Plain Bearing Shell Axial Projection Anti-Rotation Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing plain bearing shells in radial piston machines are either expensive due to processes like caulking and welding or compromise dimensional accuracy, and there is a need for a reliable, non-rotatable arrangement that prevents rotation in the circumferential direction.

Innovation Solution

A plain bearing shell with axial projections on its end faces that prevent rotation by forming a stop or contact surface in the circumferential direction, allowing for a secure, non-rotatable mounting without the need for costly processes, and the projections can be formed integrally with the shell material or adapted through machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bearing shell is caulked using stamping and/or pressing processes, then the bearing shell is secured in the piston, but the dimensional accuracy of the bearing shell and piston is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of bearing shellVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces axial projections that extend in the axial direction (perpendicular to the radial plane) to prevent rotation. This adds a new dimensional feature (axial extent) to the bearing shell that provides anti-rotation functionality without requiring radial deformation or caulking processes, thus avoiding impairment of dimensional accuracy while ensuring reliable securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If welding is used to secure the bearing shell, then the bearing shell is fixed non-rotatably, but the process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-rotatable arrangementVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The axial projections on the bearing shell work in conjunction with corresponding features on the piston to automatically prevent rotation when the bearing shell is installed. The geometry itself provides the anti-rotation function without requiring external welding processes, making the component self-securing and eliminating the need for complex welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If an overlap is formed from piston material, then the bearing shell is held in position, but additional manufacturing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding of bearing shellVSAvoidmanufacturing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The axial projections are pre-formed as integral features of the bearing shell during its manufacturing process, rather than being added as separate components or requiring post-assembly operations. This preliminary formation of the anti-rotation features simplifies the overall manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate overlap formation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3111091B1Plain bearing shell and piston for a radial piston engine
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 GLEITLAGER
  • EP3111091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3111091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3111091B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a plain bearing shell (2), having a substantially semicylindrical geometry, for use in a piston (50) of a radial piston engine for the purposes of mounting a roller or shaft, having an axial direction (4), a radial direction (6) and a circumferential direction (8) of the plain bearing shell, having two face sides (10, 12) which face away from one another in the axial direction (4), having a radially outer side (14) and a radially inner side (16) which faces toward the roller or shaft and which receives said roller or shaft such that it can slide in the circumferential direction (8); it is proposed according to the invention that, on at least one face side (10, 12), there is provided a projection (18) which protrudes in the axial direction (4) of the plain bearing shell and which serves to form a means for preventing rotation in the circumferential direction (8).