Swivel Load Shoulder Bearing for Misalignment Under Bending
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical swivels experience premature bearing failure and binding due to non-uniform loading caused by misalignment under bending loads, leading to uneven load distribution and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a deformable bearing component within the swivel's cavity between load shoulders, which accommodates variations in alignment by deforming to maintain continuous contact and uniform load transmission, even under bending conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical bearing is used in a swivel, then rotation between components is enabled, but premature bearing failure and binding occur under non-uniform loading and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the bearing material from rigid to viscoelastic, allowing the material to deform and adapt to misalignment conditions. This parameter change enables the bearing to accommodate non-uniform loading while maintaining reliable rotation, directly resolving the technical contradiction between bearing reliability and resistance to non-uniform loading effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures, specifically combining viscoelastic materials with reinforcing fibers or fillers to create a bearing component that exhibits both flexibility and structural integrity. This composite approach allows the bearing to handle non-uniform loads and misalignment while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent premature failure, addressing the reliability issue under harmful loading conditions.
2Power
If rigid bearing surfaces are used, then load transmission is efficient, but binding occurs due to misalignment between rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the bearing material from rigid to viscoelastic, changing its mechanical parameters to include time-dependent deformation characteristics. This allows the bearing to maintain efficient load transmission through its load-bearing capacity while simultaneously accommodating misalignment through controlled deformation, preventing binding and ensuring smooth operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the bearing system by using viscoelastic materials that can adapt their shape and stiffness in response to applied loads and misalignment conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the bearing to maintain efficient power transmission while adjusting to varying operational conditions, preventing binding and ensuring ease of operation throughout the swivel's range of motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable bearing component is introduced, then alignment variations are accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves alignment accommodation by changing the material parameters of the bearing component itself, rather than adding separate alignment mechanisms. The viscoelastic material's inherent ability to deform and recover provides the necessary adaptability, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the required versatility in handling misalignment conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable bearing component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits loads, accommodates misalignment, and provides damping. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to alignment variations. The single bearing component performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized parts.
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 deformable bearing component ensures more even load distribution, reducing the risk of bearing failure and wear, improving reliability and extending the swivel's operational life.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable bearing component is deformable to accommodate variations in alignment between the first and second load shoulders
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8B
AI summary
A swivel (100) is described comprising a first swivel member (112) comprising a first load shoulder (116) and a second swivel member (115) comprising a second load shoulder (118). The first and second swivel members are rotatable relative to each other. A deformable bearing component (142) is provided within a cavity (140) defined between the first and second load shoulder (116, 118). The deformable bearing component (142) facilitates load transmission between the first and second load shoulders (116, 118) and is deformable to accommodate variations in alignment between the first and second load shoulders (116, 118).