Concentric Bearing Assembly Load Transfer Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art assemblies of concentric parts with bearings suffer from radial distortion due to uneven load distribution, causing substantial moments and stress, especially when axial and radial loads are transmitted through an offset engagement location, leading to relative rotation and accelerated wear.
Innovation Solution
The assembly employs a load transfer member to direct axial loads through axial rollers without causing substantial moments and balances radial loads to ensure they pass through radial rollers, minimizing distortion by optimizing the engagement positions and using a yoke or flange to distribute loads effectively, allowing for flexible support and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If axial and radial loads are transmitted through an offset engagement location, then the second concentric part can be connected to the second bearing ring, but radial distortion occurs due to substantial moments caused by load offsets
Solution Approach 1:
A load transfer member is introduced as an intermediary element between the second concentric part and the second bearing ring. This mediator transfers axial loads at a first engagement location and radial loads at a second engagement location, ensuring that load paths are optimized to minimize moments and radial distortion while maintaining strong load transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The load transmission function is segmented into two independent engagement locations: one for axial loads and one for radial loads. This segmentation allows each engagement location to be optimized for its specific load type, preventing the coupling of load paths that causes radial distortion
2Ease of manufacture
If engagement location is offset from axial and radial rollers, then connection between second concentric part and second bearing ring is achieved, but substantial moments cause stresses and radial distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer member serves as a mediator that decouples the connection function from the load application points on the bearing ring. It provides engagement locations offset from the rollers for ease of connection, while internally managing load paths to prevent substantial moments in the bearing ring
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the engagement locations to different radial positions than the traditional single-point engagement. By positioning engagement locations at different radial distances from the axis of rotation, the design achieves easy connection while controlling moment arms to minimize stresses
3Shape
If load transfer member and engagement positions are added to optimize load distribution, then radial distortion is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: transferring axial loads, transferring radial loads, providing structural support, and enabling easy alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving distortion control
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An assembly of two concentric parts (1,2) and a bearing between said parts is provided with an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, axial rollers and radial rollers. A first one of said bearing rings (6) is attached to a first one (1) of said concentric parts in a manner for maximally limiting a radial distortion thereof and the second one (2) of said concentric parts is connected to the second one (5) of said bearing rings at an engagement location (in the vicinity of the load support member 11). The second concentric part has a load support member (11) which at the engagement location is connected to the second bearing ring such that the vertical load introduced into said second bearing ring by said load support member extends through the axial rollers without causing a substantial moment around said axial rollers, wherein the second concentric part further comprises a load transfer member (12) for transferring axial loads therein to said load support member (11) and wherein the second concentric part indirectly or directly engages the second bearing ring at at least one engagement position (14) in such a manner that only radial loads and substantially no axial loads are introduced at said at least one engagement position