Spherical Plain Bearing Lubrication Grooves to Prevent Pressure Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spherical plain bearings face issues with lubricant retention due to poorly positioned and easily damaged seals, leading to hydraulic pressure locks and reduced dynamic performance, and conventional lubrication grooves with sharp edges that inhibit lubricant distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a spherical plain bearing with circumferential and profiled annular lubrication grooves, anti-twist seals, and vent ports to enhance lubricant distribution and retention, featuring a contoured shape for lubricant flow and anti-twist seals to prevent seal displacement and hydraulic pressure issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional lubrication grooves with sharp edges are used, then the groove structure is simple, but the sharp edges wipe lubricant from the surface and inhibit lubricant distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp-edged lubrication grooves with rounded-profile grooves. The rounded profile prevents the groove edges from acting as wiping surfaces that remove lubricant, while still providing effective lubricant distribution channels. This curvature modification resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity while eliminating the harmful wiping effect of sharp edges.
2Ease of operation
If seals are positioned on the edges of ring members adjacent to load zone contact surfaces, then seal installation is straightforward, but the seals are easily damaged and dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions seals asymmetrically within recesses that are not located at the extreme edges of the ring members, but rather set back from the load zone contact surfaces. This asymmetric positioning within the recess structure provides mechanical protection while maintaining sealing effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and damage resistance.
3Reliability
If seals completely seal the load zone, then lubricant retention is improved, but internal lubricant pressure generates hydraulic pressure lock that prevents rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes complete sealing from the load zone by incorporating vent ports that provide controlled communication between the load zone and exterior. This extraction of complete sealing prevents hydraulic pressure lock while maintaining sufficient lubricant retention through the combined action of seals and vent ports.
4Reliability
If seals are positioned adjacent to load zone contact surfaces, then sealing effectiveness is maximized, but the seals compromise the wiping function and are easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function from the load zone contact surface by positioning seals in recesses that are spatially separated from the primary contact areas. This segmentation allows the seals to perform their sealing function effectively while being protected from the harmful wiping effects that occur at the contact surfaces.
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 design improves lubricant retention and distribution, preventing hydraulic pressure locks and enhancing the dynamic load capability and lifespan of the bearing by ensuring effective lubrication and seal functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of circumferential lubrication grooves are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface of the inner ring. One or more curved lubrication channels are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface of the inner ring.
Implementation Method 2
A lubricant may be provided in the load zone of the bearing to minimize wear and to enhance rotational characteristics.
Implementation Method 3
seals may be incorporated to retain the lubricant in the load zone and to prevent or at least limit the flow of lubricant from the load zone
Data Source
AI summary
A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring and an inner ring that are each coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bearing. The outer ring has a first axial outer ring end, a second axial outer ring end, and an interior spherical concave bearing surface extending therebetween. The inner ring has a first axial inner ring end, a second axial inner ring end, and an interior cylindrical bearing surface defining a bore and an exterior spherical convex bearing surface extending therebetween. The exterior spherical convex bearing surface is in interfacial sliding engagement with the interior spherical concave bearing surface. A plurality of circumferential lubrication grooves and one or more curved lubrication channels are in the exterior spherical convex bearing surface. The curved lubrication channels are positioned to intersect each of the circumferential lubrication grooves. A plurality of profiled annular lubrication grooves circumferentially extend into the interior cylindrical bearing surface.