Bearing Coupling Element with Nose-Shaped Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of bearing arrangements is labor-intensive and costly due to the need for deliberate machining of groove-shaped recesses in the bearing ring and injection-molding of the bearing support for coupling.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement with a coupling element featuring nose-shaped protrusions and radial extensions that engage with existing grooves in standard bearings, allowing for easy attachment and sealing, eliminating the need for additional machining and injection-molding, and providing radial clearance for tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If groove-shaped recesses are lathed into the bearing ring and bearing support is injection-molded for coupling, then the bearing and bearing support can be axially and radially fastened, but the manufacturing becomes labor-intensive and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is pre-integrated into the bearing support during injection molding, with the fastening protrusions already formed in the correct positions and shapes. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent machining operations on the bearing ring, as the standard bearing's existing grooves are directly utilized for coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element serves multiple functions: it provides both axial and radial fastening of the bearing to the support, and simultaneously creates sealing spaces. The same protrusions that enable mechanical coupling also define the sealing geometry, eliminating the need for separate sealing components or additional machining operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard bearings are used with existing grooves, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but additional coupling mechanisms are needed to achieve secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element merges the functions of mechanical fastening and sealing into a single integrated component. The fastening protrusions and sealing structures are combined in one element that is injection-molded as a single piece with the bearing support, eliminating the need for separate coupling mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The standard bearing's existing grooves, which are already present on commercially available bearings, serve dual purposes: their original sealing function and the new coupling function. The coupling element utilizes these pre-existing features without requiring any modification to the bearing itself, allowing the bearing to 'serve itself' for both sealing and mechanical attachment.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bearing support is rigidly mounted, then positioning precision is improved, but thermal expansion tensions and manufacturing tolerances cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element incorporates radial clearances that allow dynamic adjustment between the bearing and bearing support. These clearances enable the system to adapt to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances while maintaining secure mechanical coupling, transforming a potentially rigid connection into a dynamically adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial clearances are built into the coupling element's geometry during injection molding, providing预先 compensation for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances. This beforehand cushioning allows the system to accommodate dimensional changes and tolerances without requiring rigid precision mounting or additional adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing arrangement is disclosed having a bearing and a bearing support. The bearing is coupled to the bearing support at an axial side. The bearing provides first and second bearing rings that define a bearing interior there between. A first groove is formed at the first bearing ring's radial side facing the second bearing ring. A coupling element is arranged at the bearing's axial side facing the bearing support. The coupling element includes a first, preferably nose-shaped, radial protrusion that is in engagement with the first groove, and a second radial protrusion, which at least partially encompasses the bearing support at a side facing away from the bearing, so that the coupling element fastens the bearing to the bearing support. A coupling element for such a bearing arrangement is also provided.