Pivot Bearing Anti-Rotation Sleeve for Window Fittings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary bearings, particularly in turn/tilt fittings, face challenges in securely holding the bearing pin and ensuring easy assembly, with complex assembly processes and potential for the bearing pin to fall out or rotate undesirably.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve-shaped securing element with inward and outward locking elements, made of spring steel, is designed to enclose the bearing bolt, featuring angled webs and ramps for easy installation and secure locking, while the bearing pin is non-round to prevent rotation, allowing for assembly from either side and secure latching in the fork leg.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring element is used to secure the bearing bolt, then the bearing pin can be held axially, but the contact surface between the spring element and bearing bolt is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial securing of bearing pinVSAvoidcontact surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element transitions from a linear spring element to a circumferential sleeve structure, utilizing the radial dimension to wrap around the bearing pin. This provides contact surface area in multiple locations around the pin's circumference, dramatically increasing the effective contact area while maintaining axial securing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element is designed as a flexible sleeve that can elastically deform during assembly and then maintains constant contact pressure against the bearing pin. This flexible shell structure provides continuous circumferential contact, solving the small contact surface problem while ensuring reliable axial retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of moving object

If the bearing pin is pushed into the bearing fork part and bearing eye part from below, then space constraints are satisfied, but the assembly process becomes complex and monitoring secure locking is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly spaceVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is pre-mounted onto the bearing pin before insertion, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action ensures the securing element is already in position and properly oriented, simplifying the subsequent assembly process and making it easier to verify correct installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting the bearing pin separately and then attempting to install the securing element from difficult-to-reach positions, the securing element is mounted first on the pin, and the entire assembly is inserted together. This inverted sequence transforms a complex multi-step process into a simpler single-insertion operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a mechanically resilient sleeve with projections is used, then the bearing pin can be secured, but the assembly process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of bearing pinVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex multi-projection sleeve design is simplified by extracting only the essential securing function. The solution uses a simple sleeve with minimal features (openings for insertion, circumferential contact surface) rather than multiple projections and grooves, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining securing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If the bearing pin is round, then manufacturing is simple, but undesired rotation of the bearing pin occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing pin productionVSAvoidrotational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is pre-mounted on the bearing pin with its circumferential contact surface positioned to engage the pin's outer surface. This preliminary positioning creates inherent anti-rotation capability through friction and geometric interference, preventing undesired rotation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than making the bearing pin itself complex (non-round cross-section), the solution uses a separate, simple securing element that provides the anti-rotation function. This keeps the bearing pin manufacturing simple while adding rotational stability through an inexpensive auxiliary component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a secure and easy-to-assemble rotary bearing by ensuring the bearing pin is held firmly in place, preventing undesired rotation and simplifying the assembly process, with the securing element being cost-effective and reliable.

Implementation Method 1

the securing element is made of spring steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3447224B1Pivot bearing and method for mounting such a pivot bearing
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 WINKHAUS
  • EP3447224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3447224B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A pivot bearing, in particular of a tilt-and-turn window fitting, has a bearing pin (5) with a constriction (16) located near a free end and with a constriction (15) located near a pin head (6). For assembly, a locking element (7) is engaged in the constriction (16) located near the free end. The bearing pin (5) is then moved by the other components of the pivot bearing until the locking element (7) engages in a fork arm (3) and in the constriction (15) located near the pin head (6). This makes the assembly of the pivot bearing particularly easy.