Retainer Cage Column Recesses for Stable Bearing Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing devices experience torque fluctuations due to combined loads, including axial, radial, and moment loads, which cause balls to change speed and collide with retainer cage columns, leading to relative position changes and torque fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A retainer cage design with columns having recessed end surfaces and low rigidity, allowing deformation to absorb contact loads from the balls, thereby stabilizing the relative position between the retainer cage and the balls and reducing torque fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the column has high rigidity to maintain structural strength, then the retainer cage can withstand circumferential loads, but the ball collision causes relative position changes and torque fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The column is designed with non-uniform thickness: the main body has sufficient thickness for strength, while the end surface has a recessed portion with reduced thickness. This local quality change allows the column to be strong overall but compliant at the ball contact point, absorbing collision loads through localized deformation without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion is pre-designed into the column structure to anticipate and absorb ball collision loads. When a ball advances or delays and contacts the column, the recessed portion deforms to cushion the impact, preventing the rigid column from transmitting the full collision force that would cause relative position changes and torque fluctuation.
2Reliability
If the column has low rigidity to absorb contact load through deformation, then torque fluctuation is suppressed, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The column employs local quality by having different thicknesses in different regions. The main body maintains sufficient thickness for structural strength, while the end surface has a recessed portion with reduced thickness that provides low rigidity for load absorption. This resolves the contradiction by making the column strong where needed and compliant where it contacts the ball.
3Strength
If the retaining portion joint has the same thickness as the facing wall for high rigidity, then the structure is strong, but ball collision still causes relative position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining portion joint is designed with non-uniform thickness: the main body has sufficient thickness for strength, while the end surface has a recessed portion with reduced thickness. This allows the joint to be strong overall but compliant at the ball contact point, absorbing collision loads through localized deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion in the retaining portion joint is pre-designed to cushion ball collision impacts. When a ball contacts the joint, the recessed portion deforms to absorb the impact energy, preventing the rigid joint from transmitting forces that would change relative positions and cause torque fluctuation.
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 retainer cage effectively suppresses torque fluctuations by absorbing contact loads through column deformation, maintaining stability even under varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the column is deformed to absorb the contact load of the ball
Implementation Method 2
the column has low rigidity. Therefore, when the ball changes its speed and comes into contact with the column, the column is deformed to absorb the contact load of the ball
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a retainer cage and a bearing device capable of suppressing fluctuation of torque. A bearing device of the present disclosure includes: an inner ring having an outer circumferential track surface on an outer circumferential surface; an outer ring having an inner circumferential track surface on an inner circumferential surface; a plurality of balls disposed between the outer circumferential track surface and the inner circumferential track surface; and a retainer cage.