Bearing Shell Insertion Aid for Abrasion-Free Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly process for plain bearing shells often results in material abrasion and potential bearing failure due to contact with metallic edges during insertion into bearing mounts, leading to consequential engine damage.

Innovation Solution

A device with a detachable attachment area and a support area made of plastic or elastomeric materials that allows the plain bearing shell to slide along the support area during insertion, preventing contact with the bearing mount edge and reducing assembly force, thereby minimizing material abrasion and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the plain bearing shell is directly inserted into the bearing receptacle without support, then the insertion process is simple, but material abrasion occurs on the bearing surface due to contact with the metallic edge of the receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion process simplicityVSAvoidmaterial abrasion on bearing surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A support area made of plastic or elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary between the plain bearing shell and the metallic edge of the bearing receptacle. This support area prevents direct contact between the bearing shell and the sharp edge, thereby preventing material abrasion while maintaining a relatively simple insertion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a support structure is added to prevent contact with the receptacle edge, then material abrasion is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial abrasion preventionVSAvoidinsertion device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support area is made from flexible plastic or elastomeric materials that can deform and adapt to the insertion process. This flexibility allows the support structure to protect the bearing shell while maintaining a compact and relatively simple device design, avoiding the need for complex rigid support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If a metallic support structure is used to guide the bearing shell, then alignment is improved, but assembly force increases due to friction and potential damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing shell alignmentVSAvoidassembly force
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter of the support area is changed from metallic to plastic or elastomeric materials. This material parameter change reduces the coefficient of friction between the support area and the bearing shell, thereby reducing the assembly force required while still providing adequate alignment guidance during insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The device effectively prevents material abrasion on the plain bearing shell and reduces assembly force, ensuring smooth insertion and minimizing the risk of damage to both the bearing and the component, even when used with cracked or fractured parts.

Implementation Method 1

the sliding bearing shell can slide along the support area with minimal resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

preventing material from being scraped off the bearing surface of the sliding bearing shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWear: Wear

Implementation Method 3

the first mounting area and/or the first support area is made of a plastic material and/or an elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3495681B1Device, in particular insertion aid, for gliding mounting bearing shell
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3495681B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3495681B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3495681B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Device (10; 110; 210; 310), in particular an insertion aid, for mounting a sliding bearing shell (16, 316) of a sliding bearing in a bearing receptacle (14, 314) of a component (12; 212; 312). The device (10; 110; 210; 310) has an attachment area (18; 118; 318) for detachably attaching the device (10; 110; 210; 310) to the component (12; 212; 312). The device (10; 110; 210; 310) has a support area (20; 120; 320) for supporting the sliding bearing shell (16, 316) during insertion of the sliding bearing shell (16, 316) into the bearing receptacle (14, 314) of the component (12; 212; 312). During insertion into the bearing receptacle (14; 314), the sliding bearing shell (16; 316) can slide along the support area (18; 118; 318) so that the sliding bearing shell (16; 316) does not come into contact with an outer edge (28) of the bearing receptacle (14; 314).