Retaining Device for Cageless Rolling-Element Bearing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rolling-element bearing assemblies without a cage, featuring alternating roller bearing balls and rollers on a common pitch circle diameter, often fail to maintain structural integrity during transport and installation, risking disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A retaining device is introduced to securely hold the inner and outer rings together, allowing for rotation without braking, and can be attached to either ring, optionally including a labyrinth seal for sealing and manufacturing from metal or plastic materials, ensuring the assembly remains intact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rolling-element bearing assembly without a cage is used, then the device complexity is reduced and sliding friction losses are decreased, but the structural integrity and reliability deteriorate during transport and installation
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining device acts as an intermediary component between the inner ring and outer ring, preventing them from separating during transport and installation. This mediator enables the bearing assembly to function without a cage while maintaining structural integrity through the retaining device's holding action.
2Reliability
If the retaining device is attached to the inner or outer ring, then the structural integrity is improved, but the rotation smoothness may deteriorate due to potential braking effects
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flexibly adapt during rotation. The retaining device can deform or shift slightly during operation to avoid creating rigid constraints that would brake the rotation, while still maintaining its holding function during static conditions like transport and installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling-element bearing assembly includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring on a common pitch circle diameter. A retaining device is attached to one of the inner ring and the outer ring and holds the rolling-element bearing assembly together without falling apart. The rolling elements include balls and rollers disposed on the common pitch circle diameter in an alternating manner. Further, at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring includes a raceway groove that axially supports the roller bearing balls.