Swivel Load Shoulder Bearing for Misalignment Under Bending Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivels face premature bearing failure and binding due to non-uniform loading caused by misalignment under bending loads, which leads to uneven load distribution and increased wear rates.
Innovation Solution
A swivel design incorporating a deformable bearing component within a cavity between load shoulders that can deform to accommodate variations in alignment, maintaining continuous contact and even load distribution, and optionally combined with a mechanical bearing assembly to reduce wear and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical bearing is used in a swivel subjected to bending loads, then rotation is permitted, but misalignment between rotating components causes premature bearing failure and binding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the bearing material from rigid to compliant/deformable. The bearing component is made of a material that can deform elastically or plastically to accommodate misalignment between rotating components, thereby maintaining reliable operation under bending loads without premature failure or binding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where a compliant bearing material (such as polymer or elastomer) is combined with reinforcing elements or integrated into a hybrid structure. This composite approach provides both the flexibility to accommodate alignment variations and the structural integrity needed for load-bearing applications.
2Productivity
If rigid bearing surfaces are used in rotating components, then load transmission is efficient, but non-uniform loading causes uneven wear and binding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the bearing surface from rigid to compliant, allowing the material to deform and redistribute loads uniformly across the contact area. This deformation capability maintains efficient load transmission while preventing localized stress concentrations that lead to uneven wear and binding.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed geometry bearing components are used, then manufacturing is simple, but they cannot accommodate variations in cavity geometry under load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs bearing components with deformable geometry that can change shape in response to applied loads. The compliant material allows the bearing to conform to varying cavity geometries caused by bending or misalignment, while the base manufacturing process remains relatively simple, producing a component that adapts its shape during operation.
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 uniform load transmission and reduced wear rates, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the swivel by maintaining even axial load distribution and continuous contact under varying load conditions, including bending loads.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable bearing component may be elastically deformable. The deformable component may be resiliently deformable. Such resilience may assist to return the first and second load shoulders to their primary relative alignment condition following removal of the deforming load.
Data Source
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).