Double-Row Slewing Bearing Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slewing bearings in wind turbines experience uneven surface pressure and load distribution, leading to increased friction and reduced lifespan due to three-dimensional forces acting on the rolling elements, which existing double-row slewing bearings fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A double-row slewing bearing design featuring parallel circumferential grooves on both the outer and inner rings with separate rows of rolling elements, allowing for adjustable pre-load and diameter differences between the rows to achieve uniform surface pressure and load distribution, and optionally incorporating side plates for further rigidity adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-row slewing bearing is used to support radial and thrust loads simultaneously, then the structure is simple, but the surface pressure is uneven and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleving bearing is divided into two separate rows of rolling elements. The first row primarily supports radial loads while the second row primarily supports thrust loads, segmenting the load-bearing functions to achieve more uniform surface pressure distribution across the bearing surfaces.
2Reliability
If a double-row slewing bearing is used to equalize surface pressure, then the load distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two rows of rolling elements within a single integrated bearing structure that shares common raceways and housing. This merging approach achieves surface pressure equalization and improved load distribution while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared structural components.
3Ease of manufacture
If rolling elements are inserted through insertion holes in the radial direction, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the pre-load control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-load adjustment mechanisms during the assembly process, allowing precise control of pre-load amounts for each row of rolling elements before the bearing enters service. This preliminary action ensures optimal load distribution and surface pressure equalization from the start of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A slewing bearing includes: an outer ring section having first and second circumferential grooves formed on an inner circumferential surface in parallel; an inner ring section formed on an inner side of the outer ring section and having first and second circumferential grooves formed on an outer circumferential surface in parallel in correspondence to the first and second circumferential grooves of the outer ring section; a first row of rolling elements provided in the first circumferential groove of the outer ring section and the first circumferential groove of the inner ring section; and a second row of rolling element provided in the second circumferential groove of the outer ring section and the second circumferential groove of the inner ring section. The inner ring section rotates via the first and second rolling element rows around a rotation axis in a relatively opposite direction to the outer ring section.