Wireless Sensor Bearing with GMR Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Defective rolling bearings in agricultural applications often fail due to contamination and lubricant leaks, leading to premature failure and machine breakdowns, particularly during critical periods like harvest time, where reliability and durability are essential.

Innovation Solution

A rolling-contact bearing with a wireless communication system using a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor and an independent energy-generation feature, such as a coil interacting with an oscillating magnetic field, replaces traditional wired communication, enhancing reliability and allowing the sensor to operate independently, reducing the risk of damage from cable failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wired communication is used to power and communicate with the sensor, then the sensor system can be adapted to bearing dimensions easily, but the wire is liable to get damaged leading to system failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of sensor system to bearing dimensionsVSAvoidreliability of sensor system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication and power transmission system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based system. The sensor includes a wireless transponder that communicates with a detector mounted on the bearing, eliminating the need for physical wires that are susceptible to damage in harsh agricultural environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system becomes self-powered through electromagnetic induction. The transponder in the sensor is powered wirelessly by the detector's electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for physical power connections and making the system self-sufficient without external wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the sensor is positioned close to the encoder washer for accurate rotation detection, then measurement precision improves, but wireless communication reliability may be compromised according to traditional assumptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of rotation detectionVSAvoidreliability of wireless communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wired communication with wireless electromagnetic communication, allowing the sensor to be positioned optimally close to the encoder washer for high measurement precision without being constrained by wire routing. The electromagnetic field-based transponder-detector system enables reliable communication regardless of the sensor's proximity to the rotation detection target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a reliable and durable sensor system that prevents cable damage, ensuring consistent operation and extending service life, even in harsh environments where cable damage is likely.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor is a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGiant magnetoresistance (GMR): Magnetoresistance

Implementation Method 2

the energy-generation feature includes at least one coil interacting with an oscillating magnetic field created by the encoder washer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9638258B2Rolling-contact bearing with outer ring in the form of a section of a sphere and with a sensor member

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A rolling-contact bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring with an outer surface in the form of a section of a sphere, rolling bodies between the inner ring and the outer ring, an encoder washer constrained to rotate with the inner ring, a sensor member being designed to detect a rotation of the encoder washer, and a support member having an inner surface in the form of a section of a sphere, the inner surface being designed to be in sliding contact with the outer surface of the outer ring. The support member is designed to hold the sensor member, in relation to the encoder washer, in a position in which the sensor member can detect a rotation of the encoder washer. The sensor member includes a transponder intended to communicate wirelessly with a detector.