Rotary Bearing Angle Limiter for Compact Over-360° Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary connections in ceiling stands, which require rotation angles greater than 360°, are complex to manufacture and have increased space requirements, leading to higher production costs.

Innovation Solution

A rolling bearing design featuring individual radial bores on the inner bearing ring and a pivot finger on the outer bearing ring, allowing for adjustable angle limiters to limit rotation angles from 320° to 400° with a simple and space-saving mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotation angle limiting device is implemented to achieve rotation angles greater than 360°, then the rotation angle capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation angle capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation angle limiting device is segmented into modular components: multiple individual radial bores arranged in a row, separate angle limiters that can be inserted into these bores, and a pivot finger mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex rotation angle limiting functionality through simple, interchangeable parts rather than a monolithic complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The angle limiters are designed to be inserted into the radial bores of the inner bearing ring, creating a nested configuration where the angle limiters fit within the bearing structure. This nesting approach allows the rotation angle limiting function to be integrated within the existing bearing geometry without requiring additional external components or increasing overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex rotation angle limiting devices are used to achieve rotation angles over 360°, then the rotation angle capability is improved, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation angle capabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The angle limiters are positioned within the radial bores of the inner bearing ring, and the pivot finger operates within the clearance between the inner and outer bearing rings. This nested arrangement ensures that the rotation angle limiting mechanism does not increase the overall volume or footprint of the bearing assembly, maintaining a compact design suitable for ceiling stands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation angle limiting function is achieved by utilizing the radial dimension (through the radial bores and radially projecting angle limiters) and the axial dimension (through the pivot finger's movement between bearing rings), rather than requiring additional external space. This multi-dimensional utilization of the existing bearing geometry allows compact integration of the rotation angle limiting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables rotation angles greater than 360° with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost, while maintaining a compact design suitable for ceiling stands.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of rolling elements 4, which are designed as needle rollers arranged in two rows in an O-arrangement to one another and roll between the bearing rings 2, 3 on inner and outer raceways 5, 6 and 7, 8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

The second stop element is formed by a pivot finger (17), which is attached to the inner surface (16) of the outer bearing ring (3) and extends to the radial base bores (13) or the radial base groove (14) in the inner bearing ring (2) and is in stop connection with the angle limiters (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4127498B1Roller bearing, especially of rotary connection
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP4127498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4127498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4127498B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a rolling element bearing (1), consisting of an inner bearing ring (2), an outer bearing ring (3), a plurality of rolling elements (4), which roll between the bearing rings (2, 3) on inner and outer raceways (5, 6; 7, 8), and an angle-of-rotation limiting device (9) arranged within the rolling element bearing (1). The angle-of-rotation limiting device limits the relative rotation between the inner bearing ring (2) and the outer bearing ring (3) within an angle-of-rotation range from 0° to greater than 360° and comprises at least one first stop element (10) arranged on the inner bearing ring (2) and at least one second stop element (11) arranged on the outer bearing ring (3). According to the invention, the first stop element (10) of the angle-of-rotation limiting device (9), which first stop element is arranged on the inner bearing ring (2), is formed by a plurality of individual radial base bores (13) arranged in peripheral succession in a row on the outer lateral surface (12) of the inner bearing ring (2) and by at least one slotted-hole-type radial base groove (14) arranged between a first radial base bore (13a) and a last radial base bore (13b), and one or two separate angle limiters (15) protruding radially beyond the radial base bores (13) or the radial base groove (14) can be inserted into the radial base bores (13) or the radial base groove (14) depending on the size of the angle of rotation to be limited. In contrast, the second stop element (11) of the angle-of-rotation limiting device (9), which second stop element is arranged on the outer bearing ring (3), is formed by a pivoting finger (17). The pivoting finger is fastened to the inner lateral surface (16) of the outer bearing ring (3), extends to the radial base bores (13) or the radial base groove (14) in the inner bearing ring (2) and is in stop connection with the angle limiters (15) inserted into the radial base bores (13) or into the radial base groove (14).