Bearing Wear Ring Axial Retention via Snap Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch release bearing devices for motor vehicles have a high number of components, leading to increased manufacturing, storage, and assembly complexity, as well as potential for accidental separation during use.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing design with a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring, and a wear ring that uses snap fitting means for axial retention and angular locking, eliminating the need for additional holding elements and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a holding plate is provided on the rotating ring to ensure retention of the wear ring, then the wear ring is securely retained, but the number of components increases leading to increased manufacturing, storage and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wear ring and holding plate into a single integrated component. The wear ring incorporates integral retaining arms that extend radially outward to engage with the outer ring, eliminating the need for a separate holding plate. This integration reduces the total number of components while maintaining secure retention of the wear ring on the rotating ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides wear protection on the engagement surface and incorporates integral retaining arms that perform the retention function previously requiring a separate holding plate. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If additional holding elements, gluing, welding, riveting or overmoulding are used to attach the wear ring, then the wear ring is securely attached, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms are integrally formed with the wear ring as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate holding elements that would require additional attachment processes such as gluing, welding, riveting, or overmoulding. This integral design simplifies manufacturing while ensuring secure attachment.
3Device complexity
If the wear ring is retained only by snap fitting without additional holding elements, then the number of components is reduced, but the risk of accidental separation may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is segmented into multiple integral retaining arms that are formed as part of the wear ring structure. These arms engage with corresponding features on the outer ring to provide distributed retention points, enhancing security against accidental separation while maintaining a simple two-component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms extend radially outward from the wear ring in a direction perpendicular to the axial snap fitting, creating a multi-dimensional retention system. This radial engagement adds an additional dimension of security to the retention mechanism, preventing accidental separation while keeping the component structure simple.
Data Source
AI summary
The bearing provides a first bearing ring, a second hearing ring and a wear ring attached to the first bearing ring. The wear ring provides at least one hook cooperating with the first bearing ring for the axial retention of the wear ring relative to the first bearing ring. The first hearing ring further provides at least one centering member projecting into and engaging within a complementarily shaped recess of the wear ring, for angular locking of the wear ring relative to the first bearing ring.