Axial Bearing Cage Structure for Radial Misalignment Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Axial bearing assemblies face issues with radial misalignment leading to unwanted contact and wear, particularly in applications where races are arranged at an angle, causing frictional losses and premature wear due to improper spacing of rolling elements.

Innovation Solution

An axial bearing assembly design featuring a cage with a radially inner and outer rim, and segments extending between them, including a circumferentially extending groove for outer retention tabs, providing increased radial clearance and retaining rolling elements with angled surfaces, formed from polymeric materials like PA66 for enhanced strength and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the races are arranged at an angle to carry radial loads, then the bearing can transmit radial loads, but radial misalignment occurs causing unwanted contact and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial load transmissionVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing assembly is divided into modular components: inner and outer washers (races), rolling elements, and a cage with retention tabs. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the washers can be angled for load transmission while the cage maintains proper spacing to prevent misalignment-induced wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage acts as an intermediary component between the inner and outer washers. It retains the rolling elements and maintains proper spacing, mediating the interaction between the angled races to prevent direct contact and unwanted wear while still allowing radial load transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the rolling elements are spaced closely to reduce friction, then friction is reduced, but uneven or eccentric loads are created by improper spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction lossVSAvoidload distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cage provides dynamic spacing control for the rolling elements, allowing them to be positioned at optimal intervals that balance friction reduction with even load distribution. The retention tabs maintain consistent spacing while the overall arrangement adapts to the angled washer configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing parameters of the rolling elements are optimized through the cage design. The distance between retention tabs is specifically engineered to achieve the right balance - close enough to minimize friction but spaced sufficiently to distribute loads evenly and prevent eccentric loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the bearing components are held together tightly to maintain structure, then structural integrity is improved, but the spacing between washers decreases causing contact under radial misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidwasher contact and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retention tabs extend in the radial dimension from the washers to engage with the cage. This radial extension allows strong retention forces to be applied without reducing the axial spacing between the inner and outer washers, thereby maintaining both structural integrity and clearance against harmful contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional cage design is used to retain rolling elements, then rolling elements are held in place, but the bearing does not accommodate radial misalignment conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverolling element positioningVSAvoidradial misalignment tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cage and washer assembly employs asymmetric geometry - the washers are arranged at an angle rather than parallel, and the retention tabs are positioned to accommodate this asymmetry. This asymmetric design allows the bearing to retain rolling elements effectively while adapting to and accommodating radial misalignment conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12025181B2Axial bearing assembly with cage to accommodate radial misalignment condition

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG

AI summary

An axial bearing assembly is provided having a first washer forming a first raceway and including a radially inner retention flange, and a second washer forming a second raceway axially spaced apart from the first raceway, with the second washer including a radially outer retention flange. A cage including a radially inner rim, a radially outer rim, and a plurality of segments extending between the radially inner and outer rims defining a plurality of rolling element pockets is located between the first and second raceways. Rolling elements are located in at least some of the pockets. The radially outer rim of the cage includes a circumferentially extending groove on a radially outer surface. Outer retention tabs extend from the radially outer retention flange into the circumferentially extending groove.