Spherical Bearing Arrangements

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a spherical bearing arrangement, the method comprising: providing a ball and a cast bearing housing; elevating the ductility of the cast bearing housing; and swaging the housing onto the ball whilst the ductility is elevated, the ductility lowering after swaging.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spherical bearing arrangement manufactured in accordance with a method embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spherical bearing arrangement of FIG. 1 along line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bearing housing prior to swaging used in a method embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another bearing housing prior to swaging used in a method embodying the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another bearing housing prior to swaging used in a method embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing housing of FIG. 5.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a spherical bearing arrangement, the method comprising: providing a ball and a cast bearing housing;elevating the ductility of the cast bearing housing; andswaging the housing onto the ball whilst the ductility is elevated, the ductility lowering after swaging.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing at least one machining operation on the cast housing prior to swaging thereof.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing at least one machining operation on the resultant spherical bearing arrangement.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevation of the ductility is performed by heating the housing.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ductility is lowered after swaging by cooling the housing.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than 10%.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 9%.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 8%.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ductility of the housing prior to elevation is less than or equal to substantially 7%.

10. A method according claim 1, wherein the elevated ductility is at least 10%.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevated ductility is at least substantially 11%.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevated ductility is at least substantially 12%.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevation of the ductility is performed by providing the housing at a predetermined temperature.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 80° C.

15. A method according claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 90° C.

16. A method according claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 100° C.

17. A method according claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 110° C.

18. A method according claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is at least substantially 120° C.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the lowered ductility of the housing is at least substantially equal to the ductility of the housing before elevation.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the lowered ductility of the housing is substantially greater than the ductility of the housing before the elevation.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material of the bearing housing comprises metal.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the metal is zinc or zinc alloy.

23. A spherical bearing arrangement manufactured according to the method of claim 1.

24. A spherical bearing arrangement, comprising a cast bearing housing swaged onto a ball, wherein the ductility of the housing is elevated during swaging and lowered after swaging.

25. A rod end bearing comprising the spherical bearing arrangement according to claim 24.