Segmented Roller Bearing Cage with Convex Guide Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller bearing cage segment designs face challenges in reducing production costs and increasing flexibility while ensuring reliable guidance and load absorption, particularly in large tapered roller bearings.
Innovation Solution
The use of separate, shoulder-guided cage segments with guide elements having specific distance ratios from the bearing rings and materials with thermal expansion coefficients matching steel, such as cast iron, to enhance guidance and reduce tilting, combined with convex surfaces for improved contact and axial support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a classic one-piece bearing cage is used, then the structure is simple and production is straightforward, but the production cost is high and flexibility of use is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into multiple separate cage segments instead of being a one-piece structure. Each cage segment can be independently manufactured and then assembled, reducing production costs and increasing flexibility while maintaining structural integrity during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cage segments are designed to serve multiple functions: they guide the rolling elements, maintain proper spacing, and can be manufactured from materials with matched thermal expansion coefficients. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components
2Reliability
If cage segments are designed to closely follow the rolling element shape, then guidance is improved, but the cage segments may come into contact and increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cage segments have contact surfaces that are locally adapted to the rolling element shape where guidance is needed, while other portions of the cage segments maintain a simpler geometry. This localized adaptation provides reliable guidance without requiring the entire cage segment to be complex
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the cage segments enclose the rolling elements completely (frame-like structure), the design uses open cage segments that contact the rolling elements only at specific locations. This inverted approach reduces complexity while maintaining guidance functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If the cage segment material has a different thermal expansion coefficient from steel, then manufacturing is easier, but thermal expansion mismatch causes dimensional instability
Solution Approach 1:
The material selection focuses on changing the thermal expansion coefficient parameter to match that of steel (within +/-15% tolerance). Cast iron is specifically identified as a material that meets this criterion, ensuring dimensional stability under thermal conditions while remaining manufacturable
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 reduces production costs, increases flexibility, and ensures reliable guidance and load absorption by using separate cage segments with tailored thermal expansion properties and convex surfaces, enhancing the roller bearing's performance and load-carrying capacity.
Implementation Method 1
each cage segment touching two rolling elements on at least two contact surfaces adapted to the shape of the rolling element
Implementation Method 2
at least one guide element radially projecting beyond the carrier element is arranged on the carrier element, which has a shape of the rolling body adapted contact surface
Implementation Method 3
each cage segment having an end element with an end face at its axial ends for axial contact of the rolling element
Implementation Method 4
the two end elements arranged axially at the ends are connected to one another with a carrier element (connecting beam)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rolling bearing (1) having an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3), rolling bodies (4) being arranged therebetween, which are held by a cage, the cage consisting of a plurality of cage segments (5), each cage segment (5) being arranged between two rolling bodies (4) in the circumferential direction of the rolling bearing and each cage segment (5) touching two rolling bodies (4) on at least two contact faces (6, 7, 8), which are adapted to the shape of the rolling body (4), without enclosing the rolling body (4) in a frame-like manner. In order to create a flexible cage solution at low cost, according to the invention a radially outer end (18) of the at least one guide element (16) has a greater distance (X4) from the running surface (19) of the outer ring (3) than the distance (X2) between the radially outer end (20) of an end element (11) of the cage segment (5) and the running surface (19) of the outer ring (3).