Floating Bearing Conveyor Roller for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor rollers made of dissimilar materials experience stress and reduced lifespan due to differential thermal expansion, leading to excessive axial loading on bearings and undesired displacement.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor roller design featuring a floating bearing assembly with an elastic member between the inner race and shaft, allowing axial movement to accommodate thermal expansion, combined with a fixed bearing assembly to maintain proper tube location, reducing stress and drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dissimilar materials (polymer tube and steel shaft) are used to reduce cost or weight, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but differential thermal expansion causes excessive axial loading on bearings and reduces bearing life
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed to be movable along the shaft rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to thermal expansion differences between the polymer tube and steel shaft. This dynamic capability prevents excessive axial loading and maintains bearing life while using dissimilar materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the bearing assembly along the shaft, allowing axial movement to accommodate thermal expansion. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to temperature variations without compromising bearing reliability when using cost-effective dissimilar materials.
2Weight of moving object
If dissimilar materials (polymer tube and steel shaft) are used to reduce weight, then roller weight is reduced, but differential thermal expansion causes buckling of the tube and displacement of components
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly's ability to move axially along the shaft provides a dynamic adjustment mechanism that accommodates differential thermal expansion. This prevents buckling of the polymer tube and unwanted displacement of components while maintaining the lightweight advantage of using dissimilar materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable bearing assembly acts as an intermediary element between the polymer tube and steel shaft, absorbing the dimensional changes due to thermal expansion. This intermediary mechanism protects the overall structure from buckling and component displacement while maintaining the weight benefits of dissimilar materials.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed bearing assemblies are used to maintain component location, then component displacement is prevented, but thermal expansion induces stress and increases rotational drag
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed with movable mounting that allows it to shift position along the shaft in response to thermal expansion. This dynamic positioning maintains proper component location while avoiding the induction of stress and rotational drag that would occur with a fixed bearing assembly.
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 design extends the lifespan of conveyor rollers by accommodating thermal expansion without inducing stress, reducing rotational drag, and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed between the inner race and the shaft to resist movement of the inner race relative to the shaft
Implementation Method 2
One or more rolling elements are disposed between the inner race and the outer race to enable the outer race to rotate relative to the inner race
Implementation Method 3
the components may expand and/or contract relative to each other over the course of a day due to daily temperature changes
Data Source
AI summary
Conveyor rollers that include a bearing that may float axially relative to the shaft are disclosed. In some embodiments, the conveyor roller includes an elastic member (e.g., o-ring) that resists rotation of the inner race of the bearing from rotating relative to the shaft. The floating bearing may accommodate expansion and/or contraction of the roller tube relative to the shaft.