Angular Contact Bearing Inner Raceway Axial Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inner raceways with orbital rivet bonds are prone to deformation and exposure to environmental contaminants due to radial forces, leading to compromised tensioning and protection, especially in wheel bearing units where the orbital rivet bond is exposed and susceptible to rust and foreign particles.
Innovation Solution
An axial extension is constructed on the inner raceway with a growing internal diameter towards the outside, decoupling radial forces and allowing only axial forces to be transmitted, thereby preventing deformation and providing a protected region for the orbital rivet bond using a protective plate or elastic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner raceway peripherally encloses the orbital rivet bond, then the orbital rivet bond is protected from environmental contaminants, but the inner raceway is subjected to strong radial stresses causing deformation of the rolling element raceway
Solution Approach 1:
The inner raceway is segmented into two functional parts: the rolling element raceway portion and the axial extension portion. The axial extension serves as a separate protective structure that encloses the orbital rivet bond without transmitting radial forces to the rolling element raceway, thus preventing deformation while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is shifted from the radial dimension to the axial dimension. Instead of the rolling element raceway extending axially to protect the rivet bond (which would transmit radial forces), an axial extension is added in the axial direction that grows larger toward the outside, providing protection without compromising the radial integrity of the rolling element raceway.
2Weight of stationary object
If the inner raceway is made thin and uses less material, then the product cost is reduced, but the structural strength and resistance to deformation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is separated from the load-bearing function. The rolling element raceway is kept thin and uses minimal material for cost efficiency, while the axial extension provides the necessary structural support and protection without adding significant material weight to the critical rolling element raceway.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial extension acts as an intermediary structure that provides protection and structural support without being part of the primary load-bearing rolling element raceway. This allows the raceway to remain thin and lightweight while still achieving the required strength through the auxiliary axial extension structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the orbital rivet bond is exposed on the axial surface, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the rivet bond is exposed to water contamination and foreign particles causing rust and compromised tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The axial extension is constructed in advance during the manufacturing process to provide preliminary protection for the orbital rivet bond. By growing the axial extension toward the outside during manufacturing, the rivet bond is pre-protected before the bearing enters service, preventing contamination without complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial extension serves a dual function: it provides structural support for the bearing assembly and simultaneously serves as a protective barrier for the orbital rivet bond. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate protective components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing contamination protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner raceway (3) having a rolling element raceway facing radially outward, for an angular contact bearing arrangement, and particularly an angular ball bearing arrangement, where a cylindrical surface which is situated at the furthest outward position radially is included as a seal seat. Such inner raceways are used in wheel bearing units, for example, which have an orbital rivet bond, which in turn can also form an end-face gearing (7). The orbital rivet bond and the axial extension (8) of the inner raceway form an annular gap (20) which leads to a configuration where a decoupling of loads from the inner raceway (3) prevents an undesired deformation of the same. In addition, advantages result from the sealing of the region of the orbital rivet bond and/or the end-face gearing (7) thereof.