Split Ball Spherical Bearing Chamfered Edges

Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of split-ball spherical bearings often results in a 'knocking' action between edges, leading to material chipping and damage, which compromises the smoothness of the bearing surfaces and reduces the bearing's lifespan, especially when made from lightweight materials like titanium alloys used in the aerospace industry.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of chamfer surfaces at the junctions of the outer bearing surface, separation face, and axial end face of split-ball portions helps to reduce the likelihood of knocking during assembly by providing a smoother transition and alignment, thereby minimizing edge contact and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If split ball portions are assembled by rotation and frictional engagement, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to knocking and edge damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidbearing surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer surfaces are provided on the split ball portions before assembly to guide the alignment and reduce knocking during the rotation and frictional engagement process. This preliminary geometric feature prevents edge damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer surfaces are applied locally at the separation faces where knocking occurs, rather than modifying the entire split ball portion. This localized modification addresses the specific problem area while maintaining the overall lightweight material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials like titanium alloys are used, then weight is reduced, but durability worsens due to susceptibility to bearing surface damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing weightVSAvoidbearing surface durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer surfaces are provided on the split ball portions before assembly to guide the alignment and reduce knocking during the rotation and frictional engagement process. This preliminary geometric feature prevents edge damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer surfaces are applied locally at the separation faces where knocking occurs, rather than modifying the entire split ball portion. This localized modification addresses the specific problem area while maintaining the overall lightweight material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7559698B2Spherical bearing arrangement

Publication Date: 2009.07.14 MINEBEAMITSUMI INC

AI summary

A split ball portion for a spherical bearing arrangement, which split ball portion is to form one of a plurality of split ball portions to be arranged together in a bearing housing of the spherical bearing arrangement to form a composite ball, the split ball portion comprising: an outer bearing surface; at least one separation face, which lies adjacent a separation face of a neighbouring split ball portion when forming the composite ball; and at least one axial end face, the split ball portion comprising at least one chamfer surface at the junction of at least the outer bearing surface, a separation face and an axial end face.