Roller bearing unit

• US 4,668,111 A
• Filed: 09/24/1985
• Issued: 05/26/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Company BV
• Original Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Company BV
• Inventors: Kapaan, Hendikus J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stuart S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US06/779,413
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 384/461, 384/490, 384/504, 384/512-515, 384/543, 384/544, 384/585, 384/586, 384/589, 180/70.1, 180/252-259, 464/178, 464/906, 464/184
• US Class Current: 384/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/0005 with ball bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/186 with three raceways provided integrally on parts other than race rings, e.g. third generation hubs
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/187 with all four raceways integrated on parts other than race rings, e.g. fourth generation hubs
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2240/80 Pitch circle diameters [PCD]
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/22326 Attachments to the outer joint member, i.e. attachments to the exterior of the outer joint member or to the shaft of the outer joint member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/223 the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/906 Torque transmitted via radially spaced balls

Abstract

A roller bearing unit comprising an inner race element having a homokinetic coupling at one end and a coaxial extension forming a gudgeon at the other end whereby two rotating tracks for two rows of rolling elements are provided on the outer surface of the inner race, an outer race having a conical shape surrounding the rolling elements and being integral with an attachment flange, whereby the rotating tracks for the rolling elements have different diameters, the larger diameter track being at the homokinetic coupling end and being closest to the attachment flange, the larger diameter track being formed directly on the inner race.

Claims

1. In a roller bearing unit comprising an outer element of a homokinetic coupling, means for coupling one end of the outer element to a rotatable element, with said one end of said outer element having a larger diameter than the other end thereof, and a coaxial extension at the other end of the outer element, first and second rotating tracks for two rows of rolling elements being provided on the radially outer surface of the outer element in planes perpendicular to the axis of the bearing unit, an outer race surrounding the rolling elements and being unitary with a radially extending flange coaxial with said axis for the mounting of the roller bearing unit, and means coaxial with and connected to the extension for the attachment of an element to be rotated, the rolling elements of each row being separated by a cage;

the improvement wherein the rotating tracks tor the rolling elements have different diameters, said first track being located toward said one end of the outer element having a larger diameter than the second track, said first track being formed directly in the outer surface of said outer element at a location thereof where said outer element has a greater diameter than the diameter thereof at said other end, said outer race having a generally conical shape.

2. The roller bearing of claim 1 wherein said coaxial extension of said outer element has a wedge or tooth shaped coupling thereon.

3. The roller bearing of claim 1 wherein said means for the attachment of an element comprises a second flange, further comprising a gudgeon extending axially and forming a part of said second flange.

4. The roller bearing of claim 3 wherein said gudgeon forms a unitary element with said second flange.

5. The roller bearing of claim 4 wherein said unitary second flange and gudgeon is affixed to the inside of said extension of said outer element.

6. The roller bearing of claim 5 wherein said unitary element includes an extension that is directed inwardly and is coaxial with said bearing unit, and is fastened inside said extension of said outer element.

7. The roller bearing of claim 3 wherein said outer element has a shoulder, and further comprising a screw device, said second flange comprising a separate element that is mounted on said extension of said outer element and pressed against said shoulder by said screw device.

8. The roller bearing of claim 7 wherein said screw device comprises a bolt having a head forming a gudgeon, said bolt being threaded tightly in said extention, said head pressing said second flange against said shoulder.

9. The roller bearing of claim 7 wherein said extension has external threads, said screw device comprising a nut threaded on said external threads and pressing said second flange against said shoulder.

10. The roller bearing of claim 9 wherein said nut together with the threaded part of said extension define a gudgeon.

11. The roller bearing of claim 3 wherein said second flange has a plurality of holes therein, and further comprising gudgeon bolts in said holes.

12. The roller bearing of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a first toothed ring formed along the outer surface of said extension and coaxial therewith, a second toothed ring formed along an inner surface of an extension of said outer race, planetary gear means between and interlocking said first and second toothed rings, and a planetary gear carrier for rotatably holding said planetary gear means.

13. The roller bearing of claim 1 wherein said second track comprises a separate annular race mounted on said outer element.

14. The roller bearing of claim 13 wherein said attachment means comprises a second flange mounted on said extension and pressed against said annular race.

15. The roller bearing of claim 1 wherein said second track is formed in the outer surface of said outer element.

16. The roller bearing of claim 15 wherein said attachment means comprises a second flange affixed to the interior of said extension.

17. The roller bearing of claim 15 wherein said attachment means comprises a second flange, and further comprising bolt means threaded in said other end of said outer element for holding said second flange on said extension.

18. The roller bearing of claim 15 wherein said outer race has an extension toward said other end of said outer element, and further comprising facing teeth on said extensions of said outer element and outer race, and planetary gears engaging said teeth, said attachment means comprising planetary gear carrier means rotatably holding said planetary gears.