TWI912069B - Bearing assembly for mechanical transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

A bearing assembly is provided to solve the problem of easy wear and noise generation of the conventional bearing. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve, a bearing located in the sleeve, and a rotating member. A shaft hole of the bearing passes through a top surface of inner ring to a bottom surface. The bearing includes at least one inner wall groove arranged around an inner wall surface of the bearing. The edge angle at the junction of the inner wall surface and the bottom surface forms a bevel surface. The end of the at least one inner wall groove is connected to the bevel surface. The chamfer angle of the bevel surface is greater than the depth of each inner wall groove. The rotating member is rotatably coupled to the shaft hole. An oil storage space is formed between the rotating member and the bevel surface. A lubricating oil flows along the at least one inner wall groove to the bevel surface and enters the oil storage space. The bearing assembly provides the effect of reducing running friction and reducing noise.

Description

Bearing assemblies of mechanical transmission devices

This invention relates to a mechanical transmission device, and more particularly to a bearing assembly having a function of storing and supplying lubricating oil.

Conventional bearings are typically manufactured using powder metallurgy, which involves pressing and sintering metal powders to create oil-lubricated self-lubricating bearings. Powder metallurgy allows for molding, making the process simple, convenient, and relatively inexpensive. However, after prolonged use, the lubricating oil inside sintered bearings decreases or deteriorates, and wear occurs on the contact surfaces between the bearing and the rotating shaft, leading to frictional noise and reduced efficiency during operation.

Another conventional bearing is made of a high-hardness material (e.g., phosphor bronze) and machined into a round shape on a lathe. It also requires the injection of lubricating oil between the bearing and the shaft to withstand the pressure during rotation. However, conventional bearing structures lack oil storage space and the lubricating oil has poor flowability, resulting in low oil film strength between the bearing and the shaft. This causes unstable rotation and makes it prone to shaking and noise.

In view of this, there is indeed a need to improve the conventional bearing assembly.

To solve the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly that can enhance the oil film strength between the bearing and the shaft.

A secondary objective of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly that can improve the durability of the bearing.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly that can reduce noise during operation.

The directional terms or similar terms used throughout this invention, such as "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "lateral," are primarily for reference to the directions in the accompanying diagrams. These directional terms or similar terms are only used to assist in explaining and understanding the various embodiments of this invention and are not intended to limit this invention.

The use of the quantifiers “a” or “one” for the elements and components described throughout this invention is for convenience and to provide the general meaning within the scope of this invention; in this invention, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the concept of a single element also includes plural cases, unless it expressly means otherwise.

The terms “combination,” “assembly,” or similar terms used throughout this invention mainly include those that allow the components to be separated without damaging them after connection, or those that make the components inseparable after connection. These are terms that those with ordinary knowledge in the art can choose based on the material of the components to be connected or the assembly requirements.

The bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device of the present invention includes: a sleeve; a bearing located inside the sleeve, wherein the top surface of an inner ring and the top surface of an outer ring of the bearing are axially opposite to the bottom surface of the bearing, a shaft bore of the bearing extends from the top surface of the inner ring to the bottom surface, an inner wall surface of the bearing forms a channel around the shaft bore, the bearing has at least one inner wall groove arranged around the inner wall surface, and the two ends of each inner wall groove are respectively connected to the top surface of the inner ring and the bottom surface. A guide bevel is formed at the edge corner where the wall surface and the bottom surface meet. The end of the channel of the at least one inner wall groove is connected to the guide bevel. The width and height of the bevel of the guide bevel are both greater than the depth of each inner wall groove. A rotating member has a rotating shaft and a thrust plate. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the shaft hole of the bearing. The thrust plate is connected to one end of the rotating shaft and is located on the bottom side of the bearing. An oil storage space is formed between the rotating shaft, the thrust plate and the guide bevel.

Accordingly, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device of the present invention, by forming a space for guiding and storing lubricating oil through the bearing structure, can increase the oil film strength between the shaft and the bearing, and reduce the friction between components, thus extending the service life of the bearing and reducing operating noise.

The axial height of the top surface of the inner ring from the bottom surface is greater than the axial height of the top surface of the outer ring from the bottom surface. A first outer wall surface, radially outward, is formed between the top surface of the inner ring and the top surface of the outer ring, and a second outer wall surface, radially outward, is formed between the top surface of the outer ring and the bottom surface. This allows a ring-shaped shoulder to be formed at the upper outer edge of the bearing, serving both as a mounting component and a storage area for lubricating oil.

The bearing has at least one top surface groove arranged around the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing. The at least one top surface groove extends radially, and each of the top surface grooves is connected to the inner wall surface and the first outer wall surface, respectively. Thus, the lubricating oil flows along the at least one top surface groove, guiding the lubricating oil from the top of the bearing into the space between the rotating shaft and the bearing, thereby enhancing the oil film strength and reducing rotational friction.

Specifically, the bearing has several chamfered edges at the junctions of the inner ring top surface and the inner wall surface, the inner ring top surface and the first outer wall surface, the outer ring top surface and the second outer wall surface, and the second outer wall surface and the bottom surface. This design eliminates sharp corners, reducing impact wear, and also creates additional oil storage space, thus improving lubrication and durability.

The first outer wall surface, the top surface of the outer ring, and the inner wall of one of the tube bodies of the sleeve form an installation space, and a positioning ring is disposed in the installation space. In this way, the positioning ring can fix the bearing and can also store lubricating oil in the gap between the positioning ring and the bearing, thus having the functions of stabilizing the bearing structure and concentrating lubricating oil.

The positioning ring has a cover portion and a through hole. The cover portion extends radially from the tube body toward the rotating shaft to cover the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing. The radial end of the cover portion surrounds the through hole, through which the rotating shaft extends. Thus, the cover portion protects the bearing and prevents lubricating oil from seeping between the rotating shaft and the bearing, effectively preventing lubricating oil leakage.

The positioning ring has an inclined surface located near the through hole in the cover portion. The inclined surface faces the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing. The inclined surface and the top surface of the inner ring form an oil guiding channel around the through hole. The height of the oil guiding channel gradually decreases radially outward from the point near the through hole. In this way, lubricating oil leaking between the shaft and the bearing can be guided into the larger opening of the oil guiding channel, and then flow into the gap between the positioning ring and the bearing, which has the effect of concentrating lubricating oil and preventing leakage.

The sleeve has a bottom cover axially opposite the positioning ring and seals the bottom end of the tube. The thrust plate rotates between the bearing and the bottom cover. Thus, the bottom cover positions the bearing and seals the lubricating oil, forming an oil film between the thrust plate and the bottom cover, thereby assembling the bearing and aligning rotating parts.

The bottom cover has an annular groove on its upper surface, which aligns with the outer periphery of the thrust plate of the rotating component. This groove provides anti-collision space to prevent the thrust plate from rubbing against the bottom cover. It also stores and supplies lubricating oil, thus reducing rotational friction and preventing collisions.

The bottom cover has a central groove on its upper surface, which is aligned with the rotation axis of the rotating component. In this way, the central groove can provide space for the partial structure of the rotating component to extend into, and can be used to store lubricating oil, thus preventing structural collisions and maintaining an oil film.

The sleeve includes a spacer, the upper and lower ends of which abut against the bottom surface of the bearing and the upper surface of the bottom cover, respectively. Thus, the bottom cover can support the bearing through the spacer, which also maintains a distance between the bearing and the bottom cover, allowing the thrust plate to rotate and lubricating oil to flow, thereby forming an oil film and generating dynamic pressure.

To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent, preferred embodiments of the present invention are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings; in addition, those marked with the same symbols in different drawings are considered the same and their descriptions will be omitted.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a preferred embodiment of the bearing assembly of the present invention. The bearing assembly H includes a sleeve 1, a bearing 2, a rotating member 3, and a locating ring 4. The bearing 2 is located inside the sleeve 1, the rotating member 3 is rotatably engaged inside the bearing 2, and the locating ring 4 engages the sleeve 1 to limit the position of the bearing 2.

Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The sleeve 1 may include a hollow tube 11 and a bottom cover 12 that seals the bottom opening of the tube 11. The internal space of the tube 11 is used to accommodate the bearing 2 and the rotating component 3 and to inject lubricating oil. The other end of the tube 11 opposite to the bottom cover 12 is an opening 11a. The bearing 2 can be inserted into the tube 11 through the opening 11a, and the rotating component 3 can be fitted onto the bearing 2 through the tube 11. The bottom end of the tube 11 is then sealed by the bottom cover 12. The upper surface 12a of the bottom cover 12 faces the inside of the tube 11. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the bottom cover 12 is fitted or laser-welded to the inner wall of the tube 11.

The sleeve 1 may also have a spacer 13, with the upper and lower ends of the spacer 13 abutting against the bearing 2 and the upper surface 12a of the bottom cover 12, respectively. In this embodiment, the spacer 13 is an annular body, and the spacer 13 is preferably aligned with the outer periphery of the bearing 2 to avoid interfering with the rotation of the rotating part 3. The sleeve 1 can also form an annular groove 14 and a central groove 15 on the upper surface 12a of the bottom cover 12, so that the annular groove 14 is aligned with the outer peripheral end of the rotating member 3, and the central groove 15 is aligned with the rotation axis of the rotating member 3. The annular groove 14 and the central groove 15 can serve as spaces for storing lubricating oil. The annular groove 14 can also reserve anti-collision space to prevent the slightly tilted rotating member 3 from rubbing against the upper surface 12a of the bottom cover 12 when the rotating member 3 rotates and shakes. The central groove 15 can also provide space for the partial structure of the rotating member 3 to extend into.

The bearing 2 is located inside the tube body 11 of the sleeve 1, with one inner ring top surface 2a and one outer ring top surface 2b of the bearing 2 facing the opening 11a of the tube body 11, and one bottom surface 2c of the bearing 2 facing the bottom cover 12. The inner ring top surface 2a and the outer ring top surface 2b are axially opposite to the bottom surface 2c, and one shaft hole 21 of the bearing 2 passes through the inner ring top surface 2a to the bottom surface 2c. The inner wall surface of the bearing 2... A pipe is formed around the shaft hole 21 by 2d; and the axial height of the inner ring top surface 2a from the bottom surface 2c can be greater than the axial height of the outer ring top surface 2b from the bottom surface 2c, forming a ring-shaped shoulder on the outer edge of the bearing 2, and a first outer wall surface 2e radially outward between the inner ring top surface 2a and the outer ring top surface 2b, and a second outer wall surface 2f radially outward between the outer ring top surface 2b and the bottom surface 2c. In addition, the first outer wall surface 2e, the outer ring top surface 2b, and the inner wall of the tube body 11 can form an installation space M around the shoulder of the bearing 2; furthermore, the bearing 2 can be tightly fitted to the inner wall surface of the tube body 11 through the second outer wall surface 2f; furthermore, the bottom surface 2c of the bearing 2 abuts against the spacer 13 of the sleeve 1, so that the bearing 2 and the bottom cover 12 maintain a gap distance.

Please refer to Figure 3 again. The bearing 2 has at least one inner wall groove 22 arranged in a ring around the inner wall surface 2d of the bearing 2. The extension direction of the at least one inner wall groove 22 is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member 3. The two ends of each inner wall groove 22 are respectively connected to the top surface 2a and the bottom surface 2c of the inner ring of the bearing 2. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each inner wall groove 22 is an inverted triangle. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape of each inner wall groove 22.

Please refer to Figure 4 again. The edge corner of the bearing 2 at the junction of the inner wall surface 2d and the bottom surface 2c can form a guide slope 23. The end of the channel of the at least one inner wall groove 22 is connected to the guide slope 23. The width T1 and height T2 of the chamfer dimension of the guide slope 23 are both greater than the depth G of each inner wall groove 22, so that an oil storage space S for lubricating oil is formed between the guide slope 23 and the rotating member 3. The lubricating oil can flow along the at least one inner wall groove 22 to the guide slope 23 and enter the oil storage space S.

Furthermore, the other edge corners of the bearing 2 can also be chamfered, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The edges of the junctions of the inner ring top surface 2a and the inner wall surface 2d, the junctions of the inner ring top surface 2a and the first outer wall surface 2e, the junctions of the outer ring top surface 2b and the second outer wall surface 2f, and the junctions of the second outer wall surface 2f and the bottom surface 2c are all chamfered. In addition to reducing sharp corners to avoid collision damage, additional oil storage space can also be formed. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape and size of each chamfer.

Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The rotating component 3 has a rotating shaft 31 and a thrust plate 32. The rotating shaft 31 is rotatably coupled to the shaft hole 21 of the bearing 2. The thrust plate 32 is located at one end of the rotating shaft 31 facing the bottom cover 12, so that the thrust plate 32 can rotate with the rotating shaft 31 between the bearing 2 and the bottom cover 12. The thrust plate 32 and the rotating shaft 31 can be tightly fitted or laser welded. The present invention is not limited to its coupling method.

Please refer to Figure 4 again. The oil storage space S is formed between the rotating shaft 31, the thrust plate 32 and the guide slope 23. Furthermore, the surface of the thrust plate 32 can form several dynamic pressure grooves. Those skilled in the art can select and change the shape and number distribution of these dynamic pressure grooves according to their needs, and are not limited to the drawings disclosed in this invention. The thrust plate 32 generates a dynamic pressure effect by the flow of lubricating oil in the dynamic pressure grooves, forming an oil film between the thrust plate 32, the bearing 2 and the bottom cover 12. This can reduce the friction when the thrust plate 32 rotates and also straighten the rotating shaft 31 to reduce the rotational kinetic energy lost due to axial wobble. In addition, the outer peripheral end of the thrust plate 32 can be aligned with the annular groove 14 on the bottom cover 12. In addition to preventing the thrust plate 32 from rubbing against the bottom cover 12, the annular groove 14 can also store and supply lubricating oil.

Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The positioning ring 4 can be disposed in the installation space M between the tube body 11 and the bearing 2. The outer edge of the positioning ring 4 can be tightly fitted to the inner wall of the tube body 11, so that the positioning ring 4 and the bottom cover 12 are axially opposite each other, and the bearing 2 is fixed by the top and bottom ends of the bearing 2 respectively. The positioning ring 4 has a covering part 41, which extends radially from the tube body 11 toward the rotating shaft 31 to cover the top surface 2a of the inner ring of the bearing 2 to prevent lubricating oil leakage. Furthermore, a through hole 42 is formed around the radial end of the covering part 41 for the rotating shaft 31 to pass through.

Furthermore, the positioning ring 4 can also form an inclined surface 43 near the through hole 42 in the cover portion 41, and the inclined surface 43 faces the top surface 2a of the inner ring of the bearing 2. The inclined surface 43 and the top surface 2a of the inner ring can form an oil guiding channel P around the through hole 42. The height of the oil guiding channel P gradually decreases radially outward from the area near the through hole 42. In this way, the lubricating oil leaking between the rotating shaft 31 and the bearing 2 can be guided into the larger opening of the oil guiding channel P, and then continue to flow into the gap between the positioning ring 4 and the bearing 2, so as to prevent the lubricating oil from leaking from the through hole 42 of the positioning ring 4.

Please refer to Figures 5 and 6, which are another embodiment of the bearing assembly of the present invention. The bearing 2 may have at least one top surface groove 24 arranged in a ring on the top surface 2a of the inner ring of the bearing 2, and the at least one top surface groove 24 extends in the radial direction, such that the two ends of each top surface groove 24 are respectively connected to the inner wall surface 2d and the first outer wall surface 2e of the bearing 2. In this embodiment, the distribution position of the at least one top surface groove 24 is intersecting with the at least one inner wall groove 22 but not directly connected. However, the end of the at least one top surface groove 24 and the end of the at least one inner wall groove 22 can also be connected. The present invention is not limited to the distribution position or connection method of the at least one top surface groove 24 and the at least one inner wall groove 22.

Please refer to Figure 2 again. When the rotating component 3 rotates, the lubricating oil can be collected in the gap between the bearing 2 and the positioning ring 4. When the rotation stops and the bearing 2 tilts, the lubricating oil can flow along the at least one top surface groove 24 to the end edge at the junction of the top surface 2a of the inner ring and the inner wall surface 2d, and then flow along the at least one inner wall groove 22 into the oil storage space S, so that an oil film is continuously formed between the bearing 2 and the rotating component 3, thereby reducing the friction and abnormal noise of the rotating shaft 31 relative to the bearing 2.

In summary, the bearing assembly of this invention, by forming a space for guiding and storing lubricating oil through the bearing structure, can increase the oil film strength between the shaft and the bearing, and reduce friction between components, thus extending the service life of the bearing and reducing operating noise.

Although the present invention has been disclosed using the above-described preferred embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art relative to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technology protected by the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall include all changes within the meaning and equivalent scope of the appended claims.

H: Bearing assembly

1: Sleeve

11: Tube body

11a: Opening

12: Bottom Cover

12a: Upper surface

13: Spacer

14: Circular groove

15: Central Groove

2: Bearing

2a: Inner ring top surface

2b: Top surface of the outer ring

2c: Bottom surface

2d: Inner wall surface

2e: First outer wall surface

2f: Second outer wall surface

21: Shaft hole

22: Inner wall groove

23: Guide slope

24: Top surface gutter

3: Rotating components

31: Rotary Shaft

32: Thrust plate

4: Positioning ring

41: Covering part

42: Through hole

43: Incline

M: Installation Space

T1: Width

T2: Height

G: Depth

S: Oil storage space

P: Oil guide channel

[Figure 1] Exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Assembled sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Sectional view along line A-A in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Enlarged view of the partial structure of region B as shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Perspective view of a bearing according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Top view of a bearing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

H: Bearing assembly

1: Sleeve

11: Tube Body

11a: Opening

12: Bottom Cover

12a: Upper surface

13: Spacer

14: Circular groove

15: Central recess

2: Bearings

2a: Inner ring top surface

2b: Top surface of the outer ring

2c: Bottom surface

2d: Inner wall surface

2e: First outer wall surface

2f: Second outer wall surface

21: Shaft hole

22: Inner wall grooves

23: Guide slope

3: Rotating components

31: Rotary Shaft

32: Thrust plate

4: Positioning ring

41: Covering part

42: Through hole

43: Incline

M: Installation space

S: Oil storage space

P: Oil guide channel

Claims (11)

A bearing assembly for a mechanical transmission device, comprising: a sleeve; A bearing, located within a sleeve, has an inner ring top surface and an outer ring top surface axially opposite a bottom surface of the bearing. A shaft bore extends from the inner ring top surface to the bottom surface. An inner wall surface of the bearing forms a conduit around the shaft bore. The bearing has at least one inner wall groove arranged around the inner wall surface. The two ends of each inner wall groove are connected to the inner ring top surface and the bottom surface, respectively. A guide bevel is formed at the edge corner where the inner wall surface meets the bottom surface. The end of each inner wall groove connects to the guide bevel. The width and height of the guide bevel are both greater than the depth of each inner wall groove. A rotating component has a rotating shaft and a thrust plate. The rotating shaft is rotatably coupled into the shaft hole of the bearing. The thrust plate is coupled to one end of the rotating shaft and located on the bottom side of the bearing. An oil storage space is formed between the rotating shaft, the thrust plate and the guide slope. As in claim 1, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device, wherein the axial height of the top surface of the inner ring from the bottom surface is greater than the axial height of the top surface of the outer ring from the bottom surface, the top surface of the inner ring and the top surface of the outer ring are a first outer wall surface that is radially outward, and the top surface of the outer ring and the bottom surface are a second outer wall surface that is radially outward. The bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device of claim 2, wherein the bearing has at least one top groove arranged around the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing, the at least one top groove extending in the radial direction, and the two ends of each top groove being connected to the inner wall surface and the first outer wall surface respectively. For example, in the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device of claim 2, the bearing has several chamfered edges at the junction of the inner ring top surface and the inner wall surface, the junction of the inner ring top surface and the first outer wall surface, the junction of the outer ring top surface and the second outer wall surface, and the junction of the second outer wall surface and the bottom surface. As in claim 2, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device, wherein the first outer wall surface, the top surface of the outer ring, and the inner wall of one of the tube bodies of the sleeve form an installation space, and a positioning ring is disposed in the installation space. As in claim 5, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device, wherein the positioning ring has a cover portion and a through hole, the cover portion extending radially from the tube body toward the rotating shaft to cover the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing, the radial end of the cover portion surrounding the through hole, and the rotating shaft extending through the through hole. As in claim 6, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device, wherein the positioning ring has an inclined surface located near the through hole of the cover portion, the inclined surface facing the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing, the inclined surface and the top surface of the inner ring forming an oil guide channel around the through hole, the channel height of the oil guide channel gradually decreasing radially outward from the location near the through hole. As in claim 5, a bearing assembly for a mechanical transmission device, wherein the sleeve has a bottom cover axially opposite the locating ring and the bottom cover seals the bottom end of the tube body, and the thrust plate rotates between the bearing and the bottom cover. The bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device of claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the bottom cover has an annular groove that aligns with the outer peripheral end of the thrust plate of the rotating member. The bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the bottom cover has a central groove that aligns with the rotation axis of the rotating member's shaft. As in claim 8, the bearing assembly of the mechanical transmission device, wherein the sleeve has a spacer, the upper and lower ends of which respectively abut against the bottom surface of the bearing and the upper surface of the bottom cover.