Slide Bearing Friction Reduction via Segmented Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide bearings with narrow grooves around the circumference reduce frictional area but compromise load-carrying capacity and oil film thickness, leading to increased effluent oil volume.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates narrow grooves at the lower halved member's circumference and peripheral edge parts with oil grooves configured in various directions relative to the rotation direction, reducing frictional area while maintaining oil film pressure and minimizing effluent oil volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If narrow grooves are provided all over the circumference at both ends of the bearing, then the frictional area is reduced and friction-reducing effect is achieved, but the load carrying capacity decreases and the total volume of effluent oil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is segmented into different functional zones: narrow grooves are provided only in specific circumferential regions (from mating surface to predetermined bearing angle) rather than all around, creating distinct friction-reducing zones and load-carrying zones. This segmentation allows the bearing to simultaneously achieve friction reduction where grooves are present and maintain load capacity where smooth surfaces remain.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bearing are given different surface qualities: the narrow groove regions provide low-friction characteristics while the peripheral edge parts and other circumferential regions maintain smooth load-carrying surfaces. This local differentiation of surface properties enables simultaneous optimization of both friction reduction and load carrying capacity in different areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If narrow grooves are provided all over the circumference at both ends of the bearing, then the frictional area is reduced, but the oil film thickness necessary for good lubrication cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is segmented into different functional zones: narrow grooves are provided only in specific circumferential regions (from mating surface to predetermined bearing angle) rather than all around, creating distinct friction-reducing zones and load-carrying zones. This segmentation allows the bearing to simultaneously achieve friction reduction where grooves are present and maintain load capacity where smooth surfaces remain.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bearing are given different surface qualities: the narrow groove regions provide low-friction characteristics while the peripheral edge parts and other circumferential regions maintain smooth load-carrying surfaces. This local differentiation of surface properties enables simultaneous optimization of both friction reduction and load carrying capacity in different areas.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the width of the bearing is reduced to reduce frictional area, then friction-reducing effect is achieved, but the total volume of effluent oil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is segmented into different functional zones: narrow grooves are provided only in specific circumferential regions (from mating surface to predetermined bearing angle) rather than all around, creating distinct friction-reducing zones and load-carrying zones. This segmentation allows the bearing to simultaneously achieve friction reduction where grooves are present and maintain load capacity where smooth surfaces remain.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bearing are given different surface qualities: the narrow groove regions provide low-friction characteristics while the peripheral edge parts and other circumferential regions maintain smooth load-carrying surfaces. This local differentiation of surface properties enables simultaneous optimization of both friction reduction and load carrying capacity in different areas.
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 configuration achieves a friction-reducing effect while decreasing the total volume of effluent oil, enhancing load-carrying capacity and lubrication efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
In order to reduce the frictional area of the bearing and to get friction-reducing effect, the width of the bearing is reduced
Implementation Method 2
by providing the narrow grooves which do not prevent the generation of the oil film pressure
Implementation Method 3
the oil film thickness which is necessary for good lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a slide bearing with which friction can be reduced and the total amount of effluent oil can be reduced. In the slide bearing in which the halved members made by dividing the cylinder in two in the direction parallel to the axial direction are disposed vertically, the narrow grooves are provided at an end of the lower halved member in the circumferential direction from a mating surface on a downstream side of a rotation direction to a predetermined bearing angle and peripheral edge parts are provided outside the narrow grooves in an axial direction.