Bearing Insulating Sleeve with Protrusions for Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric motors or machines, the rotation of the shaft can create an electrical potential difference between the shaft and the housing, leading to electric current flow through rolling bearings, causing damage and undesirable vibrations, which is not effectively addressed by conventional technologies, particularly due to the high cost of hybrid rolling bearings with ceramic elements.
Innovation Solution
A bearing device with a first and second ring that can rotate relative to each other, featuring an insulating sleeve with a socket and an insulating liner made of electrically insulating material, secured radially between the second ring and the socket, and protrusions on the socket to prevent axial and circumferential movement, reducing the risk of electrical conduction and enhancing manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hybrid rolling bearings with ceramic rolling elements are used to prevent electrical current damage, then the reliability of the bearing is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating liner as an intermediary component between the rolling elements and the bearing rings. This liner prevents direct electrical contact between the steel components, blocking the electrical discharge path that causes bearing damage. The insulating liner is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily integrated into the bearing structure, avoiding the need for expensive ceramic rolling elements while still providing the necessary electrical insulation to prevent fluting and damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If steel rolling elements are used in conventional bearings, then the manufacturing cost is low, but electrical current causes damage to the rolling elements and raceways
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating liner serves as a protective intermediary layer between the steel rolling elements and the bearing rings. It prevents electrical current from passing through the steel components, thereby protecting the rolling elements and raceways from electrical discharge damage while maintaining the cost advantages of steel materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure becomes a composite system combining conductive steel components (rolling elements, rings) with an insulating liner material. This composite structure allows the steel components to retain their mechanical properties and low cost, while the insulating liner provides the necessary electrical protection against harmful electrical discharges.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an insulating liner is added to prevent electrical current flow, then the protection against electrical damage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into distinct functional zones: the steel rolling elements and rings for mechanical load bearing, and the insulating liner for electrical protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The insulating liner is divided into a body portion and a flange portion, each serving specific purposes in preventing electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating liner is nested within the bearing structure, fitting between the rolling elements and the bearing rings. This nested configuration allows the insulating liner to be integrated into the existing bearing geometry without requiring significant structural changes or additional external components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 bearing device provides effective electrical insulation, reducing the risk of damage and vibrations, while being more affordable and easier to manufacture than hybrid rolling bearings, with the insulating liner and protrusions ensuring stability and temperature resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating liner interposed radially between the second ring of the bearing and the socket. The insulating liner is rigidly secured to the second ring and to the socket and is made of an electrically insulating material
Implementation Method 2
the socket comprises at least one protrusion bearing against the insulating liner at least in the axial direction. The protrusion or protrusions of the socket make it possible to prevent relative movement between the socket and the insulating liner at least in the axial direction
Implementation Method 3
if the insulating liner is made of synthetic material or elastomeric material, the device will be less sensitive to temperature changes
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing device includes a bearing having a first ring and a second ring mounted for relative rotation and an insulating sleeve mounted on the second ring. The insulating sleeve includes a socket and an electrically insulating liner contacting the second ring. The insulating liner is rigidly secured to the second ring of the bearing and to the socket, and the socket includes at least one protrusion bearing against the insulating liner at least in the axial direction.