Support Bearing Variable Diameter Profile Bending Moment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Support bearings experience reduced service life due to uneven load distribution and edge wear caused by bending moments, leading to varying contact pressures between rolling elements and the axle.
Innovation Solution
A support bearing with a variable diameter profile on the outer or inner raceway, adapted to a bending line where the diameter of the inner ring depends on a constant diameter and a correction function, distributing bending forces uniformly across the rolling contact, with a second radius of curvature selected based on the bending moment and bearing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional support bearing with uniform diameter is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bending forces are not evenly distributed leading to edge wear and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is given a variable diameter profile along its circumference, creating different local geometries to optimize load distribution. The profile includes at least one profile element with specific geometric parameters (radius of curvature, height, position) that differ from other areas, allowing localized adaptation to bending moment distributions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The profile elements on the inner ring incorporate curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature. These curved profile elements better match the natural deformation pattern under bending moments, distributing contact pressures more evenly across the rolling elements and reducing edge wear compared to straight or uniform cylindrical profiles
2Reliability
If the diameter profile is optimized to match the bending line, then load distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a continuously varying complex profile, the invention uses discrete profile elements with specific geometric parameters positioned at key locations. This localized approach achieves effective load distribution while simplifying manufacturing, as only specific zones require precision profiling rather than the entire circumference
Solution Approach 2:
The profile elements are characterized by specific geometric parameters (radius of curvature, height, axial position, angular position) that can be optimized and standardized. By controlling these discrete parameters, the invention achieves effective load distribution with manageable manufacturing precision requirements, avoiding the need for continuously varying complex geometries
3Ease of manufacture
If rolling elements are used with a uniform raceway, then the bearing structure is simple, but the contact pressures are uneven with highest pressures at the edge leading to edge wear
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring raceway is given a variable diameter profile with specific profile elements at different locations. This creates locally optimized contact conditions where the raceway diameter varies to compensate for bending-induced deformation, distributing contact pressures more evenly and reducing edge wear while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes
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 solution ensures more even load distribution and increased service life by minimizing edge bearing, allowing multiple rolling elements to share the load and reducing deformation from bending moments.
Implementation Method 1
the bending forces can be distributed largely uniformly over the rolling contact, with rolling contact meaning the surface on which touch the rolling element and the raceway, in particular taking into account the elasticity of the rolling element
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
A support bearing, for example for straighteners, having an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling bodies that roll between the outer and inner ring on raceways. A bending moment prevails between the rings as a result of a load with a fixed direction of action. To compensate for the bending moment, an outer raceway of the inner ring and/or an inner raceway of the outer ring includes a profiling with a variable diameter in the axial direction. The profiling is adapted or approximated to a non-cylindrical bending line caused by the bending moment in the rolling contact, and the bending line is defined by a line, on which bending forces which are transmitted from the inner ring to the rolling bodies and are caused by the bending moment lie substantially perpendicularly. As a result, the disadvantageous edge loading in a given load direction is suppressed, with the result that more rolling bodies can transmit load between the rings at the same time.