Headset disabled scooter

[Sjoerd]

I am working on a development project of a disbled scooter. At the moment we are working on the headset. In the past we have used bicycle headsets. These need maintenace which is not wat we want. We are thinking of using ball bearings as they can also receive axial loads.
My question is how to suspend the bearings with the front fork so that it is free of play? We can use a nut with a bush between the bearings, but because of the tolerances there can always appear play in this situation. Leaving the bush out will take away the play, but if the nut is screwed too tight the bearings can be broken. Maybe this is a way to do it, or maybe someone know THE way tho do it.
(Angular ball bearings is not an option as they are too expensive).

Regards,
Sjoerd Lintermans

 

[GregLocock]

I don't understand your problem. You need to use two nuts forcing the inner down, one locked against the other, just like a bicycle headset. I think you should look at tapered roller bearings if you want a very durable solution, but ordinary ball bearings can be meade to work. Assuming you have some sort of suspesnion the bottom one will need an axial load rating of 5 times the weight on the wheel, and the upper one will not need much at all.



Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[Jakub]

Plain deep groove ball bearings will take axial loading to some extent, if you go to the skf website, they have an online catalogue with all the bearing info and equations for axial and radial load.

You should be able to design a simple setup which will have enough preload to alleviate play and be able to take all service loads with a good life.

Jakub