Thrust Roller Bearing Cage Lubricant Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thrust roller bearing cages with concave and convex portions in the thickness direction inside the pockets hinder lubricant flow, leading to unsatisfactory lubrication.
Innovation Solution
Designing thrust roller bearing cages with a first cylindrical portion having a smaller height than a second cylindrical portion, both formed inside the pockets, creates a lubricant flow path, and incorporating a radially outer area bent portion with projecting portions that contact the rollers to reduce running torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If concave and convex portions are formed in the thickness direction in an area radially inside the pockets, then the structural strength of the cage is improved, but the lubricant flow becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first cylindrical portion with smaller height, a disc portion, and a second cylindrical portion with larger height. This segmentation creates distinct functional regions where the height difference forms lubricant flow paths while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed cylindrical portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat cage structure to a three-dimensional structure with varying heights in the axial direction. By creating cylindrical portions with different heights, the design adds a vertical dimension for lubricant flow paths, allowing lubricant to move axially between the first and second cylindrical portions while maintaining radial structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cage structure is simplified without concave and convex portions, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but running torque increases due to lack of roller contact optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The cage applies local quality by creating specific geometric features (cylindrical portions with different heights) in specific locations (radially inside the pockets) while keeping other areas simpler. The first cylindrical portion has smaller height and the second has larger height, creating localized functional zones that optimize roller contact and reduce running torque without complicating the entire cage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the height parameter of the cylindrical portions to create functional differentiation. By setting the first cylindrical portion height to be smaller than the second cylindrical portion height, the design creates clearance spaces that facilitate lubricant flow while the varying heights also create optimal contact conditions with the rollers, reducing running torque through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust roller bearing cage (11) of the present invention is included in a thrust roller bearing (20) and includes a plurality of pockets (21) accommodating rollers (13). The thrust roller bearing cage (11) includes: a first cylindrical portion (36) extending in a direction of a rotation axis (12); a first disc portion (31) continuous with the first cylindrical portion (36) and extending in a radially outward direction; and a second cylindrical portion (37) continuous with the first disc portion (31) and extending in the direction of the rotation axis (12). The first cylindrical portion (36), the first disc portion (31), and the second cylindrical portion (37) are formed in an area located radially inside the pockets (21). The height (H36) of the first cylindrical portion (36) in the direction of the rotation axis is smaller than the height (H37) of the second cylindrical portion (37) in the direction of the rotation axis.