Air Compressor Bearing Fixing Structure to Prevent Idle Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air compressor designs face issues with bearing deformation and reduced service life due to the use of plastic bases, which are prone to softening, and the inability to replace damaged bearings when they are integrally formed with the plastic material.
Innovation Solution
A bearing fixing structure with non-circular positioning orifices and a locking mechanism that includes a shoulder, a non-circular surrounding face, and a screw bolt system to securely hold the bearing in place, preventing idle rotation and removal, while allowing for smooth piston operation and potential bearing replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bearing and base are integrally formed from plastic material, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the bearing cannot be replaced when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is separated from the base structure and placed into a dedicated positioning orifice, creating distinct replaceable and non-replaceable components. The base remains as a permanent structure while the bearing becomes an independent replaceable element, resolving the contradiction between integrated manufacturing and replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is extracted from the integral plastic structure and positioned within a dedicated orifice in the base. This extraction allows the bearing to be removed and replaced independently while the base remains intact, solving the repairability issue without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional circular positioning orifice is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the bearing can idle rotate or be removed from the orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning orifice is designed with a non-circular cross-section that matches the non-circular profile of the bearing. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement of the bearing within the orifice while maintaining a simple molding process, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the bearing circular to fit a simple circular orifice, the invention inverts the approach by making both the bearing and orifice non-circular with matching profiles. This inversion maintains manufacturing simplicity through direct molding while achieving the desired anti-rotation and retention effects.
3Device complexity
If the plastic base is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the base softens easily causing bearing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with localized reinforcement at the positioning orifice area, providing enhanced support and resistance to softening specifically where the bearing is positioned. The rest of the base maintains its simple plastic construction, balancing structural integrity with device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure incorporates pre-designed support features around the positioning orifice that prevent deformation before it occurs. These preventive structural elements are built into the base design to counteract the softening tendency of plastic material under operational loads.
Data Source
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AI summary
A structure of fixing a bearing (6) of an air compressor (2), the air compressor (2) contains: a base (3), a cylinder (4), and a transmission mechanism (51). The base (3) includes multiple positioning orifices (31), (32), and one of the multiple positioning orifices (31) accommodates a bearing (6). The cylinder (4) is integrally connected with the base (3) and includes an air storage chamber (41). The transmission mechanism (51) actuates a piston (54) to move in the cylinder (4) reciprocatingly, thus producing compressed air. The first ring (61) of the bearing (6) is non-circular, and a shape of the one positioning orifice (32) of the base (3) corresponds to the first ring (61) so as to avoid an idle rotation of the bearing (6) in the one positioning orifice (32) of the base (3) or a removal of the bearing (6) from the second positioning orifice (32).