Angular-Contact Pulley for Perpendicular Axial Force Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support rollers for tarpaulin structures struggle to effectively transmit forces perpendicular to the plane of the roller, limiting their load-bearing capacity and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A support roller design featuring two ball bearing rings with an inclined angular configuration, including an outer bearing shell with flange regions and an inner bearing shell, allows for the transmission of forces both in and perpendicular to the plane of the roller axis, enhancing axial force absorption and guidance capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional deep groove ball bearings are used in support rollers, then the roller can transmit forces in the plane of the roller, but the roller cannot transmit more than approximately 5% of the forces transmitted in the vertical plane in the axial direction perpendicular to the roller axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact angle parameter of the ball bearing from the conventional 0-15 degrees (deep groove) to a larger angle range (20-45 degrees), which fundamentally alters the force transmission characteristics. This parameter change enables the bearing to transmit axial forces perpendicular to the roller axis effectively, resolving the limitation of conventional deep groove ball bearings that could only transmit 5% or less of vertical plane forces in the axial direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The support roller is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it supports radial loads through the inclined ball bearing arrangement while also guiding and transmitting axial forces perpendicular to the roller axis. The flange regions on the outer bearing shell provide both structural support and guidance functionality, making the roller a multi-functional component that addresses both force transmission and guidance requirements.
2Strength
If the outer bearing shell is pressed with a peripheral profile onto a guide, then radial support is provided, but the roller becomes quite thick and requires a fairly large distance of the guide from the movable part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds flange regions that extend axially from the outer bearing shell, creating a new dimensional feature that provides guidance functionality without increasing radial thickness. These flange regions engage with the guide in the axial direction, allowing the roller to be supported radially while being guided axially, thus reducing the overall distance requirements without compromising radial support capability.
3Force
If the at least one inner bearing shell is elongated to form a spacer member, then axial forces can be transmitted, but the roller complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inner bearing shell with the spacer function by integrating the axial force transmission capability directly into the bearing shell structure. The inner bearing shell is designed with an extended portion that acts as a spacer, merging the bearing function with the spacing and axial force transmission function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall structural complexity compared to separate components.
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 roller can reliably transmit significant forces perpendicular to its plane, doubling or tripling axial force absorption compared to conventional deep groove ball bearings, while maintaining a compact size and ensuring stable guidance along a guideway.
Implementation Method 1
two ball bearing rings with balls, at least one inner bearing shell and an outer bearing shell, which is assigned to both ball bearing rings... together form a rolling bearing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a pulley, in particular a supporting pulley, for a carriage of a canopy frame for a tarpaulin cover, comprising two ball bearing rings (304, 305) which have balls (304a, 305a), at least one inner bearing shell (302, 303), and an outer bearing shell (301), which is associated with the two ball bearing rings (304, 305), each of which are each concentrically arranged about a pulley axis (309) and forms a rolling bearing, wherein the at least one inner bearing shell (302, 303) comprises a preferably cylindrical holder (306) for a connecting member (307), and wherein the outer bearing shell (301) comprises a central peripheral surface (311) for radial support against a guide. A pulley, in particular a supporting pulley, for a carriage of a canopy frame for a tarpaulin cover, which can reliably transfer forces in a direction perpendicular to the extension plane of the pulley, is produced such that the bearing shells (301; 302, 303) support the balls (304a, 305a) of each of the two ball bearing rings (304, 305) obliquely in the form of an angular-contact ball bearing.