Split Bearing Interface Geometry for Wear and Concentricity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional split bearings face challenges in achieving longer lifetimes and improved performance due to issues with friction and wear, particularly under high press fit conditions and thermal expansion, leading to misalignment and increased torque ranges.

Innovation Solution

The development of a split bearing with a unique design featuring a substrate coated with a low friction material and an adhesive layer, which includes a voided interface between its circumferential ends to prevent direct contact and maintain alignment, thereby reducing wear and improving concentricity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional split bearings are used with straight-line axial splits, then ease of assembly is improved, but misalignment and increased torque ranges occur under thermal expansion and high press fit conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing is divided into two half-bearings with a circumferential split, allowing easy assembly by separating the halves. The split design enables installation without disturbing previously installed components while maintaining proper alignment through the specific geometry of the circumferential ends.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential ends are designed with asymmetric features including an apex region with increased radius of curvature and a nadir region with decreased radius of curvature. This asymmetric geometry prevents misalignment by ensuring proper mating of the half-bearings while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If conventional split bearings operate under high press fit conditions, then structural integrity is maintained, but wear and thermal expansion cause misalignment and reduced lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidbearing lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing incorporates a low friction material coating applied selectively to the bearing surface that contacts the shaft or pin. This local application of low friction material reduces wear at the critical interface while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the bearing under high press fit conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The apex region with increased radius of curvature acts as a stress-relief feature that prevents concentration of stresses at the circumferential ends. This design anticipates and compensates for thermal expansion and press fit stresses before they cause misalignment or failure, extending bearing lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If circumferential ends are designed to contact each other, then structural continuity is achieved, but direct contact causes increased wear and loss of concentricity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidwear and friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A low friction material coating serves as an intermediary layer between the circumferential ends and the shaft/pin contact surfaces. This intermediate layer reduces direct contact and friction, minimizing wear while maintaining the structural continuity needed for proper bearing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apex region with increased radius of curvature provides a stress-relief geometry that prevents direct sharp contact between circumferential ends. This design feature cushions against misalignment and reduces wear before significant damage can occur, maintaining concentricity over the bearing lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enhances the bearing's ability to maintain 'cylindricity' and hoop stress, reducing torque range, improving concentricity, and extending the bearing's lifetime by minimizing wear and thermal expansion-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

bearings often include a low friction material to provide a slip interface between these mated components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

issues with friction and wear, particularly under high press fit conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWear: Wear

Data Source

PatentUS11286986B2Split bearing, assembly, and method of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SAINT GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORP

AI summary

A bearing including a bearing sidewall including a first circumferential end including an apex region, and a second circumferential end including a nadir region, where the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end are adapted to contact each other to form an interface, where at least one of the apex region or the nadir region includes a void to prevent contact between the apex region of the first circumferential end and the nadir region of the second circumferential end, where the bearing sidewall includes a substrate and a low friction material, and where at least one of the first circumferential end or the second circumferential end comprises an end face that is free of low friction material.