Method and apparatus for preloading a bearing

• US 20070177829A1
• Filed: 01/27/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation, Temper Corporation
• Original Assignee: John Rode
• Inventors: Rode, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,559,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/7
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/062 using screws
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/548 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2229/00 Setting preload
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53104 Roller or ball bearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for preloading a bearing are provided. These methods and apparatus include preload monitoring devices whereby the mechanic can accurately monitor and regulate the preload to a bearing or bearing assembly. Aspects of the invention may also be used to adjust the endplay on a bearing or a bearing assembly. In one aspect, the preload to the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid whose pressure can be detected and monitored. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut and a tool for precisely rotating a nut are also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a preload on a bearing, the bearing having an inner race mounted to a shaft and an outer race mounted in a hub, the apparatus comprising:

a rod having a first end and a second end adapted to be removably mounted to the shaft;

means for compressing the hub against the outer race of the bearing to provide the preload to the bearing, the means for compressing mounted to the rod; and

a cylindrical frame positioned between the means for compressing the hub and the hub, the cylindrical frame having a first end adapted to receive a load from the means of compressing the hub and a second end adapted to transmit the load to the hub.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second end of the cylindrical frame contacts the hub.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the bearing comprises an inboard bearing, and wherein the hub includes an outboard bearing, spaced from the inboard bearing, the outboard bearing having an inner race mounted to the shaft and an outer race mounted in the hub, and wherein the second end of the cylindrical frame contacts the inner race of the outboard bearing.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the preload on the bearing.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the means for maintaining the preload on the bearing comprises a nut threaded to the shaft.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the bearing comprises an inboard bearing and wherein the hub includes an outboard bearing, spaced from the inboard bearing, the outboard bearing having an inner race mounted to the shaft and an outer race mounted in the hub, wherein the nut threaded to the shaft is adapted to bear against the inner race of the outboard bearing.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for compressing the hub against the outer race of the bearing comprises an actuation nut threaded to the first end of the rod.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for maintaining the preload on the bearing when the apparatus is removed.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for monitoring comprises at least one of a fluid-containing piston actuator, a compression spring, and an air spring.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for monitoring the preload comprises a fluid-containing piston actuator having a piston housing mounted to the shaft and a piston adapted to transfer fluid pressure load to the bearing.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the compression spring comprise at least one of a disc spring and a coil spring.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for detecting the fluid pressure in the fluid-containing piston actuator.

13. A method for providing a preload on a bearing having an inner race mounted to a shaft and an outer race mounted in a hub, the method comprising:

mounting a rod to an end of the shaft;

mounting a means for compressing the hub against the outer race of the bearing to the rod ; and

actuating the means for compressing the hub to compress the hub against the outer race of the bearing to provide the preload to the bearing.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising, prior to mounting the rod to the shaft, threading a preload retaining nut onto a threaded end of the shaft.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising mounting a cylindrical frame between the means for compressing the hub and the hub.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the means for compressing the hub comprises a fluid actuating means, and wherein the method further comprises monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid actuating means while actuating the means for compressing the hub.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the method further comprises limiting the pressure of the fluid while actuating the means for compressing the hub to a predetermined pressure.

18. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the bearing comprises rollers, and the method further comprises rotating the shaft to seat at least some of the rollers.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the method further comprises monitoring the preload on the bearing.

20. An apparatus for providing a preload to an inboard bearing having an inner race mounted to a shaft and an outer race mounted in a hub and for providing a preload to an outboard bearing having an inner race mounted to the shaft and an outer race mounted in the hub, the outboard bearing spaced from the inboard bearing, the apparatus comprising:

an outboard bearing retaining nut adapted to engage a threaded end of the shaft and contact the inner race of the outboard bearing to retain the preload on the outboard bearing;

a rod having a first end and a second end adapted to be removably mounted to the shaft;

a fluid-containing cylinder mounted to the rod, the cylinder having a cylinder housing mounted to the rod and a piston adapted to compress the hub against the outer race of the inboard bearing to provide the preload to the inboard bearing;

an actuating nut threaded to the rod and adapted to compress the cylinder housing toward the piston; and

a cylindrical frame positioned between the piston and the hub having a first end adapted to receive a load from the piston and a second end adapted to transmit the load to the hub and compress the hub against the inner race of the inboard bearing to provide the preload to the inboard bearing.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid-containing cylinder.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the shaft comprises a spindle of a vehicle wheel assembly.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the second end of the cylindrical hub contacts the hub.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the second end of the cylindrical hub contacts the inner race of the outboard bearing.

25. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut, the apparatus comprising:

a guide frame comprising;

a support ring having a first side adapted to contact a support and a second side opposite the first side; and

a plurality of posts having first ends mounted to the second side of the support ring and second ends opposite the first ends; and

a tool comprising;

a set of opposed tines adapted to engage flats on the nut;

means for rotating the tines to rotate the nut; and

at least two spaced stops adapted to engage at least one of the posts of the guide frame and limit the rotation of the nut to the predetermined angle defined by the two spaced stops.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein the guide frame further comprises a top ring mounted to the second ends of the plurality of posts.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein the means for rotating the plurality of tines comprises a handle.

28. The apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein the at least two spaced stops comprises surfaces of one of a recess in and a projection from the tool.

29. The apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein the nut comprises a retaining nut mounted to the spindle of a wheel hub.

30. A method for precisely rotating a nut, the method comprising:

determining a desired precise rotation for the nut;

providing a guide frame comprising;

a support plate having a first side adapted to contact a support and a second side opposite the first side; and

a plurality of spaced stops positioned on the support plate;

providing a tool comprising;

at least one set of opposed tines adapted to engage flats on the nut; and

a plurality of spaced stops adapted to engage at least one of the spaced stops of the guide frame, the spaced stops positioned to limit the rotation of the tool to the desired precise rotation for the nut;

mounting the tool to the nut wherein the plurality of tines engage flats on the nut and wherein the at least one stop on the tool engages at least one stop on the guide frame; and

rotating the nut with the tool wherein at least one stop on the tool engages at least one stop on the guide frame wherein the nut is rotated the desired precise rotation.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the plurality of spaced stops positioned on the support plate comprises one of posts, pins, and recesses.

32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the plurality of spaced stops on the tool comprises one of posts, pins, and recesses.

33. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the tool further comprises a handle, and rotating the nut comprises turning the handle.

34. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the nut comprises a retaining nut mounted to the spindle of a wheel hub.

35. A tool for precisely rotating a nut, the tool comprising:

at least one set of opposed tines adapted to engage flats on the nut;

means for rotating the plurality of tines to rotate the nut;

at least one stop adapted to engage at least corresponding stop on a fixture mounted adjacent the nut to limit the rotation of the nut to a predetermined angle.

36. The tool as recited in claim 35, wherein the, means for rotating comprises a handle.

37. The tool as recited in claim 35, wherein the at least one stop on the tool comprises at least one of a post, pin, and recess.

38. The tool as recited in claim 35, wherein the at least one stop on the tool comprises two stops, wherein the two stops comprise the ends of a recess positioned between the opposed tines.

39. The tool as recited in claim 35, wherein the nut rotated by tool comprises a retaining nut mounted to the spindle of a wheel hub.