Wheel Bearing Inner Ring Grinding with Single Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel bearing devices require separate grinding wheels for the raceway surface and the portion where the pulsar ring is fitted, leading to increased size and machining costs of the grinding device.

Innovation Solution

The inner ring of the wheel bearing device is designed with a first and second inner ring member, where both the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface are ground using the same grinding wheel, and the second inner raceway surface is ground without contact with the outer peripheral surface, allowing for a single grinding process and reducing the size and cost of the grinding device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate grinding wheels are used for the raceway surface and the ring mounting surface, then the machining precision of each surface can be optimized, but the size and machining cost of the grinding device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining precision of raceway surface and ring mounting surfaceVSAvoidsize and cost of grinding device

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple grinding functions into a single integrated grinding wheel. The grinding wheel includes a first grinding wheel portion for grinding the first inner raceway surface and a second grinding wheel portion for grinding the ring mounting surface, both integrated into one wheel structure. This allows simultaneous or sequential grinding of multiple surfaces without requiring separate grinding devices, thereby reducing device size and cost while maintaining machining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single grinding wheel is designed to perform multiple grinding functions. It can grind both the raceway surface and the ring mounting surface, making it a universal tool that replaces multiple specialized grinding wheels. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the grinding device while maintaining the ability to achieve precise machining of different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single grinding wheel is used for both raceway surface and ring mounting surface, then the device size and cost are reduced, but the risk of wheel damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize and cost of grinding deviceVSAvoidgrinding wheel durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding wheel is segmented into distinct portions: a first grinding wheel portion for the raceway surface and a second grinding wheel portion for the ring mounting surface. Each portion can be independently designed with appropriate geometry and grinding characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while being part of a single wheel, reducing the risk that damage to one portion compromises the entire wheel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the grinding wheel are designed with different local qualities suited to their specific functions. The first grinding wheel portion has characteristics optimized for grinding the raceway surface, while the second grinding wheel portion has characteristics optimized for grinding the ring mounting surface. This local optimization ensures each area performs its function reliably without compromising overall wheel durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the second inner ring member end portion has the same outside diameter as the ring mounting surface, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the grinding wheel contacts the outer peripheral surface causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidgrinding wheel damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second inner ring member end portion is designed with an asymmetric diameter relationship: its outside diameter is intentionally made smaller than that of the ring mounting surface. This asymmetric design creates a clearance that prevents the grinding wheel from contacting the outer peripheral surface of the second inner ring member end portion during grinding operations, thereby avoiding damage to both the grinding wheel and the workpiece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS8657502B2Inner ring of wheel bearing device, manufacturing method therefor, and wheel bearing device

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

An inner ring of a wheel bearing device has a ring mounting surface on which a pulsar ring for detecting a rotation speed of an axle is mounted and first and second inner raceway surfaces which are arranged along an axis of the axle and on which rolling elements roll. The inner ring includes a first inner ring member that has the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface and a second inner ring member that has the second inner raceway surface and a portion that is spaced apart in an axial direction from the second inner raceway surface toward one side at a distance that is longer than or equal to a distance in the axial direction between the first inner raceway surface and the ring mounting surface. A diameter of the portion is smaller than a diameter of the ring mounting surface.