Method for preloading a bearing

• US 9,797,441 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2017
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afzali, Sarang
• Application Number:
  US15/441,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20170167535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 242 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 in general B60B
• 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

A method for preloading a bearing includes 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. A plurality of extensions extends from a frame and is moved axially toward a wheel hub assembly to apply the preload to the bearing in a distal direction past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. The extensions are 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. An automated adjustment mechanism is configured to move the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

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;

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; and

moving the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to apply the preload to the bearing.

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 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.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein 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.

5. 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.

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