Bearing Cap Sensor Holder Segmentation for Debris Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bearing caps with sensor units face challenges in effectively discharging foreign matters, such as mud slurry, which can lead to damage from moisture accumulation and freezing, compromising the integrity of the sensor components.

Innovation Solution

The bearing cap design incorporates a notched cylinder-shaped holder support part with a discontinuous part in the circumferential direction and a convex curved nut holding part, facilitating gravity-driven discharge of foreign matters through a Venturi effect enhanced by an upwardly convex air stream, preventing mud slurry introduction and ensuring effective cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the holder support part is made with a continuous cylindrical structure, then the sensor holder is securely supported and fixed, but foreign matters such as mud slurry accumulate inside and cannot be discharged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor holder support stabilityVSAvoidforeign matter accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder support part is designed with a discontinuous cylindrical structure featuring circumferential grooves that segment the continuous cylindrical surface. This segmentation creates discharge paths for foreign matters while maintaining the structural integrity and support function for the sensor holder, resolving the contradiction between secure support and foreign matter discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder support part incorporates a porous-like discontinuous structure with circumferential grooves that allow fluid and particulate matter to pass through. This structure enables foreign matters to be discharged from the interior while maintaining sufficient structural strength to support the sensor holder securely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the bearing cap is sealed completely to prevent foreign matter entry, then sensor components are protected, but moisture and foreign matters that enter cannot be discharged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor component protectionVSAvoidmoisture accumulation and freezing damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing cap design incorporates discharge paths (circumferential grooves and axial through-holes) in advance before foreign matters accumulate. This preliminary anti-action ensures that when foreign matters or moisture enter the sealed space, they can be actively discharged through the pre-designed paths, preventing accumulation and freezing damage while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The design extracts the harmful function of complete sealing by introducing controlled discharge paths. The circumferential grooves and axial through-holes enable the extraction of accumulated foreign matters and moisture from the sealed interior space, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effectively discharges foreign matters, protects the sensor components from mud slurry, and improves the reliability of the bearing cap by utilizing gravity and air flow to remove debris, thereby preventing damage and ensuring proper operation.

Implementation Method 1

facilitating gravity-driven discharge of foreign matters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a convex curved nut holding part, facilitating gravity-driven discharge of foreign matters through a Venturi effect enhanced by an upwardly convex air stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3258128B1Bearing cap having sensor unit, and rolling bearing unit
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 NSK LTD
  • EP3258128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3258128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Within an axially inner-side surface of a bottom plate part, a holder support part, into which a holder main body part constituting a sensor holder is fitted, is provided so as to project in the upper of two vertically adjacent positions, and a nut holding part, which holds a nut into which is threaded a bolt for joining a sensor holder, is provided so as to project in the lower of the two positions, the holder support part and the nut holding part being set apart from each other. The holder support part is configured as a segmented cylinder having a non-continuous part in the lower end thereof. The upper-side surface of the nut holding part is formed into a cylindrical surface, the portion facing the non-continuous part being positioned the highest.