Tolerance ring with retaining means
AssigneeThe Ray Engineering Co., Ltd.
InventorsArthur A. Cramer, Jr., Brian S. Cramer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tolerance ring is provided with radial projections to achieve unidirectional or bidirectional axial retention, or angular retention relative to at least one abutting cylindrical surface. Spaced tabs, dimples or a continuous flange formed at one or both axial ends of the ring provide the axial retention function by engaging with one or two shoulders on the abutting cylindrical surfaces, and a radially projecting tab at a lateral end of the split ring provide the angular retention function by engaging in a groove in the abutting cylindrical surface. The axial and angular retention projections can project radially inwardly or outwardly depending on the particular application, and the axial and angular retention projections can be used individually or in combination as desired.
Claims29
In a tolerance ring, having a planished cylindrical wall defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of axially elongated corrugations projecting radially from said wall along a part of an axial length of the ring, which is sandwiched between an inner cylindrical surface of an outer member and an outer cylindrical surface of an inner member, the improvement comprising:
- an axial retention means projecting from said ring to engage a projecting shoulder on one of said members, said axial retention means comprising at least one radially projecting member, whereby said tolerance ring will engage one of said members along an entire length of said corrugations and will engage the other of said members with said planished cylindrical wall to provide a means for the transfer of torque between said two members and said axial retention means will prevent at least unidirectional axial movement of said ring relative to the member whose shoulder it engages, said shoulder being captured within axial ends of said ring by said axial retention means, said shoulder having one surface formed by one of said cylindrical surfaces and another surface which is overlayed by said axial retention means.
In a tolerance ring, having a planished cylindrical wall defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of axial elongated corrugations projecting radially from said wall along a part of an axial length of the ring, which is sandwiched between an inner cylindrical surface of an outer member and an outer cylindrical surface of an inner member, the improvements comprising:
- an axial retention means projecting from said ring to engage a projecting shoulder on one of said members, said axially retention means comprising at least one radially projecting member, whereby said tolerance ring will engage one of said members along an entire length of said corrugations and will engage the other of said members with said planished cylindrical wall to provide a means for the transfer of torque between said two members and said axial retention means will prevent at least a unidirectional axial movement of said ring relative to the member whose shoulder it engages, said shoulder being captured within axial ends of said ring by said axial retention means, said shoulder having one surface formed by one of said cylindrical surfaces and another surface which is overlayed by said axial retention means;
- and
- an angular retention means projecting radially from said ring to engage in a groove in the cylindrical surface of at least one of said members, whereby said angular retention means will prevent angular movement of said ring relative to the members in whose groove it is received.
A tolerance ring in the form of a split cylinder with axial ends and defining a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of corrugations projecting radially from said cylinder, which is to be sandwiched between an inner cylindrical surface of an outer member and an outer cylindrical surface of an inner member to provide means for the transfer of torque between said two members, comprising axial retention means in the form of at least one member that projects radially from at least one axial end of said ring, each radially projecting member having a circumferential extent of less than one half of the circumference of said ring to engage a projecting shoulder on one of said members, whereby said axial retention means will prevent at least unidirectional axial movement of said ring relative to the member whose shoulder it engages, said axial retention means engaging said shoulder such that said shoulder is captured within said axial ends of said ring by said axial retention means, said shoulder being formed by one of said inner or outer cylindrical surfaces and another surface which is overlayed by said axial retention means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.