Shaft Retaining Element for High-Speed Circlip Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft assemblies in rotating machines face issues with axial movement of bearings at high speeds, leading to potential damage and reduced component lifetime due to the inability of traditional retaining elements to effectively counteract centrifugal forces.
Innovation Solution
A shaft assembly with a retaining element featuring a mainly annular geometry and a locking element offset from the shaft, which radially locks the clamping element between the shaft and the locking element, effectively preventing axial movement even at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional retaining elements (slide-over retaining rings, press-on retaining rings, lock nuts) are used to prevent axial movement of clamping elements, then axial movement is prevented, but the device becomes bulky and requires specific tooling during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is nested within the clamping element structure, with the locking element positioned inside the circumferential end portions. This nested configuration allows the retaining element to be compact and integrated within the existing clamping element geometry, eliminating the need for bulky external retaining structures while maintaining the function of preventing axial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to be manually installed and adjusted without requiring specific tooling. The elastic deformation capability enables the retaining element to self-adjust to the shaft diameter and secure the clamping element through its own elastic properties, eliminating the need for external assembly tools.
2Reliability
If clamping elements are used to counteract axial movement at high speeds, then axial movement is prevented, but centrifugal forces cause the clamping element to expand radially and lose contact with the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The solution addresses the radial expansion problem by introducing a locking mechanism that operates in the radial dimension. The locking element extends radially inwardly to engage with the clamping element, providing radial constraint that prevents the clamping element from expanding outward due to centrifugal forces. This dimensional approach converts the problem from a radial contact issue to a locked positional relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is pre-configured with the locking element positioned to engage with the clamping element before high-speed rotation begins. This preliminary locking action ensures that when centrifugal forces act on the clamping element during high-speed operation, the element is already constrained radially and cannot expand to lose contact with the shaft.
3Ease of manufacture
If retaining elements are designed to be compact and easy to assemble, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to effectively counteract centrifugal forces at high speeds may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed as an elastically deformable component that can be manually installed in a compact manner. The elastic deformation capability allows the retaining element to be compressed for installation and then expand to engage the locking element with the clamping element, providing robust centrifugal force counteraction without requiring bulky structure or complex assembly tooling.
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
The proposed solution effectively counteracts axial movement of the clamping element at high speeds, preventing damage and extending component lifetime, while also being widely usable and easily mountable.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping element being elastically deformable between a relaxed state wherein the circumferential end portions are located relatively close to each other and a widened state wherein the end portions are located relatively remote from each other in the circumferential direction
Implementation Method 2
in case of relatively high rotational speeds, centrifugal forces acting on the circlip may cause the circlip to expand radially
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft assembly for a rotating machine, comprising a shaft, a clamping element and a retaining element. The clamping element can be implemented as a circlip for counteracting or limiting axial movement of a shaft attribute. Further, the retaining element has a mainly annular geometry extending in a circumferential direction around the shaft. Also, the retaining element is provided with a locking element located offset from the shaft such that the clamping element is radially locked between the shaft and the locking element.