SPLIT BALL SLEEVE

• US 20160138644A1
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ryne, Patrik M., Daenzer, Troy A., Kniebbe, Bruce D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,803,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/003 bearings see also F16C33/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/24 Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/04 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/046 with balls journaled in pockets
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 3/035 with built-in bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/3812 formed of interconnected segments, e.g. chains
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/40 for multiple rows of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/60 divided or split, e.g. comprising two juxtaposed rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/065 by means of rolling elements

Abstract

In one aspect, a rolling element shaft assembly is provided. The rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.

Claims

1. A bearing sleeve for a rolling element shaft assembly having a solid shaft, the bearing sleeve comprising:

a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and a first plurality of ball bearing apertures; and

a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and a second plurality of ball bearing apertures, the first portion configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft.

2. The bearing sleeve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of ball bearings disposed in the first plurality of bearing apertures, and a second plurality of ball bearings disposed in the second plurality of bearing apertures.

3. The bearing sleeve assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one connector coupled between the first edge and the third edge.

4. The bearing sleeve assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one connector is at least one hinge.

5. The bearing sleeve assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one clip member extending from the second edge; and

at least one clip aperture formed in the fourth edge, the at least one clip aperture configured to receive the at least one clip member to couple the first portion and the second portion.

6. The bearing sleeve assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one additional clip member extending from the fourth edge; and

at least one additional clip aperture formed in the second edge, the at least one additional clip aperture configured to receive the at least one additional clip member to couple the first portion and the second portion.

7. A rolling element shaft assembly comprising:

a solid shaft having a first end and a second end;

a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end;

a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft, the bearing sleeve comprising;

a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture; and

a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture, the first portion configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft;

at least one first ball bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture; and

at least one second ball bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the solid shaft further comprises a first axially extending groove and a second axially extending groove, the at least one first bearing disposed in the first axially extending groove, and the at least one second bearing disposed in the second axially extending groove.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second axially extending grooves each includes an end stop distanced from the second end of the solid shaft, the end stop having an abutting surface configured to prevent the at least one first and second bearings respectively disposed in the first and second axially extending grooves from extending to the second end of the solid shaft.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one first bearing aperture comprises a first plurality of bearing apertures, the at least one second bearing aperture comprises a second plurality of bearing apertures, the at least one first bearing comprises a first plurality of bearings, and the at least one second bearing comprises a second plurality of bearings.

11. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one connector coupled between the first edge and the third edge.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one connector is at least one hinge.

13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

at least one clip member extending from the first portion second edge; and

at least one clip aperture formed in the second portion fourth edge, the at least one clip aperture configured to receive the at least one clip member to couple the first portion and the second portion.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one additional clip member extending from the fourth edge; and

at least one additional clip aperture formed in the second edge, the at least one additional clip aperture configured to receive the at least one additional clip member to couple the first portion and the second portion.

15. A method of assembling a rolling element shaft assembly, the method comprising:

providing a solid shaft having a first end and a second end;

providing a tubular shaft having a plurality of truncated grooves axially extending from one end of the tubular shaft;

providing a bearing sleeve having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, the second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture;

providing at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture;

providing at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture;

coupling the bearing sleeve first and second portions radially about the solid shaft; and

inserting the solid shaft into the tubular shaft.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the solid shaft is further provided with a first axially extending groove and a second axially extending groove, the method further comprising:

orienting the at least one first bearing in the first axially extending groove; and

orienting the at least one ball bearing in the second axially extending groove.