Non-Symmetrical Convex Roller Bearing Outer Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roller bearings experience significant wear and tear due to misalignment under heavy loads, leading to reduced contact area and increased stress, which limits their durability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A roller bearing system with a cylindrical rolling element and an outer ring featuring a non-symmetrical convex profiling on its inner diameter surface, optimizing contact area and stress distribution across various load conditions, ensuring maximum contact area and reduced stress levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cylindrical roller bearing uses straight racetracks and profiled rolling elements, then misalignment tolerance is improved, but contact area is reduced and contact stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemisalignment toleranceVSAvoidcontact stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using a non-symmetrical convex profiling on the inner diameter surface of the outer ring. This convex profile is positioned asymmetrically relative to the rolling element contact zone, creating an optimized contact geometry that maintains larger contact area while accommodating misalignment. The asymmetric design allows the bearing to adapt to angular displacements without reducing the effective contact length between rolling elements and racetracks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements curvature by introducing a convex profiling (crowned configuration) on the inner diameter surface of the outer ring. This curved surface replaces the conventional straight racetrack profile, enabling the contact area to remain optimized under various loading and misalignment conditions. The convex shape distributes contact stresses more uniformly across the rolling element interface, preventing stress concentration while maintaining adaptability to angular displacements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If roller bearing operates under heavy loads, then load bearing capacity is improved, but wear and tear increases due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the inner diameter surface of the outer ring with a convex profiling before the bearing operates. This pre-established geometric feature ensures that from the moment the bearing is subjected to heavy loads and misalignment, the optimized contact geometry is already in place, preventing excessive stress concentration and wear from the outset. The convex profile is designed in advance to accommodate the specific misalignment angles and load conditions expected during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional bearing geometry is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stress distribution is suboptimal leading to reduced bearing life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbearing life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the outer ring's inner diameter surface. Specifically, the convex profiling introduces changes in surface curvature and contact geometry parameters, transforming the conventional straight racetrack into an optimized crowned configuration. This parameter modification enables better stress distribution and extended bearing life while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes for roller bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3042092B1An improved roller bearing with enhanced stress bearing capacity
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 NRB BEARINGS
  • EP3042092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3042092B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3042092B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A roller bearing system comprising a rolling element having a cylindrical outer raceway; said rolling element is housed inside an outer ring to the bearing system; said outer ring having an inner and an outer diameter surface, is connected to a rotatable shaft from one end, said inner diameter surface of the outer ring having a non-symmetric convex shaped profiling facing the rolling element to facilitate maximum contact area during any operational condition.