Bearing assembly for oscillation joint

Abstract

A bearing assembly for an oscillation joint on a machine having a tandem wheel drive. The bearing assembly rotatably supports an oscillating hub rotatably connected to a shaft. The bearing assembly includes a frustoconical inboard bearing having a first bearing surface and a frustoconical outboard bearing having a second bearing surface disposed thereon positioned such that the first and second bearing surfaces form a generally v-shaped bearing interface between the shaft and the hub.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure is directed to a bearing assembly, and more particularly, to a bearing sleeve having a generally frustoconical shape for use in an oscillation joint.BACKGROUND[0002]Machines such as, for example, motor graders, wheel tractor scrapers, dozers, wheel loaders, and other types of heavy equipment are used to perform terrain leveling tasks. These machines are often operated over uneven terrain, causing individual wheels to be displaced relative to the machine's frame as the machine's wheels track the uneven terrain. In machines with a tandem wheel drive assembly, the tandem assembly is connected to the machine via a single axle with a pair of wheels mounted to a drive housing positioned on each side of the vehicle via a pivoting or oscillation joint. The oscillation joint pivotally connects the chassis of the in relation to the outwardly positioned drive housing while enclosing the power relaying components of the drive assembly. With a known co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The frustoconical bearing assembly provides extended wear life, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for smoother operation over uneven terrain by evenly distributing forces, minimizing wear and maintaining joint integrity.

Problems solved by technology

These machines are often operated over uneven terrain, causing individual wheels to be displaced relative to the machine's frame as the machine's wheels track the uneven terrain.

In particular, the oscillation joint is housed within an axle assembly, and is located in proximity to the differential and away from the wheels which makes the oscillation joint prone to higher forces due to the moment arm effect between the wheels and the differential.

As the oscillation joint wears, the thrust rings' respective clearances increase resulting in increased side-to-side movement and, as a result, premature wear ensues.

This causes added expense and machine downtime.

Moreover, the ring bearing may wear at a different rate than the pair of thrust washers resulting in additional maintenance events and the replacement of unevenly worn components.

Additionally, the individual thrust washers may experience different degrees of wear.

Such uneven wear often results in early replacement of the bearing combination within the oscillation joint.

Moreover, using axial shims only addresses the axial forces that are experienced within the joint and does not allow for radial gap adjustment.

Custom made units of tapered roller bearings and crossed roller bearings are expensive and often impractical for large diameter bearing applications.

Images