Bearing Support Assembly With Co-Molded Liner for Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing units in industrial applications, such as HVAC systems, face challenges in reducing vibration and noise levels, particularly at high frequencies, due to excessive friction and heat generation, which can lead to premature failure and increased energy consumption, and the elastomeric rings used to mitigate these issues often get damaged or misaligned during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly featuring a pressed steel frame with a co-molded elastomeric liner, specifically made of nitrile rubber, which is interposed between the frame and the bearing unit to reduce vibrations and noise, while maintaining mechanical strength and stability, and is designed to minimize the risk of damage during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the radial thickness of the elastomer ring is kept small to reduce mounting seat size, then the frame size is minimized, but the mechanical strength and stability of the elastomer ring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where an elastomer ring is combined with a metal reinforcement cage. The cage provides the necessary mechanical strength and stability while the elastomer ring maintains vibration damping properties. This composite approach allows the elastomer ring to have sufficient strength even with reduced radial thickness, thereby minimizing frame size without sacrificing mechanical integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the elastomer ring is used to reduce vibration and noise, then vibration levels are reduced, but the reliability of the bearing unit deteriorates due to damage and misalignment during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The metal reinforcement cage is installed beforehand to provide structural support and protection. This cage acts as a protective framework that prevents the elastomer ring from being damaged or misaligned during the assembly process. The cage ensures that the elastomer ring maintains its proper position and integrity, thereby improving the reliability of the bearing unit while preserving the vibration reduction benefits.
3Strength
If a larger mounting seat is used to increase elastomer ring stability, then the mechanical strength of the elastomer ring is improved, but the size of the frame and support assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the radial thickness of the elastomer ring in the radial dimension, the invention adds a metal reinforcement cage that provides structural support in the axial and circumferential dimensions. This dimensional approach allows the elastomer ring to maintain adequate stability without requiring a larger radial mounting seat, thereby avoiding an increase in overall frame size.
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 solution effectively reduces vibration and noise levels, enhances alignment and mechanical strength, and maintains a compact frame size, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of bearing units in high-speed applications.
Implementation Method 1
a liner (40) made of elastomeric material, co-molded on the mounting seat (20a)
Implementation Method 2
the liner (40) made of elastomeric material... in order to reduce vibration levels
Implementation Method 3
liner (40) made of elastomeric material... made of nitrile rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly (10) for a rotatable element. The support assembly (10) has a frame (20) provided with a mounting seat (20a) and a bearing unit (30) arranged inside the mounting seat. The bearing unit (30) is provided with a stationary radially outer ring (31) delimited radially on the outside by a respective spherical surface (31′). The frame (20) is provided with a liner (40) of elastomeric material, co-molded on the seat (20a). The liner (40) is radially interposed between the seat (20a) of the frame (20) and the spherical surface (31′) of the radially outer ring (31).