Fluororesin Thrust Bearing Retainer with Segmented Claw Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust bearing retainers used in food producing devices are prone to ball drop-off during washing, are difficult to assemble, and pose sanitation issues due to their black color and manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A retainer formed from a ring-shaped plate member with circumferentially arranged ball pockets featuring claw portions defined by slits, made from fluororesin-based synthetic resin, which ensures secure ball retention and easy assembly/dismantling, preventing ball loss during jet water washing and facilitating mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional thrust bearing with a straight through hole ball pocket is used, then the structure is simple, but the ball may be dropped off during washing with jet water
Solution Approach 1:
The ball pocket is segmented into multiple claw portions (typically three) that radially surround the ball, dividing the retention function into multiple independent gripping elements. This segmentation allows the ball to be securely held from multiple directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The claw portions are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the ball's presence during assembly and securely retain it during operation and washing. The elastic deformation enables easy assembly while ensuring reliable retention under water pressure.
2Productivity
If a conventional PTFE retainer is used, then draining performance is enhanced, but the retainer is black in color making it difficult to determine cleanliness and creating unfavorable sanitation impression
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameters are changed by selecting fluororesin (such as PFA, FEP, or ETFE) instead of carbon-containing PTFE. This parameter change maintains the excellent draining and non-stick properties while changing the color from black to white or light-colored, enabling visual inspection for cleanliness and improving sanitation appearance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the whole surface of the retainer is produced by cutting processing, then the structure is precise, but mass production is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cutting processing system is replaced with an injection molding system. The retainer is formed by injecting fluororesin material into a mold cavity that defines the ball pockets and claw portions. This substitution maintains precise dimensions and surface quality while enabling high-volume mass production through efficient molding cycles.
4Ease of operation
If a retainer with straight through hole ball pocket is used, then assembly is simple, but the ball is apt to be dropped off requiring close attention during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The ball pocket is divided into multiple claw portions that radially engage the ball, providing simple drop-in assembly while ensuring the ball cannot fall out during washing or operation. The segmented claw structure guides the ball into place while securing it reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The claw portions act as intermediary elements between the ball and the retainer body, providing a secure mechanical interface that is easy to assemble yet reliable in retention. The elastic nature of the claws allows simple insertion while maintaining strong retention force.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a retainer for a thrust bearing, which is to be assembled and decomposed regularly for being washed, having superior ball retaining performance itself and being attached and detached easily, and a thrust bearing having the retainer. A retainer for a thrust bearing 1, which retains a plurality balls intervened between a pair of raceway rings in a thrust bearing, is formed of a ring shaped plate member 2 formed of an injection molded body of a resin composition containing fluororesin, which is capable of injection molding, as a base resin. The ring shaped plate member 2 includes a plurality of ball pockets 3 in a circumferential direction of a ring shape. Each of the ball pockets 3 includes a claw portion divided into two portions 3a or more to retain a ball 5 in a detachable manner. The claw portion 3a is defined by a slit 4 formed on at least one surface 2a among facing surfaces of the ring shaped plate member 2 facing raceway rings, the slit 4 being formed around an opening 3d of the ball pocket 3.