Rolling Bearing Outer Ring Circumferential Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed rotating rolling bearings in air-oil lubrication systems generate harsh high-frequency noise due to air flow from oil supply holes, disrupting the working environment.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing assembly with an oil supply hole in the outer ring communicating with a circumferential flow passage on the housing, which introduces lubricant oil at a different position, reducing air flow velocity by maintaining a certain air pressure through a throttling effect, and strategically placing oil supply holes to avoid blockage by rolling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is supplied through the oil supply hole at high speed, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but noise level increases due to air jet collision with rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circumferential flow passage as an intermediary structure between the oil supply hole and the rolling elements. Lubricant oil is supplied through this flow passage, which distributes it circumferentially along the outer ring's inner peripheral surface. This mediator approach allows lubrication to reach rolling elements effectively while avoiding direct high-speed air jet collision, thereby reducing noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delivery method parameter from direct high-speed air jet through oil supply hole to controlled flow through circumferential flow passage. By modifying how lubricant oil is transported and distributed (from direct injection to circumferential flow), the system maintains lubrication effectiveness while reducing the harmful air jet velocity that causes noise.
2Quantity of substance
If oil supply hole diameter is increased to improve lubrication, then lubricant oil delivery is enhanced, but air flow velocity increases causing higher noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional direct air jet delivery through the oil supply hole to two-dimensional circumferential distribution through the flow passage. The lubricant oil is distributed along the circumferential direction of the outer ring, providing multi-point lubrication to rolling elements. This dimensional change allows sufficient lubricant delivery without requiring high air flow velocity through a single hole, thus reducing noise.
3Manufacturing precision
If oil supply hole is positioned to directly supply rolling elements, then lubrication precision is improved, but rolling elements may block the oil supply hole during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oil supply function from a single fixed oil supply hole location and distributes it through the circumferential flow passage. The flow passage is positioned on the outer ring's outer peripheral surface, separated from the rolling element contact zone. This extraction allows the lubrication function to be maintained while avoiding the blocking issue, as the flow passage remains accessible regardless of rolling element positions.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If circumferential flow passage is added to reduce noise, then noise level is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential flow passage serves multiple functions: it distributes lubricant oil circumferentially to multiple rolling elements, acts as a noise-reducing intermediary by avoiding direct air jet collision, and provides a reliable supply path that cannot be blocked by rolling elements. This multi-functionality justifies the additional structural element, as it resolves multiple problems simultaneously rather than creating complexity for a single benefit.
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
Significantly reduces noise levels during high-speed rotation, improving the working environment by controlling air flow velocity and ensuring consistent lubricant oil delivery to rolling elements.
Implementation Method 1
by a throttling effect or an orifice effect an air pressure is kept at a certain level (about 0.2 MPa or higher) such that the supplied air pressure is not excessively decreased
Implementation Method 2
An oil supply hole for lubricant oil supply is provided in the outer ring so as to communicate between an outer diameter surface of the outer ring and a position, near the rolling surface, in an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling bearing includes rolling elements interposed between rolling surfaces of an inner ring and an outer ring. An oil supply hole for lubricant oil supply is provided in the outer ring so as to communicate between an outer diameter surface of the outer ring and a position, near the rolling surface, in an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. A circumferential groove is provided on the outer diameter surface of the outer ring so as to communicate with the oil supply hole to introduce, to the oil supply hole, a lubricant oil supplied from a circumferential position outside the bearing that is different from that of the oil supply hole.