Half Shell Bearing Cage Geometry for Disc Brake Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of half shell bearings within disc brake calipers is challenging due to collisions between the bearing cage and the lever during insertion, leading to incorrect positioning and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The half shell bearing design features a bearing shell with a partially cylindrically curved rolling path and a bearing cage with chamfered corners, limiting the movement of the cage to prevent collisions and ensure correct positioning, utilizing cylindrical rolling elements and a fixing means for secure mounting within the brake caliper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bearing cage is made movable on the rolling path to allow assembly flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bearing cage may collide with the lever or brake caliper during insertion, causing incorrect positioning and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcollision damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary guidance features (guide surfaces and guide grooves) before the actual assembly insertion. The guide surface on the bearing shell and the guide groove in the brake caliper create a predetermined path that directs the bearing cage into the correct position before full insertion, preventing collision during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing guide surfaces and guide grooves as mediating elements between the bearing cage and the brake caliper. These intermediary features facilitate the transition of the bearing cage from a movable state to a fixed positioned state, preventing direct collision between the bearing cage corners and the brake caliper edges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the bearing cage corners are sharp to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the bearing cage may hit the brake caliper edge during assembly, causing mispositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the corner regions of the bearing cage while maintaining the structural integrity of the main body. The corners are rounded or chamfered locally, creating a transition zone that prevents collision with the brake caliper edge during assembly, while the rest of the bearing cage maintains its strength and structural requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design enhances the safety and accuracy of mounting the half shell bearing, reducing the risk of collision with the brake caliper and ensuring proper alignment, thereby facilitating a smooth assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

The half shell bearing comprises a bearing shell and a bearing cage with cylindrical rolling elements, wherein the bearing cage is movably arranged on a rolling path of the bearing shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction reduction: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4141277B1Half shell bearing, disc brake comprising a respective half shell bearing and utility vehicle comprising a respective disc brake
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP4141277B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4141277B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4141277B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A half shell bearing (50) comprises a bearing shell (52) and a bearing cage (54), wherein the bearing shell comprises a surface being designed as a rolling path (58) for the bearing cage. The bearing shell comprises further two shell walls (60, 61) on opposite sides of the bearing shell, a third side (63) with a retaining means (66, 67) for limiting a movement of the bearing cage, and a fourth side (64) opposite to the third side (63). The bearing cage comprises cylindrical rolling elements (56) that roll on the rolling path, wherein the bearing cage is movably arranged on the rolling path within the shell walls of the bearing shell, and the bearing cage comprises two corners (70, 71) at an end (74) of the bearing cage being directed to the third side of the bearing shell, wherein the two corners (70, 71) of the bearing cage (54) are rounded or chamfered.