Self-Powered Bearing Layout for Stable Gap Power Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cage in existing bearing devices rattles in the axial direction, causing variations in the gap between the multipole ring magnet and the coil, which affects power generation and can lead to contact with electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A bearing device with a magnetic ring fixed to one of the outer or inner ring and a stator facing the magnetic ring in the radial direction, along with a circuit board, all disposed within an annular space formed by recesses in the outer and inner rings, generating alternating-current power and reducing dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a bearing device is disposed inside a motor, then the motor structure is integrated and space is saved, but the bearing device is difficult to replace when damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor structureVSAvoidbearing replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The motor structure is divided into a motor body and a separately detachable bearing housing. The bearing housing can be independently removed from the motor body, allowing the bearing to be accessed and replaced without dismantling the entire motor. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining compact integration while enabling easy bearing maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing housing acts as an intermediary component between the bearing and the motor body. It provides a removable interface that facilitates bearing replacement while maintaining the integrated motor structure during operation. The bearing housing can be detached to access the bearing, then reattached to restore the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the motor structure is made compact and integrated, then space efficiency is improved, but accessibility for maintenance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor structureVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The motor structure is segmented into maintainable modules, with the bearing housing being a separately detachable component. This allows maintenance personnel to access the bearing by removing only the bearing housing rather than disassembling the entire integrated motor, thus maintaining compactness while improving maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the bearing housing is made detachable for easy replacement, then maintenance ease is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing replacementVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing housing is pre-designed with detachable connections that maintain structural integrity during normal operation. The detachable features are prepared in advance with proper fastening mechanisms that ensure the housing remains securely attached to the motor body, providing both easy replacement capability and maintained structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4484778B1Bearing device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 NTN CORP
  • EP4484778B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4484778B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4484778B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A bearing device (1) includes a standard bearing (2) including an outer ring (3), an inner ring (4), and a rolling element (8). The bearing device (1) includes: a magnetic ring (7) fixed to the inner ring (4); a stator (5) disposed to face the magnetic ring (7) in a radial direction of the standard bearing (2) and fixed to the outer ring (3); and a circuit board (13). The magnetic ring (7) and the stator (5) constitute a generator (G) that generates AC power. The circuit board (13) includes: at least one sensor that detects a state of the standard bearing (2); a wireless communication circuit (18); and a power supply circuit (17) that converts the AC power generated by the generator (G) into DC power. The magnetic ring (7), the stator (5), and the circuit board (13) are disposed inside an annular space formed by an end portion of the outer ring (3) and an end portion of the inner ring (4).