Pivotable Hanger Bearing Assembly for Drive Shaft Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hanger bearing assemblies fail to adequately compensate for drive shaft misalignment and maintain sufficient vibration isolation, leading to performance degradation due to off-axis mounting and stress on vibration-isolating components.
Innovation Solution
An automatically adjustable bearing assembly with a pivotable bearing and a vibration isolator that is securely coupled to a mounting bracket, allowing the bearing to self-align with the drive shaft while maintaining effective vibration isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing assembly is made rotatable to compensate for drive shaft misalignment, then the adaptability to misalignment is improved, but the vibration isolation performance deteriorates due to off-axis mounting stress
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed with rotatable capability allowing it to dynamically adjust to drive shaft misalignment. The bearing can rotate about its vertical axis to accommodate off-axis mounting conditions while maintaining proper alignment with the drive shaft, thus improving adaptability without compromising vibration isolation
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly allows change in its angular parameter (rotation angle) to adapt to misalignment conditions. By enabling the bearing to rotate to different angles, the system can optimize its orientation to maintain both misalignment compensation and effective vibration isolation performance
2Manufacturing precision
If the bearing assembly is fixed in position after mounting, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to operating angle changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. The rotatable bearing allows the assembly to adapt to operating angle changes during vehicle operation while maintaining precise mounting position through controlled rotation about the vertical axis
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vibration isolator is mounted off-axis to accommodate misalignment, then the adaptability is improved, but the stress on the vibration-isolating component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates rotatable capability that allows it to dynamically adjust to misalignment conditions. This rotation occurs about the vertical axis of the bearing, enabling the assembly to accommodate off-axis mounting without transmitting excessive stress to the vibration isolator, as the rotation is centered on the bearing's natural axis rather than forcing off-axis operation
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 ensures low friction, rotational support for the drive shaft while accommodating misalignment and maintaining optimal vibration isolation, reducing stress on the vibration-isolating components and enhancing durability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration isolator coupled to the mounting bracket... to absorb vibration of the drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
a vibration isolator coupled to the mounting bracket... surrounding the bearing
Implementation Method 3
a bearing received in the vibration isolator... to receive a drive shaft therein
Implementation Method 4
a bearing received in the vibration isolator... pivotable relative to the vibration isolator
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly including a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a vehicle chassis, a vibration isolator coupled to the mounting bracket, and a bearing received in the vibration isolator. The bearing is configured to receive a drive shaft therein, and is pivotable relative to the vibration isolator.