Escalator Adjusting Ring With Labyrinth Sealing for Bearing Rust
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Escalators and moving walkways face challenges with rolling bearings that are prone to rust due to exposure to dirt and moisture, making disassembly and replacement difficult due to rust formation and wear from dirt ingress, especially in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting ring with a hollow cylindrical body and adjusting screws is used to secure rolling bearings, featuring an annular groove and optional sealing elements to prevent dirt and moisture ingress, and a lubrication system to maintain lubrication, simplifying assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rolling bearings are used in escalators exposed to dirt and moisture, then the bearings provide smooth rotation and support, but they rust quickly and become difficult to remove due to rust formation between the bearing and shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing protection system is segmented into multiple functional components: an adjusting ring that axially secures the bearing, sealing elements that prevent contaminant ingress, and lubrication channels that deliver protective lubricant. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the bearing protection and replacement problem independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing is pre-secured axially by the adjusting ring and pre-protected from rust and dirt ingress through sealing elements before any rust formation can occur. Lubrication is pre-applied through the lubrication channels, creating a protective barrier in advance that prevents rust formation and facilitates future bearing replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing elements are added to protect bearings from dirt and moisture, then corrosion resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting ring serves multiple functions: it axially secures the rolling bearing to prevent displacement, provides mounting for sealing elements to protect against contaminants, and incorporates lubrication channels for maintaining lubrication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while comprehensively addressing bearing protection requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bearing is tightly secured to prevent axial displacement, then bearing stability improves, but disassembly becomes more difficult due to rust formation
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting ring acts as an intermediary component between the bearing and the shaft. It provides axial securing through frictional contact and mechanical constraint, while simultaneously serving as a mounting platform for sealing elements and lubrication channels. This intermediary structure enables stable bearing fixation while preventing direct rust formation between the bearing and shaft, facilitating easier disassembly.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If lubrication channels are provided to maintain lubrication, then bearing wear resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting ring incorporates lubrication channels that can be formed as through-holes or recesses in the ring structure. These channels provide pathways for lubricant delivery to the bearing contact surfaces, reducing wear through continuous lubrication. The channels can be manufactured using standard drilling and machining operations, limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity while effectively addressing wear reduction requirements.
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
The solution effectively protects rolling bearings from environmental contaminants, reducing rust and wear, facilitating easier maintenance and extending the service life of the bearings.
Implementation Method 1
The adjusting screw (73) is acted upon by frictional contact with the hollow shaft (49) or axle (47) in such a way that the rolling bearing (51) is secured against axial displacement
Implementation Method 2
The annular groove (81) is acted upon by relative movement with the rolling bearing (51) and/or hollow shaft (49) in such a way that ingress of liquids and dirt is prevented
Implementation Method 3
a lubrication system to maintain lubrication
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting ring (71) for a moving walkway or an escalator (1), which adjusting ring has a hollow cylindrical annular body (75) and at least one adjusting screw (73). The adjusting ring is designed such that an outside diameter (DRA) of the annular body (75) is greater than an inner outside ring diameter (DLAI) of an outer ring (91) of a roller bearing (51) which is adjacently arranged when in an assembled state. Furthermore, the adjusting ring (71) has, in a lateral ring face (83) of the annular body (75), which is directed against the rolling bearing (51) when in an assembled state, at least one annular groove (81) arranged concentrically relative to the inside diameter (DRI).