Piezo Sensor in Sliding Bearing for Autonomous Lubrication Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in plain bearing arrangements is to efficiently supply energy to sensors without wired connections, while also considering the mechanical and environmental constraints such as rotating components and high pressures in the lubrication gap.
Innovation Solution
A piezo element is integrated into the plain bearing arrangement, acting on lubricant pressure in the lubrication gap to generate electrical energy, allowing the sensor to measure pressure and power itself, potentially connected to a seismic mass for enhanced energy generation and installation simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is arranged in the lubrication gap to measure pressure forces, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for separate energy supply systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and energy generating device are merged into a single integrated unit. The piezoelectric sensor serves dual functions: measuring pressure forces in the lubrication gap and generating electrical energy from the same mechanical stimulus, eliminating the need for separate energy supply systems
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a measurement sensor for pressure forces and an energy generator for powering the sensor and data transmission device, reducing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If microgenerators are integrated into the bearing shell to generate energy locally, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The energy generation capability is merged directly into the sensor element itself through piezoelectric material integration, rather than adding separate microgenerator components to the bearing shell. This reduces component count while maintaining autonomous operation
3Power
If the piezo element is acted upon by lubricant pressure in the lubrication gap, then energy generation efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may be affected by the dual function
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the measured pressure data to monitor and understand the operating conditions, which can inform adjustments in energy generation strategies. The feedback loop ensures that the dual-function sensor maintains measurement accuracy while optimizing energy production from the same pressure source
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
This solution enables efficient energy generation within the limited space of plain bearing arrangements, allowing for continuous autonomous operation of sensors and reducing installation space requirements, while effectively measuring lubrication gap pressures and generating electrical energy.
Implementation Method 1
the energy generating device having at least one piezo element
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding bearing assembly (1) comprising at least one sliding bearing element (2) which is situated in a bearing socket (3), the bearing socket (3) being part of a bearing structure, and the bearing structure having at least one sensor (5) which is connected: to a data transfer device (6) for the transfer of data, in particular wirelessly, to a receiver of the data; and to an energy generation device (7) for the autonomous supply of electrical energy to the sensor (5) and/or the data transfer device (6). The energy generation device (7) has at least one piezo element (8) which is compressively preloaded, or the energy generation device (7) is the sensor (5).