Dual Bearing Attachment Element for Motor Vehicle Transmission Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing-attachment systems face challenges in achieving stable and cost-effective attachment of first and second bearings in a housing, particularly in maintaining secure attachment with minimal force exertion on the second bearing and allowing for close shaft spacing.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a first bearing-attachment element exerting forces on both bearings, including a third force parallel to the second bearing's axial direction, and a second bearing-attachment element that encloses less than 360 degrees of the second bearing, allowing for secure attachment with reduced force and using unhardened steel or thin metal plates, which helps prevent axial and torsional movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a first bearing-attachment element exerts force on both the first bearing and the second bearing, then the attachment stability is improved and cost-effective construction is achieved, but the force distribution and potential interference with the second bearing's attachment become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first bearing-attachment element is designed to serve dual functions: it secures the first bearing through direct contact while simultaneously providing support for the second bearing through its formation that contacts the second bearing's outer ring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate attachment elements and simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first bearing-attachment element includes a specific formation (projection) that is segmented from the main body to contact the second bearing. This segmentation allows independent force transmission paths and simplifies the analysis of force distribution while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the second bearing-attachment element encloses less than 360 degrees of the second bearing, then the construction is more compact and cost-effective, but the attachment stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The second bearing-attachment element is designed to enclose only a portion (less than 360 degrees) of the second bearing's outer ring, which is sufficient to provide the necessary attachment stability when combined with the support from the first bearing-attachment element. This partial enclosure reduces material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment stability is achieved by merging the support functions of both bearing-attachment elements. The first bearing-attachment element's formation provides additional support that compensates for the partial enclosure of the second element, creating a combined support system that is both stable and simple.
3Force
If the first bearing-attachment element contacts the second bearing's outer ring, then the force distribution is improved and the second bearing-attachment element can use less material, but the risk of torsional movement between the attachment elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design anticipates potential torsional movements by pre-establishing contact points between the first bearing-attachment element's formation and the second bearing-attachment element. This preliminary arrangement of contact surfaces ensures that torsional forces are naturally resisted through the existing structural connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first bearing, at least one second bearing, a first bearing-attachment element configured to exert a first force on an outer ring of the first bearing, and at least one second bearing-attachment element configured to exert a second force on an outer ring of the second bearing. The first bearing-attachment element is configured also to exert a third force on the outer ring of the second bearing.