Titanium Roller Guide Bearings With Diffusion-Hardened Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rolling bodies guide devices for watchmaking and medical applications face challenges due to the limited hardness and mechanical properties of titanium or titanium alloys, which are insufficient to withstand high loads and stresses.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing a rolling bodies guide device by machining titanium or titanium alloy components and then performing a diffusion hardening treatment to achieve a surface layer hardness in the range of 900 Hv-1100 Hv, enhancing the material's load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If titanium or titanium alloy is used for rolling bodies guide device components, then low density and biocompatibility are achieved, but hardness and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies diffusion hardening treatment to change the physical-chemical parameters of the titanium surface layer, increasing hardness from approximately 300 Hv to 900-1100 Hv through controlled diffusion of carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms into the surface at elevated temperatures (500-800°C), thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining titanium's inherent advantages and achieving sufficient surface hardness for high-load applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure with a hardened surface layer on top of the titanium base material. The surface layer contains diffused atoms (C, N, or O) that form a harder phase, while the underlying titanium maintains its low density and biocompatibility, effectively combining the advantages of both materials to satisfy both hardness requirements and titanium's inherent benefits
2Strength
If diffusion hardening treatment is applied to titanium components, then surface hardness is improved to 900 Hv-1100 Hv, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates diffusion hardening as a final treatment step after all machining operations are completed. By performing hardening as a preliminary action to the final product state (ensuring all surfaces requiring hardness are processed before hardening), the patent avoids the need for repeated hardening cycles and minimizes process complexity while achieving the required surface hardness of 900-1100 Hv
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes hardening parameters (temperature range of 500-800°C, controlled atmosphere composition, and treatment duration) to achieve the target hardness range of 900-1100 Hv efficiently. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves the desired surface properties in a single treatment step, reducing overall manufacturing complexity
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
The treated components exhibit improved surface hardness and load transfer capabilities, making them suitable for high-load applications in watchmaking and medical sectors while maintaining the beneficial properties of titanium, such as low density and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
performing a diffusion hardening treatment of the machined component, so that the component comprises a surface layer having a hardness in the range 900 Hv-1100 Hv
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing (100) for a medical rolling bodies guide device, comprising components, at least one component (20; 6, 2, 4, 5, 5′) being made of titanium or a titanium alloy, the method comprising the steps ofprocessing the titanium or titanium alloy component;performing a diffusion hardening treatment of the machined component, so that the component comprises a surface layer (21) having a hardness in the range 900 Hv-1100 Hv. The invention makes it possible to manufacture a medical rolling bodies guide device in a material which does not a priori have the properties required for these applications.