Rolling Bearing Sleeve Structure for Optical Fiber Sensor Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and long machining time required for machining complex optical fiber sensor passages in rolling bearings pose a significant drawback in effectively monitoring bearing conditions without electrical power.
Innovation Solution
The integration of optical fiber sensors within circumferential grooves on a softer material sleeve, which can be molded or manufactured using additive methods, reduces machining complexity and time, while maintaining the structural integrity of the bearing with a harder material part ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber sensor passages are machined in the heat-treated outer ring using small milling tools, then the bearing structure is maintained, but the machining time becomes very long and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring is divided into two separate components: a hard part ring that maintains structural integrity and a soft sleeve that is easier to machine. The sleeve is mounted onto the part ring, allowing the optical fiber sensor passages to be machined in the soft material without compromising the overall bearing structure. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the structural function from the machining function.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer ring uses a composite structure combining hard material (part ring) and soft material (sleeve). The soft sleeve material allows for much easier and faster machining of complex optical fiber sensor passages compared to hard heat-treated steel, while the hard part ring maintains the required structural integrity. This composite approach directly addresses the time-cost tradeoff.
2Reliability
If complex curved passages are machined for optical fiber sensors, then sensor integration is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The soft sleeve material provides locally different machining properties compared to hard steel. This allows complex curved passages to be easily formed in the sleeve region without requiring complex machining operations on the entire outer ring. The local quality change in material softness simplifies the manufacturing of complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter (hardness) is changed in the sleeve region to enable easier machining. By using a softer material for the sleeve, complex curved passages can be machined with simpler tools and operations, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the required sensor integration functionality.
3Strength
If the outer ring material is hard and heat-treated, then bearing durability is improved, but machining of sensor passages becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring is segmented into a hard part ring for durability and a soft sleeve for easy machining. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function: the part ring provides structural strength and durability, while the sleeve enables easy machining of sensor passages.
Solution Approach 2:
A composite structure combining hard and soft materials is used to resolve the contradiction between durability and manufacturability. The hard part ring ensures bearing durability, while the soft sleeve material allows for easy and cost-effective machining of optical fiber sensor passages.
Data Source
AI summary
The rolling bearing provides a first ring, a second ring and at least one row of rolling elements arranged therebetween. Each of the first and second rings include an inner bore having an outer surface and at least one raceway for the row of rolling elements formed on one of the inner bore and outer surface. The first ring provides at least one part ring delimiting the raceway, and at least one sleeve secured to the part ring and delimiting at least partly the other of the inner bore and outer surface of the first ring. The rolling bearing further provides at least one optical fiber sensor mounted inside at least one circumferential groove formed on the first ring and passing through at least one optical fiber sensor passage opening into the circumferential groove.