US 5,538,349 AGranted

Bayonet bearing retainer

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsPhilip A. Morris, Michael J. Cottam

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A bearing retention arrangement is disclosed for rotatably supporting a shaft (27) within a bearing opening (75) defined by a wall portion (35). The bearing retainer (83) is cylindrical and includes a pair of bayonets (89,91), and the bearing opening (75) defines recesses (77,79) Which conform generally to the bayonets. After the shaft (27) is in place, along with the bearing inner race (63) and bearing members (65), the outer race (67) is pressed into the retainer (83). The retainer is then passed through the bearing opening, with the bayonets passing through the recesses, until the bayonets (89,91) are disposed adjacent a forward surface (71) of the wall portion (35). The bearing retainer is then rotated until the bayonets are no longer rotationally aligned with the recesses, and finally, some form of antirotation device (95,99) is installed to prevent rotation of the bearing retainer from its assembled position (FIG. 3).

Claims12

Dependent claims

A bearing retention arrangement for use in rotatably mounting a shaft relative to a housing defining a bearing opening;

said shaft including a mounted portion adapted to be received within said bearing opening;
a bearing set disposed radially between said mounted portion of said shaft and said bearing opening, and a generally cylindrical sleeve member being disposed radially between said bearing set and said bearing opening, and defining a leading end;
said bearing retention arrangement being characterized by:
(a) said leading end of said sleeve member including at least one retaining portion extending radially beyond a cylindrical outer surface of said sleeve member, whereby said leading end of said sleeve member defines an overall profile which is noncircular;
(b) said bearing opening of said housing being configured, over substantially the entire axial length thereof, to correspond approximately to said overall profile of said leading end of said sleeve member to permit insertion of said member, while in a first rotational orientation (FIG. 5), into said bearing opening, with said leading end moving axially in a first direction through said bearing opening to an axial position (FIG. 2) in which said retaining portion is disposed axially forward of said bearing opening, and whereby, after rotation of said sleeve member about an axis of rotation A of said shaft, to a second rotational orientation (FIG. 3), said retaining portion is disposed in engagement with a forward surface of said housing to prevent substantial axial movement of said sleeve member in a second direction, opposite said first direction;
and
c) means operable to maintain said retaining portion of said sleeve member in said second rotational orientation (FIG. 3), in response to radial and axial loads being applied to said shaft.

4 more elements

A bearing retention arrangement for use in rotatably mounting a shaft relative to a housing defining a bearing opening;

said shaft including a mounted portion adapted to be received within said bearing opening;
a bearing set disposed radially between said mounted portion of said shaft and said bearing opening, and a generally cylindrical sleeve member being disposed radially between said bearing set and said bearing opening and defining a leading end;
said bearing retention arrangement being characterized by:
(a) said leading end of said sleeve member including at least one retaining portion extending radially beyond a cylindrical outer surface of said sleeve member;
(b) said bearing opening of said housing defining a recess configured, over substantially the entire axial length thereof, to correspond approximately to said retaining portion, to permit insertion of said member, while in a first rotational orientation (FIG. 5), into said bearing opening, with said retaining portion passing axially in a first direction through said recess to an axial position (FIG. 2) in which said retaining portion is axially forward of said bearing opening, and whereby, after rotation of said sleeve member about an axis of rotation A of said shaft, to a second rotational orientation (FIG. 3), said retaining portion is disposed in engagement with a forward surface of said housing, rotationally adjacent a forward end of said recess, to prevent substantial axial movement of said sleeve member in a second direction, opposite said first direction;
and
c) means operable to maintain said retaining portion of said sleeve member in said second rotational orientation (FIG. 3), in response to radial and axial loads being applied to said shaft.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/403,156Filed 13 Mar 1995
Granted: 23 Jul 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F16H 3/095
With two or more countershafts: with means for ensuring an even distribution of torque between the countershafts
F16C 35/077
Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element: between housing and outer race ring
F16C 35/04
Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers: in the case of ball or roller bearings
F16C 2226/50
Joining parts; Fastening; Assembling or mounting parts: positive connections