inner and outer rings.    
   
   
       20 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a shield for protecting a rolling surface of said inner and outer rings and said rolling elements,    wherein said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part are disposed on said shield, and said power source is disposed on one of inner and outer rings supporting said shield.    
   
   
       21 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , wherein said detecting part, said transmitting part, said control part and said power source are disposed on one of said inner and outer rings.  
   
   
       22 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a shield for protecting a rolling surface of said inner and outer rings and said rolling elements,    wherein said detecting part, said transmitting part, said control part and said power source are mounted on a printed circuit board to form a sensor unit, and    said sensor unit is disposed on one of said shield, said inner ring and said outer ring, or both of said shield and one of said inner and outer rings.    
   
   
       23 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a shield supported on one of said inner and outer rings, for protecting a rolling surface of said inner and outer rings and said rolling elements, said shield including said detecting part, said transmitting part, said control part and said power source attached thereto; and    a protecting cover attached to said shield, for covering said transmitting part, said control part and said power source.    
   
   
       24 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a ring secured to one of said inner and outer rings, for mounting said detecting part, said transmitting part, said control part and said power source.    
   
   
       25 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 18 , wherein said transmitting part transmits a constant signal at predetermined intervals, and said receiving device receives said constant signal, for confirming that said sensor including said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part are functioned normally.  
   
   
       26 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 25 , wherein said transmitting part transmits different kinds of identification information including the signal transmitting when said detecting part detects an abnormal operation and the signal transmitting at said predetermined intervals when said sensor is normally operated.  
   
   
       27 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 25 , wherein said power source supplies the power to said transmitting part when said transmitting part transmits the radio wave.  
   
   
       28 . A rolling bearing with sensor comprising: 
 a plurality of rolling elements;    first and second rings rotating relative to each other via said rolling elements; and    an electric generator having an annular magnet disposed on said first ring and an annular conductor disposed on said second ring, said electric generator generating an electric power by the relative rotation between said first and second rings.    
   
   
       29 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 a sensor detecting a rotating speed of said bearing based on an output of the electric power of said electric generator.    
   
   
       30 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said annular magnet has N and S poles which are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of said bearing, 
 said annular magnet rotates relative to said annular conductor to generate an electromotive force, and    wherein said bearing further comprises a sensor detecting a relative rotating speed of said first and second rings based on an output of said electromotive force generated by said electric generator.    
   
   
       31 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said magnet is annularly formed so that N and S poles are alternately magnetized along the circumferential direction thereof at equal intervals.  
   
   
       32 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said conductor is annularly formed to extend along said magnet while being meandered.  
   
   
       33 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said conductor extends along said magnet while being meandered in the radial direction of said bearing.  
   
   
       34 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said conductor extends along said magnet while being meandered in the axial direction of said bearing on a cylindrical surface developed about a rotational axis of said bearing.  
   
   
       35 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said conductor is meandered at pitches equal to that of an arrangement of said magnetic poles of said magnet.  
   
   
       36 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said conductor is rectangularly meandered.  
   
   
       37 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , wherein said magnet is mounted on a first shield provided on said first ring, and said conductor is mounted on a second shield provided on said second ring.  
   
   
       38 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 37 , wherein said first shield is made of a magnetic material, and said second shield is made of a non-magnetic material.  
   
   
       39 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 37 , wherein a third shield made of a magnetic material is provided at a position opposite to said first shield, with said second shield being interposed therebetween.  
   
   
       40 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 a seal for providing a closed space between said inner and outer rings,    wherein said magnet and said conductor of said electric generator is disposed on said outside of said seal forming said closed space.    
   
   
       41 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 a shield for providing a closed space between said inner and outer rings,    wherein said magnet and said conductor of said electric generator is disposed on said outside of said shield forming said closed space.    
   
   
       42 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 29 , wherein said sensor includes a detecting part further detecting at least one of a vibration, a temperature and a humidity.  
   
   
       43 . The rolling bearing with sensor according to  claim 29 , wherein said sensor includes a transmitting part wirelessly transmitting a detecting signal.  
   
   
       44 . The bearing with sensor according to  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 a storage battery which charges and discharges an electromotive force generated when said magnet and said conductor rotate relative to each other.    
   
   
       45 . A ring with sensor for a rolling bearing in which a pair of raceway rings rotate relative to each other through rolling elements disposed therebetween, 
 wherein said ring with sensor is disposed so as to rotate together with one of said raceway rings, and    wherein said ring with sensor comprises: 
 a detecting part detecting at least one of a rotating speed, a vibration, a temperature and a humidity;  
 a transmitting part transmitting an output of said detecting part or a signal obtained by processing the output;  
 a control part controlling said transmitting part based on the output of said detecting part; and  
 a power source for supplying a power to said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part.  
   
   
   
       46 . The ring with sensor according to  claim 45 , wherein said transmitting part transmits a constant signal at predetermined intervals, and said constant signal is received by a receiving device disposed a part from said transmitting part, for confirming that said detecting part, said transmitting part and said control part are functioned normally.