Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C27/00—Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement
  • F16C27/06—Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement by means of parts of rubber or like materials
  • F16C27/066—Ball or roller bearings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
  • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
  • B60K17/22—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or type of main drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft
  • B60K17/24—Arrangement of mountings for shafting
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
  • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
  • F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
  • F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
  • F16C2326/01—Parts of vehicles in general
  • F16C2326/06—Drive shafts

Definitions

• This invention relates to bearings and more particularly to an improved resiliently mounted center bearing for supporting a split drive shaft of a vehicle.
• a front mounted engine is generally coupled through a drive shaft, a differential gear and rear axles to drive the rear wheels of the vehicle.
• the drive shaft may be a single piece or it may be in the form of a split shaft having two or more shaft sections with adjacent sections coupled together through a universal joint.
• the output from the vehicle transmission may be coupled through a universal joint to a coupling shaft which is in turn coupled through a second universal joint to a drive shaft which is coupled through a third universal joint to the differential gear.
• One or more slip joints are provided in the drive shaft with, typically, one slip joint between the coupling shaft and the transmission and a second slip joint between the coupling shaft and drive shaft.
• the slip joints permit variations in the spacing between the transmission and the differential gear due to manufacturing tolerances and also permit limited changes in the spacing when the differential gear moves with the rear suspension system for the vehicle.
• it is necessary to support the coupling shaft adjacent the second universal joint.
• the rotating shaft is engaged with a bearing which is embedded in a resilient rubber bushing which in turn is attached through a bracket to the vehicle chassis, frame or body.
• United States Patent 3,306,679 for example, lO ⁇ hows a resilient mounting for a center bearing on a vehicle drive shaft which is designed to withstand considerable axial movement before failure.
• the resilient mounting for a center bearing shown in United States Patent 3,309,154, the resilient mounting is permitted to roll axially 5considerable distance to either side of its supporting frame prior to failure.
• an improved center bearing assembly for supporting a split drive shaft which connects a vehicle transmission to a differential gear.
• the center bearing assembly also may be used in coupling shafts for other applications and is particularly suitable for 5applications wherein the coupling shaft may be subject to limit axial forces which tend to pull a supporting bearing from its mounting.
• an inner, rotatable race of a bearing engages the coupling shaft and an outer, 0non-rotatable race of the bearing is mounted in a resilient rubber block or bushing.
• the rubber block which is connected through a bracket to the vehicle frame, chassis or other rigid member, permits limited radial and axial movement of the bearing.
• the bracket has a flange which is normally spaced from 5 the rubber block to the rear of the bearing.
• OMPI prevents axial movement of the coupling shaft from pulling the bearing from the.rubber block or from pulling the rubber block from the mounting bracket. Since the rubber block does not normally engage the flange, noise and vibrations from the vehicle drive train normally are not transmitted through the rubber block and the flange on the mounting bracket to the vehicle.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an improved center bearing assembly for supporting a split drive shaft in a vehicle.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an improved center bearing assembly for supporting a split drive shaft in a vehicle which includes means for preventing the bearing from separating from its mounting due to axial movement of the drive shaft.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a vehicle showing the location and use of the center bearing assembly of the present invention for supporting a split drive shaft;
• Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a split drive shaft in a vehicle supported by the center bearing assembly of the present invention
• Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view of the center bearing assembly of the present invention
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the center bearing assembly of the present invention with the rubber block separated from its mounting bracket;
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the mounting bracket for the rubber block of the center bearing assembly of the present invention.
• a vehicle 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1 which includes a coupling shaft 20 and a drive shaft 11 connected between a transmission 12 and a differential gear 13 for driving a pair of
• the transmission 12 is provided with an output shaft (not shown) of conventional design and having a plurality of splines formed around its periphery and extending in a direction parallel with its axis.
• a slip yoke 15 has a internally splined tubular end portion 16 which slidably engage the transmission output shaft and is rotated by such output shaft.
• the slip yoke 15 also has a yoke 17 which forms one sid of a universal joint 18.
• the other side of the universal joint 18 is formed by a yoke 19.
• the coupling shaft 20 has an opposi end terminating in a splined shaft portion 21.
• a center bearin assembly 22 in accordance with the present invention supports t coupling shaft 20 adjacent the splined shaft portion 21.
• the center bearing assembly 22 includes a rigid frame or bracket 23 which is rigidly attached with bolts to a vehicle frame, chassi or body 25.
• the splined shaft portion 21 at the end of the couplin shaft 20 is received by an internally splined end portion 26 of slip yoke 27 on the drive shaft 11.
• the splined shaft portion and the splined end portion 26 move in an axial direction with respect to one another while rotating together.
• the slip yoke has a yoke end 28 which forms a portion of a universal joint 29
• the drive shaft 11 has a second end terminating at a yoke 32 which forms a portion of a universal joint 33.
• a yoke 34 on a shaft 35 forms a second portion of the universal joint 33.
• the shaft 35 is connected to the differential gear 13 which is driveably connected through rear axle 36 to the rear wheels 14 the vehicle 10.
• the couplin shaft 20 rotates and is not subjected to substantial axial forces.
• the differential gear 13 moves with the suspension system for the rear wheels 14, forward and rearward movement of the coupling shaft 20 takes place at the splined joint between the splined shaft portion 21 of the coupling shaft 20 and the internally splined portion 26 of the slip yoke 27 on the drive shaft 11.
• this joint may eventually bind up or freeze and longer function in its intended manner. When this happens, the is a tendency for the coupling shaft 20 to move in an axial
• the center bearing assembly 22 of the present invention is designed to withstand the stronger axial forces on the coupling shaft 20 and, thereby, to cause slip to occur at the joint between the splined shaft portion 21 of the coupling shaft 20 and the internally splined end portion 26 of the slip yoke 27.
• the center bearing assembly 22 includes a conventional bearing 40 having a plurality of balls 41 disposed between an inner, rotatable race 42 and an outer, non-rotatable race 43.
• the bearing 40 may be of any conventional design and includes seals 44 for holding a lubricant within a chamber 45 surrounding the balls 41.
• the inner bearing race 42 defines an interior opening 46 which engages a portion 47 of the coupling shaft 20 adjacent the splined shaft portion 21.
• Annular dirt shields 48 are positioned on either side of the outer bearing race 43. The dirt shields 48 are slightly spaced from the seals 44 and extend concentric with and nearly to the coupling shaft 20 for protecting the bearing 40 from dirt and other road contaminants.
• the dirt shields 48 and the outer race 43 are embedded within a resilient rubber member or bushing 49 which in turn either is mounted within the bracket 23 or is molded directly in the bracket 23.
• a forward edge of the rubber member 49 defines a lip 50 which extends into an annular region defined by a shield
• slinger 56 is mounted on the shaft portion 47 to the rear of the bearing 40.
• the slinger 56 has a flange 57 which projects radially from the coupling shaft 20 to the rear of the bracket 23. The slinger 56 prevents water, mud, dirt and the like from flowing along the end of the coupling shaft 20 into the center bearing assembly 22.
• the rubber member or bushing 49 is shown as having two circular rows of arcuate slots spaced coaxially about the bearing 40 wi th in the r ubber member 49 aga ins t a low r es ilient force .
• the rubber member 49 is compressed and exerts a greater resilient force opposing such movement of the bearing 40.
• the slots 53 and 54 are omitted fro the bottom region 55 of the rubber member 49 since the weight of the coupling shaft 20 and the drive shaft 11 are normally supported by this portion of the rubber member 49.
• the rubber member or bushing 49 is supported within the bracket 23 which is in turn molded or otherwise attached to the vehicle frame, chassis or bolt 25.
• the bracket 23 is stamped from a single sheet of steel and includes a U-shaped outer regio 60 which conforms with an outer surface 61 of the rubber member 49.
• Each end of the U-shaped region 60 is terminated by an outwardly directed flange 62 which is provided with an opening 6 which receives the bolt 24 for attaching the bracket 23 to the vehicle frame, chassis or body 25.
• An inwardly directed lip 64 and 65 engage forward and rear sides 66 and 67, respectively, of the rubber member 49 adjacent the outer surface 61 for retaining the rubber member 49 within the bracket 23.
• a rear flange 70 is formed to extend radially inwardly from the rear lip 65 on the bracket 23.
• the spacing is sufficiently large that under normal operation of the vehicle 10, the rear lip 52 on the rubber bushing or member 49 does not contact and transmit drive train vibrations to the rear flange 70 on the bracket 23.
• the spacing between the lip 52 and the flange 70 may, for example, be on the order of from 0.06 inch to 0.2 inch or more, depending upon the permissible axial movement of the coupling shaft 20.
• this spacing is maintained sufficiently small as to prevent rearward axial movement of the coupling shaft 20 from pulling the bearing 40 from the rubber member 49 or from pulling the rubber member 49 from its bracket 23.
• the coupling shaft 20 will tend to move in a rearwardly direction as the rear wheels 14, the differential gear 13 and the rear suspension for the vehicle 10 move due to road irregularities.
• the lip 52 on the rubber member 49 will contact the flange 70 and limit axial movement of the coupling shaft 20.
• Center bearing assemblies of this type transmit significant vibrations from the vehicle drive train to the vehicle frame.
• a modified bracket 71 is shown for attaching the previously described rubber member or bushing
• the bracket 71 is stamped from a single sheet of metal to define an outer U-shaped region 72 which is shaped to engage the outer surface 71 of the rubber member 49.
• 25u-shaped region 72 terminate at outwardly flared flanges 73.
• Holes or openings 74 are provided in the flanges 73 for attaching the bracket 71 to the vehicle with bolts, rivets, or other suitable means.
• a forward lip 75 is folded inwardly from the front of the U-shaped region 72 and a rear lip 76 is folded
• the forward lip 75 engages the forward side 66 and the rear lip 76 engages the rear side 67 of the rubber member 49 for retaining such member in the bracket 71.
• a flat flange surface 77 defining an opening 78 is 5connected to and spaced to the rear of the rear lip 76.
• the opening 78 is located concentric with the opening 46 in the bearing race 42 so as to pass the splined shaft portion 21 of coupling shaft 20.
• the rear lip 52 on the rubber member 49 is spaced a slight distance from the flat flange 77. During normal operation of the vehicle in which the center bearing assembly is mounted, the rubber lip 52 does not contact the flange 77.
• the coupling shaft 20 will tend to move in a rearwardly direction as the rea wheels 14, the differential gear 13 and the rear suspension for the vehicle 10 move due to road irregularities.
• the lip 52 on the rubber member 49 will contact the flange 77 a limit axial movement of the coupling shaft 20. This in turn wi tend to force axial slip to occur at the joint between the slip yoke 27 and the splined shaft portion 21, thereby freeing up th joint and preventing this joint from freezing up entirely.
• Vehicle geometry normally causes the bearing in prior art center bearing assemblies to separate from its resilient mounting in a direction to the rear of the vehicle in which it i mounted.
• the bearing assembly of the present invention can be oriented in a reverse direction to prevent such separation.
• the mounting bracket can be provided with flanges spaced both to the front and to the rear of the rubber bushing to limit axial movement of the drive shaft in both directions.
• rubber bushing or member 49 may be used in the center bearing assembly of the present invention.
• the rubber bushing 49 may be bonded top the bracket 23 by molding the bushing 49 into the bracket 23 or the bushing 49 may be a separate, element which slides into th bracket 49.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Motor Power Transmission Devices (AREA)
• Support Of The Bearing (AREA)
• Mounting Of Bearings Or Others (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=21782389

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Cited By (11)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1980
  • 1980-02-22 DE DE803036771T patent/DE3036771T1/de active Granted
  • 1980-02-22 GB GB8031270A patent/GB2057069B/en not_active Expired
  • 1980-02-22 AU AU55816/80A patent/AU532192B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1980-02-22 BR BR8007525A patent/BR8007525A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1980-02-22 WO PCT/US1980/000184 patent/WO1980001939A1/en active Application Filing
  • 1980-02-22 JP JP55500616A patent/JPH0159928B2/ja not_active Expired
  • 1980-02-29 PH PH23704A patent/PH20270A/en unknown
  • 1980-03-04 ES ES489165A patent/ES8103294A1/es not_active Expired
  • 1980-03-04 MX MX181418A patent/MX148816A/es unknown
  • 1980-03-04 FR FR8004823A patent/FR2450974A1/fr active Granted
  • 1980-03-05 IN IN254/CAL/80A patent/IN152941B/en unknown
  • 1980-03-05 AR AR280176A patent/AR220966A1/es active
  • 1980-03-05 CA CA000347008A patent/CA1119650A/en not_active Expired

Patent Citations (5)

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