Controlled torque bushing with shouldered two-piece inner sleeve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022235817-A1
Application number	US-202117156340-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 22, 2021
Priority date	Jan 22, 2021
Publication date	Jul 28, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A bushing assembly includes an inner sleeve, a bearing, an elastomeric bushing, and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve includes two pieces. Each of the two pieces includes a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. Each of the proximal end portions includes an external shoulder having an outer radial face and an inner axial face. The bearing is rotationally mounted around the inner sleeve and captured between each of the inner axial faces of the external shoulders. The elastomeric bushing is disposed around the bearing and abutting the outer radial faces of the external shoulders. The outer sleeve is disposed around the elastomeric bushing and extending at least partially over the external shoulders.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A bushing assembly comprising:
an inner sleeve comprising two pieces, wherein each of the two pieces comprises a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, each of the proximal end portions comprising an external shoulder having an outer radial face and an inner axial face; a bearing rotationally mounted around the inner sleeve and captured between each of the inner axial faces of the external shoulders; an elastomeric bushing disposed around the bearing and abutting the outer radial faces of the external shoulders; and an outer sleeve disposed around the elastomeric bushing and extending at least partially over the external shoulders.

2 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric bushing comprises beads proximate the outer radial faces of the external shoulders.

3 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric bushing abuts the inner axial faces of the external shoulders.

4 . The bushing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric bushing comprises beads proximate the inner axial faces of the external shoulders.

5 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve are symmetrical.

6 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve are asymmetrical.

7 . The bushing assembly according to claim 6 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve comprise a locking feature.

8 . The bushing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein one of the two pieces of the inner sleeve comprises an axial tab at its distal end portion and the other piece of the inner sleeve comprises an axial recess at its distal end portion, wherein the axial tab is press fit into the axial recess to form the locking feature.

9 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inner sleeve comprises a locking feature configured to secure the two pieces together.

10 . The bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the external shoulders each define a width and an outer diameter, wherein at least one of the outer diameters and the widths of the external shoulders are sized to radially and/or conically tune the elastomeric bushing.

11 . A bushing assembly comprising:
an inner sleeve consisting of two pieces, wherein each of the two pieces comprises a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, each of the proximal end portions comprising an external shoulder having an outer radial face and an inner axial face; a bearing rotationally mounted around the inner sleeve and captured between each of the inner axial faces of the external shoulders; an elastomeric bushing disposed around the bearing and abutting the outer radial faces and the inner axial faces of the external shoulders; and an outer sleeve disposed around the elastomeric bushing and extending at least partially over the external shoulders.

12 . The bushing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric bushing comprises beads proximate the outer radial faces of the external shoulders.

13 . The bushing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric bushing comprises beads proximate the inner axial faces of the external shoulders.

14 . The bushing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve are symmetrical.

15 . The bushing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve are asymmetrical.

16 . The bushing assembly according to claim 15 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve comprise a locking feature.

17 . The bushing assembly according to claim 16 , wherein one of the two pieces of the inner sleeve comprises an axial tab at its distal end portion and the other piece of the inner sleeve comprises an axial recess at its distal end portion, wherein the axial tab is press fit into the axial recess to form the locking feature.

18 . The bushing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the external shoulders each define a width and an outer diameter, wherein at least one of the outer diameters and the widths of the external shoulders are sized to radially and/or conically tune the elastomeric bushing.

19 . A bushing assembly comprising:
an inner sleeve comprising two pieces, wherein each of the two pieces comprises a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, each of the proximal end portions comprising an external shoulder having an outer radial face and an inner axial face; a bearing rotationally mounted around the inner sleeve and captured between each of the inner axial faces of the external shoulders; an elastomeric bushing disposed around the bearing and abutting the outer radial faces and the inner axial faces of the external shoulders; and an outer sleeve disposed around the elastomeric bushing and extending at least partially over the external shoulders.

20 . The bushing assembly according to claim 19 , wherein each of the two pieces of the inner sleeve comprise a locking feature.

Assignees

• Pullman Co

Inventors

• Johnston Brent D

Classifications

• F16C2326/05

  Vehicle suspensions, e.g. bearings, pivots or connecting rods used therein · CPC title

• F16C2226/76

  with tongue and groove or key and slot · CPC title

• F16C33/122

  Multilayer structures of sleeves, washers or liners · CPC title

• F16C33/046

  divided or split, e.g. half-bearings or rolled sleeves · CPC title

• F16C27/063

  Sliding contact bearings · CPC title