Thrust Bearing Outer Ring Hook Geometry for Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mass manufacturing processes, thrust bearing outer rings often entangle due to engaging hooks catching each other, leading to operational inefficiencies during handling and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radial or axial gap between the engaging hooks and flanges of the outer rings, ensuring they do not catch each other, even when in close proximity, by maintaining a specific relationship between the protruding height of the engaging hooks and the flange height, preventing entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If engaging hooks are formed by bending tabs over the track surface to fasten the outer ring and retainer, then the outer ring and retainer are non-separatingly assembled for easy installation, but the engaging hooks catch engaging hooks or flanges of other outer rings during mass manufacturing processes, resulting in entanglement that greatly lowers operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engaging hooks by defining specific dimensional relationships. The engaging hook height h1 is constrained to be less than or equal to the flange height h2 (h1≤h2), and the distance between adjacent engaging hooks W2 is constrained to be greater than the engaging hook length W1 (W2>W1). These parameter changes prevent the engaging hooks from catching each other during handling while maintaining the non-separating assembly function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the spatial arrangement and dimensions of engaging hooks relative to the flange structure. The engaging hooks are positioned at specific circumferential intervals with asymmetric height relationships to the flange, creating a configuration where hooks cannot interlock with flanges of adjacent outer rings. This asymmetric design breaks the symmetry that would otherwise allow entanglement.
2Productivity
If multiple outer rings are handled simultaneously in mass manufacturing processes, then production efficiency is improved, but entanglement between engaging hooks occurs, greatly lowering operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the engaging hooks to prevent entanglement during mass handling. By setting the engaging hook height h1≤flange height h2 and the distance between hooks W2>hook length W1, the design allows multiple outer rings to be processed simultaneously without mutual interference, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving handling operability.
3Strength
If engaging hooks protrude radially inward to fasten components, then secure non-separating connection is achieved, but the hooks catch flanges of other outer rings, causing entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the engaging hooks to resolve the contradiction between connection strength and prevention of entanglement. The engaging hook height h1 is set to be less than or equal to the flange height h2, ensuring sufficient connection strength while preventing the hooks from catching flanges of adjacent outer rings. The circumferential spacing W2>W1 further ensures that hooks cannot interlock with neighboring components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the engaging hooks have different dimensional characteristics at different locations. The hooks are positioned and sized such that they maintain strong local connection with the retainer while having reduced protrusion height relative to the flange, preventing harmful interactions with adjacent outer rings. This localized dimensional differentiation resolves the contradiction between strong connection and prevention of entanglement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is for an outer ring which has a flange formed with engaging hooks for assembly with a retainer. An object is to prevent the outer ring from catching each another in manufacturing steps. A thrust bearing includes an outer ring 11 which has a flange 15 provided with radially inward-protruding engaging hooks 16. Each engaging hook 16 has an amount of protrusion h1 which is not greater than a height h2 of the flange tip edge of a hypothetical outer ring 11a (h1<h2). This arrangement prevents any of the engaging hooks 16 of the outer ring 11 from being caught by the flange of another outer ring.