Bearing Assembly Axial Preload Adjustment Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing assemblies face challenges in achieving precise preload adjustment with limited installation space, making it difficult to install and adjust components effectively.
Innovation Solution
The flange ring includes a displaceable section with a sliding seat and a threaded section that engages with a counterthread on a separate component, allowing for precise preload adjustment and fixation using lock nuts, plastic deformation, or material bonding, enabling sufficient space for installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flange is integrated directly into the bearing ring with a thread, then the structure is compact, but insufficient installation space is available for adjustment components
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is divided into two separate components: a flange ring that is axially displaceable on the bearing ring, and a separate component (such as a hollow-cylindrical sleeve) that is fixed to the bearing ring. This segmentation allows the flange ring to be adjusted axially for preload setting while the separate component provides the necessary installation space for adjustment mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact structure and sufficient adjustment space.
2Strength
If the flange is made fully hardened for durability, then strength is improved, but plastic deformability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flange ring is hardened only in the region that requires strength and wear resistance, while leaving other regions unhardened to maintain plastic deformability. This localized heat treatment allows the flange to be both durable in critical areas and manufacturable through plastic deformation processes in non-critical areas, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
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 design allows for precise preload setting and maintenance, reducing bearing friction and improving installation space, facilitating easier component accommodation and operational control.
Implementation Method 1
a first section (12) that is displaceable on the bearing ring (4, 5) with a sliding seat (14)
Implementation Method 2
a second section (13), axially adjacent to the first section (12), that comprises a thread (15) wherein the thread (15) can be brought into engagement with a counterthread (16)
Implementation Method 3
these means can be formed by a lock nut that is screwed onto the separate component (17)
Implementation Method 4
the hardened region of the flange has preferably been hardened with an inductive hardening
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly includes two rolling-element bearings having inner and outer rings and rolling elements between the rings, the rolling-element bearings being configured to be axially preloaded, at least one of the inner and outer rings including an axially adjustable flange ring forming a flange for the rolling elements, the flange ring having a first section axially slidably mounted on one of the bearing rings and a second section axially adjacent to the first section, the second section including a thread, and the thread being configured to threadably engage a counterthread of a separate component at a location axially spaced from the bearing ring.