Sintered Metal Retainer Infiltrated with Bronze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retainer manufacturing processes are inefficient for low-volume production, requiring high tooling investments and being either time-consuming or expensive, and they compromise on material properties such as tribological characteristics depending on the material used.
Innovation Solution
A retainer made from sintered powdered metal infiltrated with bronze, produced using additive manufacturing (3D printing) processes, which eliminates the need for initial tooling and combines superior strength and tribological characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional manufacturing processes (stamping or injection molding) are used for high-volume production, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and initial tooling investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from conventional stamping/injection molding to additive manufacturing (3D printing), enabling production without large initial tooling investments while maintaining efficiency for both high and low-volume production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical stamping and injection molding processes with additive manufacturing technology, substituting a process that requires extensive tooling with one that builds parts layer-by-layer from digital models, eliminating the need for expensive molds and dies
2Device complexity
If machining from solid block is used for low-volume production, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional machining processes with additive manufacturing, substituting subtractive manufacturing (removing material) with additive manufacturing (building material), dramatically reducing production time while maintaining low tooling requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digital modeling and simulation before production, allowing complex retainer geometries to be manufactured directly from 3D models without requiring time-consuming machining operations, enabling rapid production even for low volumes
3Strength
If steel is used for retainer material, then strength is improved, but tribological characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining steel or polymer with bronze infiltration, achieving both the high strength of steel and the superior tribological characteristics of bronze, eliminating the need to choose between the two material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the retainer by infiltrating bronze into specific areas that require tribological performance, while maintaining the structural strength of the base steel or polymer material in load-bearing regions
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 cost-effective production of retainers with improved strength and reduced wear and friction, suitable for both high and low production volumes, and allows for customizable features not possible with traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The body is made of a sintered powdered metal infiltrated with bronze
Implementation Method 2
The body is made of a sintered powdered metal infiltrated with bronze
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer (30) for maintaining a relative angular spacing of a plurality of rolling elements includes a body (34) having an annular portion (38) and a plurality of engaging portions (42). Each of the engaging portions is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of rolling elements. The body is made of a sintered powdered metal infiltrated with bronze.