Composite Spherical Plain Bearing Cage for Low-Play Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-lubricating ball joints face issues with mechanical strength, corrosion susceptibility, and complex assembly, leading to residual play and high maintenance costs due to deformable cages and materials prone to wear and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece cage made of multiple layers of composite material, comprising a self-lubricating complex of fabric and resin, with a reinforcement shell, providing continuous cross-section and controlled play, enhanced corrosion resistance, and improved mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a deformable cage is used to allow ball mounting, then the ball can be mounted in the cage, but the mechanical strength of the cage decreases and residual play is difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into two separable parts (first cage part and second cage part) that can be assembled around the ball without requiring deformation of the cage material. This allows easy ball mounting while maintaining the mechanical strength of the cage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage parts are designed to assemble in a radial direction around the ball, rather than requiring axial deformation. This dimensional approach allows the ball to be mounted by simply bringing the two cage parts together, eliminating the need for cage deformation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a deformable cage is used to allow ball mounting, then the ball can be mounted in the cage, but complex assembly operations are required to limit play
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is segmented into two parts that can be independently positioned and then assembled together. This simplifies the assembly process by eliminating complex deformation operations and elastomer vulcanisation, requiring only the radial bringing together of the two cage parts around the ball.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deforming the cage to fit the ball, the invention inverts the approach by having the ball fit between two cage parts that are then joined together. This reversal of the mounting sequence dramatically simplifies the assembly operations required.
3Ease of manufacture
If metal materials are used for ball and cage, then the ball joint can be manufactured, but corrosion susceptibility increases leading to rapid wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite materials for both the ball and cage components, combining metallic base materials with corrosion-resistant coatings or composite structures. This maintains the manufacturability and mechanical properties of metal while providing enhanced corrosion resistance to prevent rapid wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface properties and material composition parameters of the ball and cage through coating applications or composite material selection, transforming the surface characteristics to provide corrosion resistance while maintaining the bulk mechanical properties of the metal components.
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 enhances mechanical strength, reduces play, and minimizes corrosion, resulting in a self-lubricating ball joint with reduced wear and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a self-lubricating complex including a fabric and a resin impregnating this fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A self-lubricating ball joint includes a ball and a cage, the ball being rotatably mounted in the cage, the cage being one-piece and including a first stack composed of several layers of composite material, the composite material including a self-lubricating complex including a fabric and a resin impregnating the fabric.