Spring-Linked Flexure Bearing for Large-Angle Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexure bearings suffer from limited fatigue life, vulnerability to vibration-induced failure, and restricted corrosion resistance due to tight dimensional tolerances, making them unsuitable for applications requiring high rotational angles and exposure to harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A flexure bearing design featuring two sleeves with pillars and blind holes, interconnected by compression springs, allowing for increased rotational movement and enhanced fatigue life, while eliminating the need for lubrication and accommodating higher corrosion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blade flexures are used to achieve movement in flexure bearings, then the bearing can facilitate rotational movement without lubrication, but the fatigue life is limited and the structure is vulnerable to vibration-induced failure
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into modular components: outer race, inner race, and multiple pillar elements. Each pillar is a separate component that can be independently manufactured and assembled, replacing the monolithic blade flexure structure. This segmentation allows for better stress distribution and reduced fatigue accumulation in any single element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining rigid pillar elements with elastic deformation zones. The pillars provide structural integrity while the controlled elastic deformation regions allow movement, creating a composite structure that resists fatigue better than pure blade flexures.
2Reliability
If tight dimensional tolerances are maintained between blades and housing, then the bearing operates smoothly, but corrosion resistance is limited and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing components are segmented into separate pieces (outer race, inner race, pillars) that are assembled together. This allows for larger tolerances in individual components while maintaining proper clearance and function in the assembled state, reducing the impact of corrosion and manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates elastic deformation capabilities in the pillar structures, allowing the bearing to accommodate dimensional variations and corrosion wear through controlled elastic deflection rather than requiring tight tolerance maintenance throughout operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bearings with lubrication are used, then wear is minimized and productive life is increased, but lubrication cannot be applied in certain industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure is designed to be self-lubricating through its geometric configuration. The pillar elements and raceways are shaped to distribute loads and minimize contact stress without requiring external lubrication, enabling operation in applications where lubricants cannot be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the lubrication-dependent mechanical contact system with a geometry-based load distribution system. The specific pillar configurations and elastic deformation zones substitute for the lubrication film, providing wear protection through mechanical design rather than chemical lubrication.
4Length of moving object
If the rotational angle is increased beyond ±20 degrees, then the bearing provides greater movement capability, but fatigue failure risk increases in existing flexure bearing designs
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation capability is distributed across multiple pillar elements rather than concentrated in single blade flexures. Each pillar handles a portion of the rotational movement through elastic deformation, allowing the system to achieve larger total rotation angles while each individual element remains within safe stress limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing utilizes dynamic elastic deformation of the pillar elements to accommodate large rotational angles. The pillars flex elastically during rotation and return to their original position, providing repeatable large-angle movement without the fatigue accumulation that occurs in rigid or plastic deformation-based designs.
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 design achieves a larger rotational angle of ±30°, mitigates fatigue failure, and facilitates easier maintenance, making it suitable for applications with vibrations and environments where lubrication is not feasible.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of compression springs, each compression spring having a first spring end configured to fit into one of the blind holes of a pillar of the first sleeve and a second spring end configured to fit into a corresponding blind hole of an adjacent pillar of the second sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A flexure bearing having a first sleeve and a second sleeve is provided. Each sleeve includes a first pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve and a second pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve parallel to and diametrically opposed to the first pillar. The flexure bearing has a plurality of blind holes and a plurality of compression springs, each compression spring having a first spring end fit into one of the blind holes of a pillar of the first sleeve and a second spring end fit into a corresponding blind hole of an adjacent pillar of the second sleeve when the second sleeve is interconnected to the first sleeve.