Self-adjusting bearing

Abstract: A bearing positionable around a shaft that is rotatable in a coaxial sleeve such that the bearing mediates between a lateral surface that rotates with the shaft and another surface with respect to which the lateral surface is in relative movement, the bearing comprising a generally ring-shaped member having an upper undulating surface (42) with a first set of axially extending peaks (44) and valleys (46), and a lower undulating surface (48) with a second set of axially extending peaks (50) and valleys (52); the generally ring-shaped member having an adjustable top-to-bottom height; and wherein the bearing is sufficiently flexible such that its height can be changed in response to axially exerted force; characterized in that at least one peak (44,50) is a plateau (54,64) that forms a bearing surface, said at least one peak (44,50) being in the form of a truncated pyramid.

Description: Field of the Invention The invention relates to annular bearings positionable around rotatable shafts. Background A bearing, typically made of lubricious material, may be placed around a rotatable shaft to fit between a ledge or shoulder of that shaft and a surface which is not rotating or is rotating relative to the shaft. The shaft may, for example, be the stem of a valve and the non-rotating surface may be a ledge or shoulder of a valve housing in which the stem is rotating. Because of manufacturing variations, the axial dimensions of the stem and the housing may vary from valve to valve, as a result of which a particular valve may have either excessive stem wobble or excessive friction. There is a need for a bearing which will self-adjust for such axial variations and yet provide a bearing surface having the desired friction characteristics. In other applications, a bearing, also typically made of a lubricious material, may be placed between a rotatable shaft and a sleeve in which the shaft rotates in order to reduce friction and facilitate rotation. For example, the shaft and the sleeve may be a stem and a housing of a valve. Because of manufacturing tolerances in the radial dimensions of the shaft and/or the sleeve, a given bearing may result in a loose fit in which the shaft may wobble or in a tight fit in which friction is greater than desired. There is, therefore, a need for a bearing which will self-adjust for axial variations to thereby minimize shaft wobble and yet provide satisfactory friction characteristics. GB-A-1 039 434 discloses an axial bearing in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. The object of the invention therefore includes providing an improved bearing that will self-adjust for axial dimension variations while maintaining desired friction characteristics. The present invention provides an axial bearing of the above-mentioned type comprising the features of the characterising portion of claim 1. In other aspects, the undulations of the peaks and valleys of the two surfaces of the bearing are out of phase with each other. The bearings may be in the form of a continuous ring or a split ring. These and other features, aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows. Fig. 1 is a side, partially sectional, view of a valve in which embodiments of the invention may be employed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention which self-adjusts for axial variations; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bearing of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the bearing of Fig. 2. Description of the embodiments Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge valve 10 of a type used in a faucet. A rotatable shaft in the form of a cylindrically-shaped, radially-terraced and - grooved valve system or spindle 12 is positioned within a coaxial, cylindrically-shaped, multiple-diameter sleeve in the form of a valve cartridge or housing 14. The common axis of the stem and the housing is shown at element 15 in Fig. 1. Vertical reference terms such as "up" and "down", and the term "axial", refer to relative positions along axis 15, and in different embodiments axis 15 need not be vertical. Horizontal reference terms and the term "radial" refer to relative positions perpendicular to axis 15, whether or not horizontal. As further shown in Fig. 1, the stem 12 is axially constrained in part by the interference between its intermediately positioned radial ledge 16 and an annular end 18 of a bushing 20 (which is affixed to the valve housing 14 by a fastening means not shown). The axial constraint of the stem 12 is completed by the interference between an endwise radial flange 22 of the stem 12 and the ceiling 24 of a radial indentation 25 at the bottom of the housing 14, this interference being mediated by the axial bearing 26 which will be described below. The stem 12 and the housing 14 are dimensioned to provide a slight gap (not shown) between them so that the stem 12 can rotate within the housing 14. Radial constraint on the stem 12 is provided by an annular seal in the form of o-ring 28 and the radial bearing 30, which are positioned around the stem in its lower and upper annular grooves 32 and 34 respectively. The O-ring 28 and the radial bearing 30 provide the main bearing surfaces between the stem 10 and the housing 14. By rotating a knob (not shown) attached to the top of the stem 12, a user can rotate the stem 12, which in turn rotates valve members 36 and 38 which are carried and driven at the bottom of the stem 12 and which cooperate with stationary valve member 40, in ways not relevant to the present invention, to control the flow of liquid through the valve 10. An axial bearing 26 which self-adjusts for axial dimensional variations is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. It is a generally ring shaped member having an undulating upper surface 42 formed by a series of axially extending peaks 44 and valleys 46 and an undulating lower surface 48 formed by a series of axially extending peaks 50 and valleys 52. The "waveforms" of the undulating upper surface 42 and the undulating lower surface 48 are out of phase with each other. Though shown as a closed ring in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the axial bearing 26 could be split, especially if it were radially restrained, if a split ring were desirable for assembly or other reasons. Each upper peak 44 is in the form of a plateau 54 set on walls 56, 58, 60 and 62 which slant toward each other to meet the plateau 54. Each lower peak 50 may, but need not be, in the form of a plateau 64 set on walls 66, 68, 70 and 72 which slant toward each other to meet the plateau 64. The plateaus 54 and 64 may be flat or rounded. In each case, the resulting shape may approximate that of a truncated rectangular-base pyramid. Each valley 46, 52 is formed by adjacent slanting walls 56, 58 and 66, 68 respectively. The number of peaks and valleys, their heights and depths, the angles of the slanted walls, the surface areas of the plateaus and other features may differ from the embodiment of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, depending on the size of the bearing, the material used, the desired degree of stiffness, and other factors. The axial bearing 26 is positioned around the stem 12 so as to fit in the gap 74 between (a) the ceiling 24 of the housing indentation 25 and (b) both the flange 22 of the stem 12 and the top edge 76 of the moving valve member 36. The height of the gap 74 may vary from valve to valve because of variations in the dimensions of the valve parts. As a result of its undulating design and resilient material, the height of the axial bearing 26 is variable and is determined by the height of the gap 74, and the axial bearing 26 exerts axial spring force against the stem 12, thereby stabilizing it and reducing wobble. In operation in the valve 10, when the stem 12 rotates, the axial bearing 26 and the moveable valve member 38 rotate with it. As a result, the upper surface 42 of the axial bearing 26 slides along the ceiling 24 of the housing indentation 25. The desired degree of stability of the stem 12 and the desired amount of friction can be achieved by appropriate selection of the height, material and shape of the axial bearing 26. The area of the plateaus 50 is an important determinant of friction characteristics. The bearings 26 and 30 may be made of a resilient and lubricious material. When used in a plumbing valve such as illustrated in Fig. 1, an acetyl, a co-polymer acetyl arid a teflon filled acetyl have been found to be advantageous. Other materials, including but not limited to nylon and glass-reinforced plastic, may be used for such an application and for other applications. An important feature of the invention is that it may provide a bearing that will self-adjust for axial dimension variations and a bearing that will self-adjust for both axial and radial dimension variations, thereby reducing shaft wobble while maintaining friction within a desired range. While preferred embodiments have been described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments will be within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention is shown as used in a plumbing valve, it may be used in other types of valves and in non-valve applications which involve a shaft rotating in a sleeve. Also, the specific materials mentioned are not the only materials which can be used. All such and other changes from the embodiments described herein are meant to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: An axial bearing positionable around a shaft that is rotatable in a coaxial sleeve such that the bearing mediates between a first axially lateral surface that rotates with the shaft and a second axially lateral surface with respect to which the first axially lateral surface is in relative movement, the bearing comprising a generally ring-shaped member having an upper undulating surface (42) with a first set of axially extending peaks (44) and valleys (46), and a lower undulating surface (48) with a second set of axially extending peaks (50) and valleys (52), wherein at least one peak (44, 50) is a plateau (54, 64) that forms a bearing surface and wherein the bearing is sufficiently flexible such that its height can be changed in response to axially exerted force, and wherein one of the upper and lower undulating surfaces forms a single row of peaks and valleys characterized in that also the other of the upper and lower undulating surfaces forms a single row of peaks and valleys, its peaks being in the form of truncated pyramids. The bearing of claim 1, characterized in that undulations of the first and second sets of peaks (44, 50) and valleys (46, 52) are axially out of phase with each other. The bearing of claim 1, characterized in that the generally ring-shaped member is a continuous ring. The bearing of claim 1, characterized in that the generally ring-shaped member is a split ring.

Inventors: BROUWER DOUGLAS J, BROUWER, DOUGLAS J.
Applicants: KOHLER CO, KOHLER CO.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16C27
IPC codes: F16C27, F16C17, F16C33, F16K41