FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering, particularly to the field of bearings.

BACKGROUND

Rolling element bearings are bearings that use rolling elements to provide a low friction support surface for rotating elements. Generally, each conventional rolling contact bearings includes an inner element with a raceway, an outer element with a raceway that surrounds the conventional inner element and at least one row of rotating elements such as rollers or balls disposed between the inner and the outer elements.

The inner element and the outer element have curved rolling contact surfaces in which the rotating elements are aligned called raceways. In an operative configuration of conventional rolling element bearings, the rolling elements are subjected to axial load which tend to cause comparatively large play of the bearings because of the end play and free angle of misalignment of the bearing. This comparatively large end play and free angle of misalignment of the rolling elements bearing can cause misalignment of the rotating elements. Also, the end play of the rolling elements bearing, due to misalignment under axial load, large stress can occur on the rolling elements and the races under impact and can cause truncation and seizing of the rolling elements bearing.

Hence, there is felt a need for a misalignment reduction bearing which will overcome the above mentioned problems.

OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a misalignment reduction bearing that has an inner raceway and an outer raceway which substantially reduces play or ride or movement of the rolling elements when subjected to load and increases bearing stiffness.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a misalignment reduction bearing that has an inner raceway and an outer raceway such that the rolling elements bearing does not truncate and seize when subjected to load.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a misalignment reduction bearing that is capable of withstanding comparatively higher axial load.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a misalignment reduction bearing that has comparatively lesser vibrations.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discloses a misalignment reduction bearing. The misalignment reduction bearing comprises of an inner element, an outer element and at least one row of rotating elements. The inner element is defined by an inner raceway which has a first central portion configured with a curve and at least one first end portion configured with a taper. The outer element surrounds the inner element. The outer element is defined by an outer raceway which has a second central portion configured with a curve and at least one or both second end portions configured with a taper. The rotating elements are aligned between the inner raceway and the outer raceway, such that, when the misalignment reduction bearing is subjected to radial loading the rolling elements gets aligned in the first central portion and the second central portion and when the misalignment reduction bearing is subjected to axial loading the rolling elements get aligned between the first central portion, the second central portion, the first end portion and second end portions. The parallel first end portion and the second end portions form an elliptical area of contact between the rolling element and the tapered surface of the parallel first end portions and the second end portions upon contact due to the axial load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

A misalignment reduction bearing of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a illustrates a sectional front view of a misalignment reduction bearing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1b illustrates another sectional side view the misalignment reduction bearing of Figure 1a, depicting a profile of an inner raceway of an inner element and an outer raceway of an outer element;

Figure 2a illustrates a sectional front view of a misalignment reduction bearing, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 2b illustrates another sectional side view the misalignment reduction bearing of Figure 2a, depicting a profile of an inner raceway of an inner element and an outer raceway of an outer element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Various embodiment of a misalignment reduction bearing of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying embodiments. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The present disclosure discloses a misalignment reduction bearing. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure and as disclosed in Figure 1a and Figure 1b, the misalignment reduction bearing 100 comprises an inner element 110, an outer element 120 and at least one row of rotating elements 130. The inner element 110 has an inner raceway 112. The inner raceway 112 is formed by a first central portion 112a and first end portions 112b and 112c which are disposed on either side of the first central portion 112a. The first central portion 112a is a curve. The first end portions 112b and 112c taper relative to a curved first central portion.
The outer element 120 surrounds the inner element 110. The outer element 120 has an outer raceway 122. The outer raceway 122 is formed of a second central portion 122a and second end portions 122b and 122c which are disposed on either side of the second central portion 122a. The second central portion 122a is a curve. The second end portions 122b and 122c taper relative to a curved first central portion. The rotating elements 130 are secured in a cage 150.

In an operative configuration of the misalignment reduction bearing 100, the rolling elements 130 are subjected to radial loading. During radial loading, the rolling element 130 is aligned between the first central portion 112a of the inner raceway 112 of the inner element 110 and the second central portion 122a of the outer raceway 122 of the outer element 120.
The rolling elements 130 can also be subjected to axial loading. During axial loading, the rolling element 130 is aligned between the first central portion 112a, the first end portions 112b and 112c, the second central portion 122a and the second end portion 122b and 122c. The parallel first end portion 112b and 112c and second end portions 122b and 122c enables forming a substantially elliptical area of contact 140 between the rolling element 130 and taper surfaces of the first end portion 112b or 112c and second end portions 122 c or 122 b respectively upon contact due to the axial load.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure and as illustrated in Figure 2a and Figure 2b, the misalignment reduction bearing 200 comprises an inner element 210, an outer element 220 and at least one row of rotating elements 230.
The inner element 210 has an inner raceway 212. The inner raceway 212 is formed by a first central portion 212a and two first end portions 212b and 212c which are disposed on either side of the first central portion 212a. The first central portion 212a is a curve. One end of 212b of the first end portion is a taper and another end 212c of the first end portion is the curve extends from the curve of the first central portion 212a.
The outer element 220 surrounds the inner element 210. The outer element 220 has an outer raceway 222. The outer raceway 222 is formed of a second central portion 222a and second end portions 222b and 222c which are disposed on either side of the second central portion 222a. The second central portion 222a is a curve. One end 222b of the second end portion is a taper and another end 222c of the second end portion is a curve which extends from the curve of the second central portion 222a. In one embodiment, the end 222b of the second end portions tapers and is disposed opposite to the end 212b of the first end portions. The rotating elements 230 are secured in a cage 250.

In operative configuration of the misalignment reduction bearing 200, the rolling elements 230 are subjected to radial loading. During radial loading, rolling elements are aligned between the first central portion 212a of the inner raceway 212 of the inner element 210 and the second central portion 222a of the outer raceway 222 of the outer element 220.

When the rolling elements 230 are subjected to axial loading, rolling elements 230 are aligned the first central portion 212a, the two first end portions 212b and 212c, the second central portion 222a and the two second end portion 222b and 222c. The parallel first end portion 212b and 212c and second end portions 222b and 222c form an elliptical area of contact 240 between the rolling element and the taper surfaces of the first end portion 212b or 212c and the second end portions 222 c or 222 b respectively upon contact due to the axial load.

The substantially elliptical area of contact 140 and 240 configured by the respective inner element and the respective outer element substantially prevents the respective rolling elements 130 and 230 from large play or ride or movement when subjected to axial load and hence prevents the rolling elements 130 and 230 from misalignment. Further, as the play or ride or movement of the rolling elements 130 and 230 are substantially reduced the rolling elements 130 and 230 experience no truncation and seizing when subjected to an axial load. Also, the elliptical area of contact 140 and 240 enables the rolling elements 130 and 230 to resist comparatively high axial load.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:
• a misalignment reduction bearing that has an inner raceway and an outer raceway which substantially reduces play or ride or movement of the rolling elements when subjected to load and has increased bearing stiffness;
• a misalignment reduction bearing that has rolling elements which are seated between an inner raceway and an outer raceway such that the rolling elements experience comparatively less truncation and seizing when subjected to axial load;
• a misalignment reduction bearing that has less vibrations during operation; and
• a misalignment reduction bearing that is capable of withstanding comparatively higher axial load.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

we claims:-
1) A misalignment reduction bearing comprising:
• an inner element defined by an inner raceway having a first central portion configured with a curve and at least one first end portion configured with a taper;
• an outer element surrounding said inner element, and defined by an outer raceway having a second central portion configured with a curve and at least one second end portion configured with a taper; and
• at least one row of rolling elements adapted to be aligned between said inner raceway and said outer raceway, such that,

when the misalignment reduction bearing is subjected to radial loading said rolling elements adapted to be aligned between said first central portion and said second central portion; and

when the misalignment reduction bearing is subjected to axial loading said rolling elements adapted to be aligned between said first central portion, said second central portion, said first and second end portions forming an elliptical area of contact.

2) The misalignment reduction bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotating elements are balls.

3) The misalignment reduction bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first central portion is configured with said curve and one of said first end portion is configured with said taper and another end portion is configured with said curve extending from said first central portion and said second central portion is configured with said curve and one of said second end portion configured with said taper and another end portion configured with said curve extending from said second central portion,

wherein said one of said first end portion configured with said taper is oppositely disposed to said one of said second end portion configured with said taper.