Bearing Component Structure for Stable Axial Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing components in image forming apparatuses face issues with single-side contact and axial load distribution, leading to noise generation and poor image quality due to unstable posture and inadequate contact between rotating shafts and bearing components.
Innovation Solution
A bearing component design featuring a component body with recesses and protrusions, where inner protrusions receive axial loads and outer protrusions, offset from the load application point, act as fulcrums to stabilize the component body and prevent single-side contact, using non-planar shapes to manage rotational moments and maintain posture stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bearing component uses a simple support structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the component body posture deteriorates due to single-side contact under axial load
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing component is segmented into multiple functional protrusions: an inner protrusion for receiving axial load and outer protrusions for supporting the component body. This segmentation allows each protrusion to perform its specific function, preventing single-side contact and improving posture stability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing component uses asymmetric positioning of outer protrusions relative to the inner protrusion. The outer protrusions are positioned offset from the axial load application point, creating an asymmetric support structure that generates counteracting moments to stabilize the component body posture under axial load
2Area of stationary object
If the outer protrusions are positioned directly under the axial load, then the contact area is maximized, but rotational moments cause unstable posture and single-side contact
Solution Approach 1:
The outer protrusions are positioned asymmetrically offset from the axial load application point rather than directly underneath. This asymmetric positioning creates a lever arm that generates counteracting moments to balance rotational moments, preventing single-side contact and maintaining stable posture
Solution Approach 2:
The offset positioning of outer protrusions creates a counterbalancing moment that acts as a mechanical counterweight to the rotational moment generated by axial load. This moment counteraction prevents the component body from tilting or contacting the housing on one side only
3Ease of manufacture
If planar contact portions are used between outer protrusions and housing, then manufacturing is simplified, but rotational moments cannot be effectively managed leading to noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portions of the outer protrusions with the housing are designed with curved surfaces instead of planar surfaces. This curvature allows the contact point to adapt dynamically under rotational moments, distributing loads more evenly and reducing impact-induced noise and vibration while remaining manufacturable
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing component for rotatably receiving a rotating shaft on an end of a rotating unit includes a component body, an inner protrusion, and one or more outer protrusions. The component body has a recess into which the rotating shaft is rotatably inserted. The inner protrusion protrudes from a wall portion of the recess facing an end surface of the rotating shaft. The inner protrusion receives an axial load by the rotating shaft. The outer protrusions protrude from an outer surface of the component body opposite to the recess. The one or more outer protrusions are in contact with a holding unit. A contact portion between the outer protrusions and the holding unit is offset from a contact portion position between the inner protrusion and the end surface. The contact portion between at least one of the outer protrusions and the holding unit has a non-planar shape.