Compact Roller Thrust Bearing Vibration Isolator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration isolators for roller thrust bearings face challenges in minimizing axial space while effectively reducing vibrations transferred to the support structure, as increasing the axial width is often necessary for further vibration dampening.
Innovation Solution
A compact vibration isolator design featuring a disk-shaped radially extending portion with an annular flange and grooves on its mating surface, which creates a void between the grooves and the support structure, allowing for enhanced vibration reduction without increasing the axial width, and is constructed from materials like elastomers for effective dampening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the axial width of the vibration isolator is increased to reduce vibrations further, then vibration reduction performance is improved, but the axial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first region with higher durometer for load-bearing and a second region with lower durometer for vibration dampening. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without requiring increased axial width, as the material property variation provides enhanced vibration reduction within the same spatial envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vibration isolator are assigned different local qualities through varying durometer values. The first region has a higher durometer (50-70 Shore A) for structural support, while the second region has a lower durometer (30-50 Shore A) for vibration absorption. This local quality differentiation enables effective vibration reduction without increasing overall axial dimensions.
2Length of moving object
If the axial width is reduced to make the assembly more compact, then space efficiency is improved, but vibration dampening performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The durometer parameter is changed across different regions of the vibration isolator, creating a gradient from higher to lower durometer values from the first region to the second region. This parameter change enables the isolator to maintain compact axial dimensions while achieving effective vibration dampening, as the softer second region specifically targets vibration absorption without requiring additional axial space.
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 design achieves increased vibration reduction compared to standard isolators of the same axial width, enabling a reduction in axial width without compromising vibration dampening performance, making it suitable for compact roller thrust bearing applications.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration isolator is constructed of an elastomeric material which exhibits desirable vibration dampening properties
Implementation Method 2
vibration isolators are often used with roller thrust bearings that are disposed between an internal component, such as a rotating shaft, which passes through the roller thrust bearing, and the support structure of the internal component, such as a housing. Typical vibration isolators are constructed of a material that is suitable for dampening the vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration isolator for use between a support structure and a roller thrust bearing including a first race, a second race, a bearing cage and at least one roller element. The vibration isolator includes a radially extending portion with a mating surface, a bearing surface, an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the radially extending portion being substantially disk-shaped. An annular flange extends axially from one of the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the radially extending portion, and at least one groove is defined by the mating surface of the radially extending portion. The bearing surface is configured to abut one of the first race and the second race and the mating surface is configured to abut the support structure such that a void is defined between the at least one groove and the support structure.