Rolling Bearing Elastic Ring Rotation Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rolling bearing assemblies for tunnel boring machines, oil extraction installations, and marine applications, the rotation of an elastic ring with respect to its housing causes wear, which reduces its efficiency due to the lack of a mechanism to prevent axial clearance.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing assembly with a non-rotatable element and a rotatable element, featuring rolling systems with elastically mounted rings and resilient elements, and blocking members that prevent the elastic ring from rotating by protruding into holes in the ring, ensuring it remains stationary with respect to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic ring is mounted on the non-rotatable element to form a raceway track, then the rolling bearing assembly can accommodate axial clearance, but the elastic ring rotates with respect to the housing causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is segmented from the resilient elements and implemented through separate blocking members (cylindrical pins) that protrude into holes of the elastic ring. This segmentation allows the elastic ring to maintain its raceway function while the blocking members independently prevent rotation, resolving the contradiction between accommodating axial clearance and preventing wear.
Solution Approach 2:
Blocking members act as intermediary elements between the non-rotatable element (housing) and the elastic ring. These pins protrude into the holes of the elastic ring to prevent rotation, serving as a mediator that eliminates the harmful rotational movement while allowing the elastic ring to continue functioning as a raceway track.
2Reliability
If resilient elements are used to keep the elastic ring in contact with rolling elements, then axial clearance is canceled, but the elastic ring is not prevented from rotating
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of maintaining contact and preventing rotation are segmented into different components: resilient elements (springs) maintain contact between the elastic ring and rolling elements, while separate blocking members (cylindrical pins) prevent rotation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members are integrated into the housing structure (non-rotatable element) and work in combination with the resilient elements. The pins are mounted in the housing and protrude into the elastic ring holes, merging the blocking function with the existing contact-maintaining system to simultaneously achieve both contact and rotation prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents the elastic ring from rotating, thereby eliminating wear and maintaining its efficiency by securely fixing it to the housing, enhancing the longevity and performance of the rolling bearing assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastically mounted ring (14) forming a raceway track mounted on the non rotatable element (B) so that the rolling elements cooperate with the elastically mounted ring (14), the elastically mounted ring (14) being elastically mounted against and kept in contact with the rolling elements by several resilient elements
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This rolling bearing assembly (A) comprises a rotatable element (R) adapted to rotate with respect to a non-rotatable element (B) around a central rotation axis (X-X'), and rolling systems (2, 2', 4) arranged between the rotatable element and the non-rotatable element, said rolling systems comprising at least one rolling system (2, 2') having rolling elements (20) arranged along radial axes (X2) with respect to the rotation axis of the rolling bearing assembly. The rolling bearing assembly comprises at least one elastically mounted ring (14) forming a raceway track mounted on the non rotatable element so that the rolling elements cooperate with the elastically mounted ring, the elastically mounted ring being kept in contact with the rolling elements (20) by several resilient elements mounted in holes distributed around the circumference of the non rotatable element. The rolling bearing assembly comprises at least one blocking member mounted in the non rotatable element and which protrudes in a hole of the elastically mouted ring, so that said blocking member blocks the elastically mounted ring in rotation around the central rotation axis with respect to the non rotatable element.