Rolling Bearing Grease Layout to Reduce Torque Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling bearings face challenges in reducing torque, particularly in small-sized motors, due to grease distribution methods that can cause grease to collapse and unnecessarily contact rolling elements and holders, increasing torque beyond desired levels.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing design featuring a first ring-like part of grease that contacts either the inner or outer ring and a second ring-like part that contacts a seal member, with the second part providing support to prevent collapse and maintain the grease's shape, reducing contact with rolling elements and holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If grease is applied to form a single ring-like shape throughout the whole circumference, then the grease coverage area is increased, but the grease collapses due to its own weight and unnecessarily contacts rolling elements and holder, increasing torque
Solution Approach 1:
The grease is divided into two separate ring-like shapes: a first ring-like grease applied to the outer ring and a second ring-like grease applied to the seal member. This segmentation prevents the grease from collapsing into a single mass while maintaining adequate coverage area, thereby reducing unnecessary contact with rolling elements and holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member acts as an intermediary carrier for the second ring-like grease. By applying grease to the seal member rather than directly to the bearing components, the grease is positioned and supported in a way that prevents collapse while still providing necessary lubrication coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If the volume of the first ring-like part of grease is increased to improve coverage, then the grease coverage is enhanced, but the grease becomes more prone to collapse under its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The total grease volume is segmented into two separate ring-like portions with different functions. The first ring-like grease on the outer ring provides baseline coverage, while the second ring-like grease on the seal member extends coverage without increasing the volume and collapse risk of the first ring-like grease.
Solution Approach 2:
The grease coverage is extended to another dimension by applying the second ring-like grease to the seal member, which is positioned at a different location in the axial direction. This allows increased overall coverage without concentrating excessive grease volume in a single location where it could collapse.
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 effectively reduces torque by preventing grease collapse and unnecessary contact, enhancing the operational efficiency and power saving of rotary apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
the grease includes a first ring-like part which extends to form a circumferential shape centering on a common axis of the inner ring and the outer ring, and which has contact with one of the inner ring and the outer ring, and a second ring-like part which extends to form a circumferential shape centering on the common axis, which is connected to the first ring-like part at an outer side in the axial direction, and which has contact with the seal member
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling bearing capable of achieving reduction in torque is provided. The rolling bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring disposed coaxially with each other, a rolling element disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, a seal member configured to cover an area between the inner ring and the outer ring from an outside in an axial direction, and filled grease disposed between the rolling element and the seal member. The filled grease includes a first ring-like part which extends to form a circumferential shape centering on a common axis of the inner ring and the outer ring, and which has contact with one of the inner ring and the outer ring, and a second ring-like part which extends to form a circumferential shape centering on the common axis, which is connected to the first ring-like part at an outer side in the axial direction, and which has contact with the seal member.