Motorised Machine Tool Unit Roller Bearing Contamination Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-driven machine tool units, particularly motor spindles and rotary tables, face challenges with high wear and contamination of front bearings due to increasing operational demands and exposure to dirt, leading to reduced durability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A fluid unit is introduced to pressurize the gap at the end region, providing direct cooling and creating a protective barrier against contamination, with the fluid flowing through the gap to prevent dirt ingress and enhance bearing protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotor unit rotates at high speed to meet increasing feed and angular velocity requirements, then productivity increases, but the front bearing is exposed to higher centrifugal forces and greater risk of contamination ingress
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid (gas or liquid) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the rotor unit and stator unit to create a protective barrier. The fluid forms a pressurized curtain that prevents dirt and contamination from penetrating through the gap to the front bearing, while allowing the rotor to rotate at high speeds for improved productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic or hydraulic principles by introducing a pressurized fluid into the gap between the rotor and stator. The fluid pressure creates a protective barrier that seals the gap against contamination ingress, enabling reliable high-speed operation without compromising bearing durability
2Manufacturing precision
If the gap between rotor and stator is reduced to improve precision, then manufacturing precision increases, but the risk of contamination reaching the bearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid acts as an intermediary protective layer in the gap. Even when the gap is reduced for higher precision, the pressurized fluid creates a barrier that prevents contamination from reaching the bearing, thus maintaining both precision and protection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sealing elements are used to protect the bearing, then contamination protection improves, but heat generation and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical sealing elements with a pneumatic or hydraulic fluid barrier. This eliminates the friction and heat generation associated with contact seals, while still providing effective contamination protection through the pressurized fluid curtain
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical sealing system is replaced with a fluid-based sealing system. Instead of using physical seals that contact and摩擦 the rotating parts, the invention uses a pressurized fluid to create a non-contact barrier, reducing wear and heat generation
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 extends the service life of front bearings by preventing contamination and reducing thermal-induced impairments, improving dimensional accuracy and overall durability of machine tool units.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid, in particular a liquid, but also a gas such as air or the like, can absorb heat, in particular waste heat from the front roller bearing or the roller bearing unit, and transport it away
Implementation Method 2
the introduction of the fluid according to the invention into the gap in the end area means that the roller bearing unit is better protected against contamination. This means that dirt penetrating through the gap is advantageously prevented or retained
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The tool unit has a rotor assembly (12) comprising a rotor shaft that is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotor assembly is provided with a bearing unit and a mechanical rolling bearing unit (13) comprising rolling elements (15) for supporting the rotor shaft in a stator unit (14). The rolling bearing unit is arranged in an end region (11) of a tool- and/or workpiece retainer. The end region comprises a gap (5) e.g. sealing gap, between the rotor assembly and the stator unit. Fluid units convey fluid i.e. air, acted upon with pressure into the gap of the end region in a yield position. The fluid units are designed as flow paths (2) and collecting duct (7) and protection devices for protection of the rolling bearing unit against contamination.