Actuating Force Coupling With Combination Roller Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch machines in railway traffic face premature failure due to high mechanical loads, particularly axial forces that damage three-part axial deep groove ball bearings, leading to separation and impact-induced damage.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece combination roller bearing assembly is used in the actuating force clutch, comprising a clutch hub and a rotatable clutch housing connected via coaxial combination roller bearings, ensuring a positive-locking assembly that maintains contact even under no axial force load, and a preload mechanism to manage mechanical stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If three-part axial deep groove ball bearings are used in the torque limiting clutch, then the device can handle axial forces, but the service life is limited due to separation and impact-induced damage under high mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple bearing functions into a single integrated bearing unit that integrates axial deep groove ball bearings with radial roller bearings and a common cage structure. This merging eliminates the separation issue between axial bearing shells and ball cages, preventing impact-induced damage while maintaining axial force capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly uses composite construction with different rolling element types (balls and rollers) combined in a single unit, each handling specific load components. The axial bearings handle axial forces while radial rollers handle radial forces, creating a composite bearing system that optimizes both strength and reliability.
2Force
If axial deep groove ball bearings are used to support the clutch hub, then axial forces can be absorbed, but the bearing components separate under high loads leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges axial bearing shells with ball cages into a single integrated unit where the ball cage is retained within the axial bearing shell structure. This integration prevents separation of components under high axial loads, maintaining assembly integrity while preserving axial force absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is pre-assembled as a complete unit with all components (axial bearings, radial rollers, and cage) properly positioned and secured before installation. This preliminary assembly ensures that components remain in their correct positions and do not separate during operation under high loads.
3Reliability
If a one-piece combination roller bearing assembly is used, then service life and reliability are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the bearing assembly is integrated, it is segmented into functional zones with different rolling element types (axial balls and radial rollers) arranged in specific sections. This segmentation allows each zone to handle specific load components optimally while maintaining overall integration, balancing reliability enhancement with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination roller bearing assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: axial load support through deep groove ball bearings, radial load support through roller bearings, and automatic load distribution through the shared cage structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate bearing units, managing complexity while enhancing reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combination roller bearing assembly enhances the service life and reliability of switch machines by preventing disintegration and reducing wear, ensuring precise and resilient operation under varying loads.
Implementation Method 1
two coaxial combination roller bearings (140) comprising a combination of two axially mounted roller groups (147) and one radially mounted roller group (148)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating coupling (100), in particular for an electromechanical switch drive in railway traffic, with a coupling hub (132) rotatably driven about an axial direction (Ax) of the actuating coupling (100), in which a threaded spindle (134) can be mounted, wherein the coupling hub (132) is mechanically coupled to a rotatable coupling housing (110) of the actuating coupling (100) via an overload coupling (120), and the coupling housing (110) is rotatably mounted on the coupling hub (132) by means of two coaxial combination roller bearings (140, 140).