Balance Shaft Bearing Ring Clamping Against Axial Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balance shaft designs for reciprocating piston internal combustion engines face challenges in securely fastening the bearing ring against axial sliding without direct interlocking connections, which affects the balance and weight optimization of the shaft.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an axially interlocking clamping element that connects the bearing ring indirectly to both the unbalance shaft and the bearing journal, utilizing a groove and radially outward projections to secure the bearing ring against axial and rotational movement, allowing for a lightweight construction by recessing the cylindrical partial circumference of the bearing ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bearing ring is directly connected to the bearing journal, then the connection strength is improved, but the weight of the balance shaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping element as an intermediary component between the bearing ring and the bearing journal. This clamping element fastens the bearing ring to the bearing journal without requiring a direct rigid connection, allowing for a lighter overall structure while maintaining secure fastening against axial sliding.
2Weight of moving object
If the cylindrical partial circumference is recessed radially, then the shaft weight is reduced, but the connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element serves as a mediator that maintains connection stability even when the cylindrical partial circumference is radially recessed. The clamping element compensates for the reduced structural support from the recessed geometry, ensuring the bearing ring remains securely fastened while enabling the weight-reducing recess design.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element functions as a flexible component that can adapt to the recessed cylindrical partial circumference geometry, providing secure fastening without requiring full radial engagement, thus maintaining stability while accommodating the lightweight recessed design.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clamping element is elastically deformed during assembly, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element utilizes elastic deformation as a temporary state during assembly, changing its physical parameters (shape, stress state) to facilitate installation. After assembly, the elastic element returns to its original state, providing secure fastening. This parameter change approach enables easier assembly while the elastic properties compensate for minor precision variations.
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 solution effectively secures the bearing ring against axial sliding and rotation, maximizing the imbalance-to-mass ratio, thereby enhancing the balance and reducing weight, while maintaining a non-destructive assembly that maximizes the shaft's imbalance loading.
Implementation Method 1
fastening the bearing ring (5) to the bearing journal (3, 4) by means of a clamping element (15), which is elastically deformed during assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A balance shaft is proposed that includes: i) an unbalance shaft having an unbalance section and an adjacent bearing pin having a cylindrical partial circumference which is oriented towards the shaft imbalance; ii) a bearing ring which surrounds the bearing pin and bears against the cylindrical partial circumference and delimits a free space with a bearing pin back radially opposite thereto; and, iii) a clamping element which is clamped in the free space and clamps the bearing ring radially against the cylindrical partial circumference. The clamping element is intended to secure the bearing ring against axial sliding on both sides on the bearing pin, and the clamping element is connected in an axially interlocking manner to the unbalance shaft on one side and to the bearing ring on the other side.