Rolling Bearing Monitoring via Contour-Based Non-Contact Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring devices for large rolling bearings are expensive, complex, and difficult to install, requiring significant space and effort to accurately detect bearing wear, deformations, and rotational movements, especially under adverse conditions.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact sensor system with a specially designed contour projection on the bearing ring surface that influences the measurement signal, allowing for precise detection of axial and radial movements, as well as rotational position and speed, using a combination of material and geometric features to enhance signal change and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple displacement sensors are used to detect radial and axial movements for monitoring bearing wear, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple displacement sensors into a single sensor unit that can detect both radial and axial movements simultaneously. This merging approach maintains the measurement precision of multiple sensors while reducing device complexity and installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with multi-functional capability to detect radial movements, axial movements, and tilting movements using a unified sensor system. This universal approach allows one device to perform multiple measurement functions, reducing the need for separate sensors for each type of movement.
2Reliability
If sensors are recessed in bores in bearing rings for protection and stable positioning, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor recess design allows the sensor to be self-positioning within the bore, where the sensor's own structure interacts with the bore geometry to achieve stable positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. The sensor effectively serves itself to ensure proper alignment and protection.
3Measurement precision
If a contour projection is added to the measuring surface to generate sufficient signal change, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire measuring surface, the patent applies a contour projection only in the specific local area where the sensor beam interacts with the bearing ring. This localized modification generates sufficient signal change for precise measurement while keeping the rest of the surface simple and maintaining overall device simplicity.
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 provides a space-saving, easy-to-install monitoring device that reliably and accurately detects bearing wear and deformations, even under challenging operating conditions, improving measurement precision and reducing the risk of sensor failure.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting relative movements and/or positions of the bearing rings to each other, wherein the sensor is attached to one of the bearing rings and directed towards a measuring surface on the other bearing ring
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a rolling bearing with two bearing rings (2, 3) and rolling elements (4) running between same, and a sensor (5) for detecting movements and/or positions of the bearing rings (2, 3) relative to one another, wherein the sensor (5) is fastened to one of the bearing rings (3) and is directed towards a measurement surface (7) on the other bearing ring (2), wherein said measurement surface (7) comprises a contour projection (8) projecting towards the sensor (5) and/or a contour recess (9) open towards the sensor (5) in the form of a groove or blind hole, which projection or groove influences the measurement signal of the sensor (5) and the movement of which relative to the sensor (5) transverse to the main signal direction of the sensor modifies the measurement signal of the sensor.