# US 12,180,996 B2 · Retained thrust bearing

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- Number: US 12,180,996 B2
- Document ID: US12180996B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/103,533
- Filed: 2023-01-31
- Published: 2024-08-01
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2023-01-31
- Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
- Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
- Inventors: James Brown; Charles Schwab; Steven Corn
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180996B2

## CPC

- F16C 33/046: {divided or split, e.g. half-bearings or rolled sleeves}
- F16C 17/04: for axial load only
- F16C 33/588: {Races of sheet metal}
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A bearing includes a washer and a retention band. The washer includes an annular portion, a cylindrical outer flange, and a radius portion connecting the outer portion to the flange. The retention band includes a cylindrical ring disposed radially inside of the cylindrical outer flange, and a tab extending radially outward from the cylindrical ring. In an example embodiment, the tab extends radially outside of the washer. In some example embodiments, the cylindrical ring has a split. In an example embodiment, the split is circumferentially offset from the tab. In an example embodiment, the retention band also includes an axial leg connecting the tab to the cylindrical ring. In an example embodiment, the retention band has exactly one tab. In an example embodiment, the retention band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bearing, comprising:
a washer comprising:
an annular portion;
a cylindrical outer flange; and
a radius portion connecting the cylindrical outer flange to the annular portion; and
a retention band comprising:
a cylindrical ring disposed radially inside of the cylindrical outer flange; and
a tab extending: i) radially outward from the cylindrical ring, and 11 radially outside of the washer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical ring comprises a split.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The bearing of claim 2 wherein the split is circumferentially offset from the tab.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein the retention band further comprises an axial leg connecting the tab to the cylindrical ring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein the retention band comprises exactly one tab.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein the retention band comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein:
the radius portion comprises a slot; and
the tab extends through the slot.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The bearing of claim 7 wherein:
the retention band further comprises an axial leg connecting the tab to the cylindrical ring; and
a portion of the axial leg is disposed in the slot.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 further comprising a rolling element contacting the washer, wherein at least a portion of the retention band radially overlaps at least a portion of the rolling element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The bearing of claim 9 further comprising a cage for guiding the rolling element, wherein at least a portion of the retention band radially overlaps at least a portion of the cage.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The bearing of claim 9 further comprising a cage for guiding the rolling element, wherein at least a portion of the retention band axially overlaps at least a portion of the cage.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein:
the washer is stamped from a first sheet steel comprising a first thickness; and
the retention band is stamped from a second sheet steel comprising a second thickness, less than the first thickness.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The bearing of claim 1 wherein the bearing is a thrust bearing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A bearing assembly comprising:
a bearing according to claim 1; and
a housing comprising a groove, wherein the tab is disposed in the groove.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The bearing assembly of claim 14 wherein:
the housing further comprises an annular wall and a cylindrical wall;
the annular portion contacts the annular wall; and
the cylindrical outer flange contacts the cylindrical wall.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The bearing assembly of claim 15 wherein the groove is formed in the cylindrical wall.

### Claim 17

A bearing, comprising:
a washer comprising:
an annular portion;
a cylindrical outer flange; and
a radius portion connecting the cylindrical outer flange to the annular portion; and
a retention band comprising:
a cylindrical ring disposed radially inside of the cylindrical outer flange; and
a tab:
extending radially outward from the cylindrical ring; and
configured to be disposed within a groove of a housing, the groove arranged radially outwardly of the bearing.