Removable Bushing Bearing Arrangement for Forest Machine Actuator Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bearings in forest machine actuators experience significant wear due to heavy forces, making maintenance challenging, especially since worn frames cannot accommodate new bearings without replacing the entire actuator, and existing solutions fail to effectively correct clearance issues.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement featuring a removable bushing that can be easily replaced, allowing for the use of wear-resistant materials and reduced machining precision, along with lubrication and shielding to extend maintenance intervals and reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bearings are used in actuator frames, then the actuator can function, but the bearings and frame experience intense wear due to heavy forces, requiring frequent maintenance and eventually requiring replacement of the entire actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into separable components: the frame and the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly can be removed and replaced independently from the frame, allowing maintenance without replacing the entire actuator. This segmentation enables the bearing to be serviced separately while the frame remains in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after wear and recovered/replaced without discarding the expensive frame. The frame retains its value and functionality while the bearing assembly is cycled through use and replacement.
2Manufacturing precision
If high precision machining is used for the actuator frame, then bearing alignment and performance are improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented as a separate component with its own bearing housing. This housing incorporates precision features and alignment elements, concentrating the precision requirements in the removable bearing assembly rather than requiring the entire frame to be machined to high precision. The frame can be manufactured with lower precision tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing housing acts as an intermediary component between the frame and the bearing. It provides the precision mounting surfaces and alignment features needed for proper bearing installation, while the frame itself requires less precise machining. The housing mediates the precision requirements.
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
Simplifies maintenance, increases maintenance intervals, and reduces manufacturing costs by allowing for more durable materials and less precise machining, while protecting against wear and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
whereby the maintenance of the machine is facilitated to a significant extent. Furthermore, the maintenance interval is increased, thanks to the material choices and/or lubrication and/or shielding.
Implementation Method 2
Furthermore, the maintenance interval is increased, thanks to the material choices and/or lubrication and/or shielding.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A bearing arrangement in an actuator (100) of a forest machine (200), which bearing arrangement comprises a frame (110) of the actuator (100) of the forest machine (200), which frame (119) defines a first opening (112). The bearing arrangement also comprises a bushing (120), at least part of the bushing (120) being arranged in the first opening (112), the bushing (120) defining a second opening (122), at least part of an axle (130) and/or at least part of a bearing (140) being arranged in the second opening (122), the axle (130) or bearing (140) being arranged stationary or movable in relation to the bushing (120), and the bushing (120) being removable from the frame (110) of the actuator (100) of the forest machine (200). Further, a method for maintaining an actuator (100) of a forest machine (200), the actuator (100) of the forest machine (200) comprising a bearing arrangement of the described type.