System, method and apparatus for bearings and tolerance rings with fuctional layers

• US 8,746,981 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus GmbH (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus GmbH (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Inventors: Hartmann, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Charles, Marcus
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers, Adam D
• Application Number:
  US12/971,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20110150377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 384/26, 384/37, 384/38, 384/42, 384/103, 384/106, 384/129, 384/192, 384/202, 384/215, 384/219, 384/220, 384/221, 384/222, 384/276, 384/297, 384/300, 384/901, 403/367, 403/371, 403/372
• US Class Current: 384/215
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/24 Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns in general B62D
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 27/063 Sliding contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/0835 due to the elasticity of the ring or sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7061 Resilient

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a bearing or tolerance ring having multiple functional layers including an annular metallic band and an elastomeric layer. The tolerance ring also includes a low friction layer that is bonded to the other layers. The elastomeric layer of the present invention provides soft performance to reduce noise and vibration without diminishing performance.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

an outer component having a bore;

an inner component mounted in the bore of the outer component, such that the inner component mates with the outer component and is movable relative thereto;

a ring located in the bore between the inner component and the outer component, the ring making contact with the inner component and the outer component, the ring further comprising;

an annular band formed from a metallic material;

an elastomeric layer on the annular band, wherein the elastomeric layer contacts one of the outer component and the inner component; and

a polymeric layer on the annular band.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer is laminated to at least one side of the annular band.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer is on the annular band opposite the elastomeric layer.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric layer comprises a fluoropolymer.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive or primer layer between the annular band and the elastomeric layer, and between the polymeric layer and the annular band.

6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annular band is formed from spring steel, and the polymeric layer comprises PTFE.

7. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric layer comprises one of nitrile rubber, olefinic elastomeric, polyether-/polyester-elastomeric, ethylene-propylene-elastomeric, ethylene-acrylic rubber and fluoro elastomeric materials.

8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ring is one of a bearing and tolerance ring.

9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a lubrication disposed between the ring and one of the outer component and the inner component.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the lubrication is disposed between the polymeric layer and one of the outer component and the inner component.

11. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the lubrication comprises a solid lubricant.

12. An assembly, comprising:

an outer component having a bore;

an inner component mounted in the bore of the outer component, such that the inner component mates with the outer component and is movable relative thereto;

a ring located in the bore between the inner component and the outer component, the ring making contact with the inner component and the outer component, the ring further comprising;

an annular band formed from a metallic material;

an elastomeric layer adhered to the annular band; and

a polymeric layer adhered to the annular band.

13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the polymeric layer is laminated to at least one side of the annular band.

14. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the polymeric layer is on the annular band opposite the elastomeric layer.

15. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the polymeric layer comprises a fluoropolymer.

16. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the annular band is formed from spring steel, and the polymeric layer comprises PTFE.

17. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the elastomeric layer comprises one of nitrile rubber, olefinic elastomeric, polyether-/polyester-elastomeric, ethylene-propylene-elastomeric, ethylene-acrylic rubber and fluoro elastomeric materials.

18. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the ring is one of a bearing and tolerance ring.

19. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the assembly further comprises a lubrication disposed between the ring and one of the outer component and the inner component.

20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the lubrication is disposed between the polymeric layer and one of the outer component and the inner component.

21. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the lubrication comprises a solid lubricant.