Invertible Coupler Ring for Railway Axle Bearing Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Railway axle assemblies lack an efficient means to temporarily couple backing rings with bearing inner rings during installation, leading to potential misalignment and assembly challenges.
Innovation Solution
A flexible annular coupler with radially extending projections, capable of inverting between two orientations, is used to selectively couple either a first bearing ring with a first backing ring or a second bearing ring with a second backing ring, ensuring secure abutting contact during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single coupler design is used for multiple bearing ring configurations, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the coupler structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed to be invertible between two orientations, allowing the same coupler to accommodate different bearing ring configurations. By flipping the coupler to its alternative orientation, different sets of projections engage with different bearing rings, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized couplers.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed with dual functionality to work with multiple bearing ring types. It features two distinct sets of projections (first and second bearing ring projections) that can engage with different bearing ring configurations, allowing a single coupler to serve multiple purposes in coupling bearing rings to backing rings.
2Ease of operation
If the coupler body is made flexible to enable inversion, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler body is made of a flexible material that allows the coupler to be inverted between orientations. This flexibility enables easy reconfiguration without requiring complex mechanisms or tools, while the material properties are selected to maintain sufficient structural strength for the coupling function.
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 coupler facilitates secure coupling of backing rings with bearing rings, enhancing assembly precision and adaptability to different axle assembly configurations, allowing a single coupler to be used with various commercially available products.
Implementation Method 1
The coupler includes a flexible annular coupler body formed of a flexible material and having a centerline, first and second axial ends and opposing first and second circumferential surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler is for selectively coupling a first bearing ring with a first backing ring or a second bearing ring with a second backing ring and includes a flexible annular body disposeable simultaneously within the first bearing ring and first backing ring or within the second bearing ring and second backing ring. A first bearing projection and a first backing ring projection extend radially from a first circumferential surface and are axially spaced apart and a second bearing projection and a second backing ring projection extend radially from a second circumferential surface and are axially spaced apart. The body is invertible between a first orientation in which the first bearing ring and backing ring projections are disposeable within the first bearing and backing ring openings and a second orientation in which the second bearing ring and backing ring projections are disposeable within the second bearing and backing ring openings.