Elastic Temperature Compensation Ring with Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature compensation rings in bearings suffer from gap extrusion under mechanical loads, leading to material loss and reduced effectiveness in maintaining bearing settings due to differential thermal expansion between components.
Innovation Solution
A temperature compensation ring with a base body made from an elastic material, featuring reduced friction surfaces and optional coatings or grooves to prevent material extrusion into gaps, and potentially reinforced with a strengthening body to enhance durability and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional elastomer ring is used as a temperature compensation element, then it can compensate for thermal expansion differences between housing and bearing, but it suffers from gap extrusion under mechanical loads leading to material loss and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature compensation ring combines an elastomeric base material with a reinforcing cage structure made of rigid or semi-rigid material. This composite construction allows the elastomer to provide thermal expansion compensation while the cage prevents gap extrusion and material loss under mechanical loads, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature compensation ring is divided into two functional components: an elastomeric base material that provides thermal compensation and a reinforcing cage that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elastomer ring is made softer to improve temperature compensation, then it can better fill gaps and compensate for clearance increase, but it becomes more susceptible to extrusion and deformation under load
Solution Approach 1:
The softer elastomeric material is combined with a rigid reinforcing cage, allowing the elastomer to remain soft for better thermal compensation while the cage provides the necessary strength to resist extrusion and deformation under load
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the temperature compensation ring have different material properties: the elastomeric base provides softness and thermal compensation, while the reinforcing cage provides localized strength and structural support where needed
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 solution effectively reduces or prevents gap extrusion, maintaining the bearing setting and compensating for temperature-dependent distance changes between components, thereby enhancing the longevity and performance of the bearing system.
Implementation Method 1
configured to compensate for a temperature-dependent distance between two components
Implementation Method 2
a base body made from an elastic material
Implementation Method 3
A surface of the base body is configured, at least sectionally, to reduce a friction in the axial direction between the temperature compensation ring and an abutment surface
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature compensation ring configured to compensate for a temperature-dependent distance change between two components includes a base body made from an elastic material, and at least a section of at least one surface of the base body is configured to reduce a friction in the axial direction between the temperature compensation ring and an abutment surface, by, for example, being coated with a friction reducing coating and/or by including one or more grooves for receiving a lubricant.