Tapered Plain Bearing Oscillation Arrangement for Mining Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscillation bearing arrangements for mobile mining machines are complicated to assemble, have low life expectancy, are unsuitable for reversing loads or shock loads, and perform poorly in lubrication starvation conditions, often requiring high precision machining and being costly.
Innovation Solution
The oscillation bearing arrangement features tapered plain bearings with bushings that allow for relative tilting movement between inner and outer frame structures, enabling adjustment to eliminate play as bushings wear, and accommodating radial, moment, and axial force reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional cylindrical bushing arrangements are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot handle axial thrust loads and require additional thrust bushings
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered plain bearing bushing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it handles radial loads, axial thrust loads, and moment loads through its conical geometry and contact surface design, eliminating the need for separate thrust bushings and simplifying the overall bearing arrangement
2Reliability
If high precision machining is used for prior art arrangements, then the bearing performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the bearing bushing by using a tapered design with specific cone angles, which allows for adequate performance with less stringent machining tolerances compared to conventional cylindrical arrangements, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability
3Duration of action of moving object
If the oscillation bearing arrangement uses traditional designs, then the initial assembly is straightforward, but the life expectancy is low due to play development as bushings wear
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered plain bearing design incorporates adjustability that allows the bearing clearance to be dynamically corrected as the bushings wear over time, enabling the elimination of play through simple axial adjustment rather than requiring complex pre-adjustment mechanisms during initial assembly
4Force
If roller element bearings are used, then the load capacity is high, but the cost is very high and they require precise machining
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simpler, less expensive plain bearing bushings made from materials like spheroidal graphite cast iron or steel that can be manufactured with lower precision requirements, providing adequate service life at reduced cost compared to expensive roller element bearings that require high-precision machining
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 provides high load capacity and shock durability, reduces the need for high precision machining, lowers costs compared to roller element bearings, and maintains performance in lubrication starvation conditions and reversing load applications.
Implementation Method 1
The first bearing structure is a tapered plain bearing comprising a first bushing, and/or the second bearing structure is a tapered plain bearing comprising a second bushing
Data Source
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AI summary
An oscillation bearing arrangement (1) of a mobile mining machine, the oscillation bearing arrangement (1) comprising: an inner frame structure (2), an outer frame structure (3), a first bearing structure and a second bearing structure arranged between the inner frame structure (2) and the outer frame structure (3). The oscillation bearing arrangement is arranged to allow a relative tilting movement between the inner frame structure (2) and the outer frame structure (3). The first bearing structure is a tapered plain bearing comprising a first bushing (15), and/or the second bearing structure is a tapered plain bearing comprising a second bushing (23). The invention relates also to a mobile mining machine.