Rolling Bearing Cage Segment Design for Packing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller bearing cage designs face challenges in achieving high packing density and low rolling resistance while minimizing production costs, transportation complexity, and assembly difficulties, particularly in large bearings, due to limited packing density and increased wear from local compaction and contact between cage segments and rolling elements.
Innovation Solution
A cage segment design featuring two side plates and two webs, with each side plate extending beyond the pocket to form half a pocket with an adjacent rolling element, allowing for increased packing density and reduced number of segments, thus lowering production and assembly costs, and incorporating radial guide elements for reduced friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cage segments are designed with guide bodies on axial webs, then rolling elements are guided, but packing density is limited and local compaction occurs leading to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into multiple cage segments arranged circumferentially, each segment having guide surfaces that contact rolling elements. This segmentation allows better distribution of rolling elements and reduces local compaction while maintaining guidance function, thereby improving packing density and wear resistance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Guide surfaces are provided on the cage segments at specific locations where they contact the rolling elements. The guide surfaces have specific geometric features (radially inner and radially outer guide surfaces) that provide localized guidance and support, reducing wear at critical contact points while allowing efficient packing throughout the bearing
2Reliability
If cage segments are supported in circumferential direction, then local compaction is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is segmented into multiple circumferentially arranged segments that can move independently to some extent. This segmentation provides circumferential support distribution without requiring a complex continuous structure, maintaining uniform rolling element distribution while keeping the design relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The cage segments are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to adapt to loading conditions. The segments can move circumferentially to accommodate rolling elements while maintaining support, providing uniform distribution without rigid complex structures
3Ease of manufacture
If number of cage segments is reduced, then assembly is easier and production cost is lower, but packing density may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into a moderate number of segments (at least two, preferably three or four) that balance assembly simplicity with packing efficiency. Each segment is designed to be relatively simple in structure, making assembly easier, while the circumferential arrangement of segments maintains high packing density of rolling elements
Solution Approach 2:
Each cage segment is designed as a universal component that can be used in different positions circumferentially. The segments have guide surfaces and structural features that perform multiple functions (guiding, supporting, spacing rolling elements), reducing the total number of different component types needed and simplifying assembly while maintaining packing density
Data Source
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AI summary
A cage segment of a rolling bearing, which cage segment has two side plates and two webs which are fixedly connected to one another, wherein the webs extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the rolling bodies of the rolling bearing, and in which cage segment the side plates and the webs form a pocket for receiving a rolling body. In order to be able to produce and assemble a cage segment of said type in an inexpensive manner, and in order to be able to ensure operation without jamming in an associated rolling bearing, it is provided that the two side plates on both sides of the pocket extend in a circumferential direction of the rolling bearing to such an extent that the side plates together with in each case one of the two webs form in each case one half-pocket for receiving a directly adjacent rolling body.