Windrower Bearing Inner Ring With Dual Locking for Any Shaft Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing units for windrowers with mechanical rakes coupled to tractors face challenges in versatility and efficiency due to the need for multiple stock codes and increased risk of errors during mounting, as they often require specific positioning that may not align with existing through-holes for elastic pins or grub screws, especially when transitioning between different machine layouts.
Innovation Solution
A bearing unit design incorporating both an elastic element through-hole and orthogonal grub screw threaded holes on the radially inner ring, allowing for flexible locking methods and improved axial hold, enabling mounting in any position along the shaft without dedicated production processes, thus optimizing stock management and machine compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bearing unit uses a single locking method (either elastic pin or grub screw), then the mounting process is simple, but the versatility for different machine layouts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing unit integrates both elastic pin through-holes and grub screw threaded holes on the radially inner ring, enabling a single bearing unit design to accommodate multiple locking methods. This multi-functional approach allows the same bearing unit to be used across different machine layouts without requiring separate designs for each application.
2Reliability
If multiple stock codes are used for different bearing unit configurations, then specific positioning requirements are met, but inventory complexity and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating both locking method options into a single bearing unit design, the patent eliminates the need for multiple stock codes. The universal design allows any bearing unit to be mounted on any shaft regardless of the shaft's existing through-holes, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining mounting accuracy.
3Strength
If the bearing unit requires specific positioning on the shaft, then the locking is secure, but the ease of mounting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing unit provides both elastic pin through-holes and grub screw threaded holes, allowing installers to choose the appropriate locking method based on the shaft configuration. This ensures secure axial holding through either method while maintaining flexibility in mounting positions along the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially inner ring acts as an intermediary component that bridges different shaft types. By providing multiple locking interface options on the inner ring, it mediates between the shaft's existing through-holes and the bearing unit's locking requirements, enabling secure mounting without requiring specific shaft modifications.
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 dual locking system enhances axial hold and balance, reduces stock complexity, and allows for a single product to serve multiple machine layouts, improving operational efficiency and reducing errors in mounting, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity in production.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (pin, gudgeon or the like) is inserted under pressure to rigidly connect the two components
Implementation Method 2
a pair of clamping elements to lock the radially inner ring on the shaft (for example a pair of socket-head screws or grub screws that are inserted into dedicated threaded through-holes formed in an axially end portion of the radially inner ring to stably lock the radially inner ring to the shaft)
Implementation Method 3
The rolling elements can be balls, cylindrical or conical rollers, needle rollers and similar rolling elements
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing unit comprising a stationary radially outer ring with a spherical radially outer surface with a convex shape, a radially inner ring that is rotary about a central rotation axis (X) of the bearing unit and is mounted on a rotating or oscillating shaft. A diametrical through-hole is formed in a first cylindrical portion that is used to receive an elastic element for locking the radially inner ring on the shaft, a plurality of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring to enable the relative rotation of the two rings, and a locking element locking the radially inner ring on the shaft. The radially inner ring is provided with two threaded through-holes from opposite sides with respect to the radially outer ring and to the rolling bodies, for housing respective grub screws for locking the radially inner ring on the shaft.