Double-Row Spherical Roller Bearing Axial Gap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spherical roller bearings face reduced performance and service life due to excessive wear and unwanted noise when subjected to large axial loads and slow-rotating conditions, where the unloaded zone of the bearing can lead to roller misalignment and contact with the flange, causing unnecessary wear and noise.
Innovation Solution
A double-row spherical roller bearing design featuring axial gaps between the flanges and roller rows, preventing contact between the flanges and rollers under axial load, and incorporating a guide ring to maintain space for components, thus avoiding flange-roller contact and enhancing bearing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bearing is equipped with flanges to retain rollers, then the rollers are prevented from falling out during assembly and transportation, but the flanges may contact the rollers under large axial loads causing unnecessary wear and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into two functional zones: the first axial end with flange for roller retention during assembly, and the second axial end without flange to prevent contact wear during operation. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure is applied locally only at the first axial end of the inner ring, while the second axial end remains flangeless. This local differentiation ensures that roller retention functionality is provided where needed during assembly, while preventing flange-roller contact wear during operational phases.
2Force
If the bearing operates under large axial loads, then the bearing can support heavy loads, but the unloaded zone rollers may contact the flange causing wear and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into a loaded zone (first roller row) and an unloaded zone (second roller row). The flange is positioned only at the first axial end to retain rollers in the loaded zone, while the second axial end remains open to prevent flange contact with rollers in the unloaded zone, eliminating wear and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that under large axial loads, the second roller row will be in the unloaded zone and potentially move axially. Instead of preventing this with a flange (which would cause wear), the design allows the rollers to move freely, converting the potential harm of roller movement into a benefit by eliminating flange contact and associated wear.
3Speed
If the bearing is designed for slow rotation, then the bearing can operate at low speeds, but rollers may fall out towards the flange causing contact and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure is segmented such that the first axial end has a flange for roller retention, while the second axial end is open. This segmentation ensures that during slow rotation, rollers in the unloaded zone cannot fall out and contact the flange, preventing the generation of unwanted noise.
4Ease of operation
If the axial gap between flange and roller row is reduced under axial load, then the flange better retains rollers, but the gap decreases to zero causing roller-flange contact
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into two axial ends with different flange configurations. The first axial end has a flange that approaches the first roller row under axial load to provide retention, while the second axial end has no flange, ensuring that the second roller row always maintains adequate space and never contacts a flange.
Data Source
AI summary
A double-row spherical roller bearing, comprising an outer ring including at least one spherical inner raceway on a radially inner peripheral surface, an inner ring including a first and second axial end and at least one outer raceway on a radially outer peripheral surface. Spherical roller elements are located in first and second roller rows interposed in-between the inner and outer raceways. A first flange is located at the first axial end, extending in a circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface. The inner ring is subjected to an axial load in a first axial direction wherein the first flange approaches the first roller row. An axial extension of the first flange extends without contacting any first roller row roller elements during bearing operation, when an axial load is acting on the inner ring in the first axial direction. The bearing can be integrated into a wind turbine.