Tunneller Roller Bearing Dual-Set Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-diameter roller bearings used in tunnel boring machines face challenges in designing without play, underutilization of the second row of axial rollers, and increased manufacturing costs due to the difficulty in efficiently distributing axial preload and absorbing stress.
Innovation Solution
A roller bearing design featuring two sets of rollers with distinct orientations and sizes, where the first set absorbs axial stresses with rollers inclined at 45-95 degrees and the second set absorbs both radial and axial stresses with rollers inclined at 0-45 degrees, allowing for efficient stress distribution and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If three rows of rollers are used with two axial rollers and one radial roller, then axial and radial stresses can be borne, but the design becomes difficult without play and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller set is divided into two distinct sets: a first set of axial rollers with axes perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a second set of angular-contact rollers with axes at 0-45 degrees. This segmentation allows each set to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall design while maintaining stress bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second set of angular-contact rollers serves dual functionality by bearing both radial and axial stresses simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated radial and axial roller sets, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive stress bearing capability.
2Strength
If the second row of axial rollers is used to bear axial stresses, then axial load capacity is improved, but the rollers remain underused and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second set of angular-contact rollers is designed to simultaneously bear both radial and axial stresses. This multi-functional design ensures full utilization of the rollers during operation, eliminating the underutilization problem while maintaining high axial load capacity and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Strength
If rollers with inclination angles of 34-40 degrees are used, then the bearing structure is established, but axial size cannot be minimized and stress absorption is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination angle parameter of the rollers is optimized to 0-45 degrees for the second set, which is more favorable than the conventional 34-40 degrees. This parameter change improves stress absorption capability while minimizing the axial size of the bearing structure.
4Strength
If two sets of rollers with different orientations are used, then stress distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second set of angular-contact rollers is designed to simultaneously bear both radial and axial stresses. This multi-functional design ensures full utilization of the rollers during operation, eliminating the underutilization problem while maintaining high axial load capacity and reducing manufacturing costs.
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 design enables efficient stress absorption, reduces manufacturing costs, and minimizes axial size, while reducing vibration and the risk of rollers slipping, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of the roller bearing.
Implementation Method 1
Each roller has a rolling surface in contact with the tracks and two opposing surfaces in contact with the guide surfaces formed on each of the rings
Implementation Method 2
each roller in the second set includes a second axis of revolution inclined in relation to the axis of rotation by a second angle of between 0.degree. and 45.degree.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller bearing for a tunneller having an inner ring, an outer ring, two sets of rolling elements arranged between the tracks formed on the rings, the first set of rolling elements including at least one roller able to withstand axial stresses and the second set of rolling elements including an angular-contact roller that is able to withstand both radial and axial stresses, the inner and outer rings being concentric about an axis of rotation of the roller bearing. Each roller in the first set includes a first axis of revolution (Y1-Y1) inclined in relation to the axis of rotation (X-X) by a first angle (α1) of between 45° and 95° and each roller in the second set includes a second axis of revolution (Y2-Y2) inclined in relation to the axis of rotation (X-X) by a second angle (α2) of between 0° and 45°.