Rolling Bearing Outer Ring Creep Suppression Groove

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling bearings face challenges in suppressing creep between the outer ring and housing due to radial and axial loads, leading to unwanted sliding, which is not effectively addressed by current annular groove designs.

Innovation Solution

A rolling bearing design featuring an annular groove on the fitting surface of the stationary ring and a track groove on the peripheral surface of the stationary ring, where the contact ellipse between the balls and these grooves is positioned within the axial range of the annular groove, effectively reducing elastic deformation transmission to the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the thickness of the outer ring is increased to suppress creep, then the creep resistance is improved, but the weight of the rolling bearing is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreep resistanceVSAvoidweight of rolling bearing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The outer ring is segmented by introducing an annular groove that divides the outer peripheral surface into multiple regions. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain creep resistance while reducing material usage and overall weight, as the groove creates localized stress distribution rather than requiring uniform thickness increase throughout the entire outer ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly increasing the outer ring thickness, the invention applies local quality enhancement by strategically positioning the annular groove at specific locations where creep occurs. The groove depth and positioning are optimized to provide maximum creep resistance exactly where needed, while maintaining thinner sections elsewhere to reduce overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the number of balls is increased to suppress creep, then the creep resistance is improved, but the weight and complexity of the rolling bearing are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreep resistanceVSAvoidnumber of rolling elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The annular groove segments the outer ring structure to create multiple load distribution zones, effectively replacing the need for additional rolling elements. This segmentation approach provides enhanced creep resistance through structural design rather than simply increasing the quantity of balls, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If an annular groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring to suppress creep, then the creep resistance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreep resistanceVSAvoidgroove formation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the annular groove parameters (depth, width, positioning) to achieve effective creep suppression while maintaining manufacturability. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design balances the need for precision with practical manufacturing capabilities, avoiding excessively tight tolerances that would be difficult to achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the annular groove is positioned to effectively suppress creep, then the creep resistance is improved, but the contact ellipse positioning requirements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecreep resistanceVSAvoidcontact ellipse positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for contact ellipse positioning relative to the annular groove location. By defining these parameter relationships, the design ensures effective creep suppression while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements, avoiding overly stringent positioning tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration significantly enhances creep suppression by containing elastic deformation within the annular groove, reducing relative slide between the outer ring and housing, even under combined radial and axial loads.

Implementation Method 1

elastic deformation of the outer ring 92 is not easily transmitted to the housing 97 even if a large load in the radial direction is applied, which makes it possible to suppress creep

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a track groove with which the balls make rolling contact is formed in a peripheral surface of the stationary ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10119568B2Rolling bearing

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

A rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of balls, and a cage. An annular groove for creep suppression is formed in a fitting surface of the outer ring to be fitted with a mating member (housing) to which the outer ring is to be mounted. An outer ring track groove with which the balls make rolling contact is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring on the side opposite to the fitting surface. The entire contact ellipse generated when each of the balls and the outer ring track groove contact each other is positioned within the axial range of the outer ring in which the annular groove is formed.