SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING BEARING ENDPLAY

• US 20120079922A1
• Filed: 02/02/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation, Temper Corporation
• Original Assignee: John E. Rode
• Inventors: RODE, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,490,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/462
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/60 with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections in general F16B23/00 - F16B43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2229/00 Setting preload
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/008 Identification means, e.g. markings, RFID-tags; Data transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/24 for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53104 Roller or ball bearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator

Abstract

An apparatus for use in adjusting an endplay of a bearing of a wheel hub assembly includes an outer circumferential surface configured to be received within an annular space around the nut attached to a shaft of the wheel hub assembly and retaining the bearing on the shaft. An engaging surface is coupled to the outer circumferential surface and configured to engage the nut. A stopping surface is coupled to the engaging surface and configured to abut an outer surface of the nut opposite the bearing such that the engaging surface is positioned in an engaging position to engage nut engaging surfaces of the nut. An arm is connected to the stopping surface and extends out of the annular space away from the bearing and substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft when the stopping surface abuts the outer surface of the nut.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in adjusting an endplay of a bearing of a wheel hub assembly, the apparatus comprising:

an outer circumferential surface configured to be received within an annular space bounded by an inner surface of a wheel hub and around a nut attached to a shaft of the wheel hub assembly and the nut retaining the bearing on the shaft;

an engaging surface coupled to said outer circumferential surface and configured to engage the nut;

a stopping surface coupled to said engaging surface and configured to abut an outer surface of the nut opposite the bearing such that said engaging surface is positioned in an engaging position to engage nut engaging surfaces of the nut;

an arm connected to said stopping surface, said arm extending out of the annular space away from the bearing and substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft when said stopping surface abuts the outer surface of the nut;

said arm comprising means for connecting to an apparatus for providing a force to said arm to cause said engaging surface to apply the nut to adjust an endplay of the bearing, said means for connecting comprising a drive connecting portion at an end of said arm opposite said stopping surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stopping surface extends further radially inwardly relative to the axis of the shaft than said engaging surface extends inwardly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stopping surface lies within a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cavity between said stopping surface and said engaging surface such that said stopping surface is axially spaced from said engaging surface relative to the axis of the shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging surface comprises a first plate, and further comprising a second plate, said second plate comprising said stopping surface and a second engaging surface configured to engage the nut.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging surface comprises a wrench surface configured to engage flat surfaces of the nut.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stopping surface is located relative to said engaging surface to avoid contact of said engaging surface with the bearing when said stopping surface abuts the nut.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm has a length in an axial direction relative to the axis of the shaft such that said drive connecting portion is located beyond an extended tubular mounting flange of the shaft.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connecting portion comprises an aperture configured to receive an extending portion of the drive to connect said connecting portion to the drive.

10. A system for use in adjusting an endplay of a bearing of a wheel hub assembly, the system comprising:

an endplay measuring tool comprising a plurality of legs connected to a hub of the hub assembly mounted on said shaft;

an adjustment tool received in an annular space bounded by an inner surface of a wheel hub and around a nut attached to a shaft of the wheel hub assembly, and the nut retaining the bearing on the shaft;

said tool having an engaging surface releasably engaging the nut;

said tool having a stopping surface releasably abutting an outer surface of the nut opposite the bearing such that said engaging surface is positioned in an engaging position engaging nut engaging surfaces of the nut;

said tool having an arm extending away from the bearing and substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft, said arm extending away from said hearing through an opening between two legs of said plurality of legs such that an end of said arm opposite said bearing is accessible to a user to allow the user to turn said arm and said engaging surface to turn the nut to adjust an endplay of the bearing.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said arm has a length in an axial direction relative to the axis of the shaft such that a connector of said arm is located beyond an extended tubular mounting flange of the shaft and beyond lugs attached to the flange.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said arm comprises a drive connecting portion at an end of said arm opposite said stopping surface, said drive connecting portion configured to connect to a drive to allow a user to manipulate said arm and said engaging surface to turn the nut to adjust an endplay of the bearing.

11-13. -13. (canceled)

16. A method for use in adjusting an endplay of a bearing of a wheel hub assembly, the method comprising:

connecting a plurality of legs of an endplay measuring tool to a hub of the hub assembly mounted on the shaft;

receiving an adjustment tool in an annular space around a nut attached to a shaft of the wheel hub assembly and retaining the bearing on the shaft;

the tool having an engaging surface releasably engaging the nut;

the tool having a stopping surface releasably abutting an outer surface of the nut opposite the bearing such that the engaging surface is positioned in an engaging position engaging nut engaging surfaces of the nut;

the tool having an arm extending away from the bearing and substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft, the arm extending away from the bearing such that an end of the arm opposite the bearing is accessible to a user to allow the user to turn the arm and the engaging surface to turn the nut to adjust an endplay of the bearing; and

manipulating the tool through an opening between two legs of the plurality of legs to adjust the endplay.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the arm has a length in an axial direction relative to the axis of the shaft such that a connector of the arm is located beyond an extended tubular mounting flange of the shaft and beyond lugs attached to the flange.

17-19. -19. (canceled)