Recirculating Ball Bearing Assembly with Variable Depth Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an inexpensive and easy-to-assemble bearing assembly of the recirculating type for use in height adjustable devices that can reduce friction and wear between moving parts, particularly in telescoping leg assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A bearing assembly featuring a retaining member made of flexible film that adheres to a carriage member, allowing ball bearings to be inserted and retained within a bearing channel with variable depth, and an adjustment mechanism that moves the base member relative to the carriage member, utilizing complementary ramp shapes to provide width adjustment and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional bearing assembly is used, then the structure is stable and reliable, but the manufacturing cost is high and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into modular components: a carriage member with bearing channels, a base member with ramps, and recirculating ball bearings. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through proven individual component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member is formed from a flexible film that can be adhered to the carriage member before ball insertion. This flexible film approach simplifies manufacturing compared to rigid retaining structures, as it allows for easier assembly and reduces the number of manufacturing steps required while maintaining the reliability of ball retention.
2Manufacturing precision
If the bearing channel has a uniform depth, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ball bearings cannot be retained effectively during recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing channel is designed with variable depth, creating different local zones: a first portion with greater depth for ball retention and a second portion with lesser depth for controlled recirculation. This local variation in depth allows balls to be retained effectively during recirculation while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized machining processes for non-uniform channels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing assembly is made adjustable, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly incorporates adjustable elements that allow the bearing channels to be repositioned or reconfigured based on specific application requirements. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility for different load conditions and geometries while maintaining relatively simple construction through modular components that can be adjusted rather than completely redesigned.
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 effectively reduces friction and wear between moving parts in height adjustable devices, allowing for precise adjustment and preventing unwanted slop or free-play, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture from various materials.
Implementation Method 1
The balls can be pushed through the opening and the flexible film can spring back into a planar formation that will retain the balls in the bearing channel.
Implementation Method 2
The bearing assembly can be located on telescoping members of a telescoping leg assembly and provide reduced friction and wear protection between moving members of the telescoping leg assembly.
Implementation Method 3
An adjustment member can move the base member relative to the carriage member and can provide a total width adjustment for the bearing assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly can comprise: a base member including at least one base ramp; a carriage member including: a first surface defining a bearing channel, the bearing channel configured to receive a plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the ball bearings, the bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the bearing channel; a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including at least one carriage ramp, the carriage ramp configured to engage the at least one base ramp; and a retaining member configured to cover a least a portion of the first surface and retain the ball bearings in the carriage member.