Ball Bearing Cage Pocket Flanges for Vibration and Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional strain wave gearing ball bearings experience cage deformation and vibration due to the rigidity of the cage being unsupported by rolling elements, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A ball bearing design with a deformable inner and outer ring, spherical rolling elements, and a cage with pockets that accommodate rolling elements with a gap and flange parts contacting the elements at specific radii to prevent cage movement and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cage is supported by rolling elements, then the cage deformation is prevented, but the cage vibration occurs due to large clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing support only at specific locations (minor radius and major radius positions) rather than uniformly throughout the cage. The flange parts are strategically positioned to contact rolling elements only at these critical points, creating localized support zones that prevent deformation while allowing controlled movement elsewhere to reduce vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamics by allowing the cage to have selective mobility - constrained at critical support points by flange-part contacts with rolling elements, but free to move slightly in non-critical areas. This dynamic balance between constrained and free movement zones prevents both excessive deformation and harmful vibration.
2Strength
If the rolling elements are accommodated with large clearance, then the cage deformation is prevented, but the cage vibration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates local quality differences in the clearance distribution - large clearance in most areas to prevent cage deformation, but reduced clearance at specific locations where flange parts contact rolling elements to suppress vibration. This localized clearance control resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and vibration prevention.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the flange part contacts the rolling element at minor radius position, then the cage is supported and vibration is prevented, but the cage may deform due to contact force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies counterweight principle by positioning flange parts to contact rolling elements at both minor radius and major radius positions. The contact forces at these opposite positions balance each other, preventing net deformation while maintaining vibration suppression. The dual-position support system creates force equilibrium that resolves the contradiction between vibration prevention and deformation avoidance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a ball bearing preventing vibration of a cage while preventing deformation of the cage in strain wave gearing. A ball bearing (1) includes an inner ring (2) deformable, an outer ring (3) deformable and installed outside the inner ring (2), a plurality of rolling elements (4) having a spherical shape and provided between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (3), and a cage (5) provided with a plurality of pockets (10) respectively accommodating the plurality of rolling elements (4) and separated by gaps in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of pockets (10) includes a pocket surface (11) spread about a pocket axial line (x1) extending in a radial direction, and a flange part (20) protruding from the pocket surface (11) toward the pocket axial line (x1). The pocket surface (11) is configured to accommodate the rolling element (4) with a gap interposed between the pocket surface (11) and the rolling element (4), and the flange part (20) is configured to come into contact with the rolling element (4) positioned at at least a position of a minor radius (rb) of the inner ring (2) from an inner side in the radial direction.