Angular Ball Bearing Assembly Device with Curved Arm Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling angular ball bearings are inefficient due to the time-consuming process of mounting and collecting balls, which hampers productivity and leaves room for enhancement in automation.

Innovation Solution

An assembling device and method that includes a rotation mechanism, displacement mechanism, ball support member, and ball displacement preventive member to automate the mounting and collection of balls between inner and outer rings, allowing for quick and precise alignment and removal of balls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual mounting and collection of balls is performed, then the process is flexible and easy to operate, but the productivity is low and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball support member automatically supports balls during mounting and collects them during disassembly through its swinging motion, eliminating the need for separate manual operations. The device performs ball mounting and collection through self-contained mechanisms that reduce dependency on external manual intervention, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ball support member is designed to swing between different positions (mounting position and collection position) to dynamically adapt its function. This dynamic movement allows the same component to perform multiple operations (mounting and collection) sequentially, enhancing productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity through component reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If balls are mounted and collected manually, then the assembly process is simple, but the time required for assembly and disassembly is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime requiredVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ball support member automatically supports balls during mounting and collects them during disassembly through its swinging motion, eliminating the need for separate manual operations. The device performs ball mounting and collection through self-contained mechanisms that reduce dependency on external manual intervention, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The swinging motion of the ball support member enables continuous operation between mounting and collection phases. The mechanism transitions smoothly between positions without idle time, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the process. This continuity reduces the total time required while the automated nature of the swing reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If automation is introduced for ball mounting and collection, then productivity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball support member serves multiple functions: supporting balls during mounting, positioning balls precisely, and collecting balls during disassembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each operation, thereby enhancing productivity while limiting the increase in device complexity through component consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into functional modules (ball support member, rotation mechanism, displacement mechanism) that can operate independently but coordinate together. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system productivity, and facilitates easier maintenance and operation despite the automated nature of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2940332B1Assembling device for angular ball bearing and assembling method for angular ball bearing
Publication Date: 2017.02.08 NSK LTD
  • EP2940332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2940332B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2940332B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Provided is an assembling device for an angular ball bearing, the assembling device being capable of quickly installing and collecting balls for the angular ball bearing. An angular ball bearing (1) has an inner ring (10), an outer ring (20), and balls (30), and an assembling device (50) can install balls (30) into the gap (S) between the inner ring (10) and the outer ring (20) and can collect the balls (30) from the gap (S). The assembling device (50) is provided with: an inner ring jig (64) which can rotate the inner ring (10) and the outer ring (20) relative to each other; an outer ring jig which can displace the inner ring (10) and the outer ring (20) relative to each other along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction; a curved arm (78) which supports the balls (30) by the upper surface (78c) of the curved arm (78), can rotate in the circumferential direction, and can be displaced in the axial direction; and a ball collection pin (68) which, while the balls (30) are installed in the gap (S), can be disposed in a portion which is not occupied by the balls (30) and which can prevent the circumferential displacement of the balls (30).