Elliptical Wave Generator Sealing Plate for Bearing Contamination Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wave generators in harmonic drives lack a effective sealing mechanism to prevent contamination from entering the bearing, leading to reduced precision and shorter useful life due to dirt, dust, and foreign objects.

Innovation Solution

A wave generator with a rotatable sealing plate that fits around the inner ring of a flexible bearing, deforming to match the elliptical shape of the hub, thereby preventing external contamination from entering the bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional annular sealing ring is disposed between inner ring and outer ring of the bearing, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing ring cannot prevent contamination because it is connected to the outer ring and already disposed in the bearings before assembly is completed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plate serves as an intermediary component between the inner ring and outer ring, providing effective sealing. The sealing plate includes a sealing surface that contacts the outer ring, creating a barrier against contamination while allowing the bearing to deform with the elliptical hub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing plate is designed to be deformable, allowing it to adapt to the changing shape of the bearing as it deforms with the elliptical hub during operation. This dynamic characteristic ensures continuous sealing effectiveness throughout the operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bearing is designed to be flexible and deformable to fit around the elliptical hub, then the bearing can accommodate the hub's shape, but the bearing lacks effective contamination protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing deformabilityVSAvoidcontamination exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plate acts as a flexible sealing element that can deform with the bearing while maintaining the sealing function. It provides a barrier against contamination without restricting the bearing's ability to deform with the elliptical hub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing plate serves as an intermediary component between the inner ring and outer ring, providing effective sealing. The sealing plate includes a sealing surface that contacts the outer ring, creating a barrier against contamination while allowing the bearing to deform with the elliptical hub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no sealing mechanism is provided, then the bearing structure remains simple and accessible, but contamination enters the bearing causing reduced precision and shorter useful life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing structure simplicityVSAvoidoperation precision and useful life

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plate acts as a flexible sealing element that can deform with the bearing while maintaining the sealing function. It provides a barrier against contamination without restricting the bearing's ability to deform with the elliptical hub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 sealing plate effectively prevents contamination from entering the bearing, ensuring smooth operation and extending the useful life of the harmonic drive by maintaining the integrity of the lubricating function and precision of the wave generator.

Implementation Method 1

the inner ring fits around a peripheral surface of the elliptical hub, so that a shape of the inner ring changes from a circular shape to an elliptical shape along with the peripheral surface of the elliptical hub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sealing plate fits around the inner ring of the bearing by an inner edge of the sealing plate and abuts against the outer ring by an outer edge of the sealing plate... so that the outside contamination could be prevented from entering the bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12276326B1Wave generator with sealing plate and installation method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 TUNG PEI INDUSTRIAL CO LTD

AI summary

A wave generator with a sealing plate includes an elliptical hub having a rotating axis. An inner ring of a bearing fits around a peripheral surface of the elliptical hub. The inner ring and an outer ring of the bearing change from a circular shape to an elliptical shape along with the peripheral surface. The inner ring and the elliptical hub are rotatable around the rotating axis. A sealing plate which is elliptical fits around the inner ring. An outer edge of the sealing plate abuts against the outer ring. The sealing plate is driven by the elliptical hub and the inner ring to rotate around the rotating axis and shelters a side of the rolling bodies. In the present invention, the sealing plate is installed in the bearing to shelter the rolling bodies after the bearing deforms.