Sealed Compound Bearing

The present invention relates to a bearing structure, and more particularly to a bearing structure adapted for oscillatory motion under heavy load.

The present invention is an improvement on the compound bearing disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,637. That patent teaches a bearing structure between an inner member and an outer member consisting of a nylon or similar plastic insert ring interposed between the inner and outer members, and a pair of lubricant impregnated fabric annular members also disposed between the inner and outer members, one on each side of the nylon or other plastic insert ring. The structure is such that normal loads on the bearing are carried by the lubricant impregnated material, and heavy loads or shock loads on the bearing are taken principally by the plastic insert ring.

It has been found that bearings according to the prior art, although satisfactory and long-lived under average medium duty service, tend to deteriorate rapidly when subjected to extremely heavy loads, especially if subjected to heat simultaneously with heavy loads, and more particularly in assemblies where adverse conditions of heavy load and heat are accompanied by substantial vibrations and shocks and an exaggerated amount of twisting, or relative motion, between the inner member and the outer member of the bearing. Such extremely adverse conditions are particularly prevalent when spherical bearings are utilized as a junction between suspension members and frame members, such as shock absorber attachment means in heavy duty motor vehicles, for example military combat vehicles, which are generally poorly maintained and called upon to operate under extremely adverse conditions. It has been discovered that under such extreme adverse conditions, when the bearings are continuously subjected to rapid twisting cycles under extremely heavy loads with repeated high frequency shocks, prior art bearings tend to heat up and, when further subjected to heat from the ambient, they deteriorate rapidly. The lubricant impregnating the fabric annular members becomes very fluid and extrudes from the fabric, and the extreme heat chars the fabric annular members and destroys the nylon or other plastic insert ring. It has also been discovered that because the prior art bearings are pre-loaded during manufacuring, they are relatively tight when new, and thus they provide a relatively stiff connection between the joined components and tend to generate heat when the engaged surfaces of the various components of the bearings are displaced relative to each other, due to the relatively high co-efficient of friction between the bearing element surfaces.

The present invention remedies the disadvantages and inconveniences of the prior art, more particularly in heavy duty bearing assemblies subjected to oscillatory motion under heavy loads, especially loads of a shock nature occuring at frequent intervals, by providing a bearing structure wherein a metallic ring insert is used in replacement of the nylon or plastic ring insert of the prior art bearings, and wherein a pair of pre-stressed pre-loaded rings made preferably of unctuous and elastomeric plastic material such as one of the fluoroplastics, or fluorocarbons, for example polyvinylidene fluoride, chlorotrifluoroethylene, and more particularly fluorinated ethylenepropylene and polytetrafluorethylene, is disposed between the inner and the outer members of the bearing assembly one on each side of the metallic ring insert. The metallic ring insert has clearance between its inner surface and the outer surface of the inner member of the bearing and between its outer surface and the inner surface of the outer member or shell of the bearing. A seal, in the form of a thin metallic ring, is placed on each side of the metallic ring insert between the ring insert and the adjoining elastomeric pre-loaded ring. The seal prevents, more particularly when using fluorocarbon rings, creeping of the fluorocarbon material into the clearance space and introduction of dirt and contaminant from the ambient into the clearance space. Normal loads are absorbed by the elastomeric rings, and the heavy loads and shocks are first absorbed and dampened by the fluorocarbon rings, and subsequently, after being greatly diminished, are taken by the metallic ring insert. The principal advantages and objects of the present invention are to provide a heavy duty bearing structure capable of being subjected to heavy loads and repeated vibrations and shocks under adverse heat and dust conditions and which, in operation, generates much less heat than prior art pre-loaded bearings having bearing elements made of lubricant-impregnated fabrics and nylon, or similar plastic, ring inserts, which has less stick-up, i.e. provides relative motion between the inner and outer members of the bearing under relatively low torque, and is endowed with long life under extremely harsh conditions of operation and adverse environment.

The many objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best modes contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a sealed compound bearing, of the spherical or ball type, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section thereof along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a tetrafluroethylene ring, or other fluorocarbon ring, forming part of the bearing assembly of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 is a section from line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the sealed compound bearing of the invention in an extreme twist position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an example of ring insert forming part of the bearing assembly of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a section from a line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2, an example of a sealed compound bearing structure according to the present invention is illustrated as comprising an outer bearing member or shell 12, within which is disposed an inner bearing member of ball 14 having a peripheral spherical surface 16. The inner bearing member 14 is provided with an axially disposed bore 18 which, in the example of structure illustrated, is tapered such as to accept therethrough a tapered male member, not shown, such as, for example, a shock absorber support stud fastened to the frame of a motor vehicle or the like. Typically, in such shock absorber mounting assemblies, the shell 12 is clampingly, or otherwise fastened, on the end of the rod, or of the housing, of a telescopic shock absorber, not shown.

The outer member or shell 12 is conveniently made of steel or like material, and the inner member or ball 14 is also made conveniently of a steel or stainless steel forging or bar machined such as to be provided with the spherical surface 16 having a relatively smooth finish. An annular member made preferably of steel and forming a ring insert 20 is peripherally disposed around the bearing inner member 14, the ring insert 20 having an inner concave spherical surface 22 conforming to the inner member outer spherical surface 16, and an outer cylindrical surface 24 conforming to the inner bore surface 26 of the shell 12. However, the dimensions of the ring insert 20 are such that there is a narrow gap or clearance 28 between the outer spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14 and the inner spherical surface 22 of the ring insert 20, a similar clearance 30 being present between the bore surface 26 of the shell 12 and the outer surface 24 of the ring insert 20, such clearances 28 and 30 being shown greatly exaggerated throughout the several views of the drawing. For ease of installation around the inner member, the ring insert 20 has a radial cut or slit 32, FIG. 2, enabling the ring insert 20 to springingly increase in circumference, during assembly, so as to allow one of the inner edges 34 of the ring insert 20 to be passed over the diameter of the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14, allowing the ring insert 20 to snap back to its original shape and dimension once situated around the inner member 14 in the position illustrated at FIG. 1.

On each side of the metallic ring insert 20 there is disposed a full bearing ring 36 made of slightly resilient elastomeric material such as any convenient synthetic plastic resin, preferably a fluoroplastic, or fluorocarbon, which provides a certain amount of lubricity to its surface in contact principally with the spherical surface 16 of the bearing inner member 14. A group of fluoroplastics, or fluorocarbons which has been found particularly advantageous for making the elastomeric rings 36 consists of polyvinylidene fluoride, chlorotrifluoroethylene, and more particularly fluorinated ethylene-propylene and preferably polytetrafluorethylene. A sealing ring 37 is placed between each fluorocarbon ring 36 and the corresponding flat annular lateral face 40 of the ring insert 20. The sealing rings 37 made preferably of thin stainless steel flat shim material, have an outside diameter dimension corresponding to the inner diameter of the bore 26 of the shell such that their outer edge 39 fits snuggly in the bore 26 without clearance. The sealing rings 37 have an inner diameter slightly less than the diameter of the circular plane intersecting the spherical surface 16 of the inner member or ball 14 at the lateral faces 40 of the ring insert 20. During assembly of the diverse elements forming the bearing of the invention, the inner edge of sealing ring 37 is partly permanently and partly elastically dished, as shown at 41, to conform and firmly engage with the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14. The fluorocarbon rings 36 are substantially compressed when the diverse elements forming the compound bearing of the invention are assembled, and they form the principal load adsorbing and shock absorbing capability of the bearing of the invention. The pre-load exerted on the fluorocarbon rings 36 is directed radially, and also laterally in view of the presence of the integral retaining flanges 38 of the shell 12 holding the diverse elements in assembly. The bearing of the invention is normally assembled by placing in the shell 12, made preferably of cup-shaped stamping provided with a pre-formed integral retaining flange 38, the inner member 14 around which are disposed the ring insert 20, the sealing rings 37 and the fluorocarbon rings 36, one sealing ring 37 and one fluorocarbon ring 36 on each side of the ring insert 20. The assembly is completed by forming the other retaining flange 38 by a swaging or like operation, thus placing the two fluorocarbon rings 36 under compression, with any amount of desired pre-load and dishing the sealing rings 37 as shown at 41. In addition, considerable pressure is exerted by the compressed elastomeric rings 36 against the lateral faces 40 of the ring insert 20 through the sealing rings 37.

The resilient rings 36, which are rpeferably made of a fluoroplastic, or fluorocarbon, material as previously mentioned, may have any convenient annular shape in their free state prior to assembly with the other elements, and swaging of the shell retaining flange. For example, the rings 36 may be shaped as conventional O-rings, or they may be in the form of toroids having a rectangular, square or eliptical cross-section. Preferably the rings 36 are shaped as illustrated at FIGS. 3-4, that is, they are molded or machined with a flat annular side surface 42 for engagement with the annular flat surface of the sealing rings 37 (FIG. 1), with a radiused lateral surface 44 substantially conforming to the shape of the inner radiused corner of the shell 12 at the junction between the straight bore portion of the shell and the integral retaining flange 38, and with an inner surface 46 provided with a series of serrations consisting of consecutive annular groove-like depressions and projecting annular ribs as shown at 48 and 50 respectively. Following assembly and pre-load of the rings 36, the inner serrated surface 46 of the rings becomes continuous and conforms generally to the spherical contour of the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14. It has been observed that the inner serrated surface 46 of the rings 36 permits to increase compression pre-load of the rings without causing appreciably increased stick-up, as compared to a smooth surface, improves the longevity of the bearing, and apparently enables the rings 36 to act as more efficient seals against the introduction of dust or other dirt from the ambient between the bearing surfaces.

The clearance 28, FIGS. 1 and 2, between the concave spherical inner surface 22 of the ring insert 20 and the peripheral spherical surface 16 of the bearing inner member 14, and the clearance 30 between the inner surfce 26 of the shell 12 and the peripheral cylindrical surface 24 of the ring insert 20, are very small, of the order of a fraction of a millimeter or a few thousandths of an inch. It has been found that, for best over-all performance, it is desirable to hold each of such clearances or gaps to more than about 0.02 mm. and to less than about 0.25 mm.

For example, it is convenient to use a clearance 28 of 0.025 mm. to 0.15 mm. and a clearance 30 of 0.10 mm. to 0.17 mm. for a bearing having an overall diameter dimension for the shell 20 in the order of 51.75 mm. and in the order of 41.15 mm. for the spherical inner member 14.

By providing the ring insert 20 with such radial clearances the over-all friction of the compounds bearing of the invention is reduced substantially under normal transverse load tending to compress the elastomeric rings 36 along a radius of the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14, the amount of friction resulting from the engagement of the surface of the dished portion 49 of the sealing rings 37 with the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14 being negligible in view of the small surface area in contact. When the bearing is subjected to an excessively heavy load, the load in excess of that which may be absorbed by the elastomeric rings 36 is taken by the larger surfaces of the substantially incompressible metallic ring insert 20. As the bearings of the invention are designed for normally absorbing a predetermined static load taken by the elastomeric rings 36, the ring insert 20 is normally not called upon to aid absorbing the normal static load, but is called upon to aid absorbing such excessively heavy loads which are generally of a shock or vibratory nature, and which may exceed the normal dynamic load by several orders of magnitude. The elastomeric rings 36 are designed purposely such as to be capable of sustaining a static load several times the static load normally encountered in service, with the result that the excess loads of shock or vibratory nature are considerably absorbed and dampened prior to causing the ring insert 20 to "bottom", i.e. to physically engage with the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14 and with the bore surface 26 of the shell 12, and therefore absorb the remaining excess loads.

Compound bearings according to the present invention, when subjected to intensive tests under transverse static load coupled with vibrations and repeated cycles during which the shell 12 is rotated relative to the axis of the inner member 14 to extreme positions such as illustrated at FIG. 5, generate much less heat than coventional bearings having lubricant-impregnated fabric rings and a nylon ring insert of comparable sizes. While, under the same conditions of load, amplitude of rotation and vibration, the temperature of prior art bearings may reach 150.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. causing the nylon ring insert and the lubricant-impregnated rings to literally self-destruct in a short time at such high temperatures, the temperature of bearings according to the improvement of the present invention never exceeds 90.degree. C., while tested in an ambient of approximately 18.degree.-19.degree. C. If heat from an external source is applied to the bearings during tests, as soon as the temperature of the prior art bearings reaches about 160.degree. C., no more heat from an external source can be applied to the bearings as, at that temperature, they rapidly lose their lubricant through seepage from the fabric rings, the fabric rings char and the nylon ring insert is irreversibly damaged. By contrast, bearings according to the improvement of the present invention are capable of continuous operation without breakdown and without destructive wear at temperatures as high as 170.degree. C.-180.degree. C. for extended periods of time, and they are incapable of reaching such high temperatures on their own unless subjected to heat from an external source.

The sealing rings 37 disposed each between one of the side faces 40 of the ring insert 20 and the corresponding fluorocarbon ring 36 prevent creeping of the material forming the rings 36, such as polytetrafluoroethylene or other fluorocarbon material, into the space created by the clearances 28 and 30 between, respectively, the concave spherical surface 16 of the bearing inner member 14 and the inner concave spherical surface 22 of the ring insert 20, and between the cylindrical peripheral surface 24 of the ring insert 20 and the inner bore 26 of the shell 12, which has been observed when bearings according to the present invention, but without the sealing rings 37, have been in service for even a short period of time. The thin non-adhering film formed by the polytetrafluorethylene or other fluorocarbon material creeping into the space of the clearances 28 and 30 results generally in improved characteristics of the bearings under most conditions of load, motion, vibrations and shocks. However, in some applications where it is desirable to maintain the designed clearance 28 between the inner concave spherical surface 22 of the ring insert 20 and the peripheral convex spherical surface 16 of the bearing inner member 14, and the designed clearance 30 between the cylindrical peripheral surface 24 of the ring insert 20 and the inner bore 26 of the shell 12, the non-clearance sealing rings 37 enable the bearing to maintain indefinitely such built-in designed clearances between the ring insert 20 and the bearing outer and inner members.

Although compound bearing units according to the present invention perform satisfactorily in a dry state, without lubrication, it may be desirable for some applications to pre-pack the bearings, during assembly, with a lubricant such as grease and the like. For that purpose, the structure of the compound bearings of the invention is modified as illustrated at FIGS. 6-8, by providing the spherical peripheral surface 16 of the inner bearing member or ball 14 with a circular groove 54, and by providing the annular member or ring insert 20 with transverse grooves 56 and radial apertures 58. The circular groove 54 on the spherical surface 16 of the inner member 14, the ring insert grooves 56, and the apertures 58 in the ring insert serve as lubricant reservoirs and are filled with lubricant, prior to assembly, and the clearance annular spaces 28 and 30 are also similarly filled with lubricant. The sealing rings 37, in addition to preventing the polytetrafluoroethylene or other fluorocarbon material of the rings 36 from creeping and settling into the clearance spaces 28 and 30, further act as effective seals keeping the lubricant in the lubricant reservoirs. In addition, although not generally required, additional seals, such as the annular seals 60, FIG. 6, may optionally be disposed, each between an elastomeric ring 36 and the corresponding inner surface of the shell end flange 38, for the purpose of preventing creeping and extrusion of the material forming the seals 36 to the outside of the bearing shell 12 through the annuluar spaces 62 between the edge of the flanges 38 and the spherical surface 16 of the inner member or ball 14. The seals 60, in their free state, are in the form of flat thin annular members made of any convenient metal or metal alloy and, during assembly of the diverse elements of the bearing of the invention by swaging of one or both retaining flanges 38, they take the shape illustrated at FIG. 6, partially permanently and partially elastically. The seals 60, in addition, increase the efficiency of the elastomeric rings 36 in preventing introduction of dirt from the ambient to the bearing surfaces of the assembly.

Having thus described the invention, modifications whereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it being appreciated that the principles of the invention which have been described in conjunction with a spherical type of bearing are also applicable to other shapes of bearings such as cylindrical bearings and the like, what is claimed as new is as follows: