Patent ID: 6287011
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B23D,B23P,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
An improved spherical plain bearing comprising:A. an inner race member defining an inner race bearing surface extending therearound, said inner race bearing surface being spherically convex;B. an outer race member of steel which is surface hardened to a predetermined limited depth to define a case hardened outer layer extending thereover to increase wear resistance thereof and to define a structural inner core within said case hardened outer layer which is more ductile and less brittle than said case hardened outer layer to enhance structural strength of said outer race member, said outer race member comprising:(1) an outer race body defining a bearing cavity means therein adapted to receive said inner race member movably positioned therewithin, said outer race body further defining a lubrication hole means extending radially therethrough to facilitate lubrication of said inner race bearing surface and said bearing cavity means of said outer race body there adjacent;(2) an outer race bearing surface defined within said bearing cavity means, said outer race bearing surface being spherically concave and positioned in abutment with and movable with respect to said inner race bearing surface of said inner race member responsive to positioning of said inner race member within said bearing cavity means of said outer race member; and(3) a fracture zone on said outer race body defining at least one fracture therewithin extending completely through said outer race body, said fracture zone including a reduced cross-sectional area of said outer race body to limit the cross-sectional area of said structural inner core within said fracture zone in order to enhance the ability to form said fracture in said outer race member within said fracture zone through said case hardened outer layer which is more brittle than said structural inner core, said fracture extending completely through said outer race member to enable widening said bearing cavity means to facilitate placement of said inner race member within said bearing cavity means of said outer race member with said inner race bearing surface and said outer race bearing surface in abutting contact with respect to one another to facilitate relative spherical bearing movement therebetween wherein said outer race bearing means defines at least one notch means within said fracture zone of said outer race body extending at least partially into said outer race bearing surface to facilitate fracturing thereof by reducing said reduced cross-sectional area within said fracture zone and allowing said outer race member to be further penetrated during surface hardening thereof in order to further reduce the cross-sectional area of said structural inner core within said fracture zone.