Multi-row Tapered Roller Bearing for High Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing arrangements with two rows of tapered rollers face challenges in manufacturing complexity, cost, and assembly due to long rolling elements and limited load distribution, particularly in high-load applications like wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly with at least four rows of frusto-conical rollers, where all rollers roll on a common outer raceway element, simplifying design and reducing costs by using standard components, and allowing for adjustable preload and flexible cone angles for optimized load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If bearing arrangements use two rows of tapered rollers to support high loads, then load capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to long rolling elements requiring special tools and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement is divided into multiple rows of rolling elements (at least four rows) that can be manufactured as standard components and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each row to use conventional manufacturing processes while the combination provides high load capacity, resolving the contradiction between load capacity and manufacturing ease.
2Force
If bearing arrangements use two rows of tapered rollers with long rolling elements, then load distribution is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to unfavorable conditions with very long rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fewer rows with very long rolling elements, the invention uses multiple rows with shorter rolling elements. This segmentation makes assembly more manageable and less complex, while still achieving the required load distribution capacity through the combined effect of multiple rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-row configuration to a multi-row configuration (at least four rows), adding complexity in the radial dimension while reducing the axial length of individual rolling elements. This dimensional change resolves the assembly complexity issue while maintaining load distribution capability.
3Force
If bearing arrangements use multiple rows of rolling elements with high load rating, then load capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple raceway elements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rows of rolling elements are merged into a single common outer raceway element, reducing the number of separate components. This merging simplifies the overall structure and reduces device complexity while maintaining the high load rating provided by multiple rows of rolling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The common outer raceway element serves multiple functions by supporting multiple rows of rolling elements simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate raceway elements needed, thereby simplifying the overall bearing structure while maintaining high load capacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If bearing arrangements use standard components for rolling elements and raceway elements, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different load conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
While using standard components for the rolling elements and individual raceway elements, the invention achieves adaptability through the specific configuration of multiple rows with different orientations (X or O arrangement). This local quality approach allows standard components to be used while the overall structure adapts to different load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing arrangement uses tapered rollers that can accommodate varying load conditions through their conical geometry and the multi-row configuration. This dynamic capability allows the bearing to adapt to different radial and axial load combinations while using standard manufactured components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bearing arrangement having the following features: raceway elements (5A,5B,3) having raceways (13a, 13b, 9a, 9b) on which rolling elements (7a, 7b) roll, truncated cone type rolling elements disposed between the raceway elements, wherein the rolling elements are disposed in at least four axially spaced rows, the rolling elements of each row roll on a single raceway element (5a, 5b), and the rolling elements of all rows roll on a common raceway element (3).