Bearing Ring Preload Adjustment via Strain Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preloading roller bearings require high accuracy and complex assembly processes, leading to increased production costs and tolerance-related scattering, especially in large bearings like those used in wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
The use of strain gauges or sensors to measure the deformation of bearing rings, allowing for the adjustment of preload by correlating elongation with preload forces, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing tolerance-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high accuracy manufacturing and block assembly are used to achieve required preload, then bearing performance is improved, but production costs increase and tolerance-related scattering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing inner ring is divided into two axially separated parts (first bearing ring part and second bearing ring part). This segmentation allows independent positioning and adjustment of each part, enabling precise preload control through axial distance adjustment without requiring complex block assembly of the entire bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The preload is controlled by changing the axial distance parameter between the two bearing ring parts. By adjusting this distance parameter, the desired preload can be achieved without requiring high manufacturing precision of the entire bearing assembly, thus reducing production costs and tolerance-related scattering.
2Measurement precision
If measurement devices are added to bearing rings to enable preload adjustment, then preload control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Strain gauges are attached to the bearing outer ring to replace complex mechanical measurement systems. The strain gauges provide electrical signals that directly indicate the preload state, simplifying the measurement mechanism while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing outer ring serves multiple functions: it supports the rolling elements, provides structural integrity, and acts as a mounting substrate for the strain gauges. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement devices, thereby limiting device complexity while enabling precise preload control.
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 method enables precise and cost-effective preload adjustment, reducing the need for complex block assembly and minimizing the influence of width tolerances and shaft sizes, while allowing for flexible preload adjustments based on load conditions and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
a device (110) for measuring a strain of a circumference of the bearing ring (100)
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments comprise a bearing ring (100) or a bearing ring segment (100) of the bearing ring (100) having a device (110) for measuring an expansion of a circumference of the bearing ring (100). Embodiments comprise a method for adjusting the pretensioning of a rolling bearing (200) comprising applying (300) a first bearing ring member (130a) opposite a component (140) that is to be supported and applying (310) a second bearing ring member (130b) opposite a component (140) that is to be supported. The method further comprises a measurement (320) of the expansion of an outer bearing ring (100), when the first bearing ring member (130a) and the second bearing ring member (130b) form an inner bearing ring (130), or a measurement of the expansion of an inner bearing ring (130), when the first bearing ring member and the second bearing ring member form an outer bearing ring (100) The method further comprises adjusting (330) an axial distance between the first bearing ring member (130a) and the second bearing ring member (130b), wherein the first bearing ring member (130a) and the second bearing ring member (130b) form an inner bearing ring (130) or an outer bearing ring (100), and fixing (340) the first bearing ring member (130a) relative to the second bearing ring member (130b) such that the expansion corresponds to a predetermined expansion, wherein the predetermined expansion depends on the pretensioning force of the rolling bearing (200).