Flux-Conducting Bearing Shield for Rotational Coupling Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotational coupling devices face issues with contaminants such as fluids and particulates reaching the bearing, leading to reduced device life, and require separate inventory and difficult assembly of seals, which can result in damage or misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A rotational coupling device with a shield supported by a spacer that inhibits contaminants and provides an additional flux transfer path, eliminating the need for separate inventory and assembly of seals, and deforms to improve sealing when energized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are attached to bearing races to inhibit contaminants, then bearing protection is improved, but assembly complexity increases and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is integrated with the spacer to form a single pre-assembled unit. The shield is received within a cavity of the spacer and secured by an interference fit, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations. This merging of components reduces assembly complexity while maintaining bearing protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is pre-assembled to the spacer during spacer manufacturing or prior to device assembly. This preliminary action ensures the shield is already in position and properly fitted before the bearing is installed, eliminating the risk of bearing damage during shield assembly and reducing overall assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If seals are attached to bearing races to inhibit contaminants, then bearing protection is improved, but risk of bearing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary component between the shield and the bearing. The shield is attached to the spacer rather than directly to the bearing race, which prevents any risk of bearing damage during assembly. The spacer acts as a mediator that isolates the bearing from potential assembly-related damage while still enabling contaminant protection.
3Reliability
If a shield is added to protect the bearing, then bearing protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield and spacer are merged into a single integrated component. The shield is received within a cavity formed in the spacer and secured by an interference fit, making them function as one unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces the number of discrete parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining bearing protection.
4Reliability
If the shield is made deformable to improve sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield's physical state is changed from rigid to deformable under magnetic influence. When the electromagnet is energized, the magnetic field causes the shield material to deform and contact the electromagnet, improving sealing. This parameter change (from rigid to magnetically deformable) allows the shield to adapt its shape based on operational conditions rather than requiring precise manufacturing for all possible positions.
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 shield effectively prevents contaminants from reaching the bearing, reduces assembly-related damage, and enhances flux transfer within the device, improving overall performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic flux travels from the rotor hub to the electromagnet through the shield when the electromagnet is energized
Implementation Method 2
the shield deforms and assumes a second state when the electromagnet is energized in which the shield contacts the electromagnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~4B
Figure 3
AI summary
A rotational coupling (10) includes a rotor (34) configured for rotation about a rotational axis (36). The rotor (34) includes a hub (38) disposed about the axis (36) and configured to receive a shaft (12) and a disc (40) extending radially outwardly from the hub (38). An armature (26) and electromagnet (24) are disposed on opposite axial sides of the disc (40). The electromagnet (24) is fixed against rotation. A bearing (20) is disposed between the hub (38) and the electromagnet (24). The hub (38) and electromagnet (24) engage the inner and outer races, respectively of the bearing (20) on opposite axial sides of the bearing (20). A spacer (16) is disposed radially inwardly of the electromagnet (24) and engages the inner race of the bearing (20) on the same axial side of the bearing (20) as the electromagnet (24). An air gap (48) separates the spacer (16) from the electromagnet (24). A shield (34) is supported by the spacer (16) and extends radially outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the shield (34) is axially aligned with the air gap (48).