Open-Center Roller Bearing With Solid Lubricant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large roller bearings face issues with premature wear and lubrication failures due to twisting, tilting, and high forces, leading to uneven lubrication and seal leakage, resulting in high maintenance efforts and potential system downtime.
Innovation Solution
The use of a solid lubricant with a polymer matrix embedded in the bearing gap between ball races and rolling elements, which can dispense and absorb lubricant under load, providing continuous lubrication and sealing without the need for conventional lubricant feed systems and separate seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lubricant feed systems and seals are used in large roller bearings, then lubrication can be provided under high loads, but the system becomes complex and prone to leakage and dirt ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate seal system and lubricant feed system by integrating the lubricant directly into the bearing structure. The lubricant is embedded in the bearing rings and rolling elements themselves, removing the need for external seal systems that prevent leakage and dirt ingress, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable lubrication under high loads
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lubrication under high loads, acts as a seal to prevent dirt ingress, and eliminates the need for separate lubricant feed systems. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving reliability
2Force
If large roller bearings operate at low speeds or remain stationary for long periods, then they can handle high loads, but uniform lubrication becomes difficult and premature wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant is pre-applied and embedded directly into the bearing rings and rolling elements during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that lubrication is already in place before the bearing operates, eliminating the need for external lubricant feed systems and ensuring uniform lubrication coverage from the start, even when the bearing operates at low speeds or remains stationary
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure itself stores and distributes the lubricant internally through its embedded design. The bearing serves its own lubrication needs without external systems, ensuring uniform lubrication distribution to all contact surfaces regardless of operating speed or duration of stationarity
3Loss of substance
If seal systems are used to prevent lubricant leakage, then lubricant can be retained in the bearing, but the seals themselves can fail and require maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate seal system entirely by embedding the lubricant directly into the bearing structure. The lubricant is retained through this integrated design rather than through separate seal components, eliminating the maintenance burden associated with seal failure while maintaining effective lubricant retention
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded lubricant system is designed as a permanent, maintenance-free solution that eliminates the need for replaceable seal components. By integrating the lubricant into the bearing structure itself, the system avoids the recurring maintenance costs and downtime associated with seal replacement
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 solution maintains effective lubrication at low speeds and prevents lubricant degradation and dirt ingress, reducing maintenance needs and downtime by ensuring consistent lubrication and sealing within the bearing.
Implementation Method 1
a solid lubricant with a polymer matrix embedded in the bearing gap between ball races and rolling elements, which can dispense and absorb lubricant under load
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a large rolling bearing, more particularly an open-center large rolling bearing, comprising two concentric running rings, between which a plurality of rolling elements is provided in a bearing gap, which rolling elements roll on at least two raceways. More particularly, the bearing gap between the running rings and/or between at least one running ring and the rolling elements is at least partially filled with a solid lubricant, which comprises a polymer matrix and a lubricant embedded therein.