Roller Bearing Cage Retention Ring for Fracture-Resistant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing cages in aircraft engines face issues with residual stresses due to plastic deformation and bearing element dropout, leading to potential fractures and challenging installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly featuring a supplementary ring with axially extending retention elements that radially retain and compressively support roller bearing elements within the bearing cage, eliminating the need for additional structural modifications and reducing manufacturing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic deformation is used to create detent features in bearing cages, then bearing elements can be retained in the cage, but residual stresses cause potential fracture of the bearing cage
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is segmented from the bearing cage structure itself and transferred to separate supplementary rings. The bearing cage maintains its simple cylindrical structure without plastic deformation, while supplementary rings provide the retention function through their own detent features, thus eliminating residual stresses in the cage.
Solution Approach 2:
Supplementary rings act as intermediary components between the bearing cage and bearing elements. These rings provide the detent features for retention without requiring plastic deformation of the cage itself, thereby protecting the cage from residual stress-induced fractures while still achieving reliable bearing element retention.
2Strength
If fully machined bearing cages are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but bearing elements can drop out making installation challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into three functional components: the fully machined bearing cage for structural support, supplementary rings for retention, and bearing elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cage for integrity and the supplementary rings for ease of installation with their self-aligning detent features.
Solution Approach 2:
Supplementary rings serve as intermediary components that bridge the gap between the fully machined cage and the bearing elements. They provide the necessary retention function with self-aligning detent features that facilitate easy installation without requiring complex machining of the cage itself.
3Reliability
If supplementary rings with retention elements are added, then bearing element retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary rings serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide bearing element retention through detent features, act as spacers to maintain proper axial positioning, and distribute loads evenly across the bearing elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplementary rings are nested within the bearing assembly structure, fitting between the cage and the bearing elements. This nested configuration allows the retention function to be added without significantly increasing the overall dimensions or complexity of the bearing assembly, as the supplementary rings utilize the existing spatial envelope.
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
The supplementary ring enhances durability by providing compressive force and preventing bearing element dislodgment, reducing manufacturing time and costs, while maintaining assembly integrity even in case of fractures.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of retention elements is disposed to retain the plurality of bearing elements in the annular body of the bearing cage
Implementation Method 2
providing compressive force and preventing bearing element dislodgment
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly includes a bearing cage and a supplementary ring. The bearing cage includes an annular body and a plurality of bearing elements disposed about the annular body. The supplementary ring includes an annular collar and a plurality of retention elements. The annular collar is disposed concentrically about the bearing cage. The plurality of retention elements is connected to and extends axially from the first annular collar. Each retention element is aligned between adjacent bearing elements. The plurality of retention elements is disposed to retain the plurality of bearing elements in the annular body of the bearing cage.