APPARATUS FOR PRELOADING A BEARING

• US 20170167535A1
• Filed: 02/24/2017
• Published: 06/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Temper AXLE Products Corporation
• Inventors: RODE, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,797,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/06 Screw or nut setting or loosening machines
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/065 Arrangements for torque limiters or torque indicators in screw or nut setting machines for hand tools B25B23/14
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/062 using screws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 31/043 Prestressed connections tensioned by means of liquid, grease, rubber, explosive charge, or the like hydraulic bolt tensioners B25B29/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/12 by means of locknuts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/14 made of thin sheet material or formed as spring-washers locknuts per se made of thin sheet metal F16B37/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/28 by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt F16B39/26 takes precedence; locknuts F16B39/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/32 Locking by means of a pawl or pawl-like tongue
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/364 with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/54 Systems consisting of a plurality of bearings with rolling friction spindle bearings F16C35/08
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/30 Parts of ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 43/04 Assembling rolling-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/497 Pre-usage process, e.g., preloading, aligning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53091 for work-holder for assembly or disassembly
• 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 on 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 on the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid pressure that can be detected and monitored. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut and a tool for precisely rotating a nut are also provided. A bearing retaining nut arrangement that permits the loading or evaluating of a bearing inner race is also provided. The bearing retaining nut arrangement includes a first load-setting nut, a lock washer, and a second jam nut that secures the arrangement to a shaft.

Claims

1. A method for providing a preload to a bearing comprising:

releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle to allow a frame coupled to the attaching member to move relative to the attaching member and in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein a proximal direction extends toward the frame from the attaching member, a distal direction being opposite from the proximal direction and extending toward the attaching member from the frame;

a plurality of extensions extending from the frame in the distal direction past the attaching member towards a wheel hub assembly, the extensions being configured to contact at least one of a wheel hub or a bearing of the wheel hub assembly when the attaching member is directly attached to the threaded shaft; and

providing an automated adjustment mechanism configured to move the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply a preload to a bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the extensions contacting the at least one of a wheel hub or a bearing of the wheel hub assembly.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply the preload to the bearing.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly comprises the automated adjustment mechanism moving the frame and the plurality of extensions to apply the preload to the bearing.

5. The method of claim 1 where-in-the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially toward the wheel hub assembly comprises a rotatable member of the automated adjustment mechanism rotating to cause the movement to the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly comprises an automated fluid supply device supplying pressure to the frame to move the frame towards the wheel hub assembly.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the automated adjustment mechanism automatically regulates the preload supplied to the bearing.

8. A method for providing a preload to a bearing within a wheel hub assembly comprising:

releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle of the wheel hub assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein a proximal direction extends toward a frame from the shaft, a distal direction being opposite from the proximal direction and extending toward the shaft from the frame;

the frame axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member to allow the frame to move relative to the attaching member in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis;

a plurality of extensions extending from the frame axially past the attaching member in the distal direction towards the wheel hub assembly, the plurality of extensions being configured to contact at least one of a wheel hub or a bearing of said wheel hub assembly when the attaching member is attached to the threaded shaft;

providing an adjustment mechanism configured to move the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply a preload to a bearing within the wheel hub assembly; and

the adjustment mechanism located axially proximal relative to the frame and the attaching member, the frame located axially proximal to the attaching member and between the adjustment mechanism the said attaching member, the attaching member located between the shaft and the frame when the attaching member is attached directly to the threaded shaft.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising an indicator displaying a parameter corresponding to the preload.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the plurality of extensions contacting an inner face of the bearing of the wheel hub assembly.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply the preload to the bearing.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly comprises the adjustment mechanism moving the frame and the plurality of extensions to apply the preload to the bearing.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an automated adjustment mechanism and wherein the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly comprises a rotatable member of the automated adjustment mechanism rotating to cause the movement to the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the rotatable member surrounds the attaching member and the attaching member comprises a rod.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly comprises an automated fluid supply device of the adjustment mechanism supplying pressure to the frame to move the frame toward the wheel hub assembly.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a fluid filled cavity between the frame and the rotatable member.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the adjustment mechanism automatically regulating the preload supplied to the bearing.