Self-lubricating bearings and manufacturing methods based on electroluminescence service condition recognition

Abstract

This invention provides a self-lubricating bearing and its manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service condition identification, belonging to the field of self-lubricating bearing technology. It solves the technical problem that self-lubricating spherical plain bearings achieve long-term maintenance-free operation through sacrificial wear, but existing wear monitoring schemes are difficult to apply in space-constrained scenarios. The bearing includes an inner and outer ring that are conductive, concentrically arranged and forming an internal annular region between them. A self-lubricating layer is disposed in the internal annular region, comprising a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer, an electroluminescent functional layer, and a conductive polymer layer arranged sequentially. The conductive polymer layer is fixedly connected to one of the inner and outer ring components, while the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer is slidably connected to the other component. The electroluminescent functional layer emits light when excited by an electric field. This provides a visual display of the bearing's wear condition, making the wear state intuitive, clear, and corresponding to the wear stage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of self-lubricating bearing technology, and more specifically to a self-lubricating bearing and its manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service condition identification. Background Technology

[0002] Self-lubricating spherical plain bearings are widely used in aerospace, engineering machinery, robotics, and high-end equipment. They operate for extended periods under oscillating, low-speed, heavy-load, and complex conditions. The lubrication liner, as a key functional layer in self-lubricating spherical plain bearings, directly determines the bearing's tribological properties and service life. Most existing self-lubricating spherical plain bearings employ a solid lubrication composite liner structure, achieving long-term maintenance-free operation through sacrificial wear.

[0003] However, in practical applications, the wear condition and remaining life of the lubrication liner of spherical plain bearings are difficult to obtain in real time. They typically rely on experience-based judgment, periodic disassembly and inspection, or replacement after failure, resulting in high maintenance costs and potential safety hazards from sudden failures. Existing monitoring solutions based on external sensors are complex in structure and difficult to integrate, making them unsuitable for spherical plain bearing structures with limited space or high sealing requirements.

[0004] Currently, existing patents propose introducing conductive fillers or functional response layers into self-lubricating pads or self-lubricating composite materials to achieve wear monitoring or early warning. For example, patent 202411770733.3 discloses a smart wear-monitoring self-lubricating pad that reflects the degree of wear through changes in the internal resistance of the material; patent 202410887338.7 discloses a method for preparing a smart self-lubricating pad and its application, which constructs a functional layer in the pad material to achieve service status perception; and patent 202511116205.0 also discloses a wear early warning smart material based on conductive core-shell micro / nano particles, which achieves wear trigger signal response by constructing a conductive network inside the material. Although the above technical solutions achieve wear early warning functions at the material scale, they are mainly aimed at bulk materials or surface coatings and usually require the use of external electrodes, signal acquisition circuits, or detection devices. They are difficult to directly integrate into bearing systems where the inner and outer rings of spherical bearings move relative to each other and the structure is limited. Existing wear monitoring technologies based on self-lubricating layers mostly use changes in electrical signals as the output form, and the monitoring results are not intuitive enough. Furthermore, in sealed or invisible environments, they still rely on additional signal analysis and judgment methods, making it difficult to achieve direct visualization of the service status of spherical bearings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a self-lubricating bearing and its manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service condition identification. This invention aims to solve the technical problem that self-lubricating spherical bearings achieve long-term maintenance-free operation through sacrificial wear, and that existing wear monitoring schemes are difficult to apply to spherical bearing structures with limited space or high sealing requirements.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is a self-lubricating bearing and its manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service status identification.

[0007] Among them, self-lubricating bearings based on electroluminescence service condition recognition include: The bearing inner ring and outer ring are capable of conducting electricity, and the bearing inner ring and outer ring are concentrically arranged and form an internal annular region with each other; The self-lubricating layer disposed in the inner annular region includes a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer, an electroluminescent functional layer and a conductive polymer layer disposed sequentially. The conductive polymer layer is fixedly connected to one of the bearing inner ring and bearing outer ring, and the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer is slidably connected to the other of the bearing inner ring and bearing outer ring. The electroluminescent functional layer can emit light when excited by an electric field.

[0008] Optionally, the electroluminescent functional layer includes a first polymer matrix and an electroluminescent functional component dispersed in the first polymer matrix.

[0009] Optionally, the material of the first polymer matrix includes one or more of epoxy resin, polyurethane, acrylic resin and silicone rubber; and / or, the electroluminescent functional component is ZnS-based electroluminescent powder.

[0010] Optionally, the concentration gradient of the electroluminescent functional component in the first polymer matrix varies along the thickness direction, with the concentration near the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer being lower than the concentration near the conductive polymer layer.

[0011] Optionally, in the electroluminescent functional layer, the mass of the electroluminescent functional component is 1 to 20% of the first polymer matrix.

[0012] Optionally, the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer includes a second polymer matrix and a first friction-reducing filler and a first wear-resistant filler dispersed in the second polymer matrix.

[0013] Optionally, the material of the second polymer matrix includes one or more of polyimide, polyetheretherketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyurethane, or epoxy resin; or, the first friction-reducing filler includes one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene; or, the first wear-resistant filler includes one or more of zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, carbon fiber, and glass fiber.

[0014] Optionally, the conductive polymer layer includes a third polymer matrix and a second anti-friction filler and a second wear-resistant filler dispersed in the third polymer matrix.

[0015] Optionally, the material of the third polymer matrix includes one or more of the following: conductive polyurethane, PEDOT:PSS, polyaniline, and polypyrrole, or a composite material formed by one or more of these materials and carbon nanotubes or graphene; or, the second friction-reducing filler includes one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene; or, the second wear-resistant filler includes one or more of zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, carbon fiber, and glass fiber.

[0016] The self-lubricating bearing manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service condition recognition, used to prepare the self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described above, includes the following steps: Clean the annular surfaces of the inner and outer rings of the bearing located on one side of the internal annular region; The mating surface is obtained by roughening the annular surface of the bearing inner ring or bearing outer ring located on one side of the internal annular region; The self-lubricating layer substrate is obtained by sequentially setting the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer, the electroluminescent functional layer and the conductive polymer layer on the bonding surface. The substrate is then cured to obtain the self-lubricating layer. The self-lubricating layer is located in the inner annular region between the inner ring and the outer ring of the bearing. One side of the self-lubricating layer in the thickness direction is fixedly connected to one of the components of the inner ring and the outer ring of the bearing, and is circumferentially slidably connected to the other component.

[0017] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the beneficial technical effects of the present invention are as follows: By incorporating a self-lubricating layer consisting of a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer, an electroluminescent functional layer, and a conductive polymer layer within the internal annular region of a self-lubricating spherical bearing, and utilizing the inherent conductivity of the inner and outer rings as natural electrodes, a direct correlation between wear state and luminescence response is established. During service, as the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer gradually wears down, the electric field shielding effect on the electroluminescent functional layer gradually weakens, resulting in differentiated luminescence colors, brightness, or luminescence patterns at different wear stages. This enables visualized, tiered display of the entire process from normal service to critical failure. This design eliminates the need for additional external sensors or complex circuits, effectively solving the challenge of applying existing wear monitoring solutions in space-constrained, high-sealing spherical bearing structures. Furthermore, the luminescence signal is intuitive and clear, allowing for rapid identification through visual observation or simple optical sensing, significantly improving the visualization of bearing operating status and the timeliness of fault warnings. In addition, while achieving the status display function, this self-lubricating layer still maintains excellent friction reduction and wear resistance performance. Moreover, the overall structure is compact and does not affect the original size and service characteristics of the bearing. It combines high reliability and engineering applicability, providing a new technical path for the design and manufacturing of intelligent self-lubricating spherical plain bearings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a self-lubricating bearing.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1. Inner ring of bearing; 2. Self-lubricating layer; 21. Friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer; 22. Electroluminescent functional layer; 23. Conductive polymer layer; 3. Outer ring of bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solution of the present invention and are therefore intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0023] For the self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition, please refer to the appendix. Figure 1 One possible implementation method is as follows: The inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 of the bearing are capable of conducting electricity. The inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 are concentrically arranged and form an internal annular area between them. The materials of the inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 can be selected as needed. The common material is steel, which has good electrical conductivity. A self-lubricating layer 2 is disposed in the inner annular region. The self-lubricating layer 2 includes a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21, an electroluminescent functional layer 22, and a conductive polymer layer 23 arranged sequentially. The conductive polymer layer 23 is fixedly connected to one of the bearing inner ring 1 and bearing outer ring 3, while the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 is slidably connected to the other of the bearing inner ring 1 and bearing outer ring 3. The electroluminescent functional layer 22 emits light when excited by an electric field. The bearing inner ring 1 and bearing outer ring 3 serve as the natural electrodes of the electroluminescent functional layer 22, and together with the conductive polymer layer 23, they constitute a wear-induced electroluminescent structure. As the thickness of the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 changes with wear, its electrical impedance changes accordingly, and the electric field experienced by the electroluminescent functional layer 22 sandwiched between the bearing inner ring 1 and bearing outer ring 3 also changes relatively, thereby producing different luminescence modes.

[0024] Depending on the actual scenario, the self-lubricating layer 2 can be fixed to the inner ring 1 of the bearing and slide in contact with the outer ring 3 of the bearing, or the self-lubricating layer 2 can be fixed to the outer ring 3 of the bearing and slide in contact with the inner ring 1 of the bearing. The self-lubricating layer 2 is a multi-layer composite structure with a total thickness not exceeding 400μm, so as to ensure that the original structural dimensions and service performance of the spherical plain bearing are not significantly affected.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 is 100–250 μm; the thickness of the electroluminescent functional layer 22 is 20–150 μm; and the thickness of the conductive polymer layer 23 is 20–100 μm. The synergistic optimization of the three layer thicknesses allows the total thickness of the self-lubricating layer to be controlled within 400 μm. Without altering the original structural dimensions of the bearing, it enables graded visualization of the entire process from normal service, early warning, critical conditions to failure, significantly improving the engineering applicability and reliability of condition identification of the intelligent self-lubricating spherical plain bearing.

[0026] In the above embodiments, the principle of intuitively displaying the wear state of the self-lubricating bearing is as follows: like Figure 1 As shown, the inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 of the bearing serve as natural electrodes, providing an excitation electric field for the electroluminescent functional layer 22.

[0027] During the initial service phase, the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 completely covers the surface of the electroluminescent functional layer 22. Due to its high impedance, it significantly shares the electric field strength when a voltage is applied, making the equivalent electric field strength inside the electroluminescent functional layer 22 lower than its ignition threshold. At this time, the layer does not exhibit observable electroluminescence.

[0028] As the friction and wear process progresses, the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 is gradually consumed. When its thickness decreases to a critical value or a local area is worn through, the shielding effect of the applied electric field weakens, and the electric field intensity in a local area of ​​the electroluminescent functional layer 22 first exceeds the ignition threshold, activating the luminescent center and generating the first stage of luminescence response. This stage is characterized by low-brightness, single-color continuous luminescence, used to indicate that the spherical bearing has entered the early warning service stage.

[0029] As wear progresses further, the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 thins over a large area or is partially worn through, resulting in the large-area exposure of the electroluminescent functional layer 22. Under the same excitation conditions, this layer produces a second-stage luminescence response. This stage is characterized by a significant increase in brightness, a change in color, or an intermittent, flickering luminescence pattern, used to indicate that the spherical bearing has entered the critical failure stage.

[0030] When the wear continues to deepen and approaches or reaches the conductive polymer layer 23, a stable conductive path is formed between the conductive polymer layer 23 and the electroluminescent functional layer 22. This causes the electroluminescent functional layer 22 to produce a localized high-brightness, high-frequency flickering light response under the same excitation conditions, or to become completely unlit. This indicates that the electroluminescent functional layer 22 is about to be worn through or has been completely worn through, clearly showing that the spherical bearing has entered the failure warning stage and needs to be replaced immediately.

[0031] In the above manner, the present invention uses the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 of the bearing as electrodes and connects them to a power source, eliminating the need for additional external electrodes and complex signal acquisition and analysis devices, and realizing the visualization display of the entire process of the service status of the spherical plain bearing from "normal-early warning-critical-failure".

[0032] In the above embodiments, the brightness change depends on the area of ​​the luminescent region and the electric field strength. During the early warning stage, only localized wear occurs, resulting in fewer luminescent points and lower brightness. In the critical stage, a large area is exposed, expanding the luminescent area and strengthening the electric field, thus increasing excitation efficiency. Both factors contribute to a significant increase in observed brightness. Color changes originate from differences in the luminescent material system. Different doped luminescent materials are distributed at different depths, exposed sequentially as wear deepens; or, the same material, when the electric field strength changes, experiences a shift in its band structure, leading to a migration of the emission wavelength and resulting in color changes. High-frequency flickering is caused by dynamic contact after the introduction of the conductive polymer layer. When wear approaches the conductive layer, the relative movement of the friction pair causes a microscopic "contact-disconnection" cycle between it and the luminescent layer, triggering transient switching of the local electric field and generating a high-frequency brightness response related to the movement frequency.

[0033] In summary, this design transforms the abstract wear process into intuitively visible optical information, enabling a visualized, tiered display of the entire process from normal service to failure. It eliminates the need for integrated external sensors or complex circuits, effectively solving the challenge of applying traditional monitoring solutions to spherical bearing structures with limited space and high sealing requirements. Furthermore, the luminous signals can be identified by the naked eye or simple optical sensors, significantly improving the convenience of condition assessment and the timeliness of fault warnings, providing a new technological path for the high reliability and maintenance-free operation of intelligent self-lubricating spherical bearings. In addition, this design also features low cost and simple manufacturing.

[0034] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, the electroluminescent functional layer 22 includes a first polymer matrix and electroluminescent functional components dispersed in the first polymer matrix. The material of the first polymer matrix includes one or more of epoxy resin, polyurethane, acrylic resin, and silicone rubber, which possess good film-forming properties, light transmittance, and interfacial bonding strength with adjacent layers. Epoxy resin provides high hardness and adhesion, polyurethane imparts flexibility and wear resistance, acrylic resin ensures ease of processing, and silicone rubber adapts to high-temperature or dynamic deformation conditions. This diverse matrix selection allows the electroluminescent functional layer 22 to be matched and optimized according to the specific service conditions of the bearing, ensuring structural stability and uniform light emission during friction, while forming a strong bond with the upper and lower layers, avoiding signal distortion caused by interfacial peeling.

[0035] In some alternative schemes, the electroluminescent functional component is a ZnS-based electroluminescent powder, preferably one or more of ZnS:Cu, ZnS:Mn, and ZnS:Ag. These materials are characterized by high electroluminescence efficiency, fast response speed, and low excitation voltage. Different doping elements impart characteristic emission colors, such as ZnS:Cu emitting blue or green light, ZnS:Mn emitting yellow light, and ZnS:Ag emitting blue light, providing a rich color variation basis for multi-stage wear indication. Simultaneously, ZnS-based materials exhibit good chemical stability, maintaining luminescence performance under frictional heat and mechanical stress, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of condition identification throughout the entire service life. In the electroluminescent functional layer 22, the mass of the electroluminescent functional component is 1-20% of the first polymer matrix. This ratio balances luminescence intensity and mechanical properties. Too low a content results in insufficient luminescence intensity, making it difficult to identify with the naked eye; too high a content may disrupt the continuity of the polymer matrix, leading to decreased interlayer bonding or increased brittleness of the luminescent layer. By optimizing the content range, while ensuring clear visualization, the electroluminescent functional layer 22 can maintain good flexibility and wear resistance, avoiding the impact of excessive functional components on the overall service life of the self-lubricating layer 2.

[0036] As an alternative to the above embodiments, the concentration gradient of the electroluminescent functional component along the thickness direction in the first polymer matrix varies, with the concentration near the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 being lower than that near the conductive polymer layer 23. This achieves a synchronous progression of wear process and luminescence intensity: in the early stages of wear, only low-concentration areas are exposed, resulting in weak luminescence; as wear deepens, high-concentration areas gradually participate in luminescence, naturally increasing brightness. An adaptive response of luminescence intensity increasing with wear degree can be achieved without changing the applied voltage, making the state-level display smoother and more natural, while also saving on the amount of functional component used and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0037] In one possible embodiment, the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 includes a second polymer matrix and a first friction-reducing filler and a first wear-resistant filler dispersed in the second polymer matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the mass of the first friction-reducing filler is 1-20% of the mass of the second polymer matrix, and the mass of the first wear-resistant filler is 1-20% of the mass of the second polymer matrix.

[0038] The second polymer matrix material includes one or more of polyimide, polyetheretherketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyurethane, or epoxy resin. These materials are all high-performance engineering plastics with excellent heat resistance, wear resistance, and self-lubricating properties. Polyimide and polyetheretherketone have outstanding high-temperature resistance and are suitable for high-speed, heavy-load conditions; polytetrafluoroethylene has an extremely low coefficient of friction, providing a stable friction-reducing effect; polyphenylene sulfide has strong corrosion resistance; and polyurethane and epoxy resin have good adhesion to the underlying layer. The diverse matrix selection can be matched according to the specific operating conditions of the spherical bearing, ensuring that the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 maintains structural integrity and stable performance during long-term friction, while also maintaining good bonding with the electroluminescent functional layer 22.

[0039] The first friction-reducing filler includes one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These materials all possess layered structures or low shear properties, enabling them to form a stable solid lubrication transfer film at the friction interface. Graphite and molybdenum disulfide maintain their lubricating properties at high temperatures; nano-graphene has extremely high specific surface area and mechanical strength, achieving significant friction-reducing effects even with low addition amounts; PTFE micropowder is stretched into a film during friction, further reducing the coefficient of friction. The synergistic effect of multiple friction-reducing fillers ensures that the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 maintains low frictional resistance throughout the entire wear process, guaranteeing flexible operation of the spherical bearing.

[0040] The first wear-resistant filler includes one or more of zirconium dioxide, silica, carbon fiber, and glass fiber. Zirconium dioxide and silica nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix, providing dispersion reinforcement; carbon fiber and glass fiber form a fiber-reinforced structure, significantly improving the tear resistance and load-bearing capacity of the composite material. The addition of the wear-resistant filler slows down the consumption rate of the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21, extends the early warning window, and provides sufficient time gradient for the phased response of the electroluminescent functional layer 22.

[0041] The friction-reducing filler and wear-resistant filler are synergistically distributed in the second polymer matrix, forming a composite structure that combines rigidity and flexibility. The friction-reducing filler lowers the shear resistance at the friction interface, while the wear-resistant filler resists micro-cutting and plastic deformation. Together, they ensure that the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21 maintains a stable thickness reduction rate during long-term wear. This controllable, progressive wear characteristic ensures that the electroluminescent functional layer 22 is exposed sequentially according to the design order, achieving a stepped luminescence response from early warning to failure, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of condition identification.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the conductive polymer layer 23 includes a third polymer matrix and a second friction-reducing filler and a second wear-resistant filler dispersed in the third polymer matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the mass of the second friction-reducing filler is 1-20% of the mass of the third conductive polymer matrix, and the mass of the second wear-resistant filler is 1-20% of the mass of the third conductive polymer matrix.

[0043] The third polymer matrix material includes one or more of the following: conductive polyurethane, PEDOT:PSS, polyaniline, and polypyrrole, or a composite material formed by combining one or more of these materials with carbon nanotubes or graphene. These intrinsically conductive polymers exhibit excellent film-forming properties and adhesion to the metal substrate (bearing inner ring 1 or bearing outer ring 3). Conductive polyurethane combines elasticity and conductivity, adapting to the dynamic deformation of the bearing; PEDOT:PSS has high transparency and stable conductivity, facilitating the penetration of luminescent signals; polyaniline and polypyrrole have good environmental stability. Further composite with carbon nanotubes or graphene forms a three-dimensional conductive network, significantly improving conductivity and ensuring a stable, low-impedance conductive path for the electroluminescent functional layer 22 in the later stages of wear, avoiding luminescent signal distortion caused by poor contact.

[0044] The second friction-reducing filler includes one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene, and possesses lubrication functionality. When wear penetrates to the conductive polymer layer 23, this layer directly participates in frictional contact. The addition of the friction-reducing filler can prevent a sudden increase in the coefficient of friction due to exposure of the conductive layer, maintaining stable bearing operation. Simultaneously, highly conductive friction-reducing fillers such as nano-graphene can further optimize the conductive network, achieving a dual integration of lubrication and conductivity.

[0045] The second wear-resistant filler comprises one or more of zirconium dioxide, silica, carbon fiber, and glass fiber, enhancing the wear resistance of the conductive polymer layer 23. Carbon fiber and glass fiber form a reinforcing skeleton, improving interlayer shear strength; zirconium dioxide and silica nanoparticles fill the polymer matrix, increasing surface hardness. The addition of these wear-resistant fillers slows down the rapid wear-through process of the conductive polymer layer 23, ensuring a sufficient duration for the failure warning stage, guaranteeing reliable capture and identification of the high-frequency flashing signal, and preventing the loss of warning signals due to rapid failure of the conductive layer.

[0046] One possible implementation of the self-lubricating bearing manufacturing method based on electroluminescence service condition recognition is as follows, which includes the following steps for preparing the self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition: Clean the annular surfaces of the inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 of the bearing located on one side of the inner annular region; The mating surface is obtained by roughening the annular surface of the inner ring 1 or the outer ring 3 of the bearing located on one side of the inner annular region. A self-lubricating layer 2 is formed by sequentially depositing a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21, an electroluminescent functional layer 22, and a conductive polymer layer 23 on the mating surface. The substrate is then cured to obtain the self-lubricating layer 2. The self-lubricating layer 2 is located in the inner annular region between the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3 of the bearing. One side of the self-lubricating layer 2 in the thickness direction is fixedly connected to one of the components of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 3, and is circumferentially slidably connected to the other component. The curing process can employ either heat curing or light curing.

[0047] In the above manufacturing method, by cleaning and roughening the inner ring 1 and outer ring 3 of the bearing, a micron-level mechanical interlocking structure is constructed between the metal substrate and the self-lubricating layer 2, significantly enhancing the interfacial bonding strength. By sequentially setting the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer 21, the electroluminescent functional layer 22, and the conductive polymer layer 23, a self-lubricating layer 2 with functional partitions along the thickness direction is formed, allowing the wear process to advance layer by layer in the designed sequence. Integrated molding is achieved through heat curing or light curing, enabling molecular diffusion and chemical bonding at the interlayer interface, ensuring stable electric field distribution and reliable luminescence response. The self-lubricating layer 2, finally formed in the inner annular region, is fixedly connected to the inner ring 1 or outer ring 3 of the bearing on one side and slidably connected to the mating part on the other side, directly forming a friction pair. This fully utilizes the bearing metal components as natural electrodes, eliminating the need for additional sensors. While achieving the function of visualizing the wear state, it completely maintains the original installation dimensions, kinematic characteristics, and load-bearing capacity of the spherical bearing, solving the problem that existing monitoring schemes are difficult to integrate into space-constrained bearing structures.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition, characterized in that, include: The bearing inner ring (1) and bearing outer ring (3) are capable of conducting electricity, and the bearing inner ring (1) and bearing outer ring (3) are arranged concentrically and form an internal annular region between each other; The self-lubricating layer (2) disposed in the inner annular region includes a friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer (21), an electroluminescent functional layer (22), and a conductive polymer layer (23) disposed sequentially. The conductive polymer layer (23) is fixedly connected to one of the bearing inner ring (1) and bearing outer ring (3). The friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer (21) is slidably connected to the other of the bearing inner ring (1) and bearing outer ring (3). The electroluminescent functional layer (22) can emit light when excited by an electric field.

2. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electroluminescent functional layer (22) includes a first polymer matrix and electroluminescent functional components dispersed in the first polymer matrix.

3. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The material of the first polymer matrix includes one or more of epoxy resin, polyurethane, acrylic resin and silicone rubber; And / or, the electroluminescent functional component is a ZnS-based electroluminescent powder.

4. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The concentration gradient of the electroluminescent functional component in the first polymer matrix along the thickness direction varies, with the concentration near the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer (21) being lower than the concentration near the conductive polymer layer (23).

5. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In the electroluminescent functional layer (22), the mass of the electroluminescent functional component is 1 to 20% of the first polymer matrix.

6. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer (21) includes a second polymer matrix and a first friction-reducing filler and a first wear-resistant filler dispersed in the second polymer matrix.

7. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the second polymer matrix includes one or more of polyimide, polyetheretherketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyurethane or epoxy resin; Alternatively, the first friction-reducing filler may include one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Alternatively, the first wear-resistant filler may include one or more of zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, carbon fiber, and glass fiber.

8. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive polymer layer (23) includes a third polymer matrix and a second anti-friction filler and a second wear-resistant filler dispersed in the third polymer matrix.

9. The self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The material of the third polymer matrix includes one or more of the following: conductive polyurethane, PEDOT:PSS, polyaniline, and polypyrrole, or a composite material formed by one or more of these materials and carbon nanotubes or graphene. Alternatively, the second friction-reducing filler may include one or more of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nano-graphene, and polytetrafluoroethylene; Alternatively, the second wear-resistant filler may include one or more of zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, carbon fiber, and glass fiber.

10. A method for manufacturing self-lubricating bearings based on electroluminescence service condition recognition, characterized in that, The method for preparing a self-lubricating bearing based on electroluminescence service condition recognition as described in any one of claims 1-9 comprises the following steps: The inner ring (1) and outer ring (3) of the bearing are cleaned on the annular surface located on one side of the inner annular region; The mating surface is obtained by roughening the annular surface of the bearing inner ring (1) or bearing outer ring (3) located on one side of the internal annular region; The self-lubricating layer (2) is formed by sequentially setting the friction-reducing and wear-resistant layer (21), the electroluminescent functional layer (22), and the conductive polymer layer (23) on the bonding surface. The self-lubricating layer (2) is then cured to obtain the self-lubricating layer (2). The self-lubricating layer (2) is located in the inner annular region between the inner ring (1) and the outer ring (3) of the bearing. One side of the self-lubricating layer (2) in the thickness direction is fixedly connected to one of the components of the inner ring (1) and the outer ring (3) of the bearing, and is circumferentially slidably connected to the other component.

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