Hydrodynamic Bearing Contour for Combined Radial and Axial Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrodynamic plain bearings require separate design and calculation for radial and axial loads, leading to high costs and inefficiencies, and existing solutions either require continuous energy input or additional manufacturing effort.

Innovation Solution

A hydrodynamic sliding bearing with a rotor and stator featuring a continuous bearing contour consisting of multiple contour sections and transition sections, seamlessly integrated lubrication wedges, and optimized segment design to transmit both radial and axial forces efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional bearings with sliding surfaces and lubrication systems are used, then the turbocharger can operate with reduced friction, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the lubrication system entirely by replacing conventional bearings with magnetic bearings that use magnetic fields for support and damping, removing the need for sliding surfaces and lubricants while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical sliding contact system with a magnetic field-based system where permanent magnets provide both radial support and damping forces, substituting mechanical lubrication with magnetic field interactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If magnetic bearings are used to eliminate sliding surfaces, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to dampen vibrations and handle transient loads may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidvibration damping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the magnetic bearing system by using permanently magnetized rings with specific magnetic field distributions that provide both support and damping forces, achieving vibration damping without mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic bearing rings perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing radial support forces, damping vibrations, and handling transient loads, eliminating the need for separate lubrication and damping systems

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

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 reduces friction, instability, and noise emissions while enhancing load-bearing capacity and reducing lubricant pressure requirements, allowing for compact and efficient transmission of high loads.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor (10) has a radially outwardly extending permanent magnet ring (20) and the stator (11) has a radially inwardly extending permanent magnet ring (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The turbocharger comprises a rotor (10) and a stator (11) which are supported magnetically with respect to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic bearing: Electrodynamic Bearing

Implementation Method 3

The turbocharger comprises a rotor (10) and a stator (11) which are supported magnetically with respect to one another in a vibration-damping magnetic bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3293406B1Hydrodynamic bearing and turbocharger
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 BOSCH MAHLE TURBO SYST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3293406B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3293406B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3293406B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydrodynamic plain bearing with a stator (20) and a rotor (10) that can be rotated relative to the stator (20), with a rotor bearing surface (13) facing a counter surface (21) of the stator (20) for hydrodynamic pressure generation. In order to achieve improved application properties, the invention provides that the rotor bearing surface (13) and/or the counter surface (21) form a continuous bearing contour in a sectional view along and through the axis of rotation (R), which consists of at least two contour sections (13.1 , 13.2; 21.1, 21.2) is formed, that the contour sections (13.1, 13.2; 21.1, 21.2) are suitable for generating hydrodynamic load-bearing capacity in the radial and axial direction, that the contour sections (13.1, 13.2; 21.1, 21.3) by means of at least one transition section (13.3; 21.3) are merged into one another in such a way that hydrodynamic load-bearing capacity can be generated via the contour sections (13.1, 13.2; 21.1, 21.2) and the transition section (13.3; 21.3), and that the plain bearing as a multi-surface plain bearing with two or more lubricating wedges (21.1b , 21.2b, 21.3b) in the region of the contour sections (13.1, 13.2; 21.1, 21.2) and the transition section (13.3; 21.3).