Zero radial play idler arm bracket bearing
AssigneeAffinia Group Inc.
InventorErnest Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An idler arm bracket bearing includes a plurality of inwardly extending fingers to contact the bracket. The fingers deflect toward the bearing body as the fingers contact the bracket, thereby ensuring a full contact fit that provides a tighter joint assembly. Rib members are located between the fingers to center the bracket and limit the resilient deflection of the fingers.
Claims20
A bearing for a non-oscillating joint extending along a central longitudinal axis of rotation, comprising:
- a hollow first portion having a first diameter defined, at least in part, by a first surface;
- a hollow second portion having a second diameter defined, at least in part, by a second surface, wherein said second first diameter is larger than said first second diameter;
- and
- a plurality of finger members positioned on said first surface of said first portion so as to extend inwardly toward said axis.
The joint assembly of claim 9, wherein the cross section of said fingers normal to said axis has a generally consistent outline along said axis.
The joint assembly of claim 9, wherein said distal end of said fingers are adapted to displace in a radial direction with respect to said axis.
The joint assembly of claim 9, wherein said fingers are resiliently biased away from said axis when said bracket is positioned therein.
The joint assembly of claim 9, wherein said bearing has a hollow first portion having a first diameter and defining a first surface, and a hollow second portion having a second diameter defining a second surface, wherein said second diameter is larger than said first diameter.
The joint assembly of claim 9, further comprising a protrusion extending from said surface and interposed between at least a portion of said plurality of fingers.
A rotational component for a non-articulating joint extending along a central longitudinal axis of rotation assembly comprising:
- a body having a first end, a second end, and a surface having a plurality of fingers extending radially therefrom, wherein said fingers are defined, at least in part, by a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said proximal end of said fingers is closer to said body than a contacting surface of said distal end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.