Ball-Bearing Attachment Point for Heavy Load Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment points for lifting technology face challenges with limited rotatability under heavy loads, high wear, and complex assembly processes, leading to reduced service life and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The attachment point features two bushings axially connected via a press connection, with inner and outer rings of roller bearings that provide a form-fitting enclosure for spherical rolling elements, allowing for high load absorption and simplified assembly, and includes a braking element to prevent undesired rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a plain bearing is used in the attachment point, then the load-bearing capacity is good, but the rotatability is limited especially with heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidrotatability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the plain bearing (sliding friction mechanism) with a roller bearing (rolling friction mechanism). This substitution changes the mechanical principle from sliding contact to rolling contact, thereby maintaining high load-bearing capacity while significantly improving rotatability and reducing friction under heavy loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If the connecting eyelet is rigidly connected to the base of the slinging eyelet, then the structural strength is improved, but the connecting eyelet cannot be tilted out of an axis of the fastening device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtiltability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a rigid, fixed connection to a dynamic, rotatable connection by introducing roller bearings. The connecting eyelet is no longer rigidly fixed but can rotate and tilt relative to the base, allowing adaptation to different loading directions while maintaining structural strength through the roller bearing support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional attachment points are used, then the assembly is simple, but they have a high degree of wear and tear and have an insufficient service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the plain bearing with a roller bearing system, which fundamentally changes the friction mechanism from sliding to rolling. This substitution dramatically reduces wear and tear while maintaining assembly simplicity, thereby extending the service life and improving reliability of the attachment point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If roller bearings are used to improve rotatability, then the mobility is improved, but the assembly requires many work steps and tools which complicates the assembly and makes it more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the roller bearing components into a unified bushing structure that is press-fitted as a single unit. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the mobility benefits of roller bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mobility, load-bearing capacity, and service life while simplifying assembly and reducing wear, resulting in a more efficient and durable attachment point.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of roller bearings between the mount and the connecting element, the connecting element being rotatable relative to the mount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the receptacle has two bushings which are axially connected via a press connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPress connection: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2978995B1Ball-bearing-supported attachment point
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 RUD KETTENFABRIK RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH & CO
  • EP2978995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2978995B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2978995B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an attachment point (1), comprising a connecting element (3). Said connecting element comprises a section (5) for connecting an attachment means, a receptacle (9) for a fastening means (11), and at least one rolling-element bearing pair (23) between the receptacle (9) and the connecting element (3). The connecting element (3) can be rotated in relation to the receptacle (9). The rolling-element bearings (25, 27) of the rolling-element bearing pair each have at least one rolling element (29). According to the invention, in order to provide an attachment point that has low wear, is easy to rotate even during the lifting of heavy loads, and is easy to install, the rolling-element bearings (25, 27) of the rolling-element bearing pair (23) have an outer ring (39, 41) attached to the connecting element (3).