Linear Bearing Raceway Profile for Defined 3-Point Ball Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear ball bearings face challenges with load rating losses due to the use of the same raceway profiles for multiple bearing sizes, leading to difficulties in determining ball sorting and adjusting operating clearance, and are prone to quality issues from manufacturing fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A raceway design for linear guides that creates a defined 3-point contact between the ball, shaft, and counter-raceway, with a radially inner raceway surface featuring two predefined contact areas and an additional contact point on the shaft, enhancing load rating and allowing for easier measurement and assembly across various bearing sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same raceway profile is used for multiple bearing sizes, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but load rating decreases and quality control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The raceway profile is optimized locally for each specific bearing size rather than using a universal profile. Each raceway has tailored geometry (curvature, width, depth) matched to its specific bearing dimensions, which maximizes load rating and performance for that size while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the raceway profile (curvature radius, width, depth) according to the specific bearing size. This parameter optimization ensures that each bearing size has a raceway profile specifically tuned for its load rating requirements, rather than compromising with a generic profile.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional raceway profiles are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but ball sorting and operating clearance adjustment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The raceway profile includes locally optimized features such as specific curvature radii and transition zones that are tailored to each bearing size. These localized geometric features enable precise control of ball positioning and operating clearance specific to each bearing dimension, improving sorting precision without complicating the overall manufacturing approach.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional raceway profiles are used, then manufacturing is easier, but quality issues arise from manufacturing fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for raceway geometry (curvature radii, widths, depths) that are optimized for each bearing size. By controlling these parameters within defined ranges rather than using generic profiles, the design compensates for manufacturing fluctuations and ensures consistent quality and performance across production batches.
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 3-point contact design increases the load rating of linear ball guides, enabling longer service lives and accommodating manufacturing fluctuations, while allowing for the use of softer materials and easier machining, and facilitating measurement and assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
Rolling guides are based on the principle of rolling elements rotating between two guide elements or parts moving relative to each other.
Implementation Method 2
Linear guides enable the frictionless translation of one or more moving components of a machine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a raceway (34) for a linear guide with an inner guide part designed as a shaft (26) and a cage (11) designed as a cylindrical bushing as the outer guide part, which is positioned relative to the shaft (26) by means of in the cage ( 11) of rotating balls (13), the cage (11) being receivable by a bearing housing bore, and the raceway (34) being insertable into the cage (11) such that one faces the rotating balls (13). Raceway surface (35) on which the balls (13) can roll between the raceway (14) and a surface (36) of the shaft (26) points radially inwards of the cage (11), the raceway (14) being designed in this way is that on the rotating balls (13) facing raceway surface (35) for a between the raceway surface (35) and the surface (36) of the shaft (26) rolling ball (13) two predefined and in the circumferential direction g (37) of the ball (13) spaced contact areas (38-1; 38-2) are provided, on which the ball (13) can roll, and that a surface (42) of the raceway (34) facing the bearing housing bore has a greater curvature than the bearing housing bore, so that when the cage (11) is inserted with the raceway (34) in the bearing housing bore, a linear contact area (43) forms between the raceway (34) and bearing housing bore.