Slewing Roller Bearing Axially Assembled Outer Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of large-diameter roller bearings for applications like mining and wind turbines is inefficient due to material waste and high costs associated with the L-shaped outer ring design, which requires significant material removal to accommodate axial rollers, leading to financial losses.
Innovation Solution
A slewing roller bearing design featuring an outer ring with multiple axially assembled parts, including a second part with mounting orifices that allow roller elements to pass through, reducing material waste and facilitating assembly, and using plugs to close these orifices for surface continuity, thereby minimizing material usage and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer ring is designed as an L-shaped structure with a recess to receive axial rollers, then the axial thrust capability is improved, but material waste increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring is divided into two separate parts: a first outer ring part with a radial raceway for axial rollers, and a second outer ring part with a cylindrical raceway for radial rollers. This segmentation eliminates the need for material removal to create L-shaped recesses, as each part is optimized for its specific function without requiring complex geometries that waste material.
Solution Approach 2:
The second outer ring part is positioned within the bore of the first outer ring part, with the cylindrical raceway nested within the overall structure. The axial rollers are arranged between the inner ring and the first outer ring part, while radial rollers are arranged in the groove of the second outer ring part, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization without material waste.
2Ease of operation
If the outer ring is designed as an L-shaped structure with material removal, then the assembly of axial rollers is facilitated, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the outer ring into two separate parts, each with its own simplified geometry, the manufacturing process becomes less complex. The first part requires only a radial raceway, and the second part requires only a cylindrical raceway with a groove, eliminating the need for complex L-shaped recesses that are difficult and costly to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The second outer ring part acts as an intermediary component that provides the cylindrical raceway for radial rollers while being axially assembled to the first outer ring part. This intermediary structure facilitates the assembly of both axial and radial roller rows without requiring complex integrated geometries.
3Ease of operation
If mounting orifices are added to the second outer ring part for roller insertion, then assembly ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting orifices are pre-formed in the second outer ring part, allowing radial rollers to be inserted through these openings during assembly. This preliminary preparation of insertion paths greatly simplifies the assembly process, as rollers can be directly pushed through the orifices into their final positions without requiring complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting orifices are extracted features in the second outer ring part, creating simple circular openings that serve as insertion paths for radial rollers. These orifices are closed by plugs after assembly, and while they add some structural elements, they significantly simplify the assembly process compared to alternative methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A slewing bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring provided with a first part and a second part that are axially assembled one to another, at least one axial thrust between the inner ring and the first part of outer ring that can transmit axial forces, and a radial thrust between the inner ring and the second part of outer ring which can transmit radial forces is provided. Roller elements of radial thrust are arranged in an annular groove that extends from a bore of second part of outer ring. At least one mounting orifice axially extends from the annular groove, has dimensions such that at least one roller element can pass through the mounting orifice, and is closed by a plug.