Oil-Lubricated Bearing Assembly With Integrated Sealing and Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-lubricated bearing assemblies supporting rotating shafts protruding from machine housings are bulky due to the need for a ledge and separate sealing between the shaft and the casing, which complicates the assembly and increases size.
Innovation Solution
A compact oil-lubricated bearing assembly with a tubular housing body, annular seal assemblies, and a mounting flange with axial through holes for secure attachment to the support member, eliminating the need for an inner seal between the shaft and the wall by using labyrinth seals and a sealing gasket, and allowing the sump to be positioned away from the support member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pedestal bearing housing with ledge and separate sealing is used, then the bearing can support the rotating shaft, but the assembly becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing housing, seal assemblies, and mounting flange into a single integrated tubular housing body. The outer race ring is fitted directly into the bearing seat formed in the housing body, eliminating the need for separate pedestal housings and ledges. This merging of components reduces the overall assembly size while maintaining the bearing support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular housing body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the bearing seat for supporting the outer race ring, contains the sealed inner space for the bearing and sump, and includes mounting flanges for attachment to the support member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing bulkiness.
2Reliability
If separate sealing between shaft and casing is provided, then the through hole can be sealed, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assemblies are integrated into the tubular housing body structure, with one seal assembly positioned at each end of the bearing within the sealed inner space. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing structures between the shaft and casing, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assemblies are nested within the tubular housing body, with the seals positioned concentrically around the rotating shaft within the sealed inner space. This nested arrangement provides effective sealing without adding external complexity to the assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
An oil-lubricated bearing assembly (10) for supporting a rotating shaft (12) with respect to a support member (14), comprises a tubular housing body (16) which surrounds an axial through cavity (24). The housing body has an annular bearing seat (26) facing radially inwards within the through cavity (24). A bearing (18) is received in the through cavity (24) of the housing body (16), with at least one outer race ring (28) fitted into the bearing seat (26). A sealed inner space (56) including the bearing is defined between two annular seal assemblies (36, 52). A mounting flange (72) integral with the housing body (16) protrudes radially from the housing body (16). The mounting flange (72) is provided with axial through holes (74) extending in the axial direction for fixing the housing body (16) to a wall (14) of the support member, which extends perpendicularly to the reference axis.