Composite Squirrel-Cage Bearing Ring for Lower Weight and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bearing assemblies with squirrel-type cages in the aeronautical industry face challenges in balancing structural requirements, cost, and weight, with existing materials compromising on these aspects.
Innovation Solution
A bearing element with a contact portion made from a specific metal material and a squirrel-type cage formed from a composite material with embedded reinforcing fibers, optimized for force resistance and vibration attenuation, allowing for reduced weight and cost while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal material (e.g., M50NiL) is used for the entire ring including the squirrel cage, then the structural strength and force resistance are improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is divided into two distinct parts: a contact portion made of metal material and a squirrel cage made of composite material. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the metal contact portion provides necessary strength for rolling contact while the composite squirrel cage reduces overall weight and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The squirrel cage is manufactured from composite material (such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer) instead of metal. This composite material provides sufficient strength-to-weight ratio for the cage structure while significantly reducing the overall weight and manufacturing cost of the ring assembly.
2Reliability
If a metal material is used for the entire ring, then the durability under rolling contact is improved, but the manufacturing cost and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is segmented into a metal contact portion that undergoes rolling contact and a composite squirrel cage portion. This allows the expensive metal material to be used only where necessary for durability, while the less expensive composite material is used for the cage structure, reducing overall manufacturing cost and material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material qualities are applied to different regions of the ring: the contact portion uses high-strength metal material with superior durability properties where rolling contact occurs, while the squirrel cage uses cost-effective composite material where such extreme durability is not required, optimizing both reliability and manufacturing cost.
3Weight of moving object
If a composite material is used for the squirrel cage, then the weight is reduced and vibration attenuation is improved, but the force resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The squirrel cage is constructed from composite material (such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid fiber reinforced polymers) that provides high strength-to-weight ratio. These composite materials maintain sufficient force resistance for cage functionality while significantly reducing weight compared to metal alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure of the squirrel cage provides inherent vibration damping characteristics due to the viscoelastic properties of the matrix material and the damping behavior of the fiber-matrix interface. This dynamic property reduces vibrations and noise without compromising structural integrity, offering advantages over rigid metal cages.
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 provides a lightweight, cost-effective bearing assembly with improved resistance to forces and vibration attenuation, achieving specific strength and reduced weight compared to traditional metal-based designs.
Implementation Method 1
The squirrel cage is formed from a second composite-type material comprising a matrix in which reinforcing fibres are embedded
Implementation Method 2
The fibrous structure makes it possible for the squirrel cage to be subjected to high tensile and/or compressive forces with a reduced weight
Implementation Method 3
the fibres of a composite material have vibration-attenuating properties, a squirrel cage formed from such a composite material having de facto improved vibration-attenuating properties
Data Source
AI summary
An annular ring having a contact portion, a raceway and a squirrel-type cage secured to the contact portion. The contact portion is formed from a first metal material, and the squirrel cage is formed from a second composite-type material including a matrix in which reinforcing fibres are embedded, the pierced portion of the squirrel cage being attached to an outer surface of the contact portion. Also, a bearing assembly with rolling elements having an outer ring, an inner ring coaxial with the outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements housed between the raceway of the contact portion of the outer ring and a raceway of the inner ring.