Thrust Bearing With Integrally Formed Mounting Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust bearings for trams and light rail vehicles face challenges such as difficult maintenance access, potential loosening of fixing means, and the need for replacing entire assemblies due to wear, which complicates field repairs and increases downtime.
Innovation Solution
A thrust bearing design featuring a housing with a concave spherical bearing surface, integrally formed mounting arm, and replaceable inserts that can be secured to the outer ball, allowing for in-field replacement of worn parts and improved accessibility without requiring removal of the entire bearing from the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional thrust bearing design with integrally formed housing and base is used, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but maintenance complexity increases and ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into separable components: the housing (102) with mounting arm can remain on the vehicle while the outer ball (107) and inner ball (109) are removed and replaced independently. This segmentation allows maintenance without removing the entire bearing assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arm (130) is extracted as a separate functional element integrated with the housing (102), allowing the bearing components to be serviced independently. This extraction enables field replacement of worn balls while maintaining the housing structure, improving repairability without compromising overall strength.
2Reliability
If conventional thrust bearing with fixed mounting structure is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into serviceable components (outer ball, inner ball) that can be accessed and replaced from the top side without requiring access to the underside of the bogie. This maintains reliability through secure mounting while dramatically improving ease of operation for maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring access to the underside of the bogie for maintenance (conventional approach), the invention inverts the maintenance approach by enabling service from the accessible top side through removable bearing components, eliminating the need for inspection pits or specialized maintenance facilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fixing means (bolts) are used to secure bogie to housing base, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential loosening and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm (130) is merged integrally with the housing (102) to form a unified structure that eliminates separate fixing means. This integration maintains ease of manufacture through standard casting or forging processes while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating bolts that could loosen or detach during operation.
4Reliability
If entire bearing assembly is replaced due to wear, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to complete removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into wear-prone components (outer ball, inner ball) and durable components (housing, mounting arm). This allows selective replacement of only the worn balls while retaining the housing structure, reducing downtime from complete assembly replacement to partial component replacement and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire bearing assembly when balls wear, the invention allows recovery and retention of the housing (102) and mounting arm (130) while discarding only the worn outer ball (107) and inner ball (109). This selective replacement reduces material waste and significantly reduces maintenance time while maintaining system reliability.
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 design simplifies maintenance by enabling in-field replacement of worn components, reducing downtime and maintenance complexity, while enhancing safety by preventing separation of the bogie and bearing during operation.
Implementation Method 1
The spherical insert 5 presents a load-bearing surface in the form of a spherical bearing surface 6. The outer ball 7 is rotatably mounted on the spherical insert 5 such that it can accommodate rolling and pitching movements with respect to the outer housing 2.
Implementation Method 2
The outer ball 7 has an inner spherical bearing surface 8. An inner ball 9 having a spherical bearing surface 10 is seated within the outer ball 7 on the inner bearing surface 8 of the outer ball 7, thereby sandwiching the outer ball 7 between the inner ball 9 and the spherical insert 5.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A thrust bearing comprising a housing having a base, wherein a side wall and a central post are upstanding from the base, the central post being integrally formed with the outer housing; a mounting arm formed integrally with the housing; the housing further comprising a concave spherical bearing surface; an outer ball seated on and at least partially within the outer housing, having a spherical first insert attached to the outer ball, presenting a counterface in contact with the bearing surface; and an inner ball mounted on the central post, wherein the outer ball is sandwiched between the inner ball and the outer housing.