Mechanism for preventing bearing creep
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorsPhilip Brown, Pilun Chen, Ian Felder, Scott Bennett, Ryan Boris, Weiyi Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing assembly for power transmission includes a bearing outer ring, a bearing housing, and a retaining plunger. The bearing outer ring comprises a first surface and a second surface, the bearing outer ring structurally forming at least a first recess on the first surface. The bearing housing houses the bearing outer ring and forms a cavity. The retaining plunger with a spring is partially enclosed by the cavity. When the first recess and the retaining plunger misalign, the retaining plunger is compressed into the cavity by the first surface of the bearing outer ring.
Claims20
A bearing assembly for power transmission, the bearing assembly comprising:
- a bearing outer ring comprising a first surface and a second surface, the bearing outer ring structurally forming at least a first recess on the first surface;
- a bearing housing configured to house the bearing outer ring, the bearing housing structurally forming at least a cavity;
- and
- a retaining plunger comprising a spring, the retaining plunger at least partially enclosed by the cavity,
- wherein, when the first recess and the retaining plunger are misaligned with each other, the retaining plunger is compressed by the first surface of the bearing outer ring into the cavity.
A drive unit for a vehicle, the drive unit comprising:
- a motor configured to drive a gearbox;
- and
- the gearbox comprising:
- a bearing comprising a bearing outer ring, the bearing outer ring structurally forming a first recess on a first surface,
- a bearing housing configured to house the bearing, the bearing housing structurally forming at least a cavity, and
- a retaining plunger at least partially enclosed by the cavity,
- wherein the retaining plunger is compressed by the first surface of the bearing outer ring into the cavity when the first recess and the retaining plunger are misaligned with each other.
A process of assembling a bearing assembly for power transmission, the process comprising:
- disposing a first retaining plunger into a first cavity, the first cavity structurally formed by a first bearing housing of a first case;
- disposing a first bearing into the first bearing housing, the first bearing comprising a first bearing outer ring structurally forming a first recess that is configured to engage the first retaining plunger when aligned with the first retaining plunger;
- disposing a second retaining plunger into a second cavity, the second cavity structurally formed by a second bearing housing of a second case;
- and
- disposing a second bearing into the second bearing housing, the second bearing comprising a second bearing outer ring structurally forming a second recess that is configured to engage the second retaining plunger when aligned with the second retaining plunger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.