Needle Roller Wheel Bearing Layout for Compact Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheel support rolling bearings face challenges in downsizing due to the large space required for rolling elements, limiting weight reduction and installation in narrow spaces.
Innovation Solution
A wheel support rolling bearing design using needle rollers disposed between inner and outer rings, with raceway surfaces in radial and axial directions, allowing for reduced space usage and enabling downsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional rolling elements (balls or tapered rollers) are used in wheel support rolling bearings, then the bearing can support radial and axial loads, but the space required for disposing the rolling elements becomes large, making downsizing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional ball or tapered roller elements to needle rollers, which are elongated in the radial direction. This dimensional change allows the rolling elements to occupy less axial space while maintaining load support capability, enabling significant downsizing of the bearing assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rolling elements by using needle rollers with a high length-to-diameter ratio. This parameter change allows the same load capacity to be achieved with a smaller overall bearing volume, directly addressing the downsizing requirement
2Weight of moving object
If the bearing size is reduced, then weight can be reduced and installation in narrow spaces becomes possible, but the space for disposing rolling elements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By using needle rollers that extend radially rather than using spherical balls, the patent achieves the same load support function with reduced axial and radial dimensions, enabling weight reduction while maintaining sufficient space for the rolling elements
3Volume of moving object
If needle rollers are used to reduce space, then downsizing can be achieved, but the bearing must accommodate multiple raceway surfaces for radial and axial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The needle rollers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they support radial loads through their primary rolling contact and axial loads through their inclined contact surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate rolling elements for different load directions, simplifying the overall structure despite the presence of multiple raceway surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring is divided into multiple segments with different raceway surfaces (first, second, and third raceway surfaces) that are optimized for different loading conditions. This segmentation allows each surface to be specifically designed for its function while using the same needle roller element, managing complexity through functional separation
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel support rolling bearing includes an inner ring; an outer ring; and a plurality of needle rollers. The inner ring includes a first raceway surface facing the outer ring in a radial direction, and a second raceway surface and a third raceway surface facing the outer ring in an axial direction. The second raceway surface is located on an inner side in the axial direction with respect to the outer ring, and the third raceway surface is located on an outer side in the axial direction with respect to the outer ring. The plurality of needle rollers include a plurality of first needle rollers disposed between the first raceway surface and the outer ring, a plurality of second needle rollers disposed between the second raceway surface and the outer ring, and a plurality of third needle rollers disposed between the third raceway surface and the outer ring.