Segmented Radial Roller Bearing Cage Axial Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In radial roller bearings, the absence of a flat washer leads to axial displacement of cage elements, potentially causing interference with the C-shaped snap ring and compromising the bearing's structural integrity and lubrication, resulting in fretting corrosion and reduced loading capacity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates metallic cage elements with projecting and recessed portions that engage each other to prevent axial displacement, eliminating the need for a flat washer and enhancing the bearing's structural stability and lubrication by ensuring proper alignment and contact between the cage elements and the snap ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a divided cage with multiple cage elements is used to prevent fretting corrosion, then the bearing reliability is improved, but the axial displacement of cage elements causes interference with the snap ring and reduces structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing reliabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cage is divided into multiple cage elements (first and second cage elements) that can move independently to prevent fretting corrosion, while still maintaining overall structural stability through the positioning protrusions and recesses that control their relative positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Positioning protrusions and recesses act as intermediary structures between the cage elements and the snap ring, mediating the interaction to prevent both fretting corrosion and axial displacement interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a flat washer is used to prevent axial displacement of cage elements, then the structural stability is improved, but the axial length of the power transmission shaft increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaxial length

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The function of the flat washer is merged into the cage structure itself through the positioning protrusions and recesses, eliminating the need for a separate flat washer component while maintaining the same structural stability function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat washer is extracted/removed from the assembly, and its function is transferred to the cage elements through integrated positioning features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the axial length of the power transmission shaft is reduced by eliminating the flat washer, then the productivity and weight are improved, but the axial displacement of cage elements causes interference with the snap ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidbearing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is merged into the cage structure, eliminating the need for additional components like flat washers, which reduces assembly complexity and production cost while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cage elements self-restrain through their own positioning protrusions and recesses, eliminating the need for external restraining components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10533607B2Cage for radial roller bearing

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 NSK LTD

AI summary

One end side projecting portion (30a) of a first cage element (9a) fits in the other end side recess portion (41b) of a second cage element (9b), and one end side projecting portion (30b) of the second cage element (9b) fits in the other end side recess portion (41a) of the first cage element (9a), whereby the first cage element (9a) and the second cage element (9b) are restrained from being displaced relatively in an axial direction.