Rolling Bearing Cage with Variable Receptacle Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear roller bearing systems require significant space for rolling element return channels, which can lead to increased complexity and reduced rigidity in profile rail carriages due to the need for multiple bores and narrower carriage bodies, limiting their load capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rolling element holder design with variable distance settings between receptacles, allowing for a common return channel with a smaller cross-sectional shape, achieved through a hinge mechanism that pivots or adjusts the distance between rolling element seats, enabling a compact and robust rolling element cage that can be used in a single-component profile rail carriage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a common return channel is used for multiple rows of rolling elements, then the space required for return is reduced, but the cross-sectional shape must be larger to accommodate all rolling elements simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The cage design allows the distance between first and second rolling element receptacles to be variable, changing from a maximum distance value in the load area to a minimum distance value in the return area. This dynamic adjustment enables rolling elements to be positioned closer together during return, allowing multiple rows to share a common return channel with reduced cross-sectional requirements while maintaining proper spacing in the load area for optimal performance
2Volume of moving object
If the carriage body is made narrower to accommodate return areas, then the space for return is reduced, but the rigidity and load capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The variable distance mechanism allows the cage to adapt its configuration dynamically - maintaining maximum spacing between rolling element receptacles in the load area for optimal load distribution and rigidity, while reducing to minimum spacing in the return area to minimize the required carriage body width, thus preserving carriage strength and load capacity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate bores are made for each row of cages, then each row can be independently configured, but the manufacturing complexity and number of drilling operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cage design with variable distance between receptacles enables multiple rows of rolling elements to share a common return channel, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate bores into a single integrated return path. This merging of return channels reduces the number of drilling operations and manufacturing steps while the adjustable geometry maintains the ability to optimize each row's configuration
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 design reduces the space required for rolling element return, simplifies assembly and maintenance, enhances the rigidity of the profile rail carriage, and allows for a more efficient use of materials, potentially reducing the number of drilling operations and improving load capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling element holder is designed to make a distance between the first rolling element receptacle and the second rolling element receptacle variable along the second direction between a maximum distance value and a minimum distance value
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of a rolling body holder (110) comprises a first rolling body receptacle (120) and a second rolling body receptacle (140), wherein the first rolling body receptacle (120) has a first portion (160) and a second portion (170) which are formed such that, together, they receive one rolling body (130) alone and rotatably hold said rolling body between the first and the second portion, wherein the first portion (160) and the second portion (170) of the first rolling body receptacle (120) are arranged along a first direction (180), wherein the first and the second rolling body receptacle are arranged along a second direction (210) which differs from the first direction (180), and wherein the rolling body holder (110) is designed such that a distance of the first rolling body receptacle to the second rolling body receptacle along the second direction (210) is variable between a maximum distance value and a minimum distance value.