Rolling Bearing Grounding Member With Soft Contact for Electrolytic Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytic corrosion prevention methods for rolling bearings in electric vehicles generate abrasion powder that contaminates lubricating oil, damage mating members, and require additional processing or space, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic corrosion prevention member featuring a spring plate with an annular portion and radial elastic portions made of conductive material, combined with a soft conductive member that abuts against the rotating ring, effectively prevents electrolytic corrosion without generating significant abrasion powder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive member is used to prevent electrolytic corrosion, then electrolytic corrosion is prevented, but abrasion powder is generated that contaminates lubricating oil and damages mating members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a soft conductive member made of electrically conductive rubber that can be easily replaced. This member is designed to be consumable, allowing it to be replaced periodically without affecting the bearing itself. The soft material generates minimal abrasion powder compared to metal conductive members, and when worn out, the entire soft conductive member can be discarded and replaced as a unit, protecting the expensive bearing from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the conductive member from hard metal to soft electrically conductive rubber. This parameter change reduces the hardness and abrasiveness of the conductive member, thereby minimizing abrasion powder generation. The soft material deforms elastically under contact pressure, reducing mechanical wear on both the conductive member and the bearing raceway, while maintaining sufficient electrical conductivity to prevent electrolytic corrosion.
2Reliability
If metal conductive members are used, then electrolytic corrosion is prevented, but metal powder is generated through sliding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure where a soft conductive rubber layer is applied on a support structure. The electrically conductive rubber contains conductive fillers (such as carbon black or metal particles) dispersed in a rubber matrix. This composite structure provides both the electrical conductivity needed to prevent electrolytic corrosion and the softness required to minimize metal powder generation through sliding contact, combining the benefits of both metal and non-metal materials.
3Reliability
If existing corrosion prevention methods are implemented, then electrolytic corrosion is prevented, but additional processing or space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the corrosion prevention function with the bearing assembly by integrating the soft conductive member directly into the bearing unit structure. The conductive member is positioned between the bearing and the motor housing, combining electrical conductivity, mechanical support, and corrosion prevention in a single integrated component arrangement. This eliminates the need for separate corrosion prevention devices and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft conductive member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical conductivity to prevent electrolytic corrosion, acts as a mechanical buffer to reduce vibration and shock, and serves as a wear surface that protects the bearing raceway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and processing steps, simplifying the overall bearing unit design.
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 electrolytic corrosion of rolling bearings, minimizes damage to mating members, and can be used with existing bearings without additional processing or increased space, enhancing versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a spring plate (10A) including an annular portion (11A) and a plurality of elastic portions (13A) that extend continuously from the annular portion in a radial shape
Implementation Method 2
being formed of a thin plate of a conductive material; and a soft conductive member mounted on a surface of the elastic portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An electrolytic corrosion prevention member for a rolling bearing, the electrolytic corrosion prevention member being mounted on a rolling bearing unit including the rolling bearing in which one bearing ring is a fixed ring and the other bearing ring is a rotating ring in order to prevent electrolytic corrosion of the rolling bearing, the electrolytic corrosion prevention member includes: a spring plate including an annular portion and a plurality of elastic portions that extend continuously from the annular portion in a radial shape and being formed of a thin plate of a conductive material; and a soft conductive member mounted on a surface of the elastic portion that faces the rotating ring. The soft conductive member is capable of abutting against a side surface of the rotating ring.