Rolling Bearing Retaining Element Radial Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller bearing holding elements do not adequately minimize friction and maintain optimal lubrication conditions, leading to suboptimal operation.
Innovation Solution
The holding element features sections that are recessed in the axial central region, with concave arcuate contact surfaces and cavities to collect lubricant, and is designed to extend radially inward from the pitch circle radius, avoiding direct contact with rolling elements and supporting the inner ring raceway at standstill, made from materials like polyamide or PEEK with embedded reinforcing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding element maintains continuous contact with rolling elements to guide them, then guidance stability is improved, but friction increases and lubrication conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is divided into multiple sections along the rolling element path, with each section providing guidance only where necessary. The gaps between sections allow rolling elements to pass through with minimal contact, reducing friction while maintaining guidance stability in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element transitions from a continuous two-dimensional contact surface to a three-dimensional structure with elevated sections and gaps. This dimensional change allows the holding element to provide guidance when needed while creating space for lubricant flow and reducing contact friction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the holding element surface is smooth to reduce friction, then friction is reduced, but lubricant retention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the holding element have different surface properties. Contact surfaces have low friction coatings or smooth finishes to reduce friction, while recessed areas and cavities have rougher surfaces or geometric features that trap and retain lubricant. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both friction reduction and lubricant retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element incorporates porous or cavitated regions that can absorb and store lubricant. These porous areas act as lubricant reservoirs, ensuring continuous lubrication supply while the external smooth surfaces maintain low friction contact with rolling elements.
3Reliability
If the holding element extends fully radially to support the inner ring raceway, then support stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element's radial extension is made variable rather than fixed. During operation, the holding element flexes or adjusts its radial position dynamically, providing full radial support when the bearing is stationary and reducing radial extension during rotation to minimize interference and simplify the effective structure. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between support stability and structural 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
This configuration reduces friction, prevents smearing, and ensures efficient lubrication by separating rolling elements, allowing for low-friction operation and effective lubricant distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Lubricant (grease) can collect in this and thus improve the lubrication of the bearing
Implementation Method 2
The precise design of the retaining elements and in particular their surfaces that have sliding contact with parts of the bearing during operation must be carried out from the point of view that the friction that occurs is minimal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a retaining element (1) arranged between two adjacent rolling elements (2) of a rolling bearing (3), wherein the rolling elements (2) are arranged between an inner ring (4) and an outer ring (5) of the rolling bearing (3), wherein the inner ring (4) has an inner ring raceway (6) with an inner radius (R1), wherein the outer ring (5) has an outer ring raceway (7) with an outer radius (RA), and wherein the rolling elements are arranged with their centers (8) on a pitch circle radius (RT).In order to achieve improved and low-friction guidance of the rolling elements by the retaining elements in a rolling bearing, the invention provides that the retaining element (1) extends radially inwards from the pitch circle radius (RT) over at least 90% of the difference (RT - RI) between the pitch circle radius (RT) and the inner radius (RI) when used as intended, and extends radially outwards from the pitch circle radius (RT) over at most 50% of the difference (RA - RT) between the outer radius (RA) and the pitch circle radius (RT).