Axial Bearing Hexagonal Spring Elements Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial bearings designed for moderate axial loads fail to accommodate higher loads without damage to spring elements, leading to loss of rigidity and potential destruction due to excessive compression and vulcanization issues.
Innovation Solution
The spring elements are designed to touch and support each other in the loaded state, with a hexagonal or similar contour allowing seamless joining without gaps, providing constructive overload protection and ensuring homogeneous loading of the rubber, preventing inadmissible deformations and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the axial bearing is designed for moderate axial loads with small disc-shaped spring elements, then the bearing can maintain compact size and simplicity, but the spring elements are strongly compressed leading to loss of elasticity, permanent destruction, and damage to vulcanization under high axial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into multiple bearing shoes (at least three) arranged around the shaft, each with its own spring elements. This segmentation distributes the axial load across multiple independent units, preventing any single spring element from experiencing excessive compression that would cause permanent destruction or vulcanization damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed with a specific geometric shape (hexagonal, rectangular, or triangular contours) that allows them to expand laterally in the transverse direction when compressed axially. This dimensional transformation enables the spring elements to accommodate high axial loads by converting axial compression into lateral expansion, preventing loss of elasticity and permanent destruction.
2Strength
If the rubber spring elements are vulcanized onto the carrier plate to increase axial stiffness and minimize creeping, then dimensional stability is improved, but the vulcanization is damaged under very high axial loads causing element failure
Solution Approach 1:
The vulcanization is segmented into multiple separate bearing shoes rather than a single large vulcanized unit. This segmentation reduces the stress concentration on any single vulcanization interface, preventing damage to the vulcanization bond even under very high axial loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed to expand laterally when compressed axially, which distributes the stress away from the vulcanization interface. The geometric shape allows the rubber to deform in the transverse direction, reducing the stress on the vulcanization bond and preventing interface failure.
3Volume of moving object
If small disc-shaped spring elements are used to achieve compact design, then the bearing size is reduced, but the elements experience strong compression leading to permanent destruction under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are designed with geometric shapes (hexagonal, rectangular, or triangular) that enable lateral expansion when compressed axially. This allows the elements to accommodate high compression forces by deforming in the transverse dimension, preventing permanent destruction while maintaining a compact overall bearing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is segmented into multiple bearing shoes with individual spring elements, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple units. This segmentation enables each spring element to operate within safe stress limits even under high total axial loads, preventing permanent destruction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If there is sufficient space between rubber elements arranged next to one another to allow transverse expansion, then the rubber can function properly as a spring element, but the bearing requires larger overall dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent spring elements are designed to touch and support each other in the loaded state, merging their functionality into a unified load-bearing structure. This allows the bearing to maintain a compact footprint while still providing sufficient space for transverse expansion during operation, as the elements work together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed with geometric shapes that allow controlled lateral expansion when compressed axially. The expansion occurs in a predictable manner within the available space between elements, enabling proper spring function without requiring excessive clearance and maintaining a compact bearing design.
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
This design enhances the load capacity of axial bearings by preventing excessive deformation and damage, ensuring the spring elements maintain their functionality under higher axial loads, and simplifies production with minimal material waste.
Implementation Method 1
The spring elements are designed to be elastically deformable in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the vulcanization increases the axial stiffness considerably. In addition, it supports the dimensional stability and minimizes the usual creeping of the rubber under load
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to an axial bearing for absorbing high axial loads of a shaft having a bearing ring (7) that comprises a central bore for inserting the shaft (1) and is supported on a fixed base (9); having a plurality of spring elements (6) made of elastic material attached to the bearing ring (7); having a load transmission device (3) for transferring the load from the shaft (1) to the spring elements (6). The invention is characterized by the following features: the spring elements (6) are elastic bodies that may be joined to one another or inserted into one another like puzzle pieces in a form-fitting manner; the contours of the spring elements (6) are structured such that no gap remains between adjacent spring elements, at least beginning at a certain load.