Laser-Clad Plain Bearing Ring for High-Load Deformation Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plain bearings made of solid bronze or copper alloys often experience plastic deformation under high loads in applications like hydraulic steel construction, leading to reduced bearing operating time and potential failures due to exceeding the material's elastic limit, which limits their load capacity and sliding performance.

Innovation Solution

A plain bearing ring with a metallic base material having a higher elastic limit than the applied laser deposition welded layer, where the layer is used to enhance load capacity and sliding properties, and can also serve as a friction-reducing, corrosion-resistant, and wear-protective layer, eliminating the need for additional coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a monolithic bronze or copper alloy ring is used, then good sliding properties are achieved, but load capacity is insufficient and plastic deformation occurs under high loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidresistance to plastic deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite structure consisting of a bronze or copper alloy base material with a laser-welded overlay layer of different material composition. The base material provides sliding properties while the overlay layer enhances load capacity and resistance to plastic deformation. This composite approach allows combining the advantages of different materials to simultaneously achieve good sliding properties and high load capacity without plastic deformation under high loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the elastic limit of the bearing material is exceeded to increase load capacity, then higher load rating is achieved, but plastic deformation and bearing failure occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload ratingVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The laser-welded overlay layer has different mechanical properties than the base material, with higher strength and elasticity. This composite structure allows the bearing to withstand higher loads without exceeding the elastic limit of the overall structure, preventing plastic deformation and maintaining service life while achieving higher load ratings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by applying a laser-welded overlay with specific compositional and mechanical properties that differ from the base material. This parameter change in material composition and structure enables the bearing to operate at higher load ratings without plastic deformation, extending service life while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If additional coatings are applied to improve adhesion and sliding properties, then sliding ability is enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding abilityVSAvoidnumber of coatings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single laser-welded overlay layer: adhesion promotion, sliding property enhancement, and load capacity improvement. This merging of functions into one integrated layer eliminates the need for multiple separate coatings, reducing device complexity and manufacturing steps while maintaining excellent sliding ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser-welded overlay layer serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides adhesion between materials, enhances sliding properties through its material composition, and increases load capacity. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized coatings, simplifying the overall bearing structure and manufacturing process.

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 significantly increases the load capacity and reduces irreversible deformation of the plain bearing ring, while maintaining good sliding properties, and can reduce friction and protect against corrosion and wear, allowing for smaller bearing designs and improved reliability under high loads.

Implementation Method 1

the metallic layer is attached to the base material in a laser-welded manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

The base material is heated and melted by a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4379225A1Plain bearing ring and method for producing a plain bearing ring
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
  • EP4379225A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4379225A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4379225A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Sliding bearing ring (2, 2', 4, 4') with a base material (8, 10) and a layer (6) applied to the base material (8, 10), wherein the layer (6) is a laser-deposited layer and that the base material (8, 10) is a metallic material which has a higher elastic limit than the material of the laser-deposited layer (6).