Slew Ring Bearing Stops for Rotation Limits Beyond 360°
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling element bearings used as slew rings in medical ceiling pendants for limiting rotation beyond 360° are costly and require significant installation space, limiting the freedom of movement and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A rolling element bearing design featuring a first stop element with radial base bores and a slotted-hole-type radial base groove on the inner bearing ring, combined with a pivoting finger on the outer bearing ring, allows for angle-of-rotation limitation beyond 360° using simple and space-saving means, with adjustable angle limiters and a threaded pin or dowel pin for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional angle-of-rotation limiting devices are used to limit rotation beyond 360°, then the maximum angle of rotation can be increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The angle-of-rotation limiting device is segmented into modular components: a first stop element with multiple radial base bores arranged in peripheral succession, a second stop element with a pivoting finger, and interchangeable angle limiters. This segmentation allows flexible configuration for different rotation angles while maintaining a simple basic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first stop element is designed with multiple radial base bores that can accommodate different angle limiters, making the same structural component universal for limiting various angles of rotation. The pivoting finger on the second stop element can interact with different angle limiters to achieve the same limiting function for different rotation ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional angle-of-rotation limiting devices are used to limit rotation beyond 360°, then the maximum angle of rotation can be increased, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The angle limiters are designed to be inserted into the radial base bores of the first stop element, creating a nested configuration. The angle limiters fit within the existing bore structure rather than requiring separate external components, thereby reducing the overall installation space while maintaining the capability to limit rotation angles up to 400°.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional angle-of-rotation limiting devices are used to limit rotation beyond 360°, then the maximum angle of rotation can be increased, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial base bores are pre-formed in the first stop element during manufacturing, and the angle limiters are designed to be simply inserted into these pre-formed bores. This preliminary preparation of the bore structure eliminates the need for complex post-assembly operations or specialized manufacturing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while enabling flexible angle limitation configurations.
4Ease of operation
If a stop means is added to limit the angle of rotation, then the angle of rotation can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second stop element incorporates a pivoting finger that can dynamically adjust its position to engage with the angle limiters. This dynamic pivoting mechanism provides effective angle control while maintaining structural simplicity, as the pivoting motion is achieved through a single hinge connection rather than complex actuation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling element bearing having inner and outer bearing rings with rolling elements therebetween, and an angle-of-rotation limiting device that limits the relative rotation between the inner and outer bearing rings within an angle-of-rotation range from 0° to greater than 360° and includes a first stop element arranged on the inner bearing ring and a second stop element arranged on the outer bearing ring. The first stop element is formed by a plurality of individual radial base bores arranged in peripheral succession in a row on the outer lateral surface of the inner bearing ring and by a slotted-hole-type radial base groove arranged between first and last radial base bores, and one or two separate angle limiters protruding radially beyond the radial base bores or groove can be inserted into the radial base bores or the radial base groove depending on the size of the angle of rotation to be limited.