The present invention is aimed at a symmetrical rolling bearing and in particular at a multi-row symmetrical rolling bearing.
The invention is described with reference to a wheel bearing unit for driven or non-driven wheels of motor vehicles, such as for example of pickup trucks, light trucks or SUVs (sports utility vehicles). It is however pointed out that the present invention may also be used in other rolling bearings.
The prior art discloses rolling bearings which have an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling bodies arranged between the rings. It is also known from the prior art to arrange the rolling bodies in a plurality of rows. For example, DE 100 60 638 A1 discloses a double-row rolling bearing. In this way, it is possible to distribute the loads acting on the bearing between a plurality of rows of rolling bodies, and therefore to a plurality of rolling bodies.
The use of balls in double-row rolling bearings as disclosed by DE 100 60 638 A1 is disadvantageous because this is unsuitable for high axle loads. The use of tapered rollers in double-row wheel bearings has the disadvantage that a high frictional torque is generated in this way.
Rolling bearings having more than two rows are relatively complex to produce and, in addition, it is necessary to determine geometric dimensions which are suitable for production.
The present invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a rolling bearing which is firstly suitable for high axle loads and which can secondly be produced and assembled with a justifiable amount of expenditure. In addition, it is intended to provide a rolling bearing which can be exchanged for a conventional rolling bearing with tapered rollers.