Thrust Bearing Cage Assembly for Concentric, Non-Detachable Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial rolling bearing units face issues with unfavorable concentricity during assembly, leading to potential bending or shearing of the bearing cage, disrupted running behavior, and risk of disassembly due to vibration, particularly in automated manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A bearing cage formed from sheet metal with inner and outer radial edge ribs, including a double rib with an end bend, engages axial bearing disks to ensure reliable assembly and cohesion, using identical components for both disks, and features flanges that fold over to create a self-supporting assembly without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional axial bearing discs with collars and flanges are used to guide the bearing cage, then the bearing cage can be retained, but unfavorable concentricity occurs during assembly leading to bending or shearing of the bearing cage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional design by making the bearing cage the guiding element for the axial bearing disks, rather than having the disks guide the cage. The bearing cage is provided with guiding surfaces that directly guide the axial bearing disks into position, ensuring favorable concentricity and preventing bending or shearing of the cage during assembly.
2Productivity
If automated manufacturing is used to assemble the bearing cage into axial bearing discs, then productivity increases, but unfavorable concentricity cannot be detected leading to disrupted running behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a non-detachable connecting element that permanently connects the axial bearing disks to the bearing cage after assembly. This connecting element acts as a protective measure that prevents disassembly due to vibration and ensures reliable cohesion, compensating for the inability to detect concentricity issues during automated assembly.
3Strength
If the bearing cage is retained by collars and flanges on axial bearing discs, then the cage can be held in place, but insufficient overlap leads to disassembly due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retention function into the bearing cage itself by providing guiding surfaces on the cage that directly engage with the axial bearing disks. This integrated design eliminates the separate collar and flange structures, creating a more cohesive assembly where the cage and disks are permanently connected through the non-detachable connecting element, preventing disassembly due to vibration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two different axial bearing disks are used per bearing unit, then specific functions can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes both axial bearing disks identical in design, with each disk having the same structure and functions. The bearing cage is designed to symmetrically retain both disks, allowing the same disk component to be used in different positions. This universal design simplifies manufacturing and storage while the cage's guiding surfaces ensure proper positioning and function for both disks.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an axial rolling bearing unit with rolling bodies (4) which are arranged between two annular axial bearing washers (1, 2) and which are guided by means of a bearing cage (3) formed from a sheet metal material, said bearing cage having a respective edge rim (5, 6) extending in the axial direction radially on the interior and on the exterior in order to radially guide the rolling bodies (4). At least one of the edge rims (5) is provided with a bent terminal section (7) in the counter-direction so as have a double-rim design, the distal end section (8) of which is designed as a form-fitting holding means of the bearing cage (3) for the at least one axial bearing washer (1).