Rotary Bearing Guide Ring for Rolling Element Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary bearings with strain wave gears face issues where rolling elements can fall out during rotation, leading to impaired function and potential blockage, especially in hard-to-access installation conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide ring for the rolling elements within the receptacles, which limits their axial movement towards the receptacle opening, thereby preventing them from falling out. This guide ring can be secured using a rotary shaft seal, retaining ring, or press fit, and can be made of plastic or steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rolling elements are arranged in receptacles without additional retention structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because rolling elements can fall out during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is segmented into multiple functional zones: the bearing surface area for rolling element support, the receptacle opening for access, and the guide ring structure that divides the receptacle interior to prevent rolling element escape. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while collectively solving the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide ring is introduced as an intermediary element within the receptacle. This guide ring acts as a mediator between the rolling elements and the receptacle opening, physically blocking the rolling elements from falling out while allowing them to remain accessible for maintenance through the receptacle opening.
2Ease of operation
If the receptacle is designed to allow easy access for rolling element insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens because rolling elements can fall out during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to accommodate rolling elements during insertion while preventing their escape during operation. The guide ring structure adapts to the operational state, permitting easy insertion during maintenance while providing reliable retention during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide ring serves as an intermediary structure that reconciles the conflicting requirements of easy access and secure retention. It allows rolling elements to be easily inserted through the receptacle opening while simultaneously preventing them from falling out during rotation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
3Reliability
If a guide ring is added to prevent rolling elements from falling out, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring is merged with the receptacle structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate additional part. This merging approach allows the guide ring to perform its retention function while being structurally integrated into the receptacle, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide ring is designed to perform multiple functions: it prevents rolling elements from falling out, guides rolling elements during insertion, and can be integrated with sealing structures. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple requirements, improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary bearing (50), especially for harmonic gearing, comprising an outer bearing ring (1b) and an inner bearing ring (1a) arranged therein; whereby the inner bearing ring (1a) and the outer bearing ring (1b) are each provided with at least one receptacle (10, 11) through which, when the two receptacles (10, 11) are in a corresponding position with respect to one another, rolling elements (8) can be inserted through a receptacle opening (22) formed by the two receptacles (10, 11) into an anti-friction bearing between the bearing surface (7) of the inner bearing ring (1a) and the bearing surface (9) of the outer bearing ring (1b), wherein a guide ring (20) for the rolling elements (8) is arranged in at least one of the two receptacles (10, 11) between the receptacle opening (22) and the rolling elements (8).