Thrust Foil Bearing Base Plate with Press-Formed Inclined Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thrust foil bearings require high working accuracy and time to form a wedge-shaped gap between the top foil and the thrust collar, increasing the cost and complexity of manufacturing the base plate.
Innovation Solution
A base plate with alternating protrusions and recesses formed in a striped pattern, where either the top surfaces of the protrusions or bottom surfaces of the recesses gradually lower in one direction, allowing for the formation of an inclined surface to support the back foil, which can be manufactured using press working to reduce precision machining requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an inclined surface is formed through cutting or precision machining to create a wedge-shaped gap, then the fluid lubrication film can be formed, but the working accuracy requirement increases and manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing method from precision machining (cutting) to press working, altering the process parameters to achieve the inclined surface with lower precision requirements. The press working process forms the inclined surface through plastic deformation rather than material removal, reducing the need for high working accuracy and subsequent machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical cutting/machining system with a press working system. Instead of using cutting tools to remove material and create the inclined surface, a pressing mechanism is used to deform the base plate material into the desired shape, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
2Manufacturing precision
If an inclined surface is formed through cutting or precision machining, then the wedge-shaped gap for fluid lubrication can be created, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing method from precision machining to press working, altering the process parameters to achieve the inclined surface with lower precision requirements. This substitution reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating expensive machining operations and associated tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a press working approach that can be implemented with simpler, less expensive equipment compared to precision machining. The process allows for the creation of the inclined surface using more economical manufacturing resources.
3Manufacturing precision
If high working accuracy is required to form the inclined surface, then the fluid lubrication film can be formed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex precision machining system with a simpler press working system. The press working process inherently produces the inclined surface through material deformation, eliminating the need for complex machining setups, multiple operations, and high-precision tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from precision machining to press working, fundamentally altering the process parameters and methodology. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by using a single-step forming operation instead of multiple precision machining steps.
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 improves the workability of the base plate, reducing the time and cost of manufacturing while maintaining the necessary precision for fluid lubrication film formation, enabling easier mass production.
Implementation Method 1
forming the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses through press working
Implementation Method 2
The lubricating fluid forms a wedge-shaped fluid lubrication film between the top foil piece and the thrust collar
Data Source
AI summary
A base plate of a thrust foil bearing is provided with a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses formed alternately in a first direction in a striped manner, and either one of top surfaces of the plurality of protrusions and bottom surfaces of the plurality of recesses gradually lower toward one side in the first direction.