Non-Circular Plain Bearing Surface for Axial Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial plain bearings lack the ability to effectively transmit forces in the axial direction and have limited load-bearing capacity due to their conventional circular sliding surface design.
Innovation Solution
The inner sliding surface is designed with four circle arcs in a cross-section, where the arcs are configured such that the center points of the first and second arcs are on opposite sides of the longitudinal sectional plane, and the third and fourth arcs share a common center point, enhancing load-bearing capacity and durability by allowing a non-circular form and mirror-symmetrical arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional circular sliding surface is used in a radial plain bearing, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load-bearing capacity is limited and axial force transmission is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a conventional circular sliding surface to a non-circular sliding surface with four circle arcs arranged asymmetrically. The arcs have different radii and are positioned at specific angles (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) relative to each other, creating an asymmetric geometry that enables bidirectional axial force transmission while maintaining radial load-bearing capacity. This asymmetric design allows the bearing to handle forces in both axial directions, resolving the limitation of conventional circular designs.
2Force
If a radial plain bearing is designed with a circular sliding surface, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ability to transmit forces in the axial direction is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spheroidality by constructing the sliding surface from four circular arcs instead of a single circle or flat surface. Each arc is defined by its radius and center position, creating a curved, three-dimensional geometry that enables axial force transmission. The circular arc segments are joined to form a continuous sliding surface that maintains curvature throughout, allowing force transmission in axial directions while remaining manufacturable through conventional forming processes.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the sliding surface is designed with a non-circular form to improve load-bearing capacity, then the durability is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sliding surface into four distinct circular arc segments instead of using a single continuous curve. Each arc segment is defined by specific parameters (radius, center position, angular span) and can be manufactured and controlled independently. This segmentation reduces the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating a single complex non-circular curve, as each segment can be produced with standard tolerances and then assembled or formed into the complete sliding surface geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner sliding surface for a radial plain bearing, including four circle arcs in at least one cross section. A first arc and a second arc of the four circle arcs lie on different sides of a longitudinal sectional plane which intersects a third arc of the four circle arcs, a fourth arc of the four circle arcs and a common center point of the third arc and the fourth arc. The first arc and a center point of the first arc lie on different sides of the longitudinal sectional plane, and the second arc and a center point of the second arc lie on different sides of the longitudinal sectional plane.