Patent Application
20170261086
The subject of the invention is related to drive systems for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a preloaded roller bearing assembly.
Vehicle drive systems typically utilize one or more rotatable shafts supported by lubricated bearing assemblies that are mounted within various housing openings, for instance, through which the rotatable shafts extend. Pre-loading of the bearing assemblies may, at times, be required. Such pre-loading can be particularly important in housings constructed of materials that experience dimensional variation due to thermal expansion/contraction during operation (ex. Aluminum).
Preloading may require the addition of a biasing member to the bearing assembly which can add to its overall axial dimension. An increase in a bearing assembly's axial length may not be desirable or possible; especially when such a pre-load feature is a necessary addition to a pre-existing design. A bearing assembly having a biasing member for applying axial pre-loading is necessary where changes to existing bearing mounting architecture is not desirable.
In an exemplary embodiment a bearing assembly comprises a cone member configured to receive rollers in rolling engagement therewith. A bearing cup is configured to receive the cone member therein and to engage in rolling contact with the rollers. A bearing cup pocket extends circumferentially about a face of the bearing cup and is configured to receive a biasing member therein.
In another exemplary embodiment, a bearing assembly, for supporting a rotatable shaft in a housing, comprises a cone assembly with a cone member having a roller track configured to receive rollers therein. A cage member is configured to retain the rollers in the roller track. A bearing cup comprises an inner roller surface configured to receive the cone assembly and to establish rolling contact with the rollers, and an outer circumferential surface having a diameter “D” that facilities insertion of the bearing assembly into a bearing opening of the housing. A face of the bearing cup comprises an outboard face of the bearing assembly that is engageable with a retaining member to maintain the assembly in the bearing opening of the housing, and a bearing cup pocket extends circumferentially about the outboard face of the bearing cup and is configured to receive a biasing member that operates to exert a biasing force “F” between the retaining member and the bearing cup.
In yet another exemplary embodiment a vehicle having a differential assembly comprises a differential housing having a differential gear set, arranged within an interior portion and, supported for rotation within the differential housing by a bearing assembly that is seated within a bearing opening in the housing. The bearing assembly comprises a cone assembly comprising a cone member having a front face, a rear face, a base and a roller track configured to receive rollers therein. A cage member retains the rollers in the roller track. A bearing cup has a front face, a rear face, an inner roller surface for receipt of the cone assembly therein and for rolling contact with the rollers thereon, and an outer circumferential surface having a diameter “D” that facilities insertion of the bearing assembly into the bearing opening of the differential housing. The rear face of the bearing cup comprises an outboard face of the bearing assembly that is engageable with a retaining member to maintain the assembly in the bearing opening of the housing. A bearing cup pocket extends circumferentially about the rear face of the bearing cup to define an inset shoulder that is configured to receive a biasing member operable to exert a biasing force “F” between the retaining member and the bearing cup; wherein the biasing force “F” urges the bearing cup into a seated position in the bearing opening resulting in alignment of the bearing assembly.
The above features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts or features. As used herein, the term vehicle is not limited to an automobile, van, truck or sport utility vehicle, but may include any self-propelled or towed conveyance suitable for transporting a burden. The embodiments described and illustrated herein are applicable to vehicle components, but the assembly disclosed may be used in any suitable applications in which rotating components are subject to support in corresponding bearing assemblies (ex. transportation, energy, machinery and aerospace applications, for example).
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
Referring now to
Referring to
A bearing cup pocket 70 extends circumferentially about the rear face 64 of the bearing cup 60 to define an inset shoulder 72 that is configured to receive a biasing member 76 therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing member 76 is a Bellville washer that operates to exert a biasing force “F” between the retaining member 42 and the bearing cup 60. During operation of the differential assembly 12, temperature excursions may cause the temperature of the differential housing 30 to vary; resulting in thermal expansion and contraction thereof. The result of the thermal expansion of the differential housing 30 may be a loosening of the bearing assembly 40 in the bearing opening 34. The biasing force “F” maintains the bearing cup 60 in a seated position in the bearing opening 34 regardless of dimensional variation of the differential housing 30. The application of the bearing cup pocket 70 of the invention provides for the addition of the biasing member 76 in the bearing assembly 40 without varying the axial length required in the differential housing for application of axial pre-loading to the bearing assembly 40.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.
