Radially Nested Bearing Assembly With Preload for Axial Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radially-nested rolling element bearings are limited to supporting only radial loading or minimal axial loading due to their design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly with a radially-nested configuration that includes a housing, inner and outer rings, intermediate rings, and biasing members to establish preload, allowing for both radial and axial loading support through frustoconical surfaces and rolling elements, enabling angular displacement and increased axial loading capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If radially-nested bearing configuration is used, then axial space requirements are reduced, but axial loading capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly employs a radially-nested configuration where intermediate rings are positioned between the inner and outer rings, with rolling elements nested between these rings. This nesting arrangement reduces the axial space required for the bearing assembly while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capability through the biasing member that establishes preload on the rolling elements.
2Volume of moving object
If radially-nested bearing configuration is used, then axial space requirements are reduced, but axial loading support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is configured to establish a preload on the rolling elements before external axial loads are applied. This preliminary action of preloading the rolling elements between the raceways and intermediate rings enables the bearing to support axial loads more effectively, transforming the design from one that only supports radial loads to one that can handle both radial and axial loading conditions.
3Device complexity
If traditional radially-nested bearing design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but loading capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary element that transmits and distributes axial forces to the rolling elements. By introducing this intermediary component, the bearing assembly can handle axial loads that would otherwise be unsupported in a traditional radially-nested configuration, significantly enhancing the overall loading capacity while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
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 bearing assembly effectively supports both radial and axial loads while reducing axial space requirements and eliminating the need for a through-shaft, enhancing its compactness and loading capacity compared to traditional radially-nested bearings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing member is configured to bias a movable one of the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring generally axially toward the other one of the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring so as to establish a preload within at least one of the first set of rolling elements and the second set of rolling elements
Implementation Method 2
a first set of rolling elements is disposed between the bearing inner ring and the at least one bearing intermediate ring so as to be rollable along the inner raceway and the inner intermediate raceway
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly includes a housing having an annular recess, an inner ring disposed within the recess and having an inner raceway, and an outer ring disposed about the inner ring and within the housing recess and having an outer raceway. At least one intermediate ring is disposed radially between the inner ring and the outer ring and has an inner intermediate raceway and an outer intermediate raceway. A first set of rolling elements is disposed between the inner ring and the at least one intermediate ring and a second set of rolling elements is disposed between the outer ring and the at least one intermediate ring. A biasing member(s) is configured to bias the inner ring or the outer ring axially toward the other one of inner ring and the bearing outer ring so as to establish a preload within the two sets of rolling elements.