Spring-Biased Needle Roller Bearing Post for Pinion Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling planet carriers in gear sets result in increased construction and machining costs, larger package size, and higher weight due to issues with needle roller bearing pin skewing, which requires additional force and potential material damage during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A pinion needle roller bearing post with a solid cylindrical design and radially recessed channels housing spring-biased needle rollers for alignment and retention, along with retention ball plungers, to prevent skewing and ensure proper assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional assembly methods are used for planet carriers, then the assembly process can be completed, but needle roller bearing pins skew during assembly requiring excessive force and causing material damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of needle roller bearing pinsVSAvoidskewing and material damage during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle rollers are pre-installed in the needle roller bearing posts before assembly, and spring retainers are pre-positioned to maintain proper alignment. This preliminary positioning prevents skewing during the assembly process by ensuring components are correctly aligned before final installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Spring retainers act as intermediary elements between the needle rollers and the assembly process. These retainers maintain constant contact with the needle rollers, preventing them from skewing or misaligning during assembly operations while allowing controlled movement when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If additional force is applied to correct skewing during assembly, then assembly can be completed, but construction costs and machining costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly completionVSAvoidconstruction and machining costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment features and spring retainers are installed before the main assembly operation to prevent skewing from occurring in the first place. This eliminates the need for costly corrective machining or forceful adjustments during assembly, reducing both construction and machining costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Spring retainers provide continuous contact and support to needle rollers during assembly, cushioning against misalignment forces before they can cause damage. This prevents the need for expensive repairs or rework by maintaining proper alignment throughout the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If needle roller bearing pins are allowed to skew during assembly, then assembly process is simpler, but package size and transmission weight increase due to additional components needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly process complexityVSAvoidtransmission weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring retainers serve multiple functions: they maintain needle roller alignment, prevent skewing during assembly, and provide continuous support during operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate alignment components that would increase transmission weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment and retention functions are merged into a single spring retainer component that integrates with the existing needle roller bearing structure. This combination prevents the need for separate alignment devices, maintaining simplicity while preventing skewing-related weight increases.

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

The solution effectively prevents needle roller bearing pin skewing, reduces the need for excessive force during assembly, minimizes material waste, and decreases the size and weight of the transmission by ensuring proper alignment and retention of components.

Implementation Method 1

a spring disposed in the at least one radially recessed channel for maintaining a positive biasing force with the spring biased needle roller at the longitudinal surface wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring biasing: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a spring biased needle roller disposed within the at least one radially recessed channel operative to prevent needle roller bearing skew

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10527102B2Pinion needle roller bearing post for use during pinion gear carrier assembly

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A pinion needle roller bearing post for use during pinion gear carrier assembly includes a solid cylindrical post having a longitudinal surface wall extending between a first end and a second end. At least one radially recessed channel is disposed in the longitudinal surface and extends substantially between the first end and the second end and a spring biased needle roller is disposed within the at least one radially recessed channel that operates to prevent needle roller bearing skew during pinion gear carrier assembly.