Outer-Ring Flanged Tapered Roller Bearing for Axial Load Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tapered roller bearings with a flange portion at the large-diameter end of the outer ring track surface have a significantly decreased pure axial load capacity compared to those with a flange portion at the large-diameter end of the inner ring track surface.

Innovation Solution

A tapered roller bearing design featuring a flange portion that radially inwardly protrudes only at the large-diameter end of the outer ring track surface, with a contact angle of 40 to 50° and a roller angle not greater than 3.5°, which maintains high moment stiffness and long life without compromising pure axial load capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a flange portion is formed at the large-diameter end of the outer ring track surface, then moment stiffness and bearing life are improved, but pure axial load capacity is extremely decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoment stiffnessVSAvoidpure axial load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the contact angle (40-50 degrees) and roller angle (not greater than 3.5 degrees) to resolve the contradiction between moment stiffness and pure axial load capacity. These specific parameter ranges optimize the load distribution geometry, allowing the outer ring flange configuration to achieve high moment stiffness while maintaining adequate axial load capacity through mathematical optimization of the contact mechanics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a flange portion is formed at the large-diameter end of the outer ring track surface, then moment stiffness and bearing life are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the manufacturing complexity issue by specifying precise parameter ranges (contact angle 40-50 degrees, roller angle ≤3.5 degrees) that optimize both performance and manufacturability. These parameter constraints provide clear design guidelines for manufacturing processes, ensuring that the outer ring flange bearing achieves extended life through controlled load distribution while maintaining practical manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3892874B1Tapered roller bearing
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 NTN CORP
  • EP3892874B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3892874B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3892874B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An object of the present invention to provide a tapered roller bearing in which a flange portion is formed at a large-diameter end of an outer ring track surface of an outer ring, capable of providing high moment stiffness and long life without extremely decreasing its pure axial load capacity. The tapered roller bearing comprising: an outer ring 12 having an outer ring track surface 12a on its inner circumferential surface; an inner ring 13 having an inner ring track surface 13a on its outer circumferential surface; a plurality of tapered rollers 14 rotatably disposed between the outer ring track surface 12a and the inner ring track surface 13a; and a retainer 15 having a plurality of pockets for retaining the plurality of tapered rollers 14 at a predetermined interval; the outer ring track surface 12a of the outer ring 12 having a small-diameter end and a large-diameter end, the inner ring track surface 13a of the inner ring 13 having a small-diameter end and a large-diameter end, and, of these four ends, a flange portion 12b that protrudes radially inwardly is formed at the large-diameter end of the outer ring track surface 12a of the outer ring 12; wherein the tapered roller bearing has a contact angle greater than 35° and a roller angle not greater than 3.5°.