Heatable Toroidal Bearing Test Bench Friction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The influence of bearing friction on measurement accuracy in roller test stands is significant, particularly due to temperature changes and static friction, leading to inaccurate and unreliable results, which are compounded by the need for lengthy warming periods to stabilize the system.

Innovation Solution

The use of a heatable toroidal bearing as the floating bearing, combined with a fixed bearing, allows for axial compensation without overcoming static friction, and the implementation of uniformly distributed heating elements around the bearing support devices to quickly achieve a stable working temperature, minimizing friction-related errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional pillow block bearing is used with a free-running tolerance to allow axial displacement, then the bearing can accommodate axial movement, but the static friction must be overcome causing sudden slipping and falsifying measurement results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial freedom of movementVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the friction parameter by heating the bearing to a predetermined temperature, reducing static friction and preventing sudden slipping that would falsify measurement results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing is pre-heated to a predetermined temperature before measurements are taken, eliminating the need to overcome high static friction during actual measurements and preventing sudden slipping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the test stand is warmed up over a longer period to minimize bearing friction interference, then measurement reliability improves, but testing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidwarming up time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing is pre-heated to a predetermined temperature before measurements are taken, eliminating the need for lengthy warm-up periods and allowing immediate reliable measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the bearing is actively controlled and raised to a predetermined level, changing the friction characteristics to ensure reliable measurements without time-consuming warm-up periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If heating elements are applied to the bearing to reduce friction, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidbearing support device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing support device serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the drive shaft and simultaneously houses heating elements for temperature control, eliminating the need for separate heating apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are integrated directly into the bearing support device structure, combining the support function with the heating function in a single unified component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration significantly reduces the impact of friction on measurement accuracy, enabling faster and more reliable testing by preventing sudden slipping and maintaining consistent temperature across the bearing system, thus improving the overall precision of the test stand.

Implementation Method 1

At least one bearing support device (4, 5) has a heating device (9, 10) for heating the bearing support device (4, 5) as a whole or in parts to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2271909B1Test bench comprising a heatable toroidal bearing
Publication Date: 2011.10.12 HORIBA EUROPE GMBH
  • EP2271909B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2271909B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2271909B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a test bench with a motor (1) and a drive shaft (2) connected to said motor. At least one drum (3) that can be rotatably driven by the drive shaft (2) is also provided, together with a bearing device (4, 5) that supports the drive shaft (2). The bearing device has a fixed bearing (4) and a movable bearing (5) located at a distance from the fixed bearing. The movable bearing (5) is a toroidal bearing. A pedestal bearing housing (6) that receives the bearing can be heated with the aid of six heating elements (10) distributed around the periphery.