Two Roller Press Axial Bearing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing two-high roller press designs face issues with axial bearing assembly and disassembly complexity, sealing problems, and high manufacturing costs due to the use of cast parts, leading to shorter roller surface service life and increased maintenance difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A two-roller roller press design where the axial bearing housing and cover form a detachable unit, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly, with the axial bearing directly fastened onto the shaft journal and using sheet metal components for the housing and cover, eliminating the need for expensive cast parts and complex seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the axial bearing is shrunk onto the shaft journal with a tight fit, then the sealing performance improves, but the assembly and disassembly complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The axial bearing assembly is divided into two separable parts: the axial bearing itself and the bearing cover. The bearing cover can be removed independently to access the axial bearing for heating and removal, while the axial bearing remains shrunk onto the shaft journal. This segmentation allows the sealing performance of the shrunk fit to be maintained while enabling easy maintenance through simple cover removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the axial bearing housing is made as a one-piece cast part, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the assembly and disassembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing housing is segmented into a stationary part and a removable bearing cover. The cover can be detached to provide access to the axial bearing for maintenance operations. This segmentation transforms a complex one-piece casting into simpler, separable components that are easier to manufacture and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the axial bearing is tightly shrunk onto the shaft, then the reliability improves, but the disassembly time increases due to difficulty in heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the axial bearing from its housing cover, the bearing can be accessed and heated from the outside without removing it from the shaft journal. The removable cover provides direct access to the bearing's outer surface, enabling efficient heating and disassembly while maintaining the reliable shrunk fit during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the thrust bearing is mounted on a ring-shaped end cap, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to coolant leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The axial bearing is extracted from the problematic ring-shaped end cap mounting and instead shrunk directly onto the shaft journal. This eliminates the interface between the end cap and shaft journal where coolant leaks occurred, while maintaining cost-effective manufacturing through the use of standard shaft components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design simplifies assembly and disassembly, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves accessibility for maintenance, while ensuring effective sealing and reducing the risk of cooling water leaks, thereby extending the service life of roller surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the axial bearings are heated and, through thermal shrinkage during cooling, achieve a tight fit on the shaft journal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3029346B1Two roller roller press with axial bearing structure
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 TAKRAF
  • EP3029346B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a two-roll roll press with a machine frame. The roll press has two rolls, each of which has a journal at its axial end for support in a bearing assembly. At least one of the rolls is supported at one or both journals in a thrust bearing assembly comprising a thrust bearing, a thrust bearing housing ring, an outer thrust bearing cover, and a bearing cap. The thrust bearing is shrink-fitted onto a journal. The thrust bearing housing ring and bearing cap are detachably connected to form a unit, which in turn is detachably attached to the outer thrust bearing cap, which is itself detachably attached to the bearing housing.