Three-Ring Rolling Bearing Layout for Independent Ring Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large-diameter rolling bearings with three concentric rings, particularly in tunnel boring machines, face challenges in compactness and independent rotation of inner and outer rings due to increased width caused by axial extensions and gear arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing design featuring an inner ring, an outer ring, and a middle ring arranged concentrically, with gear toothings on the inner and outer rings and multiple rows of rolling elements between the rings, allowing independent rotation and compact axial design through aligned gear toothings and rolling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If axial extensions with bevel gears are added to enable independent rotation of inner and outer rings, then the bearing width significantly increases, but the axial compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the middle ring with its rolling elements inside the annular space between the inner and outer rings. The middle ring's outer surface with rolling elements is received by the inner ring's inner surface, while the middle ring's inner surface with rolling elements engages with the outer ring's outer surface. This nested configuration enables independent rotation of inner and outer rings without requiring axial extensions, thus maintaining axial compactness while achieving the desired adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding axial extensions in the axial direction (one dimension), the patent introduces a middle ring that utilizes the radial dimension (another dimension) to achieve independent rotation. The middle ring is positioned radially between the inner and outer rings, and its engagement surfaces are arranged radially aligned with the gear toothings, allowing independent rotation capability to be achieved in the radial dimension rather than increasing axial width.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gear toothings are added to inner and outer rings for independent driving, then the functional versatility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The middle ring serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural element connecting the inner and outer rings, provides rolling element engagement surfaces for both rings, and enables independent rotation capability. The gear toothings on the inner and outer rings engage with the middle ring's rolling elements, allowing the middle ring to function as both a support structure and a transmission element, thus reducing overall device complexity while achieving independent driving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the middle ring with the gear transmission system. The middle ring's outer surface with rolling elements and the inner ring's inner surface with rolling elements are radially aligned, as are the gear toothings. This merging of structural support and power transmission functions into a single integrated configuration reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining independent driving capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring and a middle ring, the rings being concentrically arranged around a central axis so that the middle ring is arranged radially between the inner ring and the outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements interposed between the inner ring and the middle ring, at least one row of rolling elements interposed between the middle ring and the outer ring. The inner ring provides a radially inner circumferential portion with a gear toothing and the outer ring having a radially outer circumferential portion with a gear toothing.