Spherical Bearing Support with Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spherical plain bearings face challenges in maintaining axial stability and resisting fatigue due to misalignment and loading forces, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A spherical bearing with a support featuring a substantially annular ring having a radially sloped inside surface and a locking mechanism, secured between axial ends, which limits axial movement and achieves a fatigue-resistant compressed state when installed, utilizing a conical outer surface and axial shoulder to prevent radial movement and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical bearing is designed to accommodate misalignment and allow multiple degrees of freedom, then the bearing can self-align and adjust to misalignment, but the bearing experiences axial movement and fatigue under loading forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support is segmented into functional zones: a conical outside surface for radial engagement, an axial facing abutment surface for axial positioning, and a locking mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific requirements without compromising overall performance
Solution Approach 2:
The support engages the spherical bearing in multiple dimensions simultaneously: radially through the conical surface, axially through the abutment surface, and rotationally through the locking mechanism. This multi-dimensional constraint system maintains reliability while preserving self-alignment capability
2Reliability
If the support structure is made more complex to prevent axial movement and increase break-away torque, then axial stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single support component: axial positioning via the abutment surface, radial constraint via the conical surface, and rotational locking via the locking mechanism. This consolidation achieves high reliability without requiring multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it positions the spherical bearing axially, constrains it radially, prevents unintended rotation, and provides a mounting interface. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A support (10) for a spherical bearing includes a substantially annular ring (12) defining an axial facing abutment surface (14) and an inside surface (16). The inside surface (16) is sloped radially outward toward the abutment surface (14). The annular ring (12) has an outer circumferential surface (20) that has a locking mechanism (18) thereon. The support (10) can be secured substantially between axial ends of the spherical bearing (22). The support (10) limits axial movement of an inner race (24) defined by the spherical bearing (22).