Roller Bearing Roller End Profile for Lower Axial Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rollers for roller bearings with straight end-side profiles experience high friction and potential bearing damage due to unfavorable contact under axial load, and those with precisely manufactured spherical curvatures are challenging to manufacture accurately.
Innovation Solution
A roller with at least one end surface featuring a non-constant curvature, preferably logarithmic or torus-shaped, ground profile to reduce friction and prevent edge loading, combined with a grinding tool that efficiently forms this profile using a nickel matrix with embedded cubic boron nitride particles for precise manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a straight end-side profile is used on rollers, then the manufacturing process is simple, but friction increases and temperatures rise under axial load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the end-side profile of the roller, transitioning from a straight profile to a curved profile (such as spherical or toroidal curvature). This curvature modification improves the contact conditions with the flange, reducing friction and temperature under axial load while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through specialized grinding processes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a constantly curved spherical profile is ground on the end side, then friction is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different curvature characteristics to different regions of the end-side profile. Rather than a uniform spherical curvature, the profile features varying curvature radii along its length, with stronger curvature near the contact area and weaker curvature toward the edges. This local variation reduces friction where needed while avoiding the manufacturing difficulties of constant spherical curvature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the end-side profile from constant curvature to variable curvature. The curvature radius is modified as a function of position along the profile, creating a non-uniform curvature distribution that optimizes both friction reduction and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter variation allows the profile to adapt to different contact conditions along its length.
3Reliability
If precisely manufactured spherical curvature profiles are used, then edge loading is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the curvature parameter along the profile length, transitioning from constant spherical curvature to variable curvature. The curvature radius changes as a function of position, with specific mathematical relationships defined (such as elliptical or polynomial variations). This parameter change maintains the load-distributing benefits while enabling more efficient manufacturing through standardized grinding processes.
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 enhances axial load capacity, reduces friction and temperature, increases service life, and allows for more efficient manufacturing of rollers with complex profiles, preventing excessive edge loading and improving the precision of the grinding process.
Implementation Method 1
grinding makes it possible to form the profile having the non-constant curvature in shorter processing times
Data Source
AI summary
A roller for a roller bearing has a first end surface and a second end surface and a rolling surface between the first and second end surfaces. The first end surface has an at least partially ground profile having a non-constant curvature such as a logarithmic profile. Also, an assembly including a grinding tool and a roller with an end surface having a ground non-constant curvature.