Cutting-Ring Bearing Assembly With Defined Rolling Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The service life of cutting-ring assemblies in tunnel boring machines is limited by the undefined rolling movement of rolling elements in the bearing assembly, making it difficult to determine if a defined rolling movement is occurring, which affects the assembly's performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A cutting-ring assembly with a bearing unit that includes a rotating outer ring, a fixed inner ring, and two rolling-element rows, where the inner or outer ring is divided into parts with elongated shoulders to define the rolling movement and preload, ensuring a stable and defined rolling movement of the rolling elements, and is preloaded using a preload element such as a shaft nut or clamping ring to prevent excessive load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bearing assembly is installed without defined rolling movement, then the cutting-ring assembly can be assembled, but the service life of the bearing is reduced due to undefined rolling movement of the rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring or outer ring is divided into two parts (first part and second part) that can be assembled separately. This segmentation allows the rolling elements to be pre-positioned and preloaded before final assembly, ensuring defined rolling movement without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling elements are pre-positioned between the first and second ring parts before final assembly. The preload is applied in advance during the assembly process, ensuring that the rolling elements are correctly positioned and preloaded before the bearing becomes operational, thereby guaranteeing defined rolling movement from the start.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rolling elements are preloaded with excessive load, then the bearing unit is more rigid, but the service life is shortened due to too-high load on the rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly allows for dynamic adjustment of the preload force. The two-part ring structure enables the preload to be applied and adjusted during assembly, allowing optimization between rigidity and service life based on specific operational requirements, rather than being fixed at an excessive value.
3Reliability
If the elongated shoulders are not provided to define spacing, then the bearing unit is simpler to manufacture, but the rolling elements cannot achieve defined rolling movement due to non-optimized arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated shoulders are formed integrally with the first and/or second ring parts, merging the spacing definition function into the existing structural components. This eliminates the need for separate spacing elements or complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring proper spacing and defined rolling movement of the rolling elements.
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
This configuration ensures a defined rolling movement of the rolling elements, extending the service life of the bearing unit and preventing contamination, allowing for easier exchange and maintenance under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling elements roll on associated inner and outer raceways that are disposed on the inner ring and the outer ring
Implementation Method 2
The bearing unit is preloadable using a preload element
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting-ring assembly configured for use in a tunnel boring machine includes a cutting ring, an axle, and a bearing unit. The cutting ring is rotatably supported on the axle via the bearing unit, and the bearing unit includes at least one rotating outer ring having a first raceway and a second raceway, at least one fixed inner ring having a first raceway and a second raceway, and rolling elements between the raceways. Either the at least one inner ring or the at least one outer ring includes a first ring having an elongated axially extending shoulder and a second ring having an elongated axially extending shoulder abutting against the elongated axially extending shoulder of the first ring.