CN110686012A - Flange bearing with reinforced molded bearing seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A flanged bearing with a reinforced molded bearing seat includes a housing having a body with a reinforcing member encapsulated within the housing. The flange may be configured to receive a bearing. The flange may alternatively be configured to act as a mechanical leveler. The flange is formed by the following steps: a) preparing a mould for the housing, b) preparing a metal strip for insertion into a space in the mould, c) suspending the metal strip within the mould, d) introducing a thermosetting material into the mould to encapsulate the mould. A belt, and e) cooling the thermosetting material.

Description

Flange bearing with reinforced molded bearing seat

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of flange bearings, in particular to a flange bearing for supporting a rotatable shaft.

Background

In manufacturing, assembly lines and conveyor systems typically utilize flange bearings to support cylindrical shafts on which manufactured products are transported. The bearings are mounted on a support structure that forms a track or bed along which the product is conveyed. Each shaft is received in a housing of the flange housing. The flange bearing may comprise a square housing that is mounted using four bolts, one at each corner. Alternatively, the flange bearing may comprise an eye-shaped housing mounted with two bolts.

Cast iron is a common material used to manufacture early flange bearing blocks, which were mounted by two or four bolts. A solid body is formed that is susceptible to stresses imposed by heavy and/or cyclic loading of the shaft supported therein. Furthermore, cast iron housings are often metallized or painted to resist corrosion due to exposure to water, cleaning chemicals, spilled products or other contaminants, especially in the food processing industry. However, the exterior of the housing may eventually deteriorate or become unsightly, particularly because of the rigorous cleanliness required to meet the hygienic requirements of the aforementioned industries.

A newer type of flanged bearing includes an injection molded plastic housing. In particular, if the housing is injection molded in the form of solid plastic, the housing may disadvantageously shrink and deform when cooled. To provide a re-formable dimensionally stable injection molded housing with the same strength as cast iron, the overall geometry must be increased slightly to improve strength and ribbed structure added to achieve dimensional stability. The result is an "engineering plastic" housing that provides the desired site geometry with ribs and cavities. In engineering plastic housings, the stiffener can resist stress cracking of the housing caused by axial loads while maintaining the desired shape during the molding process.

In addition, the cavity of the engineering plastic housing is more difficult and time consuming to clean than a solid housing. The plug formed for filling the cavity, thus facilitating cleaning, tends to settle over time and temperature variations, thus leaving the outer surface of the casing no longer flush and the same difficulty of cleaning remains. The plug is typically made of a different material than the housing and therefore expands and contracts at a different rate than the housing, resulting in undesirable cracks, crevices and uneven surfaces.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved bearing housing that overcomes the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention overcomes the above-noted shortcomings by providing a housing having a lightweight, substantially solid body including encased reinforcing members. The member provides additional strength and helps to transfer loads radially outward from a shaft supported by the housing to the fasteners used to mount the housing. The main body is not formed with a groove on its mounting surface, which may contain contaminants, so that it is easy to thoroughly clean the housing.

The reinforcement member is preferably a ring formed by a metal band surrounding the bolt hole and the shaft opening of the housing. The ends of the metal strap may be secured using screws that engage through holes in the ends of the strap. Alternatively, the strap ends may be spot welded together, or the strap may be formed as a continuous loop. In another embodiment, the stiffening member may comprise one or more substantially straight metal strips encased within the body material.

An important feature of the present invention is the use of a reinforcing member to provide additional strength to the lightweight vehicle body. Stress fractures due to heavy and/or cyclic loads from the shaft supported by the housing are less likely to occur due to the presence of the reinforcement member in the main body. The member may be suspended within the housing material and help transfer the load radially outward from the shaft to the fastener.

Another important feature of the present invention is that a substantially solid body is formed that does not include grooves or cavities for the accumulation of dirt, grease or other contaminants. Thus, cleaning the housing to meet the requirements of hygiene codes is easily accomplished.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a substantially parallelogram shaped flange bearing. Two bolts in holes in the narrow part of the bearing support body mount the bearing to the conveyor structure. The rotatable shaft is supported in a bearing insert that is received in an opening in the housing. Optionally, a cover is placed over one end of the shaft to protect the pedestrian and warn of the moving parts contained therein. Alternatively, the housing may comprise a substantially square flange bearing with four bolts for mounting.

A preferred method of manufacturing the reinforced shell of the present invention comprises the steps of:

a) preparing a mold for the housing, the mold including a desired opening for receiving one or more fasteners and a shaft;

b) preparing a strip of metal to be inserted into the space of the mould, the strip having a shape smaller than the external shape of the mould;

c) suspending the tape within the mould;

d) pouring a thermosetting material into the mold to encapsulate the tape;

e) the material is cooled to form a substantially strong yet lightweight body reinforced by the tape contained therein. In the method, step b) may comprise using a screw engaged through a hole in the end of the strap, the screw being shaped as a loop. Alternatively, steps b) and c) may comprise suspending one or more substantially straight metal strips as reinforcing members in the space of the mould, instead of collars.

Further advantages and applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the drawings referred to herein.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred flange bearing embodiment having a housing constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a top view of a reinforcing component;

FIG. 3b is a top view of a reinforcing member comprising a plurality of strips;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a reinforcement member;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the overlapping ends of the reinforcing member with holes;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the reinforcement member taken along line;

FIG. 7a is a top view of the housing of the bolt bushing;

FIG. 7b is a side view of the bolt sleeve;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments.

Most modern manufacturing facilities rely heavily on conveyor systems that transport products along predetermined paths through various manufacturing procedures. Manufacturing environments include exposure of manufacturing and transportation equipment to various fluids, dust, material debris, and other contaminants. The fluid may include a lubricant and/or a liquid product. The pieces of material may be metal, plastic or food particles. Dirt and even bacteria may be present in a production facility and must be removed satisfactorily to ensure product quality, particularly in the food processing industry where higher hygiene standards are maintained.

A preferred embodiment comprising a two-bolt flange bearing 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1, which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, is used in conveyor systems to support shafts (not shown). The shaft is preferably a bearing insert bearing 12 positioned between bores 16 of a housing 14 for bearing mounting 10 to a transport structure (not shown). The bearing insert 12 is typically a lubricated ball bearing. The diameter of the shaft may be in the range of about 3/4 inches to about 3 inches. The mounting bolts (not shown) are typically received in the bolt sleeve bores 16 to a diameter 18 of about (5/16) inches to about 3/4 inches.

A substantially flat or planar mounting surface 20 of the bearing 10 may be formed on the distal side of the housing 14, and a non-planar surface 22 may be formed on the proximal side of a substantially solid body 24 of the housing 14. The mounting surface 20 generally forms an eye shape or parallelogram with rounded corners, with the bolt sleeve 18 and mounting hole 16 being located within an acute angle, and the opening 26 for the bearing insert 12 being located within an obtuse angle of the parallelogram. The screw and grease inlet hole 28 is preferably provided with a bearing at a side wall 30 of the housing 14 for lubricating the bearing. Although a two bolt flange bearing is shown and described herein, it should be understood that a four bolt and other flange bearing design may be used in the present invention.

To prevent contamination from causing bearing failure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a cap and seal (not shown) may optionally be placed on the bearing insert 12 over the end of the shaft. The brightly colored cover may also provide a visual warning that the moving parts are contained therein. These seals may include a rear shaft seal between the distal surface 20 of the housing 14 and the mounting wall of the conveyor structure, and an O-ring and front shaft seal between the open or closed cover and the proximal surface 31. A portion of the housing 14.

Fig. 2 shows the housing 14 with the reinforcement member 32 in phantom. In the present invention, the member 32 is preferably encapsulated within the material of the body 24 and preferably comprises a loop formed from a metal strip or band. The material of the housing body 24 is preferably urethane, but other pourable thermoset materials may alternatively be used to form the housing body 24. In a preferred embodiment, urethane is poured or pumped into the cavity in which the reinforcement member 32 is suspended.

The housing 14 for the two bolt flange bearing 10 is preferably of standard size and the widest portion of the housing 14 is approximately 5.56 inches in size and 3.31 in size for supporting a shaft having a diameter of one-half (3/16) or 1 ¼ inches. Perpendicular to the widest portion of the inch. The distance between the centers of the bores 16 is about 4.59 inches and the diameter of the bearing insertion opening 26 is about 2.44 inches. The distance between the mounting and proximal ends 20, 22 is 0.89 inches from the housing 14.

The loop of metal strip 32 generally conforms to a parallelogram shape as shown in fig. 2. In fig. 3, its dimensions are smaller than the shape of the mounting surface 20 of the bearing. The metal strap 32 is preferably positioned to circumscribe the mounting hole 16 and the bearing insertion opening 26. The ring 32 preferably measures about 5.21 inches at its widest portion and about 2.86 inches perpendicular to the widest portion. The radius of curvature is about 1.40 inches near the bearing insertion location and about 0.279 inches near the mounting hole 16. The strength members 32 are preferably 300 series stainless steel, 16 or 20 gauge.

The metal strap 32 may be formed as a continuous loop or the loop may be formed by fastening the ends 34 of the strap 32 together. Fig. 4 and 5 show side views of strap 32, with strap 32 showing holes 36 disposed near strap end 34 for receiving fasteners. In this embodiment, an approximately one inch overlap is provided at the strap ends 34, and screws (not shown) are received through the holes 36 of each end 34 as the strap 32 is suspended within the housing mold and the poured urethane cools and is suspended in the housing mold by the strap ends 34. Set 14 during the housing manufacturing process. Alternatively, the ends 34 of the band 32 may be welded together as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In another preferred embodiment, the metal strip 32 includes a longitudinal central portion 38 having an arcuate cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2. 6. The curvature is such that an inner surface 40 of the central portion 38 facing the bearing insert 12 is concave and an outer surface 42 facing the side wall 30 of the housing 14 is convex. The overall width of the tape 32 is about 1/3 inches and the radius of curvature of the central portion 38 is about 0.13 inches such that the distance of the tape 32 from the innermost point to the outermost point of the central portion 38 of the tape 32 is about (3/16) inches.

The load capacity of the two bolted flange bearing blocks 14 is preferably up to about 1,710 lbs. The housing load capacity of a four-bolt flange bearing constructed in accordance with the present invention is preferably up to about 3,640 lbs. The central portion 38 is preferably curved as described (fig. 6) to help transfer the load from the shaft radially outward to the mounting bolt. However, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, a flat strip without a curved central portion 38. 2-4 alternatively, the method shown in fig. 1 of fig. 1 may be used without losing the advantages of the present invention. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, one or more substantially straight metal strips or bars may be used as the reinforcing members of the housing. The strap is preferably positioned along the longest portion of the housing body 24. Accordingly, the reinforcement member 32 of the present invention is not limited to a ring shape, but may include elements that do not conform to the overall profile of the housing body 24.

Fig. 7a and 7b show a sleeve 18 which is received over the housing 14 and a mounting bolt (not shown) forming the bore 16. The sleeve 18 is generally cylindrical and may have an outer recessed portion 44. The outer diameter at end 46 of sleeve 18 is about 0.63 inches and the outer diameter at recessed portion 44 is about 0.56 inches. The sleeve 18 has an inner diameter of about 0.44 inches and a sleeve length of about 0.75 inches.

As shown in fig. 8, the leveler is used for various machines and has similar problems to the flange bearing 10 described above. Straighteners are used on the bottom ends of machine legs to adjust or correct the height of the machine. However, adequate cleaning and sterilization is greatly complicated by the presence of grooves, cavities, holes, and the like in the straightener housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a straightener 50 comprising a somewhat teardrop shaped foot or housing 52 for supporting the machine at an adjustable height (not shown). The threaded steel rod or shaft 54 preferably receives 56 at the opening a body 59 of the outer shell at the wide portion 58 and a body 59 of the narrow portion 60 preferably has a hole 62 to receive a bolt (not shown) for mounting the foot 52 to a floor or other surface. The bore 62 is preferably offset a distance from the shaft opening. To accommodate a drill bit or other tool for securing the bolt to the floor, 56 is used. The shaft 54 is housed in the leg of the machine and the machine height is adjusted by rotation of the shaft 54.

Fig. 9 shows the tear-drop shaped shell 52 with the reinforcement member 64 in phantom. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes for the straightener housing 52 are available and may be used in the present invention. The stiffening member 64 preferably comprises a metal strip forming a loop that generally conforms to the contour of the shell 52. The use of the reinforcing member 64 adds strength to resist upward pulling forces applied to the housing 52, and the housing 52 preferably has a smooth bottom surface without a cavity (not shown).

The housing 52 preferably measures about 5.5 inches at the widest portion and a distance of about 2.75 inches separates the hysteresis holes 62 for receiving the bolt and shaft openings. The narrow portion 60 of the housing 52 is about 0.73 inches thick and the wide portion 58 of the housing 52 is about 1.10 inches thick.

The shaft 54 is preferably about 7.25 inches long and may have a diameter of about 3/4 inches to about 1 ¼ inches. The shaft 54 may optionally be galvanized. A wrench plate (not shown) is typically disposed about 1 ¼ inches from the distal end of the shaft 54 received in the housing opening 56 to facilitate adjustment of the leveling height by rotating the shaft 54 on the plate.

Metal strip 64 preferably forms a loop having a maximum diameter of at least 3/8 inches. The band 64 preferably has a width of no greater than about 0.7 inches. As described herein, the band 64 may be flat or have a curved central portion. The band 64 may include a fixed loop end or be continuously formed. Alternatively, the reinforcing member 64 may comprise one or more substantially straight metal strips to assist in the transfer of load from the shaft 54 to the bolt. Member 64 is preferably suspended within the poured polyurethane material. Preferably, the leveler housing 52 has a load capacity weighing approximately 7200 pounds.

A preferred method 14, 52 of manufacturing a housing according to the present invention comprises the steps of:

a) the mold is prepared to include the desired openings in the housing 14, 52 for receiving one or more fasteners and the shaft 54;

b) preparing a metal strip 32, 64 for insertion into a space in a mold, the strip 32, 64 being formed in a shape that is smaller than the cavity of the mold;

c) with the suspended belts 32, 64 in the mold;

d) injecting a thermosetting material into the mold to encase the straps 32, 64;

E) the material is cooled to produce a substantially solid and lightweight body 24, 59 contained within the steel bars 32, 64. In the method, step b) preferably comprises: the screws 36 engaged at the ends 34 are used to fix the shape of the bands 32, 64 in one cycle using the screws 32, 64 engaged by the through holes. Although other methods of securing the ends 34 are known to those skilled in the art, "organic" may also be used. Steps b) and c) may alternatively comprise suspending one or more substantially straight metal strips in the mould as the reinforcing members, rather than as collars. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, step d) may be accomplished by a variety of methods, including but not limited to pouring or pumping the thermoset material into a mold.

The embodiments illustrated and described above are provided merely as examples of the present invention. Other changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art in view of the embodiments set forth herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A flanged bearing with a reinforced molded bearing seat comprising a smooth, solid molded body having a first surface and a second surface; a first mounting hole extending from the first surface to the second surface through the solid body to receive a first fastener, a second mounting hole extending from the first surface to the second surface through the solid body to receive a second fastener, a third mounting hole extending from the first surface to the second surface to receive a shaft, the third mounting hole having a perimeter greater than a perimeter of each of the first and second mounting holes; and a reinforcement molded in place and completely encapsulated within the solid body, the reinforcement forming a closed loop surrounding the first, second and third mounting holes and having arcuate portions adjacent the holes and joined by the reinforcement to reinforce the holes and facilitate the transfer of loads radially from the shaft to the fastener.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member comprises a metal band.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member comprises a plurality of metal strap segments coupled together to form the closed loop.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one end of the strap section is welded to one end of another strap section.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an end of each of the strap segments is fastened to an end of another of the plurality of strap segments using a strap fastener.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is polyurethane.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the body has a generally tear drop shape with a broad portion including the second aperture and a narrow portion including the first aperture, the first aperture being offset from the second aperture by a sufficient distance to allow a tool to be removable, the device being attached to an adjacent surface using a fastener.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is a parallelogram having two obtuse angles and two acute angles, the second aperture is located between the obtuse angles, and the first aperture is located near one of the acute angles.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is generally square in shape, the second aperture is positioned equidistant from four corners of the apparatus, and the first aperture is positioned adjacent to one corner of the body.

10. A flange bearing for supporting a rotatable shaft in a fixed position, comprising: a smooth, solid molded body having a first surface and a second surface, said body being free of recesses to inhibit the accumulation of contaminants on said body; a plurality of holes for receiving one or more fasteners, the holes extending between the surfaces of the body, a circular opening extending between the surfaces of the body, the opening being located between the holes; a bearing insert received in the opening to support the shaft; and a reinforcing member molded in place and fully encapsulated within the solid body, the reinforcing member forming a closed loop surrounding the hole and the opening and having an arcuate portion adjacent the hole and connected by a linear portion, the reinforcing member reinforcing the hole and facilitating radial transfer of loads from the shaft to the fastener.

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