Nested Retained Roller Set for Safe Bearing Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotatable load bearing systems face challenges with shaft misalignment, axial displacement, and difficult disassembly of roller bearings, which can result in damage to the rollers and safety risks during maintenance due to rollers falling out during ring removal.

Innovation Solution

A retained roller set comprising two tube-shaped members with axially offset annular rings and circumferentially distributed bar elements forming roller element pockets, allowing the rollers to be retained within the bearing even when the bearing rings are separated, enhancing the retaining function and facilitating easier disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separable roller bearing is used to facilitate disassembly, then ease of operation during maintenance is improved, but the rollers may fall out when removing bearing rings causing damage and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidroller retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining structure is divided into two separate tube-shaped members that can be independently removed, allowing the bearing to be disassembled in segments while keeping rollers contained within each member's pockets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second tube-shaped member is positioned radially inside the first tube-shaped member, creating a nested configuration where both members work together to retain rollers even when separated from the bearing rings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If conventional single tube-shaped retaining members are used, then device complexity is reduced, but load-carrying capacity is limited due to restricted roller accommodation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretaining structure simplicityVSAvoidroller capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

One tube-shaped member is positioned radially inside another tube-shaped member, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes the use of available space and allows accommodation of more rollers without significantly increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining structure utilizes the radial dimension by positioning one tube-shaped member inside another, effectively adding a radial layer to the roller accommodation space rather than simply extending in axial or circumferential directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11105371B2Retained roller set and roller bearing including same

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A retained roller set includes first and second individual tube-shaped members each having first and second axially spaced rings connected by bar elements that define pockets therebetween, the tube-shaped members being coaxially arranged and radially spaced to define a circumferentially extending intermediate space therebetween in which a plurality of roller elements are received and retained by the pockets of the first and second tube-shaped members.