Split Cage Roller Bearing Radial Displacement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional split roller bearings with roller guidance type cages are prone to detachment and breakage due to displacement caused by vibrations or thermal expansion, leading to potential disengagement of cage segments from rollers.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates cage segments with rim portions and cage bar portions that form a pocket for each roller, featuring projections that contact the inner or outer ring peripheries before detachment, ensuring the cage segments remain securely attached during radial displacement and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a split cage with roller guidance type is used, then the cage can be disassembled and reassembled, but the cage segment may detach from the roller due to vibrations or displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly and assemblyVSAvoidcage segment retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cage is divided into multiple cage segments that can be disassembled and reassembled. Each cage segment has an insertion opening allowing the roller to be inserted from the radially inside, enabling easy assembly and disassembly of the bearing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Projections are formed on the cage segment that project toward the radially outside. These projections contact the outer peripheral side portion of the inner ring before the cage segment can detach from the roller, preventing detachment caused by vibrations or displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cage segment is allowed to displace radially, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but the cage segment may detach and break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidcage segment integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The projections on the cage segment contact the outer peripheral side portion of the inner ring at a predetermined position before radial displacement can cause detachment. This preliminary contact prevents the cage segment from breaking even when thermal expansion causes radial displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The projections are pre-positioned on the cage segment at specific locations. When thermal expansion occurs, these projections are already in place to contact the inner ring and guide the cage segment, preventing uncontrolled displacement and potential breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If projections are added to prevent detachment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecage segment retentionVSAvoidcage segment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projections are formed integrally with the cage segment as a single piece, combining the cage segment body and the retention projections into one molded component. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the reliability function of preventing detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 prevents cage segment detachment and breakage by maintaining contact with the ring peripheries, even during thermal expansion or vibrations, thereby ensuring the stability and longevity of the roller bearing.

Implementation Method 1

a roller guidance type, of which the turning is guided by rollers in order to prevent abrasion of the cage due to contact with inner and outer rings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2876321B1Split cage and roller bearing
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 JTEKT CORP
  • EP2876321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2876321B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A split cage includes a plurality of cage segments (6) each having a pair of rim portions and a pair of cage bar portions, the cage bar portions and the rim portions defining a single pocket that accommodates a single tapered roller. Turning of each of the cage segments is guided by the tapered roller, the cage segments being arranged in a circular pattern along the circumferential direction of the split cage, in an annular space between inner and outer rings. Each cage segment has projections (26-29) formed so as to project radially inward from the pocket, and formed at the rim portions. A projecting length (L1-L4) of each projection is set to such a length that the projection is brought into contact with an outer peripheral side portion (2b,2c) of the inner ring before the cage segment is detached from the tapered roller when the cage segment is displaced to the radially inside.