Modular Bearing Seal Torque Tool for Consistent Disassembly Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring disassembly torque of bearing unit seals result in varying torque values due to the use of different tools for the same size of bearing units across different production sites, often falling outside the specified range.
Innovation Solution
A modular tool comprising a standard base element and a variable modular element that adapts to different bearing unit sizes, ensuring rotational integrity and consistent torque measurement by engaging with the metal shield's through-holes and pins, allowing a single tool to be used across various sizes and sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different measuring tools are used for the same bearing unit size across different production sites, then the tools can be adapted to local requirements, but the torque measurement values vary and fall outside the specified range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measuring tool with a standardized base element and interchangeable modular elements that can measure torque across different bearing unit sizes (from 20mm to 60mm outer diameter). This single multi-functional tool replaces multiple site-specific tools, ensuring consistent torque measurement values within the specified range (0.5-2 Nm) across all production sites while maintaining adaptability to different bearing sizes through modular attachments.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple different tools are used for different bearing unit sizes, then each tool can be optimized for its specific size, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring tool is segmented into a standardized base element and interchangeable modular elements. The base element contains the torque measurement mechanism, while modular elements (with different pin configurations) attach to accommodate various bearing unit sizes. This segmentation allows one base tool to serve multiple size-specific applications, reducing the total number of tools from many specialized instruments to a single modular system while maintaining optimized measurement capability for each bearing size category.
3Measurement precision
If a single modular tool is used for all bearing unit sizes, then measurement consistency is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to element replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The appropriate modular element is selected and attached to the base element before performing the torque measurement. The modular element features a pin that aligns with and engages the through-hole in the shield, creating a pre-configured measurement assembly specific to the bearing unit size. This preliminary configuration ensures that when measurement begins, the tool is already optimized for the specific application, maintaining both consistency and operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular tool (10) for measuring the disassembly torques of a metal shield (36) of a seal (35) for a bearing unit (30). The tool (10) has a torque gauge (20) equipped with a hexagonal key (22). A base element (40) is rotationally integral with the torque gauge (20). A modular element (50) is rotationally integral with the base element (40) and with the shield (36) of the bearing unit (30). The tool includes a support platform (6) for the bearing unit (30). The base element (40) is invariable with respect to the size of the bearing unit (30). The modular element (50) has a variable size according to the size of the bearing unit (30).