Shaft assembly
OwnerHirotake Harada, David Zdebinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shaft assembly is provided that has a shaft having a groove disposed in an outer surface of the shaft, a bearing disposed about a portion of the shaft, and a spacer. The spacer has at least a first side and a second side and is positioned at least partially in the groove. The first side and the second side are angled with respect to each other, such that a radially inward portion of the spacer has a narrower width than a radially outward portion of the spacer. At least a portion of the first side of the spacer engages a portion of the groove and at least a portion of the second side of the spacer exerts a longitudinal force towards the bearing.
Claims20
A shaft assembly comprising:
- a shaft having a groove disposed in an outer surface of the shaft;
- a bearing disposed about a portion of the shaft;
- and
- a spacer having at least a first side and a second side, the spacer positioned at least partially within the groove,
- wherein the first side and the second side are angled with respect to each other, such that a radially inward portion of the spacer has a narrower width than a radially outward portion of the spacer, and
- wherein at least a portion of the first side of the spacer engages at least a portion of the groove, and at least a portion of the second side of the spacer exerts a longitudinal force towards the bearing.
A method for positioning a bearing on a shaft, comprising:
- providing a bearing, a shaft, and a spacer having at least a first side and a second side;
- disposing the bearing about the shaft, the shaft including a groove disposed in the outer surface of the shaft;
- and
- inserting at least a portion of the spacer at least partially into the groove such that at least a portion of the first side of the spacer engages at least a portion of the groove and at least a portion of the second side of the spacer exerts a longitudinal force towards the bearing.
A vehicle comprising
- a shaft assembly including:
- a shaft having a groove disposed in the outer surface of the shaft;
- a bearing disposed about a portion of the shaft;
- and
- a spacer having at least a first side and a second side, the spacer being positioned at least partially within the groove,
- wherein the first side and the second side of the spacer are angled with respect to each other, such that a radially inward portion of the spacer has a narrower width than a radially outward portion of the spacer, and
- wherein a portion of the first side of the spacer engages a portion of the groove, and at least a portion of the second side of the spacer exerts a longitudinally force towards the bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.