Abstract:
A bearing with integrated mounting features is provided with a groove in at least one of the races thereof. The groove is of a shallow depth and provides a mounting location for a mounting ring of slightly different diameter than the race so as to permit the mounting and maintenance of the mounting ring by compression or interference upon the bearing, particularly during shipping and assembly. Consequently, the bearing may be preassembled even when the use of metal mounting rings is contemplated to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and conditions wherein slippage of the races is likely to occur.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to bearings and other round parts, and more particularly to a bearing or round component having an integrated mounting feature that permits easier, more effective use of a mounting ring to prevent slippage even in less than optimal mounting conditions. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Bearings of the type contemplated by the art to which the present invention relates are typically utilized to reduce frictional forces operating at the interface between moving parts. A typical bearing design includes a concave-outward inner race mounted upon a shaft, a concave-inward outer race mounted within a housing concentrically about the inner race, and a number of lubricated round members, such as balls, cylinders, or cones, placed in the space between the inner and outer races. In such a design, the interface between parts moving relative to each other is reduced from a full face contact to a point or line contact, so the frictional forces are reduced based upon the difference between sliding friction (as with full face contact) and rolling friction. 
   One key to maintaining this reduction of friction at the interface is in preventing slippage, or relative movement between the inner race and the shaft, and the outer race and the housing. Indeed, slippage is one of the principal problems associated with proper bearing design and implementation, and its root cause is an insufficient frictional force between the races and their mating parts. A number of conditions contribute to slippage at the interface. For example, dissimilarities in the material of the bearing and the shaft or housing, and particularly dissimilarities in expansion rates between those materials, can cause imperfect contact between the races and their mating parts, reducing the friction therebetween and resulting in slippage. A second category of causes relates to manufacturing procedures; loose manufacturing tolerances, out-of-round conditions in the housing or the shaft, a lack of concentricity of the races and the housing or shaft, and other irregular conditions result in slippage (or other undesirable operating conditions) because the contact between the races and their mating parts is imperfect. 
   Irrespective of the cause, such undesirable operating conditions are intolerable primarily for two reasons. First, during operation of the device incorporating, for example, out-of-found or non-concentric conditions, vibration and noise are generated, frequently at undesirable levels. Such vibration and noise, being symptomatic of a failure to achieve the purpose to which bearings are directed, can result in premature failure of the borne parts. Second, slippage (and the heat generated by friction) will usually result in premature failure of the bearing, which in turn causes downtime for repair or, in more serious cases, catastrophic failure leading to machine damage or unsafe operating conditions. 
   The usual solution to slippage associated with material dissimilarities and loose tolerances is to interpose a mounting ring, which may include a locking device or some frictional material, between the race and its mating part. This ring is typically made of stamped, pressed, corrugated, rolled, cast, or machined metal, adhesive, or molded plastic or synthetic material, and is designed to fit by interference or compression between the race and its mating part. Ideally, the device is designed to accommodate, yet to be resilient against, a compressive force. Assuming that the fit is sufficiently tight to generate a holding force when the bearing and ring are inserted into or onto the mating part, the static friction between the race and the mating part is dramatically increased, and the potential for slippage is correspondingly reduced. 
   However, the conventional solution is lacking in that it potentially creates at least two additional manufacturing problems. First, the placement of a mounting ring upon the bearing or mating part requires an additional manufacturing step, because in order to be effective the mounting rings (particularly metal rings) are preferably sized too large to maintain themselves upon conventional bearings. Second, housings and shafts must be sized appropriately to accommodate additional material, and the addition of a mounting ring to a bearing design may increase overall design and manufacturing costs because the mating parts may have to be redesigned, or nonstandard bearing sizes may have to be used. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a bearing that may be preloaded with a mounting ring that effectively compensates for loose tolerances, misalignment, and differential expansion, and a bearing having substantially the same size profile and bearing capacity and characteristics as a standard bearing, but preloaded with a mounting ring. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The aforementioned needs, and other needs, are met in the present invention, in which a conventional bearing is provided with one or more grooves in the inner or outer races, or both, which grooves are of a sufficient depth to permit one or more mounting rings of any of a wide variety of types to be mounted and maintained thereon, but not so deep that the bearing performance is compromised. Specifically, the groove is formed to provide a mounting surface for the mounting ring by providing a recess into which the mounting ring may be fitted, such that the mounting ring extends radially into the groove and radially outward from the groove. 
   In a further feature of the present invention, the groove is formed such that the race includes an annular shoulder against which the mounting ring rests, so as to prevent the mounting ring from axially disengaging from the bearing once the mounting ring has been fitted onto the bearing. Depending upon the configuration of the groove (for instance, as a double-walled groove, a notch, or a double groove) one or more additional annular shoulders may be provided so as to retain the mounting ring or rings upon the bearing. 
   In a further feature of the present invention, the groove is configured as a notch, and the mounting ring is optionally provided with a side profile that extends axially outward of the race and radially inward of the outer race or radially outward of the inner race. In this configuration, the mounting ring exerts both radial and axial retention forces upon the bearing, which serves to increase the ability of the bearing to be retained within the housing or upon a desired section of the shaft. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a general perspective view of a bearing system according to the present invention, shown with a portion of the housing broken away to illustrate interior detail; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bearing according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view as in  FIG. 2 , but with a mounting ring mounted on the bearing; and 
       FIGS. 4A–4D  are cross-sectional views of various embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a bearing system  10  according to the present invention is shown in a general perspective view. Bearing  20 , the composition of which will be detailed below, is mounted within a housing  12 , a portion of which housing  12  is broken away in order to illustrate the interior detail of the system. Housing  12  is provided with a shaft  14  which is sized appropriately to receive the whole of the bearing  20  in a press-fit assembly process. Housing  12  may represent a portion of any of a variety of machines or appliances in which a rotating shaft is needed (such as, by way of example and not to limit the scope of the present invention, an electric motor). 
   The bearing  20  is further mounted upon the shaft  14  by inserting the shaft  14  through the interior aperture of the bearing  20 . The shaft  14  is designed to rotate with respect to housing  12 , and in a preferred embodiment a load is borne by the bearing  20  and transferred, depending upon the loading conditions, to the shaft  14  or the housing  12 . The bearing  20  is provided with a mounting ring  30 , which is interposed between the outer race  22  of the bearing  20  and the housing  12 . Mounting ring  30  is designed to accommodate a variety of imperfections in the contact between the bearing  20  and the housing  12 , which may be caused by loose tolerances, misalignment, out-of-round conditions in the housing  12 , differences in materials of the housing  12  and the bearing  20 , or any other condition in which there is less than full-face contact between the bearing  20  and the housing  12 . 
   In order for the bearing  20  to accomplish the primary task of reducing friction between the housing  12  and the shaft  14  as the shaft  14  rotates, the outer race  22  of the bearing  20  must remain as stationary as possible with respect to the housing  12 , and the inner race  24  of the bearing  20  must remain as stationary as possible with respect to the shaft  14 . A condition wherein there is relative movement between housing  12  and outer race  22 , or between shaft  14  and inner race  24 , would introduce slippage into the system, which in turn generates undesirable operating conditions (such as excess heat or noise) and potential damage to the system. Consequently, to prevent slippage, full-face and tight contact between each race  22 ,  24  and its mating part  12 ,  14  presents sufficient static friction to ensure that each race  22 ,  24  moves only relative to the other race and not to its own mating part  12 ,  14 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , for convenience, only the mounting ring  30  between the outer race  22  and the housing  12  is shown, but it is equally possible to place a mounting ring between the inner race  24  and the shaft  14  for a comparably tight fit. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bearing  20  according to the present invention is shown in greater detail. In  FIG. 2 , the bearing  20  is shown without any mounting ring  30  disposed upon it. The bearing  20  includes concentrically arranged outer and inner races  22 ,  24 , with the space between them sealed by a sealing wall  26 A. Referring for a moment to  FIG. 4A , a second corresponding sealing wall  26 B is present on the distal side of the bearing  20  to enclose an interior space  28 . Within interior space  28  are a series of lubricated spherical bearing members or balls  29 , sized to contact both races  22 ,  24  at a minimal contact point, so as to minimize friction between the balls  29  and the races  22 ,  24 . Consequently, inner race  24  (and, correspondingly, shaft  14 ) is free to rotate with respect to outer race  22 , with a greatly reduced frictional force therebetween, since the contact between the inner and outer races  24 ,  22  has been reduced to a rolling contact. Although  FIG. 4A  shows a configuration with spherical bearing members, it is possible, depending upon the desired application, to use cylindrical or conical members to achieve the desired result, particularly if greater loads are to be borne. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , outer race  22  is provided with a groove  40  in the exterior thereof. The groove  40  is shown in an exaggerated relationship to the bearing itself in order to illustrate the detail more easily. The depth of groove  40  is ideally very small with respect to the thickness of the outer race  22 , so as not to compromise the structural integrity of the bearing  20 . Specifically, one of the load-bearing principles of a bearing system is that the load is supported by the outer race  22  as a column, and the load is efficiently transferred to the bearing members  29 , the inner race  24 , and the shaft  14 . If the groove  40  is too deep, then the outer race  22  becomes a column, which permits the outer race  22  to flex in response to the load. While such a condition may increase the bearing capacity of the system, it would also create a point at which the distance between the outer and inner races  22 ,  24  is different from the thickness of the bearing members  29 . Such a condition would undoubtedly result in the far-premature failure of the bearing, either by cracking of the bearing-side face of one of the races  22 ,  24 , or crushing of one of the bearing members  29 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the groove  40  in a preferred embodiment forms a pair of annular shoulders  42 , which serve as retaining limits for the mounting ring  30 . Mounting ring  30  is preferably sized so that once mounting ring  30  is placed upon the bearing  20 , it is not easily dislodged therefrom, because it is contained between the annular shoulders  42 , within the groove  40 . Mounting ring  30  is further designed to protrude both above and below a line defined by the outermost edge of the outer race  22 . In  FIG. 3 , mounting ring  30  is embodied as a ring of corrugated metal and when the bearing  20  and mounting ring  30  are press-fitted into the housing  12 , the compression of the mounting ring  30  serves to exert a holding force upon the outer race  22  against the housing  12 , thereby increasing the static frictional force therebetween and substantially preventing slippage of the bearing within the housing. 
   It should be noted that although an outer-race mounting ring  30  and groove  40  are depicted in  FIGS. 2–3 , a wide variety of configurations of the mounting ring  30  and groove  40  are possible, in which grooves  40  are placed within the outer race  22 , the inner race  24 , or both; in which two or more grooves  40  are provided in the same race  22 ,  24 ; in which the groove  40  is disposed along a side of one of the races as a notch; in which multiple mounting rings  30  are provided; or in which the mounting ring or rings  30  are made of a different material or are constructed differently. These variations all fall within the scope of the present invention, and one configuration or another may be useful for a particular application. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4A–4D , some representative variations are depicted as alternative embodiments of the present invention. In each figure, a bearing  20  of the type depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is shown in partial cross-section in order to highlight the variations in the configuration of the races  22 ,  24  and the mounting rings  30 . In each of the figures, the grooves  40  are depicted in exaggerated form for the ease of identification of the features of the present invention, as noted above. In  FIG. 4A , the bearing shown is of substantially the same configuration as is depicted in  FIG. 2  and is shown without a mounting ring in place. The groove  40  in the outer race  22  provides a mounting location for a mounting ring such that a mounting ring of slightly smaller interior diameter than the diameter of the outer race  22  may be placed upon the outer race  22 . Correspondingly, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the groove  40  in the inner race  24  provides a mounting location for a mounting ring, such that a mounting ring of slightly larger exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the inner race  24  could be placed within the groove  40 . In the bearing shown in both  FIGS. 4A and 4B , any such mounting ring, as it has a slightly different diameter from the race to which it is mounted, will be maintained within the groove  40 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4C , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. A bearing substantially the same as that shown in  FIG. 2  is provided with an edge groove or notch  42 , instead of a central groove  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). The use of a notch  42  permits an edge ring  32  to be used in place of the usual mounting ring  30 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edge ring  32  is provided with a side member that effects both radial and axial compressive loads. Such a configuration further increases the mounting and retention force exerted upon the race  22  to prevent slippage, and provides an axial spring location to induce axial loads to preload the bearing  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4D , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. A bearing substantially the same as that shown in  FIG. 2  is provided with a central groove  40  in both inner and outer races  24 ,  22 , to provide a mounting location for mounting rings  30  at both interfaces. In  FIG. 4D , the mounting ring is embodied as a crowned ring that compresses radially to provide retention forces both axially and radially. 
   In view of the aforesaid written description of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.